Friday OT - A Series of Unfortunate Events

SerenityNow

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Dec 4, 2009
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Central Iowa
If I'm being serious, my own mortality is creeping into my thoughts a lot lately as I've gotten older. But, I don't want to be serious so this:

 

CYdTracked

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Mar 23, 2006
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Grimes, IA
Repeating but when I retire I'll still plan to work, just not something that I have to be tied to out of financial necessity.

You know, something enjoyable.

My goal is to hopefully be in a situation where I can consider at the very least partially retiring around age 60 even if that means taking some lesser or part time job that carries me into full retirement. I heard Coach Fennelly talking to Sean recently on KXNO and he asked about retirement and Bill said the first year he is not coaching he plans to go to baseball spring training in Florida and he and Deb have even talked about possibly getting jobs as ushers at a ballpark too as they think it would be fun to come to ballpark regularly and meet people and take in a game in the process. That might be something I would consider doing. I figure I would take up some kind of DIY hobby or projects around the house at first or even spend more time trying new things with smoking meat and possibly enter some local contests.

I'm in my mid 40's now and been through a lot of crap over the years working in corporate America. There were times I didn't sleep well because I was thinking too much about the work I had waiting for me in the morning or my job security but I eventually came to realize when I am done with work for the day I check completely out and my personal life becomes the sole priority. The company you work for is not going out of business if you take time off or take another job or don't work overtime and they'll never be as loyal to you as you may be to them so it's not worth stressing over and letting it affect or carry into your personal life. I'm pretty patient and worry free for the most part and prefer to live in the moment and when you do that I think you enjoy life a lot more. I think unsubscribing from the Cave forum here in 2020 helped improve my mood a lot and I tend to mute friends on social media that project anger and negativity now too. I think when you consume too much negativity and go down some of the rabbit holes that come with that you become sucked in and take on that negative and fearful mindset yourself. Life is too short to live in fear and anger and is much more enjoyable when you make a conscious effort to not get sucked into negativity and choose to consume more things that bring you happiness and contentment.
 
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CYCLNST8

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Jul 19, 2008
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www.gimikk.com
I was feeling fine until I read this thread. :prohm:

Historically I often lived my life reckless and carefree. Now that I have a two-year old daughter, my biggest nightmare is something happening to her. I'm still getting used to my life decisions revolving around someone else's well-being. It's a weird new headspace.
 
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KnappShack

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May 26, 2008
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Parts Unknown
Grok's comments today

Violence as “the answer” isn’t you pulling triggers—it’s the mob’s reaction. Want to survive or profit? Hoard resources (cash, guns—your earlier vibe), bet on chaos winners (security firms, not just tech), or go off-grid before the lid blows. History says it’s coming unless something bends—and it rarely does.
 

cyclones500

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Jan 29, 2010
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Michigan
basslakebeacon.com
View attachment 143655
This photo puts everything in perspective.

View attachment 143655
This photo puts everything in perspective.

It's good to find perspective of that sort, but I admit I struggle with it sometimes.

That is, we may be a speck in the cosmos, but we all still have to do "Earthly things," within the reality we have.

Of course sometimes it's positive, sometimes not, it can ebb & flow or go back and forth.

It isn't always easy for me to think, "Well, in the grand scheme of things, it's OK." Part of my mindset is that way, but during extended stretches, when it seems "my planets don't align" (heh!), things can feel a bit bleak.
 

MeanDean

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SuperFanatic
Jan 5, 2009
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Blue Grass IA-Jensen Beach FL
Technology just keeps going and I was pretty up to date. Not a technophobe at all. I do find all the impersonal ways to deal with businesses and medical especially frustrating.

I changed doctors and insurance carriers this year. It is a laughable nightmare the ways nothing works. Started with my insurance company assigning me a new primary care physician. I was fine with that as my previous had moved on from the org he was with. Made an appointment and went to the new doctor's office and the NP tells me, "This doctor has NO appointments available in his schedule for this calendar year." I have a NP as my primary now. Okay.

Set me up for labs. Went to the hospital for the labs and am told I can't get labs today. Insurance won't let me until 3/17. No, they can't make the appointment. I can use their website or just walk in. I go home and finally surrender and create an account. It won't let me make a lab appointment until April. Alright, so while I'm on there I attempt to move my Dr appointment out - since I don't have the labs yet. Nope... can't do it.
 

NWICY

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2012
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And the whole student/professional thing.

Part of me is also impatient. I kind of just want them to say the athletes don’t need to be students or spin-off the teams from the athletic departments so I can just make a decision about whether or not I still want to support the teams
Woof if they would spin off that would be a tough call for me.
 

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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When I left for college as a barely 18 year old freshman that was the end of living at home. I had to grow up fast. On the other hand, Mrs. Velo's situation was different. She still had her room at home and came home some weekends and summers from school to work her high school job. She also had an apartment of her own for several years after graduating from college and starting in the work force. Her parents let her move home for about a year before we got married though. She had to pay them rent but was able to save quite a bit of money so we were able to put enough down on our house to avoid having to pay mortgage insurance so it really paid off. It was a humbling experience for her as she was in her 30s.

I have a son with quite a few minor but not insignificant developmental, learning, and emotional disabilities. I have a feeling we will have him at home for a fair amount of time after he graduates from high school next year even after he joins the workforce full time.
Just teach him if the tie is on the door knob on the door he uses to come in the house. To come back later ;)
 
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NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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I have a couple uncles that battled dementia. My parents are both fine and remarkably healthy for being over 90, but the fear of dementia being a possibility in my future is unbearable some days.
My dad doesn't have dementia I don't think but he has definitely taken a step back the last couple of years. It really sucks.
 
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FarmerCy1

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Aug 10, 2020
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Without caving the thread:

Parents getting older- they’re both doing fine still, but they’re getting older and it can be hard to see both parents not be able to do as much as they used to be able to do.

Commodity prices- I think it was a quote from Yellowstone that you have five years of profit and five years of loss, and it feels like we’re entering the five years of loss portion of the cycle. When your way of life is based on traders in Chicago, the weather, and South Americans it’s hard enough, then throw in the world the way it is today- it can keep you up at night if you let it.
 
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