Time
I left Meijer a few months ago now. I'm not sure I've said that on my blog yet. It did make the rounds under the radar somewhat on Facebook a few months ago, but not here.
I was at Meijer a long time. Twenty years in the office and almost five years in the store before that. Twenty-Four years and 6 months taken as a whole.
During that period, I had many week long vacations, several two week long vacations and a single month long vacation, once. The three months I've had "off" so far is the longest amount of time I've not-worked in my adult life. It's been interesting.
I think ten years ago, I would have got bored with this much time off. But with the current state of the internet, an endless number of how to videos, podcasts, rss feeds, my studio, and social media. I haven't gotten bored one day since I haven't been working. The weird thing is, with all the time in the world at the moment, it's still not enough to explore everything I'd like to explore.
There are new web development and programming platforms, animation programs, 3D modeling and 3D printing, drawing and design tools. There are so many interesting projects to explore around the home, yard and garage, and so many ideas to play with. So much of my industry to follow online. Even with "all the time in the world" there still isn't enough.
And I'm not even going near what's available to read, listen to and watch on streaming or digital media as entertainment. It's quite amazing really.
Sadly, most of the people I know are occupied during the workday, but although, they can't come over and hang out on the deck on a random Wednesday afternoon, there are emails, and tweets and Facebook posts throughout the day. That's ok though, I've got way too much I'm trying to do in the middle of the day most days to hang out on the deck anyway.
I'll re-enter the 9 to 5 world. Back to requirements, deliverables and deadlines and the office world again, but it won't be because I'm bored.
When I go back, I won't think I'll complain about not having enough time to do what I want to do either. Even with all the time in the world, there still isn't enough time, and that will be ok, I think.