Can you believe that Sunday was the second anniversary of my retirement from HP? An anniversary shared by many other HP alumni — including some who receive these humble musings. For the latter — Happy Anniversary!

Well, at least there were no major public scandals at Hewlett-Packard during this year. Of course, the news from friends still working at HP is a bit disquieting. It seems that HP has further abandoned the much-loved profit-sharing program — which had previously been transformed through several iterations of a bonus program (under Carly, that bonus was usually 0%) — and has now been replaced by a bonus program where each manager has been given a small pot of money to distribute to his or her employees as they see fit. Of course that means that the "teacher's pet" is likely to get the biggest bonus. I understand that there is a lot of dissatisfaction among the employees.

Also, I understand that HP has now put a lower limit on severance and early retirement payouts — was 12 months, now nine months pay. And I also hear rumblings about the possible closing of the Phoenix/Tempe HP office. Since it is normally like a morgue with so few people coming into the office, I would not be surprised if that happens.

But the goings-on at HP certainly have had minimal impact on me — as I continue to thoroughly enjoy my retirement. I looked back at the Life After HP messages for the last year and the year was so busy. Some highlights.

Blue Angels

Jules Feiffer

Quilt Pox

Football

LA Shopping

Holidays

Body Worlds

Beard

`Iolani Palace

Maui Cranes

Napali Coast

Santa Fe Workshops

NAPP Conference in Las Vegas

Mizuki in Las Vegas

Wow! It has been quite a year! In my retirement issue last year, I hoped for a year that would be as satisfying as the first. In fact, I think this second year may have been better. Is it too much to ask for year three to surpass year two? Perhaps, but we'll work on it.

And as I concluded last year — I hope that all of you can join me in retirement — if not this year, as soon as practical. It's a great time in your life and I recommend it highly.