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I enjoyed reading this article (and am excited to read future comments) because it resonates almost exactly with my current lifestyle and way of thinking. This

I enjoyed reading this article (and am excited to read future comments) because it resonates almost exactly with my current lifestyle and way of thinking. This happened to me ~8 years ago. Solution was to spend 5k on a solo trip, all economy/hostel accommodations with a single backpack, walking around Europe (Poland, Budapest, Portugal) with a quick trip to Japan. Inner peace levels and happiness went up 10x what a 20k bonus ever provided me. It also helps to realize how small we are, how truly big an impact we can make by via technology, and that every single person you love, respect, run into will eventually die in some misery, with regret that brings tears to their eyes no matter how well they lived. So enjoy yourself, but don't take it too easy. I'm a solutions engineer for tech startups which is generally very fun, challenging work, but tech really is like heroin (wasn't there a HN link about it?) and needs to be kept in-line. If you anyone wants suggestions re. Europe travel, I'd be happy to share.

mr_luc 13y ago
Agree re: 'keeping tech in its place' in life. I've got an interesting solution (described a bit in my hn profile). I work a few months in the states with clients each year, do a bit more work remote, but slightly over the majority of each year I'm not working, and instead I live in my house in Pacific-coast south america. When I do work remote, it's mostly via screen and emacs over a 10k/s connection with occasional 20-minute commutes for videoconferencing/screen-sharing (although that's changing now that a neighbor and I have gone halves on a microwave setup). I've been doing this for the past 7 years, and I love it. Each year, I'm excited twice: about flying back down to South America/seeing my friends again/glassy, heavy, warm-water surf ... and about going back to 'civilization'/seeing family/coffee/morning scrums/open-plan offices/Aeron chairs/slaying giants. This year I split my workload between being remote 2 months and in the states about the same, and it's been a blast.
precisioncoder 13y ago
Didn't see an email in your profile so thought I'd reply here. I'd love to get some advice about travel in Europe and travel to Japan. I'm living in Austria and want to see this place while I have unrestricted travel =D
- adambard 13y ago
  I as well would like to subscribe to imperialdrive's newsletter.
bauer 13y ago
What's the best way to contact you? I'd like to go on a similar trip in 2014 and I'd like to get your suggestions.

mr_luc 13y ago

Agree re: 'keeping tech in its place' in life. I've got an interesting solution (described a bit in my hn profile). I work a few months in the states with clients each year, do a bit more work remote, but slightly over the majority of each year I'm not working, and instead I live in my house in Pacific-coast south america. When I do work remote, it's mostly via screen and emacs over a 10k/s connection with occasional 20-minute commutes for videoconferencing/screen-sharing (although that's changing now that a neighbor and I have gone halves on a microwave setup). I've been doing this for the past 7 years, and I love it. Each year, I'm excited twice: about flying back down to South America/seeing my friends again/glassy, heavy, warm-water surf ... and about going back to 'civilization'/seeing family/coffee/morning scrums/open-plan offices/Aeron chairs/slaying giants. This year I split my workload between being remote 2 months and in the states about the same, and it's been a blast.

precisioncoder 13y ago

Didn't see an email in your profile so thought I'd reply here. I'd love to get some advice about travel in Europe and travel to Japan. I'm living in Austria and want to see this place while I have unrestricted travel =D

adambard 13y ago
I as well would like to subscribe to imperialdrive's newsletter.

bauer 13y ago

What's the best way to contact you? I'd like to go on a similar trip in 2014 and I'd like to get your suggestions.