Ouch. As a New Yorker, I can understand how to an outsider it may seem like a rat race out here. However, to say we are not pursuing ideals nor happiness is rather harsh. Besides, the pursuit of routine is not necessarily the definition of an unhappy life. Ask Mom, I do much better with a set routine and tend to be happier when I am in one.

I am proud and happy of all you’ve accomplished kid. Keep in mind that while other people lead different lifestlyes with different paths doesn’t make them unhappy either.

Of course. And keep in mind, the quote is from a book and I didn’t say anything about anybody else… that whole crazy “speaking for myself” thing. I would never cut someone else’s lifestyle, different strokes for different folks.

In an interesting sidenote, something very relevant to your comment has been all over the internet the last couple days - triggered by an essay by a gentleman named Paul Graham (who runs Ycombinator, a startup incubator). He ruffled quite a few feathers, and a lot of people shouted from the crowd that shared your perspective. You may find these interesting reads:
You Weren’t Meant to Have a Boss - original essay
Paul Graham’s Participatory Narcissism - response to PG from Jeff Atwood
YWMTHAB Cliffs Notes - a retort from PG to Jeff Atwood

Edit:
Also, this post and my commentary were meant to be interpreted in the vain of “glad not to hate what I do” and not “glad not to be in the rat race”. Remember, it’s not like I’m working remotely from my compound in Costa Rica… I got up at 7:30 to go to work for somebody (ok… 8:30…) like everyone else. But I think the importance of the quote is the spirit of the way people live their lives.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a grey flannel suit if you love grey flannel suits. Or if you wear a grey flannel suit and are constantly concocting a path to start your own grey flannel suit business.
What I don’t think is ok is people that wear grey flannel suits and hate grey flannel suits. Life is WAY to short for that and there is no reason for it. I think it’s a shame that so many people in the world spend so much time of their life commuting, taking orders, and dreading the next day because they hate what they do. You don’t have to love it, but if you can’t at least find some joy in the day-to-day grind, I think you’re doing the wrong thing.