a time of changes

Big changes afoot in the Haldeman household.  After a lot of thought and headscratching and comparison of plans, we've decided that this will be our last year of teaching at MIT.

Two numbers:  30 and 70.  I've been at MIT for thirty years, and this year I turned seventy.

I've had better fortune than most writers, and can switch from part-time to full-time writing without having to take up prostitution or busking.  That's partly MIT's generous retirement plan, and partly my good fortune in stopping a Vietnamese machinegun bullet 45 years ago.

The house is paid for, and we don't have any expensive habits like children or buying new cars or kilos of hash.  In fact, in a manner of speaking, my most expensive indulgence has been going to MIT every year, with the expense and hassle of moving house every September and December.

We had lunch with the head of the writing program yesterday, and broke the news.  He almost choked on his ice cream, but recovered to say he was willing to let us go, but only if we'd allow the department to throw an appropriate retirement party.

Break out the dancing girls!

It's been a great experience, one I'll never regret.  MIT has given us a generous and comfortable environment.  But I'm ready to jump out, rip cord in hand, ready to face any metaphor that presents itself.

Joe