Convenient Vespa Parking
Friday was my last day of great parking on the Penn State, University Park campus. One last ride to work. Retirement would mean surrendering a sought after parking permit. Walking into the office I took one last look at the familiar morning landscape.
The weather was perfect. And the previous day I had new shock absorbers installed, preparation for whatever new riding adventures present themselves. After 35 thousand miles the ride was getting ragged.
Rain on Ag Hill
As the day wore on the blue skies gave way to rain. I’ve ridden to and from work many times in the rain. On my last day I was hoping I wouldn’t have to break out the rain suit. For anyone commuting on a scooter or motorcycle on a regular basis, a good rain suit is essential lest you find yourself soaked and cold on the ride to work.
Last Look
By 5pm the rain had passed. I stood at the end of the parking lot one last time looking toward the building where I spent most of my adult life working. One place. One building. One organization. I felt good about what I had contributed. And I felt good walking out the door into some new experience.
It’s been quite a party.
Vespa Scooters
Everyone wants one. Well, not everyone. But they do attract attention. They’re not as imposing or as frightening as a motorcycle to many. Where one is seen as death on wheels, for some inexplicable reason scooters are seen as safe. Riders understand the folly.
After work a few of us gathered at a local pub to commemorate the retirement of a few of the people in my office. Afterwards by boss was looking at the Vespa. Earlier in the day he asked me to keep an eye out for a cheap scooter.
Vespa Scooter at Sunset
The ride home was uneventful. A quick stop to admire the clouds and late day light was nothing new. Retirement began with the familiar rhythm of camera and scooter at work. The scooter had a pizza strapped to the front rack and a vanilla Creme Brule was nestled in the top case — a delivery for my wife.
I don’t know what happens next. There are plans and dreams, but how they play out, that’s the adventure.
And so it begins.
So, the Big Day has arrived. Enjoy your new adventure, Steve!
It will probably take a while for you to adjust to the change but once you’ve accepted that you’re now your own boss then you’ll smile and get on with whatever YOU want or need to do in order to stay happy, fulfilled and well.
May your retirement be at least as long and as fulfilling as your working life, and may you always be healthy enough to enjoy it.
It’s YOUR life so go and live it!
Very best wishes
Keith
Thanks for the congratulatory words Keith. I appreciate them.
It’s a big change. Looking forward to finding my way…
Good morning Stev e.
Have a nice Holiday and a great Retirement. I am sure you will make some new and exciting discoveries.
It’s a new world!
Attaboy, Steve! Celebrate your retirement and just go for it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself, with lots of wonderful times and great experiences to come.
Thanks Jim. Looking forward to new experiences.
I wish you the best, Steve. You have all you need to enjoy your retirement. Have fun and go deep.. You have all you need for this next adventure! You will find a new way to fall in love with life again. Thanks for the wisdom you shared at the Color Slide Club decades ago. I still have the ribbon your judging of my photo gave me when I first retired back in the 90s. I’ve written a book of poetry since then and I’ve found the balance between sustaining good health, doing my art, serving in community, loving family and friends. All the best to you and dear Kim!
The Color Slide Club — I really enjoyed critiquing and judging those events. Kodachrome and Ektachrome are a blast from the past.
I hope I can be as creatively productive in retirement as you have Marian.
Kim says hello!
Steve,thanks for your call.very much appreciated.l meant to ask you about shocks,and here it is in your post. What kind did you install? So the new adventure begins.Peace and safety from NH.
OEM shocks from Piaggio all around. I’ve read a lot about some really good (and expensive) aftermarket shocks that have enhanced performance for aggressive riding. But the stock performance of the Vespa is more than adequate for the way I ride.
Be safe in New Hampshire!
Same building, more or less, similar position for 43.7 years. Do you know how rare that situation was? You mentioned gathering at a pub after work; others in your department retiring on the buyout as well? Many?
Mother Nature gave you sunny weather, damp weather and then sunny weather; to remind you perhaps of the highs and lows of your employment career.
Would assume with loss of your parking permit, also went your work e-mail address and your name on the door so to speak.
And did you find a suitable replacement; you had been mentioning doing interviews
at one point. Your office from the hall looked comfortable and appropriate. Like you, was not a person to be behind a desk, rather sitting around a table in appropriate chairs discussing projects. Always found around a small table with others always got projects accomplished more quickly than otherwise. A stand -up computer desk in the corner; when I was retired, I was one of the few in the entire school system that had a form of personal computer; now people carry them in a pocket (telephone) or on their wrist.
Looking at the Ag building from across the car park towards the Vespa, is perhaps the best of the bunch. Assume the building is then over 50 years of age; I could be wrong.
So sad in one way, and so very happy in another. Pizza by Vespa, just like Italy.
No doubt your dear wife greeted you with open arms, ditto the dogs.
More time with your grand daughter is now available.
Although a very damp spring and summer is upon us, would think in your own mind’s eye, the real gut feeling of retirement will not sink in until after Labour Day when the new school year starts in earnest, as it did for me. Labour Day came and went and I did not go. Neither shall you.
Only one other retiree in my department. Hundreds of others across the University.
Offices are, if you work in one a lot, unique spaces. I’ve been fortunate to have had some interesting spaces. This last one had four distinct areas I could work in — at the desk, at a stand up desk, the round table and in an easy chair. Didn’t realize I moved through those spaces until recently. And now, I have many, many more places to work.
Lots to think about — both then and in the past, and what the future holds in store. The dogs certainly enjoy all the extra time and attention. And Kim likes me being home. Right now it just feels like I’m on vacation. Not sure what the day will bring.
Steve- As a full year retired person, I can attest that your life is beginning again! Lots more time for adventures that YOU design! I have put 2,000 miles on my Vespas in the last 10 months…….
Keep the posts coming….and let your boss know that I just moved up to a vespa 250 and my Dragon red LX 150 is up for sale.
Hollyfoy@gmail.com
Sounds like you’re having fun in retirement and on the Vespa.
My boss is looking for a cheap, beater scooter. Your LX150 won’t fit that bill. I see a Yamaha Vino in his future…
Congratulations, Steve! Now it’s time for YOU, time to enjoy family, and photography ,and riding, and coffee at the coffee house, and maybe a volunteer opportunity. YOU get to determine what you do with your time. You’ve earned it, now enjoy it!
It feels good to have a little more control and freedom right now. Still have some paperwork to complete with the University but mostly I’m untethered from that life.
43 years. That’s a long time but I’m sure you’ll adapt to the lack of a commute or find somewhere else to “commute” to. I found that not having to be somewhere five days a week to be the best part. But it really did cut down on my riding miles.
Time to move on. Looking forward to see what’s next.
It was a long time. Frightening how fast it went by. Try not to think about that.
Time to move on. Going to pick up my riding boots this morning. A few more miles on the Vespa.
Good luck, good riding, & good writing! Don’t for get the pretty pictures.
Always looking for pretty pictures!
Huge congrats on reaching this goal! I look forward to your next adventures.
Thanks Tom. More adventures to come.
You’ve a couple of years on me in the retirement stakes – all the very best for whatever rises to meet you from now on. I’m 41 years qualified as a nurse and all but 5 of those working as a nurse. It’ll be interesting hearing how your retirement develops before mine arrives.
Thanks Ken. Stay tuned, I’m certain any changes in retirement will be reflected on the blog.
Best Wishes for an enjoyable retirement. Time to develop hobbies and kiss babies!
Exactly!
Congrats on your 43 years, that is indeed quite a chapter. Enjoy your retirement and I hope you will continue to find plenty of time for the blog?
I plan to spend a bit more time with the blog. Considering the lateness of my responses to comments things are quite there yet…
I think a big congrats are in order. You should be proud of your time at PS. Your mind will now turn to more creative efforts. ONWARD !
Frank, I’ll try to focus on those new creative efforts. I can feel things percolating…
Congratulations and all the best.
Thank you!
Stay active in retirement. Last year I stopped working and both my weight and endurance suffered. I’m now working a few days a week but it’s taken a while to get back in shape.
Of course pushing a good sized ADV bike around the driveway will help a lot. Triumph makes good ones.
So far my activity level has increased. At least tracking steps on my iPhone. Pushing a motorcycle around the driveway sounds like a fine plan to me.
Congrats Steve, did you get a gold watch? or just cake?
No gold watch. I did get some interesting things. I may post something about them at some point.
Congratulations Steve!
It will be a privilege to go over that with you in person in a few days!
It’s your very own Independence Day!
Well deserved.
Thanks David. Independence Day is now celebrated on the same day as my wedding anniversary!
I`m very happy for you Steve. By July 28th I too will be retired after 31 years from the phone company. By August Jayne and I will be in our new home in The Villages in Florida. Still not sure what lies ahead but I do know it will include my Majesty, our brand new Gold Wing, and of course a golf cart. Take care and good luck to you and Kim. Alan
Congratulations to you on your approaching retirement. Best wishes for life and riding in Florida. Watch out for alligators!
Just like being on an amazing ride, every once in while you get to take a turn down a road you have never travelled before. What a wonderful opportunity to explore and see where this new road takes you! Enjoy the new path you are embarking on and may it be an amazing fulfilling trip! Congrats!
I’m definitely excited to explore this new life. So far I’m still taking care of a lot of details and haven’t fully realized what I have. But that will change.
I’m ready for the amazing ride.
Congratulations Steve! One day at a time. You earned this.
Thank you Paul. Each morning I remind myself for all that I am grateful for. Retirement is just one of them.
Have a great retirement, now you got time to ride the beast ! I’m retired since 2013, and riding my Vespa around Montreal.
ps. here my Vespa, https://www.flickr.com/photos/39482429@N05/sets/72157655624421881/
You have some great photographs of your GTS 300. The sidestand opens a new look to the machine. Seems sleeker than it does sitting on the centerstand. Thanks for sharing those.
What a wonderful retirement post Steve! Congratulations on the new chapter in what sounds like has been an amazing story and career. Now when asked what you do – you should get a smile with a reply that you do whatever you wish. Keep the rides coming and the photos. With luck I may be able to follow in your footsteps next year!
Thanks Mike. I appreciate the kind words.
I have plans to keep riding and making photographs. We’ll see what the weeks and months bring!
Sometimes everything seems so transient….
Definitely. And moving at a frightening pace.
Hi Steve,
Congratulations. Now you can really go for it. Retirement is your unfettered opportunity to properly explore travel and adventure. It’s certainly not about sitting on the sofa watching the clock ticking. Every day will present exciting new challenges. Go ride that Vespa into your future and keep these great posts coming !
Thanks Mike. I plan to keep exploring, riding and posting. Where the road leads — finding out is the adventure now!
Belated congratulations, Steve! May you enjoy your freedom as much as I have!
Thanks. Just floating along so far…
Hi Steve,
I think you will enjoy this next chapter, from reading your blog for many years I know full well that you have always had other thing to keep you mind body and soul active and busy….your life after work is well earned and will be great!
I look forward to plenty of blog activity.
Regards
Len
Thanks Len. I’m being a bum these first few weeks. Acting like I did as a thirteen year old on summer vacation. Only difference is I”m not running out to stop the dairy truck to get a quart of chocolate milk.
Have plans for the blog. We’ll see where it goes.
Comme quoi, tout ce qui a un début , à une fin…
Bonne retraite cher Steve,
Laurent.
Like what, everything that has a beginning, to an end …
Happy retirement dear Steve.
Merci Laurent. Je suis impatient de faire le voyage.