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pimple
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Likes it here |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2006
Messages: 375
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Greetings All-
I've mentioned my family's doo.
It turns out that one of the big topics of conversation (never started by me) was when I planned to retire. I'm sorta past the age when most do the deed, but I have no desire, I like what I do, am reasonably good at it, and know in my heart I'd be bored out of my mind. I have no firm idea how long it will be, but my firm intention is to work until I drop, actually a day or two past that would be my preference.
What are your feelings on the topic? Has anyone crossed that great divide? Did you really follow the light?
Regards
Simon
Joy Peace and Tranquility
Joyceility
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Retirement isn't what it's all cracked up to be.... Thats why I started my surplus business....
As far as the light at the end of the tunnel.... Yup, it's there....
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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I never thought I'd "retire" - I always saw myself just gradually downsizing, working fewer hours, etc. My mother still works half-time at age 75, in a job that she took up when she retired from teaching aged 60 and loves, as an editor (of languages textbooks and associated websites).
Technically, however, I actually retired six weeks ago, less than two months before my 51st birthday - on grounds of disability. I'm totally unprepared for it, even though I haven't been at work for the past 18 months. I'm currently looking for some kind of part-time work: a balance between what I am physically able to do, what I need to earn to supplement my very meagre pension, and providing me with some kind of structure and intellectual stimulation is called for (which may be tricky to find - fortunately I'm not in that much of a hurry).
I don't think it matters if one one does is called "work", "volunteering" or ever "hobbies" or whatever - I just think it's important to have interests and activities outside the home.
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. ... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night devoid of stars." Martin Luther King
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13800
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I cannot ever retire as things stand at present. I watch older retired relatives and am jealous. I work harder than they ever worked, but they are retired with plenty of cash and I struggle.
I want to. But equally I want to work when I want as well. I'm self employed for the past 3 years, and I consult in a specialised field, so I am in reasonable demand, so part time work woudl be wonderful. It just doesn't pay enough
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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pimple
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Likes it here |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2006
Messages: 375
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Hey Boss-
What would you do?
I've been self employed these last 18 years, it beats the hell out of working for idiots, although my boss is a real son of a b....
I don't work 24/7, but I am available, and people on your side of the puddle regularly forget about the time difference.
If you are in fairly heavy demand - raise the price.
Regards
Simon
Joy Peace and Tranquility
Joyceility
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pimple
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Likes it here |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2006
Messages: 375
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Greetings-
If I might, what level of disability? Things that are disabling on your side of the puddle are sometimes considered discrimination here, and not allowed by law.
Regards
Simon
Joy Peace and Tranquility
Joyceility
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Simon Rutlust wrote:
> Greetings-
>
> If I might, what level of disability? Things that are disabling on your side of the puddle are sometimes considered discrimination here, and not allowed by law.
Roughly, the base of my spine is crumbling away, giving rise to "facet joint syndrome" and associated problems ... so I can't stay in one position (standing, sitting, etc) for more than about 90 minutes at a time, and really find it difficult to get through a day without a couple of hours lie-down in the afternoon. I walk with a stick - on a good day, five or six miles, on a bad day, a couple of hundred yards ... although to some extent I can usually "borrow" some of tomorrow's ration of mobility and do quite a lot (like stewarding on Pride) if I'm prepared to write off the following few days and be house- or bed- bound. The most unpleasant thing is when it gets bad enough to put a lot of pressure on the nerves: this can lead to referred pain that feels like having been kicked in the balls, lasting several hours at a stretch.
I (supported by my Union) went pretty much to the wire with my employers, but finally settled for a compromise agreement less than 48 hours before the deadline for a tribunal ... that was more about how they'd handled my case than anything else (although I've signed a non-disclosure agreement so can't give details). However, there's no doubt that I am unable to work anything approaching full-time. Really, I'm looking for some kind of flexibile working, with some part of it working from home - which may not be as difficult as it sounds in my areas of expertise (local government, theatre/entertainments).
Fortunately, many prospective employers have a positive approach of guaranteeing an interview to disabled people who meet their selection criteria - after that, I reckon it's up to me to impress!
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. ... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night devoid of stars." Martin Luther King
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13800
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My price is as high as it will go 
What would I do? Pretty much what I do now, but on longer project terms
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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pimple
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Likes it here |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2006
Messages: 375
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Greetings (again) Boss
If I read you right you said, 'pretty much what I do now...' so we are of a like mind.
If you enjoy it, find satisfaction and render value, why stop?
The most physically challenging aspect of my job is the climb up about 5 to 7 flights of stairs. The challenge is greater in my advancing years, but I still manage without huffing or puffing to the point of embarrassment. It isn't enough exercise to provide any real benifet, but in my head...
Regards
Simon
Joy Peace and Tranquility
Joyceility
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pimple
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Likes it here |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2006
Messages: 375
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Sometimes it feels like we are too prim about asking personal questions on this board.
When something affects the spine your options are limited. Appendages are just that - but the spine is central.
Good luck with the job search. I know that job is essential to my definition of self. Nothing else I can say.
Regards
Rick
Joy Peace and Tranquility
Joyceility
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