I was just wondering...some members here are baby boomers. Are you afraid of retirement? Or are you looking forward to it?
As for those of you who are already retired, how has it been for you? Please share your thoughts and feelings here.

Retirement for me (hopefully in 7 years) will mean moving over exclusively to my glasswork and jewellery design. OK, I am a writer, so I guess I'll turf a couple of books out, but the whole thing is not to HAVE to write anything in order to survive. For most boomers, I think "retirement" means a mid-life career change! I'm happy with that idea and so is my DH. I am also hoping we can split the equity in our home to buy a condo in Yaletown (my favourite urban hang-out) and a seaside cottage on one of the islands where we can paint, make jewellery, collect sea glass and watch the eagles. It all seems so wonderful as I sit here slogging away on an article with a horrible deadline :P

:D Rosina!

Thanks for sharing! I must admit, that I am a bit anxious about retirement, but there is still a ways to go yet, so perhaps I shouldn't be. :)

I suppose I'm officially retired now at 65.

I believe it is important to keep the mind and body active. To this end I keep myself busy with lots of gardening. Ga. is great for that with a good climate and I grow lots of vegetables.

I always wanted to play piano so found myself a piano teacher and that is keeping me very busy. I have always wanted to play Bach and ultimately move to playing the organ.

Only quetsion left is if I will live long enough to accomplish this. Oh well at least they will be able to say of me, he died trying. :)

I retired in '01 from a 28 year broadcasting career. In '04 I went back into the cinema business which I had been in for most of my life prior to broadcasting. In '07 I went to work for Walmart. Decided to retire again in late '08. I've also mixed in time as a police officer and pastor. Not sure what I'm going to do when I grow up. But I know God's not done with me yet. It's been an interesting, if not exciting, life.

I love your attitude, Bob! I hope that I will have this attitude when I get to the retirement stage of my life. :)

I just got an email from a gentlemen in central Minnesota who is looking for a theatre manager. He wants me to give him a call. I'll let you know what happens.

I liked what he said and he seemed to like what I said. We're going to be in touch again in the spring.

That's great, Bob! I am rooting for you! :D

Still waiting to hear from the man in Minnesota. But the other day for the first time in our marriage (sorry to have to admit that) I asked my wife Emilie what she thought I should do. She replied "nothing, just stay retired. You don't need to contribute any more. You have contributed long enough." I was pleased to hear her say that and realized I had been in the workforce for more than 60 years. But I still have the feeling I'm not done yet.

Bob,

Do you have an update on whether or not you have heard from the man in Minnesota?
I can understand what Emilie is saying, and she is right, but I also see that you still feel the need to contribute in some way. I see many retired people working on a part time basis, and it makes them happy.

Not yet Wren. I don't really expect to until this summer. They have a beautiful 3 screen theatre in Foley. You can see it on their website here:
http://www.brickhousecinema.com/index.php

I'm not sure what my decision will be if they do call. Deciding what you're going to do when you grow up is tough!

That is a charming site! Thanks for the link, Bob.

You never cease to amaze me with your positive and enthusiastic outlook on life. :)

Looks like a nice theater, Rob. I'm sure you will know what to do if and when the time comes. That said, our wives often have some insight that we may lack. It pays to listen to them I have always found.

I agree Dave and have already told my wife she has the "first right of refusal". Ideally I'd like to open my mini-cinema here but can't seem to raise the $110,000 I need to do it.

Could be tough in this economic climate.

Could always set up a video projector in the back yard and charge the neighbors for a movie under the stars. :D

Not to sure how one stands on copyright issues if one does that however.

If it were a private showing without advertising there would be no problem. But as soon as you open it to the public and advertise the distributors want their cut (an average of 55% of the ticket sales).

Well since I last visited I've tried working on a couple of projects. I haven't heard any more from the folks in Foley, MN. I was corresponding with a woman who owns a beautiful art-deco, single screener in NE Ohio. She loved my ideas but in the final analysis she decided it wouldn't make enough money to pay me. I disagree and believe I could have made the place pay very well. But regardless, I didn't get hired. So now I am attempting to negotiate a lease-option with a woman who owns a small theatre in the lumber town of Gilchrist, Oregon (in the central part of the state). I'll keep you informed. (That's just in case you have nothing better to do than track the adventures of Big Bob).