I have always wanted to see more of my work published. To date, most of my published work has gone without direct attribution to myself. A California regional architecture magazine dedicated their entire issue to one of my largest client's home, one I am currently working with again to redesign some of the spaces after 14 years of living in them. Another published work was an organic contemporary kitchen for a Pakistani family in Saratoga, California. The contractor was using my kitchen for a full page ad hoping to secure new clients. Beyond that the half dozen show houses propelled my name and business to others, but images were difficult to include. I think this wish to see more publications is really a form of parental approval; validation of sorts of a job well done.
If someone were to ask me what my personal plan for my design career is for the next 5-10 years, at 58, what do you think one should say? I remember an episode from the now deceased television program "Northern Exposure". The local tavern keeper was having personal issues because he was going through his mid-life crisis. He played the role of a 63 year old man married to a 19 year old girl named Shelley. He was only in mid life because his family members typically lived to the age of 126. I have no plans to "retire" which would seem natural to one in their mid to late 60s. The current economy has nothing to do with this. I have never planned on retiring in the classical sense that other folks think of when considering retirement. I fear I would wither and die. I want to "cherry pick" my clientele in those next 5-10 years. I intend to design as long as I am asked and if I get too busy, I will just have to turn some folks away. That would be a happy problem.
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