Here in Oakland the official first day of Autumn, September 21st, was warm and dry. Today was the first rainy overcast day of the season and as such has forced us all in doors to reflect on the past few months. I'm considering today, October 22nd, the first day of Autumn due to the change of the weather and my constant longing for fall. I'm looking forward to the cold weather and the longer nights thrust upon us by mother nature, kicking in our natural instinct for hibernation. If spring is infancy, summer our teen years, then Autumn is definitely our adulthood as a species. As such we are prone to question our previous life decisions, settle our flights of fancy, and enjoy a maturity of thinking that allows us to take pleasure in the simple things in our lives.
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A cold and rainy walk along the Alameda shore, watching the Sandpipers scurry about.
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Lately, I've been questing my priorities and have decided that in several ways I need to pivot and change aspects of my life. In order to maintain my health and energy, I definitely need to reduce my work load and stress. This may mean a change in schools or a change in the amount of blood, sweat, and tears I've been devoting to my work. I have always given way more of myself to work than is sometimes healthy, but really it is because I also consider education not only my job but my mission. I've always believed my service to the community is through my servant leadership. OK, so the last paragraph seems entirely sanctimonious or at the very least self righteous...but as I remind people I do get paid for the job and in this current district quite well - so not entirely self less.
Another change has got to be diet and exercise...my doctor has been recommending changes to diet and exercise for quite awhile, so of course instead of following his advice I've been contemplating just getting a new doctor, but damn if he isn't right. As someone within five years of retirement, it is time to focus on steps to ensure my quality of life is good post retirement.
So gentle readers, within the next 6-9 months I'm anticipating changes in my life, some bold and some minor but all with the intent of exiting into retirement in 5 years with a better quality of life. My retirement goals include travel to all of our national parks, visitng family and friends on a regular basis, and enjoying my loved ones as much as possible (and maybe some international travel). I want to have the health and energy to accomplish these humble goals.
Gentle readers, expect to read more about this "journey" in the next few months (yes, I know the word "journey" is tired and best reserved for posters and sweatshirts). I'm considering this blogpost my declaration and commitment to make the changes so desperately needed, so gentle readers you've read this here first and are welcome to hold me accountable for my goals.
In the meantime I still want to update you on my Late Summer/Early Autumn adventures.
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| Oakland Pride in September, compared to SF pride, definitely a small town family vibe. Anand and I enjoying the parade. Not as many marching as in SF pride but definitely a decent showing. |
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| a hydraulic low rider...only in Oakland's pride parade. |
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The BART pride mobile. Creepy? Absolutely!
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My next door neighbor contributing to the festivities.
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Following are some random photos from the past few months. Really just things that stick out in my memory.
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| Early morning foggy walk at the Huckleberry loop in the Oakland hills. One of my favorite photos so far this year. |
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My neighbors do a Candyland display every year for Halloween, this year vandals added googly eyes to their display...yes, it was us and yes the display needed it.
Everybody loves googly eyes!
Hooray for whimsy and practical jokes. (we have lots more eyes and will be adding to the mayhem soon).
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| This is actually Rusty's photo from Maui, he has been working there for the EPA to do press regarding the Lahaina fires. Sounds great to be in Hawaii but the work is intense and emotions as you can imagine are raw. Still, a double rainbow? It doesn't get better. |
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| We got to see one of my favorite comedians, Fortune Feimster just last night. she is absolutely hilarious. |
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| Preshow drinks at a funky Oakland bar, the Night Heron. The drinks are all named after songs from bands that originated in Oakland. I love a themed bar! Drinks were expensive but definitely in the craft cocktail genre. |
Well gentle readers, another fall is under way. In Northern California, we get a late start to fall, but we are making the most of it with pumpkin flavored everything, and fall leaves strategically sprinkled throughout the house. Enjoy a tea and a good book sitting by the heater vent in your neck of the woods.
