Friday, November 20, 2009

A Great Disturbance In The Force

"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened." Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master

Recently, I have been gathering once a month with group of friends and former colleagues for an informal lunch. The gathering was the brain child of our former administrative assistance; when she proposed the idea a few years ago before retiring, I was at best sceptical. I assumed that after thirty years of near daily interaction with many of these folks, perhaps my appetite for additional social interaction would be more nonexistent upon retirement. To my surprise, I anxiously await each month's gathering.

As you might expect, the luncheon provides ampule opportunities for everyone to share the latest on grand children, recent adventures, and the current status of their aliments. The time together also offers opportunities to reminisce about the "good old days at work"; in my opinion some of my friends have way too much regard for the past.

Since the majority of my colleagues were foresters, the annual hunt for deer and elk has always been a big part of their lives. I use to joke that for our engineering staff in particular, there were only three seasons in a year. If it was not hunting season, then it was either pre-hunting or post-hunting season. During the pre-hunt season, conversations focused on the endless details of the impending hunt. As you might expect, post-hunting talk centered on the most recent kill or the multitude of reasons as to why the "big one" got away.

During Thursday's lunch, I asked one of the former engineers about his recent deer hunting expedition. His response sent Obi-Wan's words screaming in the depths of my brain. He told me that he doesn't actually care all that much about hunting any more. He explained that his eye sight and hearing are not what they once were and crawling in the brush just makes his body hurt. For him now, hunting has become a time to go camping with a few friends and to leave the hunting and shooting to someone else. I wonder what disturbance in the force will be detected at next month's luncheon?

12 comments:

Shelby said...

oh dear. that is disturbing.. I can sense the feeling of part of something slipping away.

Earl said...

Perhaps the force is simply realining itself. Even the force can't overcome the process of aging...did you notice even the Master Jedi grew older. ;-)

Steve Skinner said...

Shelby, you have that one right!

Steve Skinner said...

You know Earl, I've noticed that. I wonder if that was just an error in the script?

monstev said...

Yes, time has a way of changing the world around us, whether that is and hour ago our 20 years. Change is good and hopefully we will be expecting it to happen.

Anita Jesse said...

Our bodies do have a way of dictating out interests, don't they? It sounds as though your colleague has found a way to cope with this passage. What a thought provoking post.

Steve Skinner said...

You are right about change Monte - it's going to happen no matter how we might fight it so we might as well try to see the good in it.

Steve Skinner said...

Anita, it's sometimes feels odd watching your friends grow old but then they likely feel the same way about us too!

Pamela said...

My husband upland bird hunted for many years - but not in recent.

I'm trying to get him to hunt for birds with me with camera and binoculars. Some of the most dedicated birders I meet are former hunters.

Getting older surely changes our energy and desires.

Steve Skinner said...

Pamela, it's funny how time changes everything! I have nothing against hunting but just prefer to do it with a camera too.

Dolraj said...

Dear Steve,
I am in my second half of my life. I am still in job. I am in civil job. But my hobbies is to do something to save environment. I am from Nepal, a himalayan country of south asia. I think you have visit this beautiful country with himalayas and mountains.
It is a good spot for mountain bike. Other adventurious tourism oppertunities are here.
I am now in Palpa, a high hill city about 300 km west from Kathmandu.
I in my 20s and 30s was a volunteer activist of fire fighing in the forest fires. I have some experience about fire fighning and interested too save forest.
I look your blog. I work for about 20 years in meteorological office.I am student of geography. So interested in your topic.
Plz have reply
and take care
Yours
Dolraj

Steve Skinner said...

Dolraj,

Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. You have become my most distant reader! I have never been to Nepal but have heard often of the country’s beauty. Perhaps one day I will have the good fortune to visit.

Stop by again!