Unlike the others, I work as a programmer.
Originally born in America, I decided wheat is lame and left Kansas for good.
I went over an ocean and fell into Bangkok, where I began making video games.
My involvement was absolutely 100% necessary (!) for the successful completions of the following titles:
Ghost Recon 2 Online (Ubisoft).
Petz 5 (Ubisoft).
Heroes of Might and Magic, Heroes of Might and Magic 2, Heroes of Might and Magic 3 (Ubisoft, formerly 3DO).
187 Ride or Die (Ubisoft).
Flying Toaster: After Dark (Vivendi Universal).
Leisure Suit Larry [Unreleased, Unnamed] (Vivendi Universal).
Some others (Others).
Although my wage isn’t particularly special, it levels out very well with the economics of Bangkok; considering my 8th-floor, air-conditioned, fully furnished, cable-enabled room costs $125 per month, I make way more than I need (unfortunately the American government is sucking it all up right now).
Benefits include a performance-based monthly bonus (my bonus last month was $350; the highest ever in the company), and all-expense-paid world travel (my job has sent me to Malaysia for a game conference, Paris, and Marseilles, with my room overlooking the Mediterranean, etc.)
My first job in America involved making software to make web pages.
It was quite boring, and I left.
I was unable to find another IT job in Kansas, so I left.
Now I have become quite addicted to working all over the world, so should I ever be forced back to America it would be temporary. Â I would probably apply at the company in France where I worked for a while or at Rareware in England.
Ultimately I will land in Tokyo and live for the rest of my life there.
L. Spiro