If Money Were No Object...

[Out of Time Man]

"If money were no object, what would you do with your time? How would you live out the rest of your days?"

I've posed this question to some of the students I work with. I thought, in light of it being a new year with resolutions and all that jazz, this question is relevant and may illicit some interesting responses.

The question was in part inspired by an excerpt from an Alan Watts lecture that I listened to a few years back. I had often posed the question to myself, but never so eloquently as he did in one of his lectures.

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So, members of DU, if you could do anything you desired, what would you do with your time here on Earth?

[Tobin S.]

1. It would probably involve a lot of beer. :)

I was kind of thinking about this the other day when I purchased some lottery tickets. If money were no object, I'd take care of my family and friends first. I think I would then become a philanthropist.

On edit: BTW, welcome to DU.

[Out of Time Man]

2. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Regarding your philanthropy, do you have any specific organizations or groups of people in mind?

Concerning the beer, would you have a desire to brew your own, or enjoy being a connoisseur?

[Tobin S.]

3. I don't get too fancy with the beer. I just like to drink it.

I would keep my options open regarding the philanthropy. There is not any one cause that is near and dear to my heart to the point that I would focus exclusively on that. I would probably start with people who are trying to educate the public about mental illness. Climate change is also one of my big issues.

[Out of Time Man]

5. We share some similar desires...

I've had many people close to me who grapple with anxiety and depression, and while I feel that our country has made progress regarding awareness for these kinds of issues, a genuine understanding has been sorely lacking.

Much the same can be said for climate change. I find myself often baffled that in the year 2016, solar energy is not a common household staple. At the very least, I hope to see that within the next decade.

As for beer, I'm more of a hard liquor or cocktail man myself. My father used to brew beer though, so I definitely have a fondness for home brews

Thanks for the response!

[femmocrat]

4. I would donate more to animal rescue charities.

I support my local groups now. I haven't volunteered because I know I would end up as a hoarder.

I am facing those questions right now.... not that money is no object, but what to do with my time since I retired. It is a big adjustment to go from having no time for oneself to having too much time on one's hands. I know a lot of people would say that they wish they had that problem, but believe me, being busy and productive outweighs having nothing meaningful to occupy one's time.

Welcome to the Lounge, Out of Time Man. Interesting name that ties in with your questions! Are you really "out of time"?

[Out of Time Man]

7. I've had a hint of that myself...

After I graduated university, I had some time where I was gainfully unemployed. It was nice having the time off, but to go from producing so much work and then having nothing but time was a very jarring, and at times, deflating experience.

Out of curiosity, do you fancy yourself a creator of sorts? I know the visual arts are often construed as a field in which you either have a gift for it or you don't, but I find that to be a misconception. As with anything, creating something is a skill set, and any skill set can be acquired with enough time.

As for the name, it's a combination of a couple of things. The song, "Out of Time Man", by Mick Harvey, is one of my favorites, and for a period in my life, it felt like my theme music.

I also was once told by someone very special to me, that I was someone who was "a quarter step out of time...in some ways very fitting for this time and in some ways just outside of it." Of all of the things that have been said about me, that one is one of my most cherished.

Thanks for the reply and the warm welcome!

[femmocrat]

9. You are perceptive!

I am/was an artist before teaching drained all the life out of me. I will get back to it eventually. I have some other projects to complete before I can devote the time and space to it.

I am looking forward to seeing more of your intriguing posts!

[Out of Time Man]

10. Thank you!

I majored in studio art at university myself. I'm currently teaching English in Japan. I've wanted to teach from a young age, but after seeing the way the education system has changed during my formative years (and watching my mother battle with the system as well), I've been quite hesitant to become involved with it stateside.

I primarily do sculpture, printmaking, and painting. What media do you enjoy working with? I hope you get back to your work sooner than later!

[femmocrat]

11. Drawing and painting. Mixed media, I guess.

I love ceramics, but don't have a studio. I actually majored in printmaking. LOL

I think I'll start out with some watercolors to get the creative process flowing again. Thanks for your reply.

[Out of Time Man]

12. Small world!

My focus was in printmaking as well (though my thesis show was sculpture).

I've always admired those who can tackle watercolor. I find it to be the most unforgiving medium I've ever worked in. Cheers to your work that is yet to come!

Thanks for kicking my thread, I appreciate your responses a lot!

[underahedgerow]

6. A nice little stone house to restore, with a garden and lots of room for

A DOG RESCUE FARM!

A river running through the back garden and a nice little forest would be nice. So long as there is a great bakery nearby.

Money enough to travel a little once in a while... and a house keeper to pop in a couple times a week and tidy up.

I don't need much.

[Out of Time Man]

8. That sounds picturesque!

I grew up with dogs, so I can definitely relate to a desire to have a pack of rescue dogs. Having a forest in the backyard has also been a lifelong dream of mine.

I have the feeling that many of us don't need nor desire too much in terms of possessions. When possessions become the metric of ones worth, that's when things get koyaanisqatsi.

Out of curiosity, where would you like to travel to?

[underahedgerow]

14. I still have a list of places... more of europe, such as Sweden, Denmark, Austria

and more time in Italy. I haven't yet seen the old masters hidden away in the discrete museums of Europe. I love ancient architecture, old chateaus and castles. I haven't visited nearly enough of them.

I would like to visit my daughter more often in the US as I live in France already, spending my time between Paris and Cannes... or at least be able to buy her airfare to visit me or meet up for vacations. I don't really like the US much anymore, but I would like to spend some time in Hawaii. Heck, I'll go anywhere so long as I have someone fun to travel and have adventures with.

Mexico always has a place in my heart, I miss it and would like to spend time in the Yucatan again.

Yeah, I would like a big enough place to rescue a few dogs, indulge in some deerhounds, give a nice home to a couple of donkeys. I need my garden, I need my open air, but I have to be close enough to a big city to get my fix of culture and the fast life when needed.

[Out of Time Man]

24. Wow, what brought you to France?

How long have you been out there? With many of my formative years under the Bush Administration, I've often flirted with the idea of living abroad.

I've only been to Mexico once, and it too was to the Yucatan, in a small fishing village called Puerto Morelos. That was a magical trip I won't soon forget. That whole area has so much to offer and explore.

Gardens and open air are essential. Add some dogs into the mix, and you have my idea of paradise.

[Paper Roses]

13. I would take some trips my late husband and I talked about.

Back to Europe, Loved the few countries we were able to visit.
Our next trip would have been to Italy but that never happened.
We always planned to travel if we could once out 2 kids were done with college. We charged everything and went to England, France and Belgium. Wonderful memories. Now I am alone and too old and broke to go it on my own. If I had money, I would take a tour of Italy.
Europe is so full of great history, wonderful people. I am thankful for the opportunity to have gone, wish it was not over. I'm now just hanging on. So it goes.

[catbyte]

15. I would probably move to Thailand or India and work on an elephant/animal sanctuary like

Elephant Nature Park or Wildlife SOS.

[MrScorpio]

16. I'd move to the French Riviera and pursue my art

And do it while living in a really nice villa that overlooks the sea.

[Out of Time Man]

23. Wow, I didn't know you pursued art, MrScorpio...

I've seen your posts for a long time on DU and had no idea! Which media do you enjoy working with?

[MrScorpio]

32. Pencil, India inks, watercolors

Comic art basically.

[Out of Time Man]

33. Those are some unforgiving media...

I tip my hat to you, my good sir.

I know I'm just an internet stranger, but I'd love to see your work some day, if you'd be willing to share.

[MrScorpio]

34. No Prob... Here you go:

[Tobin S.]

39. Those are very good, Mr. Scorpio

[kairos12]

17. I would take a whack at climbing K2.

[NobodyHere]

18. Hookers and Whiskey

Also bring back Futurama for 10 more seasons

[Out of Time Man]

22. No flapjacks?

[NV Whino]

19. Travel

Move to New Zealand
Support multiple animal causes
Help out a few friends

[jmowreader]

20. Write travel books

[csziggy]

21. Pretty much what I have done since I was forced to retire

From my business of breeding, training and boarding horses - genealogy, needlework and volunteering.

If money were no object, I would travel more and donate more to organizations. Since ACA passed my husband was able to retire since he was working to keep us in health insurance but that cost us some income so traveling very much is not possible right now.

I've been fantasizing about dream trips. One would be to travel across country by train so I've been reading jmowreader's postings about his trip with fascination. That dream is much more affordable with the information he provided in his tales about his trip!

Another dream trip that is far less affordable would be to go to the United Kingdom. Rather than fly, I would love to take a ship over. It turns out that repositioning cruises from Florida to Europe are very affordable as are the return voyages. So I'm checking out the possibility of some day sailing to England in the spring and returning in the fall and traveling around England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland all summer.

In the six months or so between voyages I could do a lot of genealogy, visit locations with historic needlework, maybe take a class at the Royal Academy of Needlework and generally have a glorious leisurely time! My husband would love walking in various parts of the UK and could do that while I am busy with my pursuits.

So far I've discovered that the farm where my great grandfather lived when he married in 1838 is now a holiday cottage that can sleep six and that rents for 500 pounds for a week. Since it is just outside the village where my Welsh ancestors lived, that might be a lovely place to stay though there are smaller cottages available in the area for less money.

Unfortunately this may stay a dream trip - there is no way I can afford the cost of what I fantasize about!

[ohnoyoudidnt]

25. I would travel the world and explore as many countries and cultures as I can. nt

[Out of Time Man]

26. Do you have any particular places or cultures in mind?

Or is the act of traveling and exploring an ends in itself (i.e. the journey is more important than the destination)?

[ohnoyoudidnt]

28. There's so much to be seen.

Everything from major cities to more remote areas in places throughout China, Europe, South America, Africa. etc. It would be nice to spend months at a time in different places, maybe learn some new languages and get some exposure to other ways of living and see the Great Wall, Rome, pyramids, etc. My first desination would be island hopping around the South Pacific and mountain hiking. I read an article in NatGeo on Tonga years ago that caught my interest. Now that I think about it, doing field work for Doctors Without Borders would be something I would look into. I have no medical training, but I'm sure they could use people with other skills.

[elleng]

27. Visit Marseilles! (and other interesting cities and countries.)

Just now watching a Bourdain show on the city I've wanted to visit for a long time.

[hay rick]

29. Very little different.

I have a comfortable retirement and am doing what I believe I should be doing- which is mostly political and environmental activism. If I had more money I would probably invest a lot of it in the causes and candidates I already support with my volunteer efforts. I suppose if I had a lot more money than I have now I would get a new car and take more expensive vacation trips, but for the most part, I don't think my life would change much.

[CBGLuthier]

30. Making music no one wants to hear and accompanying it with videos no one wanted to watch.

[kentauros]

31. Relax, truly relax.

No more bills, no more worrying about making enough to pay those bills, able to take life so truly easy that it would be enjoyable again

[jakeXT]

35. Reminds me of the businessman & fisherman story

A wealthy entrepreneur from New York went on a two-week seaside holiday
on the coast of Costa Rica. On his first day there, he was impressed
with the quality and taste of the exotic fish he bought from a local
fisherman. The next day, the American encountered the native Costa
Rican at the dock, but the Costa Rican had already sold his catch.

The American discovered that the fisherman had a secret fishing spot
where the fish were plenty and the quality superb. He only caught
five or six fish a day, however.

The New Yorker asked the local fisherman why he didn't stay out longer
at sea and catch more fish.

"But Señor," the fisherman replied, "I sleep in late until nine or
ten every morning; I play with my children; I go fishing for an hour
or two; in the afternoon I take a one- or two-hour siesta; in the
early evening I have a relaxing meal with my family; and later in
the evening, I go to the village and drink wine, play guitar, and
sing with my amigos. As you can see, I have a full, relaxed, satisfying,
and happy life."

"You should catch a lot more fish," the American declared. "That way
you can prepare for a prosperous future. Look, I am a businessman
from New York and I can help you become a lot more successful in life.
I received an MBA from Harvard, and I know a lot about business and
marketing."

The American continued, "The way to prepare for the future is to get
up early in the morning and spend the whole day fishing, even going
back for more in the evening. In no time, with the extra money, you
could buy a bigger boat. Two years from now, you can have five or
six boats that you can rent to other fishermen. In another five years,
with all the fish you will control, you can build a fish plant and
even have your own brand of fish products."

"Then, in another six or seven years," the American rambled on, while
the Costa Rican looked more and more bewildered, "you can leave here
and move to New York or San Francisco, and have someone else run your
factory while you market your products. If you work hard for fifteen
or twenty years, you could become a multimillionaire. Then you wouldn't
have to work another day for the rest of your life."

"What would I do then, Señor?" responded the fisherman.

Without any hesitation, the wealthy American businessman enthusiastically
proclaimed, "Then you will be able to move to a little village in
some laid-back country like Mexico where you can sleep in late every
day, play with the village children, take a long siesta every afternoon,
eat meals while relaxing in the evening, and play guitar, sing, and
drink wine with your amigos every night."

http://www.erniezelinski.com/The-Entrepreneur-and-the-Fisherman.html

[Out of Time Man]

36. This is excellent.

Thank you for sharing this! I wish this story was far more popular than the Horatio Alger myth.

This hits directly to the heart of what I had in mind when posing this question.

[jakeXT]

37. I had to read a similar story in school, it was written in 1963 by Heinrich Boell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anekdote_zur_Senkung_der_Arbeitsmoral

[TBF]

38. When we have a little extra in our budget

now I tend to prioritize: books, travel, things for the kids, more dog toys (!), give the rest away

[Paula Sims]

40. Volunteer for animal causes

And move to Canada with hubby.

[GOLGO 13]

41. I would finally live for...ME!

I would get guitar lessons from Joe Bonamassa, David Gilmour, Brian Seltzer & Unknown Hinson.

Then I would take blacksmithing lessons from world-class master blacksmiths to create anything from beautiful iron chandeliers, ornate & intricate iron gates. Then on to ridiculously over-sized Viking battle axes to samurai swords worthy of Hattori Hanzo himself.

Then onto wood-sculpturing classes from master wood artisans to make, build & create my own electric guitars. I would also learn to make the finest smoking pipes to enjoy with my rowdy, weird looking ne'er-do-well friends as we ride our Harleys into forbidden lands looking for adventure, love & a mint 1960's Gibson Les Paul goldtop.

My new house will be an exact recreation of the house in the Adams Family movies (graveyard optional). However, I will include 2 secretly concealed huge batman/fireman poles so I can slide from the 3rd & 2nd floors to the bullet proof wine/tobacco cellar...in case of emergencies, of course.

[Fix The Stupid]

42. Get the family farm back...

Bank took it when I was 12...

Never forget that day. Dad on suicide watch...

Horrible. 23% interest in the early 80's... they took my dad's farm, and my two uncles' farms..all within 2 years...

I have a little house now with an acre of land. I have a 30' x 30' garden/food plot.

The amount of food I can grow in that little spot is amazing. I end up giving way more than half away every year...love it.

All I can think about is how much more I could give away if I had that farm back...

[LynneSin]

43. I would remove whatever that is growing on top of Donald Trump's head...

and find out what parasite is hiding underneath that is controlling his brain.

And I'd pay for Led Zeppelin to do a reunion concert for just me and my friends! Maybe afterwards drink beer with Robert Plant!

Oh and I'd solve world hunger

[Facility Inspector]

44. hookers, blow, and lottery tickets

[Xipe Totec]

45. I would go back to academia

Or back to the space program.

Either way, I would be happy.