Ship of Fools: In a parallel universe I'm...

Thread: In a parallel universe I'm... Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

I'm not completely sold on the idea of modal realism, but if indeed there are an infinite number* of universes, then surely in one of them, we took different routes in life that we might sometimes dream about in this universe. Maybe there's a hobby you might have opted to do professionally, but didn't; maybe there's just something you suspect you might have enjoyed had you known about it early enough to study it and all. And we don't have to limit ourselves to careers here, but perhaps any vocation or avocation.

At any rate, I'm sure of these two --

In one parallel universe, I'm a record producer. I suppose that means I'd have to be a musician and not just a music fan. Had I the discipline and the affinity to learn to play an instrument, I think I would've wound up at the controls in a recording studio rather than on stage.

And in another, I studied art restoration. Not only do I touch up artworks, I also restore the frames on paintings, and research their history (frames are, after all, works of art in themselves. I always wish there were information on frames in museums and not just on the paintings).

In this universe, it's still not entirely certain what I am (presumably, I'll graduate and teach theology, but who knows). But I certainly am not, and will never be, either of the above. So I hope the parallel mes are enjoying those professions for me.

How about you?

-----
*Yes, I know technically "infinite number" is contradictory, but it's colloquially acceptable, so sue me.

Posted by Enigma (# 16158) on :

In a parallel universe I'm beside myself.
Sorry but someone had to say it [Biased]

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :

I'm in Rome, doing as the Romans do.

Cattyish, having a holiday at home with the rain.

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

In a parallel universe I would have taken up the offer of a nice gent in Washington, DC, and gotten a job there for a break year before college. The job might have been that of a security guard in one of the national museums, but what the hey. I think I would have turned out to be more independent and less afraid of taking interesting paths in life. [Tear]

Posted by The Great Gumby (# 10989) on :

There are so many possibilities. A couple that might have happened given the right conditions and experience:

Academic Psychologist - I'm fascinated by the way the brain works, how easily it's deceived, and how quickly we react to anything that challenges our sense of identity by building up ever stronger defences. Most of all, I'm fascinated by how much of the brain seems to be entirely separate from what we think of as "us".

Or maybe a sommelier - OK, probably it's just that I like wine, but I really enjoy the game of matching a wine to food. Unfortunately, I lack the budget to be constantly experimenting and discovering new wines, but in this parallel universe that isn't a problem. I think my Y chromosome is more of an obstacle in this line of work.

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

I think there's also a parallel universe where I'm a photographer. In that universe, I picked up a camera in my early adolescence and never put it down - and I had the patience to learn all the technical aspects of photography, first from my dad, then from classes.

In this universe, I seem to have some kind of mental block for the technical aspects of photography. Several people have tried to teach me, but for some reason, I understand the general concepts but the practical operations never stick.

Posted by Tubbs (# 440) on :

Travelling through time and space with the Doctor in the TARDIS saving the universe ... [Big Grin]

Tubbs

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :

In one parallel universe, I didn't listen to my father's opinions about women playing sports and kept on playing ice hockey. The first woman ever to play in the NHL is my age, my size and played my position.

In another parallel universe, I didn't listen to my boyfriend's opinion about auditioning to be a clown with the circus. At that time, I was fit, limber, physically active and had just taken a clowning class.

In another parallel universe, I said yes when I was offered a position as a crew member on a treasure-hunting boat. At the time, I just couldn't see myself running away to sea.

But all in all, I guess I'm pretty happy with this universe, although I hope the other me's are 1) in the NHL hall of fame, 2)making children of all ages laugh with my famous juggling pies while riding a unicycle routine and 3)happily sailing around the world's oceans finding all sorts of treasure.

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :

In a parallel universe, I'm healthy again, I'm the proper weight, I don't have any debilitating depression or other cognitive issues and I have a great job, a beautiful house, and partners who are also not sick, overweight, and didn't have horrible childhoods...

Posted by Niminypiminy (# 15489) on :

In my parallel universe, I was bold enough to do a forward roll, aged five. From that piece of physical courage, a whole different life flowed.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

I must say, having come to live in Darwin (after years of wanting to), I have to pinch myself often to ascertain whether I am or am not in a parallel universe. So far the evidence is inconclusive. [Ultra confused]

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

I actually unstuck between universes and pop back and forth between serving as lieutenant with Captain Jack Aubrey on the Surprise in the early 19th century, and serving on a lieutenant with Captain Picard on the Enterprise in the 24th century. In neither universe am I a red shirt.

Posted by Timothy the Obscure (# 292) on :

In various universes I am:

A rock star;

an ethnomusicologist, specializing in the music of the African diaspora;

a novelist (I write eccentric fantasy novels);

a gigolo (well, probably a retired gigolo at this point);

a street singer in New Orleans (the only really good place to do that);

a Trappist monk.

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Tubbs:
Travelling through time and space with the Doctor in the TARDIS saving the universe ...

Tubbs

Well, that would be the default, sure...

Also, Enigma? You rule .

Posted by Tubbs (# 440) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:

quote:
Originally posted by Tubbs:
Travelling through time and space with the Doctor in the TARDIS saving the universe ...

Tubbs
Well, that would be the default, sure...

Also, Enigma? You rule .

It's been my default option since I crawled out from behind the sofa mumble, mumble years ago and started watching the programme ... Of course, I'd be younger, fitter and more glamorous whilst travelling through time and space. [Big Grin]

Tubbs

[ 26. September 2012, 13:07: Message edited by: Tubbs ]

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

Oh, Tubbs, you made me think...

I went on this ride at Disneyland a few weeks back. (because we Californians nip down there every other weekend, you know) and went on this virtual reality ride that simulated a feather-light/hang glider ride over the California Coast. And I actually did this intense regressing thing where I was back in grade school nursing a big hero worship for Murdock on the A-Team, and basically wanted to be a girl version of him. It was beyond exhilarating. I made my family take me on again.

This reverie went on for several more of those stationary VR rides*-- I was girl Murdock, executing daring flight extravaganzas, saving the world (I highly recommend the Transformers ride at Universal City.I kicked ass--Optimus Prime told me so.)

So to heck with the Doctor, I wanna steal the TARDIS and go joyriding. And to heck with glamour, I wanna do it in a leather bomber jacket and a baseball cap. [Big Grin]

In reality--crap vision.Painfully crap. Otherwise I would have tried flight school long ago.

*I should add that I hadn't been on one of those rides in a decade, and the fantasy helped settle my initial panic.I had to suck it up if I wanted to hang with the Neph.

[ 26. September 2012, 18:20: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :

In a parallel universe, I'm a multi-instrumentalist and singer who also draws and... this is the crucial point... I make heaps of money!!!

*In this universe I only know how to sing, play drums, and draw. And I certainly don't make money from these talents. Sigh...

Posted by Flossymole (# 17339) on :

My parallel me eloped to Gretna Green aged 18 with her 18-year-old boyfriend when he first suggested it, instead of laughing it off as a joke (me), playing the field (both of us) and dithering (both of us) for the next three years. But she's probably missed out on rock climbing, potholing and computer programming, so I don't wish to swap.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

In a parallel universe I'm a good 6 inches taller than I am now (I'm 4 foot 11).

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :

In one parallel universe, I went and did a music degree after school, not science and law, and ended up using my sense of structure to craft beautiful songs instead of crafting legislation.

And in another parallel universe, I took a chance on a job offer in Melbourne in 2003 rather than staying put in my home town, and maybe met the man of my dreams 9 years earlier before he'd developed the complications that have got so badly in our way. [Frown]

(Yes, a bit moody for Heaven, sorry. Sniff.)

[ 24. October 2012, 12:38: Message edited by: orfeo ]

Posted by Sighthound (# 15185) on :

In my parallel universe I would have followed up an opportunity to join Naval Intelligence. If not selected for that, I'd have got a job as a Solicitor. My total lack of career focus as a young man cost me dearly,in finance and job satisfaction.

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

In a parallel universe I did not come to mistakenly believe I was destined by God to be a Primary School teacher. I am not married to the person I am in this universe with the kids I have here, and am probably still living in parallel Leeds. More than that, I have little idea, except that parallel me has probably assisted the Fox and Newt a bit more than this me has.

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

In a parallel universe I would be sailing the world in a beautiful tall ship.

In another one I would have learnt to knit as well as sew and I would be able to make my own jumper to keep warm instead of having to buy them.

In another one I would have opened a cake shop with my friends after we left uni (we joked about it if nobody got jobs but eventually we all did)

In yet another one I would have learnt properly about programming, computers and games and be a geek instead of just being married to one.

In this one I flit wildly between all of these things (except the programming!)

Oh and then there's the one where I'm a librarian and I got the job at St Deiniol's library/the Bodleian/the V&A (yes I actually had interviews at all those places! I'm terrible at interviews though)

Posted by Aethelstan (# 3502) on :

In a parallel universe I would, like all humans, have a trunk (and not a cold). How primates came to miss out on this massively useful piece of kit is a complete mystery to me and pretty conclusive proof that this universe is not the best one to be in.

Posted by Mudfrog (# 8116) on :

I am actually in a parallel universe, having once made a wish. I now want to get back to where I came from.

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

In a parallel universe, this really works and I'm doing a lot of foreign trips.

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :

In a parallel universe, I'm a professional Hip-Hop dancer.

Posted by Desert Daughter (# 13635) on :

In one universe that diverged from my current one about twenty five years ago, I would have become a bush pilot in Burma or Brazil.

Sigh...

But one should not cry over the road not taken. It's dramatic enough at the moment, for universes are about to diverge once more.

Posted by the long ranger (# 17109) on :

In a parallel universe I ignored the sensible education advice and studied what I am actually interested in - philosophy. And I'm probably a lot happier than I am in this universe.

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :

In a parallel universe, I didn't listen to the "careers teacher" who told me that I had to have Latin O level to become an archaeologist. Thus I am an archaeologist, delving into the past - possibly uncovering Richard III, possibly discovering tombs in Egypt (or more likely getting covered in mud excavating in a cold field somewhere miles from civilisation) - and loving it!

Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :

In a parallel universe I have proved conclusively that there are no parallel universes.

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

In a parrallel universe I actually decided to become what I trained to be. I change job regularly according to where the funding is, therefore I am relatively well travelled (actually about half my employment has been overseas in a variety of interesting countries) but my usual work situation is a prefabricated hut on some research station in the middle of nowhere (alternating between zoo or university). I would be pretty good at recognising birds and plants and have a whole host of stories although I rarely would end up on sharp end of the research, rather I get the boring job of entry of records at the end of the day. Therefore I also am pretty good at getting computers to work under the most unlikely of situation. Probably with quite long periods of unemployment inbetween, or maybe I just work take temporary contracts with pharmaceutical companies rather than resting.

I would be an ecological statistician! I was only realised this sort of career existed towards the end of my masters.

Jengie

[ 27. October 2012, 19:02: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

In a parallel universe I did what my father and teachers wanted, went to a top level university, and became a doctor. I then worked my ass off for the next zillion years, bought a nice house in California, and married someone similar to myself that I was not happy with for long and had 2.4 kids. After the divorce and subsequent financial and family problems, I thought, oh shit, I could have done what I thought I was called to do back in high school, but it was too wild and crazy, and everybody would have disapproved.

I like being in this universe. [Razz]

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

quote:
Originally posted by The5thMary:
and... this is the crucial point... I make heaps of money!!!

If you manage to locate that universe, you'll let us all know how to get there, won't you?

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