I Don't Know Nutten About Nutten!

But Mom, you really knew everything about most everything. You taught me how to live, how to love, how to care, and ultimately, how to pass from this life to the next while leaving this one a bit better for those whom you left behind. Many people came to express these same sentiments – friends and family who love you; a museum that will enlighten and entertain those who never knew you; children who are far better people because of your influence and the model of life that you so consistently lived. While it saddens those of us left behind, the sadness is for our loss, since we know that things are eternally bright and joyful for you. There are so many little memories to recall – too many to list actually and most hiding in my mind, waiting to spring forth as daily surprises of joy and remembrance, keeping you close always. Recently on a visit you patted me on the head and said “my little boy has gray hair”. I’ll never forget that moment because I realized that having you here meant that I, a man of 63, was still someone’s little boy and I’ll remain that until the end.

In Loving Memory of Gerda Quelch Wootten, September 9, 1914 - October 23, 2008.

Your loving son,

Brad

Gone and Done It!

So here's the deal for the day. I officially retired.........sort of! September 15 was supposed to be my last day but for administrative purposes it actually became September 30. Between the two dates, I was technically still working but not actually going to work, just doing some work from afar. Effective October 1 I became a "casual" employee which, I surmise, means that I work when called upon for special projects and get paid an hourly rate to do so. Today is October 2 and, guess what? I am going in to the office for a meeting. So, the question is: "Am I or am I not retired?" Tomorrow, it's hit the road time - SC for a couple of days then on to NC for a while. Naturally, I'll still be toting the corporate cell phone, logging in to email, and doing many of those same things I've always done, only just not full time or in an office (or with benefits). Maybe this isn't a bad way to go - just as long as I don't get overwhelmed with all the stuff I have to keep track of as I am doing all that going.

One more thing - sort of ironic. This morning, I visit the dentist. I like to refer to him as Dr. "Unreasonable and Non-Customary" since that's what the insurance company puts on their paid claims forms when they deny a considerable portion of his bill. As a "casual" employee, I no longer have dental insurance and, typical for me, ole doctor expensive has just raised his prices. That's what happens when you have a dentist with children and a college fund. I am gonna ask for a cash discount and, maybe do some comparison shopping. Keep them choppers in good shape - dental floss is your friend.
PS: Regarding that post below about "ain't gonna happen".....I lied!

Well, Alrighty Now!

Just a postscript to my July 14 comment about retirement, no way, ain't gonna happen, etc.  My how things change.  More to follow.

A Quick Little Note

It’s no wonder that we have an obesity problem in this country.  I ran to McDonald’s to pick up a Southern Chicken Sandwich meal for lunch (highly unusual since I rarely eat lunch out) and guess what?  Along with the meal came another, free, chicken sandwich.  Naturally, I had no choice but to take it, and having done that, it simply wouldn’t be right not to eat the thing.  So, now I am double chickened and loving it.  But, didn’t I read somewhere today that McDonald’s earnings were lower than expected for the quarter?  Now we know why?  Blame the chicken.

Retire? Me? In this economy?

That simply ain’t gonna happen and I am pretty much reconciled to that.  Pat is in Surf City with Ginger and Ashley who are visiting from Savannah and Pawley’s Island, respectively.  Work here in Virginia is going as usual so I won’t bore anyone with more of that story.  What a weekend.  I went to the pho places on both Saturday and Sunday – lots of pho, that’s fo sho.  Anyway, it’s not bad and probably healthier than a burger and fries (which I must say I am about ready for).

Maybe sometime in August I’ll get to go back to the beach, doubtful in time for Alex’s wedding unfortunately since there’s a real conflict during that week, work-wise.

Oh well, when life’s not a beach, it’s a bitch but all, in all, I can’t complain too much.  Yes I can!  Nope, I shouldn’t!  Oh heck, you know I will don’t you?

I am here and they are there!

It’s a beautiful day in the [Surf City] neighborhood but, unfortunately, I am not there.  Patti is playing host to the kids and all are probably getting ready to bask in the sun today.  I am at work – been working 12 hours a day since last weekend.  Wow!  That’s gonna stop as of Monday and hopefully I can recoup some of the extra time spent at the office and direct it towards some personal activities.

How many times have I planned my great escape?  Too many and, thus far, neither has stuck.  That, I promise, is about to change.  Recognition, defined as the acknowledgment of achievement, service, merit, doesn’t exist in this place. It’s becoming more obvious that loyalty is not a two way street and being taken for granted is the norm. I’ve seen significant turnover and, lately and it’s been in the ranks of those whose contributions and abilities should be the most valued.  Inequity is rampant and there seems to be a pervasive attitude that those who have been here and proven themselves should be happy with their lot in life and so what if inequities exist? 

The “so what” is that those very people, the proven ones whose efforts have brought about what successes we’ve experienced, can leave and get significantly better deals from companies that know virtually nothing about them, save what’s in their resumes.  Strange how they can be so valued by a stranger while being ignored by the very organization that benefited most from their presence.

I’m ranting aren’t I?  Makes me feel good though and it’s all true.  Personally, I like to think of it as God’s way of preparing me for the next phase of my life and it certainly ain’t at this place.

Anyway, here’s to those who are, and will be, elsewhere, doing other things, and living in a world where equity still exists.  For me, that’s coming, and soon!

Well, it's gonna happen as least partially!

We'll be off between May 17 - June 1 but will be spending some time at J & B's place for unanticipated reasons. Then, back to Surf City. Retire? How silly a thought that was. Two key staff already resigned during the preceding week so retirement on the heels of that would not be in keeping with my upbringing. However, and be warned, I am gonna do it and soon.
I've wanted to post some thoughts regarding the ongoing political antics but after giving it careful consideration, have decided to let it go since neither candidate (of the three) has jumped out and hit me as the greatest of choices. We have the anti-christ and Beelzebub on the one hand, and War boy on the other. Seems like there are not many options for us to choose from. We either experience calamity and perdition that ultimately leads to the end of times, or keep fighting a war that has no end in sight and hasn't even helped lower oil prices.
Me? I am all for letting this one ride and finding a candidate who will end the war, be racially agnostic, and put such words as non-discrimination and equal opportunity into the definitional context from whence they were originally derived. Anyway you look at it, and regardless of who wins in November, there will be, for entirely different reasons, rioting in the streets.

It's Been a Long Time Baby!

Since January 31?  Wow.  I've been to Topsail twice since then and haven't taken the trouble to make a blog report.  The fact is that I've been very busy doing little or nothing except teaching.  Four courses last term and this one, and in the foreseeable future as well.  Also, work has been steady every day - shall we say staying at a level entirely within my comfort zone. 

Not being one to make idle promises, I see a great opportunity coming on May 15.  The planets are aligning nicely in that: a) it's the end of the pay period at work, b) graduation is May 17, and c) the term break goes between May 17 - June 3.  All together, that means I can quit my day job effective May 15, do the podium thing at graduation on May 17 and then hit the road for the beach, not returning until around June 2 in preparation for class to begin.

Will I do it?  Only time will tell but the attraction is tremendous so stay tuned.

A Blog A Day - Is Just Too Many!

I know.  It’s been over a month hasn’t it?  Maybe that’s because there’s nothing going on.  Maybe it’s because there’s too much going on.  Perhaps it’s because I just haven’t felt like posting a blog entry until now.  Well…………it’s all of the above.  We’ve actually returned to Surf City (MLK Weekend) and are planning another trip for President’s Day.  Since it’s about as cold there as it is in Northern Virginia, there’s not a lot of excitement related to being around warmer weather.  Retirement still looms somewhere in the future.  My projected date to throw the switch, like the stock market (and probably because of it to some degree) goes up and down.  Maybe I should just accept poverty and pull the plug now but I’m too security minded to do that.

This isn’t a good time anyway what with the weather, my evening teaching schedule, and the sheer fact that I’ve not found anything better to do than working and making money.  That’s gotta change one of these days, I know.  It’s the “when” that eludes me for now.

In the mean time, we’re healthy and about as happy as someone whose life revolves around going to and from work can be.  Maybe by the time I make the next entry in this blog I will have things figured out.

 

 

Blogging and Slogging through Christmas

It’s closing in on Christmas and all through this place,
Time is progressing at the slowest possible pace.
The socks and the shoes are filled with the usual stuff,
And the suits and the ties are all loaded with fluff.

While I in my office sit idly by,
Wishing and wishing for time to just fly.
And who, pray tell should soon to appear?
But an unwelcome visitor slowly drawing near.

It’s nobody special but still somewhat of a pain,
And likely whose mission my mind but to drain.
I’ll sparkle and spangle and make my impression,
Holding back my real feelings and thoughts of depression.

For one of these days, and I mean coming soon,
My life will be filled with the sun and the moon.
The wishing and hoping will then quickly turn
To smiling and doing, while this place I do spurn.

You ask for my meaning and what’s at its source?
That’s simple enough – its retirement, of course.