If you had a limitless supply of income, resources, and time, and current obligations and/or obstacles were not a factor - what would be your dream job? In other words, in a perfect world, what would you want to do with your day, and why?
I started this post a few hours ago, saved a draft, and was ready to go live tomorrow morning. This is the beginning of what I wrote:
Travel blogger. I think I made it up, but it's my perfect world, so I'm allowed. Basically, I would get paid to blog about travel adventures. Think celebrity bloggers, except I'm going somewhere new and different all the time, writing about my exploits and posting pictures of exotic, far-off lands. I'd travel on the beaten path, off the beaten path, and beat down people in my path. People would follow me in manner of Perez Hilton or Trent Venegas (PITNB).
But really. . .that's not quite right. That's not the essence of what I want my job to be. I just finished watching one of the most moving, upsetting, hopeful films that I've ever seen: Born Into Brothels. It's a documentary that chronicles the lives of children growing up in the red light district of Calcutta, India. The director is a photographer that taught these kids how to take pictures, and then used those pictures to earn money to send the kids to school. The movie reminded me that any job I do, I want to be helping others, contributing to the greater good.
So, I revise my original answer - I would be a documentary film maker. In truth, I've toyed with this idea several times. I even have an idea for a film that's been brewing for about 7 years now. Really, this job is not all that dissimilar to "travel blogger." I can travel to far-off lands. I can record my "adventures." But it's not just fun and games like my proposed travel blog; a documentary can reveal an important issue in a medium accessible to millions. . .and hopefully inspire some of them to improve the world around them. (For example, Born Into Brothels spawned an organization called Kids with Cameras, and also inspired a friend of mine to create a photography class at a local Boys & Girls Club. It's not "saving the world," but it's something.)
This is my favorite picture, taken by Suchitra - a girl whose aunt forced her to remain in the brothel rather than attend school.
Lest you think this post is all do-gooding and charity, don't forget that I'm totally going to blow people out of the water and garner lots of critical acclaim. This translates into glamming it up on the red carpet and canoodling with all kinds of handsome Hollywood types (see e.g. last week's special).
6 tips left at the bar:
This is a great inspiration and I hope someday to see your film - I'm intrigued by the idea you've been sitting on for so long now!
I had a similar thought process for you when I was thinking about coming to read your post and imaging what you'd say. My first thought was you'd be a professional surfer or beach bum. Then, I revised that idea to something very similar to your first thought, thinking how you'd need to be involved in some sort of travel and I came up with you'd be like a travel scout of sorts (think I made it up, too) where you weren't just a travel agent, but you travel around trying out different places and evaluating them so that you have more informed choices for clients (or possibly someone else's clients.) basically, you just got paid to travel around the world and try out exotic places!
I think this suits you well! I also would like to hear more about the 7 year idea.
Canoodling. That is one of those words that just makes me laugh and I think you're awesome for using it. Maybe I'll try to be awesome today and use it too! (PS: If anyone would be a good canoodler, it would be you!)
This is an awesome post - and I love how you combined all the things you love, like travel and social issues and film, into an idea.
I hope you start with the documentary about the homeless people who sell the newspapers. I was totally into that idea. I'll be watching!
P.S. I also would like to request a documentary on kissing strangers. And collecting accents!
(Can I be your research assistant?)
Very cool. I like that in answering the question, you switched up midway and got to the heart of the matter.
I can definitely see you doing this!
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