I don’t know precisely how many people there are alive on this earth right now, but I know it’s north of a couple hundred thousand. Heck, it might even be more than that.

Anyway, there are just bunches and bunches of people – many of whom are old enough to work. And there are all different types of jobs. Some people travel all the time as part of their job, while others travel occasionally for work, but much less frequently.

And then there are those poor, unfortunate souls who work 9-5 in an office and don’t travel at all for work. Their only  opportunity to hit the road is when they take their paid leave.

It’s depressing just to think about it. And it’s even more depressing to read about it – but if you’re in the mood for a good depression head over to this discussion on the BootsnAll forums started by larizzle.

I commute along with the rest of the city at 8:30am. I navigate up to the 6th floor of the already packed parking garage in the middle of downtown. I nod Hello to the security man and dread riding up the elevator with a stranger.

 

I usually eat lunch at my desk, alone, but when I do eat lunch with everyone else, they’re talking about buying new homes, refinancing the homes they already have, fixing up their home, buying a new car, buying more stuff, what they’re going to do with their one week of vacation for the year, etc. Every day I think – I have nothing in common with these people.

 

6:00 rolls around and I’m out of my office, down the elevator, nod Goodbye to the doorman, cross the street, go up 6 flights to retrieve my car, drive out of the parking garage, get stuck in traffic with everyone else on the way home.

 

Why do I do it?

 

I want to go on an awesome trip to Eastern Europe and explore my heritage, see the Ukrainian sunflowers in full bloom. But I don’t want to only spend 2 weeks. I want to be gone for 2 months, or 3 months…. (I realize that isn’t a very long trip for most of us wanderlusters). I want to ride the Trans-Siberian in the dead of winter across a frozen tundra whilst reading Anna Karenina. Maybe I’ll explore Southeast Asia.

Oh sure, some posters try their best to lift larizzle out of the doldrums:

Always remember you are slaving now, but have a better adventure for the future. Not for something vague, but for a defined version of where you want your money to take you. If you keep your vision, you can get there. Your vision is not of cars and houses, but of adventure. ~Sophie9

Just remember, this is temporary and when you get back to living your life, it will be worth it. ~travel droppings

Always look on the bright side of life, and all of that. But who are they kidding. This is just a miserable, miserable thread that will absolutely bring you down for the remainder of the day after reading it.

Enjoy … and get back to work.