# If I could work as a \[blank\] for the rest of my days I would be happy. Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 17, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974 "2008-09-17T12:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/1 "2008-09-17T12:52:20Z")
I have a fun job, one that I truly enjoy. I work within the green industry and it is a very satisfying job…however, it lacks a certain hands on appeal that I long for. If I could be a stone mason, and make absolutely beautiful works of [art](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2196628608_5b48f62e1e.jpg?v=0), and cool [stone walls](http://www.thejonahcenter.org/images/Stone-Wall-at-Storm-King.jpg), or [walkways](http://www.europeanstoneinc.com/Editor/assets/waterfall-stone-steps-pond-2.jpg), I think I would be in absolute bliss. The melding of geometry and art really appeals to me. But alas, I am not a stone mason, so I will have to be happy with working where I am. 🙂 And doing pet projects around the house. You? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/2 "2008-09-17T13:12:50Z")
I do not define who I am or my happiness by the work I do for money so… um… I don’t see how you question has an answer in regards to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/3 "2008-09-17T13:39:34Z")
I’m reading your OP as “how could I make myself absolutely happy with my work”, and to that, I’d say I always wished I was good enough to be an art teacher. It combines what I like to do with the social interaction I crave. My current job is unsalvageable. I do it for the money. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/4 "2008-09-17T13:41:28Z")
antiquarian (second-hand book seller) ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/5 "2008-09-17T14:08:28Z")
I’ve said this before, but I do what I love and I love what I do. Even if I were suddenly made independently wealthy, I’d still follow the science of it and do research or pro bono work. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do for a living. Recently I joined the dam committe of ASFPM, and we’re going to be working on recommendations to Congress to implement a new policy on dam failures as they relate to floodplain mapping at the NFIP. Woo! ---
**Author:** ![Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3da27b/32.png) [@Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nikki_Tikki_Tavi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/6 "2008-09-17T14:13:12Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My current job is unsalvageable. I do it for the money. Ditto. And the money’s not even that great in my case. :rolleyes: I’ve been thinking about going to dog grooming school. Not the highest aspiration in the world, but I think I’d enjoy doing it. Or editing. If I had the chops to make it through the schooling I’d love to edit books or magazines. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/7 "2008-09-17T14:20:29Z")
Either a train engineer or one of those guys that shuttles sailboats around the world. ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/8 "2008-09-17T14:29:29Z")
veterinarian. But I’m stuck as a people nurse, so \. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/9 "2008-09-17T14:40:09Z")
Assuming money wasn’t a concern, I’d be happy running a small neighbourhood cafe for the rest of my life. Nothing fancy… just a little homey space where the menu would have 4-5 dishes that change daily, plenty of good homemade pastries, a good selection of tea and coffee, and a fireplace in the corner with some comfy chairs for anyone inclined to rest their feet. The thing is, I’d only go for it if I suddenly inherit a buttload of money from an estranged, forgotten relative. Otherwise, the failure rate is too high and the financial consequences could be disastrous… I’ll stick to having little dinner parties at home instead. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/10 "2008-09-17T14:57:36Z")
I’ve always said that I’d like to run a small bookstore. Preferably one that sells both new and used books, perhaps on or near a college campus. The stock would probably be a bit heavy in science fiction and mysteries, but it would include a fair amount of oddball stuff stuff too. Alas, I suspect the days of the small independent bookstore are nearly gone. Maybe if I win the lotto and don’t need to live off the proceeds of the bookstore. Actually, that might be even more fun…being able to occasionally give books away to people who like to read but can’t afford to buy books. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/11 "2008-09-17T15:05:23Z")
A mythbuster. I’d have to be one of the head mythbusters like Jamie or Adam so I could have lackys that did the dirty work. I really can’t think of a better job. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/12 "2008-09-17T15:08:58Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I’ve always said that I’d like to run a small bookstore. Preferably one that sells both new and used books, perhaps on or near a college campus. The stock would probably be a bit heavy in science fiction and mysteries, but it would include a fair amount of oddball stuff stuff too. > > Alas, I suspect the days of the small independent bookstore are nearly gone. Maybe if I win the lotto and don’t need to live off the proceeds of the bookstore. Actually, that might be even more fun…being able to occasionally give books away to people who like to read but can’t afford to buy books. You know, Lurkmeister, that sounds like a goode deal. (with the lotto and everything) If I ever hit the big numbers I’d do that. My dream job would be a syndicated cartoonist. I’d really enjoy that, because I don’t mind spending hours by myself all day. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/13 "2008-09-17T15:09:50Z")
Stunt cock. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/14 "2008-09-17T15:16:09Z")
> [@Mahna\_Mahna](#): > > Assuming money wasn’t a concern, I’d be happy running a small neighbourhood cafe for the rest of my life. > > Nothing fancy… just a little homey space where the menu would have 4-5 dishes that change daily, plenty of good homemade pastries, a good selection of tea and coffee, and a fireplace in the corner with some comfy chairs for anyone inclined to rest their feet. > > The thing is, I’d only go for it if I suddenly inherit a buttload of money from an estranged, forgotten relative. Otherwise, the failure rate is too high and the financial consequences could be disastrous… I’ll stick to having little dinner parties at home instead. I like this, but I’d like it to be more of a coffee shop thing. Books, music, and the occasional guest speaker or performer. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/15 "2008-09-17T15:21:22Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I’ve always said that I’d like to run a small bookstore. Preferably one that sells both new and used books, perhaps on or near a college campus. The stock would probably be a bit heavy in science fiction and mysteries, but it would include a fair amount of oddball stuff stuff too. > > Alas, I suspect the days of the small independent bookstore are nearly gone. Maybe if I win the lotto and don’t need to live off the proceeds of the bookstore. Actually, that might be even more fun…being able to occasionally give books away to people who like to read but can’t afford to buy books. This is mine too. There would need to be a stray cat and some comfortable old stuffed chairs. I wonder if anyone makes canned “pipe tobacco” smell. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/16 "2008-09-17T15:26:00Z")
Part of my inspiration for my dream bookstore was from a used bookstore I once visited in Evanston. I forget the name, but the entrance was literally off an alley and the owner sat in a stuffed chair by the door reading and smoking a pipe. I can’t recall if there was a cat around or not, but I’ve been to several used bookstores that had at least one resident cat. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/17 "2008-09-17T15:48:16Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > Part of my inspiration for my dream bookstore was from a used bookstore I once visited in Evanston. I forget the name, but the entrance was literally off an alley and the owner sat in a stuffed chair by the door reading and smoking a pipe. I can’t recall if there was a cat around or not, but I’ve been to several used bookstores that had at least one resident cat. He must have a clone living in Seattle. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/18 "2008-09-17T16:25:18Z")
This is going to sound utterly lame to most people. I would love to be back in a lab, doing chemical analysis, for the rest of my days. It’s precise, finicky, nit-picky work requiring a good deal of skill and understanding. I’d want to work in a lab where I wouldn’t have to deal directly with customers, just be handed the samples, told what the concerns are, and be left alone while I prioritize and publish the results. And for a brief, shining moment, I had this job. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/19 "2008-09-17T16:32:27Z")
Magazine editor, with subject matter I care about. Had it for two years with the gardening magazine, and haven’t completely abandoned all hope of being able to find another job doing it. It’s the perfect mix of creativity and problem-solving for me as a task, with sharing information as the product. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974/20 "2008-09-17T17:10:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I do not define who I am or my happiness by the work I do for money so… um… I don’t see how you question has an answer in regards to myself. I’m not talking in terms of absolutes. I’m talking in terms of something that sits in the back of your mind, something that maybe you have always wanted to do. I love when people are so supremely happy with their work that they wouldn’t want to do anything else. I am about 88% happy with my work, the other 12% of happiness in terms of work comes from pet projects around the house. 🙂 But no I’m not talking about being defined by what you do. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-could-work-as-a-blank-for-the-rest-of-my-days-i-would-be-happy-poll/463974.md?page=2)