I did a brief interview for a radio station a while back. It was at a time I thought I was retiring – again. I think it was my third failed retirement plan.
Yesterday, I played back the audio and I was impressed by how quickly I recognized the folly of what the heck I was saying. Typically, it’s when I go back later that my inner voice says to me, “Oh my goodness, how could you be so boneheaded?” But this time, live on air, I was able to make a quick correction.
The first question was about why I was so confident I’d enjoy my retirement.
My answer, word for word, was: “I’m lucky to have a bunch of close friends. They vary so much in lots of ways. If they all got together in a single room, a fight would probably break out. (laugh) As I quit working, I’ll spend more time with each of them. Yeah, I’ll learn to be a better friend, just hang out more. No stress, no place I have to be, just hang out. They will like that. And so will I.”
Radio interviewer: “Really?”
Me: “(long pause) Maybe my friends see enough of me already? Most of them still have jobs. And a bunch of grandkids. Several say I talk too much.”
Me: “(longer pause) I got to rethink this retirement thing.”