RETIREMENT
7/30/04 Update
The picture below was my summer challenge. It is a tree stump. The tree was easy to cut down but the stump removal took most of the summer. It's finally out so now I have to look for another challenge. The size is deceiving but the stump measured approximately 3 1/2 feet across.
9/28/03 Update
Since the last update, I've been adding article to this web site as one can see. I am still coaching girls at Schaumburg and boys at Hersey. I have continued the summer program at Meineke and will be getting another coach to help. Natalie will be a welcome addition. I needed the coach because I'm not sure how long my health will hold up being out in the hot sun. Lot of hot days and many hours sparked the thought of getting out. However, another coach to relieve the time spent may keep me going a while longer.
Almost four years ago I wrote to the AAU. This past summer I ran an AAU meet, which was the culmination of a long process to begin an alternative organization for diving in Illinois. The meet was small but when others heard about it, interest has risen. Next summer I expect a larger turnout. If it continues to grow, there will be a qualifying method and a National Championship. I am rather excited about that.
I have been limited on traveling during the off season because my mother's declining health. I've been caring for her for the last year+. She's not in a condition that would warrant being in a nursing home yet. However, I realize that decision may not be far off. It is a labor of love that is also burdensome at times.
At the end of the summer, I had some concrete removed. My patio and part of a sidewalk near the house had settled. Unfortunately it tipped toward the house so that when it rained, all the water collected next to the foundation. Fortunately the guy who removed the concrete said he would come back and fill it with dirt. I ordered 12 yards of dirt. After the pile was moved into place I was told that I had only gotten 9+ yards. Pulverized dirt settles once it's wet so I called the outfit up to get them to deliver the 2 yards they missed. Eventually the delivery came and they left 4 yards. I wheel barreled the dirt into palce and had a lot left. I eventually found places to use it so that I could get into my driveway. Needless to say it was a tiring experience.
We were going to have the house sided this year but decided to hold off because my youngest daughter (Susie) will be getting married in the spring. I can't believe I'm in a postion that I have to give her away!
I still find time to ride my bike. I take it to practice and I found and easement in the area to ride through. It's grassy and hilly. I found that by riding on grass, I don't have to go as far for the health benefit. That area has a tobogan hill that I occassionaly go up and down. Good thing it's a mountain bike. Sometimes you can hear me hum the tune, "Me and my shadow".
12/12/01 Update
Here is an update of things that are keeping me busy in retirement. My wife had a honey-do list of which I accomplished one item so far. I'm not rushing to finish those items because retirement is a rather long process. I keep telling her I don't want to run out of things to do (great excuse, huh?). Anyhow we (I) replaced a metal shed with a vinyl one. It was smaller and forced me to get rid of some stuff that was just taking up space. Not on her list were things like painting the house and repairing a leak in the foundation. While others were putting up Christmas lights, I was putting heater wires on the roof to prevent ice-daming. I actually got a little sunburn because the temperature was near 70 during that time. It looks like the roof heaters are working. No ice problems yet because there's no snow or cold weather for that matter. If I'd have known that these heaters would keep the bad weather away, I would have put them up years ago. After living in a house for as long as we've been in this one, you collect a lot of stuff that becomes useless over time. Garbage day is huge in front of my home.
Since the state informed me that I over-paid my retirement fund, I had to find a way to roll it over into a plan where I wasn't going to be penalized. That process took a while because no one had any answers. The IRS couldn't make up its mind. This year is also the first time that I am questioning my tax bill. I've gone through the filing process and am waiting to hear from the county. It'll just be my luck that the bill will be higher.
I am still researching and writing articles about swimming and diving. I thought I'd use the top of the opening page on my site as a business card. My title would be "Freelance Specialist". My wife says I'm a pain in the butt so Freelance Specialist does sound a little more acceptable. Then I thought why do I need a business card? Retired people don't need business cards unless they are looking for a free meal when they toss their card into those jars at local eateries. I renamed my web page "Competitive Diving Limited" because I don't make any money from it but spend a lot of time adding to it.
I am still involved in coaching. I do the Schaumburg Girls in the Fall and the Hersey Boys in the winter. I also plan to run a summer program. I keep adding to this website as you may notice. I will again be involved in a clinic for high school officials this January. I've been busy since September and can't understand how I did all of this when I was working. I never got the chance to golf in the fall because there was always sommething that got in the way. Maybe I'll get to do that in the spring.
Many people may be unaware that I am about to retire from teaching. This coming June 2001 will be my last. After 34 years of High School teaching I have mixed feelings about retirement. I just can't believe that it's been that long. What makes it harder to believe is that I have been in school for almost 51 years. I feel like I'm 25. I rationalize it by telling myself that I have 31 years of experience at being 25. I do look forward to retiring and not having a set schedule to follow. However I know that eventually I will miss the interaction with some of my colleagues, watching the freshmen grow up over their four years of education and seeing them graduate. Deep down, I do feel that it is time for me to step out of the way and let the younger teachers lead these kids into the future. I would like to thank High School District 214 for allowing me the opportunity to be gainfully employed. Most importantly, however, I would like to thank District 214 for allowing me to get involved with the things I did for all of these years. I feel blessed being a part of this district and hope that I have made my little section of it a better place for everyone.
People ask, "What am I going to do in retirement?" The first thing I want to do is get rid of my watch and learn how to tell time by the sun's/moon's position in the sky. As of this writing, I am not sure what I am going to do. One idea is to do nothing for a while even though some of my colleagues say I'm already doing that. I do plan to stay in the area and would like to continue coaching if possible. My plan would include a summer diving program with the Schaumburg Park District and coach High School girls in the fall. I have contemplated not doing the boys because I’m not sure if I want to deal with any schedule the way the winters are here. Because of that doubt, I have decided to step down from the ISA Diving Chairman position that I have held for so long. The person who holds that position should be coaching during both the Boy's and Girl's High School seasons. I believe that I have found someone who is not only willing to do it but more importantly will do a good job. I have recommended Chris Zickert of Schaumburg High School as my sucessor. Good luck Chris.
Eventually I know I will get out of coaching but I can’t say for sure when that will be. I do know that over the years I have had the privilege of meeting many fine people through diving. That includes divers, parents, coaches and officials. That's why it will be hard to get away from coaching altogether.
Many ideas are running through my mind as to how I can continue to help our Sport even when I decide not to be involved in coaching any longer. As some of you know, I have been writing and researching Diving Safety. I will continue doing this as it appears to be necessary. I am very disappointed with the stance US Diving has taken. Many e-mails and articles were written to address my concerns. This web site was established for that purpose, and contains many of those writings. This endeavor has been going on for 3 years now and I do plan to continue. I have even thought about the possibility of working in Risk Management, doing clinics and maybe even some consulting if the need arises. I am open to any ideas at this point.
I would like to thank all of you for the time we’ve had together. At times it has been a real experience. I know that we didn’t agree on all of the issues over the years but I respected that right to disagree. I have learned a lot through the sport and I know I will miss it when I decide to step out of coaching. Because I may not see all of you by June 7, I would like to thank and wish you all the best of everything in the future.
Sincerely,
Wayne Oras
(A Retired Teacher)Pictures below
