Cityscapes/Urban,  Fujifilm X-E1,  quotes

It’s Good News

March 19, 2014
Afternoon Walk
Afternoon Walk

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

C. S. Lewis

On March 10th I gave my two week notice at work. I’m hanging up my wings. Moving more into my retirement years. Going to avoid airports and airplanes while keeping my feet on the ground as I take my time driving, anywhere. I may never wear another tie for the rest of my life. I found my uniform pants kept shrinking due to decompression cycles or the altitude. No more checking for unbuckled seat belts, telling people to turn off their cellular service. No more telling them the cannot have that purse between their feet and properly stow their bags. I do not have to hear a passenger ask if I’ll call and see if the airlines will hold their plane for them because we’re late. No more crying babies during descent. It’s all good news.

But, just like any job loss there will be things I’ll miss. The unique life style of visiting cities, finding those mom-and-pop coffee shops and restaurants. Conversations with total strangers. A paycheck. And, last but not least, cleavage in 17C. On to new adventures.

Retired. Having fun shooting Fujifilm cameras. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.

16 Comments

  • Cedric Canard

    March 19, 2014 at 4:34 am

    On to new adventures indeed Monte. Congratulations on your retirement, I’m sure it’s a good feeling even if you’re going to miss a few things. I suspect we’ll be hearing of a few road trips. All the best and have fun.

    • Monte Stevens

      March 19, 2014 at 9:52 am

      Thank you and, yes on to new adventures. If money is there for the trips I will be traveling. The travel will not be to exotic places but exploring all the beauty near me and I take for granted. I think you understand as you are a street photographer who sees the city with your inner eye while others walk beside you and miss it all.

  • Tom Dills

    March 19, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Congratulations, Monte. I’m looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you. And I’m with Paul… I don’t have quite the unrestricted vacation time that he does 😉 , but they give it to me to use! I don’t believe in unused vacation days or left-over wine. 🙂

    • Monte Stevens

      March 21, 2014 at 7:16 am

      Thanks, Mary Ann. I do expect to continure to put in hours but they will be hours I choose. And, hopefully with photography, travel, blogging, and contemplating life in a quiet meadow.

  • Mark

    March 22, 2014 at 6:58 am

    Congrats Monte. Can’t tell you how much I have dreamed of similar days. Can’t blame you for wanting to avoid flying! 🙂 I don’t like it, and I can’t even imagine all of the annoyances you folks have to deal with in the public. Looking forward to reading about the new adventures…

    • Monte Stevens

      March 22, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      I now have a very different perspective to flying. I’ve watched too many people miss connections or worry about missing them. I’ve seen tired passengers who’ve been traveling for 12 hours and just want to get home. Enough. Now, to set down plans on what I want to do with these enlightened years. I things to offer and want to give them away.

  • Mark

    March 22, 2014 at 6:58 am

    p.s. I did have a problem trying to find the feed – I was initially directed to a blank page. I’ll have to fix my bookmarks and links.