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Time to move on to the next Chapter....
Tikay10
Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 177,664
in Poker Chat
Thought I'd best make it officially known that I shall be retiring in the next week or two. Broadly speaking, I planned to retire when the transition takes place, but in reality, I'll be tapering off after Glasgow. More details on all that shortly.
But first, an apology....
Comments
I made the decision a long time ago - last Autumn - and thought it best to keep it under my hat as long as possible, as really it's all about giving the "new" Sky Poker the best possible send off. Poker players do tend to be negative & see the worst side of everything, and I did not want Team Doom & Gloom to read anything more into it than there really is.
But here's the thing, a lot of people - well dozens for sure - either posted on the Forum, sent me DM's, or straight up asked me at SPT's if I'd be "OK", & hoped that Sky would still look after me. I was humbled by so many of you hoping I was going to be OK. I've not had time to reply to them all yet, but I will.
I never lied to any of them, but I did avoid answering the questions, I just sort of fudged it. So to all of those, please be understanding, I just felt it better all round not to make it officially known until now.
Will I be OK? You bet I will. More on that shortly.
I'm 77, & have worked non-stop since I was 16, so 61 years, the last 18 here at Sky Poker. I have a Bucket List that needs attending to, & if I don't attend to it now.... well, you can work that out.
This year, the plan was to spend a month or so in Vegas during the World Series, a 3 week trip with Gill in April to Hawaii with a little 3 day stopover in Vegas both ways to break the journey (total flight time is around 17 hours each way), a week in New York with Gill around Thanksgiving time, and another poker trip to Vegas for a Venetian Fessie in October or thereabouts. So maybe 10 or 12 weeks in total.
Not really possible whilst working, so made the decision to discuss it with James. My contract renews annually on 1st February so it was best I made him aware in plenty of time, although of course I had no idea if he'd want to renew my Contract.
I raised it with him at an SPT last Autumn & he made me aware of the transition - & Forum closure - in May.
So with that, it took about 5 seconds to re-shuffle my Bucket List & - assuming James was agreeable - stay here until May. James was agreeable, & so we made the decision, there & then, that I'd stay until the transition, with James extending my Contract until then.
In fact, I'll be tapering off a little earlier than that, as follows...
SPT Glasgow, Friday 16th to Sunday 18th.
Travel back home Monday 19th.
A 2 day golf trip next Tuesday & Wednesday (20th & 21st), a sort of retirement gift from one of my special golfing friends.
On Thursday, (22nd) head off to Vegas for a month. I've got a flexible air-ticket, so may extend (or reduce) depending on how the trip goes.
I'll still be around until the Forum closes, but, based on that schedule above, I'll be intermittent & at odd times of the day & night, certainly until I get to Vegas Thursday night/Friday morning.
I've had an absolute blast here these last 18 years. I've loved every minute of it, & feel grateful to everyone, both Customers & Sky Poker.
I can't begin to explain how blessed I am.
Thank you to you all.
xx
Enjoy your very well earned retirement, get going on that bucket list and I hope to see you on the virtual PLO8 tables at some point in the future, when you have time of course.
Hope your next chapter is lengthy and healthy.
Wishing you a happy and healthy retirement, and who knows, might bump in to you at the PLO8 tables at some point.
Many thanks for what you have done for the enjoyment of Sky poker.
Enjoy your retirement as much as I am mine.
COYR.
In all seriousness - enjoy your retirement mate, very well earned.
You will be sorely missed by many of us
I thought you were over 90.
Two absolute facts.
It is impossible that Sky Poker will be the same, ever.
We will all miss you.
The best of luck for the future.
Pad
THANKS for everything you have done on here,best wishes and good luck in the future.
I remember that first SPT when we met at Newcastle, me Mr B and a couple of my sisters with their partners and of course the degen daughter you made us all feel so welcome.
Enjoy your time, enjoy ticking things off the bucket list and have an absolute blast, we will miss you.
The daughter sends her love and don't forget if you are every up north, in good ole Rochdale, call in, have a cuppa might even stretch to a biscuit or two.
Motherrrrrr
xxxxx
You go and enjoy yourself my friend
Sean
Enjoy your retirement. All the best.
Have a great retirement and enjoy your twilight years ticking off the bucket list.
Anyway, I hate goodbyes.....