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Just wanted to say that I see you post a fair bit in HN, but have never heard about your music and art. The hair is great, and with the art, I picture some kind

Just wanted to say that I see you post a fair bit in HN, but have never heard about your music and art. The hair is great, and with the art, I picture some kind of doom metal. I completely agree with you on needing to do things your way, for the things that you have passion for. If you can make money off it, that's great, but if it's only for money you'll probably burn-out and despise it.

ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
Thanks! Yeah, when I was forced to retire, I was really pissed, but it ended up being one of the best things to have happened to me.
- progmetaldev 2y ago
  I am in the same boat right now. My boss has come to me and said he can't afford to pay me any longer, while I am very underpaid, but I chose that because I get a ton of freedom to choose technology and can take time off whenever I need it. I have extreme impostor syndrome, and have always been the lead software engineer, so have only had online resources for mentorship. I have written quite a bit of business software, and I've been maintaining software that evaluates banks and credit unions for risk, and have been working on it since 2009. I read HN, and think that I am probably in a good spot for myself, once I walk away and find something else. Probably almost anything. I crave knowledge and haven't compromised much on the software I've built in the last decade or so, and feel like I can confidently explain my reasoning and techniques for large projects. Most of what I do is under NDA, and I (maybe not-so-smart) have done a TON of work outside of normal hours, but I've always put them back into the company's software. I do feel like you are living the type of life when it comes to being happy and satisfied, so I just wanted you to know I appreciate your comments/posts and outlook on things.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
    I sincerely wish you luck. I was blessed, having the resources to retire early. Most are not so fortunate.
    - progmetaldev 2y ago
      Appreciate it. That kind of freedom has to be powerful! I suspect I have to learn to be not so nice, and not fear change, to aim for that level.

ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago

Thanks! Yeah, when I was forced to retire, I was really pissed, but it ended up being one of the best things to have happened to me.

progmetaldev 2y ago
I am in the same boat right now. My boss has come to me and said he can't afford to pay me any longer, while I am very underpaid, but I chose that because I get a ton of freedom to choose technology and can take time off whenever I need it. I have extreme impostor syndrome, and have always been the lead software engineer, so have only had online resources for mentorship. I have written quite a bit of business software, and I've been maintaining software that evaluates banks and credit unions for risk, and have been working on it since 2009. I read HN, and think that I am probably in a good spot for myself, once I walk away and find something else. Probably almost anything. I crave knowledge and haven't compromised much on the software I've built in the last decade or so, and feel like I can confidently explain my reasoning and techniques for large projects. Most of what I do is under NDA, and I (maybe not-so-smart) have done a TON of work outside of normal hours, but I've always put them back into the company's software. I do feel like you are living the type of life when it comes to being happy and satisfied, so I just wanted you to know I appreciate your comments/posts and outlook on things.
- ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
  I sincerely wish you luck. I was blessed, having the resources to retire early. Most are not so fortunate.
  - progmetaldev 2y ago
    Appreciate it. That kind of freedom has to be powerful! I suspect I have to learn to be not so nice, and not fear change, to aim for that level.