I know exactly what you mean Michael. Well... as you know... I'm working full time for the "corporate wage-slave" and doing consulting work on the side (note the time/date stamp on this note - and yes... I'm still working on some coding for a client of mine). I have a hand full of friends struggling looking for work in IT and haven't found one. I tried migrating my clients (consulting work) to friends that don't have jobs... but my clients aren't happy with that idea. I'm also stuck with several job offers and stretching my time availability really bad (oh gosh.. I missed the BART car party.... working away still).

Anyway.... I think "living life" is practically more sane that being stuck to a corporate job for ya. I think having the freedom of when and where you want to perform your jobs is entirely up to you... you have that sense of satisfaction of building your consulting work.... take it from me... I'm a mere "b!tch" working too much... little time for R&R.