A post about nothing

Ted4321

Ugh...I should probably add that my target retirement is year 2042 Huh?

Ok, but here's the thing; you can lose your mind and have the kind of fun Bakster and I are talking about at any time you choose. No need to wait until retirement.

Greg

 

 

Ted4321

Ugh...I should probably add that my target retirement is year 2042 Huh?

 

 

Ok, but here's the thing; you can lose your mind and have the kind of fun Bakster and I are talking about at any time you choose. No need to wait until retirement.

 

 

 

Greg, It is nice to know that it wasn't just me having those kind of feelings or changing of priorities after retirement. I retired May 31, 2016 and have no regrets. There was a little apprehension regarding the transition from a high profile and stressful Federal Government job into a place where I had no identify outside of work except in my family and Christ. Once I found that the lifestyle change was wonderful, I quickly settled into obscurity with the old retired pfart mentality and like it. 

A few months ago, DoD asked me if I was interested in coming back in the same career field. After I looked as the operating costs, staff, scope of duties, salary, etc., I was very happy to tell them that I was not interested. 

The Lord has seen fit to bless me with a few more years of health, a nice family, nice pension, and many creature comforts. This weekend is family time, church family, modeling family, and my own family. 

Happy Easter everyone...... if your traveling, please be safe.

Ben

goldhammer

Ouch.... Mine was officially this last Tuesday, but still here at the shop beating tin.

 

Congratulations!

You guys crack me up. 

T e d

DRUMS01

Greg, It is nice to know that it wasn't just me having those kind of feelings or changing of priorities after retirement. I retired May 31, 2016 and have no regrets. There was a little apprehension regarding the transition from a high profile and stressful Federal Government job into a place where I had no identify outside of work except in my family and Christ. Once I found that the lifestyle change was wonderful, I quickly settled into obscurity with the old retired pfart mentality and like it.

Thanks for sharing that, Ben. And if something I said made you feel it's not just you, then that makes me happy.

I'm not quite adjusted yet. My 'retirement' came as a surprise, many, many yrs before I expected or wanted. It is interesting you mention enjoying being nobody. I can relate to that!

You are fortunate to be sought after even though you're not interested. Sounds like you have a backup, just in case, and that is very cool!

Thanks for opining and Happy Easter to you too.

DRUMS01

I quickly settled into obscurity with the old retired pfart mentality and like it. 

You are my hero. 

 Case in point... Second oldest says: " What's the same between a green apple and a red apple?"

I  asked " What?"

Nino

It took me 2 years after I retired to be able to sleep till 10am.

Odd to read that. As I said, this retirement thing hit me in December. This morning, I woke up worrying again. It's been off and on for these 4 months. My problems are much, much less but my brain is still apparently trying to dig up more to keep me fussing.

It's reassuring to hear it may eventually go away, even if it takes 2 years.

Wow Nino... you honor me sir. What a great post you wrote. Your retirement sounds every bit as good as I imagine retirement to be! I look forward to that sleeping until 10:00am stuff because I sure can’t do it now... even if I try. I woke up today at 6:30. I tried to sleep longer, but nope. 

Thanks for the advice about the stash. I have plenty to build. The question will be, what will my interests be when I get there.

Well, coffee is brewing, blue sky’s through my window, and even some wildlife to enjoy. The weekend of Bakster is going well thus far.

PS: I regret to say that you will from time to time hear this old ship the Bakster, groan. Planks are loose, creaking, and letting on water. The bildge pumps are running too much. The Bakster needs a refit.

Bakster

 plasticjunkie

After doing 30 years in Law Enforcement, I'm so glad I'm retired and don't have to worry about mine or someone else's safety out there.

 

 

Yeah--that is a huge stressor and one that a person can't easily blow off. 

 

plasticjunkie...good for you and crongrats on such a long retirement.  I retired in 16 after 32 years.  No regrests.  Pension is one of the best bosses I ever worked for.  I miss the clowns but I don't miss the circus.

Bakster...yes and no.  Yes, in that the pressure was always there when on the job but I guess I was very fortunate in that whenever I put the gunbelt in the locker at the end of the shift, everything assoicated with the job (stress, politics, BS, etc) went away.  I was lucky to have friends, hobbies and a great wife to come home to.  I was very easily able to say I was Mike, a police officer and not Mike, the police officer.  Big difference between 'the' and 'a'.  I never let the uniform define who I was.  The uniform was a big part of who I was but it wasn't who I was.  I also knew that I wasn't the glue that held our police service together and that on the day I retired, there's be someone there to fill my spot.  I think that helped me transition from career to retirement.  I always took the job and my oath very seriously but for me it wasn't the be all, end all.  I know guys who cried when they had to turn in their kit at the end of their career.  I was sad when I left the policing community but thankful that I made it to retirement and now my biggest decision for the day is bacon and eggs or sausages and waffles for breakfast.

Say Murph...that is awesome in how you approached your career as a police officer. Congrats for that, and your retirement. I have a deep respect for those that serve in your capacity and in our military. Thanks for your service and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Your post is enlightening.

I can surely understand the emotion that comes with retirment. Even though I look in earnest to that day, I will be one of those that will do so with a heavy heart. Often our job defines us, they become us, and they are what drive us forward. Letting go of that is like saying goodbye to a close friend, someone we counted on for decades. Or at least, that is how I am wired. Others would say, good riddens! I think that I will torn by both. That is why I already know I will need to, in a lessor degree, stay active, in doing some sort of work that contributes to a greater good. I simply must. It’s who I am.

Good for you Murph!  Glad you made it thru so now enjoy the time, you earned it. 

No regrets here either. I still hang out when possible with a couple of the lads from my old unit that live not so far away. 

Hey Nino, what was it you were building? I forget. Perfect time for my disclaimer: “I’m old. I forget things.”

Was it the Monitor? Did you finish it? Did you get paint on it? Post a picture here please.

I have the Civil War bug. I have been watching the Ken Burns special on it. Excellent. Man, what a time it was. What a horrible war. I hate saying that because all war is horrible. It’s a wonder this country survived. I wonder what would have happened if England or France joined forces with the Confederate. The South was pushing for it. It could have been an entirely different outcome.

That Civil War "bug" got me too.  I did finish up a bunch of Ironclads.  Actually made a "simple" WIP for my oldest Grandson in a Word Doc. It got him more interested.

Since I am retired I forgot if I sent you a copy. I will correct that forthwith.  It describes his desires as far as details, painting and rivet counting.  Only bad part, he was upset when I told him the Monitor only fired one gun at a time.

My grandson and I took a bunch of Photo's.  Here are a FEW.

Left to right:  My corrected Pyro Monitor, original Pyro 1/210 Monitor, Lindberg original 1/245 Monitor.   (Note:  The Corrected Monitor is now 1/200 scale due to length and width and turret size increase.) 

We made the Lindberg 1/245 kit and the Pyro Ironclad molds too.  At my suggestion we added some Ballast.  ( I know he and his brothers will eventually put these in water.  I wanted them to look realistic at the proper water-line.)

I made him breakfast after we tested the Monitor in the sink to check if the weights got her to the proper waterline. IIRC It Looked Fine, real fine.

It's good to be the king.

   Nino

Ah, there you go Nino, that is what I was looking for.

Man, those ironclads are so cool. I’d like to build one. What a huge evolution in warships these were.

Lol. Yes... it is good to be the king, INDEED!

Thanks for sharing your build!

Thank you, brother.  I get together with a few guys for breakfast once a month and I go for a cup of mud with others once a week or so.  Every few month I'll get together with some of the guys who are still working that I supervised and I let them use me as a sounding board as needed.  Good therapy for them, I think.

murph

Thank you, brother.  I get together with a few guys for breakfast once a month and I go for a cup of mud with others once a week or so.  Every few month I'll get together with some of the guys who are still working that I supervised and I let them use me as a sounding board as needed.  Good therapy for them, I think.

 

Well ;

       Some interesting reading ."Yawn" No really I am sitting here at the computer and getting sleepy .Shoot ! It's onlt been three hours since I woke .Bakster ,you have it right .I now work on models three days a week .The rest , Who Cares ? I sleep ,read, and maybe even go to our wonderful Landa Park and watch the wildlife above and below the surface of Comal river .

     Since I had the T.I.A I have quickly learned that every day no matter what you do with it is precious . So I guessI will do a " Bakster " Meself .   T.B.

Tanker - Builder

     Since I had the T.I.A I have quickly learned that every day no matter what you do with it is precious . So I guessI will do a " Bakster " Meself .   T.B.

Way to go, TB!

Alas... the end of this weekend draws nigh. Sigh.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and you guys helped make it so. Thanks for participating and I hope you guys had a great weekend too. 

See you on the flip side.

Bakster

Say Murph...that is awesome in how you approached your career as a police officer. Congrats for that, and your retirement. I have a deep respect for those that serve in your capacity and in our military. Thanks for your service and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Your post is enlightening.

I can surely understand the emotion that comes with retirment. Even though I look in earnest to that day, I will be one of those that will do so with a heavy heart. Often our job defines us, they become us, and they are what drive us forward. Letting go of that is like saying goodbye to a close friend, someone we counted on for decades. Or at least, that is how I am wired. Others would say, good riddens! I think that I will torn by both. That is why I already know I will need to, in a lessor degree, stay active, in doing some sort of work that contributes to a greater good. I simply must. It’s who I am.

Thank you for the kind words, bakster.

I understand where youre coming from.  Many guys I used to work with, the job was all that was left for them; failed marriages, failed relationships, few friends outside of the policing comminty, etc.  There were also others who said good riddance, even before they were eligible to retire.  Policing isn't for everyone.  There were also a few who simply 'stuck it out' for 30 years because giving up a six figure salary would have been financial suicide.  I'm fortunate in that I really enjoyed going to work every day and looked forward to doing my best.  When we finished our daily briefings, I used to send the folks on their way with "Thanks for coming to work today and making a difference."  Yeah...many people crap on and don't like the police and that's fine.  I understand that  but every day gave me the opportunity to help someone and make their day better.

Everyone used to ask me if I was going into a security related field after I retired.  I always told them that opolicing and such was my career.  It wasn't going to be a retiement job.  Quite a few fellow retirees have done just that and good for them, if that's what they want and need.  I'm quite happy not working right now.  I devoted my entire adult life to my community.  Retirement allows me to now devote my time to me, The Boss and our home.  Fortunately we're in a financial position that allows me to stay at home and not have to work.  I always said that, "I'll work if I want to and not because I have to."

murph

Yeah...many people crap on and don't like the police and that's fine.  I understand that  but every day gave me the opportunity to help someone and make their day better.

And for the record... I am very dismayed police are getting such a bad rap. I hope police know that with every negative mouth piece out there slamming them--there are countless citizen that love them. 

murph

e a few fellow retirees have done just that and good for them, if that's what they want and need.  I'm quite happy not working right now.  I devoted my entire adult life to my community.  Retirement allows me to now devote my time to me, The Boss and our home. 

"I hope police know that with every negative mouth piece out there slamming them--there are countless citizen that love them."

Yup.  That's the one thought that everyone keeps in their mind.  Unfortunately, bad press sells better than good press.  As Don Henley sang, "We all know that crap is king, give us dirty laundry."  Are the police without sin?  Absolutely not but everyone seems to be painted with the same brush.  Do the police deserve criticism and complaints?  When warranted, sure they do.  Sadly, people are quick to condemn but slow to praise.  Whenever someone gave me 'what for' or started the name calling and yelling about everything under the sun, I never took it personally.  I knew they were yelling at the uniform and all it represented.  If listening to them and allowing them to get that frustration off their chest made my job easier, it was time well spent.  And I always made sure they knew my arresting them or giving them a ticket, etc wasn't personal, it was my job and my duty.  That seemed to help frayed nerves.

murph

"I hope police know that with every negative mouth piece out there slamming them--there are countless citizen that love them." Yup.  That's the one thought that everyone keeps in their mind.

Good!

murph

Unfortunately, bad press sells better than good press.  As Don Henley sang, "We all know that crap is king, give us dirty laundry."  Are the police without sin?  Absolutely not but everyone seems to be painted with the same brush.  Do the police deserve criticism and complaints?  When warranted, sure they do.  Sadly, people are quick to condemn but slow to praise.

Exactly!

murph

Whenever someone gave me 'what for' or started the name calling and yelling about everything under the sun, I never took it personally.  I knew they were yelling at the uniform and all it represented.  If listening to them and allowing them to get that frustration off their chest made my job easier, it was time well spent.  And I always made sure they knew my arresting them or giving them a ticket, etc wasn't personal, it was my job and my duty.  That seemed to help frayed nerves.

Man-- we need more people like you in this world. Good job sir! 

murph

 Are the police without sin?  Absolutely not but everyone seems to be painted with the same brush.  Do the police deserve criticism and complaints?  When warranted, sure they do.  

There are rotten apples in every profession. The majority of us dedicated most of our adult lives in trying to make a positive impact on as many people as possible. And then there is the very small minority that cast a shadow on all. 

It cracks me up whenever someone here in the US complaints that we live in a "Police State". Really? These people have no clue what that is.

plasticjunkie

It cracks me up whenever someone here in the US complaints that we live in a "Police State". Really? These people have no clue what that is.

That just brought back a long-forgotten, dumb memory.

I was probably a freshman in high school, I was with Mom and Dad in Chicago for some reason and on the way home Dad got pulled over. I remember it being on the Chicago Skyway. I had to do a speech for Speech class and spoke about living in a Police State, referring to the 'grossly unfair ticket'.

I was never much of a student, I got a deservedly poor grade, and ironically, less than a year later all of a sudden all I wanted to do was be a cop.

Sorry, couldn't resist becuase I sure was one of those dumb-assed kids who had no idea what a police state is!!!!!

[quote user]

It cracks me up whenever someone here in the US complaints that we live in a "Police State". Really? These people have no clue what that is.

[/quote]Seriously. I did my Bachelors Degree dissertation research in the DDR, lived there in 1977 for about a month.

Everywhere I went, my luggage was searched in my room. After the first time, I just left the suitcase open on the bed.

Another thing about retirement is that time is not as relevent as it was when working. Everyone who works normally has a boss (unless they are the accountable official for the company, the owner). Even then EVERYONE is looking to do more in less time at a cheaper cost, and better than everyone else.

Some of the working people have to deal with being "on call" while others have to adjust thier life to shift work. Some who work in the labor fields have more physical stress and fatigue while those behind a desk have mental stress and fatigue. Then there are those like "first responders" have a little of both with some high adrenaline urgency to boot. 

Now that I have retired and after finding my identity I have learned to take it slower and reduce the stress. What does not get done today will get done tomorrow. The only one I really have pushing me now is myself and I have learned that does not not happen very often anymore (smile). If I am real busy now it is by choice, not because of any another influence.

After a military career and then a DoD career in Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection, and Emergency Operations... taking time for me and my family are my biggest rewards.

To all of us who have worked and planned a path into a nice retirement,... good to ya. And for those still working, remember that every retiree you know has walked the walk to get to retirement just as you are doing now. I believe the key for me was to live within my means, pay everything off, and save (IRA, Stock, Bonds, etc.). One of the mottos I have always lived by is "If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail", and I DO NOT like to fail. 

Do I ever miss the job? very rarely but sometimes. I miss many of those I worked with much more than the job.

Have I ever thought I could go back and provide input to make a mission or task better? Sometimes, but it is no longer my place. I made the choice to retire and they have replaced me with another selection. It is thier turn, in thier time, with different dynamics, to grow and support the mission. 

Do I miss the authority or rush that comes during a response? not really... at this age I am happy I made it, did my job well, and that I did my very best to train or coach others to take my place as just one of the many cogs of the wheel.  

Retirement is just another chapter of life. Much like the transition from childhood to adulthood, from college or school to the work force, and now from the work force to what you make of it in retirement. Remember that normally retirement is something your earn, so do everything in your power to earn it well. 

Ben

[quote user="GMorrison"

[/quote]Seriously. I did my Bachelors Degree dissertation research in the DDR, lived there in 1977 for about a month.

Everywhere I went, my luggage was searched in my room. After the first time, I just left the suitcase open on the bed.

[/quote]

The Stasi at work.

Ben, that is excellent.