[Rick Lee]

I'm in a transition phase at the moment and, at the tender age of 45, have decided I need to do a job I'm passionate about and not just chase a paycheck. Current job is by far the worst I've ever had. I was treated like more of an adult when I flipped burgers at Wendy's in high school. But it pays the bills and it's easier to find a job when you have a job. I'm actually doing pretty well and have some big deals brewing. But I still hate it with a burning passion, and that's no way to start every day.

A close friend at a major musical instrument maker has said he would love to have me on his team. But it's a big pay cut. Still, I'm seriously considering it because I can afford the pay cut for a year or two and that job would be a hobby job with my foot in the door to get better ones inside after paying my dues. Other than such a hobby job, I don't even bother applying for anything else anymore. Another place I've wanted to work for a while just turned me down after the fourth interview in three years. This was the third time they've just decided to cancel the job posting and didn't reject me personally. They always encourage me to keep applying and they keep calling me back. Very frustrating, but that's the price I pay for chasing W2 jobs working for the man.