Kodi and Bear tucked away for a long drive. |
Now Bear (she's the brown one in the photo, she's a shepherd/chow mix) viewed each outing as an adventure, a thing to take her time on and enjoy every moment. Picture her stopping every few feet to smell something she found interesting. She was a big believer in stopping to smell the roses (and sometimes peeing on them).
Kodi, on the other hand (she's a pit bull/lab mix) viewed these outings as a mission. There was a destination, same place every time, and something to do at that destination. Mind you, she enjoyed these outings a great deal, but they were missions, not adventures.
While Bear was stopping and sniffing, Kodi marched on, head down, fixed in purpose and mien, determined to get the job done, then get back to the apartment.
Now today is my last day at work, my last day of full-time employment. Since 1972 I've been more like Kodi than like Bear. I was "on mission," I had a reason and a purpose for getting up everyday.
Now I can stop and "smell the roses" (no, I won't pee on them like Bear) and pretty much do what I feel like doing.
It feels a bit odd not having to head in to work any more, the novelty will eventually wear off, I'm sure.
That's all for now.
Blogging might get sparse as the holidays proceed.
We shall see.
Right now I don't really feel pressed to do much of anything.
Because I'm, ya know, retired.
Think I'll take the dogs for a walk ...
Think I'll take the dogs for a walk ...
Enjoy life! Go to bed when you want, get up when you want without worrying about getting enough sleep to get through the next work day.
ReplyDeleteGo to bed at 2000, get up at 0015, read and putter, go back to bed and 0345 and not have to fret that you have to roll out of your rack at 0500.
Takes a bit of getting used to.
So pretty much my weekend schedule becomes my everyday schedule.
DeleteCan't beat that.
Congratulations! Your "reason & purpose" is now going to be whatever you want to do....
ReplyDeleteBooks you've been meaning to read? Games you wanted to give a try? The muse strikes?
Maybe you wake up and find you want to go to Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut to have a burger at the first hamburger stand or stand on the south rim of the Grand Canyon? You have the time...
Enjoy the last day!
Hhmm, Louis' Lunch ...
DeleteBit of a haul to New Haven, but I will have the time.
Congratulations! Hope the "obsolete man" but doesn't bite.
ReplyDeleteOne can hope!
DeleteWelcome to retirement! It's great, but try not to drive the missus up the wall while you adjust!
ReplyDeleteI've been behaving lately. Even helped rake the leaves this past November. Scored major points for that.
DeleteHuzzah! Congratulations on this milestone Sarge, now everyday is like a weekend day........:)
ReplyDeleteThe folks at work are tired of me telling them that I get 365 days of PTO next year. 366 in Leap Years!
DeleteWelcome aboard, Sarge! Takes a bit, but you’ll fall in to step.pogue’s advice is spot on. Other than that, I’ll bet you quickly embrace the mantle of world renowned author.
ReplyDeletejuvat
Working 32 hours a week over the past year was good practice.
DeleteWhen I retired in August, I was so looking forward to NOT having to go out in the snowy weather. So this year the first snowy day, which was beautiful just came down and looked so very pretty, was Thanksgiving and I was committed to go to Dad's for dinner...thankfully it was scheduled at noon (he lives in a senior independent apartment complex and that was when they were serving dinner), so out I went driving in 5+ inches of snow with more coming down...sigh. Did enjoy the meal and family time with Dad and my sister, who had made it over from MA a couple of days earlier, but was glad to get back home.
ReplyDeleteI have found it most helpful to establish a routine of sorts, but admit it is very nice indeed to be able to do what I want, and have been able to do some things I have been wanting to do, but hadn't gotten to due to time constraints of having to get ready for/go to/complete my charting/plan for the next day type tasks of going to work. I have actually unpacked ALL of the boxes that I hadn't gotten to when I moved in, and have been working on organizing/clearing out my home office---there IS a rug on that floor, who remembered?? as my daughter-in-law said...it's only been 3 years for crying out loud!!
Anyhoo--yes, enjoy your last day, take time to smell the roses for sure...but look forward to new things you will do, old things you have wanted to do, and spending some time taking care of you. I aim for 3-4 mornings a week getting up and heading off to the gym. My blood pressure is MUCH improved, and my weight has come down a bit. Cause I want to be around for a while to spend time with the grandkid, and maybe in the spring, get a dog.
Suz
Ah yes, working out is definitely on the list.
DeleteCleaning the computer room is high on the list of "first things" - sometime in January after I get back from visiting the grandkids.
Enjoy all your new free time! You have earned it!
ReplyDeleteJust hoping that it stays "free" time.
DeleteCongratulations indeed Sarge. A very well earned retirement.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine not having work in your head will be an amazing thing, once you become accustomed to it.
Not having it in my head is going to take some time!
DeleteIt's been a long time coming- what, like 50+ years of work? Kick your heels up, make a dent in that stack of books, write when you want, visit the far-away grandkids. I'm very happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to this.
DeleteCongratulations! You do still have a boss, Mr Bladder, and as you get older the boss will, from time to time, urge you to pee on the roses.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Mr. B and I are good friends.
DeleteUnfortunately I know Mr. B too, but I think he's a jerk.
DeleteHeh.
DeleteYay! for you. Cheap advice (worth what you paid for) from a guy at 5 yr. 34 days.
ReplyDeleteGive yourself 30 days (mark on calendar!) to decompress. Walk the dogs. Take the missus out for coffee.
After that, retirement is your job. Cherish it. Avoid being underfoot. Especially if she knows where the guns are hidden. (grin)
Don't need a 'hard' schedule', but plan (roughly) things for the day/week/month. Dogwalks to writing.
Above all, do at least one thing every day. Even if it's picking up sticks in the yard. (advice from a Vietnam POW on surviving)
I welcome your posts as you ease into this new life journey.
One good thing, it will be my plan, not somebody else's. (Though I'll let my wife add items ...)
DeleteWhile some might desire to have their parting musical tribute be Johnny Paycheck's "Take this job and shove it," I think Sarge's departure from the paying gig would better be marked by Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries."
ReplyDeleteBesides its cinematic use in Apocalypse Now, the music was used with Birth of A Nation. Of course its origins are even older than that, back around the time of the Crimean War, as part of an opera. It was first (officially) presented as a stand alone musical piece at the time of the Custer massacre.
So, why is this Sarge's theme song? It's all about warriors, and collection of their souls and memories by Valkyries, Norse female warriors, to Valhalla, the home of fallen warriors. Sarge certainly excels at that collection of memories and warriors stuff, so he has earned his own theme song.
So, fire up the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and Opera for the stirring, full Norse warrior[ess] experience. Yes, the fat ladies do some singing, but that makes it culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQM97_iNXhk
If you prefer an anglicized version, to be enjoyed with beer and popcorn, then the "Apocalypse Now" use may appeal to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE03Lqm3nbI
Quite a long, varied, and distinguished employment career, Sarge. You've contributed a lot to our national defense in many roles, and others have, or will, take up the burdens and apply their skills to complete the mission. This allows lots of time to sniff/water the roses. You've earned your freedom, so enjoy it.
John Blackshoe
In the immortal words of Joseph Cinque - Give us, us free! (From one of my favorite films, Amistad.)
DeleteBravo Zulu, well-earned! Enjoy the first deep breaths of freedom.
ReplyDelete'Tis strange, but glorious!
DeleteAwesome! Enjoy your retirement. Never say never, you might be surprised at what yer peein' on in 7 or 12 years..."There's nobody looking this way, I wonder how far...".
ReplyDeleteIt;'s quite possible that I may have done that at some point in my life. I made sure that there were no witnesses, I think ...
DeleteNow what you’re going to need is a hobby… oh wait.
ReplyDeleteThose I have. I'll probably develop more, I mean, I've got the time, don't I?
Delete