Welcome to the Hatbox! My name is Stephen Hatfield, and this is my personal blog, where I talk about things that interest me. The site is built using Expression Engine, and the template was designed by Simon Collison etc.
Anniversary Of D-Day
June 6th as most know is the anniversary of the invasion of France at Normandy by the Allied forces in WWII. My hats off to all those brave men, who survived and did not survive. Every single soldier who landed on those beaches is a true American hero!
Free Is Nice
Carol, Delaney, Ella and I got back just a bit ago from our free night compliments of Priority Rewards. We stayed at the Staybridge Suites near the girls. It was very nice! Included were dinner, beer and wine, breakfast, and all the swimming we could handle. That part was what the girls like best. Delaney took are of washing all the dishes we used. She is an unbelievable great helper! Ella did her usual job playing life of the party. If you want to get away for a night, I would highly recommend Staybridge Suites. The regular price is not even that bad, around $90 a night for a suite and all that I mentioned.
A New Retiree
That would be me. After 30 years at Lilly and 6 years at the University of Minnesota before that, I am retiring officially at the end of the year. My last working day was Friday December 18th. Prior to leaving I had a very nice retiree lunch sponsored by the company, an extremely nice retirement reception, a super lunch hosted by the quality group I worked with the last few years, a nice evening with one of my best co-workers, Anand, and lastly a nice after work celebration with my quality buddies. Leaving the parking structure for the last time as an employee felt strange and exhilarating.
It is starting to really sink in now but it is taking some time. Last Saturday I found myself thinking about work stuff and reminded myself I didn’t have to do that anymore. On Sunday, when I moved my briefcase to set up to iron my shirts like I always do, I realized I didn’t need that anymore either. It is now emptied and stored.
I am really looking forward to January 4th, 2010, though. When I wake up that day, and not to an alarm clock, I can lay back and relish NOT having to go to work that day!
I haven’t decided for sure what I am going to do but when I decide, you can find out here.
Oh Deer
Last Monday while driving to work, it was raining and dark (when you leave for work at 4:30 am, it is always dark). Something appeared to be blocking the road ahead but I couldn’t make it out. I slowed down and sure enough in my headlights, frozen, were 4 deer! I stopped (and fortunately the person behind me was able to stop as well). The startled animals scurried to get off the road, slipping and sliding on the wet pavement. They made it to safety. Had I not stopped I likely would have hit at least 2 of the critters.
I’m Back
After a loooooong absence, I am back and pledge to regularly post new stuff. To leave a comment you will have to register. Sorry but gotta keep those spam comments away.