Wednesday, June 3, 2015

#1440, Wednesday, June 3: Imagining retirement(s)

Post 1440, Day 154 of 2015
- 1,615 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

 Not too long ago, I had different retirement plans than I do now. This insight comes as I have just hit the minus-six-month mark to my fifth anniversary at the VA, at which point I qualify for a (small) pension.

The old plan was, upon reaching my sixty-sixth birthday, which happens seven-and-a-half weeks later, to embark on a 'farewell' tour visiting friends around the country, ending up in LA, and embarking on a quest to find a new home in Southeast Asia or South America. The idea being to keep relocating every 3 months until I found a place inviting enough to settle into.

Sometime around last Thanksgiving, I realized I didn't want to give up the good thing I have going for me right here in Syracuse. I'm having a lot of fun now, and feel good about my life. It was crazy to look for something on a grass-is-greener basis, as such.

I have no qualms about changing plans. Planning is a joke. It is based on expectations about the future, and nobody - especially me - can see the future clearly. Plus, the original plan was partly fear-based, and I don't like doing anything on that basis.

Social Security, IBM and VA pensions give me a reasonable, above-the-poverty-line income. That, however, doesn't seem to be enough to support my lifestyle in the US, but will suffice easily in many other places in the world. As long as I can make a little extra as a musician, though, I'm fine right here. That playing music also brings me great joy and social opportunities is an amazing blessing. I can't think of anything better anywhere else.

When the music stops, so to speak, it's time to put the original retirement plan back into action, assuming I'm able, from a physical/medical point-of-view, to go forward at that point.

The idea of uprooting and moving to a different place with a different culture is very attractive to me, but it is just a concept until I check it out for myself. What a wonderful life I have that this is even a possibility. I'm very thankful for the way this has all worked out.

Especially considering my role, for the most part, was just to imagine it.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   207.6 lbs
Previous Weight (6/2):            206.0 lbs
Day Net Loss/Gain:                + 1.6 lbs

 Diet Comment
Up-down-up, so my weight goes. At least, it isn't all the way up, and is under the trend line. Then, a great time at a gig, and an after-gig visit to an open mic and a great jam contributed appreciative alcohol to the mix. Uh-oh.
 
Food Log
Breakfast
A Quest bar.

Lunch
At CORE: Chicken bone broth (organic) with kale, quinoa, black beans, parmesan cheese, carrots, celery and scallions. Sorry - it looked so good, I ate more than half before I even thought about taking a picture.

Snack
Pepperoni.

Dinner
At Eskapes:
A Chipotle burger (ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, chipotle mayonnaise) with a mixed salad with ranch dressing. Not shown: Chocolate chip cookie for dessert.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 106+ oz. A glass of Pinot Noir, a shot of Jameson's

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11 comments:

  1. andyJune 4, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    Plans are always fear based.

    LightLoveCompassion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reverend KenJune 4, 2015 at 7:39 AM

      Point taken.

      Delete
    2. andyJune 4, 2015 at 8:21 AM

      I have to say no, not according to my understanding. You Are implies a division that exists only in the imagination of the ego which exists only as a dream of the physical brain, the portion of Mind that interacts with the lower frequency energies on the spectrum of Being.

      Delete
    3. andyJune 4, 2015 at 8:26 AM

      i cut and pasted to the wrong days' posting. This is my answer to the previous day's question - Is You Are the same as I Am?

      LightLoveCompassion

      Delete
    4. andyJune 4, 2015 at 8:29 AM

      The opposite of I Am does not exist.

      LightLoveCompassion

      Delete
  2. Reverend KenJune 4, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    We end up with Alice and the Caterpillar: Who are you? (with a nod to Pete Townshend).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. andyJune 4, 2015 at 9:18 AM

      Does that mean that you understand but disagree with my comments, or that you are making a semantic joke. or have i not communicated my understanding well?

      Delete
    2. Reverend KenJune 4, 2015 at 12:02 PM

      I understand, but disagree - you say 'I Am'. I perceive that as 'You Are', because the sending/receiving messages are duality in nature. If there is only 'I Am' there is no need to communicate.

      Delete
    3. andyJune 4, 2015 at 1:09 PM

      i mean "I Am" to represent the full spectrum Being-awareness that is shared by all life, with varying degrees of consciousness. It's all in the Mind , you know.

      Yes, there is no need to communicate in speech or words. We are in constant communication with all that is, although some are more conscious of this than others. Speech and words seem to be convenient (when used properly), but differing levels of understanding and interpretation often create confusion and conflict.

      Delete
  3. joanJune 4, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    I am so glad for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reverend KenJune 4, 2015 at 12:09 PM

      This is why we need direct, not written communication. I read your message, which I understand is you being happy at my good fortune, but in my head, I immediately heard it in the voice of the 'Church Lady', and added, "Aren't you special?" (Again, I know this wasn't what was meant, but... it could have been). I love you, both, all...

      Delete

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