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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!
DeleteWell, the alarm tests are different from the drills. We have drills, with everyone evacuating the school, only a couple of times a year. The weekly tests are just mechanical to make sure the alarm is working, and we don't have to leave the building. But we have to endure the noise!
DeleteI did not bring anything for my co-workers. I've never heard of doing that, honestly. I guess it's not an American thing. In fact, where I'm from, it's the people still working who usually give gifts to the retiree!
Macca'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.
DeleteThat's an interesting distinction, the gift vs. the feast! I guess we forego the feast.
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.
ReplyDeleteMcD's is definitely a kid thing. If I had kids I could see the value in going there occasionally.
DeleteI’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.
ReplyDeleteThat's true! Since when are the McDonald's arches red?!
DeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't get a watch or a clock, as I don't wear a watch and I don't need a clock!
DeleteApart from the fire alarm it is good to know that your work is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how another dog would affect your garden wildlife?
Well, we had plenty of wildlife when Olga was here. The dog would be indoors at night when most of the outdoor activity occurs. I doubt the foxes would be fazed.
DeleteOn 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!
Or lack of nutritional content -- along with a bonus of caloric content! I also have an outing planned with co-workers on Friday evening, so I'll see them all again.
DeleteWhen 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".
ReplyDeleteI imagine opinions about me will be divided!
DeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this fascination with giving retirees watches? We don't need to know the time when we're retired!
DeleteNice 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.
I'm sure McDonald's would fold without kids and teenagers as customers! Yeah, I'll still be around the school now and then, for band concerts and that kind of thing.
DeleteSweet 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.
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. But we shall see. It doesn't seem a huge burden to wait three more months, and then I'll have a long, extended period with the dog after that.
DeleteI think if you wait for the perfect time, you'll be waiting a long time! For a dog, that is.
ReplyDeleteAt some point, as Bob said above, we just have to do it.
DeleteThe 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.
Yeah, we definitely need to line up the dog care when it's time!
DeleteI 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!
A lot of people DO leave the building just to get away from the noise.
DeleteI'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.
Oh, we have drills too that involve evacuating the building. They're much less frequent than the alarm tests, though.
DeleteDogs definitely do require a lot of commitment!
Thanks for the reminder of all of the little last time evers. About once a year, I try McDs, and say, never again.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it never lives up to our memories, does it? Was the food better then or were our taste buds less refined?!
DeleteI 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.
I did not bring a treat, sadly. My boss did, though!
DeleteA 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.
Yeah, the evacuation drills come twice a year, I think. The weekly drills don't require evacuation; they're just loud!
DeletePuppies And Retirement , Yes Please
ReplyDeleteYou Got This ,
Cheers
The perfect combo!
DeleteSometimes 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.
I can't remember if we paid for our food or not! I think we did, but maybe at a discount? I used to get McRib sandwiches. LOL
DeleteMcdonald'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!
The McDonald's hadn't gone anywhere but the floral arch over the front door disappeared for a week or two.
DeleteLook 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 haven't been to a Sonic in ages! Yeah, choosing the right dog makes a big difference, though I like to think I could make anything work. I may be flattering myself. LOL
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat a weird thing to witness when you're on vacation!
DeleteWhen 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'm afraid if I start browsing the site now I'll have a dog tomorrow. I don't think there's going to be any lag time between me seeing available dogs and choosing one! (I'm not going to be able to resist them, in other words.)
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteUnless we wait until after July to get the dog -- that would both accommodate a waiting period and the vacation away.
DeleteAdopting 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!
I'm all for taking the dog, but I also think a dog needs to learn to be on its own from time to time. I know -- easier said than done. Olga was fine on her own during the day, and that's the ideal, I think.
DeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteYeah, good point. It might help if I feel more settled myself first!
DeleteTomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow.... you're only a day away!! (singing at the top of my lungs)
ReplyDeleteHa! Now I'll be singing THAT all day. :)
Delete. . . and I haven't visited or eaten in a McDonald's for many years either!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It's really at its best only when kids are involved!
DeleteI thought about stopping at McD's the other day and then opted out! You will always have a trip in process -- and you took Olga or found a minder for her. You might have to wait for a bit before you leave, especially if it's a young dog, but as Boud said, if you wait for the perfect time, you'll wait a long time. Maybe always. I'm glad you're talking about it. AND that the kids are stopping by to say goodbye!
ReplyDeleteI think the dog might actually be more dependent if I'm home all the time and it never learns to be on its own, you know?
DeleteMacD? No thanks! Retirement is a funny business. I gave in my notice to county music services in January 2020 to say I would retire at the end of the school year - and then Covid. So that was that. Schools closed in March, and I was on Furlough for the whole Summer. (Actually, that suited me fine!)
ReplyDeleteCovid upended so many things in so many people's lives! I hope your retirement was properly celebrated at some point.
Delete