While my retirement date is much further away than I would like, the magic number birthday is coming up. So my classmates and I are all filling out the requisite forms.
It is time, Frodo.
I have to admit it wasn’t as exciting as getting my driver’s license, or my first
The Write Side Shop
passport.
It’s just one of those rites of passages and I’m okay with that.
Hey, I’m all about the senior discount for the early buffet.
It’s an admission though, of knowing that I have less time in front of me than behind. I’m also okay with that.
I mean, sure, I’d like to be able to feel young again. I’d like to be able to diet and lose 20 lbs. in two weeks again. There’s a list, but you get the idea.
I have a retirement countdown. A co-worker used to have a countdown clock in his office. I’m not ready to go there yet because I don’t want to have the office discussions. But I do have an app on my phone.
Here’s the thing. I know how much time I have before I can retire. I don’t know how much time I have left, if you get my drift. None of us does.
I just want whatever time I have left to count. To not feel like it’s being wasted.
Know what I mean?
It makes me sad to think that I had to be almost 65 before I really began to grasp the concept of living in the moment. Maybe the pandemic helped with that.
Sure, there are always things to look forward to. But today’s not too shabby either.
If nothing else, I’ve got my Medicare card to look forward to.
Take the victories where you can get ‘em folks.
Yesterday was also an okay day, but it was an absolutely crazy news day.
Susan Rice out at the White House.
Don Lemon out at CNN.
Tucker Carlson out at FOX.
Links to stories are below.
RANDOM LINKS OF INTEREST
Majorities don’t want Biden, Trump to run in 2024: survey The Hill
Most Americans in a new poll don’t want former President Trump to run for the White House in 2024, and a majority doesn’t want President Biden to run for reelection, either, as he prepares for an expected campaign launch that could come as early as this week.
Count me in on that survey. Whatever you think of them, they’re both too old. We can do better.
BREAKING: Tucker Carlson leaves Fox News as they ‘agree to part ways’ The Post Millennial
The statement reads: “Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday April 21st. Fox News Tonight will air live at 8 PM/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named.
Don Lemon says he has been fired from CNN NBC News
The news comes as Lemon has been at the center of a string of controversies over his on-air comments and treatment of female colleagues.
I am not making this up. In fact, I don’t know makes these things up.
I suppose “they” do, in spite of the fact that none of us really knows who “they” are.
I mean, it can’t be Congress. Sure they name the big holidays, but otherwise they’re too busy with renaming Post Offices and insider trading.
Too soon?
Seriously? Look it up and tell me how any of them became multi-millionaires on a salary of less than $200,000.
I digress.
Years ago as I was approaching 55, I wrote a bucket list of my own and actually posted it here.
I know none of us is guaranteed tomorrow, but I am nowhere near ready to kick said bucket. But, while it spent several years in the shed, it’s at least out now where I can see it.
While I’m a much different person than I was ten years ago, true story, I’d still like to do everything on that list. I ironically, the seemingly easiest to do, the Chincoteague Pony Swim, is still to be done.
But I’ve added it to my calendar. We’re going to try.
On other fronts, I haven’t published my novel, but I’ve published three children’s books. That’s part of being a different person. I was then, and have always been a writer. It’s just that, as I wrote then the first was published, in 2022, I figured out how to be a writer and an artist, which I also am.
Speaking of which, I’ve not yet had my own art show. I did participate in a book fair, so I’m closer. And I’m producing works of art that could potentially be in a show some day. It’s been a matter of finding my niche.
I am not yet fluent in Spanish, but I’m on day 556 on Duolingo. I still struggle, but I can read most basic phrases, and speak a few as well.
There’s a bunch of travel on that list. Some I may never get to.
But one of the big ticket items is to go hike the canyon. I mentioned this on Friday.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that my first summer out of Asbury College (now University), I did a short term mission project with World Gospel Mission to Arizona and New Mexico. We took a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon.
I bought the t-shirt “Go Hike the Canyon.” I vowed to make it back to hike the canyon, then to raft the canyon, and then…well, now my best friend and I are embarking on our Old Man Bucket List Road Trip (OMBLRT ™) in August. We’ll be camping around the rim and doing some reasonable day hikes.
There were fourteen items on that bucket list in 2013. Ten years later I’m close to checking off three of them.
In full disclosure, while I do hope that Mr. Shakespeare had a wonderful birthday yesterday, I’ve removed the “Read the Complete Works of Shakespeare.”
I tried. It’s just not happening. Instead, I have enjoyed listening to a podcast called Chopped Bard where Ehren Ziegler walks us through Shakespeare plays scene by scene. He’s nowhere near finishing the Complete Works. But over the coruse of the pandemic, I did get caught up on ten years worth of podcasts…and that reminds me, I’m a few episodes behind.
Like I said, I may never get to some of the travel on the list. You could help that by buying my books or art (ETSY, CafePress, Zazzle) or by just hitting the tip jar on your way out.
And, while it wasn’t on the original list, if you’re casting for Big Daddy, Tevye, or Edna, have your people call my people.
RANDOM THINGS OF INTEREST
Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy protection, begins liquidation sale Reuters
The home goods retailer, which shot to popularity in the 1990s as a go-to shopping destination for couples making wedding registries and planning for new babies, has seen demand drop off in recent years as its merchandising strategy to sell more store-branded products flopped.
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I applied for Medicare this weekend.
I have a retirement countdown. A co-worker used to have a countdown clock in his office. I’m not ready to go there yet because I don’t want to have the office discussions. But I do have an app on my phone.
I just want whatever time I have left to count. To not feel like it’s being wasted.
PM/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named.
