So today my oldest daughter turned 29. Proud as can be! Makes me reflective. Some of the best times I can remember were on this board with all the brotherly banter and advice. So here is where I am now. In 2018 my union changed the pension plan and took away the 30 and out option unless you retire by a certain date and then you'll get your full pension as promised.

I qualified for that option by three months. So I took it and I've been figuring out things ever since. Last week I figured out I wasn't "institutionalized" anymore like Brooks was in Shawshank. I retired in October of 21 and it took from then to last week to figure that out. I had the same job and almost the same daily routine for 30 years. I painted the same parts on the same jets the same colors for 30 years with barely any deviation.

It's a shock to the system. So now I gig drive in the mornings and I am translating my painting skills into a hobby that will hopefully perpetuate itself.

Years ago this board did me a huge kindness and I received the largest cigar bomb probably ever in the history of this board! I'm here to repay that kindness and here's how I can do that. I bought a 3D printer and I love making statues, figures, whatever I find on CGTrader.com and I print it and paint it and if I can't find it, I'll work with an artist and make it! That's the beauty! You can make anything! I can paint literally anything that moves in any style that would make it awesome! From a SoCal Lowrider to a 777 Dreamliner but this is a brand new style I'm learning.

So here's the deal, I make imperfect art until I get my skills commanded enough to get much better at it! But for anyone that kicked in on that cigar bomb years ago, and I trust whoever you may be that asks. If you email me, we can figure out something for me to make you. I'll make it and get it to you!

I might need a bit of help with shipping costs or something but I'm legit. Anyone that's interacted with me should know. I'll record the painting process and make a youtube video of it! Then you'll have an original handmade piece of art, I'll be able to keep my hobby going, and we'll both have a long lasting keepsake of it!

I've already started with family and friends but I'm almost done with them. So if you'd like to check out my youtube channel, I'm RetJetPainter. My contact email is there in the About part.

I'm really looking forward to working with all of you and repaying the kindness. you did for me! All while I navigate this very weird world of retirement!
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As an example, I'm printing this one out now for a guy that drives with me out of Walmart every day. He's going to trade me some resin and isopropyl for it because I don't want to sell my work.

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-mo.../hulk-3d-print
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Congratulations on the retirement!
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Congrat's on the retirement and the generous offer to the bombers!
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Good to have you back in the Asylum, Andy!

Congrats on your retirement. Pensions are wonderful. :-)

Any images from "The Shining" in the mix? :-)
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What do you think about this one?
https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-mo...in-the-shining
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Awesome on the retirement.
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Welcome back Andy!
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Hi, nice to "meet" you. :-):-)
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Oh, that's cool Andy. :-)
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I'll notify you when I start!
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Awesome! :-)
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Brother I had intended to have it started by now but something weird has happened. Long story short (I wrote about it on my blog), I'm going to be a high school teacher...of 3D printing!
No joke!
Forgive me for the delay but I've been drinking from a firehose of information. Once I get a new routine down for my new encore career I'll get cracking!

It's going to be really cool! I've got the colors in my head already and how it'll look! I'm thinking I'll have it to you before Halloween so you might be able to display it!
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Congrats on the new gig, Andy! Very cool!
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Congrats on the retirement and the new gig!
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Thanks boys!
With the new gig, I’m thinking about keeping cigars again!
I quit quite a while ago as I was really sick several years ago and just didn’t enjoy them as much anymore.
But I think I’m past that now!

I’m also incredibly nervous about this teaching thing.
I’ve never been a teacher. This is a really big adjustment.
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Andy, God's blessings as you make this new turn in your life!
Adventures never end!

Peace of the Lord be with you.
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The temperature has cooled off enough to get back into my hobby room, it’s in my upstairs spare bedroom that tends to get very hot in the Oklahoma summers.

I’ve got your print printed!
It’s cured and I’ll begin work this weekend with a video to follow!
I’ve got something planned for this one I think will make it a special piece!

Andy
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Congrats on retirement
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Congrats & Welcome Back!:-):-):-)
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