Tag Archives: Hampton Coliseum

08

Jul. ’17

Retirement Woes

Growing up, there was this unrealistic assumption that being retired was a goal to achieve in order to live the waning years of life in complete peace, tranquility and ease. Yet, as this age of life is finally here, the stark truth of retirement is realized and most of it is not entirely the way it was envisioned. Those that are not overly wealthy find daily worries, wondering about the amount left in an account after the last shopping trip and before another sum is credited into the account. With that, to some, not being enough worry, politics enter the picture. Most elderly people think politics does not overly concern elderly individuals because they have retirement money, social security money and other income, for some not all).

These monies are for housing (even if the house is paid there is maintenance, taxes and insurance), food and utilities (not counting clothing and mild entertainment). Then account for the insurance for any medical issue. Politics have a strong and lasting effect on all of this. As one catastrophic example, imagine a person depending on retirement money from a corporation. Then imagine politics forcing that corporation to declare bankruptcy. Now the corporation cease to exist and so goes the retirement money. And, in a domino effect, there goes the way of life for the retiree, that is if the retiree is not independently self sufficient. Also think about depending on work place health insurance. If you stop working, where does health insurance fit in?

As the political scene tease, change and outright stabs a person in their heart, the retiree, like me, wonders what will tomorrow bring. Will I have enough money for housing needs, food, medical care and, politicians don’t want to hear this, entertainment. Politicians have their way mapped out for them and they don’t worry about their future. We the people pay their way. People with money don’t worry because they have their life and they don’t worry or care about those without money. Sure, they give a little to this cause or that cause but for the most part it is only a drop of water in a very large bucket.

We all have to worry about our political scene as it is presented to us today not yesterday. We not only have to look at what is happening now but what will happen in the future when certain bills are passed and bestowed on us and our children. What hoops will our children have to jump thru to reach retirement (or will they be able to retire). The life of peace, tranquility and ease will be snatched away and replaced with doubt and angst.

I’ll throw one more wrench into the machinery and leave this train of thought alone for a while. Don’t believe being ex-federal (civilian or military) leaves you immune to all that is happening in politics. The politicians are attempting to not only put deep cuts into things non-federal but they are looking at the military (don’t believe everything that you have heard about the military), federal hospitals and everything else that is federal. It will be a little slower coming than the rest that is proposed but, if they have their way, it is coming. Everybody that does not have a large sum of money will be on shaky ground with no where to run. And remember one other thing, if you voted for the present administration, you either have what you wanted or you will get what you want. Oh well.

In closing, although this is not a woe, my wife and I, again, was able to enjoy an entertainment before cuts are made in my monies. Where did we go? The annual Hampton Jazz Festival in beautiful Hampton, Virginia. As usual, the artists this year were outstanding and, of course, I saw my favorite, Fantasia. The line-up look like this: (Friday Night) Jill Scott, Kem, Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright & Jonathan Butler. (Saturday Night) The O’Jays, Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton, West Coast Jam featuring Richard Elliot, Norman Brown & Rick Braun. (Sunday Night) Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Patti LaBelle, Ramsey Lewis, Bobby “Blackhat” Walters. All of this was performed in the Hampton Coliseum and it was the 50th Anniversary for the festival.

This fall, across the street from the coliseum at the Convention Center, will be the annual Hampton Jazz Legion. We will be there also because, like I have said before, I love jazz and want to attend live performances. Both programs are always sold out well in advance and so are hotel spaces. In fact, people usually get tickets and hotels a year in advance of the performance.

Try to stay safe and cool. Have a great summer and be kind to others. See ya!!!

Coco Cay, Bahamas

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20

Nov. ’16

Remedy

Sorry about not posting last weekend but, as I have said in the past, my wife and I are retired and we do what retired people are supposed to do. We have as much fun as our feeble bodies allow and then try to push a little more. We went to the jazz concert in Hampton, Va. at the convention center. Four days of having fun and listening to jazz. Who could ask for more except for more jazz.

I can’t recall all the artists off the top of my head because there was over a dozen, maybe more. However I took over a hundred pictures (good close ups with my zoom lens) and bought some nice cd’s to boot. We’re already thinking about next year because Stanley Clark and War a couple of the performers. Walter Beasley, Phil Perry, Sheila E and more headed up this year’s lineup. This was not at the Hampton Coliseum but the Hampton Convention Center. There are two jazz programs. One in the spring and one in the fall. Let me move on…

Old Man Winter is finally here and now we can go through it and hope of a warm spring. However, this time of year bring all sorts of colds and flues but I rarely get any of what is going around. As I thought about it and researched it, one thing stuck out. My immune system is still strong as ever and, contrary to popular belief, I know why. At the slightest hint something is about to happen, everyone take this or that and begin trying to get rid of whatever. I don’t, even during those rare cases when I do get something or get ready to get something.

I quit taking the flu shot in nineteen eighty six and can recall having the flu three of four times since then. Before that I had it every year and I truly believe it was because I took the flu shot. The common cold is another rare thing. I may get one a year, sometimes every other year, and it will last only four to five days at the most I haven’t had a sore throat in many, many years (I was a radio DJ and that was not a good thing to have). And now I will tell you why, knowing most will say they disagree.

I let my body fight the ailment and build up a tolerance to it and anything similar to it. Shortly before retiring from the military, it became mandatory to take the flu shot with the assurance you will not get the flu. I got it at least once, sometimes twice, a year anyway. I took the shot for two years after retirement. I got the flu. I missed a year and did not get the flu. The second year I asked myself why take it if I was going to get the flu. I didn’t take the shot and didn’t get the flu. I still don’t take the shot and, like I said, it has come upon me three or four times. I don’t take cold medication and rarely get a cold. If I do, I let my body fight through the ailment and I just suffer through it. It is only about four days and I will be fine until next year. My wife will be all over me and I still don’t get her cold.

I am not telling you how to medicate your body. I am not a doctor. I am talking about me. This is the cold and flu season and there will be a lot of people walking around giving it to others. What I am saying is that your body can fight almost anything if it is given a chance. Then you couple that with being able to, every now and then, suffer through the ailment for a short time. Each time you suffer through it will become shorter and shorter.

Here is another short burp…How many saw me in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on November eleven? An article was about me and two other veterans on page one and continued on page six (with pictures). I was at the jazz concert when the paper was printed but I saved the paper and others saved it for me also. Oh, well…at least it wasn’t a mug shot but it came close. Take care, stay warm and be careful in your travels.

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13

Mar. ’16

It’s That Time Of Year Again

Aah, spring is right around the corner and the heat is on. Not too hot and not too cool but just right. I love this time of year. What is even better is the fact the fish are getting ready for me. They are just waiting for me to come for them and to bring them home. Aah, my time of year. Plus, I love retirement and all that it brings. The problem is I don’t have enough time. There are not enough hours in the day for me to do all the things I want to do. Fish, bike, walk, travel, gamble, read, write and other things I just can’t say at the moment. Hell, looking at the list, that’s a lot. No wonder I don’t have time for anything. I didn’t even include sleep or The Might Pen Project (themightypenproject.org) (or go to the Virginia War Memorial web site). The MPP is keeping me very busy in itself but it is a good organization and more vets should try it. Not because it is free but simply try it and let the inter self flow.

Besides my fishing, I have quite a few trips planned. There is so much to do and not enough time to do it and work my part-time job also. First on the list is to Charlestown, W.V for two days at the casino. Next on the agenda is Puerto Rico for a few days. June is the ten day cruise, sponsored by Brookdale Imperial Plaza. July is my grandson’s wedding in Colorado. I’m not sure about August but September is the jazz fest in Hampton Coliseum (not The Hampton Jazz Festival). This should be three days of great music and fun and it’s only an hour away. I’ve already booked my tickets and hotel space (can’t be driving home drunk on I-64 ). This is as far as I’ve gotten, so far, and the year is covered except for August. At least, I don’t remember what will happen in August. I’m sure there’s something. Oh yeah…there is a family reunion in Penn. coming up. Forgot about that. Oh, well!!!

What I really want to do is go back to Europe next year. My wife have never been (like I’ve never been to Puerto Rico, where she is from) to Europe. I want to show her Germany, Holland, Austria and then England before returning home. I may stop by France but that would be a side trip while we are there. Most of the time will be in Germany and Austria. That is only a plan at the moment.

Retirement is great and I’ve worked all my life to enjoy my waning days. Just as well spend what I have because I can’t take it with me when it’s my time to move on out of here. When it’s that time, I can’t say wait, give me more time because I want to do this or that. And, years have been spent working to do this.

So, all of you out there, have the fun I am planning to have. Don’t let grass grow under your feet. Move!! Have fun!! Go places, do things!! Life is short and will not wait on you. And, if my blog is late getting out or it’s not out at all, you now have an idea why. Don’t hold it against me and, on second thought, join me. We can have fun together and just live it up.

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