Officially Retired 05/30/2025

[Estnische]

Congratulations Painless! I did it exactly three years before you (although I am still on the books for occasional work). All those activities you mentioned will keep you occupied. From personal experience, I would make sure to do a couple of things:

1. Make sure you develop new social contacts to replace the ones you had in the workplace - you would be surprised how important they are/were to you mental health.
2. Do something that applies mental stress to your ability to adapt. I call it mental fitness. When you are retired and your time is your own, I think it is too easy to do what you want, when you want. I noticed my brain was losing its edge - an edge that comes from being at work, planning your day and task list, then someone comes along and makes you have to adapt to squeeze in changes.

As a result of noticing I was going mentally soft, I now volunteer one day a week at an aircraft museum as a tour guide. I deliberately tell them to name any day of that week that they like so I am not going "oh yeah Tuesday is my day at the museum". That gave me a need to learn about 30 aircraft and their stories, I have to work with a different crew of guides each time and meet new visitors twice a day and adapt to their interests, and I have appointments to keep that are irregular.

Currently I'm working on developing a program for young kids, and trying to learn how a P3C Orion hunts submarines.

Sorry for the long reply, but just my 2 cents worth.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning, Estnische!
Thank you for the Good, Solid advice! Once I am caught up around the Property and have Medical issues resolved ( as far as they get resolved for old Wolves who have led interesting Lives ) I plan on volunteering some Days up at the Natural History Museum in Denver. I can get use out of my actual Education there doing preparation work on their Fossil backlog. I am still up at 4 AM with the Spouse and spend time with them while they work. This will turn into Hobby Time as my Chore backlog clears up. Never apologize for giving Good Advice. ;0) I promise to keep learning and stay Frosty!
regards,
Painless

[Pavel]

To be absolutely precise, the basic Orion observer is not a hunter, it receives signals from pre-set hydroacoustic buoys, which are sown in the sea in the required square, but in a VERY large square.
The tactical observer is the Viking, it controls the buoys dropped by it in the probable direction of the squadron's movement not far from the aircraft carrier, since it has no other airfield....
Previously, this was done by the Tracker...
For a more specific area or suspicious place, the Sea Hawk is used, it also has buoys and even a towed station.
Also in service is the Spirit, I think it is also a good option...

[Timbo68]

Only just seen this thread, but better late than never. Well done making it this far!

I’ve been retired for several years now, and can heartily recommend it. It sounds dull and boring, but we decided on two rules. Firstly, no booze or television before 17:00 (special occasions excepted), as otherwise retirement days will simply slip away. As much of both as you want after 17:00, of course! Secondly, keep the weekends different - activities, meals etc. This provides a familiar structure, and, again, stops time sliding away. Works for us…

[PainlessWolf]

Gentlemen!
Thank you again. I've noticed that too much of any one thing of late, causes the day to seemingly vanish. Apparently, all of that work aggravation was good for something ;0) Not huge on Television (tho' we have a huge TV) unless a particular Film is on that I've been looking forward to. I'm currently catching up on needed fixes around the place. I was out the other day repairing fencing. This weekend, it will be Lot work and cleanup. Always lots to do in the Mountains. Makes it a pleasure to sit down in the evening and relax with modeling.
regards,
Painless

[Meter rat]

Reading this, is providing very helpful, with some incredibly useful, and thoughtful ideas for my hopefully imminent retirement at Christmas.

[PainlessWolf]

Mr. Meter Rat!
We have your Carefully Embossed with a Screw Driver Official Retired Card awaiting your 'Admit One' to the Club!
regards,
Painless

[jarndice]

LOL.

[HERMAN BIX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOB4VdlkzO4

Well done on the landmark day Mr Wolf
Now you have mor ed time to enjoy the slower side of life and appreciate them more.
The song from a day gone by springs to mind in that it sums up a rebirthing of life, kind of what you’re doing right now and eerily in the same location !!

[PainlessWolf]

Hermann!
Gives you the Vegas Elbow and a warm Handshake! Thank you, my Friend. It has been a Long, Strange Trip already to this Drop Off point for things that were very Important, yesterday. I was lucky enough to speak and spend a few minutes with the Man many years ago up at a Symposium he was throwing at his Home in Aspen. Some Starwood event. I thanked him for his Music which had been a great influence in bringing me to Colorado. It's like he said in many of his songs, "Today is Forever" That's what I am working on now. ( and Tanks of course ;0)
regards always,
Painless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB6X0AbzZo8