If I were independently wealthy, I'd quit my job and create the Gothic Charm School/JilliLand fashion empire. The main reason I don't quit my job NOW and give that a shot is that I like us to have financial security and health insurance.

But according to the article, you still wouldn't feel financially secure.

I know everyone has problems, and rich people have feelings too, but it's really hard not to roll my eyes for much of that article. People are suffering hard, and being asked to suffer more, but we can't take even a little of that wealth that's making these people oh so unhappy, because people might not like their Christmas gift this year?

And not for nothing, but I'd bet if distribution of wealth were more equitable, there'd be fewer kidnappings.

I'd bet if distribution of wealth were more equitable, there'd be fewer kidnappings.

And if women didn't dress in such short skirts, there'd be fewer rapes.

Okay, okay, COMPLETE hyperbole. But let's rest the blame for kidnapping where it belongs--on criminals.

goodness, TB. F for bedside manner.

Consuela, I read that whole story during lunch yesterday. I could not believe how permissive her parents were. I get that she was getting bullied at school, but what about another school? What about limits on what she could say online?

I can't believe we don't have a single lurking venture capitalist.

If I were independently wealthy -- god, that's hard to imagine. My first instinct would be to sock it all away and keep working, just in case I lost my job later or ended up needing it in my old age. But if we're assuming "independently wealthy" pretty much means "there will always be enough," then I'd probably quit my job, spend the next several years raising babies*, give a lot to charity, and travel a lot. Maybe move my family to Berlin or Mumbai or Cape Town for a couple of years, or longer. I'd spend a lot more time reading, at least until the advent of babies.

*Like three or four years. That oughta be enough time, right?

Okay, okay, COMPLETE hyperbole. But let's rest the blame for kidnapping where it belongs--on criminals.

Yeah a bit, and I'm slightly offended, or possibly hungry.

Criminals are to blame for crime. I think there are fewer criminals and less crime in a more equal society.

why do you need three jobs if one of them pays you three figures

I hope you mean six figures...

I can't believe we don't have a single lurking venture capitalist.

If we do, I would like them to stop lurking. Please?

But according to the article, you still wouldn't feel financially secure.

Pffft. As long as I could pay our bills, have a cushion in case of emergencies, and health insurance, that would be great. The main issue is that our household couldn't work with both of us as freelancers, and I'm the one with the built-up resume. So I have the day job.

I get that she was getting bullied at school, but what about another school? What about limits on what she could say online?

Yeah. I have to admit I was feeling very judgmental of the parents. I suspect they had no idea of how much damage a crowdsourced mob could do.

If I were independently wealthy: I'd quit the job (today in particular, where I cannot get any traction on something that is so going to blow up into a big political mess), spend six weeks with a personal trainer, and then go climbing in France with a friend who's getting divorced. Then maybe Thailand or Vietnam.

After that? I dunno. I would camp out in the mountains and do some writing, and skiing.

And then maybe I would come back and do some sort of philanthropic work. Hmm. Hard to know, really.

Pffft. As long as I could pay our bills, have a cushion in case of emergencies, and health insurance, that would be great. The main issue is that our household couldn't work with both of us as freelancers, and I'm the one with the built-up resume. So I have the day job.

My life in a nutshell.