Skywatch Friday & More

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Regular visitors may notice a new blog header.  You may also notice a date in that header.  No, I am not retiring the blog.  I am retiring myself from my job.  More on that later.  On to Skywatch Friday.

As I have said before, when you have clear blue skies, fill the frame with something else.  Recently a 21C hotel opened here.  One of the features of a 21C hotel is art.  I found this piece in the courtyard.  Personally, I think this might be a great addition to the NBA game.  If you can put the ball into the top baskets you get 7 points. 

Okay, now a bout that retirement thing.  I took my first job as a draftsman in an architects office in 1969.  That means that I have been in the construction industry for 44 years.  The last 25 years I have spent with the same firm.  I started as a project manager and eventually became the Director of Architecture.  Four years ago I was Director of Architecture and Marketing.  About two years ago I decided to slow down a little so I stepped down from the Architecture position and focused on Marketing.  I also cut back to three days per week with the intent of retiring no later than December of this year.  This past December my wife and I re-examined our situation and decided that I was in a position to retire in April if I wanted.  So, we have spent the past few months getting my Medicare in order, finding supplemental health insurance and getting all of our medical needs taken care of under my current health plan.  Mission accomplished.

As I write this post, I have six working days left in the office.  I am going to miss the people.  I am going to miss the daily creative process and I am going to miss the process of landing a new client.  But, I have other things to do now and I am truly looking forward to my final day of work.

Those of you who read this blog occasionally, know that I have more than a passing interest in digital photography.  That will become one of the areas that I intend to focus on in my retirement years.  I also love to fish, and I have the bass boat to prove it, and I have four grandkids that will go fishing at the drop of a hat.  With summer coming, I think the timing is perfect.  I almost forgot, there are several projects around the house that need to be done. There will be some traveling, but that will probably not start until next year.  We're going to have to adjust to our new income level and I expect that will take a few months.  All in all, I honestly believe that I can fill my days with interesting things to do.  I hope to be like my wife's uncle.  He's 84 now and has been retired since he was 55.  Not long ago he said, "Ya know, I never have gotten tired of not working."  That works for me.