"The Adventure Continues"

The slow drums roll as I'm marched past my Battalion. The regimental standards are held face down in the dust as I pass. Each trooper turns his back as I pass. The drums stop. I stand at attention before my commanding officer, and my former officer comrades.

The general steps forward, and proceeds to strip my tunic of all awards insignia, and emblems of rank.

My side arm is taken, my sword is broken.

I'm given a stare of hatred, and contempt.

The drums resume at kick march pace as a security detail marches me off the parade ground, and ultimately off the base.

The gates slam behind me. 

A building rain beings to fall. It is now growing dark. I stand in the wet night. Turned out unwanted. 

All praise for adventures, and battles won now ripped away, and forgotten.  I close the collar of my remnant of a uniform hunch myself towards the wind, and rain, and slowly walk into oblivion.

Good grief that even brought a tear to 'my' eye.

Naw nothing so cool, and dramatic accompanies being turned out to pasture. The just say how sorry they are to see you go, (yeah right), and the retirement package will kick in at such, and such a time..blah blah stay in touch, and beat it.

Really that's all it is. 

So here I am retired,...with a fraction of the package I thought I was getting...bastards. 

One thing though is how fast you body adjusts to the new rhythm of your life. I now go to sleep before 10pm, and get up around dawn...like a normal person.

For decades it was the other way around. I'd be coming home at dawn. I was or till the day I die still am a broadcast engineer. 

Well albeit in waiting. 

I still do my program for no money..but then I always did. I made my living putting other yokels on the air, and making them sound rational..mostly.

I won't miss the yokels, but I will miss the art, and craft of the profession. What I am now is a gentleman of leisure. Though a gentleman not hassled by large sums of money which would only disturb my meditations.

A dear one just told me that being retired is like living in a weekend that never ends. Humm so far that seems the case. I actually have to figure out what to put in my life now.

So far visiting pals, and long walking tours of our wondrous Emerald City has fit the bill. Other adventures will come to me...like doing another Queer Boy Angel book.  

I finally have the time to put some serious work into that project. A video is on the list as well. Both live action, and animation. One thing at a time. Because I finally 'have' time. Yeah poorer, but okay. 


Stay Tuned.