Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 19

Thread: Reflecting

  1. 10-12-2019, 08:09 AM #1
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493

    Reflecting

    Today I turn 75

    It is 16 years since I was fired from a 20 year career which had gone from rewarding and exciting to being dominated by philosophical conflicts with the Chairman. I was fully aware of the inevitable outcome of that struggle, but still it was initially painful, it has turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me (I have to confess the golden parachute helped).

    Instead of trying to bridge the gap between my age then (59) to retirement at 66, I blew right past that and find myself with 2 more years on my existing 5 year contract. I'm still a bit incredulous that anyone would offer me, at 72 years of age, a 5 year contract---but they did and I signed on--and became a principle in the company as a signing bonus.

    As some of you "old friends" know, I used to look forward to retirement and spending far more time in Alaska---that seems now unlikely, but that is OK--life has it's own strange twists and turns and my life has been shaped and enriched by taking advantage of them.

    I once worked for a man who ran his life on a series of 5 and 10 year plans. He encouraged me to do the same--I never did, and I am grateful. The lack of a definitive plan allowed me the freedom to take advantage of unexpected opportunities along the line---all of which enriched my career and my life.

    I look forward to my 77th year---I wonder if they will go for 5 more
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 10-12-2019, 08:14 AM #2
    Truckman's Avatar
    Truckman
    Truckman is offline Registered Member
    Join Date
    11-22-03
    Location
    In the Village...
    Posts
    44,552
    Happy B-day, Dave......Ben
    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 10-12-2019, 11:44 AM #3
    wacojoe's Avatar
    wacojoe
    wacojoe is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-21-01
    Location
    San Antonio, Tx.
    Posts
    18,387
    That great sage, John Lennon, told us, “Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans,” then he was shot by a lunatic leaving his flat.
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 10-12-2019, 11:58 AM #4
    Blue74's Avatar
    Blue74
    Blue74 is offline Registered Member
    Join Date
    01-15-02
    Location
    Hot Phoenix / Big Springs NE
    Posts
    6,974
    Happy Birthday. Ever thought of gold mining in the Yukon?
    **************************************************
    Retired April 17, 2019
    Back to driving October 12, 2022
    Damn Credit Card
    Life’s too short to drink cheep booze and argue with stupid people.” Mickey Thompson
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 10-12-2019, 12:05 PM #5
    FredK
    FredK is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    11-14-01
    Location
    Apache Junction, AZ
    Posts
    25,938
    Love it Dave. Seem to remember you saying something about what to do next all those years ago. Glad you took the different path and started you journey down that road. Too many old guys come wondering in the store wishing they could do something. I'm glad I took that chance, myself.

    Happy Birthday. Wishing you many more.
    Fred

    "Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've
    stayed alive."

    'Take care of yourself, and each other.'
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 10-12-2019, 12:07 PM #6
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493
    Quote Originally Posted by Blue74 View Post
    Happy Birthday. Ever thought of gold mining in the Yukon?
    LOL---I would be as comfortable in the seat of a Cat now as ever---but I'm afraid I would need a step ladder to mount the damn thing

    Besides---there is lots of gold to be mined in NYC and I don't even have to get muddy or clean my tracks out at night

    ...and thanks for the warm wishes guys
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 10-13-2019, 09:54 PM #7
    Mike's Avatar
    Mike
    Mike is offline Registered Member
    Join Date
    10-14-01
    Location
    TEXAS!
    Posts
    14,710
    Great post that I just now found. Happy birthday, Dave! I hope you have as many more birthdays as you wish, and the good health to live them the fullest. As I approach my 67th I'm realizing that I have lost a step here and there but I'm planning for a lot more life doing things that I have always wanted to do. You are an inspiration to me, still doing what you want and on your terms.
    The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 10-14-2019, 10:24 AM #8
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493
    Thank you Mike--that is very kind of you.
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 10-14-2019, 12:34 PM #9
    UTAH's Avatar
    UTAH
    UTAH is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-30-01
    Location
    Salt Lake City
    Posts
    31,725
    Ahhh…. it's so good to see you enjoying your birthday, and wishes, to the fullest, Dave.

    It sounds like you're keeping busy and can still do most of the physical things you want your body to do.

    I've found many joys in life simply doing things that are physically difficult for me to do. Being disabled is not a burden - it's merely challenges my body now throws out to make life interesting. And, doing something difficult becomes that much more rewarding once it's done.

    You deserve the kudos your friends are giving you in this thread. May you have many more of these satisfying moments to come.

    Your friend,
    Hunter
    I don't care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. - Creep by Radiohead
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 10-15-2019, 10:32 AM #10
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493
    Coincidentally, in the mail last week was a letter from the Township. I didn't get to it until Sunday. I was not aware that my term of offices ends at the beginning of 2020. I am on the water and sewer authority board and the building codes appeals board. The subject of the letter was asking my willingness to serve another 5 year term on each---that would take me to 80. I'm not sure if I want to sign up for that----the pay isn't all that great
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 10-15-2019, 10:38 AM #11
    FredK
    FredK is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    11-14-01
    Location
    Apache Junction, AZ
    Posts
    25,938
    Someone that has some idea about those things should be on those boards, Dave. I'm sure they don't meet all that often.
    Fred

    "Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've
    stayed alive."

    'Take care of yourself, and each other.'
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 10-15-2019, 04:39 PM #12
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493
    Quote Originally Posted by FredK View Post
    Someone that has some idea about those things should be on those boards, Dave. I'm sure they don't meet all that often.
    You sound like the little chit in the back of my mind arguing with me Fred!

    The water and sewer authority is about 15 meetings a month and about 4 hours each meeting. The preparation for each meeting takes me another 4 hours. The conflict with the little chit in the back of my head is that I bring value to that board on a knowledge base. I am the only one that has practical experience with water and sewer plants and main line construction.

    The building code meets as required and we can go for months without a meeting.
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. 10-15-2019, 05:22 PM #13
    Mike's Avatar
    Mike
    Mike is offline Registered Member
    Join Date
    10-14-01
    Location
    TEXAS!
    Posts
    14,710
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Grubb View Post
    You sound like the little chit in the back of my mind arguing with me Fred!

    The water and sewer authority is about 15 meetings a month and about 4 hours each meeting.

    What the hell can they talk about for 60 hours a month?

    Due to my previous life working for a civil engineer and surveyor I cannot fathom why a small municipal utility district can possibly justify that much time. It sounds like it is a social gathering.
    The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. 10-15-2019, 05:39 PM #14
    Honda's Avatar
    Honda
    Honda is offline Registered Member
    Join Date
    04-29-17
    Posts
    8,213
    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    What the hell can they talk about for 60 hours a month?

    Due to my previous life working for a civil engineer and surveyor I cannot fathom why a small municipal utility district can possibly justify that much time. It sounds like it is a social gathering.
    Exactly what I was thinking that amount of time seems terribly excessive. No professional would have that much extra time to meet. If you take 4 hours to meet and another 4 hours to prepare for each meeting that is 120 hours a month. Does not seem believable or either they have a board full of people that have nothing better to do. No employer would allow a full time employee that much time off.
    OPINION....a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. 10-15-2019, 05:41 PM #15
    Dave Grubb's Avatar
    Dave Grubb
    Dave Grubb is offline Charter Member
    Join Date
    10-22-01
    Location
    All Over
    Posts
    39,493
    We have a monthly meeting which can go as much as 4 hours and while they are not always focused there is a lot to do. The prep for each meeting takes me about 4 hours.

    The board has to review and approve all financial issues, review each project in detail, both ones in construction and ones in design. Review customer complaints and any out of "normal" operations issues.
    We have two treatment plants, about 10 lift stations, one large covered spring (we limit production to 43,500 GPD)and 5 deep wells, 5 towers and pump stations and I can't tell you how many miles of line. Each year we replace about 1 mile of water main--which goes back to the early 1900's.

    The financial review includes approval of all bills and decisions on investments---we have $34 million invested in total.
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules