Not shy or retiring

It is most gratifying when, after a lengthy period of silence, old contacts get in touch with enquiries for work. It is because those contacts know that I am of a certain vintage, one of the first questions asked, unsurprisingly, is whether I have given up the delights of structural engineering for a life of sudoku and gardening. While I am fast approaching what used to be considered “retirement age”, I am pleased to announce that I have no intention of doing so.

I am one of those extremely fortunate souls who has found a vocation that I thoroughly enjoy and am arguably the embodiment of the adage “Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Monday mornings have never been difficult for me. Indeed, hangover notwithstanding, I have been known to leap from the charpoy with enthusiasm looking forward to another week’s worth of problem solving. That enthusiasm is undiminished, and I intend to continue having fun for the foreseeable future.

I have realised, however, that the first port of call for many prospective clients is the website and there, unfortunately, my age seems to count against me. I imagine that for thrusting young Turks maintaining a blog is second nature. For those of us who were middle-aged when dial-up internet connections were considered the best new thing, blogging is not something at the top of the task list. Visitors here will see that the last blog was during the Covid lockdown, so it’s no surprise they wonder if I am still functioning.

At least I have been consistently inconsistent. A check on the blog archives on the right hand side of the home page shows that, aside from an uncharacteristic bout of activity at the inception of the website, I have been a reluctant blogger. I am told that blogging is a vital tool, these days, so I really ought to be more diligent. I have promised myself that I will be.

We shall see!

Keith Rawlings