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| On my recent walk through Hammersmith |
Every Monday afternoon, when the school day has ended and many kids have gone home but I still have a crowd in the library, the school tests its fire alarm. It's an agonizing process week after week -- a pre-recorded announcement of the test (featuring the voice of someone who hasn't worked at the school for years), followed by an ear-splitting alarm. I have often wondered about the long-term effects on my hearing, being subjected to that test week after week.
Well, yesterday, after the test, I texted Dave: "Last time I'll ever have to do THAT!"
I'm having a lot of those moments. It's a nice feeling.
I've also had several more kids drop by my desk to wish me well, and a co-worker brought me a package of shortbread cookies that she picked up in Norwich over break, so little I'm getting little pre-retirement boosts here and there. I still can't quite believe I have only two days of work left.
Dave and I had the dog conversation again last night. Part of me wants to start looking for a new one to adopt, but we have a two-week trip coming up in July, so we're thinking it might be better to wait until that's past. The problem is, there will always be something like that on the horizon, won't there? I don't want to delay indefinitely, waiting for the perfect moment that never comes, and I know the minute I open up a dog-adoption website I'm going to want to re-home all of them. At least we're thinking and talking about it.
The mysterious floral arch is back at McD's on Finchley Road. I guess it's just a marketing thing -- not in celebration of any particular occasion or event. You know, I haven't eaten at a McDonald's in years. The last time I can think of was in 2014 in Abu Dhabi, on our way to the Seychelles. Every once in a while when I'm away for dinner, Dave will order a McDonald's delivery to the flat. I used to love going there as a kid -- I specifically remember going in 1977 with my mom and brother and sitting outside on the patio, and then going to see "Star Wars" in the nearby cinema. And as I've mentioned, I worked there in high school. But it just doesn't appeal to me now.
Fire alarm tests every WEEK?! Goodness! Is that mandatory for schools, do you know? In my school time (we're talking mid-70s to 80s), we had a fire drill once a YEAR! And to my knowledge, there never was a real fire in my school, so we were probably just lucky...
ReplyDeleteDo you plan on bringing something in for your last day at work, like a good-bye gesture for your colleagues? Here, it is the custom that some people, especially those who have been working for a long time at the same company, through a veritable feast for their colleagues. I have been invited to two such parties this spring; one I can attend, the other one is when I have more important things to do (such as getting married) :-)
Congrats!
DeleteThank you, Marcia!
DeleteMacca's doesn't appeal to me either except about once a year I feel the need for a two-cheeseburgers dinner. Referencing The Librarian above me here, in Australia when someone is leaving after a very long time in a job, usually management and/or co-workers all chip in a few $$$ and put on a goodbye feast for the one who is leaving.
ReplyDeleteHere in Germany, at least at the companies and institutions I know, retiring colleagues will usually receive a retirement gift from their colleagues and/or their bosses/managers, depending on how long they have been working there and in what position. The feast is usually on the retiring person, and it's pretty much the same for anyone who chooses to celebrate a big birthday, wedding, birth of a child etc. with their colleagues.
DeleteGrandchildren love a Maccy's as a treat now and then, I never eat in there, the coffee is not to bad. It's great ticking off all the last things in the next couple of days at work. Oh a new dog how exciting.
ReplyDeleteI’d be angered by those weekly fire alarms tests. I do wonder about the damage that causes, like the alarms in computer stores. McDonald’s seems to miss the connection with their flower arch. I would think it should be all golden-yellow flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat you need on your retiring day is a presentation. Handed formally to you, might be a watch, or great favourite of the past, a clock. Or maybe they will just treat you to a meal, though not at McDonalds.
ReplyDeleteApart from the fire alarm it is good to know that your work is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how another dog would affect your garden wildlife?
On my last working day I took in a couple of boxes of cakes and pastries for my colleagues. The whole day was very low key; there was no farewell speech or acknowledgment of my past 15 years' service (the boss went off for a meeting) but my workmates did gather round to give me a hug as I left.
ReplyDeleteMcDonalds? No thanks - the nutritional content scares me off!
When we sailed along The Nile, some of the banks were devoid of reeds - completely reedless. I guess that's just the way of things. But when your St John's Wood school library is Reedless, it will seem like a forlorn and empty space. The pupils will say things like, "That's where he used to sit, grinning at his smartphone" or "Remember when he got very red when berating us about fooling around and eating snacks?" or "He was always kind and helpful".
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed, but I am excited that you are thinking about a dog. I received nothing for my retirement, aside from one huge card, signed by my workmates, half of which I did not know. After 40 year of service, I did receive a Longines watch, sadly engraved on the back, so I can't hock it.
ReplyDeleteNice to read that students come to say good bye and to wish you well. I suppose you'll stay somewhat connected to some events via Dave anyway
ReplyDeleteI've trying to remember when I last was inside a McDonalds and I think it was at some child's, a preschool friend of my daughter, birthday thing complete with Ronald McDonald visiting, sometime in the 1980s!
But as a teenager and later a student, it was a regular thing to go there after a night out before catching the night bus home. I think the bus must have reeked of the fries.
Sweet that the kids are coming in to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteThere will never be a right, perfect time to get a new pet so you just have to do it.
I think if you wait for the perfect time, you'll be waiting a long time! For a dog, that is.
ReplyDeleteThe informal farewells are the ones that stay with you and mean the most.
ReplyDeleteHaving a reliable dog-sitter is essential if you want to travel, but how exciting it is to decide you really would like another canine companion.
I think I would be traumatized by a loud alarm every week - the dreading it, the actual LOUDNESS of it, and then recovering from it. I might would have had to leave early on Mondays.
ReplyDeleteI like the McDonalds Egg McMuffin with sausage. It's the only thing I ever get from there!
I'm surprised they aren't required to test the alarm system during the school day as they are here on this side of the pond. I always enjoyed the chance to go outside and stand around talking for 10 minutes while the adults conducted the room sweeps.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with dogs and would like another someday but I have gone on vacations without dogs and I love the freedom it gives me. So much so, I will likely never get another pet until my roaming days are over.
I try to avoid McDonalds just out of the health aspect but maybe once a year I will sate that itch for a nice fast food burger that contains a day and a half worth of my RDA of salt and saturated fats.
Thanks for the reminder of all of the little last time evers. About once a year, I try McDs, and say, never again.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of you bringing in a little treat for your last day.
ReplyDeleteWe had many McDonald's visits when my kids were little for "Happy Meals". I haven't been in one for so many years now and don't miss it at all.
A loud fire alarm test on a regular basis seems like overkill. My workplace had a drill once every 6 months and we had to evacuate.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed in the library. The students personally stopping by to wish you the best speaks to how much they appreciate you.
As a child, my son and our dog loved MacDonalds. It was Happy Meals for both, and Jeff got the two toys. A 2x per month was our visit schedule.
Puppies And Retirement , Yes Please
ReplyDeleteYou Got This ,
Cheers
Sometimes I think of the meal I used to get at the McDonalds where I worked in high school and I would cheerfully try it again. A filet o' fish sandwich, a hot apple pie, and a root beer. And of course we had to pay for our food.
ReplyDeleteTwo days! And not even two whole days. You're more than halfway done with today's work!
Yep. Soon as you start looking at dogs, you'll be picking one out.
Mcdonald's is back? Had they gone somewhere? The only time I've eaten anything at McDonalds was the year I lived in Chicago and then it was their fish sandwich and then only a few times.
ReplyDeleteTwo more days!
Look for a dog who connects with you as much as you connect with it! May take some searching but, hey ... you're retired ... you will have the time to take your time finding the perfect pooch for you and Dave!
ReplyDeleteIf I want a great cheeseburger and onion rings, I go to Sonic. I think I was still married the last time I went to McDonald's and that was a long time ago and he has passed away!
I go to McDonalds probably about once or twice a month usually when I have to go in to the office. There is one close by the office so it's convenient. When I was going into the office every day (before the pandemic), I used to have endure the fire alarm also. It is very ear piercing. When I was in London in 2023, I was walking in Victoria Embankment park when It suddenly filled up with lots and lots of people all dressed for office work. I realized it was a fire drill but thankfully, I didn't have to hear the actual alarm.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a charity shop manager I had to trigger the fire alarm every week from a different alarm point, and then race to the shop floor and turn it off at the control panel. On days when I simply couldn't face the noise I would ask my assistant manager to stand at the control board ready to turn it off almost immediately.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that little gifts and sentiments are already trickling your way. Now's the time to start browsing the charity dog rehoming sites to see who is available for adoption and getting an idea. I watched The Dog House last night, gosh it was emotional.
I used to occasionally get their breakfast sandwich but it's been a long time (a decade or more) since I've eaten there. I remember those fire alarms; at my school, they had them so low we couldn't hear them, so they overcompensated and made them earsplitting. I've never heard anything louder than a lahar siren though! As you note, there will always be something in the future to wait for before getting a dog. If it were me, I would give myself a couple weeks (months?) to adjust to retirement before getting a dog. However, if you have a trip in July, that may not be a luxury you can afford.
ReplyDeleteAdopting a dog or two takes consideration for the adoptee , feeling secure, the time to bond required. Just like a human child I reckon. I don't think it is good for doggo to be adopted and left behind. If you can take doggo with you then anytime is great. Dexter was too sensitive to ever leave behind ,so He went with me EVERYWHERE! If dog not welcome, that would put the kee-bosh on that plan . Lucky that he was a tuck and carry pooch.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad for you- only two more days of alarm and tedious busy work. You time is your own! YIPPEE. I am so excited for you!
One thing to think about in timing to get a dog is that the dear creature will be picking up all sorts of vibes from you as it tries to adjust to it's new home at the same time you will be adjusting to retirement...no small thing. No matter what, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
ReplyDelete