The Boneyard Confidential...3 Questions...

[intlzncster]

I'm in love with the Australian people. But I can't live in any country that has 5 or so of the top 10 poisonous snakes in the world including the omnipresent Brown Recluse, that has a tendency to pop it's head out of toilets. Some of the nicest people on the planet live in Australia. Super great friends to the USA and us to them.
I have to ask you how well did you know my wife?? she did 2 a number of times--a Middle Village kid (home of Christ the King). Loved Coney.

Eh, Australians are fine and all, but it's like everywhere else, a mix of idiots and good people. You find that out when you live there. This comes from dual citizen of both countries. Assuming you don't live in the sticks, snakes aren't much of a bother, but the odd spider can be a pain in the ass.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Same here. I'm retiring in January. 28 years of teaching is enough.

I won't get a full pension, but I live a spartan lifestyle, and should be able to pay the bills. I'll probably have to do something part time until SS kicks in, but for now, I'm just looking forward to January.

I retired at age 55 fifteen years ago. My problem wasn't finances, I had planned for that, but I had a hard time decompressing from a high stress job. If you have been teaching for so long, waking up on Monday AM without that to look forward to can be unsettling. I finally took a part time job as a work at home tech writer to help with the transition. I did that for a couple of years until I had developed enough interests to finally let go of the "work" thing.

My point is that you may end up with a bit of a retiree hangover. Most of us equate job with purpose and it may take a while to discover that just isn't true.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Eh, Australians are fine and all, but it's like everywhere else, a mix of idiots and good people. You find that out when you live there. This comes from dual citizen of both countries. Assuming you don't live in the sticks, snakes aren't much of a bother, but the odd spider can be a pain in the ass.

Hey you can love the brown recluse--not me. If you are in the "bush" and bitten, it's a fur piece to get well. Australians ---As a general rule I like them. Their heritage is common to mine. My Brother loved them during his 6 months on the Continent in WWII.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I retired at age 55 fifteen years ago. My problem wasn't finances, I had planned for that, but I had a hard time decompressing from a high stress job. If you have been teaching for so long, waking up on Monday AM without that to look forward to can be unsettling. I finally took a part time job as a work at home tech writer to help with the transition. I did that for a couple of years until I had developed enough interests to finally let go of the "work" thing.

My point is that you may end up with a bit of a retiree hangover. Most of us equate job with purpose and it may take a while to discover that just isn't true.

Having taught the results of our High Schools I can understand the stress. Education, at any level, does not alone (or in concert) make a good to great teacher. But love of one subject is very high on the list --my problem was as enthusiastic or getting there as I was --I spoke faster and faster--not great for young minds.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Attended Rutgers.

Had only one child, worked in finance for 25 years at a large New England insurance company pension operation, maxed 401(k) contribs and invested any additional monies in the stock market, retired with a DB pension albeit reduced by 40%, controlled my spending and prayed to the gods regularly.

Moved from Granby CT to a smaller home in western NC several years ago, thereby gaining on the sale and saving at least $20,000+ annually in expenses.

I did say it was the craziest/riskiest thing I ever did, but it has been 18 years thus far so we may make it.

I also retired at 50. In my case, the company I worked for was merged out of existence. My job search was interrupted by a need to help my Mom keep her independence and then some health issues my wife developed.

I also attended Rutgers, had no children, and we relocated to Arizona from NJ in 2011. Like yourself, it was risky. My financial adviser is modestly optimistic that I will be able to stay retired. It helps to have modest wants.

 

[temery]

I retired at age 55 fifteen years ago. My problem wasn't finances, I had planned for that, but I had a hard time decompressing from a high stress job. If you have been teaching for so long, waking up on Monday AM without that to look forward to can be unsettling. I finally took a part time job as a work at home tech writer to help with the transition. I did that for a couple of years until I had developed enough interests to finally let go of the "work" thing.

My point is that you may end up with a bit of a retiree hangover. Most of us equate job with purpose and it may take a while to discover that just isn't true.

I'll be looking for something fun. I'd make a great Walmart greeter.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

And to answer #1 and #3 -

Tucson (where I am) is fantastic. I had a yen to be a college professor / researcher, but life got in the way.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Eh, Australians are fine and all, but it's like everywhere else, a mix of idiots and good people. You find that out when you live there. This comes from dual citizen of both countries. Assuming you don't live in the sticks, snakes aren't much of a bother, but the odd spider can be a pain in the ass.

I like your hair do---can I get the name of your barber???

 

[BroadwayVa]

And to answer #1 and #3 -

Tucson (where I am) is fantastic. I had a yen to be a college professor / researcher, but life got in the way.

Life is what happens while you are preparing, planning, consolidating and earning money to do what you want. Personally, I have no regrets--I've over Petered (principled) myself. Exceeded my intelligent and abilities and just enjoyed much of it. And married a girl too young to know better and she stuck, poor kid!!

 

[j66kicker]

I'll be looking for something fun. I'd make a great Walmart greeter.

Try COSTCO. Unlike WalMart, it is a great company and, also unlike WalMart, has great employee benefits.

 

[intlzncster]

Hey you can love the brown recluse--not me. If you are in the "bush" and bitten, it's a fur piece to get well. Australians ---As a general rule I like them. Their heritage is common to mine. My Brother loved them during his 6 months on the Continent in WWII.

What it means to be Australian has changed and is changing rapidly over the years. It's as much of a melting pot as the US, but other cultures have a more significant impact on Aussie culture, given the small population size. Australians are just as likely to be Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Islanders, Arabs and Muslims of all sorts, and of course Aboriginals.

All said, the average Aussie is a good sort though.

And no, I'm not a fan of the Brown Recluse, nor any other poisonous snakes for that matter, It's just that I was far more worried about getting bitten by a red back or Sydney Funnel Web spider.

 

[intlzncster]

I like your hair do---can I get the name of your barber???

That's what your hair looks like when you win a National Championship. No barber required!

 

[UConner]

1. Groton Long Point CT--where I"m living the dream
2. Running with the Bulls in Pamplona 2004
3. Micro Lender in 3rd world country (maybe in retirement)

GLP huh? You ever hang out at the Seahorse?

 

[MilfordHusky]

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

2. Hitchhiked between Milford and Bethlehem, Pa. multiple times.

3. Realistically, college professor. Unrealistically, pro golfer.

 

[watanabe]

Kapingamarangi ( I know there's not cars there!, but it's a pipe dream)
Going right on a big swell at Yokohama bay (learned why this break is called Hospitals)
I agree with Einstien, sell tires.

 

[HuskyPhan]

GLP huh? You ever hang out at the Seahorse?

Besides my UNH college years, have spent all my 51 years in GLP-so yeah, I've had my share of fun at the Horse!

 

[meyers7]

I had a close friend on the USS Forrestal when they had the massive fire in 1967. He was a nozzle man on one of the fire parties.
He fought the fire even though his deck shoes melted. He had to undergo a couple of surgeries to remove stuff that had melted to his feet. 135 dead - the result of one duck* up piled on top of another on top of another.

We had to watch the Navy's training documentary on that numerous times.

 

[Oldbones]

1) Camelot
2) Stop believing in Santa Claus
3) Mick Jagger

 

[ed4ourgirls]

1. Switzerland, if they had access to ESPN and UConn women's basketball games.

2. Drove really really drunk one night 50 years ago. Fortunately it was 4 in the morning
and no one else was on the road, so I got home without killing anyone.

3. Pro golfer (if only I had the talent).

 

[UConner]

Besides my UNH college years, have spent all my 51 years in GLP-so yeah, I've had my share of fun at the Horse!

I'm in Mystic. Hit the Seahorse 2-3 times a week for drinks and Friday night dinner

 

[Yorkeez4]

I'll be looking for something fun. I'd make a great Walmart greeter.

Your in luck Derby Vermont recently approved plans for a Walmart.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I'm in Mystic. Hit the Seahorse 2-3 times a week for drinks and Friday night dinner

I may have to hit you up for seafood recommendations for when I'm in New London next month for the USC/St. John's game at Mohegan Sun.

 

[HuskyPhan]

I'm in Mystic. Hit the Seahorse 2-3 times a week for drinks and Friday night dinner

You have probably run into (or almost over) me before on the roads if you have ever seen that crazy guy on roller skis!!

 

[Beemer]

All responses will be kept completely private and confidential
1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Sydney, Australia
2. Craziest thing you've ever done in your life? Fished the Bering Sea
3. Career path other than the one you chose? Veterinarian

1. A village in the English countryside (provided it has a library)
2. Sped 95 on I-395. It did not end well- got a ticket for speeding. $ 175.00 ouch!
3. Historian

 

[Joobie]

1) San Diego
2) Married (& divorced) the same twice
3) Sportscaster

 

[DrDos]

(1) Greek Mediterranean Isle
(2) Arctic near North Pole (twice)
(3) Bank president for The Money Store (turned it down}

 

[vtcwbuff]

2) Arctic near North Pole (twice)

A fellow bluenose? I've been above the circle several times, the last time as a civilian, but I never got close to the pole. Mostly in the Barents.