Topic: The Next Step in Life…
I was going to call this, “Retirement: The Final Frontier”, but decided not to because of the fatalistic sound to it.
As of tomorrow, I will be leaving my long and famous (infamous?) career with AT&T with nearly 36 years of service to this company. I really was planning on retiring at the end of the year, but old “Ma Bell” found some extra cash in her apron and thus made an offer a few weeks ago. Then after deciding to put in the offer, she turned around and even sweetened the deal because of lack of interest. Well, if you’re like me at all, more money is not something one usually says no to, so I put in for it. This past Friday, I learned that in fact I was chosen as one of the candidates. So Monday morning I’m headed into “work” for the last time to sign my papers and have a final exit interview. Of course, sweet items to eat including warm morning cinnamon rolls will be provided by me for the crew as is customary at our office. 
I look back on a career that spans quite a time frame as I held several different types of positions with AT&T. Beginning with toll investigation, where the first day I walked into the office and found out I would be working with all women…..not a bad thing, because most of them were quite lovely, to service representative dealing with customer problems (YIKES!!), to outside tech (yes, hanging 20 feet in the air on a wood pole with two little pins on your shoes and a belt around your waist securing you from a fall) to the current job that I have where I survey and analyze switch problems over a 17 State area. It really has been a wonderful ride, frustrating at times yes, but gratifying during most of my days spent there. As I normally responded most days when asked how I was, I said, “I’m dancing on home plate!” 
What lies next you ask? Honestly, I don’t know. I would like to continue helping out a few charitable organizations that I do now like “StringsforaCURE”. In addition, my time is sure to expand helping to spread the word of such great artists as Joe Bonamassa. Silly, but when asked by my financial counselor what I would like to do now that I will be retired, I responded as either being a young band’s road manager or maybe a “senior” roadie for a band. There are many places in my own Country that I haven’t been to and what better way to do it? Of course, I would expect some small payment for my services, but I would not need healthcare coverage as I will have that in retirement from AT&T. Do you hear that Joe? 
In any case, I really am looking forward to this next step in my life and plan to stay right here to contribute and read about the world of Joe Bonamassa and his followers. After all, you’re all just like family.
Roy
P.S. And to Jim Moody…I picture Jim putting his hands on his forehead and saying, "My God, this guy will be on here all the time!!" Don’t worry Jim, I’ll have more time to post here, but I’ll try to contain myself for your sake. 
Gee, maybe I should look for another job? 
