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Is it still vacation if you are retired?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Frankr163, Sep 2, 2015.

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  1. Frankr163

    Frankr163 High-Roller

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    I'm 56 and have been retired for three years now.
    With another Vegas trip a week or so away, I find myself not getting nearly excited about things the way I did when I as still working.
    Don't get me wrong, I still love going to Vegas and always have a grand time. I just miss the anticipation I knew before.
    I would be making plans and bragging to co-workers, counting down the days.
    I really miss that feeling you get when you won't have to see your boss for a week, that jump in your step on that last work day before leaving.
    My wife still works and she has been doing the work countdown, and I kinda miss it. (the countdown camaraderie, NOT the work thing)

    Any other VMB'ers experience this?
    If so, any suggestions for getting my mojo back?
     
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  2. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We love it and still are excited about a Vegas trip. My wife hasn't worked for 12 years and I'm rapidly approaching my 8th anniversary of retirement. We still call it vacation and do take a little flack from friends who say "vacation from what?". But any trip we take is vacation.

    Maybe I do miss all the crap I got when I was working from jealous co-workers: "you're going to Vegas, again?". But after 35 years, that would be all I miss about work. :poke:
     
  3. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I still get excited, but it might be because my circumstances are different. I have been my own boss for the past eight years, and (until a year ago) I only employed a few other people in my business. So I never really felt the excitement of skipping out on work or making my co-worker's jealous with talk of a trip
     
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  4. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    I retired a year and a half ago and I still get excited for trips, even more now knowing that I won't have to haul my sorry ass to work exhausted after a Vegas trip.
     
  5. GottaLuvCruising

    GottaLuvCruising High-Roller

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    We still get excited about travel, but it isn't the same as when we were vacationing from work. Travel allows us to experience different places and activities than we do at home, but no, it isn't the same as escaping from work responsibilities. I wouldn't go back...we both love retirement.
     
  6. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I think you need to start winning, I know I feel much more excitement for a trip if I won or broke even on the previous one. If i lost my ass I have a semi feeling of dread.

    Perhaps you need to add in a few new things as well.
     
  7. sarah9nascar

    sarah9nascar VIP Whale

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    I retired just last year and I still get excited but it's a little different. With time off now, we moved from one trip to two. I don't seem to plan like I use to but where I use to be happy just being in Vegas staying wherever the price was right, I now found myself wanting to be in more comfort and luxury. Maybe it's because I have slowed down and not in as big of hurry. If we don't get everything done, I now know we will be back to do it.
     
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  8. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    IMHO, if you're retired to are permanently on vacation.

    Enjoy . . .
     
  9. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    maybe its just because you have been there so often (not necessarily retirement) I have only done 3 trips. but i can see where after 15 or so the "buzz factor" would kind of ware off.
     
  10. Frankr163

    Frankr163 High-Roller

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    From your mouth to God's ear! lol

    I have no problem getting excited and having a good time when I am in Vegas. I guess I just miss the build up.
    Which is kind of ironic really, because I used to complain about too many things to do and not enough time to do them in preparation for a trip.
     
    Anniversary Trip
  11. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    I've been retired for 16 years. We didn't go to Las Vegas until after I had retired, so I never had the excitement of the countdown to stopping work in order to go on the Vegas Vacation.

    Yes it is still a vacation for us both and we still get excited about the trip.

    I'm sorry you have lost the fun of anticipating your trip, doesn't the planning get you even a little bit excited? That's half the fun for me.
     
  12. davidcyndi

    davidcyndi MIA

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    I'm 39 and have been retired now for 13 years and I still get excited everytime we go on a vacation. Doesn't matter if it's 1 day or 3 weeks. I think you just need people to tell and brag to about your trips. Heck give me a call if that's what you need. I'm ip for a good conversation about vegas.
     
  13. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    66 here, retired 3 years ago this past Monday.

    It is a vacation. Just going someplace other than the same old shit is a vacation.
     
  14. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I love you, Breeze -- not like that. You are our resident lyricist!!!! No one rolls the prose like Breeze.:thumbsup:
     
  15. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Vegas=vacation even more so after retirement.

    Mojo builder:
    Plan on doing a trip report - that's a sure motivator.
    Research and choose hotel you've never stayed at before - new environment, new experience.
    Invite another compatible couple to travel with you: make a game plan for casino hopping, and new restaurants.
    Plan on doing something you've never done before in Vegas - and surprise your wife with it once you are there - like a couple's massage, buy her a fabulous piece of jewelry, or whatever tickles her fancy - just planning a surprise for your hard working wife could be the catalyst to get you back in the groove and excitement of planning a trip to THE place.

    Hope y'all have a wonderful next trip!
     
  16. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    When you retire it's not "vacations" anymore. It's more like "adventures".
     
  17. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    Bingo! And thanks, Ken.
     
  18. Frankr163

    Frankr163 High-Roller

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    I still love the planning. You're right that is half the fun, but I do the hotel and air resi's pretty far in advance. So I need something to keep up my interest in the mean time.
    That's probably why I check out VMB a couple times a day.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Great philosophy!
     
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  19. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    A man comes upon another man who is repeatedly hitting his thumb with a hammer. When asked why he’s beating his thumb to a pulp, the man with the hammer replies, “Because it feels so good when I stop!”

    If you're bummed that you don't get that anticipation right before a vegas vacation, smile and realize its because you are already on vacation, and now get an adventure on top of it.


    I love planning trips as much as I love taking them, and plan way too soon (*checks countdown timer .... sighs*).

    But the thing I'm looking forward to 100 years from now when I retire is actually much more spur-of-the-moment trips. Whether that actually ever happens we'll see, but I love the idea of seeing awesome last minute deals and just going. Seeing nice rooms come up comp for the week at CET, finding a cheap airfare.
     
  20. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    Been out 15 years ,no more vacations,holidays sick leave or conventions. Dont look forward to trips as much as I used to ,but still enjoy getting away,to be honest I'm usually just as happy to get home.
     
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