[lizziebith]

Ahhhh, finally got to listen to the program. I took notes! [/nerd] I found the connection the neurobiologist made between success in ones (one's?) field and risk-taking to be a most interesting factor. I've hopped about between potential careers over and over...and now that I've finally got financial security I'm more interested than ever in play. The key element is that I don't have any emotion whatsoever invested in my current career. It's fun, I like my colleagues, and the pay is great -- and I don't care if I ever move "up." I didn't train for this job -- in fact I never would have imagined I'd end up as a glorified secretary after grad school and a lifetime of kinda hoping to end up as an artist. But the "being able to walk away" aspect appeals enormously, and bleeds over into a general feeling of freedom. I think that because I've never really "grown up" -- read: taken a permanent job that I truly care about -- I'm able to stay young (childish?) in other areas. The fun part about being older is that I have money now to spend on books, music, travel, new experiences. Maybe the lack of risk is found in the fact that I do things I can afford, whereas younger folks do those same things whether they can afford to or not.

As to the benchmarks?
1) Music -- still seek out new stuff ALL the time. Makes the kid pretty proud.
2) Sushi -- tried in my twenties, but due to my seafood aversion is still out. Isn't an age thing for me.
3) Piercings -- tongue, no. Nose -- did in 84. Still wear it sometimes. Friends have the tongue labret and make clicking noises when they talk...cute, but I can't do it. Navel...well I'd like to!