I’m in my comfy clothes - nice sweats & big sweater - sitting in the den of my house in da UP of Michigan. Out the window, I see the snow covered trees, and a lake in the distance. Lucky for me, I can’t see any other homes from my house, even though it’s fairly close to town. I have a big cup of tea next to me, and the fire is roaring. On the wall is a picture of me at the beach in the summer, and I think how nice the warm weather is, but I like the snow, too. Maybe later today when D. comes home from work we’ll do some cross-country skiing on the trail that crosses our back yard.
(y’know the best thing about this fantasy? In 2-3 years it’s gonna come true. Everything is falling into place. Yippeee!)
I would need a couple of parallel lives to accomplish all the someday dreams I have.
In the first, I’m a small-time but well respected artist who also teaches at a small university. I own my own home, there’s a studio in the backyard where I can paint, sculpt, fire ceramics, and even cast bronze. My circle of friends is a little wider than it is now, and all my family members are within an hour’s drive. Maybe I’m dating, maybe I’m not, but either way I’m happy.
In the second, I’m a published writer - mostly fantasy with some non-fiction. I’m currently in Europe, researching erotic Paleolithic art. I will do all the photographs and writing. It’ll be published as a high-end coffee table book. I’ll learn to speak passably in two or three more languages. I’ll spend the better part of two years tramping through Europe, seeing museums, caves, and Meditteranean islands.
In the third, I’m a comicbook writer/artist working alongside my brother to produce an independent series that rivals Sandman, and The Preacher. It will take several years to tell the full story from beginning to end, but all the loose ends will tie together in a package as neat and tidy as the ending to The Usual Suspects. In the meantime, I do the occasional side project and single-shot title.
There are a couple hundred other scenarios, from being a midwife nurse, to an architect, to a politician, but the main theme is making a living at something I really care about (hint: not tech support), and being surrounded by loved ones.
Evidently, I didn’t make myself extraordinarily clear. It’s not about what I wish I were doing, it’s about what I think I’d be doing if I’d made some different choices earlier on.
Believe me, I’m not discontent with my life. I am very happy to have become a parent. Bowen is my air (uh…and my heir. Neat how that works out, huh?)