A road not (yet) taken Tuesday August 14, 2007, 7 comments

I know we always ask children what they want to be when they grow up. I know I’ve written about that before, too.

But serious, what career paths interested you when you were a child? What sort of job piqued your curiosity and captivated your imagination?

For me, I very seriously considered a career in architecture. I wanted to design environmentally sensistive houses. And bridges. I’ve always been fascinated by bridges – a physical metaphor for the process of joining two different ideologies together. I took several years of technical drafting in high school, in preparation for this career in architecture.

Unfortunately other things intervened, matters for a different story. I’ve subsequently learned that it takes a lot of school to become an architect. Not as much as becoming a medical doctor or anything, but school plus an internship is not to be sneezed at.

And I was surprised to learn that architects do not make a lot of money. I expected them to be among the higher-salaried group – maybe not like doctors, dentists or lawyers, but certainly more than marketing execs or computer programmers. Turns out I was wrong. Architects salaries are on par with office administrators and part-time plumbers.

I am both a web developer and a musician by trade, and though neither of these were in the running for things I wanted to do when I grew up, this is where I am for now.

Who knows for how much longer, though.


Comments

Sumedh Tuesday August 14, 2007


I’m not that old, but I am thankfully living (trying to) my dream right now.
My one passionate love in life is music—western classical. I play the violin.
I always wanted to pursue it seriously, but started a bit late in life, and never got the support from my family. I started doing computer-science engineering, and hence couldn’t practise properly for almost 3 years.
That was when I decided enough is enough. I sat down, had length discussions with my parents, who were genuinely concerned about a “safe” future and all that jazz.
Finally, I was able to convince them. I left engineering. I am doing an undergraduate course in English Literature on the side right now, but mainly concentrating on music.

Am 19 right now. Though there is not a lot of scope for western classical music in India, I hope to get a break somewhere outside, in some conservatory. Though that is still some time away, as I am yet to give my grade 6 practical exam, which I am planning to do next year.

Anyway. Sorry for (possibly) boring you with my life story.
I do seriously hope you do what you want to do. Ultimately, that’s all that matters in life.
And, as Mark Twain said, Twenty years down the line, one will repent what one hasn’t done, that all that one has done. (or something to that effect)...

Jonathan E Tuesday August 14, 2007


This will come as no surprise to you… but I always wanted to become a professional athlete. To this day, I’m still convinced I could’ve done it if I would’ve devoted myself to it. Unfortunately, work (and the need to make money) got in the way, and I didn’t have the time necessary.

Adrian Tuesday August 14, 2007


Jon, I think those are excuses. Just like the reasons I didn’t do the things I wanted were excuses.

Had I really wanted it, I would have attained it. Obviously I hadn’t wanted it enough.

That said, I still feel my excuses were pretty compelling.

And you’d have been a pretty good athlete!

Sumedh,

I am proud of you! Pursuing music is difficult. I know well, I’m a classically trained painist. I play music now (live, on stage as a bass player) and I really enjoy it, but I admire anyone who has the strength to make it their live’s primary pursuit.

Jonathan E Tuesday August 14, 2007


Of course they’re excuses! Valid ones, but excuses nonetheless. :)

What it really came down to was the fact that I wanted to have money “now” rather than “later” because if I wanted anything, I had to pay for it.

Jorge Wednesday August 15, 2007


I wanted to be a Ninja.

I can’t tell you if I am living my dream because I would have to kill you.

:)

As for you, Age, perspective dictates that you are an architect of sorts. You are structural designer of the wwword, and of musical notes on the strings of your chosen instruments.

:)

I’m proud of you. That should count for something.

Daniel Black Wednesday August 15, 2007


Man. I keep either forgetting to hit “submit” or somehow else my comments become one with Limbo.

Short version: first I wanted to write, then I wanted to write sci-fi, then (and now) I wanted to be a mathematician and physicist. At ~36, I’m still trying to finish my undergrad degree in math, which I started in ’98 (started, actual, as a dual major in math and physics).

We’ll see how it progresses.

Adrian Thursday August 16, 2007


If there is one part of this site that is lacking in terms of usability, it is this stupid comment form.

I’ll see if I can’t make it better.

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