Retirement

[Prisoner37]

Jobs:
- Chef
- Training Manager
- Training Consultant
- Sports Coach

Been very lucky as had 19 years in a good company pension scheme then some investments that went well when I went self-employed.

So I was able to go part time at 55 sports coaching then retired fully at 62.

Now 67 and really enjoying playing walking football 3/4 times a week with two clubs, gaining 50 new mates!

We have caring responsibility for my wife's sister and adopted brother, both Down Syndrome, who live next door. But with some excellent carers we can still get away plenty as well as spending some great time with the six grand bairns.

I would recommend the walking football to anyone who is mobile enough to walk and kick a ball. We have a couple of guys still playing in their 80s!

[BlackHillsPaul]

What I'm hearing, Paul, is an invitation for a Leeds promotion pool party

Should be ready sometime mid July....

[CUSSIE01]

Should be ready sometime mid July....

Is it an all inclusive resort ??

[Carrick Dave]

I used furlough as a sort of trial run for retirement in 2020, and never went back when the six months were up.

We’re not particularly well off, I’m just marking time till the state pension kicks in next year, but we have some savings and my good lady runs a small business from home which keeps us ticking over in the meantime.

I find we don’t need a lot coming in to get by - the mortgage is gone and it’s just the two of us in the house now the kids have moved out. I do a few hours for the missus and get to fish away to my heart’s content. If you can manage it, do it would be my advice. Any of us only have so many good years left, make the most of the time.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Is it an all inclusive resort ??

[Mrs64]

Thanks mate, horrific time.

I had to go into the theatre to say my goodbyes to my wife at one point, thankfully, she survived but is permanently disabled.

Not complaining though, we have a good life and there is always someone worse off than me/us/you.

Very difficult for you both

Leon told me all about those terrible times, after he'd met you at Leeds last year.

Your wife must be so proud to have such a loving husband caring for her.

[Sara]

So many teachers--by my count that's Andrew, Sara, OB, and myself

I am, in general, philosophy ignorant, other than the very basics like Plato's cave, etc. However, I did take a philosophy class as part of by undergraduate MFA with Dr. James Goetsch all about the philosopher Giambattista Vico. A real eye-opener--that class still informs my life, writing, etc. One of the best classes I ever took. If you ever get a chance check out his book, Vico’s Axioms: The Geometry of the Human World.

I'm glad to hear you're able to pursue what interests you, Sara. My own work allows me the time for my writing here and there and passing on my writing knowledge (using this term loosely), experience, and passion to students is something I don't have trouble getting behind in terms of "work."

I'll look out for a cheap copy! I like what little I know of Vico... his constructivism, and opposition to scientific reductionism. Ancient philosophy is more my thing, specifically the late Platonists... philosophy as a way of life and a spiritual discipline.

I'm interested in writing and the use of language, but haven't studied it directly. Do you write creatively?

[AcrossThePondAsh]

I'll look out for a cheap copy! I like what little I know of Vico... his constructivism, and opposition to scientific reductionism. Ancient philosophy is more my thing, specifically the late Platonists... philosophy as a way of life and a spiritual discipline.

I'm interested in writing and the use of language, but haven't studied it directly. Do you write creatively?

The class was definitely over my head, especially as a junior in college who had only been exposed to the basics of philosophy at that point—I do have a much better appreciation for Vico’s work now. You mentioned ancient astrology in your first post...admittedly, my knowledge base surrounding that topic is limited. Any reading suggestions?

I do write creatively. In fact both of my degrees, a BFA and an MFA, are in creative writing, with a specific focus on poetry. Unfortunately, I spend more time now teaching, rather than writing—poverty makes for good poetry, but poetry doesn’t really put food on the table.

[AcrossThePondAsh]

Joined the military at 16, left at 40 but rejoined 3 months later just doing security/ guard force for the MOD. Pulling the plug on that soon as I'm 56 and can't handle night shifts any more. Get a decent pension already from my service which goes up every year and will get another to add it once I leave again.
Looking at working with Special Educational Needs/vulnerable kids which I do voluntarily already and let me tell you there's so many children who need help it's frightening. So many of these kids go under the radar and to be honest their parents don't care, some of them honestly believe it's a school and state responsibility to bring their kids up.
Plan on doing that to 67 then retiring full time, but need to keep busy as I've seen so many old military friends retire and its like they lose all purpose in life and just fade away.

My wife is actually a speech-language pathologist (aka speech therapist) and works with the birth - 5 yr. population. Many of the children she works with have special needs or learning differences like autism, down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc. It's really rewarding work. What age group are you thinking about working with - younger kids or adolescents?

[Orange Box]

The class was definitely over my head, especially as a junior in college who had only been exposed to the basics of philosophy at that point—I do have a much better appreciation for Vico’s work now. You mentioned ancient astrology in your first post...admittedly, my knowledge base surrounding that topic is limited. Any reading suggestions?

I do write creatively. In fact both of my degrees, a BFA and an MFA, are in creative writing, with a specific focus on poetry. Unfortunately, I spend more time now teaching, rather than writing—poverty makes for good poetry, but poetry doesn’t really put food on the table.

Are you published anywhere, Ash? Website? Of course, you don’t have to answer if you wish to maintain your anonymity. I only ask because writing is my go-to relax technique. Not on this forum, obviously: following Leeds United is way too stressful.

[mentalcase]

Be very careful and make sure you get a work permit..

I moved to Egypt a few years ago, I was cleaning the carpets on Nile Cruise ships.....

One day my machine was confiscated, and I was escorted home to pack and then to the airport... All at gunpoint..
I didn't have a work permit, as I was told we didn't need one...

Did you have to walk like one

[Baldbloke]

My wife is actually a speech-language pathologist (aka speech therapist) and works with the birth - 5 yr. population. Many of the children she works with have special needs or learning differences like autism, down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc. It's really rewarding work. What age group are you thinking about working with - younger kids or adolescents?

Secondary school, mainly 11 to 16 year old. Thats the age group I volunteer with at the moment.
It's a mix of educational needs, autism, ADHD etc. Dipping my toe into working with vulnerable kids which is the route I want to go. I know I only volunteer at the moment but it's extremely rewarding when a bond is made and the kids start responding to you. Can be a bit hard when you find out what a bomb site of a home life they have, some of them are just born into a situation where they don't have a chance in life at all and any hand up or help they get to not go down certain routes in life is, I think, worth it.

[CUSSIE01]

Secondary school, mainly 11 to 16 year old. Thats the age group I volunteer with at the moment.
It's a mix of educational needs, autism, ADHD etc. Dipping my toe into working with vulnerable kids which is the route I want to go. I know I only volunteer at the moment but it's extremely rewarding when a bond is made and the kids start responding to you. Can be a bit hard when you find out what a bomb site of a home life they have, some of them are just born into a situation where they don't have a chance in life at all and any hand up or help they get to not go down certain routes in life is, I think, worth it.

A credit to you mate, our children are our future and need all the help and nurturing they can get especially the neglected & vulnerable ones. As you’re doing all this as a volunteer speaks volumes, hopefully this could turn into something permanent so you have the opportunity to devote more time to something you obviously enjoy.

[Orange Box]

Secondary school, mainly 11 to 16 year old. Thats the age group I volunteer with at the moment.
It's a mix of educational needs, autism, ADHD etc. Dipping my toe into working with vulnerable kids which is the route I want to go. I know I only volunteer at the moment but it's extremely rewarding when a bond is made and the kids start responding to you. Can be a bit hard when you find out what a bomb site of a home life they have, some of them are just born into a situation where they don't have a chance in life at all and any hand up or help they get to not go down certain routes in life is, I think, worth it.

you go for mate, like Cussie says, credit to you. In my line of work I came across hundreds, literally hundreds, of malfunctioning families, and the kids were the ones to suffer, usually becoming problem parents themselves because of their upbringing.

My best mate is a product of such a family, but he got help later on in life (I'm going to hold my hand up and say I had a reasonable part to play in that - mainly because he says I have to acknowledge what I did). He's now a GP, so if you can help, go for it.

[mentalcase]

A credit to you mate, our children are our future and need all the help and nurturing they can get especially the neglected & vulnerable ones. As you’re doing all this as a volunteer speaks volumes, hopefully this could turn into something permanent so you have the opportunity to devote more time to something you obviously enjoy.

My ex used to work with vunerable kids, she bought one 8 yr old lad a little scarf and matching gloves one xmas, he started crying, she asked why, he said he had never had a present before.
So so sad.

[CUSSIE01]

My ex used to work with vunerable kids, she bought one 8 yr old lad a little scarf and matching gloves one xmas, he started crying, she asked why, he said he had never had a present before.
So so sad.

Ah man, I hate to hear that sort of stuff, there’s a special place in hell for parents like that.

[Overman]

Be very careful and make sure you get a work permit..

I moved to Egypt a few years ago, I was cleaning the carpets on Nile Cruise ships.....

One day my machine was confiscated, and I was escorted home to pack and then to the airport... All at gunpoint..
I didn't have a work permit, as I was told we didn't need one...

That's quite an experience and thanks for the heads up Hector. I am applying for the permit via an organisation and then will go to the Egyptian Embassy.

[Baldbloke]

I honestly wouldn't have thought 15 years ago that this is the kind of work I'd want to do, but we have a severely autistic grandson who is that bad he's in residential care which was heartbreaking to do. Once you see the work the carers do it brings it home to you. My eldest daughter works with vulnerable kids at her school so thats how I got onto the volunteer stuff. So these situations have made me want to do more, in 90% of cases these kids aren't responsible for the way they are.
I'll see how it goes, might be different once I start doing it professionally and doing the courses

[CUSSIE01]

I honestly wouldn't have thought 15 years ago that this is the kind of work I'd want to do, but we have a severely autistic grandson who is that bad he's in residential care which was heartbreaking to do. Once you see the work the carers do it brings it home to you. My eldest daughter works with vulnerable kids at her school so thats how I got onto the volunteer stuff. So these situations have made me want to do more, in 90% of cases these kids aren't responsible for the way they are.
I'll see how it goes, might be different once I start doing it professionally and doing the courses

Different scenario I know but I coached swimming for 15 years and eventually had to give it up due to work commitments. The amount of coaching courses, exams, CPD’s, child protection courses, competition and galas just grew exponentially and I ended up having less and less time to coach. We lost so many good coaches because it all turned into a money making exercise by the governing bodies and as we were all volunteers it took its toll.

[Sara]

The class was definitely over my head, especially as a junior in college who had only been exposed to the basics of philosophy at that point—I do have a much better appreciation for Vico’s work now. You mentioned ancient astrology in your first post...admittedly, my knowledge base surrounding that topic is limited. Any reading suggestions?

I do write creatively. In fact both of my degrees, a BFA and an MFA, are in creative writing, with a specific focus on poetry. Unfortunately, I spend more time now teaching, rather than writing—poverty makes for good poetry, but poetry doesn’t really put food on the table.

Ancient astrology is quite a new field, strangely, as many of the main texts have only been translated in the last ten or twenty years. The place to start would be Chris Brennan's Hellenistic Astrology, which references many of the sources. His astrology podcast is also good if you're interested, and has episodes which delve into the philosophy side of things. This recent one on Proclus was interesting:

https://theastrologypodcast.com/2024/02 ... platonism/

The Secret History of Western Esotericism podcast is also very good:

https://shwep.net/podcast/prayer-to-the ... astrology/

I write poetry purely as a form of expression for my own eyes only. I like the Northern Irish poets; Michael Longley, Paul Muldoon, Seamus Heaney.