ER Surprises - Letterman Style

[Mr._johngalt]

Number 10: That my parents would not only still be alive, but be
living independently.

Number 9: That most all of the activities/projects I planned for my retirement have been discarded.

Number 8: The terrific troubles with keeping good health insurance.

Number 7: Proliferation of health problems.

Number 6: The huge amount of time and money spent in court
and on attorneys.

Number 5: Portfolio conversion from 40% CDs to 40% bonds.

Number 4: Still not drawing down my IRA, 13 years after I expected to start.

Number 3: Went back to work full time for 2 years.

Number 2: Moved (residence) 6 times.

And the Number 1 surprise (rim shot!)

It was pretty easy to accomplish ER, all things considered.

JG

[renferme]

I see that you're back; welcome back JG.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt Number 6:* The huge amount of time and money spent in court and on attorneys.

Why doesn't this surprise me in the slightest?

[Caroline]

so do we get an explanation for the departure and subsequent return, or did I miss it?

I'd love to hear that you found something so enthralling to do that you just didn't have time to write. I'd maybe add it to my own retirement plan.

[donheff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennevis I see that you're back; welcome back JG.

Wait a second. Is this the JG who was asking about getting unbanned a couple of weeks ago? I have been participating in his annuity thread and some others and haven't seen what all the controversy was about.

So just what is it that you do that gets everybody going JG?

[AltaRed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff Wait a second.* Is this the JG who was asking about getting unbanned a couple of weeks ago?* I have been participating in his annuity thread and some others and haven't seen what all the controversy was about. So just what is it that you do that gets everybody going JG?

You really started something now...... let the floodgates open.

[MJ]

Well IMO, as an opportunist and one hungry for attention, JG may be taking advantage of a vacuum created by CFB's permanent absence from the forum. With a lot of new people here, he can dazzle them by restarting his ER "I did it on my own" myth.

[Mr._johngalt]

Ah, so many fans, so little time.

I will answer all of your questions and any others you wish to
pose - maybe some you haven't thought of .

First, it's no "myth" that I did it by myself with almost no net worth
and almost no planning. No braggin' - just fact. Secondly, I
expected the comment about all of my "court time" and I do agree
with my personality it was probably inevitable. I still was a little surprised by it.

As to why I left.........former DW was using the computer to mess
with my head (no need for you to comment on that as I can read your thoughts). I departed this august body mostly as the thrill
was gone and I was tired of sparring with TH/cfb (bored I guess).
Then, the computer went down (May I think) so I went all summer
computerless, which was okay. One day I decided I missed
you guys and so I hauled it into the shop..........Long story short;
I'm back in business.

JG

[TromboneAl]

I have to say that not one of those 10 items is true for me.

[eridanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt As to why I left.........former DW was using the computer to mess with my head (no need for you to comment on that as I can read your thoughts).

Wait, is this the nurse or the first wife, she of the expanding budget?

[Dreamer]

Welcome back, JG. Sorry to hear about all of the problems.

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer Welcome back, JG.* Sorry to hear about all of the problems.

Thanks. No one gets through this life without them. Just a matter
of degree.

JG

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl I have to say that not one of those 10 items is true for me.

I'm not sure if this is a good thing? In spite of all my troubles, I have
enjoyed my life and my ER immensely. Don't hold back folks. You only get one shot.

JG

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer Welcome back, JG.* Sorry to hear about all of the problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt Thanks.* No one gets through this life without them.* Just a matter of degree. JG

Let's point out that her posts claim that she's the one with health problems and you're the one who chose to divorce her to avoid having to support her financially.

ER's tough when your primary income stream isn't able to work anymore...

[Andre1969]

What happened to CFB anyway? I really miss his boob-shots.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre1969 What happened to CFB anyway?* I really miss his boob-shots.*

He's doing fine with the usual ER routine-- the kid, the spouse, the house, and whatever personal entertainment time he finds.

He still checks the board every week or two, and if you send him a PM the board software will send him an e-mail notifying him of your PM. Except for a couple posts last week he's shown no interest in coming back.

Otherwise you'll just have to get your Vida Guerra fix from Google Images...

[Caroline]

Quote:

Let's point out that her posts claim that she's the one with health problems and you're the one who chose to divorce her to avoid having to support her financially.

I'm sorry, but I'm from the slow class and could use some clarification here:

1. Do I understand that the SECOND wife, the post-ER wife, is now an unfortunate memory?* Or are we still talking about wife #1?*

2. Whichever wife it is, is she posting here and is that common knowledge to everyone except me?

3. If it is common knowledge, then who is the lady, please?

(Not that it's any of my business... but it's hard enough following the financial discussion -- don't want to be clueless on the personal side as well!)

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline I'm sorry, but I'm from the slow class and could use some clarification here: 1.* Do I understand that the SECOND wife, the post-ER wife, is now an unfortunate memory?* Or are we still talking about wife #1?* 2.* Whichever wife it is, is she posting here and is that common knowledge to everyone except me? 3.* If it is common knowledge, then who is the lady, please? (Not that it's any of my business... but it's hard enough following the financial discussion -- don't want to be clueless on the personal side as well!)* *

Yeah, you're right. It does get murky.

I am in the process of divorce number 2 and "soon to be ex"
is an "unfortunate memory". She is not posting here as far as
I know. Interesting that almost everyone has the same response
when they hear the news; but it's split 50/50 between
"How did she stand him for 5 years?" and "How did he stand her for
5 years?" Marriage........Bah Humbug! I'll never say "never" tho.

JG

[Caroline]

Well, put my down as one who remembers what this feels like (in general, don't know the specifics), and is sorry for your troubles.

I know that you know you'll come out the other end, but it sucks when you're in the middle of it.

Take care of yourself during this stressful time. Ideological differences aside (where they should be during hard times), I know that everyone on this site wishes you the best.

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline Well, put my down as one who remembers what this feels like (in general, don't know the specifics), and is sorry for your troubles. I know that you know you'll come out the other end, but it sucks when you're in the middle of it.* Take care of yourself during this stressful time.* Ideological differences aside (where they should be during hard times), I know that everyone on this site wishes you the best.*

Thanks. Very nice of you to say so.

JG