Interesting post OP.
About 3 years ago I had about 80k saved. I ended up buying a house with about 50k of that and the rest I've kept as a 'cushion'. I don't regret buying a house as I love where I live and it's gone up a ton in value (even in this market) ...
I would have however done things differently.
1. I would NOT have bought the house. Although a good investment in my case, with that 80k I could have done some creative things online.
2. I would NOT have taken another job. Even though i'm a partial partner, the pie is still split up and I depend on the decisions someone else makes. This particular venture might work out but reality is I could have done a lot more faster on my own.
Now with that said, it's pretty clear that blowing your wad on property, coke or hookers isn't likely to be the best move, but I'll let you ponder that one. I share a very similar skill set as you and then some but recently found myself thinking about this very question.
Regardless, I highly doubt you'd get the meal ticket idea here as anyone with an idea like that would already be monetizing it on their own. However what I can tell you is that if you don't have a job, you have free time and you have a wad of cash, you need to come up with an idea on your own.
So how do you get that idea... Well first I think it's important to do things that your passionate about. Something you like and really enjoy doing. Your already MILES ahead of most with your skill set giving you the ability to make your ideas a reality without having to have someone else do it as they won't put the same effort into it as you would.
This might not mix well with this group but whatever you do should tend to be something that will be long lasting and be something that you setup once and really only maintain or upgrade as needed once it gets rolling (MUSE). Think of 3 years from now and if that idea will still be relevant. No point in making something that will only last < 3 years as you don't want to do all this work for it to just dry up one day. Make sure no matter how stupid an idea that pops into your head that you write it down. It might be stupid but you can erase it later and it might even prompt other ideas. Don't be afraid to discuss ideas with family and friends as they can provide a POV that you don't see. Also try to keep your concept simple and easy, as we all know the average consumer on the internet is just dumb.
I think this is been part of my thought process, while thinking of my next step in life.
Anyway there is some food for thought.