The end of the year, and all of the end of the year holidays are fast approaching. I have to admit, the year has flown by. It seems like just yesterday, I was briefing Erica what she needed to know as the next director of the Commission. And already work is fading into distant memory. I realized the other day, that I really don't care if I stay up to date on many of the issues I worked so hard on for 25 years. That happened much faster than I thought it would. I might even think about moving my license to retired status in a few years when I am eligible to do so.
What has filled my year?
Travel certainly, 73 nights away from home. Walking, averaging about an hour a day, about half of that at the gym, about half of it wherever I felt like walking that day. Reading, I have finished reading over 80 books this year, I will end the year at nearly double my goal. I have done some writing for a couple of journals, and three consulting projects. I am fiddling with my creativity with a little painting and lots of photographs - probably 6,000 this year. I have had fun cooking, gotten bored, and then reignited my interest. I continue to enjoy blogging, daily, plus my daily selfie project. I need to decide if I am going to continue the selfie project. I lead a weird and eclectic life, and I like that.
Doc Spo's post the other day about how we answer "what do you do" caused me to stop and think. Answering that I was a lawyer was always problematic. Some wanted legal advice that I was seldom able to provide, always worrying about the malpractice angle, others simply hate lawyers and think all are evil. If I change the answer to what I do now, it should / could provoke a much different conversation.
I can think of a couple of bloggers that I love reading, commenting on, or talking with, that I really have no idea what they do or did besides blog. But then I live in a town where many people give vague answers, spies and other operatives don't tell you what they really do.
Over the next few weeks I will draft my end of the year summary, and set goals for next year. Then we will see where the next year takes me.
As I thought, you had no problem adjusting to retirement. I think I can now predict who will adjust well to retirement and who won't. A tradesperson who was here last year revisited last week and last year he said he was soon to retire. I was dubious. He has now decided not to and hopes to work until he is 70, which must be about 15 years away.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to see and do between now and turning 70.
DeleteWhen people in Camden ask me how I got here I always says, "Witness protection."
ReplyDeleteAs for what I do, I am a killer for hire ... OR ... I work for our local fine arts center bringing events and such to town.
Either a hired gun, or you hire them.
DeleteNowadays, of course, I just answer "I'm retired" when asked what I do. People don't often probe further than that, I find. Maybe they just automatically dismiss further interest once they hear "retired"? I don't know, and frankly, I don't care.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did was tied so much to my personal identity,
DeleteI hadn't thought about summarizing my year. I didn't travel internationally this last year but I did take some very enjoyable trips in the states.
ReplyDeleteThere are a million places to see in this country.
DeleteI usually say, I'm retired." The months fly by and I can hardly remember all of the things that I have done. I usually forget to check your daily selfie but I did enjoy clicking on your link just now and seeing all of your lovely faces looking back at me! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to forget what all we have done as time flies by.
DeleteHope all is well in 2025.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly will try to have a good 2025.
DeleteA good 2024 for you! Walking an hour a day is excellent. Much less common here in Southern Spain to be immediately asked “What do you do?” It tends to be one of the first questions in the States, doesn’t it?
ReplyDeleteAsking a profession is considered rude in France, a bit like asking, how much money do you make.
Delete