Operating budgets are tight, so you may be able to include the cost savings aspect in your pitch to management.
^Best answer.Originally Posted by Magua
Work is something I do to keep busy when not on an adventure.
When it starts driving and dictating my life, I ask myself if it's still fun. If not, time to move on.
Health insurance? Gave it up in 1985. Never regretted it.
Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams
I like your style - - I gave up health insurance but to my surprise, a very pretty girl, 11 years younger than me decided to marry me about 12 years ago - I was 33, she was 21 - now we are 33 and 45 with a 6 year old kid - who is super cool - her career (She had a DR. in front of her name, I don't) came with health insurance, so, I took it - - funny though, I've never really used it in a meaningful way - - other than to have an eye doctor pick some trash out of my eye a couple of years ago and to get a vasectomy last year which probably saved me about $3000 (running 8 days after) - that's about it. I think that if you hike and run and play and eat right and keep super fit, western medicine is largely (but not totally) unnecessary. Why do people stop playing by the way - - I'm 45 and just got a new skateboard last week - fun as hell - I just don't understand people.
You don't get the time off from work. You take the time. Just write a one paragraph note to your boss saying Sayanora!
Realize of course that most likely the boss will fill your position whilst you are gone!
Fiddlehead.. you are 61 and without health insurance?? So you don't so much as get physicals? what if you get sick or break a leg? sounds like you are really rolling the dice here!
I am currently living in Thailand. Clinics in every neighborhood. Had dengue fever last year, had to go get a drip. Cost $17.
I am thinking about getting a policy here one of these years.
But, still running marathons so, I consider that to be my health insurance.
When I can no longer run them, I'll probably pay for insurance.
My wife is Thai and she gets national health care for very cheap.
I've found that people who have health insurance, think it's a must.
Those who don't? Well they don't.
By the way, another thing about Thailand, I have 5 hospitals within 15 miles of me here. Each one has a different level of care and prices accordingly.
I do get physicals. Usually once a year. They usually say the same thing: I'm more healthy than most. Partly cause I eat a good diet (Thai food), partly cause I exercise 3 times a week. Partly cause I have good genes.
Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams
I know plenty of 60-something year-olds without health insurance - he's rolling the dice, yes, but if he is staying in shape, it's cool - - not to get political, but health care should be guaranteed for a taxpayer - hope that thing sticks.
After nine years at a unsatisfying job, the last three years sans a formal performance review, I decided my own sanity and desires trumped whatever plans my company thought were too important to share with me. I put in for a leave of absence. The only significant response I got from my boss (who happens to be the company president) was "wow." It has been a month and still no clue if I have been approved, but I also haven't been fired. Like with most things there, it seems to be a well guarded secret.
I am 42, and I seem to get people looking at me as if this is a midlife crisis thing. This is a dream, which if I am not mistaken is why we work our asses off and strive to be a success. We make snide comments at the guy who buys the Corvette in his 40's, not knowing that he has been dreaming of having one since he was twelve and has worked hard to get it. This hike is my Corvette. I am going to do what needs to be done. If others wish to be supportive and get on board with the project, great. If not, so be it. I am doing this to enrich my own life not theirs.
NoBo 2013, hell or high water.
"A frog in a well does not know the great ocean" - Japanese Proverb
Hike Prep Blog - http://psrat.blogspot.com/
Seeing a trail name "Midlife Crisis"??
“Well, I'm walkin' down the line.
I'm walkin' down the line!
An' I'm walkin' down the line,
my feet'll be a-flyin',
to tell about my troubled mind.”
- Bob Dylan
Thanks all...I love the spirit in which most of these are written. Started some very interesting conversations with my wife (who is no a hiker at all). FYI she's very supportive of my wanderlust.
“Well, I'm walkin' down the line.
I'm walkin' down the line!
An' I'm walkin' down the line,
my feet'll be a-flyin',
to tell about my troubled mind.”
- Bob Dylan
I'm one year older then you and I get the same "must be a mid-life crisis" BS all the time (but I haven't got a vett or a 22 super model girlfriend as my wife might object). I grew up in a working class family, so I've been able to have a career that pays well and I'm happy with my career (education) and enjoy teaching very much, but go for it in terms of hiking. Its your life, just try and pay off any debt you might have now. Most companies seem to think that they are doing us a favor by hiring us, and they usually hire some mid-level manager that can't seem to figure out the peter principle as to why they get "promoted". Anyways Perv-sage, take care of business and enjoy yourself in 2013, we all leave this earth with a tag on our toe.
Last edited by double d; 04-25-2012 at 13:36.
"I told my Ma's and Pa's I was coming to them mountains and they acted as if they was gutshot. Ma, I sez's, them mountains is the marrow of the world and by God, I was right". Del Gue
BobW, thats all that matters, I would suggest that any debt you might have, put a dent into it now, but enjoy yourself, sounds like you have a great wife, as mine is very supportive as well, and that is a huge plus.
"I told my Ma's and Pa's I was coming to them mountains and they acted as if they was gutshot. Ma, I sez's, them mountains is the marrow of the world and by God, I was right". Del Gue
Being a union member that works out of a hiring hall,my situation is some what different.Typically our members that are not working full time (hooked up with a shop)will work 9 months out of the year(this requires an extreme ability to manage money),and while I have never thru-hiked,I have used this time between jobs to do many things,hike,fish,paint the house,sand the floor,Et cetera,........
Amen to that Magua, I understand the importance of a job but on the other hand we have to live and follow our dreams. We can work and work trying to live the american dream but at what cost. I want to live with no regrets, if a person is married and have children they need to have an understanding partner that understand the importance in living your dreams. My goal is to hike the PCT, AT and the CD within the next 10 years. I will be working long enough to pay for the next trip.
Be a responsible adult. Use your vacation & section hike. I mean what are the odds of one finishing anyway? Does anyone know? My guess is about 20%.
Each has different circumstances. I retired when I was 55. Thought I would thru then, NOT! Youngest will be out of College in 3 more years. New plan is to do it then. Will be 60. Plans change. Be flexible. My first priority is my family and their dreams, and theirs is mine. Guess the bottom line is you will have to decide what works for you and HYOH (that saying applies to life as well). Hike On.
Well said on my way to that.
I've already told my boss my plans for 2013. Been with the company for about nine years ....
I will resign and if I still want a job when I return (no guarantee I'll want to return) I'm sure I'll find something to do. Chances are that I will decide to move in a new direction though.
Never tell me the odds!!!! There's 100% chance I'm going to die at some point, I don't want to die with regrets. Even if there's a 1% chance of finishing I want to try.
“Well, I'm walkin' down the line.
I'm walkin' down the line!
An' I'm walkin' down the line,
my feet'll be a-flyin',
to tell about my troubled mind.”
- Bob Dylan
the day before you start, you go to your boss and tell him why he's an idiot with no leadership ability and by the end of the day he'll give you the time off.
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