quietly into the night

Maybe this year...

It is close to the time i need to go--
For every one's sake....

It is strange to be considering retirement and investigating 

the possibility after a complete lifetime at work.

I had my first job, illegally, at age 12---50 years ago.

I've lived since then with the concept that there would never be an end to work.

I've never actually allowed myself to seriously think of an end to it.

Now there may be.

We are currently in a hold awaiting an estimate of payout

with our retirement plan, understanding completely how lucky we are

to have any sort of plan in this time of the winner take all economy.

Our situation will not be the Cadillac and world cruise retirement

of the previous generation,

who had the benefit of a booming economy, unions, non-criminal bankers,

led by an elite class who at least, left a little for those below them.

Those days are gone forever.

If we are lucky our retirement plan estimate may place us

 over the poverty line for a family of two but

below the poverty line for a family of four. 

Neither Jo nor I are exorbitant.

We like our little house, our gardens, our books and music,

we can easily entertain ourselves it seems.

Pending the arrival of the estimate i have a strong 

belief that based on our lives as we know them,

we should be, well, OK -- dependent on how the world around

us works or doesn't work.

With retirement

there is the emotional and intellectual side  

to consider. 

There is only so much that one can plan and think out 
in advance, or else God will laugh.

When all is said, done, thought out, talked out,

and worried through....

I for sure am looking forward to having as much fun retired

as i possibly can.

"The best time to begin thinking about your retirement,

is before your boss begins thinking about your retirement."

Unknown

not working

The other night we were watching streaming TV.

When the Internet went out.

When checked, the laptops were out as well.

We tried to call the provider but the cell phones were out.

In attempting to watch a DVD we found the DVD player was out.

I sat there sort of thinking that in a manner of speaking,

this was how World War Z started out.....
just a string of funny little things-----

Was it one of those funny things that just happen?

I think?
I didn't go outside to find out tho.....

I haven't been doing much reading lately...
But I came across a line on one of the Internet Forums 
I go to often which read:
"You have to forgive your younger self."
I was really stuck by this single line.
I do have trouble forgiving my younger self,
and will try to be better at this.
Strange how one line you read can change your thought process?

We have also been in the process of investigating and planning
my possible retirement this year.
The next blog will discuss my thoughts on retirement in some detail, I hope.
The simple fact of writing on the subject may help.

I am off for two weeks.

My usual post Christmas vacation after filling in for 

all the regular humans at work who did their holiday stuff.

I always take leave around this time of the year.....

One of my projects is working on my D'Aquistino archtop.

The plan is to install a set of new light gauge strings, 

(done yesterday) 

and install a fender lace sensor humbucker pickup.

The pickup I purchased can attach to the guitar in 

multiple methods so that i do not permanently 

alter the guitar. 

As you can observe my practice amp, effects,

and basically my whole process needs organization.

I am building a practice pedal board and attempting

to set up a plug and play system. 

One cannot be surrounded by ugly when one is trying to be creative.

 It just doesn't work.....

I am working on my equipment and practicing as best i can.

"Every artist was first----an amateur."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blank Year

I am very glad the holidays are over....

Our little boy is going blind.

It sort of snuck up on all of us.

He's adjusting and luckily he was a very OCD dog

when he could see, so he has very particular habits.

Being habitual i believe makes it easier for him to cope.

He is our baby tho---

I have been faithful in practicing.
My Wile Coyote genius plot is to build up enough of a
 songbook of jazz standards to take simple, solo jazz guitar gigs when i retire.
Coffee shops--bookstores things like that.
Fifty bucks under the table every once in a while
for a couple of hours gig would be nice,
and it would provide a project...
Jazz is a format that old guys are expect and accepted.

No midnight barroom sets anymore for me--
Maybe IHOP would spring for three pm senior special gig
If I'm good enough it might get rowdy tho----

It's in route anyway. 

"Solitude is better than the

society of evil persons."

Abu Bakr