Friday, October 03, 2008

happy days are here again


I am Barbra Streisand.


No,
Wayne, that is not a confession that I will be showing up in next year's drag queen competition.


And not the Barbra who keeps threatening to leave her southern California paradise if the voters do not follow her political wishes.


I am the Barbra who seems to revel in farewell tours. That is the reputation I am developing amongst my peers.


No more than two weeks ago, I grandly announced in
the old ball game that I was hanging up my legal presentation tap shoes. My days as Anne Miller were at an end. (A kind-hearted editor would suggest to me at this point that I might choose sharing these life style analogies with a therapist, rather than a now-piqued blog audience. But who can afford an editor at these wages?)


Apparently, those who schedule my life were not ready to let me shuffle off to The Old Actors' Home. Tomorrow, a group of investigators will be regaled with the intricate details of workers' compensation evidence and discovery.


Next week, I will soft shoe my way through three hours of confidentiality and public records management. (I am willing to bet you are all pulling out your Visa cards to get a piece of that action.)


November and February, I will be presenting 1-hour classes on new cases in workers' compensation law.


And the pièce de résistance will be five classes on new developments in the law for insurance agents -- in late April. I feel rather confident that I will be calling in that performance. If all goes well, I will be on my way to Mexico.


I mentioned my concerns about this very thing two days ago. One reason I was reluctant to announce my retirement too early was that my attempts to transition away from some of these tasks would simply engender more speaking engagements. At some point, I will start feeling like Mickey Mouse as the sorcerer's apprentice in Fantasia.


But not yet.


All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up.

10 comments:

John W said...

Steve, I announced my retirement to my client base, and the next four years were the best I'd had. I wish I'd thought of that years before!

Islagringo said...

I think Cher gets the retirement prize. She's done, what, 5 retirement concerts?

I forget for sure, but I think you are defense, right? I did defense for the first 11 years and then switched to plaintiff for the next 9. Changing mindsets was difficult at first, but I managed!

Babs said...

There is a phrase I've learned in the last few years that I should have learned a LONG time ago, "No, I'm sorry I can't do that, I'm already committed for that time". And amazingly they find someone else to do the "deed"! Darn I never knew it was that easy....

Steve Cotton said...

John -- Based on my conversations at work today, I suspect that my schedule is going t settle into a nice transition. And I will still get to bask in the spotlight.

Wayne -- I was defense. Now, I am corporate. Even a bigger change in perspective.

Babs -- There is a anecdote (probably apocraphyl) that, in defending his son's lack of ethics, Warren Harding's father said: "It is a good thing Warren was not born a woman. He can never say no."

Theresa in Mèrida said...

Be still my heart, a HIPPA seminar! Let me just get that VISA card ready, on second thought, I am retired! no more work comp seminars,no more HIPPA, heck I can't even remember if it's HIPPA or HIIPA....
One of the things that I did at my last job was insurance billing, I don't miss that at all.
Don't worry the time will just fly by.
regards,
Theresa

Steve Cotton said...

Theresa -- HIPAA , actually. But it no longer matters. For 6 months, it will matter to my clients, and it will therefore matter to me. But then, it will all be gone -- poof!

Anonymous said...

Steve.. what you meant to say was I am ready for my Fadeout Mr Demille. Using the word close up reveals perhaps a bit more than you wanted to.

Steve Cotton said...

Richard -- Too true. But, like Norma Desmond, I have lost almost all ability to guage who I really am. A close up can only capture the glory of my youth.

Anonymous said...

I have to say, I like the campy turn this blog has taken. LOL...

Kim G
Boston, MA

Steve Cotton said...

Kim -- I was just sitting here chuckling to myself. Barbra. Drag queens. Norma Desmond. All I needed to add was a cameo appearance for Judy Garland and Joan Crawford, and I could have opened my own Icon Museum.