You could start your own little business? Something interesting you could do from home.
But if you like your job, then you may as well carry on!
Status report Page 5,288
Join a drama club/ writers group/book club/ anything else which absorbs you - i.e. Get some hobbies, but do it before you give up the job so you can suss whether the hobby/ies will absorb you and take up enough of your time.
Thanks for the thoughts Ode Pals.
I had a hobby, my model railway, but that was killed off by the illness for whatever reason.
Don't know. I was in a meeting today that I throughly enjoyed but it was a one off.
Know what you mean Keewik. Current thoughts are volunteering at the Cat's Protection League shop nearby, helping old people (!) to learn how to use computers/PCs and registering as an, as required, customer services operator for a housing company but I have to overcome my inherent indolence first !
The sad news about Billy Connolly also gave me pause for thought.
Yes. You have to make the most of your one and only life - you have to enjoy it. I'm good at telling people that but spend too much time worrying. Not sure what the solution is. Live for the day, I suppose, if you have a personality that can do that.
Quote: Oldrocker @ September 15 2013, 11:46 PM BSTWhen I'm pissedish I convince myself it's time to retire.
When soberish I convince myself that it's not.
What's a boy to do ?
Retire and start up doing your old job as a gentleman of leisure and hobby
You're a housing officer right?
If you did it voluntary or paid charities would bite your arm off, and you'd be helping the needy whilst frustrating the government.
Also do standup if you've got the times, there's more courses etc for more seasoned standups
Its great therapy
I understand why you worry about your previous troubles and time on your hands. So set yourself up before you leave
But don't waste years working when you don't need to
Quote: Oldrocker @ September 15 2013, 11:46 PM BSTWhen I'm pissedish I convince myself it's time to retire.
When soberish I convince myself that it's not.
What's a boy to do ?
Retire and start up doing your old job as a gentleman of leisure and hobby
You're a housing officer right?
If you did it voluntary or paid charities would bite your arm off, and you'd be helping the needy whilst frustrating the government.
Also do standup if you've got the times, there's more courses etc for more seasoned standups
Its great therapy
I understand why you worry about your previous troubles and time on your hands. So set yourself up before you leave
But don't waste years working when you don't need to
Is there any way you could reduce your hours OR? My dad, after a million years at the Revenue, now works three days a week and gets his pension the other two (I know not everyone can do that - although if you're in the public sector you might).
He now splits his time equally between gardening, going on holiday and annoying my mum. He's as happy as larry.
Might be a way of dipping your toe in without going the whole hog.
On another note, someone needs to write a sitcom on evening classes. So many oddballs. So so many.
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorning!
Vietnam?
Quote: Jennie @ September 17 2013, 7:59 AM BSTIs there any way you could reduce your hours OR? My dad, after a million years at the Revenue, now works three days a week and gets his pension the other two (I know not everyone can do that - although if you're in the public sector you might).
He now splits his time equally between gardening, going on holiday and annoying my mum. He's as happy as larry.
Might be a way of dipping your toe in without going the whole hog.
On another note, someone needs to write a sitcom on evening classes. So many oddballs. So so many.
It's a great idea, problem is particularly in local government there's a real pressure too show names off payroll. So they want you gone and from my parents experience, the longer you leave it the more bronze the golden handshake. But if you've got valuable skills perversley they may hire you back as a freelancer on less rights, but more money.
Don't hang on in a job that bores you it'll only embiter you. But don't retire to do nothing, retire with a plan
Oh I met Roscoff for a drink in Newport last night which was nice.
Atleast I think it was Roscoff, he didn't have his beard or look like his avatar. So it might have been some random Welshman.
Quote: sootyj @ September 17 2013, 10:32 AM BSTIt's a great idea, problem is particularly in local government there's a real pressure too show names off payroll. So they want you gone and from my parents experience, the longer you leave it the more bronze the golden handshake.
Dad went onto this scheme on his 60th birthday - he'd been at the Revenue since he was 16 and couldn't wait to go. He has been there long enough to benefit from all the Civil Service perks that simply don't exist anymore.
What is quite sweet is that he has started representing HMRC in tax tribunal hearings. We've added "swapping court stories" to our staple conversational topics of "why my cooker isn't working", "football" and "why not buying mum any birthday presents is a supremely bad idea". (He thought it would be OK not to buy her anything because she'd TOLD him not to bother. He believed her. Stupid man. Involved an emergency dash around the shops by my sister and I, only for mum to work out in 30 secs that we had bought them all. It seems the presents were too tasteful and appropriate. Should have put some oven gloves in there or something.)
ANYWAY I digress. I hope you find the option that suits you, OR. Life is short, far too short to not be enjoying yourself.
Quote: sootyj @ September 17 2013, 10:32 AM BSTOh I met Roscoff for a drink in Newport last night which was nice.
Atleast I think it was Roscoff, he didn't have his beard or look like his avatar. So it might have been some random Welshman.
Ahhh. Did you take a commemorative photo?
Yay for ex-HMRC staff. That includes me
No I ave a real aversion to photos intefers with my image as a man of mystery
Quote: AndyGilder @ September 17 2013, 12:36 PM BSTYay for ex-HMRC staff. That includes me
Yay, and me.
Used to spend my summers there filing away with ten other children of Revenue employees. It was steady money and perfect for the school/Uni holidays. Those jobs don't exist anymore.
Stupid computers 
Quote: sootyj @ September 17 2013, 12:37 PM BSTNo I ave a real aversion to photos intefers with my image as a man of mystery
Next time, Soots. Next time.
Quote: Lee @ September 17 2013, 10:08 AM BSTVietnam?
Quote: chipolata @ September 13 2013, 10:47 PM BSTTo knock about the house Chip's wearing trousers that are 31" in the leg. They stop at his ankles and look a bit silly.
I was excused shorts at school. Not bragging or anything...just saying!