Ken Heiman self-published the still-relevant “Bristle While You Work,” calling it “a workplace survival guide packed with practical advice and amusing antidotes,” in 2007. Nearly two decades later, he is considering a companion book.
In January, his job in the corporate world was unexpectedly eliminated. He only half jokes that now he can write a book about retirement. He is old enough to have considered retirement. Just not yet.
“I didn’t envision being retired so early, but I was the victim of ‘workplace reduction,’” said Heiman at a coffee klatch with his retired friend and Santa Clara neighbor Michael Fallon on a February morning.
Tea, a chocolate croissant and conversation at Panera Bread in Santa Clara Town Center are a solace as Heiman turns job loss into opportunity.
“I plan to keep busy,” said Heiman, who was born in San Francisco, grew up in San Mateo in an Eichler house, and has lived for the last 31 years in Santa Clara’s only Eichler cluster housing development.
Eichler neighbors such as Fallon appreciate Heiman for fixing whatever little community things need fixing, like changing an outdoor light bulb. Heiman chitchats with other dog owners when he walks Mon Ami, a Jack Russel Cattle Dog mix whose name (“My Friend” in English) defines his relationship with Heiman.
Heiman has not quite decided whether to pursue new full-time work or to semi-retire, which
would give him more time to write.
He started out his work life as a journalist, becoming editor of “Tahoe World.” In the 1990s, he even wrote a couple stories for “The Santa Clara Weekly.”
He wrote a full-length play titled “Better the Devil You Know” about Former President Richard Nixon (as yet unproduced) and two ten-minute plays. He is a third of the way into writing a musical comedy.
“Writing a play is one thing,” said Heiman. “The challenge is getting produced.”
Off the top of his head, he rattled off advice to include in a book on how to deal with retirement. Basics such as don’t be bitter, move forward, have a plan of action, do what makes you happy and productive. Importantly, do what connects you to the outside world—spend more time with family and friends. Yes, enjoy more coffee klatches.
“I’m hardly an expert,” he said. “It’s just been a couple weeks, but I’ve thought about retirement before. I’m getting into that stage of life.”
Heiman recalled an earlier stage of his life when he rollerbladed down the crookedest street in the world—San Francisco’s Lombard Street. For today’s stage of life, however, he bought a new bicycle.
“Nothing is off the table in retirement,” he said. “The trick is to keep busy.”
Won’t You Be My Neighbor is a column where we casually interview people we meet in Silicon Valley. The Won’t You Be My Neighbor column hopes to highlight what makes Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and the rest of the South Bay special — the people who live, work and play here.
