My heart is warmed by all the Happy Retirement wishes and activities directed my way. I've also received an array of cards, emails, thoughtful gifts, and warm hugs. I guess that makes me almost an official retiree. Today, I admit to being happy-sad about the whole thing. What is it Shakespeare said? "Parting is such sweet sorrow." I thank each and every thoughtful person who has wished me well.
Yesterday, Jason, the new AD, and I skipped graduation to finish up things in the office. We took a break to chat a bit, and I asked him whether the new furniture for his office had been ordered. He said it hadn't been, but he was going to move the current furniture around a bit. When he told me his plans, I got up and started pushing the desk around. In a short amount of time, we'd rearranged the room and made it IMPOSSIBLE [nice!] for two people to work at the desk and credenza at the same time. Cool. I picked up what was left of my belongings and went home. I'll go in to work the first day of the January term, drop off my ID, do a little work if Jason asks, and wander around chatting with people. There are many I have grown incredibly fond of and will miss seeing every day.
I'll also miss the students. I'm sure I'll miss the structure. What I won't miss is the all-consuming nature of the AD position and the way it captured my thoughts and dampened my creative writing muse. I've continued editing manuscripts since my Interim Associate Dean position started in May, as evidenced by the lord being ready to release soon, but I've written nothing new.
I've learned from Mystery Writer's of America, that a writer needs to work on manuscripts at several levels all at the same time--publish and market, revise and rewrite, work with a critique group, and start a new novel. I'm looking forward to the challenge with great anticipation.
I feel the urge to write bubbling inside. But first, I'm going to go bake an apple pie.
GEB
Yesterday, Jason, the new AD, and I skipped graduation to finish up things in the office. We took a break to chat a bit, and I asked him whether the new furniture for his office had been ordered. He said it hadn't been, but he was going to move the current furniture around a bit. When he told me his plans, I got up and started pushing the desk around. In a short amount of time, we'd rearranged the room and made it IMPOSSIBLE [nice!] for two people to work at the desk and credenza at the same time. Cool. I picked up what was left of my belongings and went home. I'll go in to work the first day of the January term, drop off my ID, do a little work if Jason asks, and wander around chatting with people. There are many I have grown incredibly fond of and will miss seeing every day.
I'll also miss the students. I'm sure I'll miss the structure. What I won't miss is the all-consuming nature of the AD position and the way it captured my thoughts and dampened my creative writing muse. I've continued editing manuscripts since my Interim Associate Dean position started in May, as evidenced by the lord being ready to release soon, but I've written nothing new.
I've learned from Mystery Writer's of America, that a writer needs to work on manuscripts at several levels all at the same time--publish and market, revise and rewrite, work with a critique group, and start a new novel. I'm looking forward to the challenge with great anticipation.
I feel the urge to write bubbling inside. But first, I'm going to go bake an apple pie.
GEB
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