Excellent observations, Sandoppe. There is a -huge- difference between non-productive hedonism and productive hedonism. Not just in the results to society, but in internal long-term happiness. But have you considered that maybe your parents were in fact doing what they enjoyed? It's possible that your father got more happiness out of planning and dreaming about his fishing trip, than he would have derived from the mosquito-ridden reality. One thing I've learned over the years is that most grownups -are- in fact doing what they like to do, regardless of how much they may complain, or how unpleasant the activity may appear to an outsider. The complaining itself may be the most desirable activity for some people!

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