I have always dreamed of Alternative Careers. Within that is the subset of Imaginary Alternative Careers. Pursuits may be a better phrase; I dislike Career as it supposes that work is distinct from life. The use of our labor is one of primary choices, inherent to whom we are — or rather I think it should be.
But back to the dreams: I once wanted to be a cartoonist. Unfortunately that takes talent and craft. I once also wanted to be a journalist and also to work in politics — basically I wanted to both observe, comment, and to change things.
Gerald Scarfe is a political cartoonist who’s stock in trade captures another one of those dreams: monsters. For me it might have been more of a “monster shepherd”. I envy that character on Doctor Who who collected all the beasts across time — but of course I would want to live with them, at least not these days.
BBC has a great slideshow profile on Scarfe and his work. He’s sort of the Brit Ralph Steadman, but you probably know him best from Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
