Weighing the Options

The only time I miss having a job is on rainy days, when there is nothing to do outside. And we have had a 6-day string of rainy days lately.

I have a lot of time talking to headhunters. There are a number of lines in the water. I guess time will tell if there are any lunkers out there that will rise to the bait. The popular press says that the job scene is rife with opportunity. The economy is strong and unemployment is at the lowest % since the full-employment days of 2000.
I am still conflicted about my options, and what I want to do at this point:

1) Accept the idea that I am done with work forever
or
2) Take advantage of the current opportunities to work and earn money.

I keep flipping back and forth. When I am in the mood for the Retirement option, I begin to think about a future consisting of stress-free relationships, reading, gardening, fishing, wandering around, writing, socializing, and napping. Being non-employed is never having to say, "I hate this *bleep*ing job!"

Sometimes I even consider altruistic activities such as volunteering to help old people - then I realize I am practically an old person myself. Then I start to panic because I don't really know how long I have left to live. On one hand I imagine myself as an frail 80 year old living in an assisted mode, who has depleted our life savings on a liver transplant. Or, worse, being run over by a bus at age 66, just as I am starting to enjoy the fruits of full-retirement benefits.

I used to laugh about the prospect of getting my puny $130/month pension from Bull when I reached the age of 65 and 10 months. "That won't even cover my bar bill." I used to joke. I don't think it's so funny now. I don't rack up much of a bar bill these days anyhow. But at current gas pump prices the pension will just about cover my monthly tab at the local filling station.

The thought of being on a fixed-income in a non-fixed-cost world is a bit scary. So the fear of being forced to subsist on food stamps and cheap liquor leads me to flip back to the Keep-Working option.

After all, let's admit it: I still have my marbles. My health is pretty good. I can still learn any data base structure in a few days and I can communicate with business users. They like working with me, too. I have a good sense of humor, I bathe regularly and speak English. I am calm and professional, and I solve problems. They trust me, and every now and then I come up with an absolutely brilliant idea. I like the sociability of working with people - even the weirdos. The regular structure of a job appeals to me and frankly it keeps me from wasting my time and fortunes at places like Mohegan Sun and Suffolk Downs.

On the other hand....