one last bit of news: after much hemming and hawing I applied to grad school a while back. They accepted me. Mid-life crisis checklist complete. I have NO idea what I'm doing but of course they don't seem to be concerned...

But, you know, as Miss Otis said:

"Honey, at least you're not making a complete ass of yourself like______ (unnamed friend, also in mid-life crisis who recently quit a high-paying job with a defense contractor to take acting lessons, hire an agent and try to be an actor. Yeah, his wife is FREAKED out) Going back to school is a much better choice. Less chance of picking up an STD too."

Miss Otis is right. School is a much better option than STDs and bad acting gigs doing industrial ergonomics training films. Sorry, Ron, but you know she's right. Oops.