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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 19:27:50 GMT
Windows are for frivolous workers.
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Post by mossie on May 20, 2016 19:37:37 GMT
I prefer my Mac.
Sorry, couldn't resist being stupid.
I expect you will be inwardly criticising when you go back because things are being changed from your methods, but it is best to keep your thoughts to yourself and not get involved. You have played your part, remember.
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Post by htmb on May 20, 2016 22:22:29 GMT
Oh, I know, Mossie. I trained my replacement for a particular job the other day, and I'm sure I'm going to have to resist jumping in to get things done quickly when I have her conduct the next session. I'm much faster than she is and, of course, I know all the tricks of the trade like I know the back of my hand. Kerouac, I seem to recall you had windows.
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Post by htmb on May 20, 2016 22:30:10 GMT
I'm proud of myself for removing and bringing home all my pictures and my bookcase. Basically, the majority of my personal items have now been removed. When I make a decision, I don't fool around!
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 4:36:09 GMT
Don't forget to stock up on paper and pens. It was when I removed my radio that it felt like it wasn't my office anymore. Personal decorations were forbidden at my company.
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Post by htmb on May 21, 2016 8:59:28 GMT
My last item to go will be my wall calendar with pictures from last summer.
I wish I could take my chair. I splurged on it a few years ago, after forever tolerating the most uncomfortable chair ever made. I'm not sure where I found the money, since it cost much more than our typical office chairs, but the other one was killing my back. It's just like the chairs S had in her DC office, and I remember she helped me pick it out. It is quite comfortable with wonderful support. Our pens are of the crappy, paper mate variety, but the tiny, cheap calculator I've had for 24 years must remain with me. It's already been liberated.
My personal decorations are various art pieces. Some are quite nice. There's a sketch from my son of the beach where my mother rescued a little girl from the water, a colorful painting my artist friend did of a hay field while we were visiting France (my first trip), and a large photo I took a few years ago when I visited the little university town north of London. The other items are framed diplomas and a couple of awards.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2016 3:56:13 GMT
And so, we need an update. How goes it?
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2016 9:14:22 GMT
Still working..... Perhaps an update soon.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 8, 2016 11:33:46 GMT
Why on earth can't you take your chair if you paid for it yourself?
Yes, windows are very important.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2016 12:11:52 GMT
I'm sorry. The way I worded the comment makes it sound like I paid for the chair with personal money. I didn't. The chair was paid for with state funds. Today will be an extremely long day. Tomorrow will be a little shorter. Friday will be the shortest day of my week, and my very last work day. It's a very weird feeling, and what I've done will take a good while to sink in.
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Post by breeze on Jun 8, 2016 12:29:58 GMT
Get thee to France soon and next day you'll think, What job? Did I used to have a job in my former life? No, it must have been in a dream.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2016 12:49:01 GMT
The French baccalaureat exams are beginning on June 15th. Perhaps you could volunteer to help out with those.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2016 15:25:18 GMT
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Post by mossie on Jun 8, 2016 19:10:55 GMT
Forget work, you will be in PARIS. Eat drink and be merry.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 9, 2016 1:49:06 GMT
New adventures coming soon!
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Post by htmb on Jun 10, 2016 16:03:03 GMT
It's official. After one more trip to the shipping office, I have handed over my keys and slipped out the door, dodging the end of the "year" lunch. I'm pretty bad at saying goodbye.
Now on to new adventures!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 16:12:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 17:29:08 GMT
From my experience, just about everybody wants to slip away to retirement discreetly, because the friends they have made over the years require special attention, and then there is that larger group that either one doesn't care about or frankly dislikes. At my company, I'd say about 25% of the employees were able to sneak away without any sort of event, keeping in mind that this requires telling one's inner circle to spread the word that absolutely no commemoration is desired or will be accepted.
I was unfortunately required to put up with the full event since I had spent two years negotiating the downsizing of the company and was a sort of hero to the survivors. On the up side, half of the employees had already left the company by then, so they were already out of the picture. I had been required to remain an extra six months to oversee the operations and to hire new employees (it is so weird to be in a company that is downsizing and hiring at the same time). Nevertheless, the event occurred and the manager gave a speech about how much I had taught him (mostly how he could threaten me and have the company lawyers threaten me and still I never backed down a single time which was a concept that he had never imagined since in his own country I would have been thrown in prison and/or executed). And of course I gave a totally hypocritical speech about what a fine workplace it was bla bla bla. I received something like 800 euros in gift certificates from the employees, and the manager gave me a shiny bright designer watch of undetermined value. I don't even know where it is (although I think that it is gathering dust in one of the corners of this computer desk) since I wear a 9 euro watch with a plastic wristband from a sporting goods store. How little they learn about us over the years!
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Post by bjd on Jun 10, 2016 17:56:54 GMT
Good for you, htmb. On to the next phase of your life!
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Post by htmb on Jun 10, 2016 18:58:51 GMT
I have managed to get trapped a couple of times. Most of it was pleasant. Something else coming up.
It's been nice hearing from a couple of people who worked for me in the 90s. That was a surprise.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 10, 2016 23:28:10 GMT
It's official. After one more trip to the shipping office, I have handed over my keys and slipped out the door, dodging the end of the "year" lunch. I'm pretty bad at saying goodbye. Now on to new adventures! Congrats!
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 11, 2016 0:42:36 GMT
This is a big day, but what is to come will be bigger yet. CONGRATULATIONS!
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Post by mich64 on Jun 11, 2016 0:54:50 GMT
Super happy for you htmb! Now get on with enjoying yourself and telling us all about it!
Your retired on your schedule in your own way, you are lucky lady!
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Post by lagatta on Jun 11, 2016 3:31:44 GMT
Yes, I figured that was the reason for the champagne.
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Post by questa on Jun 11, 2016 9:10:24 GMT
Freedom !!!
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Post by htmb on Jun 11, 2016 10:15:41 GMT
Thank you!
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Post by onlyMark on Jun 11, 2016 18:12:05 GMT
What did you say you were going to do now with all the free time?
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Post by htmb on Jun 11, 2016 19:03:53 GMT
I don't believe I've said. Right now I plan to catch up on a lot of lost sleep, do a little traveling, and enjoy being my own boss. I'll figure the rest out later.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 19:12:20 GMT
"What are you going to do now?" is absolutely the most common question that everybody asks, just because they don't know what else to say. And it is considered ungracious to reply "I plan to do a lot of nothing!" -- especially to working people.
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Post by onlyMark on Jun 11, 2016 19:36:26 GMT
Not having to get up for work and not answering to anybody like bosses was a major step. The mental attitude concerning 'freedom' and independence. Marvelous thing.
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