I was recently asked if I was an engineer. So my outfit when I drive
for my wife has tended to be one of my button down shirts, like a blue
one or blue stripes or the green or blue checks, but it's like I used
to wear to work. And typically I wear khakis, although sometimes I
wear jeans, and then I wear some form of tennis shoe, although I don't
do the white tennis shoes anymore. When dressed like this in the past
I've been called professor. I've had college students ask me if I
could unlock the lab for them. I usually wear a baseball cap just to
add to the image and the comfort.
Recently I was at dinner and I was in tavern-style place restaurant.
It was an okay place. Friday night, early-ish, like five to six p.m.
A lot of older gentlemen with their wives were there. I also saw
families out before they were going to go see a movie.
I had a glass of wine, some water, and hummus. The waitress really
thought I was gonna have more.
But I spent most of my time writing on index cards. My thoughts and
ideas and things were bubbling in my head while I was doing that I had
my meditation going on in my ears so I could be progressing on my
lessons while I waited for my wife to finish her assignment.
The waitress was nice and checked in often. She finally toward the end
just before I left asked me are you an engineer. My index cards all
have grids on them and she thought I was solving the puzzles of an
engineer. I was solving puzzles but it was more emotional and taking
notes and expressing gratitude and a couple of program ideas and
stuff. But I think it's funny how in my age and outfit choices I get
called engineer or professor and not "retiree" so far.
I've come a long way from what I used to be called in high school and
college and even at work early in my career. Woohoo!
