Sounds pretty good. I was an independent contractor doing computer system design (hardware, software, and application programming) from about 1987 through about 1994, sandwiched in between industrial control and aerospace work in the 70's and 80's, and a lot of cutting-edge peripheral work in the 90's and 2000's. (Now I'm head of System Admin at an international software engineering firm; negligible engineering but I play with computers all day long.)
The independent contractor situation was a blast. I sort of envy you -- it's a crazy but rewarding life.
That it is. I started in SONAR systems design (Mk 48 and Mk 50 torpedo guidance engines, I did a lot of array optimization as well as improved beamforming algorithms), moved into research SONAR system design, then got lazy and moved into audio...;) Been doing it for 13 years now, split my time between Shanghai and Seattle.
Interesting world to be in; one week you’re talking with VPs and CxOs of multi-nationals, the next you’re consulting with an international band on what their touring rig should do. And design a few dance club systems in-between! Audio transcends all people, around the world.