Short version answer: Choosing to early retire (age ~41, 15 years ago) in Asia, family, friends, and several hobbies that evolved into small businesses.

Texas, huh?

Decades ago, while on leave from the military, I was in Houston to visit my sister who was doing a Unix gig with American Express.

The aspect of that visit that stands out in my mind was how BIG everything was. I mean, seriously? The "normal" breakfast I ordered at Denny's could have fed me, my girlfriend and my daughter!

Anyway, may you and yours be well and love life today.

Namaste, JaiChai

I was in Houston decades ago,