Originally Posted by himespau (Post 22989551)

Congrats.
You know, my fantasy for if I ever win the lottery involves me keeping working, but just with a lot less stress (as university faculty always scrambling for grants, I could just self-fund research into what I really find interesting and not worry about the next funding cycle or having enough money to pay publication costs), but I don't know if I would really do that if I had the money. Good thing I don't have to worry about it because I don't play the lotto. On the other hand, I can totally see myself retiring as soon as I'm eligible and have enough saved up if I don't have "eff you" lotto money that would bring the freedom to ignore my bosses or tell them exactly what I think of their "brilliant" ideas to reinvigorate the university.

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 22990031)

I hear you. And I spent the last four years as a department chair, which made the possibility of retirement all that much sweeter. Fortunately I’m not dependent on soft money, but still I’m in a field (English) that’s getting increasingly marginalized if not eliminated altogether. Higher ed is changing rapidly, which for me makes the imperative to leave it behind that much stronger.

Originally Posted by himespau (Post 22990045)

In my field (Biology), my biggest contribution to the university is teaching (easily $3-400,000 last year) but I'm mainly evaluated on how many grant dollars I bring in because the university feels that anyone they slap in could teach those students (even as they give me awards for my teaching). I'm afraid that, at some point, they're going to take my lecture recordings and say, "we have these, we no longer need you if we can hire an adjunct to grade your assignments for cheaper." Especially since I'm non-tenure track (my wife, in the same department but tenured and who they really want to keep provides me with some job security). Really hope I hit retirement before that happens.

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 22990090)

...I’m not sure I’ll look back at those years as the ones where I was happiest.

Originally Posted by gugie (Post 22990228)

Well, there are all of those bike tours we've done together. I'm sure a good part of the reason we do them is to keep our sanity and forget, if just for a few days, the work we needed to get back to.

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 22990090)

I know very well what the never-ending search for external funding looks like. Hang in there!

Originally Posted by gugie (Post 22988405)

After 33 years in the semiconductor industry, I've finally hit the finish line. I've been joking with [MENTION=170517]rccardr[/MENTION] that he's my hero and I hate him - he's been retired since I've known him, and shows up to cycling events all over the country - damn I've been jealous! Doc, I don't hate you anymore :D.

More time with my wife, more time in the Atelier, and more time to ride.

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 22990324)

For sure! I work to ride.

Originally Posted by northbend (Post 22990661)

Congratulations Mark. The best is yet to come. No more waiting till the weekend or vacation to do that next ride/tour.

Originally Posted by clubman (Post 22991696)

Congrats gugie! Have fun with the freedom.
I can smell retirement coming on but can't quite see it.

Originally Posted by mhespenheide (Post 22990385)

Honestly, the constant need to secure outside grants is what drove me away from Academia. I switched tracks, stopped at a Master's, and stepped down to teach high school instead. While it's had its own issues, I genuinely like my job most of the time. Or at least I enjoy the actual teaching. We start meetings tomorrow, though, and the summer off has been just wonderful. Back to work and stealing short rides when I can squeeze them in!

Originally Posted by bulgie (Post 22991661)

Weekends are annoying to me now. Seems I'm always wanting to go somewhere, and then I remember they're closed weekends. Even some bike shops are closed Sundays — how dare they, going for rides with their friends, when I want to come kick the tires, ask them questions, not buy anything, and then go buy it on the web. Hrrumpf. I think this "day off" thing is dangerous and probably a commie plot.

Originally Posted by Pompiere (Post 22992014)

One of the few benefits of shift work was having days off during the week. :D

Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman (Post 22991825)

...and I do hope you're not retiring your torch, [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION]. I've got this great frame just itching for 650b changes, custom racks, centerpull studs, extra bottle cage bosses, etc etc etc that will absolutely require your ministrations very soon :)

Originally Posted by Repack Rider (Post 22991557)

Sine I retired, there is no longer a clock in my bedroom.

Originally Posted by bulgie (Post 22991661)

Weekends are annoying to me now. Seems I'm always wanting to go somewhere, and then I remember they're closed weekends. Even some bike shops are closed Sundays — how dare they, going for rides with their friends, when I want to come kick the tires, ask them questions, not buy anything, and then go buy it on the web. Hrrumpf. I think this "day off" thing is dangerous and probably a commie plot.

Originally Posted by jon c. (Post 22992065)

Neither me, but it doesn't really matter as I have cats who remind me that it's time for breakfast.

Originally Posted by Pompiere (Post 22992014)

One of the few benefits of shift work was having days off during the week. I had access to doctor appointments, store hours, kids' school events, smaller crowds, etc. The down side was working a lot of weekends, when the everyone else had their events. I missed out on a lot of group rides over the years because my schedule didn't align with the right weekend. Thankfully, that is all behind me now. :D