epic decision, big day coming

[lucydad]

Guzzista,

I had a huge day on Wednesday.  Flub dub energy CEO made one of those "the sun shall not set"  edicts.  Mr. Boss slinked into my office and informed me.  I started asking reasonable questions as is my tendency as a seasoned professional.  Mr. Boss went into snark mode, and criticized some of my work revealed by Mr. donut (my so called geologist team mate) shown without my ok or knowledge or approval.

Went home last night.  Thought about it.  And church sermon last Sunday, and prayed a bit.  Today I put together my firm exit retirement plan.
Checked on previously earned medical:  yep, not a problem. 

Big day is October 5th.  End of nearly 40 years continuous employment.

Guzzi content:  time to do that long dreamed motorcycle camping trip on the V7R.  But dang it someone bought the Audace at MPH first day before I could ride it Friday.  But Mike says he has more coming. 

Old Colorado School of Mines story:  "we need a geophysicist to find it, a mining engineer to get it out, a metallurgist to refine it and a geologist to get the coffee and donuts". 

Actual work days will be limited as we have a ten day family Hawaii trip mid-late September.  And I have six other vacation days I will burn between now and October 5.

Ms. LD is fully on board, and for that I am grateful. I had planned to hang on until late May, 2016.  Not happening.  The company is clearly imploding with low oil prices, hedges unwinding:  no spending allowed, and major projects halted (including one I have worked on 3 years).

My time is finally coming.  A new life beckons.

I am grateful. 

[rocker59]

You'll be done with work just in time to strap a duffel on the V7R's luggage rack, and head to the Okie campout.

[Guzzistajohn]

You'll be done with work just in time to strap a duffel on the V7R's luggage rack, and head to the Okie campout.

YES! That'll get 'cha broke in! 

I double dog dare 'ya!

[lucydad]

Rocker,

Yep a new world.  I will check it out.  That would be a cool way to celebrate my freedom.  V7R can be a fab long distance runner, and I have all the equipment, just sitting unused.  That will change.

Will Dusty be there? 

[Guzzistajohn]

Rocker,

Yep a new world.  I will check it out.  That would be a cool way to celebrate my freedom.  V7R can be a fab long distance runner, and I have all the equipment, just sitting unused.  That will change.

Will Dusty be there?

SHa, be there? he's the official rally dog!

[lucydad]

Dusty,

No shit, no kidding, no wingeing...swear on a poodle tail or two.  Done deal.  Mr. Boss will have his jaw drop as I plan to submit my "retirement" notice with no notice to the Sr. VP, and not inform anyone else.  Mr. donut will implode without me to carry him. 

Man, I am jazzed.  Heck I can easily do 200 miles/day on the V7R.  How far is OK?  Will temps cool off a bit?

[lucydad]

Dusty,

Where, when...looked at stickies.  I need a plan.  Never put tent together.  Never loaded the large top and side bags on the V7R.  Might try and get a Houston group together. 

My time will be in demand post-retirement.  But YES...I can think of no better way to celebrate.

Little Goose is itching for a long ride, and over night and camping trip.

[mjptexas]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Life is too short to suffer idiots at our age.

LowRyter has been telling me for the last year I need to do the same thing.  Keep hoping I'll make the next Resource Action list and walk with some extra money in my pocket.  Guess I'm doing just a little too good of a job.

[Guzzistajohn]

Sugarland to Talahina-------432 miles, hop, skip and a jump.

[Yukonica]

Really happy you have an option out. Many people just get flung out the window.
Sorry that it wasn't an exit plan you initiated.
200 miles on a V7 is barely a tank of fuel.  If you have the cojones and smarts to parachute at will; you  are definitely good for at least a second tank of gas a day.
Namaste.
Once you are on the road; post some pictures for we who are still mired in the labour market.

[rocker59]

  Might try and get a Houston group together. 
 

davedel44 will likely be riding up from Galveston.

[Guzzistajohn]

davedel44 will likely be riding up from Galveston.

smithswede on the way north

[lucydad]

Oooh, Dusty, you mean the Ouachita Mountains.  Remember I am a geoscientist.  I know these hills and rocks. 

Suggested route up from Houston please?  Planning makes it real.  Real turns into actual. 

Figure it is a two day trip for me.  But, hell time will no longer be my enemy.  Best place to stop mid-way?

[trippah]

Congrats- 40 years of continuous employment is very rare.  Sounds like retirement is due.  There comes a time when leaving is right, so smile wide when you leave.

[LowRyter]

LD, you've been hinting at retirement since the price of crude fell last year.  Looks like you've thought it out and hit your marks.  I have no regrets retiring.

Good luck.  Enjoy it.  You've earned it.  Don't think twice about the donut man. 

[johnr]

Lucydad, you will feel this huge weight lift off your shoulders as you walk out the door for the last time. At least you sound prepared, unlike me. Wish I could join you on that ride.

[geoff in almonte]

LD

I was one of those 'tossed out the window'.  Happened eight years ago.

It was the best decision ever that I didnt have to make.

Sounds like you have an exit strategy - and the missus on board. 
Just remember 'Ya gotta have a Plan B, Dave'.

And get a hobby that takes you out of the house.

Cheers!

G

[Gliderjohn]

As a very recently retired person I can confirm that it beats the hell out of work. Enjoy!
GliderJohn

[tiger_one]

I like the idea of getting a Hobby!  Might keep it quiet if you try flying quads (drones) they are getting a lot of negative attention.   

Maybe golf is a better choice.

[Chuck in Indiana]

But, hell time will no longer be my enemy.

Oh, yeah.. it will.  Congrats anyway. It'll be the best gig you ever had.

[davedel44]

Take Thur Oct 1st and Fri 2nd off.  Come to Lindale.  I have an extra duffle and straps.  Couple of changes of clothes, tooth brush, tent and sleeping bag and some baby wipes.  Beaver usually takes care of some meals and I always travel well provisioned.  Do it! I'll even detour to Sugarland(?) And we can ride up together.
Dave
Galveston

[tonUPRacer]

congrats LD! enjoy your new adventures!

[johnr]

John , I am gonna win the lottery and fly you over . At least that's the plan .

  Dusty

Sounds like a plan Dusty. Just make sure will you that I have a few weeks lee-way to get a new passport.

[malik]

Welcome to the world of time-flexible riding! Not long after I stopped work, I stopped to chat with a ridery at a Maccas a week before a rally - he impressed me mightily.
"Where are you headed?", I asked.
"To the Ruptured Budgie". he replied.
"But that's not for a week".
"I like to take a week to get there, and a week to get back".

We can do that now too. Enjoy.

[PJPR01]

Might try and get a Houston group together. 

Most likely will do the trip in 1 shot..400 is an easy day, barely 2 tanks of gas, start relatively early, stop to stretch every 100 if needed, and voila...here we come!

[vstevens]

Congrats and all the best.

[malik]

........ somewhere scenic with good roads  New Zealand maybe ...

  Dusty

That's NZud exactly. Motorcycle heaven. And good food, decent beers, great people, usually great weather, and for those that like it, good fishing, lots of (bike) museums, classic bikes & cars still on the roads, road racing (they close down towns for the day), and John won't need a new passport.

Mal (picking up a lottery ticket tomorrow)

[johnr]

That's NZud exactly. Motorcycle heaven. And good food, decent beers, great people, usually great weather, and for those that like it, good fishing, lots of (bike) museums, classic bikes & cars still on the roads, road racing (they close down towns for the day), and John won't need a new passport.

Mal (picking up a lottery ticket tomorrow)

Good point. God knows how long the bureaucracy takes to issue one. Praps  I had better get a lottery ticket tomorrow too. Seems to be the going thing.

[Lannis]

Guzzista,

Ms. LD is fully on board, and for that I am grateful. I had planned to hang on until late May, 2016.  Not happening.  The company is clearly imploding with low oil prices, hedges unwinding:  no spending allowed, and major projects halted (including one I have worked on 3 years).

My time is finally coming.  A new life beckons.

I am grateful.

Good deal!

1.  Like Chuck said, time is still your enemy (if you look at things that way; can be your friend).    But don't just "burn" vacation between now and then - get paid for it.    You'll find plenty of uses for the money.   We're doing OK on 1/4 of the income we used to have, but it's a different lifestyle.

2.  You WILL be busy in retirement; I swore I would not let people Shanghai and buffalo and guilt me into getting involved with stuff, and I haven't let them - I'M the one making the commitments, and I'm over-committing in some cases.   It will probably happen with you.    Family, church, community, helping out - make sure you don't double or triple-book yourself.

3.  One of the things that prevents me from just taking off and riding from one rally to another for a couple or three weeks is ... I really like being with my wife, and being a saddle tramp with a tent and a bedroll isn't in her bucket list of things to do, although she loves day rides and long rides with hotels or B&Bs at the end of the day.   Choices to make I didn't think I would have to make.   You'll do different things than you though you would ...

Hang with it!

Lannis

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

LD,
Wow youve really never pitched a tent?  my friend you have some serious catching up to do!

I say sort your proposed rally kit, and in the next month, pitch your spot in the backyard and give it a dry run 

Do you have grandkids? might be a fun activity when they visit.

Also, it will be a good time to test the "did I forget anything?" question with the house a few dozen steps away