Well not exactly. I could be fishing, but I’m not. I took today off and headed to Wildwood directly from work last night. The traffic was horrendous and I had to drive through heavy rains, but I made it down in ONLY 2 and half hours. I haven’t been here since October of last year, so I’m always leery of what might be wrong when I arrive. To my shock, everything worked, no leaks, and it was in perfect order. Poor Avalon and the kids have work and school today, so I’m all alone.
And boy do I need a break. In the last two weeks I’ve had college graduations, high school graduation parties, student housing paperwork and leases to deal with, helping a son get ready for his move to Colorado (buying a car, health insurance, auto insurance, etc), helping a mother sell her house, clean 50 years of crap out of her house, and prepare for her move to an apartment, the usual 2 to 3 hours commuting every day, submitting our annual budget to the University, doing annual reviews for my employees, and trying to run this website 24/7/365.
The reason I set this website up was to have a place to put my articles. I now have virtually no time to write articles because I’m too busy with life stuff and trying to keep the site relevant on a daily basis. I started an article three weeks ago and can’t finish it. It’s frustrating, but that’s how it is.
Even though I’m off and could sleep until noon if I chose, I was up at 6:00 am. I went to Wawa for some creamer for my coffee (and maybe a sausage, egg and cheese on a bagel), posted a few things on TBP and got my bike pump to re-inflate the tires on my 10 year old bike that I bought used from a bike rental place on the boardwalk. The rear tire is bald and it rattles and squeaks, but it gets me where I want to go. It was sunny and about 60 degrees at 7:30. The crowds haven’t arrived for the holiday weekend, so I hopped on the bike and started my trek on the boardwalk to the rocks and Hereford Lighthouse. It was a brisk enjoyable ride with few people on the boardwalk.
I arrived at 3rd and JFK, which we refer to as the rocks. I’ve done posts about the ridiculous “Keep of Jetty” signs previously. They are even more ridiculous now as the winter storms shifted the sand and completely covered the jetty. There is no jetty. There is a huge flat beach in front of where the jetty was. But the signs still warn people to stay off or they face fines and jail.
I made it to the lighthouse, walked through the gardens and out to the bench in front of the memorial stone honoring all those lost at sea. It had flowers in front of it. This might be the most peaceful spot in all of Wildwood. It looks out over a lagoon, sand dunes, and the ocean. You can here the chirping of the birds. The sun reflects off the lagoon and all is well with the world.
I sat there for 20 minutes and to my shock, two people walked by smiled and said good morning to me. That doesn’t happen during my daily walk in West Philly, my weekly treks to Wal-Mart, or ever. In these rare moments of peace and quiet I find myself wondering what it all means. I sat there calculating what the earliest date I could retire and be able to live a reasonably comfortable existence. I wondered how many years I could add to my life if I had the time to ride a bike 5 miles per day, walk a few miles, and not be under the daily stress of traffic and obligations. I bet it would be a few.
Is my daily rage against the machine worth it? Is it going to change anything? Is the future going to proceed on its destined course no matter what any of us say or do? I don’t have the answers. In the meantime, I’m going to relax, sit on my deck, read a book, take a walk and await the arrival of Avalon and Mike later tonight. Maybe I’ll find some answers at the bottom of my rum and coke at 2:00 am where everyone knows your name.
“Is my daily rage against the machine worth it? Is it going to change anything? Is the future going to proceed on its destined course no matter what any of us say or do? I don’t have the answers.”
YES, it IS worth it! We love your articles and need to be continually reminded by your artful and insightful writing that all is not coming up roses as the lamestream media and our pitiful government proclaim.
You have a gem of a website and I hope you find the time and strength to keep it going as long as you can manage. I’ll ante up another donation soon.
P.S. Dress warm tonight–gonna be unseasonably chilly. Love that global warming!
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Hey ho,
It sounds like you are still at that peak spending phase of life with many family obligations, etc. Therefore, retirement is simply a concept. However, one day leads into the next and the next thing you know….. The rat race is done. And once you start thinking of packing it in, it is just a matter of time before you do. For me, I attended one staff meeting too many run by an idiot trying to look good. I thought to myself, “This is one hour of my life I will never get back. Fuck it”.
I have a friend whose name is Barry. He loves to fish. In fact, he lives to fish. He used to work as a halibut fisherman and spent his off time in the Phillipines on his sailboat. He rented his house out to new teachers, who proved to be very good tenents over the years. As he aged he used his ship time to skipper a few different type vessels and finally ‘officially’ retired about 10 years ago. He is in his 70s. We all laughed because you actually have to have a job to retire from. He never really did, averaging just a few months of work per year.
The secret for Barry was not having debt. He never had too much cash, but adjusted his lifestyle to suit. Anyway, to make a long story short I decided to follow in his footsteps when my youngest left home with an apprenticeship in electrical. We sold the house in town and bought a riverfront shack 10 years ago. I worked my ass off rebuilding it, insulating it to crazy levels, new windows, a new living room addition with passive solar, and basically changed every freaking thing in the house. It is now a beautiful two bedroom cedar shingled house on a beautiful river. We also added an extra 15 acres when it came up for sale, all out of current income and the profits from selling the house. The only wages I paid out was hiring 3 schoolkids to help me roof. I got permission from their parents, built up the scaffolding to ensure their safety and paid them very good wages in cash. No loans for anything. No cash in chequing meant taking a break from building for awhile. My wife got a studio out of it and I have a shop and pub on the bottom floor of that outbuilding. Tile countertops as opposed to trendy granite are what we use in the kitchen. WTF? Granite? Who decides this shit?
The point of all this is what I discovered along the way about needs and wants. I pulled the pin at age 57 and my wife worked until 55. Our pensions are quite small, but together they are more than adequate. We found that unless you travel a lot and eat out in restaurants, you don’t really need as much money as ‘the experts’ indicate. My truck is a 30 year old Toyota 4X4…my wife drives a Yaris. We paid cash for them. If you buy a car on cash, I can tell you that you will never shell out $30,000 unless you are insanely rich. Instead, you buy something reasonable.
I am now looking at ‘the war on cash’ cropping up these days and wonder what I should do about my savings and RRSPs? We did the ‘pay yourself first’ thing for retirement planning and realize that as you age you need even less money. My mom is 95 with Alzheimers, and I can tell you she spent zip after age 75. My father-in-law is in his 80s. He now spends nothing. Of course this is Canada where our health coverage is single-payer. I suppose that makes a big difference.
I have another friend who just retired, and is now working again. He makes over $7,000 per month with his pension and somehow feels he needs to continue working. Sad, really.
All I want to say is that retirement is a mind-set. Barry lived a retired existence his whole life and worked at what he wanted to do. He now stops in and fishes with me or brings a friend along. Don’t wait, life is short. Best of luck.
regards (Glad to read that you took that day off)
“Is my daily rage against the machine worth it? Is it going to change anything? Is the future going to proceed on its destined course no matter what any of us say or do?” ——- Admin The Magnificent
Hey …. lemme tell you sumthin’ ……………. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE!! Does that mean anything? It does to me!
I, in turn, write articles here from time to time. I know some of those have made a difference in some folk’s lives. I believe they even emailed their friends an article or two. And who knows who they sent it to?
The BIG BIG picture? Well, it’s hard to say if it will “change anything”. Leave that in God’s hands. Even Jesus didn’t focus on that, not here on earth. By the time he was crucified only a few people were at the cross. A few people …. that became billions, in due time.
It’s people that matter. Trust me, my friend, you are affecting in a positive way many, many people. The results will take care of themselves.
Anyone that can turn Stuck from a George Bush supporting ,ranting and raging Republican into a calm, loving man of peace and supporter of volunteerism has already earned his wings..kudos to you admin..enjoy your rest.
You made me smile Jim. Anyways have a rum and coke for me as well. And like Stucky, you have changed my life as well…
Cheers
rt
“Anyone that can turn Stuck from a George Bush supporting ,ranting and raging Republican ….” ——flash
Amen to that, flash.
For the record, and for those who haven’t been here from the beginning, flash is absolutely correct. I truly WAS a raging Republican and Fux Newz watcher. That is no exaggeration. In was within my first week of posting here where Admin called me an “asshole” and also a “neocon”. One of those two accusations is no longer true. Wow … look at me now … I hate everything!!
Hey Stucky that’s funny stuff. Never been accused of being a Neo-Con. Might be because of free health care. Unlike you I’m not called an asshole too often. Not because I’m not a jerk but in these parts people like me are called arseholes…..
rt
p.s. Like you I hate just about everything too, but the beer here in Canada is good and doctor has told me I can still drink the odd one.
Enjoy your rum and cokes Admin, more than well deserved, and needed.
My hub and daughter are heading north, my dad is at home and as strong as he can be, and my sissy is heading over to spend the night so hopefully I’ll be at the bottom of a bottle at 2 am too.
Peace to you and yours.
ps- yep, this site changed me too. Depending on whom you ask is if it is for the better. Always praying for you and yours and others at this site. Thank you for that.
” I’ll be at the bottom of a bottle at 2 am too.” ———– TE
TE/others …. just a friendly reminder …….. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE !!!!
Peace be unto ya’ll
Sort of try to carve out some real relaxation, Admin.
I have spent my “staycation” this week on a major writing project, having an electrician install my 240v line, and renovating my condo building’s front garden.. with help from only one other owner, a woman who always mows the grassy areas and drove me to the nursery to pick up plantings. None of the other owners in here will lift a goddamn finger, just complain about the cost.
Weather’s still to cold here to go to the beach a few blocks from here, wouldn’t you know it.
Oh, well. I have too much work to do around the building anyway.
Admin, this is the finest site of its kind on the internet, without question. Not only have you helped bring the truth to light and to wake up many people you have also created a home for some of the most remarkable commentary anywhere. You have created an online family.
Worth it? Only you can determine that, but I propose the following question:
Do you really have any choice?
I think most of us ask ourselves these same questions from time to time. But you can’t go back… you can’t unscrew a pregnant woman, you can un-invent the nuclear bomb….and none of us can go back to sleep. We can only embrace it and move forward.
Socrates said: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
If nothing else, all of us here are examining the fuck out of our lives.
@Stuck. Nope, almost never anymore. For one, a big night drinking is three or four drinks over 6 or 7 hours starting with dinner.
Secondly, my sister thinks she is agoraphobic and hates new situations, so getting her into a bar is nigh on impossible. But, there are a couple within a couple miles walking distance so I have my fingers crossed a walk ends with a beer!
And, for cripes sakes I turn 48 next month. I may not feel it most days, but by 11 pm I sure as hell am…lol
Hugs Big Guy
@Chicago, I have a 160 x 150 yard, with over 100 feet of planted landscaping beds, plus garden boxes, and I also have about 90% of the work on my back. I’m going to try and sucker my sister into going and helping me haul mulch and dirt and plants., those tasks are always better with a helper. I’ll be thinking of you now as I beautify my yard! Hugs to you too
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When all else fails …. when you can’t find ‘the answer’ … when the day seems darker than ever ……..
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Admin,
You certainly have made a difference here. Opening my eyes to so many things of which I was so unaware. You attract an interesting and knowledge diverse crowd that offer insights you do not get anywhere else. It matters not how many articles you publish, we will savor each one like a fine bourbon. Enjoy your weekend with the family. I will be thinking of you as I continue to scrape the house prepping for paint.
Bob.
“I now have virtually no time to write articles because I’m too busy with life stuff and trying to keep the site relevant on a daily basis. I started an article three weeks ago and can’t finish it. It’s frustrating, but that’s how it is.”
—-Admin
WTF do you think this is, a potted plant? Heh. Enjoy the break with your family.
Watch out for those rum and cokes. My wife and I got into that shit big time while we were stationed in Panama, and so did a lot of our friends. Panamanian rum such as Ron Cortez was good and cheap, like a buck fifty to two dollars a bottle. You wouldn’t believe how many spontaneous parties broke out in our neighborhood on the weekends. You’d be out for a walk on Saturday afternoon, a neighbor would see you and ask you to stop by for a drink, usually a rum and coke. Next thing you’d know, the word spead, and 20-30 people would be whooping it up in that neighbor’s carport along with plenty of snacks and a dozen or so kids running around playing games with each other. It was crazy fun.
SSS
Weren’t you shooting rum&coke drinkers during the Prohibition Era? Yes, I believe you did.
Admin
How many blocks do you live from the Shamrock? Do you walk, or drive? Do you go there Saturday nights? Inquiring minds want to know.
Stuck
The Shamrock is 4 blocks away. We always walk to the Shamrock. What you call what we do when going home from the Shamrock I’m not sure. I’ve had to practically carry Avalon home a couple times. She had to practically carry me home once. I usually drink beer, and that never gets me too drunk. She had to carry me home the night I had 8 or 10 rum and cokes.
I just cleaned off our plastic Adriatic chairs on the porch and I think I’ll get started early with a Mudslide. The teenagers are rolling into town and what passes for bikinis are now strolling past my deck.
Section 8 Update: Mike is in jail. I’m not sure for what. Joyce doesn’t seem all that upset. The smell of marijuana was drifting out their storm door when I arrived last night. Section 8 is still doing great.
If Avalon isn’t too tired, we’ll be hitting the Shamrock tonight and definitely tomorrow night.
Hugs to you, too, TE.
I just want the owners in here, those “infestor” assholes, to not obstruct me in spending just a little more money on plantings in here.
This is a gorgeous old building. I frankly bought the place for the architecture, which you can only get in a building built before 1935. Mine went up in 1930. It is one very stately piece of work, with large, gracious rooms, lots of bay windows (my unit has 2 huge bays) and lovely stone work. I really hate that the previous owners were foreclosed in 2009-2011 and replaced with so many landlords. We have one foreclosure left, a young woman who has hung on for life for a decade, having lost her huge down payment in the bust, and she is now calling it a day since her mortgage is so deep underwater, and it’s not likely that these units will appreciate to their previous levels in my lifetime or hers.
I bought my 2 bed unit for one third the price units like it were selling for in 2006. I paid cash.
Now my task is to get her unit in the hands of another owner occupant. I have 2 interested people who love the building and can pay cash, or mostly cash. The current owner being foreclosed has not only stayed up-to-date on her HOA, but has functioned as a board member and has been the “go to” person in the building for a decade. She and I take care of everything- we bid the roof tear-off and tuckpointing, the boiler repairs and rebuild, the porch replacements… everything. We make all the decisions concerning the building.
When she leaves, I will be the only person in here to take care of it all, because the remaining owners are all investors, who never are here to help, but show up only to complain that the HOA is too high, and why is the hot water so slow, and do I really have to spend xxx $$ getting the snow shoveled off 3 90′ walks and getting the grass mowed? I am right now trudging through the bldg. budget and all the documents, trying to see where we can save money and what major repair or replacement will need to be done next.
And neither she nor I are collecting a dime of compensation for this. On the contrary, I have donated many hours of time and some money, for the garden, and for small items about the property.
Thanks, Admin.
I had a weird dream last night …. about YOU! Probably because of the DUI thread, and it was the last thing Ms Freud and I talked about before going to sleep. Anyway, I dreamed that you were arrested for DUI and I made some apple pie but my mother (WTF!!!) brought it to you in jail. I have some of most fucked up discombobulated dreams. I don’t view dreams as “omens”, but still … I’m GLAD you’re walking there and back home. Now I don’t have to worry about you … not to mention that my mom doesn’t even know what you look like!
What’s this nonsense about retiring. You are going to be working for the rest of your life. If this 4th turning goes side ways like they always do it’s going to be a struggle to keep food on the table. This is when it counts. Things are still easy now but …something… is going to happen in the financial markets that shake the foundations of our monetary system .Are you sure you are going to have a pension? Social security?What if our currency becomes worthless? You’ll have nothing. This is no time to get lazy.No time to retire. You need to be preparing for intellectual combat. It’s what you are good at doing….For what it worth .. I have learned a lot from you and the comments section. Thank you for all you do…I learned I will be working the rest of my life . This was one of the first things I learned on your SITE.
Stuck
I’d prefer a cheesecake. Should I drive just to make your dream come true?
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I read You aint Seen Nothin I II and III on FSN and they brought me here for Years of the Modern, that article specifically, was the ONE that got me. I practically get chills remembering, that old guy in the heading is ALWAYS with me, not haunting me, but beconing me forward with a sense of maturity that enables/encourages a deeper understanding not only of current issues but of life itself.
For that and this, thank you.
Stuck- look at me now … I hate everything!!
the new improved Stuck.
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Stuck , one drop of rain raises the ocean? hmmm. I thought the cause of that was global warming?
Admin
Congrats on some well-earned peace and quiet. Savor fully. In this culture we have so little time to just sit around and reflect that I’m sure we’re the poorer for it.
School is over for me next Friday. On Sunday I am heading up to Big Sur to stay at a Benedictine Monastery for a couple of days and nights. It’s an hermitage dedicated to silence and the spiritual enrichment that may result. No phone or internet connections. They will feed me but I am invited to enjoy meals in silence in my room. My tiny room has a private garden and a view over the Pacific. I will enjoy the monks’ singing and prayer four times a day (but only if I want to). This is something strange for a good Protestant girl like me, but it has been on my bucket list for quite a while.
I’m expecting to feel anxiety as I unplug from all the constant stimuli. Probably about the time I adjust it will be time to head home. Maybe I will have changed a little.
I’m hoping to be able to participate more on TBP this summer.
Have a good time this weekend.
admin, I don’t have time to post today…….getting ready for two weeks of vacation…….but trust me, you make a huge difference. Never doubt that! Have a good weekend!
T4C, Are you a paying member of POM website? I just noticed that most content is pay per view now.
“It was within my first week of posting here where Admin called me an “asshole” and also a “neocon”. One of those two accusations is no longer true. Wow … look at me now … I hate everything!!” – Stucky
You may hate everything, you are an angry SOB, but you certainly don’t hate everyone. I saw your letter to Mr. Downs on another thread. You are a seriously good dude..as the joos would put it: a Mensch.
Godammit, I hate when my comments come through as Anonymous. That was me Stuck.
Admin, didn’t you say you were going to run a 10k tomorrow? I think that’s great. Just do it – I always say. Have fun.
Stuck said: ” have some of most fucked up discombobulated dreams.”
What is the opposite of “discombobulated”
combobulated?
I need another drink!
No not driving either. I am in the back seat singing!
“SSS …………. Weren’t you shooting rum&coke drinkers during the Prohibition Era? Yes, I believe you did.”
—-Stucky, formerly known as Stuck in New Jersey
Why, yes I did. I personally shot thousands of rum and coke drinkers. We dumped all the bodies in the super stinky state of New Jersey, which had fouled air from oil refineries and corrupt politicians, who stank from rotting $100 bills in their wallets. Totally masked the smell of decomposing cadavers.
Here in Arizona, corruption is masked by politicians who smell like salsa. If you’re around them, you have an intense desire to go out and have some tacos. Sneaky little bastards.
Gayle said:
“I’m expecting to feel anxiety as I unplug from all the constant stimuli. Probably about the time I adjust it will be time to head home. Maybe I will have changed a little.”
Anxiety? Man I long to unplug permanently! I get positively giddy when I get to unplug. I could be a hermit in no time flat and not miss much at all. Silence is good too but I’d probably be mumbling (arguing with the voices) or singing to myself sometimes. That why I love being in the woods so much.
Today was a good day on my travels amongst the morons. If killing were legal I’d have only killed one today. I think that’s a record!
Have a great time Gayle……sounds like fun to me!
Thanks T4C. I figured you would be. Do you know what prompted the change?
I’m a cheap bastard so I’ll just have to live in ignorance.
Anyway, I dreamed that you were arrested for DUI and I made some apple pie but my mother (WTF!!!) brought it to you in jail.
Using the Nana to smuggle a file into jail is a great idea.
TBP has been very good to me. I started out being a dumb ass, now I am a smart ass. When’s graduation?
Admin – if I may suggest, you could write an article re your get out of dodge plans. Myou have to get out, eventually, and you are close enough now to see the goal line.
Where will you go, what lifestyle for you and Avalon, what activities to keep you occupied.
You may still be many years away from executing the plan – but what is the plan? You can flesh it out. I doubt Phillie is gonna be it. Or Wildwood. But maybe I am wrong.
Have a good time.
Admin – this is a good site – I read it daily – good group of folks here – don’t let things get you down – you have certainly made a difference in many, many lives, and I suspect you know this deep down…
T4C and I_S
Thanks for good wishes. I am so looking forward to the silence. Living in a metropolitan area, it is impossible to ever get away from the background hum, even at 3:00 a.m. The silence will probably be deafening. If the experience is interesting enough, maybe I’ll concoct a little post.
You know Jim, I don’t think you understand just how valuable your efforts have been to a lot of people.
Enjoy each moment, no matter where you are or what you’re doing because time is the only thing we have.
Excelsior!
Jim, a thick skin is key to a realistic existence. The best thing about this site, in MHO, is the no holds barred thumping that goes on daily, with minimal malice. It’s a rough tough crowd, I seldom see anyone here really thrown off their game by anything. That comes from the top, without a steady hand, it could desend
Descend into chaos quickly. Your writing is the draw, but there is enough of everything else to make your site interesting. Keep up the good work, guys like you have more value than the moment recognizes. Lots of lesser talent has been richly rewarded, your day might come, when truth becomes valuble.
Memorial Day weekend, I’m looking forward to spending 3 days on TBP but I have to entertain the Sexy Mulatta. (Sarge came back from TDY one day, went home for an hour and came back out with the guys for a beer. One guy asked, didn’t you have to [have sex] with the old lady? Old sarge said, oh, that’s taken care of.) So I invited her to a day at the beach, simple, no 3 day oddyssey. She insists she doesn’t want to go to the beach to go to the mall but I know her, I say, let’s just look, we came all the way over here..
I take a seat at the store and wait for her nearly an hour while she looks at everything. She will come back saying, it takes time and patience to look at all thie stuff and I don’t have either..
While I’m waiting, a small young man, shorter than my 5’4, stops to talk to me. He has Down’s. A lot of mentally deficient individuals are garrulous, talkative types. He tries to tell me something, scratches his head and when he realizes I’m willing to hear him out, attempts to go into detail. He stands nearly 5 feet, has a cross on a plastic chain, a drink cup in his hand and a small bag from a store in the mall. He explains in choppy fashion about his job, a co-worker, a hard manager, how he has trouble completing his assigned tasks, the money he used to pay for his purchases.. all this I gather by completing his thoughts. He taps on his head several times as if he wants to reset his mind to work better than it does, to complete his ideas and force them out in whole sentences.
In a way, I am that kid. A person who started out here with ideas half formed, with a desire to share them in some understandable way with others. To be heard and taken seriously or just to be heard. Someone said that a greeting is the way we acknowledge someone else’s existence. It is also the way we get acknowledged. It is a basic human need and I appreciate the opportunity to be heard here.
El Coyote is willing to listen to a babbling man with Down Syndrome, instead of shooing him away. That’s why, folks, at the end of the day I really really like him. A real Mensch .. as the Joos would say.
EC – nice comment.
Thanks, guys. Although in real life you may not like El Coyote. Some guy at the movies parking lot scolded me as I drove by, he said, your driving down the middle of the road, stay on your side. He drove off. I turned around and as he was picking up his daughters, I pulled up to tell him he was wrong, I was not in the middle of the road, he had 6 inches to spare. He said, I thought you were going to hit me, (going 5 mph) I just want to be safe..
I said, alright then and he said, alright then. I drove off because a couple of cars were honking and it was pointless to talk more. I tell the Sexy Mulatta, I would have apologized at any rate but he was rude to just correct me and drive off.