Originally Posted by
Smaug1
noglider Tom, I admire what you're doing there, but I plan on having been retired for 4 years by that age. Then, I can
volunteer if I want, without all the hassle. My mother in-law is a retired special ed teacher. Had chairs thrown at her, which is terrifying, as she's a tiny thing. She volunteers as a substitute teacher now. All the regular teachers love her; she gets some recognition that she never got in a whole career of teaching special ed.
Have you thought any more about a folder? I'm looking for a bolted seatpost clamp for mine now, so I have the option of leaving it locked up in the city without having to take the seat with me.
I need the paid work for a few years. I'm happy for the many who can retire when they're younger than I am. My situation is slightly unfortunate, but there are upsides. Learning a lot of new stuff in a field very different from my previous ones is heavy brain exercise, and that might help keep me young. So might doing something that feels like a mission. I realize something could happen that would make me run away, such as being a victim of violence. It's a risk I take knowingly.
I've been thinking about a folding bike for quite a while. It's not time to decide. I'm impressed that you're so happy with your new one that was so inexpensive.
Originally Posted by
Smaug1
Tundra_Man : My wife is a theatre major. Her two best friends from college are too. They both are theatre professors now, but my wife realized at the beginning of senior year she didn't want to act or teach theatre, so it was a big mistake. She puts her skills acquired through theatre, plus her usual women's empathy to good use as a sales lady, these days. She tells me often that there's not much time for sleep or family during a production and she doesn't miss that. I'm glad you enjoy it though!
...
My first major in college was music. I got to be a fairly good singer but decided against it as a career. But I never stopped singing, and I'm in at least three concerts a year.
The next one is on May 4. I have come to believe that participating in the arts is nourishing and enriches, and I recommend it to everyone. I think too many people think that to be an artist is to make your entire living from it. That's extremely difficult and unrealistic. The joys of being an amateur artist are largely unknown and also immense. Does your wife participate in any acting or other arts? I hope so. There are amateurs at many levels. I'm good enough that I get paid occasionally which is great for the ego but insignificant for the bank account.