Are you where you thought you would be at this point in your life?

[ohiosmith]

Not me. I was sure that I would be dead or in prison by now.

[crim son]

1. Fuck no.

I'm nowhere; that thought never occurred to me when I was young and hopeful.

[skygazer]

2. Nowhere near

I figured I'd be in my own home and financially secure by the time I was in my mid-40's.


HAH! What a joke. :(

[Hugin]

3. Bwhahaha hahahaha hahahaha hahahahaha hahahaha!

No.

:|

[deepthought42]

4. No. Working 2 dead-end jobs. Still hopelessly single...

and I'm not holding my breath waiting for that elusive first date... Fuck it's depressing... :evilfrown:

[musical_soul]

91. Same here.

I know it will happen for me. It will happen for you too.

Many people get their career later in life and having relationships already (in which half of these people divorce if they get married) is overrated in my opinion.

[deepthought42]

94. Honestly I'm getting to the point in my life where I don't really believe that anymore...

But thank you. :hug:

:hi:

[Qanisqineq]

5. oh hell no

I thought I'd be content with my life and at least have a job. Now I have an M.S. degree but am unemployed. I am facing a separation and likely divorce. I have no kids, which I guess is good considering my current situation. Now I am making myself depressed.

[malta blue]

6. Not even close

Nowhere near....

My career aspirations are kaput
My financial aspirations are just a wild eyed pipe dream at this point
My...oh hell...you get the point.

[IA_Seth]

7. Is anyone?!

Life always takes turns away from my "plan", but looking back (and looking ahead), I wouldn't change them. Even the bad things all formed who I am today, and I love it!

[Shell Beau]

8. Pretty much except I really hoped I would have kids by now!

x(

[Midlodemocrat]

24. Kids are highly overrated.

:hide:

[Shell Beau]

34. Ha!!

I am trying to enjoy life without them now as best as I can. But I have that mother in me trying to come out but my ovaries or fallopian tubes just aren't cooperating!! x(

[Arugula Latte]

106. Keep trying ... I know you'll be a mother eventually (however it happens)

It's soooo worth it, and I'm sure you would make an outstanding parent whether it happens biologically or you adopt ... :hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

85. Trust me, you don't want kids.

:P

We're pains in the asses.

[RebelOne]

9. Actually, I really thought I would be dead.

I'm 68 and as the old adage goes: "If I thought I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

[qwertyMike]

63. Ditto

I'm 61

But I'm just about where I expected to be given my wayward life.

The joy is that I have 2 great kids. A daughter who turns 21 on Saturday and an 18 year old son who is still in grade 12 but was accepted to a prestigious college.

And we are all very close.

I guess I'm content

[Merrick]

10. I've exceeded them all

I'm neither in jail nor dead, and as you can ascertain, I even have my own computer + internet connection. Not bad for someone whose high school guidance counselor suggested 'heroin addict' as a career option.

[ohiosmith]

16. We may have had the same Guidance Counselor.

[datasuspect]

11. i was where i wanted to be by my late 20s

budding legal career, good money, engaging work.

then alcoholism, drug addiction, getting disbarred, then prison.

now i am a shell of my former self.

[lildreamer316]

12. Actually, kinda, yeah.

Strangely enough.
I mean, I kinda wish I had done a couple more things than I have, but in general, yes.

[jobycom]

18. It's the 316.

Lucky number, you know.

[lildreamer316]

25. You bet your ass.

Glad I'm not in rehab, though....eh.

[jobycom]

26. Does 316 have something to do with

rehab? :shrug: It's my birthday, so it's always been my lucky number. :)

[lildreamer316]

36. Oh. Are you EVH's son too??

Just kidding ya. :)
316-date Wolfgang Van Halen was born in (I believe) 1990. Also song on For Unlawful C. K. album
Eddie himself is in rehab.
lildreamer-reference to Little Dreamer; VH song off debut album.

[jobycom]

42. Ah. So I take it you are a fan of

Steppenwolf? :rofl:

It's also Jerry Lewis's birthday. I like the Eddie Van Halen reference better!

[lildreamer316]

43. LOL

Actually...
Didn't know it was Jerry Lewis's birthday. Cool.

[BuelahWitch]

84. It's also my cat's birthday

:hi: She turned 11 last Friday. So far she hasn't had to enter rehab...

edited to add Angel's rehab status.

[Connonym]

13. Sadly, no

I've made some dumb career moves and that, combined with the shitty economy, have me pretty much starting over again at 40.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear ohiosmith......

I had no idea where I would be at this point in my life, actually...

I had never looked forward in time to see what I could imagine...

The last couple of years, since I joined DU, have brought quite a lot of interpersonal changes to me.....

I had never imagined being where I am now...

[The2ndWheel]

15. I'm a day to day kind of guy

Not really about planning. As much as is possible in a world more categorized and numbered, I try and find a way to deal with what comes up each day, and just go where the wind takes me(even if it's nowhere).

[jobycom]

17. Depends on how far back you go. Yesterday, I figured I'd be about where I am now.

Going back twenty years, no, I'm not a famous rock star novelist running for president. Yet.

[SPKrazy]

19. Nope

not anywhere near where I imagined I'd be even 5 fucking years ago!

Certainly things have not turned out as I had planned them to and I'm not happy with them at the moment.

Only I can change that and change that I will have to. Several things I need to do, and the pain of not doing them is starting to exceed the pain perceived of doing them.

So, life is busy preparing me for some new journey that I never imagined, and can only hope isn't a long walk off a short plank as it seems to be feeling lately in EVERYTHING I do, or touch.

Having one SUCK ASS day at the moment thanks for the reminder that this suck ass day is just part and parcel of the need for large scale change.

However, I need to be reminded of the old saying: "how do you eat an elephant?"



"one bite at a time"

Just hope the corpse isn't rotten by the time you finish it!

:(

[datasuspect]

20. when life gives you lemons,

squeeze them on some lobster

[SPKrazy]

21. Well That Sounds Pretty Good About Now!

:9

[cwydro]

98. This is for you

:hug: :hi:

[wildhorses]

22. no--eom

[Midlodemocrat]

23. Yup. I figured at some point I would be this age.

:woohoo:

[regularguy]

27. Never gave much thought to the future...

and it turns out that - absurdly enough - that I have a career (sort of) *and* a family. I guess I theoretically could have traveled more and had sex with more super models and all that, but overall I 'm satisfied. (OTOH, I really thought I would have worked a lot more II-V licks into my repertoire at this point in my life. :( )

[dropkickpa]

28. No way Jose!

But it's good and bad.

I am not the fabulously wealthy (and thin!!) career woman I imagined I'd be at one point.

I am, however, alive (I was _convinced_ I'd be dead for some reason or another by the age of 23), I love my job, and I love my kid, so I ain't doing too shabby. Except for the whole broke and chubby thing, but that's just not all that important to me anymore.

[dropkickpa]

29. Not at all

But it's good and bad.

I am not the fabulously wealthy (and thin!! and tall!!) career woman I imagined I'd be at one point.

I am, however, alive (I was *convinced* I'd be dead for some reason or another by the age of 23, due to my lifestyle), I love my job, and I love my kid, so I ain't doing too shabby. Except for the whole broke, short, and chubby thing, but that's just not all that important to me anymore.

[sir_captain]

30. Professionally, yes. Personally, no.

[noonwitch]

31. I though I would have found a husband and had a kid or two by now

Oh, well, at least I don't have to share my money with anyone.

[cobalt1999]

32. After reading the replies, I almost hesitate to say yes.

Actually, a bit beyond where I thought I'd be, definitely making more money than I dreamed. Planning on retirement in 9 more years and sailing the world, happily married to the same woman after 14 years, two great kids, good friends, nice house on the water, healthy, happy, and enjoying life. Only thing about posting this is it makes me feel a little guilty.

[Evoman]

38. A good life consists of 3 parts choices, 1 part luck.

If your over 75 percent happy, then you have nothing to feel guilty about. You made your life.

[seaglass]

33. No. I wanted to be Diane Sawyer and I'm nothing like her.

But then again I don't want to be her anymore.

[MissMillie]

35. It never occurred to me that I would still be alone

Professionally, I don't know that I had any expectations, but personally, I figured I'd get married and have kids. I was only half right on that one, and now my child is grown, and I'm the woman in the apartment w/ the cats (just 3, but you get the idea).

[ohiosmith]

55. 3 live cats right?

[MissMillie]

58. yes, they are all alive

lol

[ohiosmith]

60. Good. Living with dead cats is not a positive sign.

[MissMillie]

62. well, if I lived w/ 3 dead cats

I certainly wouldn't question why I was still alone.

[ohiosmith]

72. On the other hand, if you lived with three dead cats you may think something was wrong with anyone

who didn't want to.

[Evoman]

37. I've never really given much thought to the long term future.

So..well, I don't know. I've basically just gone with the flow, and when some opportunity pops up, I take that road. Case in point..I was in my last year of my science Bachelors when I saw a job posting for a position in a lab. I didn't really care much, but thought..meh, why not..might as well apply. So I went up to the lab where I had to apply...the door was locked. So I said...meh...and started walking away. But then I thought...hey..wait..maybe I'll knock..I don't really care, but why not?

I knocked. The prof was there. I got the job. I ended up doing an honours with him. Then he asked me to consider staying to do a masters. I thought..meh, why not? Turns out he was an amazing mentor, and the subject was interesting. But now, I'm close to being done, and I'm at the same position...what to do now?

Meh...something will pop up.


On edit: If I had walked away, I would not be living with my kick ass girlfriend of three years (I met her in the lab). I would not almost have my masters. My life would be completely different...small choices, big consequences

[cobalt1999]

48. I long long ago came to the conclusion that you can't plan life

Just make the most of the opportunities that do come your way, try not to make decisions you know aren't right, and don't fret about missed paths. You're right something will pop up, they always do if you make a little effort.

[Lil Missy]

39. No

I never thought I would ever be able to tolerate a roommate, much less a partner. It's been 2 years now, and I don't know what I would do without her. Life is good.

[Book Lover]

40. I may not have gone where I intended to go,

but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.

[SeattleGirl]

41. Nope. In fact, I'm not even sure where I am!

Maybe I'm having a midlife crisis......

[Nicole]

44. Pretty much.

Way ahead of my plan in most areas, not where I want to be in one.
I'm enjoying what I have & where I'm at. I try not to focus on the one thing I failed at.

[Guava Jelly]

45. If 20 years ago i looked ahead in time to today

I wouldn't be very thrilled at what i saw.

[kwassa]

46. Not where I expected to be, but I am not unhappy about it.

Many good things have happened to me in the past 15 years, including some things I never thought would happen for me, like a great marriage, a good home, and a good and secure job. This didn't start to happen until after 40. Up to that time, I had none of those things.

[idgiehkt]

47. No,

and I am really starting to be upset that the theme to 'Friends' still applies to me, at 38: "Your job's a joke, your broke, your love life's DOA...". :eyes:

[leftofthedial]

49. nowhere near

[Manifestor_of_Light]

50. No. On paper I should be successful, I followed the rules.

I thought I would have an interesting, high paying job, because I busted ass going to college and getting all those degrees that would help me get a good job (ha ha ha!!! what a fool I was!!) and have a big savings account, be married to the love of my life, and have several wonderful kids.

Didn't happen.

Unemployed, little savings, not married.

However, I have one wonderful kid, that my former hubby wanted me to abort, the minute I told him I was pregnant. I said if he didn't like it he could leave. Jeebus.

And LOTS of time on my hands to do what I want to do.

[MissB]

51. Better. Yes and no.

If I ever ran into any of my college buddies, they'd expect that I was working at a high level consulting job, because that was my destiny through my senior year of college and grad school. I walked away from my career when my kids were very young and haven't returned.

However, dh's career has blazed on through and we've ended up more prosperous than I could have imagined. Not that we're rolling in the dough, mind you, I just assumed that giving up my career would be more painful financially and it hasn't turned out that way.

I couldn't have imagined myself as a stay at home parent who volunteers a huge chunk of her time for no money, but I'm quite happy.

[Sammy Pepys]

52. Yes and no

Jobwise, probably not...but I'm not sure I ever had any idea about that.

Personal life, yes...I got married at about the age I figured I would and provided all the pieces fall into the place my wife and will have our first child at about the age I figured I also figured I would (she's not pregnant yet, but we're trying).

[av8rdave]

53. Have wanted to fly since I was a kid...and I am doing that for a living, but

I'd rather hoped I'd be a multimillionaire rock star by now.

Guess I should learn to play an instrument better than I do...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

54. yes and no.

i was pretty sure i would always be single.

i was also pretty sure i would have finished grad school by now.

[NMDemDist2]

56. nope, well actually yes, in a way

I figured by now I'd be a hopeless alcoholic working in some dive neighborhood bar from 4AM to Noon, scrubbing the floors and toilets from 4AM to 6AM opening time.

I figured I'd have sticklike arms and legs and a huge distended belly due to cirrosis, living hand to mouth in a one room apartment.

what is really happening is I am a 15 year recovered (recovering, whatever)alcoholic in good health, living in a 3 bedroom two bath house on an acre that we own outright, but still tending bar, just working the sweet high $$$ shifts in the nicest bar in town instead of crap shifts that include crap cleaning.

funny how getting sober changed things but not really eh?

[rbnyc]

57. Me too.

I thought I'd be dead by 30. And I NEVER thought I'd be a freaking executive, or a mom, or married, or about to buy a house!

:)

[MAGICBULLET]

59. Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

- John Lennon

Truth to that, pretty much sums it all up

[ceile]

61. Nope. Thought I'd be married,

with my MA in gov't and living overseas. The ex and I split up (there goes the married and living overseas parts) and I can barely pay my bills much less take on tuition. But I'm with a wonderful man now and looking forward to the future.

[redqueen]

64. Well... yeah, actually, sort of...

not quite exactly, but who gets that? I'm close... that's good enough for me. :)

[Zavulon]

65. Not even close. I had planned to be finishing my MLB career with the Expos.

Now the Expos are in D.C, I'm within 25 miles of their stadium, they suck and I'm an underpaid office rat.

[Javaman]

66. Not me, I always thought I would be bald, middle aged and in a

dead end job.

It's the American dream, isn't it?

[Arugula Latte]

67. Pretty much. I got the degrees, traveled, married, bought house, had kids, etc.

I wanted two kids before age 35 and that happened with a year to spare. I'm so incredibly lucky I was able to have kids; I know so many people who have struggled and I appreciate my good fortune for having (beautiful, smart, funny, healthy ;) ) kids every day.


Things haven't been exceptionally great financially (nor exceptionally bad -- heck, by world standards, we're stinkin' rich), but now they are turning around and I now have hope that we'll be able to put our kids through college.

[SteppingRazor]

68. At what age?

I mean, I'm pretty much where I thought I would be if you're talking about the opinion of me 3 years ago. But me 15 years ago? Certainly not.

[ohiosmith]

74. You pick it.

[SteppingRazor]

75. Well, 15 years ago would be half a lifetime.

Me at 15? Yeah, I probably figured on being dead by 30. In fact, I know I figured on being dead by 30. Happily, I've curbed my vices a bit since then :evilgrin:

[bikebloke]

69. Nope

Thirty years ago, I went to Europe on those new dirt cheap flights and discovered something better. That's where I wanted to spend my life and do the mate and family thing. Turning it into a reality didn't work. I guess I should have done it illegally or married someone just for the residency paper. But it did lead to venturing even further afield around the globe.So I'm more fulfilled for it.

[zanne]

70. I thought I'd be dead, too! nt

[NewWaveChick1981]

71. Professionally, yes. Personally, well...

it's a mixed bag. My self-confidence and self-esteem are at an all-time high, and I'm very proud of what I've become. My biggest disappointment has been my marriage, and I'd have hoped it would be a lot better than it is now.

[ohiosmith]

77. Sorry about your personal situation NWC. I hope things develop the way you want them to.

[NewWaveChick1981]

78. Thanks, ohiosmith...

:hug: :hi:

[ohiosmith]

81. :

:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

73. Nope

But then again my visions of my future have always been ever changing.

[guitar man]

76. not even

I never thought I'd have to work and scratch so hard to make so little at this point in life. I thought we would have progressed rather than regressed as a nation.

<sigh>

[Wapsie B]

79. I hadn't really thought of it that way.

Did I ever think I would be CEO of some big company or a professional musician, sports star, or married to a beautiful movie star? No.

I've just not enjoyed many things I've done in my life, and because of lack of career direction didn't have any kind of decent job until I was almost 30. I have never felt like I was anywhere close to being in my right place as they call it. I still don't. I have beaten myself up countless times for that, thinking I should be doing more but not really taking the time to figure out what that should be.

I've come to the realization that I've got to try and enjoy certain aspects of the here and now. Even if someone lives to be 100 eventually those todays run out. Life is sometimes like those Chinese Handcuffs in that the more you struggle against them, the tighter they become.

[legally blonde]

80. in some ways, yes

Ten years ago I was pretty sure I would be single and living with two cats (well, I think everyone saw that one coming).

But, I'm in a completely different profession, in debt up to my eyeballs, and desperately searching for a job. But, I like how my life has turned out so far. I have a wonderful family and great friends. The rest will work itself out.

[Nikia]

82. No, I hoped for better things

I thought that I'd have children and a better job by now.
My parents were much more successful at my age (29).

[DainBramaged]

83. No, but at least I ain't eating squirrels

[ohiosmith]

96. Dude! There is nothing quite as satisfying to the palate as grilled squirrel on a toasted bun.

[raccoon]

97. Sounds like Clinton Tyree. The fictional one. nt

[ohiosmith]

100. Skink

[DainBramaged]

103. Where were you a month ago when I was defending that right against

the hordes who felt a squirrel's life was more valuable than a Humans?


With BBQ sauce>

[ohiosmith]

104. Having me some squirrel kabob.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

86. Er, yeah.

All 15.5 years of it. :P

[alarimer]

87. Not at all

I have a job that only requires a GED and and keep trying to move up to a position that better suits my abilities but after 10 years and numerous other job interviews, nothing. I AM working on a Masters in my field in the hope that it may help but I have become down and discouraged. Part of the problem is ME, because I am extremely passive, not really a go-getter like I should be. I pretty much feel like a failure.

[Tyo]

88. Luckily, no. n/t

[musical_soul]

89. I'm glad you're better off.....

As for me, I'm not where I thought I'd be. I thought I'd be much better off by now. Life just isn't a bowl full of cherries.

[rug]

90. I never thought past 1999.

[Critters2]

92. I'm supposed to be married and have kids

My mom was supposed to be a grandmother before she died. I really fucked that up.

[Ekirh]

93. Hmmm let us see here. .

Twenty Four. .. so six more years before I die of self stress

Single . . . but that's okay . . I've decided I just won't get married

No Children . . but that's okay cause I don't want any . . so far kind of decent

five years of college.. nothing to show for it.. okay now it begins to suck . .

Live with the grand parents, still can't live on my own, okayyyy now..

working at a soy sauce factory and I hate it . .

I have no goals or plans for the future. . .

Honestly, I never had an idea where I would be at this point . . .

but to say I look at myself in a dissappointing light would be correct.

At least I have my health.. weight I regained all the weight I loss.. well then . . "looks and sees a cup of tea right in front of him" mmmm tea. . . . one of the great things in life.

[GalleryGod]

95. Exactly. Spot On.

Job. Position. Subject Matter. and College of Dreams. ME! Lower right.

[cwydro]

99. Lol

I never gave much thought to what I would be doing in my 40's, but I have to say I can't complain. Not entirely satisfied with work, but I love where I live and am pretty much happy with my life. Never would have dreamed as a kid, that one day I would be living in the Keys.

[LynneSin]

101. I thought I'd be married to Robert Plant so obviously 'no' is the answer

But then again I was only 14 when I made that pledge.

I also use to think that I would be in a mental institution by the time I'm 25 - sadly that did not happen either

[LaraMN]

102. Based on my projections from what age?

When I was twelve? No.
When I was twenty? No.
Twenty-five? Maybe. Sort of.

[ileus]

105. I'm finally back to where I was at 25....

Took me 13 years but here I am, three houses and three wifes later....LOL Finally, stability at home at work and within.