Riding into the Sunset or Sunrise?
Today promises to be an odd life experience. I’ll be interviewing a person who may replace me at Penn State. Writing questions last night I found myself wondering if we need someone like me, or someone who can address gaps, pain points and a future I don’t even know exists.
And I wonder if I’m riding into the sunset of a life or into the sunrise of a new one. I prefer the latter.
Not scooter ride today. The cage may be called into service at some point during the day. But I know I’ll think of riding once or twice between now and when I fall asleep tonight.
Riding — it’s really a disease…
Steve,when is the day for your final ride to work.will look forward to your thoughts on that day!
June 30th is my last day. Hard to believe it’s coming to an end…
I worked out of the cab of the same truck with a man for the better part of 10 years, he finally decided to retire at 68. The several months of working with him he became very irritable. 6 months later he stopped by a job I was working on to apologize for how he had become over the last few month of working, saying that the idea of nor working had frightened him but in less than a month he had slid happy into retirement. We bump into each other from time to time, the last being at a doctors appointment. alone inquiring on how he was doing, his answer was given in advice to me. The only regret he had was waiting so long to retire because of fear of the unknown.
Good luck with the interviews, I hope you meet some nice people.
I understand the fear of the unknown. Until I seriously started thinking about retirement I hadn’t really thought much about what it would be like. Everything from how I would use my time to finances. I just worked and worked. Living for today. And then suddenly I’m wondering if I can support the family when I’m 90. Geez.
I would challenge the use of the word “disease” based on the evidence of this wonderful website. Disease or addiction is something that diminishes us. Obsession or passion is something that enriches us or expands our horizons.
Your photos, words and perspective have expanded this lifetime motorcyclist’s horizons.
I thank you.
You’re right — disease and addiction aren’t the right words — at least not by the dictionary definitions. Obsession and passion are better choices.
Thanks for the kind words about the things I post. I hope I can continue for a long time.
I have been retired from my secular job now 7 months. I am learning something new each day. As my mother told me numerous times “You take life one day at a time.” God says: Let the day’s own troubles be sufficient for the day.” Sounds like good advice to me!
Definitely good advice from both sources Karl. Thanks for sharing.
Due to ‘downsizing’, I had the wonderful opportunity to retire at a somewhat early age. Fortunately, when considering what to do, I was I was given some timely advice by a couple of older retirees (my father and one or two others) who said that retirement is best looked at rather than as an end to one’s working career, it was a new beginning, the perfect opportunity to be anyone or do anything I wanted. So, after making some minor adjustments to my rampant-consumer lifestyle, I turned my hobby into a business and spent the next ten years restoring vintage motorcycles. Heck, if I were in your position, with a decent pension and your interest in riding, writing and photography, I’d be looking forward to retiring at my earliest opportunity and getting on with the rest of my life!
Good luck, quit worrying, I’m sure you’ll do great!
I definitely see retirement as a new opportunity. But there is some wistful thoughts as I think of the years that have swept by.
As I walk out the door though I do see opportunities on many levels. I’m excited for the adventures to come.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.
Love reading your thoughts, Steve. And that photo…I can’t stop looking at it. Beautiful.
Thanks Andy.
We’ll have to go for a ride sometime. It’s not often you see two Vespa scooters on the road together around here!
I would enjoy that! Perhaps we can look at our calendars at the next Moto Hang.
Sounds like a plan. I’ll catch up with you at the Moto Hang.
Hiring ur replacement is a touchy task. Hiring from within… I will assume.
I will describe 2 scenarios.
Will you stay to mentor for a a while?…or will the candidate just take your seat when you ride off into the sunrise.
2 separate criteria for your vote on the hire.
Mentor…? Choose someone you want to work with…
Vacant…choose somone u dont mind giving ur cell number to….
For the Glory of Old State….in the nations eye AGAIN for the wrong reasons!
Ride on…stay dry.
I like your criteria for hiring. We always try to estimate those two ideas but you’ve reduced it to an easily understood concept. Thanks!
Our hope is to have some overlap with a new person to make the transition more seamless. Time will tell.
It’s sad to learn of the fraternity situation. There’s really no way to control what adults do off campus but the connection is there none-the-less. Alcohol is definitely a different beast in those young lives than it was when I was in school in the early 70s. We drank. But there was no racing to get drunk. And I don’t remember anyone talking about fraternity hazings then. Probably happened but nothing like today I guess.
Anyways, I’m on my way in another direction. I’ll always be grateful though for the time I’m been part of Penn State.
I look at such events with the old one-door-closing, another-door-opening attitude. And I’m pretty sure you’ll line up someone with the right attitude for the job. Attitude figures so much in all of this.
Attitude, personality and all those interpersonal issues are critical — especially when leading a big team. My replacement will be watching over 21 people. They’re all different with unique skills, traits and experience. It’s a great opportunity for the right person.
Remember that even tho the sky is cloudy the sun shines bright beyond them…
Yes it does!
Remember that even tho the sky is cloudy the sun shines bright beyond them…
I prefer sunrise, my retired friends tell me they are busier than when they were working. They for the most part are out living life with gusto and undertaking new adventures.
And yes riding is a “sickeness” or an addiction take your pick, I am usually found indulging in my addiction every spare moment I can.
I am definitely more of a sunrise rider. I’ve always been a morning person. My mind and body work best then.
I used the words disease and addiction as metaphors for the focus and time I invest in riding. I’ve learned to balance a bit better but retirement opens a big door to indulge more!
Great photo for the post. I retired two years ago after working with my replacement for several months. It was hard to let loose the reigns. Bought the Vespa last year, finding your blog was a bonus
I hope I don’t hold on to the reins after I’m done. At least with my current position. Whoever replaces me will have to blaze their own path.
Hope life is going well for you and your Vespa!
Remember Steve, all heroic riders, be they on horseback or scooter….are required to ride off into the sunset.
Hah! I forgot about that. Could influence my last ride home from work. Unless there’s a storm…
What a beautiful photo of the sunlight through the trees.
Your sunset years?
I hope my sunset years are still some distance away…
Steve – I too am looking at possibly retiring within the next year. I absolutely see it as a new beginning but I’m also a bit wistful. Where have the decades gone? Perfectly natural. Since I am an early morning person, when my retirement does come – I will see it as riding into the sunrise, with an occasional and fond glance at the sunset that once was. Ride on buddy with a big smile and listen to the engine hum and let all else unfold as it should.
It’s odd how fast time passed when standing at the end of a career. Like you, I’m ready to ride into the sunrise and am excited at the prospects ahead.
Best wishes with your considerations revolving around retirement.
Steve;
I retired five years ago (has it been that long!) when I became eligible. I have found that “retirement is a different experience for most everybody”. What works for one may not work for another. And just like when you started your career, there are false starts and miscues, and choices to make as forks in the road appear.
Knowing that in advance may offer some comfort when things don’t always go as you thought they would.
Just the way it is.
Thanks for the insight. I’m excited at the prospect of a different life. In my head it’s a smooth road but your advice regarding forks in the road and false starts is good to remember.
Beautiful photo, Steve! I definitely believe you will be riding into the sunrise. An opportunity to be and do whatever you want, not restricted to that description of you as a working person, but still driven by your passions for riding, writing, and photography! After two years myself, it still seems the opportunities are endless.
With only 37 days left until I walk through that door I’m excited. There’s a ton of work to do to wrap up my professional career and a lot of details to take care of to finalize retirement, but I am excited to have my life turn upside down and have the opportunity to engage my passions differently. I don’t know what will happen but it promises to be an adventure!