Recent content by califdreamer

When I was registering I was dreaming of retirement and the song popped into my head.

When flying out of SAN to go to Europe, the connection can be LAX, SFO, JFK, Newark, Atlanta, etc. depending on the carrier. If you are in North County you can fly out of Carlsbad and connect to LAX for an international flight. Also nice that there are non stops from SAN to Maui.

Three albums came to mind quickly when I read the title of the thread - Tea for the Tillerman (Cat Stevens), Lightfoot (really old folkie Gordon Lightfoot) and Stardust (Willie Nelson). Haven't heard any of these in many years. Someone mentioned JJ Cale. That might be the best pick of all.

I was called to jury duty in Santa Monica back in the 90s during the second OJ Simpson trial. I would regularly see the media characters and lawyers from that trial in the elevator and also in the front lawn of the courthouse when they were being interviewed by reporters. One day, we were told...

So our recovery has been much stronger than our European partners, as Obama said. Any argument there?

Al, I'm very sorry to hear about Lena's accident but glad to hear she's recovering quickly. Best wishes to you both!

Great to have you back Rich! Any one of the three choices would be great, just depends on which strong points appeal to you most. I have an inkling it might be Tampa. Sending good wishes your way!

I did build a budget with fairly generous amounts for discretionary expenses including $9,000 per year for vacations/travel, $7,200 for dining out and $4,800 for hobbies. Could probably pare this down by $6,000 or even more if we get the urge to cut loose earlier. We'll see how it goes...

I was very interested to see this thread since the title is a question I've asked myself over the last several years regarding projected retirement income needs. I voted that I'd be disappointed but, in reality, I wouldn't be that disappointed. In my latest mock budget for retirement I came...

Congratulations Rambler! Always encouraging to hear success stories. :)

Jeff, like others have said, nicely done and welcome! I'm not sure I've read something that so accurately reflects what I'm feeling at my core. I've got more slouching ahead of me...

"I was born to be idle." Are we related or something? Thanks for the post and congratulations on ER. I am envious and hope I'm not too far behind!

T-Al, you can come down to the SD area anytime for more fish :)

I'm one of the 99% that love San Diego and I would agree with previous poster that it sounds like a great choice for you. Another place to consider is San Luis Obispo, halfway between LA and SF in the Central Coast. Voted Happiest City in America or something like that. Scenic, mild climate...

Rented "Nowhere Boy" from Netflix, biopic of John Lennon. Focuses on his adolescence in Liverpool. I enjoyed the movie because it humanizes its subject warts and all and avoids the usual cliches. Kind of a sad movie but I enjoyed it.