Back from SoCal after 2 weeks on the left coast. Lots to write about and to process as we visited the land of free and not so freeways, surfers, tattoos, ocean views, face lifts and friendly people.
Plenty of good food and the beautiful city of San Diego.
But first I have to straighten out this blog thing as I keep writing what amounts to a monolog. How to get you to respond?
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Some Getting Used To
For the last 12 years August 14 was a work day. At school by 7:30 I'd check on the progress of summer repair work, consult with Anthony the custodian, "Are we going to make the opening?"
Didn't really matter his response as the kids would be here on the first day. Amazingly enough we always made it!
We'd be preparing the summer letter to parents, with class lists. This annual ritual always resulted in a few disgruntled parents. However in the lat few years we did our homework and complaints were few and far between.
This year it is very different. Rather than going to work and seeing to the opening of school, I'm sitting on the porch reading the paper, eating breakfast and with no excuse not to go to the gym.
Still on the summer / fall clock, I haven't planned for my next move but sure have been giving it lots of thought. Now that it is dark by 8:00 I know the first summer of my retirement is passing and I look forward to my favorite time of year, Fall
Didn't really matter his response as the kids would be here on the first day. Amazingly enough we always made it!
We'd be preparing the summer letter to parents, with class lists. This annual ritual always resulted in a few disgruntled parents. However in the lat few years we did our homework and complaints were few and far between.
This year it is very different. Rather than going to work and seeing to the opening of school, I'm sitting on the porch reading the paper, eating breakfast and with no excuse not to go to the gym.
Still on the summer / fall clock, I haven't planned for my next move but sure have been giving it lots of thought. Now that it is dark by 8:00 I know the first summer of my retirement is passing and I look forward to my favorite time of year, Fall
Saturday, August 11, 2012
DUM,DUM!
One of the real advantages of retirement is my ability to catch up on my farina, Dennis Farina, the actor. You know him as the mob boss in Midnight Run(my favorite movie) and as the detective in Law and Order. Every Saturday as part of my early morning workout at the Tully Center in Stamford I plug in my headset to a repeat, they are all repeats, story of L and O. The signature DUM,DUM! sound signals an hour of workout and working out the who done it.
I like going to the center on Saturdays early in the AM as the place is empty, just the way I like it. Going during the week and later in the day serves as a reality check that the days are going by.
Hope all are enjoying the hottest summer on record.
I like going to the center on Saturdays early in the AM as the place is empty, just the way I like it. Going during the week and later in the day serves as a reality check that the days are going by.
Hope all are enjoying the hottest summer on record.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
AAA, AKA ,DMV
Everyone hates the DMV and for good reason. All who worked there were trained in how not to make friends. Lines stretch on and on and once you got to "your turn" you'd usually find out you were in the wrong line. I think every time a customer is told, " Sorry, wrong line" the off duty representatives in the break room chalk up another sucker on their tote board and have a good laugh at our expense. Imagine how pleased I was to see that my local hometown AAA outpost started taking over the painful task of license renewal. However in the hands of AAA it was no biggie and might I say almost a pleasure. "$65 please, SMILE, done!- 10 minutes tops.
Like everything else in this, what can we do to screw this up, world, I went to AAA to get a Trip Tik book, a remnant of a simpler time only to find, AAA has become the DMV. At 10:00 the line stretched out the building, and with only 2 people working the desks, it was going to be a long wait.
As I waited on line, one of the representatives did give a traveler a map of Wyoming. As a retired person I do not have time to wait, so I left to visit the app store in the hope that AAA had now joined the tech highway with a Trip Tik App. They have but the reviews were dismal at best.
Progress?
Like everything else in this, what can we do to screw this up, world, I went to AAA to get a Trip Tik book, a remnant of a simpler time only to find, AAA has become the DMV. At 10:00 the line stretched out the building, and with only 2 people working the desks, it was going to be a long wait.
As I waited on line, one of the representatives did give a traveler a map of Wyoming. As a retired person I do not have time to wait, so I left to visit the app store in the hope that AAA had now joined the tech highway with a Trip Tik App. They have but the reviews were dismal at best.
Progress?
Friday, August 3, 2012
August 3, AM
Routine?
Got up, got out of bed, had an early breakfast, read the NYT and off to the gym for a morning, well 30 minutes actually, of exercise. There is a woman at the front desk at the gym who is very pleasant and seems to know who I am but I have no clue of how I know her. If only she and everyone else wore a name tag! "Tully Center receptionist, short brown hair... anyone, anyone?"
Have I told you lately how wonderful my wife is for talking me into central AC. Retirement would not be half as much fun if it wasn't for the comfort of AC. If you have been contemplating AC, just do it! The world isn't getting any cooler.
For those of you for whom weekends still matter, have a great one, as for me, what's today?
Got up, got out of bed, had an early breakfast, read the NYT and off to the gym for a morning, well 30 minutes actually, of exercise. There is a woman at the front desk at the gym who is very pleasant and seems to know who I am but I have no clue of how I know her. If only she and everyone else wore a name tag! "Tully Center receptionist, short brown hair... anyone, anyone?"
Have I told you lately how wonderful my wife is for talking me into central AC. Retirement would not be half as much fun if it wasn't for the comfort of AC. If you have been contemplating AC, just do it! The world isn't getting any cooler.
For those of you for whom weekends still matter, have a great one, as for me, what's today?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
August Already!
As the calendar page flips to August I still am not getting those back to school feelings. I guess it is because I'm not going back!
I am sure I will feel a bit out of sorts as I have been preparing for back to school for 57 years! Wow, that is depressing!
One of the benefits of not working is that you can go to the supermarket off peak. However you do get to see the old friends, faces you remember and names you forget and who has taken an extra long lunch hour to by their produce.
I am sure I will feel a bit out of sorts as I have been preparing for back to school for 57 years! Wow, that is depressing!
One of the benefits of not working is that you can go to the supermarket off peak. However you do get to see the old friends, faces you remember and names you forget and who has taken an extra long lunch hour to by their produce.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Let's Blog
Let's get ready to blog!
Now that I was able to meet with My Secretary for life, I m ready to communicate via the blog thing!
Was in Boston over the weekend and we went to the North end, it ain't Arthur Avenue. Tourists galore. The food is ok, small OK. There was a feast going on with St. Joseph adored with dollar bills, and lots of T-shirts for their team.
Johnny Boston was performing on the bandstand with 4 guys from the old timers home backing him up. Well one guy on the accordian was playing while the other 3 sat poised to play their instruments although they never did. Johnny had a boom box that was providing the music. Then he introduced "one of the most talented gals in our business, Gina Boombats" or something. These fringe performers always refer to it as "their business.
Hope to hear from you all soon.
Now that I was able to meet with My Secretary for life, I m ready to communicate via the blog thing!
Was in Boston over the weekend and we went to the North end, it ain't Arthur Avenue. Tourists galore. The food is ok, small OK. There was a feast going on with St. Joseph adored with dollar bills, and lots of T-shirts for their team.
Johnny Boston was performing on the bandstand with 4 guys from the old timers home backing him up. Well one guy on the accordian was playing while the other 3 sat poised to play their instruments although they never did. Johnny had a boom box that was providing the music. Then he introduced "one of the most talented gals in our business, Gina Boombats" or something. These fringe performers always refer to it as "their business.
Hope to hear from you all soon.
July 30
Miss me?Joyce and I were on the Cape to visit some friends who have a lovely home there. Right on the ocean....it is sometimes who you know that counts. while there we went out out on a 77 ft schooner for a beautiful luncheon sail in Yarmouth between the mainland and Martha's vineyard. It was an absolutely spectacular day with a beautiful lunch under the fluttering sails of a magnificent ship. This was our second outing on a rather large boat this summer and both times were very peaceful and luxurious. Better to know someone with a boat then to have a boat.From there we went to Cambridge and I attended a 3 day workshop on the arts. A major participant was Yo-Yo Ma who is a founding member of the Silk Road Project. Wonderful experience and a concert from the group including Yo-YO. He and I were classmates as he attended the workshops as a student. Terrific guy and very committed to the arts and education. Also met some amazing musicians who are part of the Project. One of the musicians was a spanish jazz bagpipe player, no joke, named Christine Paro, AMAZING! Google her.Came away from the conference with a great idea to implement a performing arts program for kids. Will discuss at a later date.One of the presenters remembered me from my attendance at a week long workshop 17 years ago, she even remembered the group I was in, group C, WOW! I knew I was a memorable guy but...Still looking to figure out how we can communicate as that is the purpose of a blog, because without you it is a blah, blah, blah!Will post soon, hope summer is going well for all.
July 22
Sunday night and the end of a good weekend.
Yesterday we went to Smorgasburg an outdoor food fair in Williamsburg Brooklyn. So what if we were the oldest people there, the food was great and the day perfect. The views from the Brooklyn side of the East River to die for. Happens every Saturday in the summer, worth the trip.
today we went to buy Joyce a new lens for her camera. really thought that this would be less expensive then her spending time in Bloomingdales..NOT! But she is having a great time and totally enjoying her retirement as a photographer.
Well some of the back to school feelings have started to creep in as Target has a great deal on Bic pens and binders are 4 for a $1.00 this week. I will not give in to the temptation.
Hope you all had a great weekend too.
Went to see Woody Allen's To Rome with Love for the second time. Not so much the story but the scenery (including Penelope Cruz) worth a second look.
Yesterday we went to Smorgasburg an outdoor food fair in Williamsburg Brooklyn. So what if we were the oldest people there, the food was great and the day perfect. The views from the Brooklyn side of the East River to die for. Happens every Saturday in the summer, worth the trip.
today we went to buy Joyce a new lens for her camera. really thought that this would be less expensive then her spending time in Bloomingdales..NOT! But she is having a great time and totally enjoying her retirement as a photographer.
Well some of the back to school feelings have started to creep in as Target has a great deal on Bic pens and binders are 4 for a $1.00 this week. I will not give in to the temptation.
Hope you all had a great weekend too.
Went to see Woody Allen's To Rome with Love for the second time. Not so much the story but the scenery (including Penelope Cruz) worth a second look.
July 19
Good morning the heat has broken and we can finally open the windows.
Dinner last night with some good friends, the Barths. I have been very fortunate to have made some wonderful friends during my time as Principal.
Ordered business cards today as I prepare for the next chapter. Great tool to use at the senior home as my new friends will obviously need visual aids to remember my name. God knows I'm there already! If I was in charge all would have name tags 24/7.
Good Bye,
my name is
John
Dinner last night with some good friends, the Barths. I have been very fortunate to have made some wonderful friends during my time as Principal.
Ordered business cards today as I prepare for the next chapter. Great tool to use at the senior home as my new friends will obviously need visual aids to remember my name. God knows I'm there already! If I was in charge all would have name tags 24/7.
Good Bye,
my name is
John
July 18
Haven't been on for a few days as I am trying to work out the kinks of google +. Saw my secretary over the weekend but we did not work on the blog. Hope to get it straightened out real soon. In the meantime been getting used to the retirement clock. Took off my watch on June 22 and haven't worn it since. Haven't been late yet!
Have I told you how much I love my wife for the central AC she convinced me we needed. After 25 years of room air and humidity it is a pleasure to walk into a cool and dry house, especially in this heat.
Hope all are having a great summer.
Have I told you how much I love my wife for the central AC she convinced me we needed. After 25 years of room air and humidity it is a pleasure to walk into a cool and dry house, especially in this heat.
Hope all are having a great summer.
July 13
Just did some banking both on line and in person and was very proud of myself all seemed to go well. I was also able to go online and set up my electronic account. Getting the hang of this fast moving electronic age.
July 11
Time goes by. Today I received in the mail my copy of the AARP newsletter, most of you also receive it, admit it!
Great information on how to save money which will be a pastime of mine over the years.
Joyce commented yesterday that I was looking a little closer at the price of things in the supermarket. When did Nabisco Vanilla Wafers become $5.00?
Also am considering dropping Face Greek yogurt at $7.99 for a cheaper Greek brand. Oh the sacrifices we make.
Great information on how to save money which will be a pastime of mine over the years.
Joyce commented yesterday that I was looking a little closer at the price of things in the supermarket. When did Nabisco Vanilla Wafers become $5.00?
Also am considering dropping Face Greek yogurt at $7.99 for a cheaper Greek brand. Oh the sacrifices we make.
July 10
Tuesday began with a trip to the dentist. I can pretty much sit through any kind of drilling but x-rays make me gag!
Teeth in fine shape and now can cross this off the summer doctor rounds routine. all that is left is skin check and stress test. I'm thinking the stress test will be just fine.
Later today we brought some art work to the Greenwich art Society for an art show. While there I got a glimpse of the Senior Center, NOT pretty.
No need to think of this now as my 7200 day will put me at 83, then I'll reconsider checkers with the boys.
Teeth in fine shape and now can cross this off the summer doctor rounds routine. all that is left is skin check and stress test. I'm thinking the stress test will be just fine.
Later today we brought some art work to the Greenwich art Society for an art show. While there I got a glimpse of the Senior Center, NOT pretty.
No need to think of this now as my 7200 day will put me at 83, then I'll reconsider checkers with the boys.
July 9
Monday morning. Good weekend. Yesterday we went to NYC to continue to document a day in the life of the city, with Joyce's photos.
We went to her favorite haunt, Soho to snap interesting people. Unfortunately they are few and far between on the weekend as the city is taken over by "I heart NY" tourists all with cameras. Lots of foreigners, and I enjoy watching them interact with the city. Even when they are the only ones around it is fun to see them take in NY.
Great lunch at Ideya in Soho our favorite place with a Caribbean flare.
Need a bathroom in Soho? We know them all so head to the Gansevoort Hotel or any hotel for that matter as they have bathrooms off the lobby, just walk in like you own the place.
Later in the day we helped a woman pick out 2 paintings for her living room. She bought them from a talented painter who had a stall on West Broadway. Joyce offered her considerable, professional opinion while I held the paintings for the buyer to compare. $1000 sale, not bad for the day.
Looking for more people to join my circle.
We went to her favorite haunt, Soho to snap interesting people. Unfortunately they are few and far between on the weekend as the city is taken over by "I heart NY" tourists all with cameras. Lots of foreigners, and I enjoy watching them interact with the city. Even when they are the only ones around it is fun to see them take in NY.
Great lunch at Ideya in Soho our favorite place with a Caribbean flare.
Need a bathroom in Soho? We know them all so head to the Gansevoort Hotel or any hotel for that matter as they have bathrooms off the lobby, just walk in like you own the place.
Later in the day we helped a woman pick out 2 paintings for her living room. She bought them from a talented painter who had a stall on West Broadway. Joyce offered her considerable, professional opinion while I held the paintings for the buyer to compare. $1000 sale, not bad for the day.
Looking for more people to join my circle.
July 7
The clouds have made the temperature bearable and despite the forecast of 100 degrees, right now it is pretty good. Break promised for tomorrow. Thanks to my wife and after 25 years of objections, the central air is great!
Love going to the gym on the weekend, no one is around and I like it that way. The only people there are the spinning spinsters and they are behind closed doors. The drill master leader barks commands and encouragement to the participants. Some day I'd love to sneak behind the spin door to see people of a certain age spinning with their wheel chairs and "rocking" to Benny Goodman, those of you under 50, look it up!
Happy Saturday, I think
Love going to the gym on the weekend, no one is around and I like it that way. The only people there are the spinning spinsters and they are behind closed doors. The drill master leader barks commands and encouragement to the participants. Some day I'd love to sneak behind the spin door to see people of a certain age spinning with their wheel chairs and "rocking" to Benny Goodman, those of you under 50, look it up!
Happy Saturday, I think
July 6
One week in the books unless of course you count the fact that I went to work on Monday, July 2 to help the new guy out.
Been going to the gym on a regular basis for a week, a record. Also the gym I go to is good for my psyche as I am the youngest person there and I can run circles around my new demographic.
Thanks to NE for joining my circle, great picture in your profile. I'd respond to you specifically but I haven't a clue how to do that. Learning everyday but not there quite yet.
Been going to the gym on a regular basis for a week, a record. Also the gym I go to is good for my psyche as I am the youngest person there and I can run circles around my new demographic.
Thanks to NE for joining my circle, great picture in your profile. I'd respond to you specifically but I haven't a clue how to do that. Learning everyday but not there quite yet.
July 5
Money saving tip of the day: I called Expedia to tell them that the Lenox Inn was not up to expectations and they credited me $50 dollars. So if you are not satisfied with your lodgings let them know, 'cause hey you never know.
Looking for some of my 38 contacts to respond and let's get this blog going!
Looking for some of my 38 contacts to respond and let's get this blog going!
July 4
Happy 4th!
We went to Tanglewood over night to see James Taylor in concert. Getting there was no picnic as route 7 is cleverly disguised as route 20, but once we arrived we had a picnic and great seats under the shed for the evening concert. He was great and for a guy my age and shows no sign of retiring. But then again he has 3 wives to support!
We stayed at the Lenox Inn in Lenox. sounds much better than it was but with last minute plans it was about all we would get. Think BATES Motel from Psych with the M part of the sign burned out. So we spent a night at the LENO Inn but no sign of Jay.
This mid-week 4th has all of us a bit disoriented, is it Monday or Thursday?
One thing is for sure I-95 at 6:30 was a breeze. Never saw it so empty.
Looking for more of you to respond to my exciting life.
JG
We went to Tanglewood over night to see James Taylor in concert. Getting there was no picnic as route 7 is cleverly disguised as route 20, but once we arrived we had a picnic and great seats under the shed for the evening concert. He was great and for a guy my age and shows no sign of retiring. But then again he has 3 wives to support!
We stayed at the Lenox Inn in Lenox. sounds much better than it was but with last minute plans it was about all we would get. Think BATES Motel from Psych with the M part of the sign burned out. So we spent a night at the LENO Inn but no sign of Jay.
This mid-week 4th has all of us a bit disoriented, is it Monday or Thursday?
One thing is for sure I-95 at 6:30 was a breeze. Never saw it so empty.
Looking for more of you to respond to my exciting life.
JG
July 3
Another sunny, hot day. Hey it is summer!
I guess my ever year schedule has masked the fact that I am retired. joyce says it will hit in September when I am not polishing my shoes, sharpening my pencils and preparing for the opening day of school. Well I'll cross that bridge. Keeping up my exercise routine and on Sunday we went to see To Rome with Love, the new Woody Allen movie. Very funny, really. Woody regaining his sense of humor in his old age. We went to the 5:00 show and were the only people under 75 in the sold out theatre. shades of things to come?
I guess my ever year schedule has masked the fact that I am retired. joyce says it will hit in September when I am not polishing my shoes, sharpening my pencils and preparing for the opening day of school. Well I'll cross that bridge. Keeping up my exercise routine and on Sunday we went to see To Rome with Love, the new Woody Allen movie. Very funny, really. Woody regaining his sense of humor in his old age. We went to the 5:00 show and were the only people under 75 in the sold out theatre. shades of things to come?
July 2
Today I spent the day with the new Riv. Prin. filling him in on the ins and outs of the job. At 3:00 I handed over the keys and that was officially the end of my career at Riverside, turn the page, off I go.
Money saving tip of the day.
Michaels Craft Store. Just keep talking to the sales person, she'll hook you up with an online coupon, and ultimately save you 30% on items plus 3 additional coupons for 40% off. As long as you are willing to go back to the store at least 4 times in the next 2 weeks! Hey I got nothing to do.
Money saving tip of the day.
Michaels Craft Store. Just keep talking to the sales person, she'll hook you up with an online coupon, and ultimately save you 30% on items plus 3 additional coupons for 40% off. As long as you are willing to go back to the store at least 4 times in the next 2 weeks! Hey I got nothing to do.
July 1, 2012
OK after 3 tries I think I am ready to post to 7200 Days.
I know so many of you...well at least my immediate family are waiting to hear about retirement so far. Well so far so good.
First a very big thank you to all who had anything to do with my retirement party(ies). There were some tears, lots of cheers and memories that will last a lifetime.
My blog will offer insight into the wonderful world of the alternative lifestyle known as retirement.I will offer helpful money saving tips you can use even if you are not without job. Yesterday I gave up my $14 Clinique shave gel for a $4.69 can of Nivea shave cream. Money saved $9.31, unfortunately this austerity move was obliterated by a impulse purchase of 2 James Taylor tix. Well I worked hard, I deserve it
When and if I figure out how to post photos, I will. The cover photo shown is of a sunrise, NOT a sunset and the Where in the World Photo is of me at Coney Island during one of our many trips there over the past year. While Joyce stalked subjects for her photos I visited Nathan's.
I know so many of you...well at least my immediate family are waiting to hear about retirement so far. Well so far so good.
First a very big thank you to all who had anything to do with my retirement party(ies). There were some tears, lots of cheers and memories that will last a lifetime.
My blog will offer insight into the wonderful world of the alternative lifestyle known as retirement.I will offer helpful money saving tips you can use even if you are not without job. Yesterday I gave up my $14 Clinique shave gel for a $4.69 can of Nivea shave cream. Money saved $9.31, unfortunately this austerity move was obliterated by a impulse purchase of 2 James Taylor tix. Well I worked hard, I deserve it
When and if I figure out how to post photos, I will. The cover photo shown is of a sunrise, NOT a sunset and the Where in the World Photo is of me at Coney Island during one of our many trips there over the past year. While Joyce stalked subjects for her photos I visited Nathan's.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)