Why I Smoke Cigars -- And Write About It

[Chico57]

Originally Posted by Depa

I was referring to the way people's days are structured, we work from morning to the mid afternoon and leisure time on the weekends.

I admit, that was structured poorly, but the point I made makes sense, right?

Unfortunatly for many people the days of working from morning to mid afternoon and leisure time on the weekends are a thing of the past that can only be dreamed of. With businesses forced to cut the workforce for whatever the reasons (the first one that comes to mind is to stay in business in these tough economic times) the fortunate people that still have a job (check the unemployment rate in your area) are having to work longer to take up the slack.
I myself work half days (12 hours) 6 days a week and sometimes 6 hours on Sundays. So I have very little leisure time. Yes, I know that is my problem but you play the hand that you are dealt. I feel fortunate to still be in business and able to live in the lifestyle that I have been accustomed to.
That being said, your point does not make sense to me.
Just my .

[AspiringGent]

Originally Posted by Chico57

I myself work half days (12 hours) 6 days a week and sometimes 6 hours on Sundays. So I have very little leisure time. Yes, I know that is my problem but you play the hand that you are dealt. I feel fortunate to still be in business and able to live in the lifestyle that I have been accustomed to.

You bring up a whole new (but related) issue, which is the fact that our standard of living has improved drastically in the last 50 years, but our work hours have also grown correspondingly. Has it been worth it?

[PerpetualNoob]

A job recently came open where I work that would have brought a fairly substantial pay increase. Everyone assumed I would apply and get it in a cake walk. I agonized over it for days, before I decided not to apply, primarily because the hours are long and irregular. Three months on, I still think I made the right decision. I don't really do a lot with it, but I still value my free time. I have that luxury, because I don't have a family to support, which is probably why I actually have free time to begin with. When I do nothing, I do it full-on, Baby!

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by PerpetualNoob

A job recently came open where I work that would have brought a fairly substantial pay increase. Everyone assumed I would apply and get it in a cake walk. I agonized over it for days, before I decided not to apply, primarily because the hours are long and irregular. Three months on, I still think I made the right decision. I don't really do a lot with it, but I still value my free time. I have that luxury, because I don't have a family to support, which is probably why I actually have free time to begin with. When I do nothing, I do it full-on, Baby!

You are ahead of the curve my friend. Or you can do what I did and work 16 hour days for 25 years and burn out and retire at 42 and spend the rest of your life catching up on what you missed. I should have done it your way.

[Grammaton]

You know what they say: No one ever laid on his death bed wishing he'd spent more time at work.

[Depa]

As a beach lifeguard I do what I would do if I had the day off anyway; mull around the beach, chat with people, stare at the ocean...
It's beyond me why more people don't try this!

Oh, right, I have to save people occasionally...
I make a ridiculous amount of money though, albeit hourly plus the expense of living in San Diego. Oh well.

[AspiringGent]

I've been very deliberate in my choice of career path such that I have the flexibility to live the life I want, while making sufficient money to support my family. While I have no interest in "dying with the most toys," I find value in living without the fear of where dinner is going to come from and ensuring my kids will have opportunity in abundance. That said, I value my time more than money, and try my hardest to give of both freely.

[shunoshi]

Originally Posted by AspiringGent

I've been very deliberate in my choice of career path such that I have the flexibility to live the life I want, while making sufficient money to support my family. While I have no interest in "dying with the most toys," I find value in living without the fear of where dinner is going to come from and ensuring my kids will have opportunity in abundance. That said, I value my time more than money, and try my hardest to give of both freely.

I view this as the choice way to live. I would never put myself in a position career-wise that would forsake my free time and time with my wife. These things are more important to me than money. Monetarily, I'll never be rich, but I'll never be poor. My personal quality of life will always be rich.

[Frinkiac7]

Originally Posted by Depa

I was referring to the way people's days are structured, we work from morning to the mid afternoon and leisure time on the weekends.

I admit, that was structured poorly, but the point I made makes sense, right?

Yeah, when you put it like that, probably.

There is much less of a divide between work/scuttle-about time and "time off" nowadays, though. That's the real shame.

[Frinkiac7]

Originally Posted by shunoshi

I view this as the choice way to live. I would never put myself in a position career-wise that would forsake my free time and time with my wife. These things are more important to me than money. Monetarily, I'll never be rich, but I'll never be poor. My personal quality of life will always be rich.

That sounds like the way to go, guys. Nowadays it seems hard to find a decent job that allows you ample time off. Unfortunately, I know only a select view lucky guys in my prospective field who seem to have that ideal balance worked out. So many stressed out people.

Life's too short...you're not going to be on your death bed wishing you'd worked more, or smoked fewer cigars for that matter!

On another note, I'd argue that while our standard of living has improved by some measures, we've lost out on many of the simpler pleasures that are inherently more valuable.

[Stinkdyr]

I read your blog every now and then, and enjoy it. Thx for writing it.
I also like the Mad Men series. I was looking at the pic in your latest musing about their fine suits. It occurs to me that they made the choice not use authentic looking 1960's thin ties. They went with modern day wider width ties. That is a shame, imho. I have a rack in my closet of cool thin ties from the 60's that I got from my father years ago. I still wear them. Otherwise, I get a big smile from the show.

[FrankB]

I agree whole heartedly with Aspiring Gent.I posted a similar post years ago,not quite as elequently as he did,but a cigar forces you to take that time out of your day to reflect and do nothing else.A cigar beats the hell out of almost any psychotropic drug I can think of;the tobacco version of I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.FrankB