My friends just sailed away

[Jeff Fuchs]

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.