Retired!

Six months ago, I left the national work force and joined the hallowed ranks of the retired. So far, I'm loving it. After about three months, I joined a band. I haven't played in a band in 13 years or so, and  I'm simply having too much fun. A cover band, we're doing stuff from James Gang and Mountain to Metallica, Judas Priest, Weezer and the like. This Sunday, we're going public, at a open mic session where our drummer serves as the house drummer.  Probably just four or five songs. Sure, we aren't making a penny, but so what? I'm excited and looking forward to it. we'll be playing through THEIR gear, so I'm not sure what to expect in that regard. THIS is just how I envisioned retirement! Wish us luck!
Mark

YES! Way to go Mark! You're doing it right!
I played till my body wouldn't have it anymore. I have to the memories to last me the rest of my life
 
ENJOY and savior the moments!

Retirement done right!

Mark,
 
Blessings to you going forward.
About 7 months into retirement here and took some adjustment, mostly psychological for me.
Garbage truck goes by, utility crew, yard maint service firing up their weed eaters.
Reactive hard on chill that I got to be back at work like these guys.
 
Obvious the money thing requires more thinking, adapting to a sparser life style, but totally worth it.
 
On the surface, I'm progressively getting mellow into the mode of being outside the orbit of the insanity and paranoia of the good American work place. Paid my dues many times over however, and hanging out much the same as before on a well earned social security check. Less money but exponential less bull crap. The insanity of the past sometimes seems like a perverted dream.
 
In the balance, entirely worth the transition we worked for.
 
Only problem is the wife. She's about to throw me out of the house for my now being here 24 hours a day.
 
John
 

It’s been two years since I retired. It was something I was looking forward too for years but the closer it came the less enthusiasm I had for the idea.  I was working on an international contract where I would spend around six or seven weeks away working a 7 day week followed by three weeks leave at home. The frequent three week leaves prepared me well for retirement.
 
Because my colleagues came for all parts of the world I no longer see most of them, it’s very different than retiring in a town where you worked and maintaining social ties.  My big world has shrunken a lot, I even miss going to places I thought I would never miss. I try to get to a big trade show in Germany once a year and catch up on new technologies and meet with ex-colleagues and suppliers I use to deal with.
 
The upside, well there is a lot of mostly "political" things I don’t miss about the job. My interest in music production, while totally amateur, has helped replace the technical and interesting aspects of my job. Now of course I can work on things without long periods of interruption, so I am getting pieces of music finished. I can plan ahead and I have been able to get to a lot more concerts than I ever could when I was working.
 
It looks like a small job that has been in the pipe line for some time is going to come off, running a technical course for a week, it would be nice if there was some follow on work but I doubt there will be.

JohnKenn, it did indeed take a couple of months to adjust. After decades of having my day mapped out for me, it took a while to get into gear and fill the time with the things I enjoy doing. However, I'm having some success at doing just that. I love it.

Ed, I know we're practically neighbors. If we get a real gig, I'll be sure to let you know. The thing last Sunday went pretty well, given that we played through house gear, and it took a couple of songs to dial it in. But the crowd liked us, and I guess that counts

I wish...I am still a working stiff.  Probably for about 8-9 more years sigh...