Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 46 of 68)

An old guy’s perspective on all sports

Retirement is not without Hassles: Lazy Days #828

February 2, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s been another glorious week of laziness. As a part-time couch potato, I watched the season finales of both Outlander and Vikings. When my wife got home from work we occupied our evenings with The Americans. Meanwhile, The Curse of Oak Island once again led to few discoveries, as it approaches the end of another season. I also watched I.U. lose their seventh straight Big Ten game on the big screen at Buffalo Wild Wings, just so you know I did leave the house. I then had our traditional “Leadership” lunch there on Friday.

While I wasn’t watching TV or sleeping, I dreamed of travel. Once again I referred to the 1000 Places to See Before You Die calendar, noting that I hadn’t yet been to Belgium (except the airport), the Galapagos Islands, Ethiopia, Turkey, or Bolivia. We have been to Naples (both Florida and Italy) to prevent a total destination shut-out this week. We do leave for Phoenix in another week, signaling the end of my lazy, homebody streak. There’s another potentially painful I.U. basketball game this afternoon before we take-in tonight’s feature film, The Favourite, using one of our many Fandango gift cards from Christmas. Last night’s dinner at nearby Bethany’s Table was another gift from my wife’s staff. Even this week’s “Date Night” was economical at Nek Won Korean Restaurant. Every dollar saved is a dollar to spend on travel.

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl and thinking ahead I tried to make plans to go to next year’s big game in Miami. This was a fruitless attempt to accomplish at least one joint bucket list goal. Even a year in advance, lodging is hard to come by. Tickets, on the other hand, we think we can buy though my wife’s work. I guess we’ll wait to secure the seats first and then look for an Airbnb. Travel to Florida will also give me a chance to see my son and his family for a few days. My wife, unfortunately, will need to get back for budget meetings. This year we’ll eat wings in the living room and watch the Tom Brady show unfold.

I did get my aging car serviced this week at Jiffy Lube, but there were mysterious issues in getting my emissions clearance for Oregon plates. I will still have to go to the dreaded DMV next week. I hope this does not mean expensive electronic repairs to my car or more discussions about a new one. It seems like a shame to invest in a different car when I drive so few miles every week. I only fill-up about once every month and a half. I also worked on Turbotax, trying to reduce my IRS payout in April. This is a pending expense concern along with medical bills, mother-in-law care, and perhaps a wedding.

The most constructive thing I do every day is my morning run. In defense of any perceived laziness, “The Streak” now stands at 3,668 consecutive days and counting. I also take the dogs out at least six times a day, so I do have important responsibilities. Our pups were happy this morning since the rain held off and we were able to get in a “Schnauzerthon.” However, snow is in the cards over the next few days and none of us will be happy with that possibility. Looking ahead, more laziness is in the forecast for next week, along with thoughts of what would have been both my mom and dad’s 98th birthdays. They were never lazy. I miss you!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Thy Will Be Done #823

January 29, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

One of the gravest responsibilities of retirement and life for that matter is preparing and maintaining a Last Will and Testament. Even those four words sound rather ominous as you think about laying out all of your dying wishes. The fact of the matter is that if you don’t leave a will then you dump that responsibility on your loved ones, or worse yet people that don’t care. I’ve prepared four different wills in my lifetime, working with both attorneys and even Legal Zoom. One of my wife’s recent employment benefits includes legal services, and we certainly want to take this opportunity to update our will in particular.

Our last legal paperwork was done in Texas, so this will be the Oregon version. My wife’s daughter lives here in Portland so it’s an easy decision to make her “Executor” or “Successor Trustee.” Where we end up next is always in question, so chances are we will be making future changes that might involve moving this role to one of our two other children. Our plan this time is to prepare a “Living Trust.” I’ve filled out all the forms and will take them to the attorney tomorrow. My wife and I will then work with him to determine our best strategy based on cost and effectiveness.

I tried to explain some of this back in Post #166, so like most people I’ve been procrastinating on this Last Will update for some time now. As I discovered, a living trust (inter-vivos” or “revocable” trust) is a written legal document through which your assets are placed into a trust for your benefit during your lifetime and then transferred to designated beneficiaries at your death by your chosen representative, called a “successor trustee.” It means faster distribution as the successor trustee pays your debts and distributes your assets. Also, If you become ill or incapacitated, the living trust is written so that your trustee can automatically begin making decisions, as opposed to a will, that without a durable power of attorney, the court will be in control of all related decisions, including appointing an overseer. We definitely want control of our assets and the means by which they are distributed.

The “Living Trust” seems to be the most hassle-free course of action. I mentioned this to my son on the phone today and he immediately jumped to the conclusion that this was all about my recent trip to the Emergency Room. That is not the case – I’ve simply been putting it off, and my wife’s recent legal insurance package essentially removes any cost concerns.

Preparing any will is not a pleasant process. This is why it’s too often avoided. Thoughts of leaving behind all the material goods that you’ve collected in a lifetime can be disturbing. All that you’ve worked for given away to others that probably don’t want them and certainly won’t appreciate them in the same way you did. After all, who wants a 1955 Sherm Lollar White Sox jersey other than me? Even my son is a die-hard Cubs fan. The Egyptians believed you could take them with you, but those were real treasures. (See Post #805). I’m also not a religious man, but I can’t help but think of the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

I highlighted the most important words, “Thy will be done.” After my meeting with my attorney tomorrow, I will have fulfilled this important passage. My Will will be done! Amen.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Wizard of Oz #817

January 23, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s been proven that I have a big heart and a brain, but there’s little evidence of what caused last week’s dizzy spell. I was checked-out by the doctor yesterday afternoon and given the thumbs up to “carry on.” As a result, I left the safety of the treadmill and took to the streets again this morning to get my day started. There was a little bit of relief as my run took me past the spot where I staggered out into the road, unable to control the dizziness. That day, everything was spinning around me in the morning darkness. Today, I easily completed my 3.1 mile route. I did, however, take my phone along in case anything out of the ordinary happened. It didn’t!

As I followed the Yellow Brick Road through our neighborhood, I couldn’t help but think of The Wizard of Oz. It took a little bit of courage to take those first few strides on my own, so the Cowardly Lion would have been proud of me. Last week’s CAT Scan revealed that unlike the Scarecrow, I actually have a brain. One of the technicians joked that he would tell my wife. “Don’t forget to tell her I have a heart, too” I quipped. As it turned out, it’s actually a big heart because the tests showed my aorta to be enlarged. Take that Tin Man! It’s certainly something I’ll want to keep an “eye” on, but it’s also something I can’t “see.”

“There’s no place like home,” also came to mind, as I’ve settled into the retirement routine for the next month. Some warm weather in Phoenix and Thailand will be more than welcome once I begin to grow restless. I watched another episode of “The Curse of Oak Island,” as I did laundry this morning. Much like myself, they didn’t seem to accomplish much today. More digging without striking gold, as they continue to prolong their agonizing search for treasure. I’m admittedly hooked!

Indiana lost their 5th straight BIG Ten basketball game last night, surpassing last year’s 4-game skid and matching the frustration of the 2016-17 conference season. They lost 9 straight in the painful 2010-11 season. It has not been easy to be a fan in recent years, after experiencing so much success during the Bobby Knight era. However, even Bob has turned ugly. I’m a Hooooosier Loooooser (with 5 zeros). At least the Cheer-leading Squad won another National Championship!

It’s a good thing that I have a big heart, because I could say a lot worse things about I.U. basketball. I’m not sure that I have the “courage” to watch the next game and wish I had been born with the “brains” to have gotten a second degree for another college team to support. I definitely would have been better off in Kansas, along with Dorothy and Toto. We need the “Wizard of Westwood” because it’s certainly not “Miller Time.” (See Post #35). “Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” (Post #513).

Old Sport Shorts: Lunar Loser #814

January 21, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

There was a full, blood-wolf moon, plus a lunar eclipse, so it was not going to be an ordinary weekend of sports. It started with an Indiana University Alumni Association game-watch at a local tavern featuring one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball. This was the 208th battle between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue had won a dominant 118 of these in-state basketball wars, including 51 of the first 62 games, but Indiana boasts 5 National Championships in 39 NCAA Tournament appearances. Make that 119 victories for the Boilers!

There was little doubt from the tip-off that Purdue was the better team. Indiana has been notorious for their slow starts this year, and this game was no exception. One beer was not going to be enough. It was also obvious that fellow alumni held little hope for the Hoosiers since only a few showed up to watch. Those in attendance had fond memories of a last second shot to beat Butler a month ago when the team appeared to come together, moved into the Top 25 nationally, and won their first three BIG Ten contests. However, injuries and poor shooting have prevailed, as we sadly watched their fourth straight conference loss in front of an exuberant Boilermaker fan base. Admittedly, I didn’t have a good feeling about the game and considered not even wearing any Indiana gear in case Purdue fans were also in the bar.

Even a crimson moon could not prevent the Hoosiers from shooting a pathetic 7-18 from the free throw line and 4-20 from behind the arc. While that could be blamed on “gravitational pull,” a Purdue “friend” pointed out that this was actually an improvement over last week’s loss to Nebraska when they shot a pitiful 2-14 at home! Indeed, the rare home loss was even more humiliating, especially to a football school. I just hope we get it together before the Boilers come calling next month in Bloomington. Indiana has already lost 4 straight battles with Purdue, meaning that last year’s team couldn’t hold home court advantage. There will be no Alumni game watch for no one to attend because it’s scheduled for a Tuesday night.

I was in atypical agreement with my Purdue friends on football this weekend, with the Superbowl on the line. Ex-Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and his New Orleans Saints were an easy choice for us to make, while rooting against Tom Brady and his New England Patriots was a given. We were wrong on both counts! Brady was once again brilliant, and the Saints got screwed, as admitted by everyone involved. Both games went to overtime, but the Rams and Patriots prevailed. Most all of America will be rooting for the Rams in two weeks!

Yes, I was a Lunar Loser, going 0-3 this weekend with my favorites. However, I really only truly cared about one of these games. The round ball is my passion and I.U. is my team. I was hoping that the round, red moon would be a good omen. Instead, the Hoosier Nation was totally “eclipsed” by Boilermaker Black once again.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Coins and Cards #804

January 13, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

At a baseball card show yesterday, I found a unique addition to my collection. It combines my passion of coin collecting with the growing assemblage of baseball cards in my possession. I attribute my interest in both of these areas to my childhood neighbor, the late Robert P. Herzberg. Bob showed me my first 1909 S V.D.B. penny and flaunted his enviable stack of baseball cards bearing the likeness of Mickey Mantle, another Triple Crown winner. I still don’t have either one of these coveted memories of youth in my collection.

I had a crush on Bob’s little sister, who was in my kindergarten class. I also maintained a friendly relationship with his younger brother into adulthood. Bob, who was three years older, passed away at the age of 54 as a consequence of congestive heart failure. I still bear a scar in the center of my forehead thanks to a war game we were playing as kids. I was dodging rocks he was throwing at a playhouse in the park behind our house. He hit me square in the head as I carelessly looked out a window, requiring several stitches, and I remember him having to apologize to my parents and me. He brought a box of unopened baseball cards as a peace offering, so it was probably worth the pain.

I bought a unique 2003 Topps Ty Cobb baseball card at yesterday’s show, commemorating the Hall of Famer’s 1909 American League Triple Crown achievement (.377 batting average, 9 home runs, 107 RBI). His Detroit Tiger ball club lost the World Series to Honus Wagner and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Chicago Cubs also beat the Tigers in the previous two World Series, making him a “Triple Loser” in the game’s crowning moment. The card is die-cut to accommodate a 1909 Indian Head penny. I was immediately intrigued since 1909 was the last year of Indian Head production and the first year of the Lincoln cent. The change occurred to honor the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Bob taught me long ago that the 1909 S VDB Lincoln version was the most valuable penny in any collection. Victor David Brenner, the coin’s designer included his initials between the wheat ear stalks on the back during its inaugural year, but the San Francisco (S) mint makes it particularly valuable because only 484,000 were made. Even as a young child, a penny worth $100 was mind-boggling and Bob actually owned one. Today, depending on condition, it would probably cost me at least $500 to buy one. I’ve looked through thousands of pennies since I was a kid and never found one. It was the closest thing to treasure hunting that I have ever experienced. In fact, anytime I see a penny on the ground or get one in change, I pick it up to check.

The Tyrus Raymond Cobb Currency Connection card brought back many childhood Bob memories about both baseball cards and pennies. Ty was a great ball player but a miserable human being. I would have never bought the card if it weren’t for the penny. I carefully examined it to see if it had the S mint-mark on the back below the wreath. The designer of that coin was James B. Longacre, whose “JBL” initials graced a number of U.S. coin designs of the late 19th century. To this date, Lincoln’s portrait still is identified with the penny, although the back of the coin changed to the Lincoln Memorial in 1959, designed by engraver Frank Gasparro to celebrate the 150th anniversary. On the front side, the VDB initials have appeared below Lincoln’s shoulder since 1918.

To honor the Lincoln bicentennial in 2009, 4 different designs by four different artists were introduced on the back of the penny and in 2010 it was again changed to represent the unity of the states. This “Union Shield” look was designed by Lyndall Bass. I would not anticipate another design change until 2059, 150 years after Ty Cobb won baseball’s Triple Crown and Lincoln’s first penny was minted.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Game Day #797

January 6, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I got up early this morning to take the dogs out and do my daily run. My wife and I were hoping to get to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for the King Tut exhibit before it closes later this month. The pups were depressed that their much anticipated “Schnauzerthon” was preempted by rain and cold temperatures. They are often disappointed in the Portland weather at this time of year. They got a shorter walk than normal between rain drops, and we were off to pay homage to the King!

My wife was willing to compromise by leaving for the O.M.S.I. early so that I could watch Bears football and I.U. basketball in the afternoon. What we didn’t know was that it was $2 admission day pricing and the place more like a zoo than a museum. Parking was way out in the overflow lots and ticket lines were outrageous. We had some free passes for the exhibit but still had to redeem them for admission. When we finally got to the front of the line only a few times remained available to see the popular attraction. We elected to get tickets for next week instead rather than endure the long wait and crowded hallways. It also gave us time to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast with assurance that I would not miss either game. The only problem was that they were both on T.V. at the same time.

I am hoping that the message that the dogs left when I got out of bed this morning did not apply to my teams’ chances. I was greeted with an unprecedented “poopsident” in the living room. I just wasn’t sure which schnauzer was guilty? Normally it’s Tinker the “Poopingest Pup on the Planet,” but she normally goes on the tile kitchen floor. This particular deposit was made on the dining room rug where younger sister Tally typically plays. She in turn has never gone indoors, but this looked suspicious! Perhaps the “Super Pooper” was being clever, trying to pass the blame? Tinker then proceeded to poop four more times once I got them outside, while Tally went only once. This could have been the result of Tink’s voracious appetite yesterday that included an entire raw carrot. She was supposed to share!

Input equals output! We attribute some of Tinker’s food cravings to the steroids that she’s currently taking. However, she was also never one to pass up a snack or meal at any time during her near 15-year lifespan. We adopted her at any early age after she had been abandoned in the woods and apparently forced to eat acorns. I guess after that particular diet everything tastes great? She always finishes her dinner and then immediately looks at Tally’s bowl for dessert. Tally unfortunately likes to savor her food but somehow they both weigh the same.

Game Day has finally started, and I am busy flipping back-and-forth from CBS to NBC to stay up with the action. I’m not overly optimistic with either of these two teams, but I also thrive on pessimism. Why set yourself up for disappointment? It could be the end of the Bears season with a loss today to the Eagles, but I.U. will have a lot of basketball to play before their year is complete. Both teams are down early as I gravely predicted. I just hope that neither team plays like what I found on the floor this morning!

Old Sport Shorts: Bear Down #796

January 5, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Bears are up – not down – although it’s time to “Bear Down.” No one does it better than linebacker Khalil Mack, the “Black and Blue Man” version of a Mack Truck. He has 12.5 quarterback sacks this season, six forced fumbles, and one interception for a touchdown. #52 led the “Monsters of the Midway” defense to an 11-5 record and the NFC North Title. This effort even caused me to buy a new hooded sweatshirt, after many years of frustration. Although the transaction at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport last Sunday morning may have resulted in my credit card being compromised?

I would probably have more confidence in my Bears against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow if the offense was equally effective. The Eagles were fortunate to earn a Wild Card berth after a bit to much off-season bragging. Da’ Bears, on the other hand, haven’t won it since 1985, when I was half as old as I am right now. That was a special year with a sole loss to the Miami Dolphins, who in the process were able to secure their still-standing “Perfect Season” accomplishment of 1972.

I would like to be comfortable with Bear’s quarterback #10 Mitchell Trubisky. I already have a place in my heart for his uniform number thanks to my baseball idol Sherm Lollar of the White Sox. A few weeks ago I also bought a “Sherm Freakin’ Lollar” t-shirt to muster a few yuks out of my fellow baseball card collectors. They know me as the only guy in the world that collects his cards and memorabilia despite the fact that he’s not even a Hall of Famer. My justification is that the cost of collecting is not as high as the super stars, and he was my true connection between baseball and childhood. This was simply the result of the televised 1959 World Series. The White Sox lost to the Dodgers, but Sherm won a fan for life.

Walter Payton of the Bears has a place on my office wall. “Sweetness” was part of that ’85 Bears Championship. When the team finally returned to the elusive Superbowl of 2007, my allegiance was fractured between the Bears and Colts, dating back to another childhood hero Johnny Unitas. I was a Baltimore Colts fan long before I was a Bears Fan, and when they moved to my then hometown of Indianapolis I was a big supporter. I attended training camps, sold advertising in their games, did promotions & commercials with the team, had personal relationships with coaches & players, and was frequently on the sidelines or a suite. Ironically, I had transferred to Decatur, Illinois, home of the original Bears franchise, when they clashed in Superbowl XLI. I could not pick a favorite.

I’m following the Colts game as I write this; fascinated with Andrew Luck’s return and T.Y. Hilton’s resilience. Plus, they have a Mack of their own. The remarkable Colts are also the first team in history to make the NFL Playoffs after a 1-5 start. I just hope that both the Bears and Colts don’t reach the Super Bowl again, even though I don’t want either team to lose. The Bears game tomorrow is on at the same time as the I.U. vs. Michigan basketball game. I will have to split my time watching. Or, I might get stuck going to the King Tut exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The sad thing is that the Bears are finally televised in Portland after weeks of being forced to follow only bits and pieces of their drives on the Red Zone telecasts. It was frustrating that they were having such a great season, and I could never watch them. They may have to last another week just so I can concentrate solely on watching a Bears game this year, as opposed to dividing my afternoon between I.U., King Tut, and The Bears.

I.U. basketball is also having a good season with a deceptive 11-2 record, 3-0 in the BIG. The concern is that their victories have been against the bottom three teams in the conference by narrow margins, along with a thorough thumping against Duke. Tomorrow they will face an undefeated Michigan team that is both leading the BIG Ten and nationally ranked. Indiana doesn’t seem to have the muscle (a.k.a. thugs) to handle the interior. Their next six conference games are on the road against top opponents, so we’ll be fortunate to win even two of those games. By the end of January, I could have a sour impression of this year’s version of the Hoosiers. I’m also worried that I may end up watching much more of the Bears game, if the I.U. team gets off to another bad start. Unfortunately, I could end up turning off the TV all together if either team doesn’t “Bear Down.”

Colts Win! A good Luck and Mack attack prevails!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Spring is Here #794

January 3, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Spring is here, however in no way related to the weather. It’s cold and rainy here in Portland – standard for the course this time of year. Yesterday, I heard a loud crash in the house and searched everywhere for the source. It wasn’t until I took the dogs out and hit the switch to open the garage door that I realized what happened. One of the two springs had snapped in two, so there was no access in or out. Spring has Sprung! It’s a heavier commercial door, installed by the former owner to allow him enough clearance to park a Hummer inside. As a result, even after releasing the tension cord I didn’t have enough strength to lift the door, and my wife had to park her car outside for the night.

It’s a costly repair to start the New Year, but it could have happened during our recent travels and put the problem in the hands of our pet sitter. As it is, I’m usually home all day to wait for a repairman, as opposed to my working days when I would have to make arrangements to meet them. They arrived promptly this morning along with the Spring, and we’re now back in business. I wrote a check for $325 that made a painful dent in my retirement budget. At this stage of life, every dollar spent on expenses and repairs means less for travel.

I spent some time copying some Banister files from my newly found half-sisters. We now have a shared file to exchange information on the family. It will help us all stay in touch. I have no current plans to contact my birth-mother or her family again as yet. She continues to avoid my relationship claims, but now presumably knowing the birth-father’s identity there seems to be less curiosity about her at this point. It seems there is only so much I can absorb at one time, so I’ll remain patient about solving the adoption puzzle.

In the meantime, I will remain in my fantasy cable TV world of treasure hunting (Curse of Oak Island), time travel (Outlander), conquering the world (Vikings), and gangsters (Narcos). It’s a good combination of history and nonsense to keep my mind occupied between travel dates. Today, I’ll actually leave the house other than frequent walks with our dogs to watch an I.U. basketball game at our regular hangout Buffalo Wild Wings. Tomorrow is another “Leadership Meeting” meeting at the same place. Maybe I’ll order some “Spring” Rolls?

Retirement is not without Hassles: What day is it? #793

January 3, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I’ve often written that in retirement one begins to lose track of what day it is? The traditional days of the week don’t work any more because weekends, vacations, and holidays all blur together. I’m basically free to do as I please every sunrise without a fixed schedule of places to be and people to see. At first, I began to invent new names for each day depending on the activity such as “Trash day,” “Leadership day,” “Date Night day,” “Errand day,” and “Movie Night day.” The one thing in common with each day is my morning run – that has not changed in ten years.

My younger, working wife is unfortunately still on a Monday thru Friday regimen, while still looking forward to weekends and holidays. I often have to remind her that she still enjoys her career, and that perhaps she isn’t quite ready for the sedate days of retirement. Today was her “Hump Day,” after a rare Tuesday off. She also went into the office on Monday, as the holidays played havoc with the usual work week. Christmas and New Year’s day both fell on Tuesday this year and will be on Wednesday next year. Thanksgiving at least remains consistent, allowing for a four-day weekend. It’s particularly confusing to me as I try to hold-on to my “everyday is the same” attitude.

Today’s calendar highlights Odeon of Herod Atticus that crowns Athen’s highest spot. My wife and i were able to visit the historic site in March. I had just had my jacket ripped away from my body during the morning run on the cruise ship, so the weather was not great for travel. Nonetheless, we visited the beautiful island of Santorini and were able to look out over the city of Athens from the Acropolis or “upper town.” Only an excursion to the ancient city of Olympia was diverted because of the high winds and rain that followed us from Venice. As a result, the Temple of Hera where the Olympic Games originated still remains on my bucket list, but at least we were able to cross-off the Parthenon.

With just over a quarter of my birthday year completed, I have been able to pare my original list of “67 things to do before I’m 68” down to 56. Many of these items are monthly or weekly commitments, so they will remain unfinished until my next birthday. (See Post #642). Some of these plans are also listed as part my resolutions and bucket priorities. I feel that I am on target with all my goals and travel plans.

To add further confusion to my days this week, I will have two “Leadership” meetings, including an I.U. basketball game. We also hope to visit the King Tut exhibit before the week is over and see at least one movie at the theater thanks to some thoughtful Fandango card gifts. “Date Night” was actually New Year’s Eve, replacing “Meatless Monday.” Our dogs are also mixed-up on days, since their “Schnauzerthon” was on New Year’s Tuesday instead of the usual Saturday & Sunday, while we were still traveling. They do not have the benefit of the “1000 Places to see before you Die” calendar that now allows me to cheat on what day it actually is, thanks to another gift from our good friends in Colorado.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Happy New Year #790

December 31, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s traditional for me to list my New Year’s resolutions every year. Many times it’s just a matter of revising the prior year’s list, but I still believe that “if you write it down you do it.” (See Post #415). Tonight we visit a restaurant favorite, Holdfast, to celebrate the occasion. I enjoy wishing others “Happy New Year,” especially since it has no religious or political implications. Here is my annual plan:

Get Tooth fixed
Florida trip/Adam/Miami to Keys
New glasses/hearing aids
I-Phone 10
Less Drinking 1 instead of 2
Weekly Friday Leadership Meeting lunch
Compliment my wife more
See the Beauty in Life
Get To Run Everyday to 11th Anniversary
Daily push-ups, crunches, and stretching
King Tut exhibit at OMNI
Return to Vegas
Be a better dog owner
Drink More Water-Less pop
Weight maintain at <190. White diet.
More connections with old friends and family
No Debt Continues
Win writing contest
Chew slowly/suck/soft foods/protect teeth
Celebrate each day with my wife
Stay in touch with Adam/be good Granddad
Contribute 1k+ to each grandchild’s education fund
Limoges/poem each month
Poem to johnstonwrites monthly
Daily blog post
Weekly Date Night
Complete 67 things to do before 68 list (See Post #642)
Brooklyn Bridge run
Cubs & IU/OSU Seattle/Bowl and or Tourney Game
Alaska Northern Lights
Call Judy on Mondays
Meet T. Grimshaw & J. Marthai (Diary of an Adoptee)
No car payments continue
Find volunteer work
Cooking on Tuesdays
Cut down on expenses
Continue laundry/vacuum/dust/mop
Baseball card collection additions
Thailand trip
NY/Phoenix/Maui/Indiana trips
Springfield/indiana HS Hall of Fame visits
Vancouver Gardens/Coast/Ianai Weekends
Read a book a week
Drive to SF w/dogs
Write a novel
Do some drawing, sketching, painting
Learn to play the uke