Today is July 17th. I have officially been retired for 1 day, as I filed for Social Security yesterday at this time. It took me 16 days to decide to file, but adding up all the numbers, it made sense to do so. With social security, FRS and unemployment, my net is the same as my net working. So, essentially, we are no worse off, cash-flow wise than before. The difference is in the amount of DROP money I would have received as a lump sum and a slightly larger payout from social security if I’d waited until age 66. However, when I did a quick calculation yesterday, the difference between now and full retirement at 66 was such that I’d have to wait until age 78 just to break even with the money I’ll be receiving from the US government over the next 42 months. Somehow that didn’t make much sense to me.

Since Ma’s been having some health issues of late, it’s actually useful for me to be around to shepherd her to her doctor appointments for tests. I hope she continues to be as independent as she can and not become too dependent on me. She has thrived in the past year, being on her own and having to arrange for transportation to doctor appointments and such. But she needs more company from the people she loves. So anyone reading this – family or otherwise – give her a call and by all means, come see her. You’ll be glad you did!

It’s a long post, but maybe thought provoking if you’re as interested in the world and its money as I am…
Otherwise, have a lovely day!

Leadership Comes in Many Forms and With Many Guises

Wow – haven’t posted since Easter – guess I’ve been busy…no excuses but there it is.

Okay, so I’ve been working on this song writing business for a while – actually written 3 songs, sort of. The first was a trilogy, combining an amalgam of “Like a Rolling Stone” (in 3/4 time) with Bobby Vinton’s “Mr. Lonely” finished off with a new version of “Suicide is Painless” from MASH. It took months, but I finally put it together and then put it aside. Then I wrote my first original song, entitled “Sgt. Bales’ Lament” about – well, the title says it all. Not bad, but obviously angry and sad. So my guitar teacher asked if I could write a song that wasn’t a dirge…hmmm..so I was determined to write one that was funny. What better to write about than Mitt Romney – now that’s a funny guy! Saturday Night Live, I believe, pays him to do what he does for material for the fall season. So I wrote it, and played it for my instructor, who produced some mild chuckles and an occasional guffaw. Then he says, “why don’t you record it?” Well, easier said than done. Nonetheless, I produced a terrible recording, attached it to some, shall we say depictive slides, and, voila! I made a video of my bad guitar playing, worse singing, but funny video…it’s now up on you tube with positive comments from my most ardent fan, Emily. So, yes – the video you’ve been waiting for – here it is. Enjoy (or not, depending on your political persuasion).

Post-script: As I was finishing this up last Sunday night, a terrible thunderstorm had rolled in. With one last keystroke, BOOM! We got hit by lightning. Knocked out the cable wire and – at the time – I thought it’d fried the computer. I looked up at the ceiling, and said to myself – damn, those Republicans have NO sense of humor. Enjoy….

This Sunday is Easter. What is the theme in Christian theology of Easter? Resurrection. What is behind this concept of resurrection? What does it mean, “to resurrect”?

Dictionary.com definition:

1. to raise from the dead; bring to life again.
2. to bring back into use, practice, etc.: to resurrect an ancient custom.

Let’s take up the first definition: to raise from the dead, or bring to life again. Why would anyone other than Stephen King want to bring something back that is dead? Again returning to Christian theology, Jesus returned in physical form to his followers for 40 days. Say, didn’t he wander in the wilderness for 40 days? Didn’t it rain for 40 days and 40 nights when Noah was floating around in the ark? Something about that 40 days thing becomes almost metaphorical in the sense that it’s used so often (e.g.: during Lent you’re supposed to ‘give something up’ for 40 days, but that doesn’t include Sundays…digression). Maybe it’s just convenient because 40 is two score. Enough, yes? Moving on…

So he appears for 40 days and then ascends to heaven to sit at the right hand of God (according to the Apostle’s Creed, weekly pronouncement in many Christian church services). So what’s the message here? Many interpret the message – here’s one that sums it up nicely (a nod to Rev. Christopher Raja for his on-line version):

The message of resurrection has to bring in confidence of eternity that has to be reflected in renewal and repentance from the things that keep us away from the communion of Christ.

Aha – three key words here: renewal,repentance and communion.

So maybe the concept here is when those amongst us repent and begin to change the direction of their lives, we can renew our relationship with them. Maybe we can use the Easter season as a time to re-establish our faith in each member of our family and try to see beyond past grievances and slights. Quote John Lennon: Give peace a chance. Life is short – no room for drama.

I think we’ve dragged this out enough, don’t you? Here’s Chapters IX and X of the core story – check it out and let me know what you think, gentle reader. Then I’ll start posting the ‘surround’ story next –

Writing is a great release from cleaning the upstairs or going to the grocery store. I have a couple days off this week, and I need to spend some quality time writing and doing our income tax return. Let the good times roll!

Later…

Ah, Gee – I haven’t even begun…here’s another installment, however be aware (or beware), gentle readers, this is merely the core story – there’s the REAL story that wraps around the story that is – even as we speak – in outline form with more taking shape in moi’s tete every day. So at some point (after I straighten up the upstairs in preparation for Erik & Tiffany & Sadie’s visit in a few weeks) and do my taxes (ouch…), I will finalize the the outer core story’s outline, put IT on the Writing link, and then we shall be off to the races. Given my style and speed of writing, we should all be retired by the time it’s done. But hey – who cares? Do I do this for fame & glory? Given the likelihood of that, probably not – I just love a great story, and great stories are REEAALLYY hard to come by these days. Concur? Thought so…

Check it out…later!

TWO, yes two, Virginia, more chapters have been added, a real bonus for you, my loyal readers, whoever you may be. Enjoy…

Oh, by the way – when this part is done, I’ll share with you the REAL story that wraps around this story – oh no, you say, oh no! How could it get any better? Just waitttttt…….

S

I’ve added the next chapter to the outline for the book. Anybody out there? Shame to be sharing this Pulitzer-prize winning book for fiction with the world, and not a peep from any ofs ya…come on in – the water’s fine! (BTW – here’s a pic from 1918 to give you a sense of how they tried to deal with the flu then…)

Later…

We’re up thru Chapter IV (of a total of X) and the old plot begins to thicken. Is all lost in despair? Will the world recover? Is this all there is to this book? Wait & See – keep reading and talk to me, eh?

More tomorrow…

Added another Chapter to the saga, which is still building the background – but wait for the next chapter where it begins to be interesting. I’ll also tell you that this is going to be Charlie Kaufmann-esque. What does that mean? Well, if you’re a fan of that lunatic screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann (one ‘n’ or two? Have to check), you’ll know what I mean. Think…Adaptation! More tomorrow…