To Hell with Retirement

[dave lackey]

Well Dave, why don't you tell us how your really feel about real estate developers? 😀

I don't feel a desire to retire right now either, despite my wife's entreties and demands. But maybe in a year or two. I also don't want to take a chance of just vegetating. So I like your intention to put into effect the trite saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Brian Sweeney - What a treat it must have been to chat with your co-worker from the dark room. So much knowledge and experience he must have acquired.

Ha, ha...nothing like my own stereotyping using my past two employers before 2008 (which I should have stated as such)!😉 But, in reality, I have a lot of friends who were/are still in the real estate business. The only problem I have is that they really don't do anything for anyone else other than themselves, save for a charity golf event or such.🙁

 

[shadowfox]

To me, a retirement plan that consists of daily, self-serving leisure activities will just make me a miserable old man.

By a certain age, we accumulated wisdom about life that, if not turned into bitterness, can teach a whole lot of people to not make the same mistakes we do.

I think becoming a teacher of some sort is a perfect activity for retirees. Also a bunch of volunteer works that we don't have time for when we're busier.

Nice rant, Dave. You go!

 

[RF-Addict]

Really? You all want to work your behinds off until they nail that coffin shut? Not me! I have been fortunate enough to "retire" at what would most people consider a "young" age and I am loving it. After traveling for business 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year, I finally have time for what really matters in life - family, hobbies and friends.

When someone asks me what I am doing for a living, I look them straight in the eyes and tell them "I am retired"🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Really? You all want to work your behinds off until they nail that coffin shut? Not me! I have been fortunate enough to "retire" at what would most people consider a "young" age and I am loving it. After traveling for business 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year, I finally have time for what really matters in life - family, hobbies and friends.

When someone asks me what I am doing for a living, I look them straight in the eyes and tell them "I am retired"🙂

Have you actually read what others have said?

I've NEVER wanted to work my arse off -- and most of my life, I haven't. Sometimes, I've had to work very hard for short periods, but plenty of other times, I've been able to do whatever I damn' well like. And sometimes even get paid for it.

I like what I do for a living -- writing and photography -- as long as I don't have to do too much of it, and as long as I feel reasonably appreciated. So why would I want to stop?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Keith]

I have observed that everyone who retires, dies. So I'm not retiring.

I'm 74, and as soon as I can get my current book published, I have seven or eight more in the pipeline. I would like to do a book a year until I get them all published. By that time, I probably will have thought of several more projects.

Think young. Thinking old will kill you.

Here's a classic example of not thinking old.

Doreen (with the handful) is mid eighties and Jack (providing the handful) is late eighties. She still works as a practising GP in spite of receiving regular doses of chemo for a cancer that they said would kill her in six months two years ago. Jack has retired but has developed a lot of skill in mixing wicked coctails for their frequent guests. 😀

As a matter of interest they have this photo I took of them a year or so ago framed and proudly located in their living room where all can see it!

Retirement (Jack) or no retirement (Doreen) ... they are my heroes and how I aspire to be as I near the big walk!

 

[Steve Bellayr]

My first four partners didn't make it past 3 years after they retired; one didn't even make it to retirement. Everyday I get up it's one more for me.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Retired or not you are OK so long as the gophers aren't delivering the mail. Make the most of it.

Bob

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I had nearly fifty years uninterupted work, and mostly enjoyed it. Had four years retirement so far - it's great!......as Clapton and co. sang "I feel free"🙂

 

[dave lackey]

Retired or not you are OK so long as the gophers aren't delivering the mail. Make the most of it.

Bob

Ha, ha...gophers!!!!😀

 

[Peter Klein]

Keith: If the photo of K & D "goes viral" and is any indication of how people age in Australia, you're going to have a lot of immigrants on your hands!!

 

[Tompas]

(...) Personally, I hate the word (retirement) as it has a form of stereotyping older people as "has-beens", not worthy, and...my personally most hated term...OLD SCHOOL!🙄 (...)

Interesting... where I live the term 'old school' (verbatim, although we don't usually speak English here, of course) is used by youngsters for what they feel is from yesterday but cool and admired.

Past its day, uncool and boring would be 'altmodisch', oldfashioned.

 

[Paulbe]

Dave--really, really!--retirement is GRAND!
I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it since 5/2007.
Best "job" I ever had.
I feel NO need to "do" anything else.
And--regarding people asking what you do--I have asked that more as a conversation starter that as a tool for judgement.
There are some incredibly interesting folks doing some incredibly interesting things that you'd never know about unless you ask. All sorts of things such as and engineer--for Amtrak! Now there's an interesting job...
In any event--good luck to you and Linda!
Paul

 

[kbg32]

I know how ya feel Dave!

I'm in middle-age with a 2 1/2 year old son. I was laid off 3 months after he was born. I am beginning to live my dream. Anyway, by the time I am of retirement age, I'll have a son to send to college!

 

[Gray Fox]

Every time I talk to my youngest brother who is 8 years my junior, after a discussion of what I've been doing of late, regardless of what it is, his comment always is, "I thought you'd retired." Whatever his concept of retirement is, I don't want to do it. I'm in the same general area as Dave, and I guess I don't have the artistic spark he has, because I haven't found much to photograph lately, but I hope to be doing something constructive every day until that gopher stops by with the mail. Keep the juices flowing, Dave. GF

 

[dave lackey]

Every time I talk to my youngest brother who is 8 years my junior, after a discussion of what I've been doing of late, regardless of what it is, his comment always is, "I thought you'd retired." Whatever his concept of retirement is, I don't want to do it. I'm in the same general area as Dave, and I guess I don't have the artistic spark he has, because I haven't found much to photograph lately, but I hope to be doing something constructive every day until that gopher stops by with the mail. Keep the juices flowing, Dave. GF

Thanks, John...with all the work you've been doing lately, you just don't have the energy left over for the right hand shutter finger...However, should you get a day off, give me a shout, I think a trip down to the covered bridge would be amazing with the colors this week.🙂

 

[dave lackey]

Dave--really, really!--retirement is GRAND!
I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it since 5/2007.
Best "job" I ever had.
I feel NO need to "do" anything else.
And--regarding people asking what you do--I have asked that more as a conversation starter that as a tool for judgement.
There are some incredibly interesting folks doing some incredibly interesting things that you'd never know about unless you ask. All sorts of things such as and engineer--for Amtrak! Now there's an interesting job...
In any event--good luck to you and Linda!
Paul

I don't doubt that there are people who use "work" as a conversation starter. I have done so myself but it appears more and more that it has become initially an entree to further discussion about one's work. If the conversation stops sooner than later, then, IMO it was just a social test. If it goes on and on, such as with my students, then it was a valid question. It's just those in-betweeners that I don't trust.😉

Thanks for the good words, Paul!

 

[zauhar]

Here's a classic example of not thinking old.

Doreen (with the handful) is mid eighties and Jack (providing the handful) is late eighties. She still works as a practising GP in spite of receiving regular doses of chemo for a cancer that they said would kill her in six months two years ago. Jack has retired but has developed a lot of skill in mixing wicked coctails for their frequent guests. 😀

As a matter of interest they have this photo I took of them a year or so ago framed and proudly located in their living room where all can see it!

Retirement (Jack) or no retirement (Doreen) ... they are my heroes and how I aspire to be as I near the big walk!

Keith, my hat's off to you. That pic made me laugh out loud on this dreary day in philly. I am finding excuses to delay WORKING on something I don't feel like doing.

That said, I better not complain - it is a book chapter I am responsible for, I am not working on this ugly Saturday at a "job". I do not need to retire from this.

That is the running point of this thread (at least I think it is, didn't read it all). Dave is choosing not to retire - he has taken on a job of his own choice.

And Dave, you are right to make it a JOB. It is your work, not some pastime you are f--cking around with. When someone asks what you do, name it, phrasing your title as best suits you. Photographer, Photojournalist, whatever fits best.

Pre-20th century, people had trades, or they worked the land. Unless they were a servant or slave, they didn't have a boss. If you weren't a slave, it was considered a failing to have a boss - who would want to live like that?

That's the problem with modern life - people have been suckered/pressured into giving up their fundamental freedoms to the point that they are one step removed from slavery, and even take on the mentality of a slave. So retirement is seen as finally getting your freedom (or maybe getting out of prison).

There is no need for retirement if you are living as a free man or woman.

Randy

 

[Olsen]

Dave (and others),

This is funny; I am about to retire. Coming Monday is my last (full) day at work.

Forced? No! This is something I have been looking forward to. For years! My wife and I have booked a cruise in January/February (from Southampton to Singapore) with a stop over at Tioman Island, Malaysia - our favorite island. We will be away for two months. 'I feel free', as Claptons sings.

Work? My employer wants to me to work 'a little' alongside retirement. Which is fine with me. My wife, is 8 years younger than me and in the middle of an important period of her career. - Just as I was 8 years ago. I don't want to 'drive vacuum cleaner' all day.

The advantage of the high taxes of Norway is a lavish public pension system. And 'collage' for kids covered by 'the state'. If I choose to work 30% I will have an net income slightly higher than I have today. - Before 'eating' off our savings.

But I haven't thought about the 'identity thing': Being retired, what do you tell people? How do you keep up a conversation without being engaged in a profession or business? What shall I do? How to spend my time? Surely, my wife expects the house to look clean. And newly painted. Help!

Regardless, photography is certainly going to be a great part of my retirement time. I want to go to some courses. Like advanced use of PS, Lightroom etc. And I want to travel.

But your 'rant' makes me feel uneasy.....

 

[dave lackey]

Dave (and others),

This is funny; I am about to retire. Coming Monday is my last (full) day at work.

Forced? No! This is something I have been looking forward to. For years! My wife and I have booked a cruise in January/February (from Southampton to Singapore) with a stop over at Tioman Island, Malaysia - our favorite island. We will be away for two months. 'I feel free', as Claptons sings.

Work? My employer wants to me to work 'a little' alongside retirement. Which is fine with me. My wife, is 8 years younger than me and in the middle of an important period of her career. - Just as I was 8 years ago. I don't want to 'drive vacuum cleaner' all day.

The advantage of the high taxes of Norway is a lavish public pension system. And 'collage' for kids covered by 'the state'. If I choose to work 30% I will have an net income slightly higher than I have today. - Before 'eating' off our savings.

But I haven't thought about the 'identity thing': Being retired, what do you tell people? How do you keep up a conversation without being engaged in a profession or business? What shall I do? How to spend my time? Surely, my wife expects the house to look clean. And newly painted. Help!

Regardless, photography is certainly going to be a great part of my retirement time. I want to go to some courses. Like advanced use of PS, Lightroom etc. And I want to travel.

But your 'rant' makes me feel uneasy.....

Hi, Olsen...congratulations on the upcoming milestone! Well-earned and well-deserved.

No need to feel uneasy, just do what your wife says...😛 Seriously, though, we are all different in how we handle life. I spent my first year (2009) researching and cleaning house, literally. The second year, my wife's health went down drastically and since then she has become disabled. No income here in either case as I am a full-time caregiver.

Life experiences will somewhat determine how you handle the new-found freedom. Some will enjoy life without purpose, challenge or goals. Others are different. In my case, I have spent a lifetime learning and only 25% of that time passing that along to my students at university. Full-time work outside the home is now impossible, so what to do in my case? Surely it is different than yours.

Follow your heart now that you will have time to listen to it. Just don't trade your freedom for tyranny of another kind....I am sure you both will be happy no matter what.:angel:

 

[Olsen]

Dave,

Which reminds us that the best thing we have is our good health....

We will all end up in your situation; that one have to look after the other. Because of failing health. Since I am the oldest it is the most likely that my wife will look after me. But who knows....

The original plan was to spend a lot of my retirement time together with a close friend of mine who is a year older than me. We had these plans - dreams - travelling Europe to see our favorite football teams, and so on. But his health has deteriorated to the point where travelling is impossible. Much of my time will be spent helping him out with practical every day tasks. Which I enjoy doing. We have been friends for more than 50 years.

To be a caretaker for your closest can't be all easy. But it is something we retirees have to train for....