Oh.

I'm originally from 100 miles north of this location, but moved further south for the money.  5th generation Texan (Great, great, grandmother moved here as a child during the Lincoln administration. 

For the $$ ?  Do you work in oil and gas or refineries or similar fields?  

I owned and operated an Oilfield Supply store in the Permian Basin.  Hydraulic and industrial hoses, belts and pulleys for pump jacks, safety supplies, pipe fittings, and consulting.  I worked my last day this year on October 31st.  Retired at the ripe young age of 49.  

I should say semi-retired, about to pursue other life dreams (Recording studio, art studio and DJ'ing).  Already got hired for music and video production for a RealEstate agency, and booked for the next 3 months in a themed DJ business I'm testing the waters in. I'm working harder now that I'm retired, lol.

But I have the time now to do whatever I want, whenever I want, which has relieved a lot of stress that I didn't know I had. I had been secretly taking classes for the last 3 years in audio engineering, music theory, and sound design without letting my clients know(I do have a background of 36 years in music and jazz bands).

When I broke the news to them that I was retiring, it was a major shock and has caused some disruptions in the local economy.  But I did sell all my equipment, shelving, and remaining inventory to a good competitive customer/supplier that is going to fill the void I left in the next few months.  I offered free training to them and consulting for 6 months.  After that, they will have to pay for any of my services. 

The weirdest thing is that everyday I wake up I feel like I have to be somewhere or doing something. It's just going to take a while to transition over to this different pace.  I feel like I'm playing hooky, skipping school or work, and having the accompanying guilt that comes with that.  I was in my field for 23 years and never took a single day off.  I worked sick, I took no vacations, and was always punctual.

I know I earned where I am now, but I still feel a little tense and apprehensive about allowing myself to relax and enjoy it.  

huh, very interesting.  I hear oil is pretty big in the west, so had to ask.  

Here's a pic of great, great, gram grams. Obviously I never got to meet her.

You ever really want to play a particular game, and you go to buy it on the eshop, but then you realize you had already bought it and never played it?