My friends just sailed away

Jeff Fuchs · 06-13-2005, 10:22 AM

If ever there was a person who could inspire me to pursue art, it's my friend Laura, and her husband, Charlie. They just left after being guests in our home for three nights. We had to drive them around town for provisions, as they are traveling the coast in a 44-year-old sailboat they recently restored.

Laura is an artist, and she makes a low income by the standards that most of us would shoot for. She makes less than $100 for her works, and Charlie is a woodworker. They gave up the rat race years ago and decided that they would live life on their terms, regardless of how much money they have. Their boat is not a yacht, as most would describe it (though the true definition of the word includes smaller boats), and they have only a single 12-volt battery for power. They've been aboard for a month, and have about a week left before they get home.

They ran into many unexpected expenses on their trip, and Laura will have to paint full time when she gets home in order to get back into their financial comfort zone, but they aren't complaining. They're having a ball.

So here I sit, at my civil servant's desk day after day, at the mercy of bean counters, while those who take risks are living the life they want. I have financial security, and my mortgage is paid off, but I'm a slave to my office. I won't turn in my resignation just yet, but I'm approaching the point where I can take early retirement (2 1/2 years away), which would not pay enough to support me, but would provide medical coverage so that I could do whatever work I choose and not have to worry about benefits.

Will I take the plunge? Only time will tell. But if I don't develop those art skills, I'll be sitting here at this desk for many years to come, and Charlie and Laura will sail in for a visit from time to time to remind me of the consequences of playing it safe.

Michele Rushworth · 06-13-2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

the consequences of playing it safe

Well put.

We have to choose our own comfort zones, though. We can step outside them, and stretch the barriers of those comfort zones from time to time, but what it comes down to is how much risk feels like it's just too much for each individual, in their own lives.

I believe we each have the lives we really want, when it comes down to it. We have each created our own reality.

There's a saying that we make changes only when the "pain" of that change looks like it will be less than the "pain" of staying the same. What we're left with at the end of the day is what we have deliberately chosen for ourselves.

Elizabeth Schott · 06-13-2005, 01:02 PM

Oh Jeff, I thought you had sailed away, I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you here!

Beth

More on the subject later!

Patricia Joyce · 06-14-2005, 10:53 AM

Jeff,
SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOu! We miss you here on the forum! And I am grateful for your post as well. I too, am tied to a desk 40 hours a week with the dream of escape as soon as I am financially able. The temptation to chuck it all and live like a bum is very tempting until I think of how expensive health insurance is!!

Believe me, two and a half years for you to take an early retirment from the government is NOTHING. That time will fly by and can be well used drawing and painting. I know you have a young one at home, but I believe you can make something work for you which includes art, even if you are not selling allot in 2 years. I have often thought of substitute teaching (anyone can, with a college degree) which is like working part time as you can choose how much to work and a school days ends pretty early! Just a brainstorming idea for you.

I am excited for your opportunity in a couple years.

Jeff Fuchs · 06-14-2005, 01:52 PM

I'll be sure to tell my wife you called her young. She's 44, but doesn't look it. We never had kids.

My cruising friends also have no insurance, and they've managed, but there's always that fear that something will happen. I'm not willing to give that up. My insurance paid out over $30K on me this last year, though I'm as healthy as I've ever been. When you're handicapped, you just gotta have it.

BTW: Laura's work can be seen at www.griffithart.com and Charlie's boatbuilding site is at www.harmonyboatworks.com

Boatbuiding is only part of what Charlie does.

See ya later. Gotta get back to work

Jeff

Patricia Joyce · 06-14-2005, 02:09 PM

Laura's work on gourds is really beautiful! Why did I think you just had a baby a couple years back? See you have been gone so long I am probably getting your life story mixed up with someone else's. But I do remember your drawings, i.e. the from life drawings, and the studies of the masters which you did. And I remember the drawings of your wife (now that I turned fifty, forty-anything is young!!)

Anthony Emmolo · 06-15-2005, 11:53 PM

Good luck with your choice Jeff,

Just be ready for some lean years financially. However, if by waiting 2 1/2 years before retiring, you'll keep your benefits, it may be a good time to try the life of a full-time, or almost full-time artist. Only you would know your situation. From one point of view, it is a choice you can probably take back if it doesn't work the way you want it to. Obviously I cannot know if you'll be able to return to your present job, but you'll be able to work somewhere in order to sustain yourself while you paint. The fact that you'll have your benefits is good. I am forty-two years old, and I don't have benefits. I've chosen the "artist life", and at times I get nervous about the future.

Good luck, you sound smart. You've already protected yourself in ways that I'm learning to do now.

Yours,
Anthony