I love all of this! I am re-thinking retirement myself. I did take about 5-7 years off when I couldn't get work and decided to stay home wth my kids. Best years ever! I like your approach...I read something that changed my mind about getting a job right out of college--it was an article entitled "Have your mid-life crisis now." I ended up running away to Madrid and I lived there and taught Engilsh. I wish I had stayed longer but I got scared about not having health insurance and not being an "adult" so I came home....