Know what I had a 20-minute phone conversation about yesterday? Retirement. The first time I’ve ever really spoken openly, seriously, and at length about it — and with an STRS rep, no less.
My retirement date: May, 2020. Eight and a half years from now. I could have done it September of 2019, but that would mean I’d have to report for the first week of classes, then exit stage left. Not doing that to the kids. But unless I get a wild hair and decide to stick it out to age 65, that’s when I’m calling it quits, and I feel good about it.
It’s not that I want to quit teaching so I can sit at home. I will still need to work, since it’ll be an “early” retirement (I didn’t start teaching until I was 34). But I can just about guarantee that “work” won’t involve 70-hour weeks of choreography, rehearsals, and two mainstage shows a year. Maybe I’ll sell cakes, write down those arrangements banging around in my head, and work part time in an office. The goal is to supplement my meager retirement income, but not buy the farm in the process. There’s Grammie-in’ to be done in those years, too. And traveling, and hanging out with friends and fam. The important stuff. I know I’ll never really stop working, but I don’t want to run myself into an early grave doing it.
So there it is. May 2020. We’re in the single digits, fiends. I plan to go out with a bang, so stay tuned. 
FO
Country Mouse
/ 8 November, 2011May 2020 – a date to remember! I wouldn’t want to be part of the process of trying to find someone to fill your shoes! Maybe they should start looking now!
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Rat Fink Reply:
at 5:57 am
November 9th, 2011
Haha — thanks for the sentiment, CM. I’m sure they’ll find another willing soul! After yesterday, I wonder if they could find him/her tomorrow.
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Will
/ 8 November, 2011Congrats on the planning. Start learning the names of the 4th graders now. They’ll be leaving the same time as you and I think the last thing you want is that farewell performance of, I dunno, West Side Story, to have half the cast’s names misspelled.
That said, good to have a plan. I’m sure none of your students in 8 years will mind if you decide to wait around a little while longer.
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Rat Fink Reply:
at 6:05 am
November 9th, 2011
I know — it takes me all year to learn my 5th graders’ names, and I still don’t know them all when they hit 6th!
Not sure what 8 years will bring, but if I still have the hankerin’ for choral music and theater, I’ll stay on a bit. I can’t see Granny choreographing tap numbers much longer, though!
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PKPudlin
/ 8 November, 2011Music teachers never retire. They just go from bar to bar…..
Har har.
PK
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Rat Fink Reply:
at 6:11 am
November 9th, 2011
Oh ha and HA — meanwhile, bach at the chorale
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PKPudlin Reply:
at 12:41 pm
November 9th, 2011
Just a minute while I make a Chopin Liszt.
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RD
/ 8 November, 2011People told me that I’d know when it was time, and would feel good about it. You’ll leaave a huge hole, an impossible hole, to fill. Like you, I cannot sit just because I’m retired. I’m sure you’ll still find plenty to do. May we’ll be able to have java more often. I can recommend two jobs in retirement — officiating basketball and mowing yards
First game of the season tonight.
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Rat Fink Reply:
at 6:13 am
November 9th, 2011
Java more often is the ticket! When you’re not relaxing in Paradise, that is…jkjkjkjkjkjkjk
I don’t know about officiating basketball and mowing lawns. I’ve never done one, and I haven’t done the other since the 1990s, so I don’t see a reason to start up, do you??
I will definitely have to do something for $, though. Just not sure what it’ll be yet. I know what it won’t be, that’s fo sho!
Have fun during bball season!
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Mavis
/ 9 November, 2011YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rat Fink Reply:
at 9:11 pm
November 9th, 2011
Hahaha — we’ll be having teas every week!!
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