(or Recognizing Your Paige Compositor)
September 2nd, 2011
In the 1880s there lived an inventor. He created a typesetting machine that was believed to revolutionize the printing industry. Think Apple Computers of the 1980s. Yeah, potentially big stuff. And the most popular writer of the time, Mark Twain, became the primary investor in this endeavor. Twain poured over $300,000 into the project. That’s a chunk of coin nowadays, but back by today’s equivalent that’s closer to $5.5 million dollars.
You’ve never heard of the Paige Compositor for good reason. It failed. But it didn’t fail quickly. It took years of cradling that baby to the grave, all the while Mark Twain ground down his last dollars with this investment. He even lost his wife’s inheritance over this.
Mark Twain is one of my favorite people of history, and arguably, my favorite author. He was a wise and witty man. But the Paige Compositor was attributed to his financial troubles and the subsequent loss of his wit and humor.
He didn’t know when to quit.
Today I quit my job. Well, more accurately I’ve given my two weeks notice. So on 5pm September 16th, 2011 I will be without traditional employment. I cut the strings. I’ve got plans for long term travel.
Don’t worry, I won’t be selling eBooks or consulting services. I write here because I want to document my progress and thoughts in life. I am more interested in leaving an interesting legacy for my future kids and grandkids one day than trying to make money on a blog. I hope you enjoy this new chapter of my life with me.
So if you’re not selling ebooks and consulting, what WILL be funding your life?
Well, I’ve been diligently saving for the last two years… so hopefully I can get into some new projects that keep my passions pushing forward. I’m doing my best to not need money so much. Here’s to the next life experiment, right?!
Congrats my friend! Live out your dreams.
Thanks my brother! It’s all part of living a life to impress my future grandkids.
Congratulations! Big day, my friend. I love the way you’re using the blog and that you’ve been planning on this for a long time. So cool–looking forward to following along with the next chapter.
Ah yes, it’s all part of the master plan!
Or rather, an attempt at graceful fumblings through life.
Congratulations! Quitting your job is a brave decision. Glad you made it
Thanks Aggie! You know as well as I do that it’s all part of the life almost boheme.
I’m feelin good. It’s not as care free as I thought, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it as it comes.
Awesome point and good for you for taking the leap. Put in my two weeks this week too. Best of luck to ya!
Caleb, congrats! I’ll drop by your blog to follow your adventures. Do something worthwhile now!
I could not be happier for you!! I can’t wait to follow in your footsteps but for now it’s crunch time for me. Can’t wait to travel the world with my love!
Drinks on me tonight for your freedom!!!
Thanks Meg. You already know this, but you’ve been one of my biggest supports. Of course, a huge thank you for that!
Hi David,
Congrats on taking the next step in your life. I can’t wait to read about your journeys.
Thanks Todd! I hope this next chapter means lots of great content too!
“Ding dong the witch is dead, wicked witch, the witch is dead. Ding dong the wicked witch is dead!”
This post made me smile. Although your future might become a little rocky and tricky at times – this makes me smile because I know you’re following your heart. And it’s not so much that you’re quitting because you’re lazy, because I know you’re not. Some people are. I know that if you needed to, you’d find a job. Quick and fast.
What I DO love is that you’re going to experience life, enjoy the world, and keeping traveling. You’re inspiring me. I’m looking forward to hearing how things go for you, and your costs in traveling. I’d like to begin traveling more, and cheap; and do it for an extended period of time. I think it would be a blast!
I’m doing my best. In October I’m picking up everything and spending a month in Idaho. Just for fun. Riding horses and enjoying the sights. Hopefully it all works out well.
Get out there and make some memories!
Your friend,
Christian
Christian, your enthusiasm is contagious! Thanks for being a friend and I look forward to hearing about your rural time away. We’ve only got one shot at this life, so why not do it with style!?
This is music to my eyes; new colors to my ears.
I feel San Diego has reverse engineered a friendship. Do consider Brazil.
“…know when to walk away, know when to run..”
Mark, you know I’ll be swinging down that way. I hope this is an invite to crash your place.
[...] beta-mode is the comfortable life. This was spent in San Diego. The beta-has-gone, the new-is-come. But what is the [...]
David,
So brave of you. We should all learn to follow our hearts and inner voice. It never harms us but make us better. I am sure a great treasure awaits you at the end of this journey. Let us know.
It reminds me of The Alchemist. It’s all about the journey!
Wow! I am thrilled for you!!! You so rock. Even though you are not selling a book…it might be cool to find a unique and creative way…a documentary maybe…to tell your story of adventure that is to come! Get a handy little video cam or something!
Brave and courageous is what you are. I want to buy you a drink too! Steven and I definitely will have to connect with you and Meg somehow. We will buy you drinks then!
You’re right Liane! I will surely come up with some creative flows as I go through this walkabout chapter of life.
It’s not so brave and courageous though. I NEED to make this escape for my sanity, and so my grandkids will be impressed with me one day.
That’s awesome! You’ve made a big decision, but I think it will prove to be the right one. If you have enough money to last you while you’re traveling, you should do it. You can make your money last a long time too if you pick the right country. I think you’ll show that quitting can be a good thing.
Well Steve, I’m hoping to ween myself off the American addiction to money… Of course somewhat important, I think I can come up with more creative solutions to a good life!
In the very least, we are a privileged class, so making money is never too hard!
Thanks for sharing that about Mark Twain. I was unaware of that part of his life.
You are on the precipice of amazing change and self discovery – congratulations, David!
Rob, if there’s one American worth admiring, I’d point right to Twain. Also, perhaps Jack London. I’m sure there are others, but this is a fine start.
I’m expectant that the rest of my life is just beginning!
So excited for you mate! I did the same thing a few weeks ago, and it’s AMAZING! I love it. Looking forward to welcoming you into this new and exciting world
Thanks Rob! I expect this will be a good chunk of days ahead of me. Any advice on how to make the transition is heartily welcomed!
[...] a family would remain distant dreams. Sometimes, even when you are currently happy, you have to know when to quit for the sake of your future [...]
Hahah nice blog! not going to lie, this was going to be my next blog post.
Ill try to keep up with your writing
I’m glad to hear you’re on a similar path! Pop back by and link your post. This sort of stuff fuels me!
I know I am a little late to the game here, but congratulations! You are creating the space for something much more fulfilling to enter your life.
Leaning into uncertainty is brave. It’s not easy; take it from two guys who know. However, living from a place of commitment (to your values) and not fear or comfort is just about as fulfilling as it gets.
Good things are comin’ yo’ way!
Caanan, you guys are a huge inspiration that it’s possible, so believe that. Leaning into uncertainty is the only thing I can do right now. Otherwise, I’d go off the deep end.
WOW!!! Late to the game. BIG congrats!! So proud of you!! I can’t stop exclamation points!!!!! I hope you have a plan/thought this out! But it’s ok if not! Because I traveled with less than $1,000. And I’m still here. I’ve survived! Also, I think you’re a great writer. I love how you put in inspiring facts and stories.. Where do you GET all this stuff? You could be a real writer someday. So bohemian
BUT props for not monetizing your blog. I’m in this vacuum of everyone saying I should do this and being under their spell, but I’m realizing I don’t WANT to do this.. and it’s just another brand of corporate capitalism. in a way. It’s still a ladder I don’t wanna climb! You’ve won my heart Mr. Bohemian NOW. ;D haha. Keep going.
Janet, it helps having folks like you as part of my community. You better believe we will bump up when I’m in the same country as you.
As for the bits of stories and facts, I just save when I find interesting and try to figure out why I like it so much. Then, (hopefully) I can tie it into something relevant to my life.
Alright, well here’s to better more exciting lives and perhaps becoming a real writer one day
wow! that’s exciting and a little scary at the same time!
Congratulations to a new start on whatever it may be that you’re about to take on.
Thanks Chelsea! I’m following the advice of Emerson in ‘Self-Reliance’. I think it’s time to let my fate rest fully on me.
Good for you! I’m really happy that you created the life that allows you to be free which is even bigger than quitting your job.
I am in two minds about the Mark Twain story, because I would rather plug on at something that makes me happy even if it’s chances of being commercially viable were slim. But I suppose that is the difference – he lost his wit so he wasn’t happy.
Okay, I’m not in two minds and he should have reviewed the situation every so often, which I always do.
Welcome to the ‘free’ world.
Thanks Pea! I am excited about the *simple humble* of life to come.
Hi David,
Good for you, as I always say, nothing is definite, you can always go back and get a job when money runs out.
The most interesting thing, however, is to read your blog posts from now on. It’s gonna be fun to read them.
I’m curious, what you gonna live on? Savings? Or small gigs?
I am so curious;)
Good winds in your adventures. Give me a shout when you starve, I might PayPal you some spare change;)
Derek
Well Derek, I’ve been diligently saving for two years, though it’s not as much as I find out others can save in less time. But it’s enough for me. I’d be happy to entertain side gigs, but who knows? I’m in a simple pursuit to just live life.
Very awesome, David!!
And I love that a part of this is in the legacy that you are creating.
May the journey you are on be one of great meaning…
Good for you. I just quit my job 2 weeks ago. If I hadn’t done it already this post would have inspired me to go ahead and do it. But it has at least made me realize I made the right decision.