So I have a little over 2 weeks to figure out what I'm going to do with my life. That sounds a bit more serious than I want it to. Or perhaps, I'm not taking the decision as serious as I should. Since around Thanksgiving, I have been giving semi-serious thought to going to some sort of trade school. Aside from the money factor, and the future possibility of being my own boss, the idea of doing what I do now, or anything remotely similar to it, for the next 30 years of my life does bring a smile to my face. It depresses me actually. I'm going into my 6th year of behind the desk government work and I feel like I haven't accomplished much of anything. Actually, I'm quite sure I haven't accomplished anything other than become the owner of a decent shoe collection. The trade school idea came about when I was chatting it up with the driver who does pick ups at my job. Plumbing and steamfitting to be precise. He put me on to a school outside of DC. Like I said, that was around Thanksgiving. So, a day or so ago, I looked up schools closer to where I live and found one on the other side of town. The application fee is pennies and the aptitude test is so simple it's scary. In all my 27 years, I've never given any thought to doing this type of service. I wanted to be a chef. Architect. Graphic artist. DJ. Nomad. But after finding out the kind of income I would be able to bring in, after doing the most simple repair to my mom's furnace and actually having some work I've done benefit someone directly, and that feeling of accomplishment, which I haven't felt in I don't know how long, the choice is becoming much easier. My yearly review is coming up at the beginning of next month, along with a pay raise that I'm sure will be baby dick small, and probably down right laughable. The thought of it is enough incentive for me to take a day off work and go apply for a spot in the course.