It's been a couple of months since everybody was told mid-shift to empty lockers, pack up tools, clean out desks, park machines,

I'm not sure who's left there; a couple of security guards, feral cats, eagles looking for feral cats, rats, flying rats, eagles and hawks braving the thousands of flying rats rising en masse from rooftop nests to protect their mini-flying-rats like squadrons of Spitfires rising to protect London from long-ago flying rats -- whirling in elaborate maneuvers as they pick off the massive, clumsy Heinkels and Junkers tail-feather by tail-feather. The eagles have as much of a chance of picking off a chick and returning unscathed as did those earlier bombers.

I suppose the hundreds of sea-lions are still there if they haven't yet left for California, and the thousands of cormorants, and passing pods of killer whales, and celebrity and billionaire yachts longer than my unraveled, generations-removed, kiss-my-ass Royal Canadian DNA.

And feet. There's probably a severed right foot or many encased in size 12 Adidas that will go unnoticed midst the waterlogged booms and bankruptcy and absence and bloated deer and half-eaten seals.

But I'm getting used to this; this unemployment. It's rather pleasant. No obligations, no arguments, no too-early mornings, no too-late nights, no moments of terror, no endless ennui awaiting that terror.

I putter about the house and yard, I consider re-introducing myself to the raw musical talent which once won me a scholarship to UBC. I evaluate prospects north for obscenely high wages I don't really need, I look at options, and the best option seems comfortable, early retirement.

But I've still got the need for speed, or at least the need to slowly level mountains.

I'm lucky, I suppose. I was smart enough to take the considerable income afforded by this life-blood spewing company which seemed to attract goal-less liberal arts types like me and other ba's, ma's, the occasional phd, and invest some of it; many times unwisely but enough wisely to afford independence.
Many didn't, blew it as it came, expecting the teat to nurse forever.

But as I sniff the flowers, clean the property (actually, I hire people to do that, but still sometimes stand out in the yard and say "this here, that there, those to the dump" [no "farmer out-standing in his field" pun, Ducadmo], I think "go north, middle-aged man."

It's kinda like the urge to action demobilized veterans experience, I guess.

<link>

these simple but good hearted Americans & Canadians &

Brits all want to defend the USA.

what cha gonna do?

God Bless the UK OUR MOST SOLID and wonderul ally.

God Bless the UK!

at the end of the day.....

they actually have it right.

SHOCK! SHOCK! The UK who we Free-ed from HITLER actually IS our FRIEND?!!!


SHOCK!

p.s...PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEA­SE don't tell Obama...

it would disturb his need to call Americans hateful anti black gangsters,.,.,,OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!! THE HORROR! of anti black gang sters ithat would be toooooooo much to bear ..indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!

let me just remind you Obama bots of one simple plain fact indeed before you go on in your dream world.

The UK is terrified by and large of the Muslim rise of terrroist attacks on their populus.

Terrified.

They have been (the UK ) basically under underr our thumb(spoils of war 'n all since WW2) and they need US to save them.Or at least back them.

THINK

THINK!!!!!!!!!!!

THINK!!!!!!!

HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

About WHAT YOUR BEST ALLLIES NEED YOU TO DO TO PROTECT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The european nations are already over run with MUSLIMS.

They need your help!

T They are too proud too admit it..sure..but these are your American friends.

But they bitch daily aboit the terrorist threats they face.

Yeah okay they are nasty French,. German and Brits..but THEY NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(and they are scared right now by this muslim influx((((search Briget Bardot and The muslim threat)))

The Euros they need you ....don't be fooled...they do. they need you and all of us and they love you.

This is not often reported strange reallly in a civilized..but the UK and Europe is looking to the THE UNTED STATES OF AMERICA FOR HELP AND PROTECTION!

yeah...they are.

I once enjoyed an extended rest period. I set myself some boundaries, for discipline.

(1) No sleeping past 10:00

(2) Shave at least every other day

(3) out of the pajamas by noon

(4) no drinking before noon.

I turned out okay.

I am desperately looking forward to my semi-retirement in 2-5 years time. I've been working in white collar slavery for the last 20 years and I am ready to get out.

I don't worry much about keeping busy. While it is conceivable that I would succumb to spending my time sleeping, eating, and watching TV, there are too many other things I enjoy doing.

I was thinking of buying one or two rental properties, and living off the rental in come in addition to some investment income. I would spend my time doing minor renovations on my own house, and gardening is also a possibility.

I enjoy doing outdoor activities as well, and I expect it would be very pleasant to be out riding my bike in the morning while watching all the poor 9-5 slaves drive to work. I guess that would be another benefit of retiring in early middle-age (the fact that you can still do physical activity).

Enjoy your retirement Doc (obviously I am envious).

Roy

Very rarely now do I have to be anyplace in the morning before 10:00. But it is 6:50 now and I have been up since 6:00.

The early rising is in my blood, I get up even when I don't have to, and everyone else is still in bed. During school days, of course, there is activity in the house because the kids are up early and getting ready (I am usually up at 5:00 during school months). Summertime is different, the house is quiet.

I make coffee, go sit on the backyard patio and wake up the squirrels. The dog looks at me as if to say, I don't have to get up too, do I? I tell him to go back to sleep and he does.

Thank heaven for the internet. I write stuff, send e-mail, check on the BOTF and work on my Blog. Sometimes I go to the Waffle House for breakfast.

Yesterday I worked on an estimate for about 3 hours, in my home office, but today I have to go across town to meet an inspector to look at a job we did. That will be around 10:00 or so....don't know yet, I have to call him when he gets into his office.

Ah, but next Friday I and my grandson are going to San Antonio, our annual Grandpa & Grandboy road trip. to see the Alamo. We plan to stop at the Crackerbarrel in Waco for breakfast. We will have lunch or dinner on Saturday at the Gristmill in Greune, Texas. He has not been south of San Marcos as yet and we are both looking forward to the trip.

I don't miss my management job..I wish I could have started fucking off 20 years ago.

Jack

That sounds like a fun trip with your Grandson. Such a neat place, San Antonio!

Our house is setting up much like you describe - but no dog. My husband gets up makes the coffee, etc etc. Our lives are entering a new era with kids gone (but not quite grown).

We have no grandchildren yet, but I am ready!

I recently discovered the endless joy of birding. It is a pastime that can develop slowly or quickly and with a decent pair of binoculars and either a book or access to the internet one that unfolds with daily drama and discovery.

I had no idea before this year just how plentiful, how industrious, how interesting birds were!

Just a few seeds and a simple feeder was all it took ... well, and some quiet time. Like you describe: no obligations, no arguments, no too-early mornings, etc. Just some calm, quiet time.

I don't know what you did before, but I do hope you enjoy what you're doing now!

The kids I referenced are my grandchildren (three of them live with me). We have a Waltons type set up. Sometimes the soninlaw goes to work early but most of the time he is up later. Daughter is fat with child so there will be added turbulence in the house soon.

My grandboy is 8 years-old. Last year we went to San Marcos and kayaked down the river. We have decided to make a summer trip every year. We are soul mates right now. I don't expect that to last forever, but for right now he is my biggest fan.

Jack

8 years old is perhaps the perfect age. And it seems to last for about 3 years.

I think you have entered into one of the great moments of a human life!!

We have five kids - 4 girls and the eldest is a boy. He's 35. The youngest is 20. I imagine we will also have returnees -- our house is just too big, and the economy is just too whatever. They're girls and I imagine they will want to return to "take care of us." Ha!

I hope they come back with grandchildren.

DrNo:

on MSN. <link> Youngest Babyboomers

I can understand the "what do I do next syndrome" you are faced with while at home. Too young to retire and maybe too old to start off in a different direction. Been doing similar myself since last Fall.

I get up every morning by 7:30 AM along with my wife. Make my coffee, feed the dog, and let him out. If she didn't make lunch the night before, I make it for her. At night time I cook the dinner; stuffed zuchinni, marinated chicken breasts, wild rice salad, spaghetti, gourmet burgers, meat loaf, etc. According to her, I am a good cook.

Between mourning and night, I check out "Indeed.com" for any new opportunities that arise and usually find 6 or more for which I qualify. I do get the interviews; but here in Michigan, the competition is keen even with 4 degrees and a reference list an arm long. Potential employers will say anything to you without sincereity. I lost count on my fingers how many times I have been told I would be hired on the spot; but, they have to go through the interview process. To cast one appropriate letter pitching myself, attached to a resume, and applying takes about 45 minutes. Combine that with the search and you can blow the morning quickly plus some. Michigan unemployment = 8.5%.

Let me see, while I have been home, the first floor bathroom was remodeled complete with a new vanity and toilet . . . "even the 'Virgin Mary' would be proud to take a dump in there." Fixed a number of things that needed fixing around the house including the riding lawmower. Twice a week, I am at "wing chun do" learning how to hurt and maim people . . . Sibok said to keep trainning with them while I was out of work. Started working with "nunchucks."

If there was a crisis in the US over Social Security, there should be even a greater one with the numbers of babyboomers out of work as they are burning those 401ks and savings to get-by while they look for new work. At Yazaki and during there layoff, there was no one under 40 that was released with severance and healthcare for a few months. I suspect companies are using the globalization of America as an excuse to realign their work force in the states with younger personnel.

DrNo, I know I will be back to work. I am a master at this also. It is just a matter or timing, the right fit, and finding the company with the need for someone like me. Done it before and I will do it again. Oh and retirement? Maybe I will sit down at 70. Meanwhile, I am off this morning for a walk with a young dog who keeps an old dog young. "Tyler" loves his 2 hour walks and we will cover 5 to 8 miles today.

Did you read this response to your earlier post? Nice country, that, and though 20 below winters are not uncommon, they are far less brutal than northern climes, property is still cheap, Vancouver only a couple hours drive away.

Island property is expensive and lower mainland property is the most expensive in Canada. Some of the smaller islands still are reasonable, though, if you have your own sea-worthy boat and don't mind being socked in for days at a time during bad weather. Lot of resorts and eco-tourist sites on these smaller islands, so that might fit with your plans for rental property.

(1) No sleeping past 10:00

I'm usually up at 6:30 with the wife and that goddamn screeching alarm clock.

(2) Shave at least every other day

I do. Religiously. Every other day.

(3) out of the pajamas by noon

I sleep in shorts and t-shirt, which I replace when sweaty and smelly. Does that count?

(4) no drinking before noon.

I'm still on swing-shift time, so noon is sometimes happy hour. Does that absolve me?