In 1985, Anthony Rurgess said the future holds
"work and television." It did, for me, for about
15 years, and then I got laid off, from my last corporate job,
the one with a pension. The company sold the factory and distributed
to me what was in my account. Just under $40,000. I rolled it over
into an annuity, then cashed that in when Bukowski Never Did This
was published. Bukowski never did that. Although he had a better run
at writing than I did. At least, a more successful one. Between the ages of
65 and 70 I wrote 110 novels or novellas. I published two.
Bukowski Never Did This and Postcards From Pottersville, Vol. 3,
Adventures in the Underground. I had adventures. The years
from 65 to 70 were an adventure. I was on social security.
I worked as a technical writer, grants specialist, custodian, and handyman.
I was on unemployment. I updated Edward Sapir's essay, "Psychiatric and Cultural
Pitfalls in the Business of Getting a Living." Work makes you crazy.