I’m back to working (I know, I’ve already retired twice), but I keep finding ways to keep busy while providing friends and neighbors with help in one of three key areas, home repair, IT support, and ebike assembly/repair.
So I have spent my time trying to be retired, but it just does not work for me. I can sit on the couch with the best of them, but I feel much happier when on the move. Last fall I took on a few masonry jobs, tuckpointing a limestone house, repairing a stone patio, and rebuilding some brick steps. To my surprise, I did the jobs without injury or mistakes! Then today an old buddy called me for help with his ancient computer, we scoped out his situation, went to IU Surplus and got a deal a some Dell hardware, took it home, moved files, and voila, a whole new setup!
I started my work life in 1960, sweeping up a local store after school. Since then I have done dozens of different jobs. I harvested grapes in California, cranberries on Cape Cod, and hay in Ohio (the hay was least romantic and hardest to do!) After trying out several gigs (did I mention ADHD?): postal worker, candle maker, janitor, ditch digger, tree surgeon, shop manager, etc.), I started long term employment as vegetarian cook/manager in Cleveland, Miami and Bloomington (12+ years), then as contractor/mason in Monroe County (20 years), and finally 20+ years as an independant webmaster/IT consultant, and finally retiring as an IT Pro at IU Communications after 17 years of service.
I didn’t actually retire though, I opened Zephyr Ebike Workshop, and spent 3 years assembling and repairing ebikes, only to learn that I am a lousy businessman, even if I am good at fixing bikes! Last fall a neighbor needed some tuckpointing, then came a patio repair, a steps rebuild, some yard/garden work, and the jobs are coming to me, there is apparently something about experience that helps…
I am not in business, but am offering my services to friends and neighbors, this is my hobby now! I do accept barter, trade, gratuities, the pledge to pay it forward, or just simple gratitude for the work! I know IT, ebikes, and masonry, if you have a need, let me know.
Mitch's Btown Blog 