Well, when I was 17 I was gonna do Quantum physics. Hated the
   math though. I was going to invent my own mathematical style
   using BASIC and skipping the weird 18th century bullshit
   language they use. I think in loops and subroutines anyway. But,
   didn't. Every choice I made added up to end up where I am here.
   I'm glad for it. Even my time in NJ, glad for. Made great money,
   learned stocks, played 'em, did great. Systems Analyst somehow.
   Other weird jobs - volunteered full time for a year working with
   cerebral palsy kids - that was the most fun. But yeah, I usually
   trusted my gut intuition on things. I never liked feeling
   "trapped". Still hate it. I can feel a trap coming and find ways
   out. Of course one trap leads to another trap but this trap for
   example is a trap I mind less than other traps I could've gone
   into. == Oh I agree. Smoking is definitely the devil's incense
   as one monk it to me years ago. Coping skills. There's plenty of
   metaphorical demons locked away in cages here. I know they're
   there. True freedom would be great but I'm still in
   servicing-others mode. == I've worked with kids before (usually
   nieces and nephews but even volunteering at times) and their
   repetitiveness never bothered me. "But why?" was always my
   favorite stuff. My first answer would suck, so I'd have to try
   another way. And another way. And another way. And another way,
   until they were satisfied. I have adult family members that
   aren't so different than that. Poke, prod, dig, find my weak
   spots, exploit them, try to emotionally manipulate me, try to
   get under my skin. Good practice for me. Makes me stronger each
   encounter.   wait: stronger isn't the word. Nimble. Agile. ==