Had a dream last night

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 11:33 AM

Recent events at work called for lots of paperwork, transfer of benefits, and a new business and employment model, all of which might explain this dream I had last night (literally):

I arrived at work (which for some reason was a kind of infield or race track instead of a hospital). As soon as I got there, I was advised that most of my colleagues and I were fired (not "FIREd"). I went right to my boss ready to go to the mat, but when I got to him, I lost my anger. Instead, I told him that I didn't think this was legal, and that I thought some kind of a settlement was called for. He said he would think about it.

I then went home and told my wife, who surprised me by saying simply, "So where should we go?"

OK, my Freudian friends: let's have it. The dream is almost embarrassingly obvious; when I woke up and thought about it, it left me feeling pretty good.

(For those who don't know me, I'm nearing 59, probably about a year from FIRE in a pretty intense job which I really enjoy but which is consuming waaayyy more of my life energy and balance than I'd like.)

**Martha** · 12-01-2007, 11:44 AM

So, where are you going to go?

Nice reaction to the dream. I bet it would have been different 10 years ago.

**Want2retire** · 12-01-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

OK, my Freudian friends: let's have it. The dream is almost embarrassingly obvious; when I woke up and thought about it, it left me feeling pretty good.

Oh Rich... I had a dream like that too, where I got fired and then realized I was FREE. The rest of the dream was just arranging to sell my house and move north, and settling into a nice little cottage up there.

It gave me a taste of what I will have in store.

Totally Freudian!!

Nords · 12-01-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

OK, my Freudian friends: let's have it. The dream is almost embarrassingly obvious; when I woke up and thought about it, it left me feeling pretty good.

~~Sometimes a dream is just a dream.~~ At least you woke up smiling and not screaming!

So, when are you going to FIRE and re-establish your own life-work balance? I read this great thread in the "Best of" forum about "Just one more year" syndrome...

The other night my spouse dreamt that we were living in the Navy's nursing home for aged anti-submarine warfare officers. AFAIK there's no such thing but it sounded like a pretty scary place.

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

So, where are you going to go?

Nice reaction to the dream. I bet it would have been different 10 years ago.

You have no idea... The knowledge that the worst case scenario is acceptable is very liberating.

Uh, oh yeah -- I guess you do have an idea, but you were just smart enough to pull it off at a more tender age.

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

~~Sometimes a dream is just a dream.~~
So, when are you going to FIRE and re-establish your own life-work balance? I read this great thread in the "Best of" forum about "Just one more year" syndrome...

I'll go re-read that thread for good measure.

Nords, I am definitely ready to Clyattize. Truth be told, my finances really do call for another year or so for reasonable prudence. All that debt-water under the bridge made it tough to get to where I am now but it's all lining up nicely, just takes time. Oh, for a pension...

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire

Oh Rich... I had a dream like that too, where I got fired and then realized I was FREE. The rest of the dream was just arranging to sell my house and move north, and settling into a nice little cottage up there.

It gave me a taste of what I will have in store.

Did you surprise yourself by your reaction to the dream, too?

I'd have guessed it would have left me feeling frustrated not to be there yet, but in fact I felt pretty cool about the "situation."

donheff · 12-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

You have no idea... The knowledge that the worst case scenario is acceptable is very liberating.

That didn't sound like a worst case scenario Rich. From everything I have read from you I gather you could go afford to RE now - the dream was just a reminder that you are good to go whenever you decide to pull the plug...

Edit: forgot to add the worse case. That would be same dream but when you get home DW tells you that the accounts have been raided and you have no money. But someone called from Humana with a job offer provided you agree to a 10 year contract with them

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff

Edit: forgot to add the worse case. That would be same dream but when you get home DW tells you that the accounts have been raided and you have no money. But someone called from Humana with a job offer provided you agree to a 10 year contract with them

AAAAHHHHHHRRRRRRGGG!!!

Nords · 12-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

All that debt-water under the bridge made it tough to get to where I am now but it's all lining up nicely, just takes time. Oh, for a pension...

The daughter of a friend is a Navy lieutenant (on an amphibious landing ship) contemplating medical school at govt expense. She's been told that she has what it takes and they want her, but she's having a tough time wrapping her brain around the concept of being obligated out to the 18-year point.

There are worse things than debt...

tightasadrum · 12-01-2007, 02:47 PM

Rich, sounds like you've emotionally punched out your time card. Your mind is just waiting for your feet to follow. That's me completely. Here's the problem I see.

For me, if my head's not in it, someone is not as comfortable it the office today. Maybe they're a wee bit upset with me dragging my feet. Big deal. Life is tough.

But for you, mentally disengaged might have life or death consequences. Have you considered this?

****************
Nords, where do I find this ASWO old age place. Maybe there's something there that will allow me to drop the LTC policy and save the money.

Nords · 12-01-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tightasadrum

Nords, where do I find this ASWO old age place. Maybe there's something there that will allow me to drop the LTC policy and save the money.

OK, but I have to warn you that the staff were chasing her down the halls to make her recite the active sonar equation and explain all the terms...

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tightasadrum

Rich, sounds like you've emotionally punched out your time card. Your mind is just waiting for your feet to follow. That's me completely. Here's the problem I see.

For me, if my head's not in it, someone is not as comfortable it the office today. Maybe they're a wee bit upset with me dragging my feet. Big deal. Life is tough.

But for you, mentally disengaged might have life or death consequences. Have you considered this?

Great ideas.

It's true, when I'm engaged in patient care (60% or so of my time) there is zero-tolerance for errors or lapses as it should be. Perhaps not surprisingly, that is the part of my work I continue to find the most enjoyable and rewarding. It's the kind of adrenalin I thrive on. Hard to explain, but for me it's not really stressful (maybe doing and teaching it for 33 years helps).

My plan is to bottle that part, re-arrange it into a part-time no-nights / no-weekend commitment with few or no administrative responsibilities. Doubtful that this exact scenario will be available but anything close will be great.

unclemick · 12-01-2007, 03:18 PM

Hmmm - no wonder I got the Curmudgeon certificate.

No dream - I actually WAS fired/layed off/made redundant. In a waking state - it still took a while to mentally shift from unemployed to ER even though I kinda 'knew' the numbers worked before I went out the door.

You are in a good place -

- meditate on your subconscious!

heh heh heh -

Next - get your bellybutton to say it's okay.

simple girl · 12-01-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Great ideas.
My plan is to bottle that part, re-arrange it into a part-time no-nights / no-weekend commitment with few or no administrative responsibilities. Doubtful that this exact scenario will be available but anything close will be great.

Ever think of doing visits at a nursing home? I doubt it would give you the adrenaline rush, but you may still find it rewarding, and you could arrange it to be part-time and weekdays only (although you may have to be on-call for approval to send pts to the ER, etc.).

Rich_in_Tampa · 12-01-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple girl

Ever think of doing visits at a nursing home? I doubt it would give you the adrenaline rush, but you may still find it rewarding, and you could arrange it to be part-time and weekdays only (although you may have to be on-call for approval to send pts to the ER, etc.).

That's good and well-needed work but, alas, those kinds of things are not that simple. There's malpractice insurance, billing services, Medicaid and Medicare, maintenance of auditable medical records, almost below-cost reimbursement from Medicaid, coverage when gone, keeping a phone and pager -- almost feels like work

.

But a part-time job with my current employer (as well as one or two other possibilities) takes care of all that and pays handsomely at my level of senioritiy; plus, I like it - so that's the most likely.

Other fun possibilities down the road: locum tenens where you travel on assignments all over the country filling in temporarily for other doctors (agency handles the details and insurance), peace corps, prison medicine, telemedicine (like video chats with patients in remote areas), volunteer teaching and free clinic sessions. Some people know me in my field and I could lecture, too. No shortage of things to do once I get to that point.

Gosh, I'm getting psyched again just thinking about it!

Meadbh · 12-01-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Great ideas.

It's true, when I'm engaged in patient care (60% or so of my time) there is zero-tolerance for errors or lapses as it should be. Perhaps not surprisingly, that is the part of my work I continue to find the most enjoyable and rewarding. It's the kind of adrenalin I thrive on. Hard to explain, but for me it's not really stressful (maybe doing and teaching it for 33 years helps).

My plan is to bottle that part, re-arrange it into a part-time no-nights / no-weekend commitment with few or no administrative responsibilities. Doubtful that this exact scenario will be available but anything close will be great.

Rich, what happened to that other w*rk alternative that was on the horizon afew months ago?

RetireeRobert · 12-01-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

I then went home and told my wife, who

12-01-2007, 11:33 AM	#1
Rich_in_Tampa Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 5,877	Had a dream last night Recent events at work called for lots of paperwork, transfer of benefits, and a new business and employment model, all of which might explain this dream I had last night (literally): I arrived at work (which for some reason was a kind of infield or race track instead of a hospital). As soon as I got there, I was advised that most of my colleagues and I were fired (not "FIREd"). I went right to my boss ready to go to the mat, but when I got to him, I lost my anger. Instead, I told him that I didn't think this was legal, and that I thought some kind of a settlement was called for. He said he would think about it. I then went home and told my wife, who surprised me by saying simply, "So where should we go?" OK, my Freudian friends: let's have it. The dream is almost embarrassingly obvious; when I woke up and thought about it, it left me feeling pretty good. (For those who don't know me, I'm nearing 59, probably about a year from FIRE in a pretty intense job which I really enjoy but which is consuming waaayyy more of my life energy and balance than I'd like.) __________________ Rich Tampa, FL (10% retired) As if you didn't know..If the above message happens to contain medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any medical purpose whatsoever. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice. Last edited by Rich_in_Tampa; 12-01-2007 at 01:28 PM.

12-01-2007, 11:44 AM	#2
Martha Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 9,851	So, where are you going to go? Nice reaction to the dream. I bet it would have been different 10 years ago. __________________ . Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.

12-01-2007, 02:47 PM	#11
tightasadrum Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: athens Posts: 490	tough issue to consider Rich, sounds like you've emotionally punched out your time card. Your mind is just waiting for your feet to follow. That's me completely. Here's the problem I see. For me, if my head's not in it, someone is not as comfortable it the office today. Maybe they're a wee bit upset with me dragging my feet. Big deal. Life is tough. But for you, mentally disengaged might have life or death consequences. Have you considered this? **************** Nords, where do I find this ASWO old age place. Maybe there's something there that will allow me to drop the LTC policy and save the money. __________________ Can't you see yourself in the nursing home saying, " Darn! Wish I'd spent more time at the office instead of wasting time with family and friends."

12-01-2007, 03:18 PM	#14
unclemick Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Kansas City Posts: 5,553	Hmmm - no wonder I got the Curmudgeon certificate. No dream - I actually WAS fired/layed off/made redundant. In a waking state - it still took a while to mentally shift from unemployed to ER even though I kinda 'knew' the numbers worked before I went out the door. You are in a good place - - meditate on your subconscious! heh heh heh - Next - get your bellybutton to say it's okay.