What did you do today? 2016 version

[UpAnchor]

Celebrated first day of being fully retired! Worked most of the day going through and pitching work-related files, drawings, resource matl's, etc. from home office. Surprised how much there was. Maybe half done, if that. DW admonished me for spending first day of retirement "working". I told her, "This is different. I'm not getting paid for this."

 

[harley]

Went to a Pink Floyd tribute band concert last night. Not really a fan of tribute bands, but tickets were inexpensive, so what the heck... I'd give the band a "B-" musically, but the laser light show was pretty good.

Perhaps being a guitarist, and having done front-end mixing in the past, makes me overly critical, but the lead guitar was painfully louder than the rest of the band, vocals were so-so, and the band struggled on a couple of tunes. Doesn't help that I saw the real PF three times...

Sadly, even seeing the "real" band is like a tribute band these days. Not many intact groups left from the 60s or 70s. I was thinking of catching Lynyrd Skynyrd this year, but really it's just Gary Rossington and Ronnie's little brother, plus some other guys. I saw Peter Green a few years ago, and it was just some young guys who propped him up in a chair and stuck a guitar on him. Pathetic. The only legit acts from back then (besides the Stones, who are immortal) are individuals like McCartney, or Van Morrison, or Neil Young, who just tour with a group of good musicians. The Allman Brothers were actually (IMO) as good or better in their later incarnation with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, but most others of the old bands are shadows of themselves. Not that I blame them. I'm retired, why shouldn't they? At least the ones that are still alive. But I try to stick to newer bands for live shows these days.

 

[pb4uski]

Just got done winterizing the swamp cooler (or evaporative cooler in scientific terms). Job would not be as bad except the swamp cooler is up on the roof, which is a metal roof. Gets very slick when wet. Winterizing means getting it drained of water, removing the mineral encrusted pads, and general cleaning of it inside and out before wrapping it with a cover. So getting wet is part of the process. Not a fun job trying to stand on sloped roof and work while not slipping and potentially falling off the roof.

Sounds like a good job to hire out. A good friend fell off a roof shoveling snow about 5 years ago and it was a disaster for him. Bad brain injury, ended up mentally disabled and unable to work. He's making progress, but still not the same.

 

[travelover]

......... I suggest you buy a safety harness and a strap or a D-ring that you can attach the harness to (possibly at the swamp cooler) so you don't do serious damage. You can get all the parts you need from Amazon.

Good suggestion. I still do my gutters (Colonial with walkout), but I put a D ring on the peak and bought a harness from eBay for about $75. I way end up swinging, but won't bounce.

 

[HFWR]

Sadly, even seeing the "real" band is like a tribute band these days. Not many intact groups left from the 60s or 70s. I was thinking of catching Lynyrd Skynyrd this year, but really it's just Gary Rossington and Ronnie's little brother, plus some other guys. I saw Peter Green a few years ago, and it was just some young guys who propped him up in a chair and stuck a guitar on him. Pathetic. The only legit acts from back then (besides the Stones, who are immortal) are individuals like McCartney, or Van Morrison, or Neil Young, who just tour with a group of good musicians. The Allman Brothers were actually (IMO) as good or better in their later incarnation with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, but most others of the old bands are shadows of themselves. Not that I blame them. I'm retired, why shouldn't they? At least the ones that are still alive. But I try to stick to newer bands for live shows these days.

This ^ is why I attend mostly jazz-oriented shows these days. Some of the "classic rock" acts apparently hit the road with minimal practice/rehearsal, and apparently count on tin-earred, nostalgia-starved fans, who can't hear the difference. Glad I saw many in their heyday.

Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Return to Forever... All appear to have as good or better chops than in olden times.

 

[Walt34]

Sounds like a good job to hire out. A good friend fell off a roof shoveling snow about 5 years ago and it was a disaster for him. Bad brain injury, ended up mentally disabled and unable to work. He's making progress, but still not the same.

My ladder climbing and roof climbing days are over for that reason. I'm even going to hire a guy to replace the light bulbs on the outside of the house in the back that require using a 25' ladder. There comes a time when it just isn't worth the risk and for me that is now.

 

[Meadbh]

My ladder climbing and roof climbing days are over for that reason. I'm even going to hire a guy to replace the light bulbs on the outside of the house in the back that require using a 25' ladder. There comes a time when it just isn't worth the risk and for me that is now.

Good decision, Walt34. Ladders and anticoagulants do not mix well.

 

[Music Lover]

My ladder climbing and roof climbing days are over for that reason. I'm even going to hire a guy to replace the light bulbs on the outside of the house in the back that require using a 25' ladder. There comes a time when it just isn't worth the risk and for me that is now.

I'm 54 and still climb roofs...but am far more selective these days and avoid any with a steep pitch. I'll probably shingle my house myself next year (I've done dozens), but it will be my last one. Actually, it's not the ladder or the height, it's just too hard on my back being bent over for that many hours.

 

[Walt34]

Good decision, Walt34. Ladders and anticoagulants do not mix well.

Oh, I'm off the anticoagulant now. The cardiac ablation last March seems to have been successful (no afib events at all) so the cardiologist was okay with stopping it.

 

[Meadbh]

Oh, I'm off the anticoagulant now. The cardiac ablation last March seems to have been successful (no afib events at all) so the cardiologist was okay with stopping it.

Excellent!

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Sadly, even seeing the "real" band is like a tribute band these days. Not many intact groups left from the 60s or 70s. I was thinking of catching Lynyrd Skynyrd this year, but really it's just Gary Rossington and Ronnie's little brother, plus some other guys. I saw Peter Green a few years ago, and it was just some young guys who propped him up in a chair and stuck a guitar on him. Pathetic. The only legit acts from back then (besides the Stones, who are immortal) are individuals like McCartney, or Van Morrison, or Neil Young, who just tour with a group of good musicians. The Allman Brothers were actually (IMO) as good or better in their later incarnation with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, but most others of the old bands are shadows of themselves. Not that I blame them. I'm retired, why shouldn't they? At least the ones that are still alive. But I try to stick to newer bands for live shows these days.

We've been enjoying tribute bands for many of the same reasons. We saw Brit Floyd (Pink Floyd) this summer and they were great.

We also saw the original group The Fixx and that was a lot of fun. They sounded the same and had a lot of younger followers in the crowd.

 

[Souschef]

MiG 15 flight

Got home from our trip yesterday, but still tired. I guess if you are not acclimated to living at 7000 feet, it takes a lot out of you. Also so does getting older
Anyhow, I did finish the little story of my flight. I recently turned 78, and am still flying.

 

[Just_Steve]

Oh, I'm off the anticoagulant now. The cardiac ablation last March seems to have been successful (no afib events at all) so the cardiologist was okay with stopping it.

Well, in that case might I suggest you get back on 2 wheels.

 

[Meadbh]

Got home from our trip yesterday, but still tired. I guess if you are not acclimated to living at 7000 feet, it takes a lot out of you. Also so does getting older
Anyhow, I did finish the little story of my flight. I recently turned 78, and am still flying.

I am enjoying living vicariously through your stories, Souschef!

 

[Walt34]

Well, in that case might I suggest you get back on 2 wheels.

I've thought about it but there have been some other noticeable declines in abilities, such as balance, that make me think that getting another motorcycle might not be a wise decision. I know some guys ride into their 80's but I'm not gonna push my luck that hard. It was fun while I had it, and I still have the memories, but like retirement, "When it's time to hang it up, you'll know".

 

[UpAnchor]

I've thought about it but there have been some other noticeable declines in abilities, such as balance, that make me think that getting another motorcycle might not be a wise decision. I know some guys ride into their 80's but I'm not gonna push my luck that hard. It was fun while I had it, and I still have the memories, but like retirement, "When it's time to hang it up, you'll know".

And that's how I feel about flying. For me anyway. My wife has hinted about woodworking as well. But hey - a guy can only go so far...

 

[38Chevy454]

Got home from our trip yesterday, but still tired. I guess if you are not acclimated to living at 7000 feet, it takes a lot out of you. Also so does getting older
Anyhow, I did finish the little story of my flight. I recently turned 78, and am still flying.

That flight sounds like a real experience. A friend of mine from college has a business where they update and convert old military planes for personal use, he is located at Stead Airfield in Reno; wonder if his company had anything to do with that plane you flew?

I live at similar altitude 7100 ft elevation, just south from Santa Fe. Doing a lot of physical work does make a difference vs sea level or near that. You get acclimated to it, but it always has an effect when you try do more strenuous stuff.

 

[Just_Steve]

I've thought about it but there have been some other noticeable declines in abilities, such as balance, that make me think that getting another motorcycle might not be a wise decision. I know some guys ride into their 80's but I'm not gonna push my luck that hard. It was fun while I had it, and I still have the memories, but like retirement, "When it's time to hang it up, you'll know".

I understand. For me, before I give it up I will go tike for a while but I hope hat won't be for some time.

 

[harley]

I understand. For me, before I give it up I will go tike for a while but I hope hat won't be for some time.

I'd consider something like the Can Am Spider if you're considering going towards a trike. They are so stable you'd have to be trying really hard to tip it. We just had bike week out here at Ocean City MD a couple of weeks ago, and I saw more than one standard trike lying on it's side. According to some of the riders I've spoken with they are nearly as unstable as a bike when riding, but much easier to deal with sitting still.

 

[jjquantz]

And that's how I feel about flying. For me anyway. My wife has hinted about woodworking as well. But hey - a guy can only go so far...

We finally took my grandfather's woodworking tools away after he sawed off the tip of a second finger. It's probably still down in the basement of that house somewhere.

Sometimes when it's time, you don't know.

 

[Meadbh]

My Dad knew when it was time to give up driving. His reaction time was slow, he almost knocked down a little girl, and he knew it.

 

[jabbahop]

Woke up and got the twins up for school. Reviewed son's college essay first draft and wrote some feedback - it was pretty good though. Walked dog 4 miles in the woods behind the house. Approved the main pic and description for our house that is going on the market tomorrow. We won't move until the kids graduate in June, but testing the waters during fall foliage season - maybe will get a bite from someone willing to wait.

 

[twolfy]

Rode 20 miles on our bikes today on the Sleeping Bear Heritage trail up near Glen Arbor, MI. Also did some hiking, shopping, brew pub stopping and went out for a great dinner all to celebrate our 36th yr anniversary. Great couple of days!

 

[Hermit]

Just got in from leveling the yard on the east side. About 4 hours of swinging a pick, shoveling dirt into a wheelbarrow, moving the dirt around to the front yard, and raking everything level. It was a good morning for such work - in the low 50s. The wind kicked up so I will wait until another day to move dirt around as needed in the front yard.

 

[MRG]

Drove to the top of the world(Lobo Overlook). At 11700' it was good to have the pit toilets.