Getting in practise for the sadly inevitable
I'd love to know the demographics for this site, but I'm guessing that no-one on here is retired.

So, the vast majority of us on here will hopefully have some years of employment left to us, because (having been out of work since August) believe me, unemployment sucks.

I'm an IT contractor, which means yes, when there was work, I did OK thank you very much. Didn't put as many beans away as I should have done, but I'm still eating and surviving. It's a pain going for jobs knowing full well there are literally 300+ applications made for each one (if anyone needs a Project Manager, gaz me !). However, there is one upside to not having work...

...it's getting me ready for retirement.

My stepfather is 60 and still in work. I've only seen him drunk once, at a family wedding, where he told me that his greatest wish was to die in work.

As he's an accountant, I can't see that happening through anything work-related, and he's got no health issues that look likely to carry him off any time soon.

He's been a great provider, and although not a stereotypical workaholic, he's centred his life around work. Saves illness up for holidays, that sort of thing. No social life; my mum is madly social and he gets dragged along to things on sufferance, but he has zilch, nada, nothing he does as a hobby, no friends of his own although he's quite a witty individual. He's a great guy and brought me up from the age of 3 very well, and is a good dad to all his children.

However retirement terrifies him, and as a family, we worry about it as well, because we have no idea what the hell he's going to do with himself.

But for me, I know that the day magically fills itself. Every day, it gets to be 4, 5pm and I think - shit, should have done something more with my time today - but the time has gone.

So although unemployment sucks, at least I know that I can survive retirement. My greatest fear is - what the hell will the QOTW be in 20 years time ?!?

Hoping to see you all there with me as we wear our cardigans and comfortable shoes. I have visions of us meeting up for bashes, all-day events (hell, why not have a B3ta retirement home !) where we behave outrageously and get drunk far too quickly.

So thanks B3ta - you've shown me since I've been here how to waste time and get through the day.

Fuck me, it's 11am already - I better get on...
( I_Was_Mordred, Fri 3 Apr 2009, 10:25, 4 replies)

I have a....GOOD feeling about this one.

great suggestion - and fair play to the mods for (finally) picking a decent one.

I can't think of any specific stories at the mo, but I have been on the 'rock'n'roll' a few times in my life, so should remember something soon.
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Fri 3 Apr 2009, 10:30, closed)

nah ...
don't bother ... I'll be reading page 2 by then.

EDIT: But I wasn't. O happy day!
(haberman is singing in the changes, Fri 3 Apr 2009, 10:40, closed)

b3ta retirement home, you say?
Not a bad idea. Activities could include Meme Bingo:

Compere - "One fat lady; Sturdy Girl"... "clickety-clark; helicopter and shark"... "2 and a 1; 2 girls 1 cup"...
Resident - "House!"
Compere - "Well done. You win the right to choose next weeks Memory Challenge."
Resident - "Ooh, I choose 'Who Am I?'"
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Fri 3 Apr 2009, 15:11, closed)

My dad
retired at 56, I think? And my mum continues to work. The reason has GOT to be that she cannot stand being in the same house as him twenty four hours a day; it drives me bonkers when I'm here for a full day. I don't know what he does, but it sure isnt' getting the hall and landing decorated.
(Clarabelle is reverting to type on, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 19:20, closed)