I’ve been working full-time since I was twenty-two (that’s 35 years, for anyone who’s counting).  I started doing data entry at a sleazy mail order company whose principals eventually were arrested in the U.S. for mail fraud, moved to the magazine business in the circulation department, worked in magazine consulting,  and then ended up in finance and business management, despite the fact that I have a degree in English Literature and no patience for balance sheets.

I spent the last 26 years at one company, as it went through three owners.  And on last Tuesday, I was “restructured” out.

Regardless of any other feelings I have on the matter (and they range from “wait, didn’t you appreciate me?” to “not my circus, not my monkeys anymore!”), I will in theory have much more time for writing, blog posts, book promotion and many other things, at least for a little while.  I may have no more ideas – but I will have time.

I will try to use it productively and not spend the rest of the my life on the internet.

(Image above is from Thomas Edison’s winter estate in Florida.  I don’t think I’ll be quite that productive, though).