What else can I do?

I have been in my current line of work since the first day I stepped
out of University. At times it has been rewarding, some in monetary
terms, some in fulfilment. Mostly though, my work has proved to be an
adversary who has alienated me from what matters most in Life – family,
friends, happiness, health and perhaps purpose. The long hours and the
stress over deadlines after deadlines, serving the benefit of my
clients, the very nature of which almost equated my self-worth to that
of a professional working person – a whore some might say.

In recent times, the ghosts of work have been creeping up slowly behind
me. Perhaps it has always been steadily tightening the knot, but the
effects have been more readily felt during this period of time in my
life. With the added burden of my impending marriage, the
recently-concluded renovations to the new place, the loan I had taken
with my future wife, the inability to attend to my hobby of
online-games, my stress level has increased, and my hairline seems to
have receded at an alarmingly proportional rate to that. Health and
energy level has gone down markedly, perhaps due to the age factor, but
worsening nonetheless.

The recent Chinese New Year break, although a good and much-needed one,
proved to be tiring as well. On the Eve, I had to be at my new
apartment to inspect the work and meet with the carpenter, to discuss
about the final touches and outstanding bits and pieces. The first day
of CNY was the usual tiring meeting of relatives whom I get to meet
once a year, minus the occasional wedding dinners or occassions. I had
to show face at my future-wife’s uncle’s place before heading home,
just to satisfy the curiousity of her relatives. On the second day
though, I was let off by pretending to visit the house of my
future-wife’s grandma in the day, when in fact it was in the late
afternoon. Thereafter it was steamboat dinner at one of my uncles’
place. I had to do some bit of work on the second day, so that I had
something to send over to my counterparts over in Brazil on the
project. Otherwise, they would have wasted 2 days while we were on
holiday over here. The saving grace was that I managed to catch a few
hours of World of Warcraft with my online and real life buddy, and
completed 5 quests before the server went on maintenance (never mind
this if you have no clue what I am talking about). That was a god-send.

So coming back, the holidays made me think even harder than before.
Other than my current profession, what else can I do? No doubt there
are numerous or even countless possibilities, but each come with its
own potential, pitfalls and opportunity costs. My current work bores me
to the core, and I foresee an end to it (as it is on contractual terms)
before the end of the year, but the money is too good to give up. And I
need the money – having wasted a large part of my hard-earned money
during the Dot-com days as well as on various stocks. Still, my current
situation is an endless downward spiral, because my lack of enthusiasm
for the work will ensure that the quality produced will be slightly
lacking, compared to the usual expected standards. That will ensure the
eventual termination of the contract when the time comes.

For now, I am just doing what I have been doing for the past 2 years -
biting the bullet and bidding my time. I am just accumulating reserves
- capital for my next investment, to reach for higher grounds. What
that will be, however, still awaits to be seen for now.