Because you mention games and kids, I'm wondering about the surge in kids programming that I see: JW Tumbles, My Little Gym, Gymboree, after school programs at the Y and in various county rec centers...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your skills?

OP here. I think this is the problem. My marketable skills are mostly analytical - all computer-based stuff. I don't have any overwhelming passions/interests (so advice about doing what I love always makes me feel lame and boring). I like reading, playing with my kids, playing boardgames, going for hikes. I love being outside, so park ranger does appeal (although, honestly, I'm not sure how I would feel about that in winter). Sadly, I'm not at all artistic.

If you have good analytical skills, there are some certifications that require excellent analytical skills and are outdoors: GIS, land surveying, etc. Might be a good match of interests...

dog walker? tour guide?

If you like pets and are willing to handle a lot of them, I have a friend who left the work force to be a SAHM and when her kids went to college, she opened a dog boarding home in her home (she essentially converted an entire basement level to the boarding space) for dogs. She had restricted "pens" set up in the room so that the boarded dogs were not in kennels and if the dogs were friendly and social, she had them out and about in both the boarding space and/or their personal space upstairs most of the day, took them out for walks and put them in the pens for sleeping arrangements. She had a number of well off clients who were willing to pay good money to have such TLC for their pets while the owners were out of town. She had some pets for as long as two weeks at a time and made a pretty good income.

My dream job (which I don't dare to embark on due to financial constraints), is to sell soft toys online. Had the idea of getting the goods from Ali Baba, and then sell them on Ebay/Amazon. But it requires inventory financing, and I certainly don't want to have a room full of unsold bears and bunnies in my store room if things get stalled....anyway, if you're interested in the trading game.

My friend opened a pet store, the type that sells all natural foods, toys, gear, etc. Because she loves dogs. It is doing very well.

But there is still paperwork, payroll, accounts receivable, inventory, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Preschool teacher?

Ha ha -- Only if OP has A LOT of patience and stamina, and doesn't want to make much money...

-signed, a Preschool Teacher

Preschool teacher?

Anonymous wrote:What are your skills?

OP here. I think this is the problem. My marketable skills are mostly analytical - all computer-based stuff. I don't have any overwhelming passions/interests (so advice about doing what I love always makes me feel lame and boring). I like reading, playing with my kids, playing boardgames, going for hikes. I love being outside, so park ranger does appeal (although, honestly, I'm not sure how I would feel about that in winter). Sadly, I'm not at all artistic.

What are your skills?

I'm a dramaturg (script consultant) and creative drama teacher. While reading scripts and planning classes is desk-y work (though I usually do it on my couch), the actual implementation is at rehearsals, or in the classroom.

I'm an interior designer. I spend fewer than a quarter of my hours at a desk.

A friend of mine is a photographer. A real one, not just one of those people who claims they're one but isn't. She has very little desk time.

Another friend is now a lawyer in the LA court system, but before that was a park ranger, and she walks around parks all day long.

My cousin is a news reporter. She is always on locations and rarely at a desk.

Movie scout. Sorry, saw that in another thread. Don't know how to get into it.

I'm completely burnt out in my job, and am completely fantasizing about getting a job that won't leave me stuck at a computer all day. Any ideas? I hate health-care settings, so I'd rather continue staring at excel all day than nursing or something similar.

My current fantasies involve either moving to someplace vacation-y and opening a B&B or opening an independent toy/boardgame store. Neither of those are terribly realistic, so I need ideas for something else to daydream about...