My next 50 years...

Fridays off - What a great idea! During my last couple of years at Shell (1995-1997) we had every other Friday off. It was a luxury I gave up when I left Shell to begin my new careeer with Santa Fe Energy, out in Midland. I missed it, but was so close to home, that I made up for it with more relaxed work hours (I'm not sure Susan saw it that way). Several years ago, Devon started the 9/80 plan (you work 80 hours in 9 days and take the 10th day off). and I have really learned to love it! I would never leave Devon to go work for another company that didn't have this perk!

Anyway, you might ask what I do with a typical Friday off, and I'll tell you....in a minute. First, because of my international travel, I actually lose about half of my Friday's off. When I travel (Baku, China, UK, etc.), I ALWAYS try to come home on a Friday. I don't get to make these up, I just lose them, but I rarely can reschedule my meetings, they usually fall where they fall. Anyway, here are a couple of recent Friday itineraries:

I used to always play basketball on my days off, but now that I have retired, I try to start Friday's with a workout at the YMCA. Yes, I sleep in a little, but I'm usually up by 7 anyway. So....

Workout at the Y
Coffee from Sawbuck's (maybe in the backyard with the newspaper and Loma (our dog)
Yard work (it's getting to be that time of the year)
Errands (Laundry, Wal-Mart, Katy Budget Books, etc.)
Paperwork (I don't do very much of this, much to Susan's chagrin)
Often, we'll use Fridays as a day to head to Wimberley

Doesn't sound like anything "critical", but what is critical is the downtime this affords me. My work is hectic. Working International makes me be up and running early (for Azerbaijan and Africa) and prepared to talk late (China). It seems we're always involved in tense dealings with the government in all areas. These days off really help take the edge off, and keep me cool and calm (right Susan? ....Susan, Why are you walking away.....................)

Bye for now!