The end of May.

[Landloper]

I've visited a lot of graveyards in my time, and never have I seen a tombstone saying "I wish I'd gone to work more."

Indeed!

[Landloper]

Thank you.

[Landloper]

I agree, Marco, that some people do seem to throw themselves into work to offset or to avoid difficult or unrewarding circumstances elsewhere. On the other hand, I've known those who seem to derive genuine satisfaction in their work in an open and infectious manner.

I pretty much decided to make the kinds of choices I have done early on in adult life. I will be 58 this year, so although I could indeed be kidding myself, it looks as if I'll be tumbling into my grave under the same illusion. There are consequences involved in this way of living - things can be very tight at times and one sometimes wants to do things but can't because there isn't enough money. I think not being able to help others enough financially is something I didn't consider earlier on in life. I think I would class that as one undesirable consequence of my preferences.

[Marco]

I'd put a proviso in... there's can be a big difference between a job and a career.

Most of my working life was in building conservation, it was my career, I loved it, it wasn't like a job it was a pleasure, for which I got paid.

However the career eventually turned into a job when I ended up stuck in head office, I took a big hit on my pension and left...six years early.

Yeah, I get that. I liked my job too (still do, when I do it, as I'm semi-retired now), as for most of my working life I was self-employed, doing something that I loved, and was in full control of my destiny, as it were. My wife also loves her job as a teacher, but will be retiring herself soon, and then we'll have all the time in the world to do the things we've always wanted to do!

Ultimately, I still enjoy FAR MORE the company of my wife, friends and family, and socialising together, than I ever did my job! And which is why, for me, having a job was only ever a means to an end - and that end was when the stage was reached where I no longer needed to work full time, and so could spend more time with the people I cared about.

That has to be the ultimate goal, surely? And also ENJOYING the money you've made working, while you're still young and fit enough to do so!

That's so often not the case though, and lots of guys will do anything they can to get away from 'the wife' or 'her indoors' (spend hours in the pub every night, working overtime or whatever), because they're not in a happy relationship, which is why they make their job their life, as their home life isn't a happy one, and so it acts as a form of escapism, and drowns out REALITY.

I couldn't imagine what that must feel like, but sadly, it's a reality for many.

Marco.

[Joe]

Are you having a sense of humour bypass tonight, Mike?

If Joe would like me to remove his 'badge', then all he has to do is say so!

Marco.

I didn't ask for the badge and don't want it. Please remove it.

[Marco]

Ok, what would you like instead: it reverted back to your previous title of 'No Agenda', or something else?

Marco.

[Joe]

Ok, what would you like instead: it reverted back to your previous title of 'No Agenda', or something else?

Marco.

Just back to 'No Agenda' would be fine.

[Marco]

Ok, done... But do me a favour now and don't give me cause to call you 'Captain Apathy' again

That means in future, if I'm ranting about something you're apathetic about, or disagree with, just ignore it, rather posting song lyrics, in order to convey your 'sense of humour', which I just find annoying.

Do we have a deal?

Marco.

[Joe]

its all very easy to theorise, but then life takes a hand, and you have to do what is needed even if you aint got it. Life isnt fair...simples

I think the best advice is that which Christ gave about not judging others, lest you be judged and found wanting.

There are all sorts of reasons why people's lives can go wrong; mental or physical illness, divorce (own or parents'), redundancy. Unless you know the person's situation in some detail, it's best not to assume that their problems are down to greed, fecklessness or other self-inflicted injuries. Take the bloke sleeping rough near Wrexham Cathedral that Marco mentioned. How did he end up in that state? Was it entirely his fault, or bad luck, or circumstances beyond his control? Quite possibly it was a mixture of all those three.

[Macca]

Well, I've lived happily under capitalism all my life on lowly paid jobs and never had money problems. Too many people out there not budgeting properly ,getting into troubles
with these ridiculous credit cards and then blaming everyone else for there ills. Sorry there s always someone that has to disagree with the general thesis and it had to be me

I also with you in disagreeing. 'Capitalism was an experiment that lasted 100 years.' Eh?

Really some bizarre stuff being posted on this thread.