Perks of my job

Perhaps I have mentioned this before… maybe numerous times, but one of the perks of my job is being able to travel and stay in nice hotels. Something that was unthought of when I was a child. I vaguely remember staying at a motel maybe once or twice on the way to visit friends. Yet, maybe it is only my imagination. 

The years of working as a trainer allowed me to travel and to stay in mom and pop B&Bs or something along the lines of trucker motels. These places have their charms because there is always something about the decor and amenities which are shared no matter where the place is located. The morning rooms are always filled with people from all sorts of walks of life. I love sitting there over a long breakfast and make up stories of their lives.

With my current company, for the first time, I have been able to stay in luxury hotels. Or at least what I call luxury. Places where the staff is usually separated into the managers who have been working at the hotel for possibly decades and the new young eager employees who are using this stint as a springboard. No matter the size of the hotel or where it is situated, this younger set of employees are often coming from every corner of the world.

Generally, I find it far more interesting to observe the employees and how they do their jobs and how they work together than I do looking at hotel guests. For as is the case for most service jobs, they often forget there are other people in the room and behave naturally. At the moment there are two women working the reception desk for Sunday morning check out. They probably started hours ago. There are no guests checking out at the moment, so one of the women is do a funny calisthenics routine to get her energy back, while the other looks on laughing. A guest arrives and, pink-cheeked, she reverts back to her role. Good for her!

Walking about in a daze

I read Beloved
And the Book of Night Women
Such haunting stories.

Evidence that spring is coming

Bleak grey rainy day
Broken by an explosion
Magnolia blooms.

I am... an avid reader (2/4)

Pat had a gift of knowing which book or author matched the stirrings of a person's heart and brain. She read a book a day, many of which she gifted forward. 

The books on my living room bookshelves are a testament to her influence. Those books have stood the test of time. I have read most of them numerous times, some countless times. They are my constant companions, each forming my imagination into what it is today.

There are those who console, excite, or even hammer upon what I believe to be true. Once exposed to their teaching, I can only be changed. These books are not just stories; instead, they act as alchemy, transforming my dulled and mundane thoughts into ones of wonder. 

For this, I am forever grateful to Pat.

I am (still) a... businesswoman

One of the most delightful parts of my job is travelling and working with colleagues all over the world. Today, for example, I had to choose between going to Mallorca to participate in a three-day global event or to Copenhagen for ten days to do a proper handover with Anna. Even though it should not have been much of a choice weather-wise, I decided on Copenhagen for the people and the pleasures of enjoying this fabulous city one last time as a businesswoman and not a tourist.

(Note: the hotel I am staying at is on the harbourfront. What a luxury.)

Photo by Rolands Varsbergs on Unsplash

Neighbourly civility

Early morning walk

Village elders walking dogs 

Everyone nods once.

Time away

It's cold outside, but I leave the door open to let in birdsong and sun rays, so they may keep me company. I'm staying on a houseboat only ten kilometres away from home. It could easily be a thousand for only water, sky, and woodlands surround the boat.

The storm winds of yesterday have calmed. Small waves slap joyfully on the sides; occasionally, they make a gulping sound as if coming up for breath. The sun creates a bright surface of silver pennies. Or, at least I think they are called such. In any case, it is hard to keep my eyes from wandering over in their direction, even though their brightness glares.

Across the bay, a buoy stands straight as a soldier, silent to any whining wind. Finally, a canvas of clouds rolls overhead. Bringing so much drama in greys to my loneliness.

I am... an avid reader (1/2)

Books. Books. Books. My best friends.

 
Reading was a way to escape during my childhood. I'd spend hours in my room, letting my imagination explore other worlds. The best part was finding friends in faraway places who lived lives of such adventure that it made my heart beat quickly. This was where I wanted to be. These places were where I felt most at home.

Every week, we would go to three libraries and take out the maximum number of books. It was a thrill to bring back new books and put them in a pile next to my bed. Anticipation (Vorfreude) distracted me to an extreme; I yearned to start right away. The stories were all waiting for me to open the covers of the books and let them come into existence. A thrill I experience to this day.

I am... nearly retired

Another month of working and being retired at the same time. Last August I officially retired, but unofficially, I continued to work. 

The only real perk of this was having two incomes. Yet, once I go to the tax advisor, I will undoubtedly see how much I have to pay in back taxes, and this will make me wonder whether the stress of the last year has been worth it. Even though I love my job, even though I love my team, I have had to work more than I wished to and under unfavourable circumstances. I am kaputt.

What I am questioning now is to what extent my strategy for retiring was just plain wrong. Since I did not want to turn the switch from "working" to "retired", I started various other activities on the side. These activities and projects have brought much joy and a sense of purpose, but they also need much attention.

I am experimenting a bit with the Boca project to see if I can be involved in projects without having to be the motor pushing everything through. There is a good group of people working on the project. It will remain to be seen, how much work they can do on their own and how much will come back to me.

Now I can finally focus on the Talkshow Rivals project, which I have worked on in spurts. There is also the project with Nicola, creating e-learning content that is also promising. And then there are those I am coaching. 

At this point in time, it is a question of what "nearly retired" could mean. Is this going to be a steady state, or will I step completely aside?

Happiness bubbling up from inside

It is warm enough
To find a quiet corner
With the sun, my friend.