Hobbies Vs Work: The story of a backBencher

Inspired by a friend's blog post I let my wool gathering mind freely wander without restricting it this time. Below is the end result of the wild goose chase of thoughts in my mind :). Just for laughs, not an attempt to offend anyone intentionally or unintentionally :D.

Astrea:  You aren't working late today too fixing bugs are you?

backBencher: I am soo terribly sorry Astrea but I am.

Astrea : Hmm, Your manager is not still prying on what you do during your free time, right?

backBencher: Yes,  luckily I do get to take some weekends off , but it isn't very fun to just be working like a mule.

Astrea : Thank Goodness... but why do they hate the musician/artist in you, backBencher?

backBencher: It's not hate, it is just that with lots of bugs, there are a lot of customer cases to be dealt with!

Astrea: Why did you choose to be an engineer in the first place then?


backBencher: Haha because Most Indians are Engineers, silly.. haven't you heard parents tell their children they HAVE to become a successful engineer or doctor?

Astrea: Yes, all the time, but if they really want their children to be successful, why not let them choose the careers they love?

backBencher: I lost you there Astrea...

Astrea: It's simple, it is in our basic nature to be focussed and produce great work while doing the things we love. How many stories have we heard about an engineer in Oracle,Microsoft or Google have a passionate hobby by the side!


backBencher: So are you saying that is bad?


Astrea: Well, the trouble is at first children try to do engineering to be with the herd or for parents but later what starts causing a challenge is their ability to fine-tune and have a great work life balance and all that.


backBencher: Why don't people pick the Careers they actually love to do then?

Astrea: Because unfortunately not everyone's passionate career choice might give a fat paycheck, security and the other perks so needed to be part of the herd! When has the person interested in an offbeat career like say writing or drawing had encouragement from society and family to follow his/her heart?

backBencher: Oh Yeah Indian parents want their children to be engineers or doctors, don't they?!

Astrea: Hehe, sorry to hear that, but my point precisely. See they are over protective of their children and prevent them from taking risks thinking they are wanting the best for their children!


backBencher: You know I kind of see your point!

Astrea: Finally, its all over the movies too... Have you watched 3 Idiots, Taare Zameen par or Nanban?

backBencher (a little offended): I am a software developer, we don't find time to watch movies, Silly!

Astrea: Oh sorry, but all these movies talk about how friends seldom enter the career they love from the beginning.

backBencher: Well, yes, your probability of success is maximum when you do what you love to do, but it does take some amount of maturity and wisdom to see the truth in this.

Astrea: Shouldn't we do something about this?

backBencher: Yea why don't you go and think about this while I get back to fixing bugs in customer cases...


Astrea: hey ... hang on , what's the hurry?

....but backBencher was gone already, back to his nerd-hood, and there went his creativity too!