Help I’ve been mulled over

(Notice - This blog is rated M for Mature. Subjects and opinions covering: aches, sore muscles, the world going to hell, my body going to hell, why hell doesn’t exist, fake facebook, our plumbing, the doctor’s office, ear hair, what was left out in the rain, why is it still raining and other things I fail to recall at the moment will randomly appear in postings. Ideas/topics may be disturbing or boring to certain readers.)

Recently I was questioned about my retirement. Being retired I’ve mulled (rolled?) over my answer and flatten it.

old man move

Retirement is very personal. Not like personal as in what happens in your bathroom but personal as in we are all different and find ourselves in different situations. Remember even when you are lost you are still in a situation.

When I first met the questioner-of-my-retirement we were engineering contractors on temporary projects. I had already lost a great permanent job. I mention this because I wanted to remind him that I didn’t plan my retirement. My retirement was more forced than planned. After my best job ever ended I began to question my motivation for staying in the same career. I had expected my best job ever, to last a few more years. (I also question why bathroom plumbing doesn’t last longer) After awhile I started to think more and more about retirement and less about finding any other job. I consider managing investments while starting to live on the withdrawals is at least a part-time job. My planning ahead during my career benefited me with some investments. I pointed out that one changes their thinking when depositing stops and withdrawing starts.

I see most jobs as creating routines. The good ones offer flexibility and a sense of purpose. Retirement offers the flexibility to not have a routine. The odd surprise for me was that a loose routine formed anyway. Routines might just be part of human nature. (fixing bathroom plumbing is not a routine)

Let’s get philosophical. Do these “time on your hands” and “time wasted" concepts really have any merit? Thinking and/or pondering the universe is better “use” of time than fixing bathroom plumbing (unless the water is ankle deep). If your mind/body is active observing the world, mediating, learning, listening to a song, soaking up the sun, playing a game, hiking a trail, or whatever else people often don’t call work, does that mean you are wasting time? I don’t think so. Go ahead “waste” some time mulling that over. (Have you ever read, "He was always quick to fix any plumbing problems" in an obituary?)


Here's mulling background music for you.




I say lighten up, keep wondering and learning. Blog on! 

Oh! This just in - I learned a new word and thought I would try using it here.

My career change to paleontologist sucks! All I've been finding is coprolite.

what if fun

Before we get into this post, I want to be clear that this "what-if" post will avoid thinking about personal what-if's. I've wasted too much thinking and emotional energy on my own what-if's. I certainly don't want to bother you with my past mistakes. I'm sure you have some yourself. It is what it is, so let's move on.

what if I start wearing blue shades

What-if thinking doesn't need to be about anything personal. The what-if doesn't even need to be about the past. Here's a future what-if example, what if you leave a good comment at the end of this post. However I do find more fun with considering past what-if's.

Jules Verne without diving gear

Creating a past what-if allows me to use the word juxtaposition. So what do you think of this current day technology juxtaposition with past writer of science fiction?

What if, Jules Verne was able to take a deep diving submarine trip before he wrote "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"?

The book would not have been a science fiction book but rather a true adventure. I'm sure he would have still written some science fiction about underwater life. He could have created Mayor Nemo of some underwater city like Atlantis.

What if, the Wright brothers had a jet turbine engine available for their airplane? 

The first world war might have been shorter. I can't imagine using trench warfare while fast aircraft could bomb and strafe the enemy troops. Of course a powerful engine on the glider type of plane they first built would have just ripped it apart. So I need to include metal craft that would provide strong metal wings. 

Also, maybe the more advance aircraft (capacity, speed, distance) would have dampen the demand for automobiles.

Lastly what if I didn't crash my drone to the point of its complete destruction?

Starting to feel swampy

I should refrain from playing to many songs by the Turtles. Also, it would really help if nature would refrain from the rain.

I’ve been complaining about our area turning to a swamp. Then I spotted this at my front porch.

Just making a quick stop

I suspect the record rains we had this May was one of the reasons the turtle showed up at my front porch. Probably to dry off! It was a snapping turtle so I didn’t take any selfies with it.

The snapping turtle and I were not going to be happy together. So following the advice of she-who-gives-advice-to-me, I used a shovel to lift the grumpy reptile into a tall bucket and gave him/her (??) a ride to the river park. The snapper even snapped at the bucket as he slide out. 





Hey if you enjoyed that sixties song, you might like this duet I found on youtube. Their young energy refreshes many of the rock n roll classics. They are called the MonaLisa Twins. Now if I had twin girls I would not play a practical joke with their names. I will admit their stage name is easy to remember. Did you like the Hollies song "Bus Stop"? Mona and Lisa do a great version and add some humor to their video.