After 31 years as an employee of the University of Alaska, I'm finally retiring. My last day is today, May 29, 2015. I was originally hired as a computer programmer by the Fairbanks campus business office to create a telephone billing system and given my complete ignorance of telephone systems, Cobol or Wang minicomputers, they gave me a year to complete the project. I delivered the system in two weeks and was told to look for other things that needed done. I originally took the job just to make enough money to move to Glenallen, AK, and teach classes for Prince William Sound Community College and Alaska Bible College then possibly move out of the state. That didn't happen. Life happened and I'm still here trying to figure out what to do now.
Almost there...
As I've mentioned before, I'll still have an affiliation to the university working on the project in Barrow. It is funded by NSF (National Science Foundation) through CH2MHill and due to the externally funded, there was no restriction to being hired back as a part time temp. Plus it'll take me a while to clean out my office. There is a lot of junk in here...
On an unrelated note, the weather service put out a severe weather alert for interior Alaska and they are projecting freezing temperatures for the beginning of next week. This morning felt pretty chilly at 40°F on the ride in.
Richard I am sure you will be busier than you think. Retired people who come to my office always tell me that they do more now than when they were working. Enjoy!
Did that 30 years seem to move along as fast as your video?
Maybe you can just think of your new situation as having a few extra days off from work- until you get used to being fancy free. The biggest challenge might be gaining weight! Food likes retired people.
No, gotta admit that it didn't just zip by. I think back on people and events of the past and in most cases, I would rather not repeat it. I'm looking forward to everyday being Saturday except Sunday.
Welcome to retirement. You will find that you'll have lots of projects to attend to (and if not your dear wife will make sure, you stay occupied...). What a nice arrangement to be able to still work part time (pocket money for traveling me thinks...).
Thank you, I suspect that there is a list somewhere but I'm not searching too hard. My initial plan is to take on on June 18, go to D2D in Dawson City to end up in Helena, MT, a month later. Then on to another reunion east of Portland, then wander with Bridget for a week or so in the PNW, then off to CA for a wedding on the 8th. Then start working my way north. I'm working on a post with more details. Bridget is hoping to meet you two while we are in Corvallis.
Richard, as others have said in a few weeks/months you'll be so busy you'll be wondering how you ever found the time to go to work. Enjoy your retirement - it's a wonderful way to live!
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Congratulations and enjoy yourself!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, just following your lead...
DeleteRichard I am sure you will be busier than you think. Retired people who come to my office always tell me that they do more now than when they were working. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things that I would like to get done but we'll see how busy things get.
DeleteDid that 30 years seem to move along as fast as your video?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can just think of your new situation as having a few extra days off from work- until you get used to being fancy free. The biggest challenge might be gaining weight! Food likes retired people.
No, gotta admit that it didn't just zip by. I think back on people and events of the past and in most cases, I would rather not repeat it. I'm looking forward to everyday being Saturday except Sunday.
DeleteAnd of all the 31 years not one picture?
ReplyDeleteNope. I can't remember ever taking a picture at work. Maybe some in the film days...
DeleteWelcome to retirement. You will find that you'll have lots of projects to attend to (and if not your dear wife will make sure, you stay occupied...).
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice arrangement to be able to still work part time (pocket money for traveling me thinks...).
Thank you, well maybe not for the idea of a lot of projects...
DeleteBeing able to continue on the project was important to me as I really want thing to work well up there.
Congratulations RichardM, a retirement well deserved I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The deserved part is still under debate...
DeleteRight on, Richard!... May your road ahead be just chock-full of adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I've been looking forward to this for a while...
DeleteCongrats on finally retiring. I am sure you won't be bored especially with helping out part time in Barrow.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a "honey do" list yet? Or a date for your road trip?
Thank you, I suspect that there is a list somewhere but I'm not searching too hard. My initial plan is to take on on June 18, go to D2D in Dawson City to end up in Helena, MT, a month later. Then on to another reunion east of Portland, then wander with Bridget for a week or so in the PNW, then off to CA for a wedding on the 8th. Then start working my way north. I'm working on a post with more details. Bridget is hoping to meet you two while we are in Corvallis.
DeleteWonderful plan! Go for it! And thanks to Bridget for letting you go on this great adventure ;-)
DeleteYes, he has a honey do list, but probably won't get to it right away because of the big trip planned. Always tinkering on Blue.
ReplyDeleteToday I was tinkering with the Beemer not the Ural...
DeleteRichard, as others have said in a few weeks/months you'll be so busy you'll be wondering how you ever found the time to go to work. Enjoy your retirement - it's a wonderful way to live!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've been looking forward to this for a while but still not sure what it means...
DeleteWow, congratulations! That's some milestone. Funny how things work out, isn't it? 😄
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the commute video. Perfect music selection, too.
Thank you! I'm looking forward to spending time not at the university. It feels like I've been there forever...
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