VAPS Staff Mtg

Crazy as it seems, as of tomorrow, I've already been retired for 5 years!

But I never completely put my old corporate life behind me.

The above Google Calendar meeting is still there. And it is literally the same entry that's been in my calendar for the last... 10? 15? years. 🤷

During my career, I would faithfully move it one week ahead every week, always to the following Wednesday at 1:00pm. And that phone number and PIN were remarkably consistent too.

When I retired, something in me stopped me from deleting it. (I do have an fondness for calendaric tradition) Instead, I dutifully moved it ahead, but not one week, one year. And when it popped up a year later, I dialed in!

I remember that first time... I was kinda surprised (but then, not) that it still worked and dropped me right into the VAPS Staff Meeting. I sat quietly on the line until the end and then asked a question. Silence... "Jeff?" Then, "I was wondering who that unknown number was. Hey, man!" Cheers all around, and a good half an hour of catching up with the whole VAPS team. Sweet!

And I've done it every year since, until today.

Yep, they finally got wise to the security breach of letting any old Joe Jeff call and lurk in their meeting! When I tried it today, it did connect and put me into a meeting, but I was alone. When I texted a former coworker, he confirmed that while they still have the Wednesday 1:00pm staff meeting, it's now on Microsoft Teams. And he did not offer up a link to join. (prolly for the best)

So, I guess it's time to let this one go.

If they don't want me, I don't want them. Plus, I can't keep up this rigorous schedule!