Retirement

[Paul J Gans]

It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
lives miserable, I've finally done it.

Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
attending social gatherings serving booze.

I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

--
--- Paul J. Gans

[wiki trix]

Cool... Hope you enjoy your retirement.

[Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-origins@moderators.isc.org]

How are you creating a job? Is there a carer?

[Free Lunch]

On Sat, 19 May 2012 17:30:48 -0700 (PDT), "Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc
talk-o...@moderators.isc.org" <rja.ca...@excite.com> wrote in
talk.origins:

Nah, he's just let NYU finally hire a new professor to take over his
class load.

[Free Lunch]

On Sat, 19 May 2012 23:55:02 +0000 (UTC), Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com>
wrote in talk.origins:

Congratulations on a career well-spent.

Could you go thank ExxonMobil for their STEM ads, but explain to them
that they have no idea how to improve teaching and need qualified folks
like you to correct their misapprehensions about this?

[Mark Isaak]

On 5/19/12 4:55 PM, Paul J Gans wrote:
> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar.

Retirement is easy to get used to when you have interests besides your
job, so you should have no problems. Enjoy!

> But I am lucky in that
> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.

Or, you can spend *all day* on talk.origins.

--
Mark Isaak eciton (at) curioustaxonomy (dot) net
"It is certain, from experience, that the smallest grain of natural
honesty and benevolence has more effect on men's conduct, than the most
pompous views suggested by theological theories and systems." - D. Hume

[James Beck]

On Sat, 19 May 2012 23:55:02 +0000 (UTC), Paul J Gans

Congratulations!

[deadrat]

On 5/19/12 7:30 PM, Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc

Not me.

Oops, did I just post that out loud?

Sorry.

[*Hemidactylus*]

Congrats, but you thumbing your nose at those of us unable to retire
before the age of 100.

[Kleuskes & Moos]

Congrats, sort of. I'm sure you'll be missed.

Think of the upside, though... You'll have more time to torture the trolls
here...

[SkyEyes]

Congratulations, Paul! I retired last November 18th; am not quite
used to it yet.

Brenda Nelson, A.A.#34
skyeyes nine at cox dot net OR
skyeyes nine at yahoo dot com

[Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-origins@moderators.isc.org]

So the new job is /his/, and consists of
having nothing to do!

Can I have one like that? Er, sorry about
that "carer" wisecrack. None intended.

[Burkhard]

You know that only if you die in classroom, whiteboard marker in hand
and shouting: "I dedicate this lecture to Odin", big-buxomed ladies on
horses will collect you for an eternal life in the senior common room
in the sky, where there is for ever port and witty banter and no
marking at all?

But congratulations, Emeritus!

[wiki trix]

On May 20, 7:37 am, "Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-

orig...@moderators.isc.org" <rja.carne...@excite.com> wrote:
> On Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:02:47 AM UTC+1, Free Lunch wrote:
> > On Sat, 19 May 2012 17:30:48 -0700 (PDT), "Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc

> > talk-orig...@moderators.isc.org" <rja.carne...@excite.com> wrote in

> > talk.origins:
>
> > >On Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:55:02 AM UTC+1, Paul J Gans wrote:
> > >> It has finally happened.  I've retired, effective the end
> > >> of the academic year.  After 50 years of torturing grad
> > >> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> > >> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> > >> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> > >> research program going.  But I already know that I'm going to
> > >> miss teaching.  And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> > >> the rhythms of the academic calendar.  But I am lucky in that
> > >> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> > >> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> > >> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> > >> I'm also creating a job.  That's more than my bank has done
> > >> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> > >> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>
> > >How are you creating a job?  Is there a carer?
>
> > Nah, he's just let NYU finally hire a new professor to take over his
> > class load.
>
> So the new job is /his/, and consists of
> having nothing to do!
>
> Can I have one like that?  Er, sorry about
> that "carer" wisecrack.  None intended.

I thought he was talking about vacating a job and thus making it
available to another.

[Kermit]

Congrats!

I'm sure you can find stuff to keep you busy. If you miss teaching
enough, you will undoubtedly find some clever way to express it. Our
government, for one, could use some enlightenment. But then, you're
probably not thinking of taking on the labors of Heracles, but rather
an easing up.

Perhaps they would allow you to grade your successor?

I'm retiring in four years, four months, and 19 days, but who's
counting?

Kermit

[Kermit]

On May 19, 6:10�pm, Mark Isaak <eci...@curioustaxonomyNOSPAM.net>
wrote:

> On 5/19/12 4:55 PM, Paul J Gans wrote:
>
> > It has finally happened. �I've retired, effective the end
> > of the academic year. �After 50 years of torturing grad
> > students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> > lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> > Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> > research program going. �But I already know that I'm going to
> > miss teaching. �And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> > the rhythms of the academic calendar.
>
> Retirement is easy to get used to when you have interests besides your
> job, so you should have no problems. �Enjoy!
>
> > �But I am lucky in that
> > my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> > to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> > attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> Or, you can spend *all day* on talk.origins.
>

I find that there is less booze involved in social gatherings.

> --
> � Mark Isaak � � � � �eciton (at) curioustaxonomy (dot) net
> "It is certain, from experience, that the smallest grain of natural
> � honesty and benevolence has more effect on men's conduct, than the most
> � pompous views suggested by theological theories and systems." - D. Hume

Kermit

[Vend]

Happy retirement!

[Ron O]

50 years! Emeritus with an office. Now the only thing to wish for
you is a long and productive life.

Ron Okimoto

[RAM]

On May 19, 6:55�pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:

Congratulations! An impressive career!

I see it is going to be a part-time retirement in which you choose
when you do research.

There is, of course, the downside where you don't get to participate
in all those important and highly efficient department, college and
university committees.

"Best Wishes" for a happy and productive retirement.

[Steven L.]

"Paul J Gans" <gan...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:jp9bsm$645$1...@reader1.panix.com:

If you mean your replacement, you're not creating a job. The job has
already been there. First you filled it and then someone else filled
it.

You're creating another Social Security and Medicare recipient
(yourself), thus hastening the day of insolvency of those programs.

But congratulations on your retirement.

You earned it.





-- Steven L.

[Free Lunch]

On Sun, 20 May 2012 06:16:03 -0700 (PDT), wiki trix <wiki...@gmail.com>
wrote in talk.origins:

Maybe NYU will need to hire two professors to replace the good Dr. Gans.

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you. I hope so too... ;-)

[Paul J Gans]

I'll be replaced, probably by someone just out of school.

[Paul J Gans]

I love their STEM ads. They put them up while supporting
candidates who are anti-evolution and anti-science in general.

If you are rich enough, you *can* have it both ways! ;-)

[Paul J Gans]

Mark Isaak <eci...@curioustaxonomynospam.net> wrote:
>On 5/19/12 4:55 PM, Paul J Gans wrote:
>> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar.

>Retirement is easy to get used to when you have interests besides your
>job, so you should have no problems. Enjoy!

Thank you.

>> But I am lucky in that
>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.

>Or, you can spend *all day* on talk.origins.

I really could do that. But I'd spend my time tilting at
loonmills.

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you!

[Paul J Gans]

Thanks.

I hope that turns itself around. I see some glimmer of hope that the
notion that one can create jobs by firing people is finally wearing
out. As the Greeks say, if 100 years of austerity is the cure, one
might just as well tear it all down.

[Paul J Gans]

Congratulations to you too! I plan to stay busy. I've got a
number of projects in the air. But my first goal is to sleep
late tomorrow morning... ;-)

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you.

>Think of the upside, though... You'll have more time to torture the trolls
>here...

I'm looking forward to it!

[Paul J Gans]

But there is a career there. I had originally intended to
retire early and often, but I ran out of money.

[Paul J Gans]

Damn, NOW you tell me!

>But congratulations, Emeritus!

Thank you. I'll have to learn how to spell that...

[Paul J Gans]

Exactly.

[Paul J Gans]

Kermit <unrestra...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On May 19, 4:55 pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:
>> It has finally happened.  I've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year.  After 50 years of torturing grad
>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>> research program going.  But I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching.  And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar.  But I am lucky in that
>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>
>> I'm also creating a job.  That's more than my bank has done
>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>>
>> --
>>    --- Paul J. Gans

>Congrats!

Thank you!

>I'm sure you can find stuff to keep you busy. If you miss teaching
>enough, you will undoubtedly find some clever way to express it. Our
>government, for one, could use some enlightenment. But then, you're
>probably not thinking of taking on the labors of Heracles, but rather
>an easing up.

Oh yes. I've got writing to do -- and that's something I love.
But I've given up on enlightening the government. The stables
would be easier to clean.

>Perhaps they would allow you to grade your successor?

No. I'm out of academic politics for good.

>I'm retiring in four years, four months, and 19 days, but who's
>counting?

Exactly.

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you!

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you. I hope for the long and productive too.

[Paul J Gans]

RAM <ramat...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On May 19, 6:55 pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:
>> It has finally happened.  I've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year.  After 50 years of torturing grad
>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>> research program going.  But I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching.  And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar.  But I am lucky in that
>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>
>> I'm also creating a job.  That's more than my bank has done
>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>>
>> --
>>    --- Paul J. Gans

>Congratulations! An impressive career!

Thank you!

>I see it is going to be a part-time retirement in which you choose
>when you do research.

Yup.

>There is, of course, the downside where you don't get to participate
>in all those important and highly efficient department, college and
>university committees.

Oh yes. Been there. Done that. Good riddance

>"Best Wishes" for a happy and productive retirement.

Thanks again!

[Richard Norman]

On Sun, 20 May 2012 00:49:45 -0700 (PDT), SkyEyes <skye...@cox.net>
wrote:

>On May 19, 4:55嚙緘m, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:
>> It has finally happened. 嚙瘢've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year. 嚙璀fter 50 years of torturing grad

>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest

>> research program going. 嚙畿ut I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching. 嚙璀nd I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar. 嚙畿ut I am lucky in that

>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>

>> I'm also creating a job. 嚙確hat's more than my bank has done

>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>

>Congratulations, Paul! I retired last November 18th; am not quite
>used to it yet.

Congratulations from me, too! I retired more than five years ago and
getting used to it was real easy. Fortunately my wife had a real job
(i.e., one that actually paid a reasonable salary) so we can afford a
retirement. Not grading papers, not writing and then reading exams,
not dealing with the stupidity of the administration -- there are real
advantages. Grandchildren, travel, hiking (and just sitting) in the
sun, sleeping late and lounging in your pajamas well past lunch --
there are other real advantages.

[John S. Wilkins]

Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:

> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad

> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest

> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that

> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>

> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done

> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

Enjoy the freedom to write whatever you like... oh, wait...
--
John S. Wilkins, Associate, Philosophy, University of Sydney
http://evolvingthoughts.net
But al be that he was a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre

[hersheyh]

On Saturday, May 19, 2012 7:55:02 PM UTC-4, Paul J Gans wrote:
> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>

> --
> --- Paul J. Gans

Ah, but t.o. is a nice place to continue idiot-baiting and torturing
fools. Beats turning to serial killing as a hobby. Less risk of
jail time. Moreover, you don't have to go to committee meetings
or grade endless bad papers and exams. That alone is worth 10
mmHg of blood pressure. ;-)

[Friar Broccoli]

On Sun, 20 May 2012 18:58:20 +0000 (UTC), Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com>

My first goal when I retired on April 1, 2011 was to loose 60 lbs. I
only have 10 more to go, then I'll have to think of something else. But
even with only 50 off, I have lots more energy and my blood pressure is
down from 140 over 85 to 125 over 65.

If I can keep it off, something all of my brother-in-laws have failed to
manage, I might get 10 more years to sleep in late.

--
Friar Broccoli (Robert Keith Elias), Quebec Canada
I consider ALL arguments in support of my views

[Paul J Gans]

Richard Norman <r_s_n...@comcast.net> wrote:
>On Sun, 20 May 2012 00:49:45 -0700 (PDT), SkyEyes <skye...@cox.net>
>wrote:

>>On May 19, 4:55 pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:
>>> It has finally happened.  I've retired, effective the end
>>> of the academic year.  After 50 years of torturing grad

>>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>>
>>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest

>>> research program going.  But I already know that I'm going to
>>> miss teaching.  And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>>> the rhythms of the academic calendar.  But I am lucky in that

>>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>>

>>> I'm also creating a job.  That's more than my bank has done

>>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>>
>>Congratulations, Paul! I retired last November 18th; am not quite
>>used to it yet.

>Congratulations from me, too! I retired more than five years ago and
>getting used to it was real easy. Fortunately my wife had a real job
>(i.e., one that actually paid a reasonable salary) so we can afford a
>retirement. Not grading papers, not writing and then reading exams,
>not dealing with the stupidity of the administration -- there are real
>advantages. Grandchildren, travel, hiking (and just sitting) in the
>sun, sleeping late and lounging in your pajamas well past lunch --
>there are other real advantages.

Oh yes. My wife retired about 8 years ago but we have her pension.
Not grading papers, not listenind to students complaints about the
grading, not writing and reading exams, not dealing with the stupdity
of the administration (which is engaged in a fight with the faculty
right now) and, as you say more. Those are real gains.

My retirement party was Friday. I've had a house full of both
children and grandchildren most of the weekend. But the lounging
around can't happen just yet. I've got to go through the remaining
paperwork at HR and then deal with TIAA-CREF. But no matter, even
though I'm done, I get paid through September.

I still have my interest in things medieval. And I have several
writing projects I want to do (much of the preliminary work is
already done) and some research to finish up.

So I don't expect to loaf too much. But you sure named things I
won't miss at all.

And with an office, even if it is in the slums of the department,
I can still go in and annoy my collegues if the spirit moves me.

[Paul J Gans]

John S. Wilkins <jo...@wilkins.id.au> wrote:
>Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:

>> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>
>> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

>Enjoy the freedom to write whatever you like... oh, wait...

Don't worry. I've worked out a deal with the appropriate
demon. For a (relatively) small payment, it will allow me
to think I'm making up my mind.

He's easy to deal with. He's got an office at my local bank
branch.

[Paul J Gans]

Oh yes. And the enternal haggling with students.

[Paul J Gans]

Ah yes, the dark side of getting older. I need to lose 15 or
better 20 pounds. My last blood pressure was 120/60, but then
I'm medicated. Indeed, Not only don't I have any free will,
but what I do have is mediated by drugs.

But congratulations to you too. And best wishes.

[chris thompson]

Congratulations! All the best and I know you will enjoy every moment.

But if you get bored, miss teaching, and want to tilt, I am sure we
can find you an adjunct spot at my college. Lemme know, I should be on
P & B next year.

Chris

[Paul J Gans]

Thanks. Seriously. I now live across the street from the LIU
Brooklyn campus. Two of the folks in the department are NYU
chemistry graduates.

But right now I just want to sleep late.

[Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-origins@moderators.isc.org]

On Sunday, May 20, 2012 8:02:26 PM UTC+1, Paul J Gans wrote:

> wiki trix <wiki...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >I thought he was talking about vacating a job and thus making it
> >available to another.
>
> Exactly.

Well, I suppose, but... look, when they make
you a professor, they give you a Chair.
Some time later, it will be somebody else's
turn to sit in the Chair. But it will be
the same Chair that you had. They can be
neither created nor destroyed. (Well, some
of this isn't true, but anyway you see...)

[Richard Norman]

On Mon, 21 May 2012 00:08:12 +0000 (UTC), Paul J Gans

Just a hint that may or may not be appropriate -- going in to annoy
your colleagues works when you are an active member of the department.
When you are past that, they get tired of it real fast. Believe me. I
won't say how I know.

The worst part is when you show up and don't recognize anybody. Then
they say "Oh, yes, we heard stories about you!"

[Roger Shrubber]

You do not go in to annoy the colleagues or former colleagues, you
go in to stop annoying the wife. (reciprocity is a secret)

[Richard Norman]

Anyone who has not yet figured out how to coexist with a spouse all
day, every day, must never even contemplate retirement!

But your are quite correct, frequent respite is essential.

[Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-origins@moderators.isc.org]

A remark by fictional aristocratic detective
Lord Peter Wimsey fits somewhat - in
_Thrones, Dominations_ (with complicated
authorship), he sets out the doctrine that
the wife is boss of things at home, and if
tche husband is uncomfortable there,
"traditionally he goes to his club".
This new retiree seems to have access to a
very similar, satisfactory provision.

Gardening allotments and a garden shed
also may be used. Now and again you hear
of a fellow who's fitted his out as a bar
or a home cinema or something, with or
without friends to hang out with.
But there again, Professor Gans has no
need.

I may have forgotten to congratulate him,
so I do so now.

[Paul J Gans]

Robert Carnegie: Fnord: cc talk-o...@moderators.isc.org <rja.ca...@excite.com> wrote:

I will only note that my wife has waited 53 years for
me to be available to go shopping with her at a moment's
notice.

I HATE SHOPPING.

>I may have forgotten to congratulate him,
>so I do so now.

Thank you.

[Mitchell Coffey]

On May 19, 7:55 pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:
> It has finally happened.  I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year.  After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going.  But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching.  And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar.  But I am lucky in that
> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> I'm also creating a job.  That's more than my bank has done
> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

Congratulations, Paul! You now may be the last America to retire. I
wish you well.

"Pension? We don't have to give you no stinkin' pension!"

Mitchell

[Free Lunch]

On Mon, 21 May 2012 17:01:10 +0000 (UTC), Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com>
wrote in talk.origins:

Now that you moved to Brooklyn, it's a bigger adventure. You may have to
walk several blocks to find an appropriate store.

[Paul J Gans]

Thank you. And I'm well-aware of that possibility.

>"Pension? We don't have to give you no stinkin' pension!"

Luckily, I was grandfathered in to the older system. And for
some communistic socialistic reason, my pension was vested in
me and could not be cut or changed by my employer.

In other words, it was a true pension, not a bauble dangled in
front of me as a reward for good behavior.

[*Hemidactylus*]

You could catch up on your reading of the Ubuntu newsgroup ;-)

Things haven't changed too much. Our grumpy Slack friend is still busy
sifting headers for egregious OS violations. And the nymshifting troll(s)
are...yipes! They make prawnster look tame.

I've been following comp.sys.mac groups which give me hope that there is
still a decent portion of usenet that hasn't been completely over-run by
the barbarian hordes.

[Robert Grumbine]

In article <jp9bsm$645$1...@reader1.panix.com>, Paul J Gans wrote:
> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by

> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that

> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>

> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

... and you paid more in taxes than Exxon, and probably your
bank. So, again, thanks.

Congratulations on the new life. Sounds like you'll be having
fun.

--
Robert Grumbine http://moregrumbinescience.blogspot.com/ Science blog
Sagredo (Galileo Galilei) "You present these recondite matters with too much
evidence and ease; this great facility makes them less appreciated than they
would be had they been presented in a more abstruse manner." Two New Sciences

[Bob Casanova]

On Sat, 19 May 2012 23:55:02 +0000 (UTC), the following
appeared in talk.origins, posted by Paul J Gans
<gan...@panix.com>:

>It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
>of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
>students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
>Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
>miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
>my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
>I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
>with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

Congrats! I retired in '06 and I've never really regretted
it.
--

Bob C.

"Evidence confirming an observation is
evidence that the observation is wrong."
- McNameless

[Paul J Gans]

Robert Grumbine <bo...@saltmine.radix.net> wrote:
>In article <jp9bsm$645$1...@reader1.panix.com>, Paul J Gans wrote:
>> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
>> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
>> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
>> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>>
>> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
>> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
>> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
>> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
>> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
>> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
>> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>>
>> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
>> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

> ... and you paid more in taxes than Exxon, and probably your
>bank. So, again, thanks.

> Congratulations on the new life. Sounds like you'll be having
>fun.

I intend to. I also intend to undertake a few howler-style
trips.

[Mitchell Coffey]

On May 21, 8:36 pm, Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:

Bastard.

Mitchell

[J. J. Lodder]

Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote:

> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

Not really. It was your university that decided
not to 'downsize' your department,
despite you presenting them with the opportunity to do so,

Jan

[Paul J Gans]

And here I thought that there were only a few old farts
around. This place is lousy with them... ;-)

[Paul J Gans]

In this town it is pronouned as "bastid".

[Paul J Gans]

You are quite wrong. In the end we are all dead.

[walksalone]

Paul J Gans <gan...@panix.com> wrote in news:jphh31$9go$1
@reader1.panix.com:

> Bob Casanova <nos...@buzz.off> wrote:
>>On Sat, 19 May 2012 23:55:02 +0000 (UTC), the following
>>appeared in talk.origins, posted by Paul J Gans
>><gan...@panix.com>:

snip

>>>I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
>>>with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
>>>So you can thank me for aiding the economy.

retire in 81. But by your guys syandards, I am but a puppy looking over
the edge of the basket. Does it help if I get SS?

>>Congrats! I retired in '06 and I've never really regretted
>>it.
>
> And here I thought that there were only a few old farts
> around. This place is lousy with them... ;-)

I beg your pardon good Sir, the phrase according to my heathens is ans
was ancient flatuence. Much more dignified you see.

walksalone who did notice, give a kid a working vocabulary & they will
use it.

DEBAUCHEE, n. One who has so earnestly pursued pleasure that
he has had the misfortune to overtake it.
Devil's Dictionary?

[Bob Casanova]

On Wed, 23 May 2012 02:12:49 +0000 (UTC), the following

Yup. ;-)

[Steven L.]

"Paul J Gans" <gan...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:jphh31$9go$1...@reader1.panix.com:

Who else hangs around Usenet these days.

Usenet is the Internet equivalent of shuffleboard--it's for us old farts
to get together and have some fun.



-- Steven L.

[Attila]

Paul J Gans wrote:

> It has finally happened. I've retired, effective the end
> of the academic year. After 50 years of torturing grad
> students, dismembering undergraduates, and making my collegues
> lives miserable, I've finally done it.
>
> Luckily, being a theoretician, I'll be able to keep a modest
> research program going. But I already know that I'm going to
> miss teaching. And I'm going to miss having my life run by
> the rhythms of the academic calendar. But I am lucky in that
> my department has allowed me to keep an office and I'll be able
> to participate in most of the hallowed faculty rituals, including
> attending social gatherings serving booze.
>
> I'm also creating a job. That's more than my bank has done
> with its "downsizing" by 25,000 in the last several years.
> So you can thank me for aiding the economy.
>

Hi Paul,
Been there, doing that. I can now even "attend" conferences without
leaving my desk through the miracle of voip software. I'm still
directing PhD's and collaborating on articles/books with my younger
colleagues.

Anyway welcome to the club and enjoy your retirement. It's great.
You also get to live whereever you like.
Ciao

[Ceorl Jones]

On Thu, 24 May 2012 13:08:37 +0000, "Steven L."
<sdli...@earthlink.net> wrote:

[...]

Well, I did once admin a small USENET node that used UUCP...

But, honest, just this morning I watched the SpaceX Dragon
rendezvous with the ISS real-time on NASA-TV on my 'droid while at
work.

[On a very brand-new "$650 list price" Razr Max purchased for
$99 with a legacy UNLIMITED 4GLTE data plan. So, there Verizon! (Upon
who's network these bits first flow...)]
--
One-time Chez Watt Nominee

Ceorl Jones
snorefoot @ Alpha Alpha Tango dot November Echo Tango

[John S. Wilkins]

I hang around here so I can feel like a youngster.


--
John S. Wilkins, Associate, Philosophy, University of Sydney
http://evolvingthoughts.net
But al be that he was a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre

[Paul J Gans]

You *are* a youngster.

[John S. Wilkins]

Try telling the young people of today that, and they won't believe you.
Also, they're the bastards hiring...