Been retired almost three months now and I do not miss work one bit.  Busier than ever as they say, now that my time is my own.  The best part has been extended stays at the cabin both on my own and with guests.

I’ve had to return to the city often though to fulfill responsibilities in my co-op building.  Being relatively young, able-bodied, and retired means I am able to contribute more to our community.  The trouble is that it is akin to working for free.

Not being one to shirk my duties, the best way forward is to relinquish them by leaving the co-op.  This created quite the dilemma.  Where should I live instead?

Just yesterday my offer on a house in Garden Bay on the Sunshine Coast (near the cabin) was accepted.

mls: 13394 Harbour Peak
map: http://goo.gl/maps/1SA91

Next step is to sell my apartment and that may take some time for market conditions to support my bottom line.  No hurry and while I wait the house in Garden Bay will be a second home.

With this decision made and refuge secured, perhaps I can get back to  a state of inner peace and piano playing.

In other news, I have rented a room in a ski cabin at Whistler for the season.  Let it snow!

Today is the first day of the rest of my retired life.  While I have been planning retirement for a while, it was a bit strange today not having to be concerned about work responsibilities.

I spent a relaxed day preparing to go to the cabin, leaving tomorrow back Tuesday.   I expect to spend much of the next few months there.

Lots to pursue, and now much more time to work with.

It all started with La Hija del Mariachi.  Since returning to Vancouver I’ve watched all 147 episodes again and have gotten a couple friends hooked as well.  We’ve downloaded all the videos and have an mp3 library of over 100 songs.

Much of the music was written by José Alfredo Jiménez.  I purchased sheet music for 15 of his songs and am able to play a couple of them.  My piano practice routine has been shattered by unwelcome distractions including work, being on strata council, and being part of the board of my building.  Oh, and by the way, we are being sued.

Last night we attended a 2013 Mariachi Festival concert in Vancouver.  It was a great show.  I hadn’t been on Granville Street at night for many years.  I was hugely impressed by great variety of bars and restaurants, and by the throngs of people enjoying themselves.  I must get out more.

With that in mind today I started buying tickets for the 2013 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.  I could be out every night from June 21 to July 1.  The festival overflows with free concerts all over downtown.  I’m particularly looking forward to attending free workshops on jazz piano (strictly as a bystander).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/12/18/bc-snow-south-coast.html

My home near the Park was spared.  However, yesterday morning our beloved Stanley Park Seawall was assaulted and damaged by heavy seas.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/12/17/bc-storm-flooding-seawall.html?cmp=rss

More snow is in the forecast for tomorrow.

I moved back to Vancouver about six months ago. It has been six months of positive change and I am totally satisfied with all of it.

I love where I’m living, the location and the apartment. The place is mostly furnished but I am not yet completely organized with everything in its proper place.

Getting back to the cabin has been a highlight.  I sold my old boat and used the water taxi on the long weekends this summer.  I missed having a boat so I’m buying a new smaller but rugged aluminum boat with Mercury 25 HP 4-stroke engine for next season.  Sold my old Mazda Protoge and bought an even older Subaru Legacy as a tow vehicle.  I drive very infrequently now that I live downtown.

The cabin is an ongoing fun project and I have plans to keep me busy there next year.  In particular, I’m going to start developing perennial gardens around the cabin.  These gardens will be built into the various rocky outcroppings using rock walls and imported soil, and irrigated on a timer.  The biggest challenge will be choosing plants that the deer will ignore.

We are having a nice Fall.  There is a cherry tree outside my window whose leaves are turning bright orange.  I run on the Stanley Park seawall most days and the mood along the water is calmer as befits the season.  Soon the torrentials will be here and my theory that it rains less by the park will be tested.

I’m looking forward to skiing at Whistler again.  I’ve got new skis and am eager to re-establish a skiing social life.  I also booked into an indulgent  catskiing trip in February with the “hardcore” group that I’ve enjoyed many trips with in the past.