So Ms. Dish has tagged me again, this time with a navel-gazer of her own devising. She is wondering what five fantasy careers her friends might choose if they could leave the ones they’re in. I have a little time to kill before going to see another apartment, so here goes:
1. Personal chef. I love to cook, but know I couldn’t hack it in a restaurant kitchen. But if I could make nice meals for a small group and get paid for it, I’d be pretty happy.
2. Therapist. Maybe it’s because I read psychology books all day, but I think I would really have a knack for this. Also, my friends are always coming to me for advice on various crises–somehow, I’ve developed a reputation for being the “level-headed” one.
3. Shop owner. I used to co-own a junk/art/antique shop, and I really loved it. I looked forward to running the place on weekends, chatting with customers and vendors, etc. I also did a nice job of promotion, if I say so myself. Maybe I could move back to a small town someday and have another go at it.
4. Curator in an art gallery or museum. I used to work in a museum, currently volunteer in a museum, and edit museum and gallery publications on a freelance basis. Whenever I go to museums, I pay attention to the organization and presentation of the art almost as much as the art itself, and often fantasize about how I might organize shows by various artists or of different kinds of work.
5. Freelance editor. I’ve wanted this for a long time. I’m currently an employed editor, but it’s not the same. I can’t pick and choose my work, I have no flexibility of schedule, and I can’t just edit a manuscript and be done with it. I’m tired of paperwork and chasing down permissions, illustrations, references, and tardy authors. I have enough freelance work to give me a nice chunk of pocket money; maybe someday I’ll take the plunge and hang out my shingle.
Who’s next? Will, of course, and Mr. Simmons and Mrs. Brown, if you care to.
January 12, 2007 at 2:09 am
A caterer — way cool. I can see it now, in partnership with Dad. Kind of makes chills run up your spine, don’t it.
January 12, 2007 at 2:20 am
No *way* would I be a caterer. Finger foods and bridezillas? Gah. I meant a personal chef in the home of a rich family.
January 12, 2007 at 2:14 pm
I’m working on it.
January 12, 2007 at 3:53 pm
You and your dad, partners in food! I can see it now. You would be a great therapist, as I am one of the many who turn to you for level-headed advice. Though of course, level heads are relative;)
January 12, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Someone would definitely end up with a paring knife in their eye. And a lot of therapists are whack-jobs themselves.
January 12, 2007 at 7:40 pm
1. animal trainer at sea world
2. vet for dogs
3. librarian
4. professional baker who makes her own hours. i would just love to bake all day long– yeast breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, etc… and get paid handsomely for it and perhaps even have someone as neurotic about kitchen cleaniless as I am to clean up my mess aftewards.
5. a gwen stefani type rocker (yes i secretly like her music and no doubt’s music, her candid interviews, and secretly admire her abs of steel)
January 13, 2007 at 8:35 am
oh, may you rot in hell!!! You’re evil. I will get back to this shortly…
Being a caterer is the punishment you deserve! I have visions of Monica from “friends”!
But, these all seem rather un-aspirational Jen. No glitz, no glamour? In fact, they all look potentially achievable, rather than fantasy….
I think I should tag you back and get you to do them again!!!
January 29, 2007 at 7:13 pm
how you can up with therapist is beyond
my comprehension, and return to museum life?
well, it gets crazier
January 30, 2007 at 2:01 am
Like I said, maybe I’m being brainwashed by my work. My head is stuffed full of psych theory, research, methodology, etc. And I like it. Plus, between my volunteer work and the free admission it grants me to all the other museums in the city, I probably spend more time in galleries than when I worked in a museum. Anyway, it’s fantasy jobs, so of course in my dream world everyone is nice and easy to deal with.