Have you ever thought about what you would do, if you could do anything in the world? I mean, what is your dream job?

I have pondered this question on a regular basis for most of my life and have come up with some very different answers.  I used to think I wanted to do stand up comedy.  Well, it turns out I’m not that funny, at least not to other people. (I crack myself up all the time.)  And I don’t really like standing for long periods of time. And I don’t like people staring at me and heckling me.  So that was kind of a deal breaker.

Used to want to be a Veterinarian.  Don’t like blood and dying animals, so again, it was a no-go.

Entertainer? Again, you need some kind of talent for that (well, you used to before reality shows), so that is not an option.

Now a lot of people will say “I am doing my dream job”, to which I say, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”.  Save that for your boss when you are up for your performance review.  Most of us, no matter how much we may like our company, co-workers and the work, can always find something we would rather be doing.

My epiphany came to me on a trip to Key West, Florida some years ago.  Somewhere in between the jacuzzi and the pool-side massage, I decided to take a little boat trip.  I love the water and the sand and surf.  So my friend and I decide to go parasailing.  It was a cool thought, but about 10 minutes into hanging out up there in the wind, I decided I was bored.  The “OK, been here, done it, what’s next?” feeling was setting in as it usually does for those of us with 5 second attention spans, when I found I had to do something to occupy my mind until they brought me down for my landing.  As I looked down at the ocean, the boat and all the tourists on it, it hit me.  I thought “That’s my dream job… parasailing boat captain in Key West”.

It has been my dream ever since.  Just think about it. You get to live in the Keys.  Sweet!  It is only really busy certain months of the year and during those months you can charge the tourists a king’s ransom for your services and live off the profit in the slow months.  You get to be on the water all the time, get a great tan and your crew really does all the work.  Also, it’s just a little ski boat, not some big huge thing I couldn’t handle. Growing up on Mobile Bay I think I was driving boats before I was walking.  Living in Orlando for 8 years helped to hone my skills.  I could do this.

My PR person brain is not good with math, but even I couldn’t help counting up the profits.  Tourists were paying $75 a pop to float around for 20 minutes.  Those just riding and not parasailing still had to pay a fee. The captain just drove the boat. The crew did all the hard work, probably for little more than minimum wage.  Yes, I thought. This is my dream job indeed.

Now, I am sure I will get comments to this post pointing out the down side of my dream job.  Save it. Don’t burst my bubble. I know there are costs to the boat, repairs, insurance, payroll, equipment, etc.. I am sure the underpaid workers will not show up from time to time and leave me high and dry to handle everything myself.  The long hours in the sun may leave me with skin cancer. The rising cost of fuel will eat into my profits.  My logical brain knows all these things, but my romantic mind won’t entertain such notions.  It just wants to soak up the sun…and dream.