A few months following my retirement from The Little Airplane Company, I emailed several of the people who had worked for me at various times. We got together for lunch, and had such a good time that we decided to make it a periodic event. If you know anything at all about me, you know that my intentions are good but that my follow-through is poor. I think that we met for lunch three times before Katrina hit and I went into my "lack of follow-up" mode. A few days ago, one of my favorite engineers wrote that he and another of my favorite engineers were talking and wondered if I'd like to convene another luncheon. I made some excuse that allowed me to put the monkey on their backs. Would they please convene the gang? (I never said that I was nice!)
Today was our appointed day. It had been about 15 months since our last luncheon and, my, how things have changed (I expected otherwise?) Two more of my favorite engineers, who were at the luncheon, have gone to work for a different aircraft company--here in the Wichita area (one other had made the leap before our last luncheon, but he didn't make today's get-together). One of the two has married since I last saw him. (That would be our sky-diver.)
Another engineer, now a manager, who failed to meet the one criterion for attending our luncheons, having never really worked for me, showed up, too. He was most welcome, of course. He and I shared rides to/from work for two or three years--until he and his wife started having offspring. He started driving a van, then, which made his life much easier, as it was his duty to drop the kid(s) off at daycare and pick them up. He kept me up-to-date on topics important to young-marrieds, of the day.
Unfortunately, one of today's organizing engineers had to cancel out at the last minute. I understand. She is still employed, and must satisfy the demands of her position. It was so pleasant seeing the engineers who made it to the luncheon and being able to catch up on gossip (who has retired, who has been promoted, who has decided to get out of management and become a totally technical guy, again). I asked that the two who arranged today's meeting take over as our social directors, getting us together every two-three months.
I don't think it possible that my 500 most-favored engineers can know how much I do miss seeing them. I don't miss the job; but, as many have said before me, I do miss the people. They are terrific!
Comments
Enjoyed your account of getting together with your engineers. Always interesting to learn how things have changed and the ways in which they seem to stay the same where we use to work. Yes, the people are frequently what we miss the most.
BTW from your Texas Trifles comment, sounds like you have quite a collection of various types of recordings. Wonder what will replace CDs in the future? Am sure something is in the works somewhere.
Posted by: joared | September 01, 2006 at 01:13 AM
500 favorite engineers? I couldn't even come up with 500 acquaintances!
Posted by: bogie | September 01, 2006 at 02:42 AM
Joared--Haven't mp3 files replaced the other media? Can someone educate me as to the digital formatting of mp3 (and/or other music) files. What does it take for me to store my music collection in digital form, on my computer? I've been toying with the idea of archiving my favorites--making them accessible through an iPOD/iPOD-like system.
Bogie--That's one of the nice things about working for "larger" companies. I got to know an amazing number of engineers (and, other, real people) in working for the Big Bomber Store, The Beltway Bandit, and The Little Airplane Company. (In fact, while employed by The Beltway Bandit--but working in a large LA aerospace facility--it amazed me how many people I ran into whom I had known in Wichita or Florida, in previous lives.)
Obviously, not everyone would wish to be thrown in with so many co-workers; but, I thrived on it. My volunteer work in retirement is turning into another chance to mingle with other people. Hunky Husband frequently reports seeing volunteers with whom he has worked on other I don't enjoy being within mobs of people, but I do enjoy knowing a wide variety of them. HH says that I just like to schmooze.
Posted by: Cop Car | September 01, 2006 at 07:06 AM
P.S. Received an email, yesterday, from one of the guys at the luncheon (organizer, really), telling me more news--that we had failed to cover. Two of the guys who hadn't made it to the luncheon had married a few months ago. Unfortunately, the sad news was that his mother had died. As an only child, O was particularly close to his widowed mother--although she still lived in Los Angeles. I always enjoyed his updates concerning her activities and welfare. I should post their recipe for meatballs!
Posted by: Cop Car | September 01, 2006 at 07:13 AM
Hope you get some input on storing your files, as I will do the same. Haven't gotten into MP3 though I am aware of it's existence. So far, I simply download my CD's onto the computer, then let the music flow as I tickle the keyboard.
I have progressed to having a "jump drive," but as a relative newcomer to regular computer use, have much to learn. Am taking some computer classes this fall, to try and bridge the gap of what I have learned through trial and error to hone my skills. Anything, anyone wants to share is fodder for my education.
Posted by: joared | September 02, 2006 at 07:01 AM
Joared--Knowledge shared is knowledge multiplied. I'll let you know if/when I come up with something on mp3. It seems that you have made great strides, if you are somewhat "new" to being a computer user. Some of us can't use "newness" as an excuse! ; )
Posted by: Cop Car | September 02, 2006 at 07:56 AM