I fell out of the bloggersphere a little while ago, but have a sudden urge to splurge as it were.
Today is 1st November 2018 and I have just entered what looks like it will be the last month of my 40 years of proper jobs.
What to do? Well, I am looking forward to embracing 'the Third Age' and building what some people call a portfolio career. This means that I no longer have to answer tedious questions, such as 'what do you do?' with a reference to my means of making ends meet. I find it curious that this exchange is a social norm, implying that the most interesting detail we expect to learn about each other is how we make money, or that this is the characteristic that most clearly defines who a person is.
The first item in my third age portfolio will be participation in a community endeavour to establish and staff a shop in our home village. I will be trained before the month is over and will don my apron in December to undertake whatever duties may come my way. Making coffee? Selling bread? Cleaning the toilet? Probably all of that and more. I will let you know.
I plan to restart my golfing career. I last held a CONGU recognised handicap in 2003 and am keen to pick up the challenge again. My last handicap was 22 and I had spent ten years trying, but failing, to get it down into the teens; I still think I can do it which is a perfect example of the triumph of optimism over experience.
November 2003 was also the month in which I retired from the Royal Borough Band after 25 years very enjoyable service. I am both proud of my bandmates for still performing 15 years later, but also rather irritated that the whole thing didn't collapse in response to my departure. Perhaps they never needed a banjo player in the first place? But then, who would? I have had some musical activity since those days, but almost none since late 2008. First step on this road is to find local venues and go, as audience, to those. The Blues Bar, Tring, is high on my agenda.
So, what of wine? I am still keen and still exploring. A part time role in retail? Some further efforts towards delivering tastings and even education, perhaps? I had a minor setback when I was dropped as an associate at the IWC, but it's their party and they can invite whosoever they wish and it has not diminished my enthusiasm. (See the theme?)
Holidays, gardening, exercise, bees and cheese all offer opportunities that I will relish, as will spending more time with those that I love, both near and far.
Keep safe.
Today is 1st November 2018 and I have just entered what looks like it will be the last month of my 40 years of proper jobs.
What to do? Well, I am looking forward to embracing 'the Third Age' and building what some people call a portfolio career. This means that I no longer have to answer tedious questions, such as 'what do you do?' with a reference to my means of making ends meet. I find it curious that this exchange is a social norm, implying that the most interesting detail we expect to learn about each other is how we make money, or that this is the characteristic that most clearly defines who a person is.
The first item in my third age portfolio will be participation in a community endeavour to establish and staff a shop in our home village. I will be trained before the month is over and will don my apron in December to undertake whatever duties may come my way. Making coffee? Selling bread? Cleaning the toilet? Probably all of that and more. I will let you know.
I plan to restart my golfing career. I last held a CONGU recognised handicap in 2003 and am keen to pick up the challenge again. My last handicap was 22 and I had spent ten years trying, but failing, to get it down into the teens; I still think I can do it which is a perfect example of the triumph of optimism over experience.
November 2003 was also the month in which I retired from the Royal Borough Band after 25 years very enjoyable service. I am both proud of my bandmates for still performing 15 years later, but also rather irritated that the whole thing didn't collapse in response to my departure. Perhaps they never needed a banjo player in the first place? But then, who would? I have had some musical activity since those days, but almost none since late 2008. First step on this road is to find local venues and go, as audience, to those. The Blues Bar, Tring, is high on my agenda.
So, what of wine? I am still keen and still exploring. A part time role in retail? Some further efforts towards delivering tastings and even education, perhaps? I had a minor setback when I was dropped as an associate at the IWC, but it's their party and they can invite whosoever they wish and it has not diminished my enthusiasm. (See the theme?)
Holidays, gardening, exercise, bees and cheese all offer opportunities that I will relish, as will spending more time with those that I love, both near and far.
Keep safe.
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