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Post by kiev4a on Feb 1, 2008 9:28:58 GMT -5
I see the Internet connections to India and the Middle East had problems the past couple of days. I wonder if that has anything to do with the lack of participation of our U.K. friends in recent days--or are they just taking some time off-- "on holiday" as they would say.
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Post by Randy on Feb 1, 2008 14:36:26 GMT -5
My ISP just had problems, I called and they said there was a "feedback" whatever that means.
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Feb 1, 2008 18:48:35 GMT -5
Wayne wrote: No internet problems that I'm aware of here, Wayne. I'm still around and I try to drop in and read messages most days but it's usually late at night and I haven't had time (or the energy if I'm honest) to reply. Plus I've been a little busy with end of financial year accounts - you know, one of those necessary chores that get in the way of doing the interesting things in life.  We haven't had any snow down in the south here so far, though the 'possibility' of it is forecast. Recently we've had clear bright skies but with a bitterly cold wind so I haven't ventured out more than I could help. My leg doesn't like the cold. What free time I've had I've been restoring a couple of 1930s pocketable folders that I've been meaning to get around to for ages. When they're finished I'll post some pics. I've also been sorting through my collection (accumulation) getting rid of a lot of stuf outside my main collecting field that I'll never use, and don't know why I ever bought, except that it was very cheap. A few of them I sold on ebay, and the others I either gave away or, if they didn't work, stripped them out for the screws and springs and things. With a bit of luck I'll soon be able to see all my cameras instead of wondering in which box they're packed away. Then I'll have to put up some more shelves - just one durn thing after another. I notice the subject of retirement cropped up a couple of times. What's retirement? Officially I should have retired 14 years ago but I've earned my living as a writer (more than a photographer) for the past 44 years, the last 29 of them freelance, and writers never retire (they just go out of print  ). It sort of gets in your blood after a few years although I don't write much for publication these days. I agree that men for whom their work is their life - and I mean work that you can't carry on as a freelance after retirement - tend to just sit around or watch TV all day if they haven't got a hobby. They soon seem to turn to vegetables. Their brains, like muscles, seem to stop working from lack of use. I've known several who, sadly, didn't live very long enjoying retirement. I think mentally they just gave up! It hasn't happened to any of my camera collecting friends, quite a few of whom are well into retirement, and I can't see it happening to anyone in this group. IMHO it's essential as you get older to keep your mind active and working, even if physically you can't do the things you used to. PeterW |
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Post by paulatukcamera on Feb 1, 2008 19:36:52 GMT -5
Same here! Tax return time is quite a busy period for the self employed - digging up receipts you try vainly to identify because they might be of use in counting as "expenses" I also view the forum almost every night. I enjoy the photographs that Wayne & others keep posting. Also been busy saving long lost makes of camera from extinction. (OK, it is an addiction, but somebody has to love the unloved!) Samoca, Walz, Royal, Beauty all flared up in a stellar display of activity in the late 50s and were promptly extinguished by the might of the majors - that's what makes them interesting. So what next - pictures - once I have sorted and ordered my new 500gig drive that already has 120gigs worth of photos. If you though Wayne was prolific, just you wait! Sigh, thats the trouble with digital - I have taken nearly 10,000 photos in two years - more probably than in my whole previous life. I use lots of them for the work web site I am webmaster of. If any of you would like to see the pretty countryside of West Wales, perhaps you could take a look here: www.welsh-cottages.co.uk/themes/westwalesguide.aspScroll down to Carmarthenshire - I live four miles from Newcastle Emlyn. Also, perhaps of interest - Cenarth Falls, the National Botanic Gardens and Aberglasney the Garden Lost in time. Beaches - plenty of those - see Mwnt & Penbryn in Ceredigion. You may also be interested in the Puffins & Seals of Ramsey Island in Pembrokeshire (I went on a jet boat). Paul |
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 1, 2008 20:51:43 GMT -5
Peter:
Actually I think I have a pretty good set up when I do retire. I'm already committed to editing two or three books a year from home and evaluating some manuscripts. It should give me enough work to keep me from getting board. BUT I won't have to get up by a certain time every morning (although I probably will anyway. It will just be nice to know I don't have to get up.
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Wahoo
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Danny
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Post by Wahoo on Feb 1, 2008 21:23:36 GMT -5
I wonder if that has anything to do with the lack of participation of our U.K. friends in recent days-- ? No problems here either . . . but between tax returns and I've been involved in one of those thingies (picture below) I've not had quite as much time. Mind, from most UK participents it's rather nice to be missed   |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Feb 2, 2008 13:24:47 GMT -5
Wayne,
The thing I like best in the morning is being able to linger over another piece of toast and cuppa knowing I don't have to be out of the house by a certain time, particularly if the weather's not too good.
Funny thing, though, you don't mind at all getting out early if it's for something you want to do. Sundays, for example, I'm usually out bright and early to look round the local car boot sale - just in case there are any early bargains to be had.
Bargains have been rather thin on the ground there lately. It's usually quite big; it takes me about three quarters of an hour to get round all the stalls, and Stephen's been known to beat me to the post even though he's got further to get there than I have. Maybe he starts the other end, and bargain hunting at these places is the luck of the draw, so good hunting, Steve.
Getting back to working at home, at the other end of the day you sometimes have to resist the urge to carry on working into the evening (unless a deadline makes it unavoidable) - the 'just want to get this bit finished' syndrome. Tell yourself it'll still be there in the morning.
PeterW
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Post by doubs43 on Feb 2, 2008 14:24:34 GMT -5
To weigh in on this "retirement" thing, I applied for Social Security less than two weeks ago. In today's mail I received notice that my first check, for January, should be deposited in my account in two or three days! I'm amazed than ANY government entity can actually move that quickly. My wife also applied and she too received the same notice about her payment. That's little short of a miracle IMO.
Walker
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SidW
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Post by SidW on Feb 2, 2008 20:09:29 GMT -5
Walker, isn't there an election soon? Someone needs to leave a good impression.
As to the web, we've been ok
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Post by nikonbob on Feb 3, 2008 8:20:47 GMT -5
You fellas have to stop making retirement sound sooooo good. I'll be 55 this year and am considering retiring.
Bob
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 3, 2008 11:18:47 GMT -5
Most of my relatives and friends are either teachers or cops and retired in their mid 50s, while I keep slogging along toward 65. Bah!
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Post by nikonbob on Feb 3, 2008 12:42:41 GMT -5
Wayne
I work at a Pulp and Paper Mill and it will cost me 18% of my pension to go early but after 34 years and too many changes in the Company, non for the better, I'm thinking my sanity is worth it. As most pointed out there is more than enough to do after and at your own pace. We will see how I feel in 6 months when it is decision time.
Bob
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Feb 3, 2008 14:16:07 GMT -5
One thing to remember about retirement, and that's Mr. Micawber's advice in one of Charles Dickens' novels (brought up to date with decimal currency):
Monthly income, £20; expenditure £19.99 - result, happiness.
Monthly income, £20; expenditure £20.01 - result, misery.
PeterW
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Post by nikonbob on Feb 3, 2008 17:32:17 GMT -5
One thing to remember about retirement, and that's Mr. Micawber's advice in one of Charles Dickens' novels (brought up to date with decimal currency): Monthly income, £20; expenditure £19.99 - result, happiness. Monthly income, £20; expenditure £20.01 - result, misery. PeterW Aye, that's the rub. Bob |
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Post by doubs43 on Feb 3, 2008 22:33:03 GMT -5
One thing to remember about retirement, and that's Mr. Micawber's advice in one of Charles Dickens' novels (brought up to date with decimal currency): Monthly income, £20; expenditure £19.99 - result, happiness. Monthly income, £20; expenditure £20.01 - result, misery. PeterW Aye, that's the rub. Bob Bob, if retiring early will mean cutting corners to get bye then please hold out the extra time. Retirement should be a time for you to enjoy and money problems are not fun as we all know. Walker |
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). It sort of gets in your blood after a few years although I don't write much for publication these days.
