Thanksgiving

There are so many things for which I am thankful; health, family, and friends, to note the important ones.  While now retired, I am thankful for the many years of traveling through my circuitous career and thankful, as I look forward to the future.  I don't often reflect upon these things as I should but I frequently contemplate the plight of so many others around the world and the world's future which often seems so tenuous.  We must be thankful for the present and hopeful for the future and do what they can to support those around them.

On a slightly more mundane level, I am thankful that today I didn't have to take a swim in my winterized pool.  As I was working on retrieving the cover which had slipped in, my helper, Diva the mighty boxer, stepped on to a section of taut but unsupported cover and of course, took a dive.  She was not a "happy puppy." It was about all I could do to retrieve her by pulling her some three feet up and out while leaning over the edge.  Wading in was the next option. As she was cold and drenched, I took the opportunity to give her a Thanksgiving bath.



2577

"R-Day"

Well, today is the day.  Much to do and little time to finish.

Thinking of Retirement (R-72)

It is hard to believe that the end is closing in so quickly. Things look good and I am becoming more comfortable with the concept. Actually, I am also recognizing, perhaps "defensively," that it is time. I look around the college and realize that I am about the oldest faculty member there and older than most of the administration. Not that that is a major thing except I am less content with the current "status quo."

Twenty-two years ago when I arrived and joined a group of about 15, things were much different and moved quickly. Things work like I do - fast and according to the 80/20 rule. Get it done, useful, quick and cheap. Now, we continually try to reach perfection and effectively follow the 90/70 rule where we consume 50% more time and resources to attempt to reach perfection (100%) yet only reach 90%. Everything is about CYA and that is assured through 'outcomes' which, for the most part identify things as successful at the 80% level.

I recognize that much of this is the result of some reverse "economy of scale" function but it's not something which which I can deal, while teaching courses and keeping an eye on a staff of four and numerous student aides as we support somewhere around 4000 users as they use our 900+ computers. My priorities have to be my classes, the faculty's technologies and the students' support. It is unreasonable to work at both levels and be competent. So, I have effectively removed myself from much of the other except as a member of various committees which feed into the process.

Mary's 65th Birthday

Wednesday was Mary's 65th birthday. It is all part of this 'retirement cycle' as she just applied for SS. We had a great day. She several friends drop in, lots of birthday cards, and of course, phone calls. We went out for dinner to celebrate of course. I was very glad that I had taken the day off as as a sick day since I was getting a physical from our new primary care physician, since our earlier one of 37+ years has gone "boutique." Nice day for all.

The last of the "firsts" (R - 109)

The past week has been filled with the usual kick off meetings for the new semester. We have had countless student orientations, new faculty seminars, adjunct and faculty staff developments, college-wide meetings and lunches, and of course, the first day of classes. As I look back 22 years I realize that then, there were less than 30 of us and now about 300. Amazing growth. No more semester "starts."

Autumn (R-115)

Autumn is a sad time for me. Not because I have been a college professor for these many years and it marks the beginning of another semester, but because it, both actually and metaphorically speaking, represents the approaching of the end. Leaves fall, grass browns and the harvest is gathered. I find it a surprise that my autumn has arrived and, having submitted my retirement request, I will be "browning" on the sidelines. "Must the winter come so soon?"