Au Cochonnet Marin

“Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, “Hi, Honey, I’m home — forever.” – Gene Perret

For some people, this prospect can be daunting indeed… Spending the rest of your life tethered to your mate can be an unbearable prospect for some couples. Even in their twilight years, they would rather separate than suffer this predicament.

No matter how much you care for your mate, you need to escape for  periodic gulps of fresh air. Intermittent uncoupling is an absolute necessity in any relationship.
Even if you dearly love “canard-a-l’orange” you will quickly tire of it if you are offered the same dish every single day. Retirement, for some people, can mean a daily dose of “duck a l’orange” and after a while it loses its appeal.

Today, it is not unusual (and healthy) to have both husband and wife working. They part in the morning and meet again in the evening. This timeout is the safety valve that secures their common bond. But when both retire at the same time, this critical safety valve is removed and it will dangerously increase the strain in their close quarters.

Togetherness is one thing, but detention is a different animal. My cat usually does not say much, but we have an understanding. She once texted me “You can pet me for about a minute, but that’s it. After that, you do it at your own risk.”

So, we have an arrangement. After breakfast, I pet her for a few seconds and I let her loose in the garden. She can disappear for hours but she will reappear a few times during the day. If I did not let her go, she would become very testy and prone to fight. The same thing will happen to your mate if confined too long in the same monotonous environment.

Some people look at retirement like Nirvana, but many retirees come to regret the harsh reality of their new situation. Leaving a job can be traumatic. Being suddenly cut off from your daily routine and your colleagues creates a large void that needs to be filled.
Some people are incapable of doing this and slump into a deep depression. Many want to get back to work, but many can’t.

Retirement is an important decision, and before you embrace it, you need to prepare for it. Doing nothing is fine (for an hour or two) but after a short while, work starts to look rather exciting.

“Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to.” Harry Emerson Fosdick

 Alain

Life is a long series of anticipations… The excitement of waiting for a critical event to materialize.

Significant occasions are always eagerly looked for. For me, one of the earliest and most anticipated life occurrences was the completion of my military obligations. Until 1996, every young man in France was compelled to fulfill his “service militaire” before being able to get on with his life.

The time served in the armed forces varied, depending on France’s foreign involvement. For my part, I  served 28 months (852 days), a very long dark tunnel to my discharge date. It finally came, around Christmas 1962, and it was the best gift ever. Like being reborn… or being released from a mental institution.

Anticipation is a gift… like a lighthouse’s beam guiding you through a stormy night.

After a rather difficult year, I now anticipate the end of 2020 with great trepidation. Starting in November, some earthshaking events will occur in quick succession.

“Finally, after more than a year of unprecedented anticipation, the talking stops and the cricket begins.” ~ Jonathan Agnew

On November 3rd, we will have our presidential election. A long-awaited event with all the drama that it entails. America is currently cracking at the seams, and a great majority of citizens are yearning for drastic changes.
In Washington, the perennial swamp that was to be drained years ago is still there. The persistent foul smell emanating from the Casa Blanca makes that situation unsustainable. The nation is ardently praying for the coming of a new Messiah.
It has been said that the present pugnacious tenant might refuse to leave his bunker… he might have to be removed “manu militari.”

Another highly anticipated event might happen before the year is over. I have heard very encouraging news about the possibility of having a Covid-19 vaccine ready and available by Christmas.
If this happens, I am willing to forsake Christmas gifts for at least ten years… and I am pretty sure that millions of people would like nothing better than to (temporarily) close Santa’s shop.

The 3rd event (no anticipation) is my birthday. On January 6 (the Epiphany) I will add another year to my long list of achievements? Lately, I have tried to cancel birthdays, but like uninvited guests, they keep coming back year after year.
To cheer me up, some friends have told me that I am not getting older… I am just increasing in value.

I feel better… I think.

Alain

Explosive devices are dangerous and can be lethal… but few people seem to care. Today, they are owned by many, obviously unaware of its destructive power.

It is well known that danger creates a rush of adrenaline that increases blood circulation and breathing. Some people, like bungee jumpers or racecar drivers, thrive on this condition and crave it. It adds spice to sometimes dull and boring lives.

In the hands of an expert, explosive devices are relatively safe, but when handled by rookies, they can generate a great amount of destruction. These contraptions used to be cumbersome, difficult to hide. But no more. Today, they are small, light, easy to conceal, and readily available. They are even seen in some children’s hands.

If you own a gun, you ought to take certain precautions… Like severely restricting its access. A weapon is something highly personal that should only be handled by its owner… And so, should smartphones.

Yes, these cute little gadgets ARE dangerous explosive devices. They are rightfully protected by a password that should not be shared with anyone.
You might not even think of it, but your smartphone contains many personal and intimate details that could embarrass or even compromise you. Every call or every message that you send can later be used against you.

And then, a romantic relationship comes into play. The BIG question is: should your significant other have access to your phone and its data? Some people are very amorous (possessive?) and want to know everything about you, especially when you are away. Is it a good thing? I am not so sure…

Forbidden romances are always exposed by your trusted iPhone. This device does not care about your secrets, it just processes and preserves them. If there is suspicion in a household, watch out! smartphones will be hunted and tortured until they confess.

No matter how tight your relationship, you are entitled to some privacy. A little bit like going to the bathroom… you don’t need to share this experience (unless you are a pervert) with anybody.

In other words, let sleeping dogs/explosive devices lie. If you absolutely don’t have to, your companion’s smartphone is off-limits. It is his/her private place and it should not be tampered with.

But if you are an adrenaline junkie, go for it… and watch the fireworks.

Alain