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| OAFS Photos |
On the left is "Work Sarge," on the right is "Retired Sarge." While they are both old photos, not taken on the same day or even in the same place (though I am wearing the same shirt in both ...), both represent certain aspects of my personality.
Sort of ...
Though I could get intense at work (just ask Liz, though she might say that "intense" is just a different spelling of "asshole" - and she wouldn't be wrong) I am, underneath it all, a cuddly old teddy bear. (In the photo on the left, in the background over my left shoulder, is a panda. I've had him since I was nobbut a sprout, a very long time indeed!) The photo on the right, that's closest to my "real" personality. For whatever that's worth.
I've been having trouble forcing myself to sit down and write. Couldn't figure it out at first, then I realized what it was.
I was free.
Free to do whatever I want. (Within reason, of course.)
But I can write, or not write, I'm on my schedule now.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy writing and I'll be getting back to it soon.
But I've been out of harness for a few weeks now, the first few, well, that was just an extended Christmas vacation. Now I'm just free, free as the wind.
That will take some getting used to.
But I'm getting there.
Believe me, that picture on the right, well, that's how I'm feeling these days.
Happy and ready for whatever lies ahead.
Can't believe I waited this long.
Eh.....don't spend much time dwelling on what "I could have done" regarding pulling the pin Sarge, enjoy going to bed when YOU want, getting up when YOU want (maybe when the ole body says), scratching where and when you want (did I say that?).....you get the idea. That feeling is the reward for the decades of service/work. Welcome to the official rank of "Old Fart". .......:)
ReplyDeleteUm, sarcasm, rhetoric, comedy. I know exactly why I waited to retire.
DeleteModels Negro. Normally not a fan of Mexican beers but that one is an excellent choice.
ReplyDeleteModels! Autocorrect ….
ReplyDeleteMODELO
ReplyDeleteWell, I turned autocorrupt off years ago. Loves me some Modelo Negra. I also like Pacifico.
DeleteI'll pass on Pacifico; canned Tecate on a beach with a lime wedge evokes a time/place long ago nicely though.
DeleteRevel in your liberty, Sarge; we'll be here to "encourage" you.
Boat Guy
I will have to try Tecate.
DeleteBeing newly retired is comparable to a penned up horse getting loosed into the big field. Ya run around excitedly for awhile, figure out you don't have to escape capture and settle down. Run around as much as you want.
DeleteBeing from Baja Norte, I like most of the Mehican cervezas, even the bad ones. Tecate beer started out being made in Tecate! Between medical insurances while doing tree service in bust/famine So. Cal., We would make asthma, pain med runs to Tecate from El Cajon (45 min.) so that we could afford them. While yer trying new Mexican stuff, ya might try Mexican Coca Cola, a fish taco, and/or carnitas anything.
Think I'd rather hang out with the "right" Old Sarge. Have a nice adjustment period.
Oh yes, Mexican Coca Cola, first time I had it I felt like I was back in the day. Before they starting using freaking corn syrup. Fish tacos, had 'em, loved 'em. There's a place in Sandy Eggo which does an extraordinary carnitas taco. Puesto At The Headquarters, place is always packed. Me and a buddy sat at the bar and gorged on carnitas tacos. Now I have a hunger for tacos, real ones, not the gringo tacos. (There is a very good Mexican place literally down the street from me. They have the good stuff.)
DeleteOh yea! (derp) you've spent enough time in Baja Norte to "acclimate". I love Tennessee, but miss my old friends and every other hole-in-the-wall Mexican food joint in East County! Good food, good memories.
DeleteThere were some excellent Mexican places out there.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWeird feeling, isn't it? Not having to pace yourself so you can get through the next workday, or work week. You can go ahead and,, at 2100, start watching that 160 minute movie you've been wanting to watch, and watch it all the way through without worrying about getting up at 0500. Liberating. Intoxicating.
Enjoy, you've earned it.
Oh yes it is.
DeleteThe hardest part for me is getting used to the traffic patterns. When working I knew what to expect where, barring a wreck disrupting things.
DeleteNow, even after two years it's strange.
As I don't venture out of town all that much, I care not for traffic patterns. This place is small enough where there are two traffic seasons: tourist and not-tourist. And all the tourists are just passing through.
DeleteYou are writing, Sarge. Just something different. It is still good, and very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThanks, TB!
DeleteYou look to be (again) facing the question or "what do I want to do when I grow up". Good luck with that!
ReplyDeleteWait.
DeleteI have to grow up?
That's a hard "negatory"!
DeleteBG
Excellent!
DeleteWhen I was working, my time was very carefully ordered.
ReplyDeleteNow (for the past 17 years anyway) I still get up at the same time (0340), but either try to go back to sleep, lay awake trying to make sense/order of what my characters are telling me (what's going on in their lives), or get up , start the coffee while 3Sing, and begin writing (or read some else's words).
So much time, so many choices!
I feel like the young heir (15 yrs old) to an Eastern kingdom whose father has just given him a birthday present, a starter harem (only 25).
The sultan then comes back an hour later to see how his son and heir is doing and finds him entranced at the entrance.
He says, "Son, do you not know what to do?"
The young man is startled out of deep thought and takes a while to answer:
"Father. I know what to do, I just don't know where to start."
So much time, so many choices!
Knowing where to start is key.
DeleteAs Boron says, now you truly are a rich man with a great wealth of time to do as you like. Try not to waste it, eh?
ReplyDeleteWaste not, want not!
DeleteLike a ship with the crew at sea and anchor detail, engines and helmsman ready to respond to your orders.
ReplyDeleteYou can get underway and go where you like. Or you can stay at the pier, and send everyone off on liberty.
You're in command now!
Enjoy.
JB
It's good to be the king.
DeleteYou look much more relaxed in the right hand picture than in the left, Negro Modelo and sombrero notwithstanding. So Good on ya Mate! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletejuvat
Well, they're both old pictures. The one on the right was taken down in Maryland celebrating The Nuke's birthday a few years ago.
DeleteThanks to the Modelo Negra I was very relaxed.