Positive, Productive, Profitable Retirement News

Retirement News Home : September 2006

September 1, 2006 - Retirement juices - positive retirement- retirement humour

One of my retirement rituals first thing in the morning, is to drink a rather large glass of orange juice while reading the morning newspapers - little did I know this daily routine was also reducing the chances of me developing Alzheimer's.
Of interest to all retirees is the American Journal of Medicine report about a study of. 2,000 dementia-free volunteers, over a ten year period by American and Japanese researchers that shows drinking fruit and vegetable juice on a regular basis can dramatically reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's - the risk was reduced by 76% for those who drank juices more than three times a week, compared with those who drank them less than once a week.
The researchers believe chemicals with potential health benefits, called polyphenals, provide the protection.
Meanwhile, Researchers at UT South western Medical Centre have found that a glass of orange juice every day could prevent the recurrence of kidney Stones than any other citrus juices like lemonade.
So, according to these studies, if you hoist a glass of OJ every morning you won't have to suffer painfull trips to the urinal and you don't have to memorize the following retirement rhyme -
My forgetter's getting better, But my rememberer is broke.
To you that may seem funny But, to me, that is no joke
For when I'm "here" I'm wondering If I really should be "there"
And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer!
Oft times I walk into a room, Say, "What am I here for?"
I wrack my brain, but all in vain! A zero is my score.
At times I put something away Where it is safe, but , Gee!
The person it is safest from Is, generally, me!
when shopping I may see someone, Say! "Hi" and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, "Who was that?"
Yes, my forgetter's getting better While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy - And that isn't any joke.

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Another retirement mental health note.
For me, one of the most important chapters on the home website is the one devoted to positive thinking during retirement
The journal for the American Psychological Association - Psychology and Aging reports that although overall physical health play a part in how people age, positive thinking is also vital.
This study revealed that the incidence of frailty in the older adult participants increased overall nearly eight percent during the seven-year follow-up period, but people who scored high on positive affect or positive thinking were significantly less likely to become frail - the researchers. didn't explain why positive thinking or emotions reduced chances of frailty, but they speculated positive emotions may directly affect health via chemical and neural responses that help maintain an overall health balance.
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Now for some fun stuff - Retired buddy Jim Hill sent this to Retirement news - Click on the following link and you will see a man. Put the cursor of your mouse on his nose and leave it there and see what happens...
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And retired Florida neighbour Dan Dombroski sent the following bit of retirement humour -
75 year old Mrs. Johnson decided to have her portrait painted by a famous artist.
She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets and a ruby pendant."
The artist frowned and said "But you're not wearing any of those things."
"I know," said Mrs. Johnson. "My health is not good and my husband is having an affair with that 70 year old tart Martha down the street. When I die, I'm sure he will marry her and I want the bitch to go nuts looking for the jewelry."
Ya'all have a great weekend and remember to keep working on your creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 4, 2006 - Retirement News Connect2Canada Honour Roll -

Unfortunately, we start the week on a sad note as once again I had to change the "war on terror" honour roll numbers on the Connect2Canada page of the home website.
This morning, just as I changed the numbers to record the deaths of four Canadian Soldiers on Saturday - the Associated Press report flashed across my computer screen -
NATO warplanes accidentally killed a Canadian soldier and wounded several others Monday in a "friendly fire" incident in southern Afghanistan, NATO said.
The incident occurred during a NATO-led anti-Taliban operation in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district after ground troops requested air support.- "Two ISAF [NATO's International Security Assistance Force] aircraft provided the support but regrettably engaged friendly forces during a strafing run, using cannons," NATO said in a statement.
It said there were "multiple casualties."
NATO spokesman Maj. Quentin Innis said the soldier killed and those wounded were all Canadian NATO troops. He gave no further details.
On Saturday,A roadside bomb killed four soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Saturday in the deadliest attack on Canadian forces in four years.
The military has identified the men from the Royal Canadian Regiment:
Cpl. Matthew Dinning, born in Richmond Hill, Ont., and stationed at Petawawa, Ont.
Lieut. William Turner, born in Toronto and stationed at Edmonton.
Bombardier Myles Mansell, born in Victoria, B.C., and stationed at Victoria.
Cpl. Randy Payne, stationed in Wainwright, Alta.
They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Two of the troopers were part of Brig.-Gen. David Fraser's personal protection force. The third was an artillery non-commissioned officer and the fourth man was a liaison officer with local tribal leaders.
More than 18,500 troops make up ISAF, with contributions from 36 nations.
To learn more about the NATO force make-up and mission - click here for their official web site.
Honor to the soldier, and Sailor everywhere , who bravely bears his country's cause,
Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.
(Abraham Lincoln)
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September 5, 2006 - Dancing Doris and retirement videos

To retire is to die.
Casals Pablo
Did you happen to read the story of Doris Eaton Travis in your local newspaper over the long holiday weekend?
This retired gal is still dancing - 102 years old and Doris can still cha-cha with the best of them.
Doris is the last of the Ziegfeld Follies girls who enchanted Broadway from 1907 into the 1930s.
She was 14 years old when she signed on with Ziggy, (she lied about her age -told him she was 16)
She credits her longevity to her ongoing love affair with dancing and other lifestyle choices -- "I didn't drink or smoke. I didn't abuse myself physically," she said.
Not only has Travis survived physically and mentally, but professionally as well, with annual appearances on Broadway.
She also published her memoir, "The Days We Danced: The Story of My Theatrical Family From Florenz Ziegfeld to Arthur Murray and Beyond."
When she's not dancing, Doris tools around her 400-acre Oklahoma ranch in a 1970 rambler.
So lets hoist our glass of OJ this morning to Doris Travis - you keep shaking your booty girl.
The reason I mention this story is that all of us in our retirement years should get up and dance as often as can - simply put - dancing can be good for you.
Some seniors think that jivin' and twisting can damage aging bones but here's a quote from a recently completely health study -
"Because activity and regular exercise are important factors to maintain general good health in senior citizens, we investigated whether senior dancing has any effect on peripheral or lumbar bone density.
We performed a prospective study over a12 month period on bone density at a spinal and peripheral measuring site in 28 female senior members (mean age: 67 +/- 2 yr) of a dancing group in Vienna.
Lumbar bone mineral density was assessed by quantitative computed tomography and radial bone density by single photon absorptiometry of the distal forearm. The mean training time per week was 3.2 +/- 0.8 h. In the entire group of female dancers, no significant effects of dancing on radial or lumbar bone density could be observed."
So put on the records of your youth - and shake it baby.
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Here's a couple of video retirement time-fillers for you - the first sent in by Western-Canada-retired-buddy Bill Ozard with a message that reads - OK you guys figure this one out!!
Next, Eastern-Canada-retired-buddy- Jim Hill sent me this link of a Dodge commercial that was pulled off the air the first day it aired..
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The person born with a talent they are meant to use
will find their greatest happiness in using it.
Johann Wolfgang Von Geothe
With that thought in mind, let's get serious - I'm about to forward you to a series of free videos that will help you build a creative retirement job to make your life more interesting the longer you live, and, over time, bank some extra retirement revenue.
This is the roadmap I followed, so I'm recommending these free videos from personal experience.(When I started my Ecommerce education only the printed version of these free manuals were available.)
As I noted in my retirement Job Journal, I had no HTML experience at the time - no knowledge of how internet search engines worked - I knew zip about Ecommerce, and even less than zip about content-creating, traffic-building and monetizing.
Site Build It showed me the way, step-by-step while taking care of all the techie stuff - still does.
Even those who already have websites and who are Ecommerce savvy and HTML educated are turning to SBI because of all the extra bonus features such as brainstorming, the forums, automatic SEO updating etc.
Anyway, newbie or pro, download these free videos, grab a cup of coffee and sit back and see how SBI works.
Again, from personal experience, I want to emphasize, this is not a get-rich-quick plan, it takes, time, patience and dedication, but the challenge itself is a real energizer that will keep you mentally alert and young in mind and spirit - then, when the effort begins to pay off - it's a real hoot to fire up your computer every morning to see how much money you've earned while you were sleeping.
You + your computer + the internet = a creative retirement job -view the videos - the only cost is a small amount of your retirement time - (Go to URL)

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September 6, 2006 - Retirement story telling and the curtain rods

Listen up retirees - here's your chance to tell those who follow how it was "in your day" - this is great stuff - allow me to explain.
As noted elsewhere on the home website,When I want to research a topic, the first place I go to is Wikipedia - The online encyclopedia even before I think of Goggling - it even has a brief write-up on the TV news magazine I helped develop back in 82 for CTV Atlantic -and because of that, a tag-on entry about yours truly.
Now, using the same software as Wikipedia, Marshal Poe, an American historian, is the creator of Internet Memory Archive - and what is Memory Archive? As Poe puts it - " The short answer is pretty much anything you remember that someone else might conceivably find interesting, now or in 500 years."
Yesterday, I was glued to the website and for more than three hours reading eye-witness stories about Sinatra (1978), The Vietnam War (1969), Railroad of Death (1945), 9/11 (2001), 53rd Fighter Squadron (1949), AIDS (1983), BTK Killer (1974), Cell Phones (1998), Hurricane Katrina (2005), JFK (1963), KKK (1998), Lying (1988), London Bombings (2005), Napoleon Dynamite (2005), Nixon (1971), Omaha (1957), OJ Trial (1995), Early PCs (1975), and a host of other stories.
(Personal stories are truly interesting - remember back when they X-rayed your feet when you bought new shoes?)
This is a fantastic find - a place for all of us tell our stories that could be examined fifty - a hundred years from now.
I'm working on several - the first about one of the most memorable and significant events in my life - meeting Pope John Paul in the summer of 84 while on assignment in Rome, thanks to one of his bodyguards who didn't even ask or care that I was protestant .
Carter Jefferson, a retired history professor in Boston and a regular archive contributor, says that, with time, any personal memory can become of value to historians."When I die," he says, "my Web page will disappear. But what I post on Memory Archive will live on." - I like that.
We're on the ground floor here - so far, it has been a slow start.
But posters on Memory Archive will tell you that doesn't mean much - Wikipedia and My-Space didn't take off immediately after they went online.
George Walker, a former student of Poe's and one of the site's very first contributors suggests, "You could compare this to the library at Alexandria."
But Poe looks at the idea of having even earlier beginnings - "It s just storytelling. It's basically sitting around a campfire in our bearskins telling each other about what happened."
Great idea -get on board
Everyone, especially those of retirement years has a story to tell and I'm anxious to read yours.
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And, while on the subject of storytelling - I picked this tale out of a retirement magazine - authour unknown -
A retired couple decided to divorce after fourty years of marriage due to the fact that the husband, a retired executive, renewed his affair with his ex-secretary who recently became a widow.
The wife, now in her early 70's spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates, and suitcases.
On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.
On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of chardonnay.<
When she had finished, she went into each and every room and stuffed half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of all of the curtain rods.
She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.
When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days.
Then, slowly, the house began to smell.
They tried everything: Cleaning, mopping, and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents, carpets were steam cleaned, and air fresheners were hung everywhere!
Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days, and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting - nothing worked.
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house.
The maid quit.
Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house.
Word got out, and, eventually, even the local realtors refused to return their calls.
Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.
The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going.
He told her the saga of the rotting house.
She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.
Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day.
She agreed, and, within the hour, his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later, the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home - including the curtain rods.
I just love a happy ending to a good retirement story.
Now let's working on our creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 7, 2006 - Retirement thoughts and the geese will show us the way

Something to think about -
Sooner or later I'm going to die,
but I'm not going to retire.-
Margaret Mead
As to that leisure evening of life,
I must say that I do not want it.
I can conceive of no contentment of which
toil is not to be the immediate parent. -
Anthony Trollope
You + Your Computer + the internet = A creative retirement job - yes you can - watch the video
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While roaming the web the other day I came across the following article - the authour is unknown - and the reason I reprint it here is because, after reading it, I remembered an incident last winter during a meeting of retired folks working on a project that was to benefit a local charity.
The word "disorganized" doesn't even cover it - it was mayhem as the gathering broke into several cliques, each following a leader who had unyielding opinions about how the project should operate.
Anyway, even though this article was aimed at those still in their working years, it can also apply, on occasion, to those of us in our retirement years.
A Few Lessons About Teamwork From Our Friends - The Geese
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep going!
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement, which is to listen to one's own heart or core values, and to listen to the core values of others, is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation of geese and try to catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
As mentioned, the Author is Unknown, but this is worth copying and passing on to others or for posting on your retirement recreation hall bulletin board.
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Retirement thought -
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day,
listening to the murmur of the water,
or watching the clouds float across the sky,
is by no means a waste of time. ~J. Lubbock
And with that thought in mind - Pass it on - latest Quotation movie release -The new presentation is a PowerPoint Slide Show and reinforces the fact growing older is a reward not a liability.
NOTE: If you do not have a PowerPoint viewer, click here to download a FREE copy.
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My son Gord sent this - "theatre of the mind" retirement humour - picture this -
Three old mischievous grandmas were sitting on a bench outside a nursing home when an old grandpa walked by, and one of the old grandmas yelled out saying, "We bet we can tell exactly how old you are."
The old man said, "There ain't no way you can guess it, you old fools."
One of the ornery grandmas said, "Sure we can! Just drop your under shorts and we can tell your exact age."
Embarrassed just a little, he dropped his drawers.
The grandmas stared at him for a while, asked him to turn around a couple of times, asked him to jump up and down for a little while and then they all piped up and said, "You're 84 years old!"
"How in the world did you guess?!?"
The ornery old grandmas, snickered and laughed.
Slapping their knees and grinning from ear to ear, all three happily yelled in unison...........
"Because we were at your birthday party yesterday!"
Now let's get working on our creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 8, 2006 - Retirement news - Grandparents to the cyber world and retired in Texas

The question under discussion was submitted via Email - it read in part - "I love my fianc�, but he's not helping with the bills. Should I kick him out or keep the relationship going?"
Before you could snap your finger, 96 year old Stephanie Martenson, sitting behind her walker and surrounded by 14 other seniors in a retirement home meeting room, issued her verdict - ""Dump Him" - Bernie Fogle, a few years younger that Steph, banged his cane on the floor and quickly seconded the motion - "He's bad news."
This scene played out in a retirement home in Gaithersburg, Md., as members of the Elder Wisdom Circle - a fast growing organization of advice-giving cyber-grandparents who offer up their experience and wisdom to the younger generation's confused and troubled, via the Internet.
"Younger generations from all over the globe consult the EWC. Our Circle is comprised of volunteer Seniors aged 60-103.
Elders participate individually from their home computers or collectively at a senior community. Our Elders represent a richly diverse patchwork of life experience and wisdom."
At the moment the Elder Wisdom Circle is made up of about 600 - 60+ types from all over the United States and Canada, and soon other parts of the world, who have answered more than 60,000 requests to the Circle's Web site for free, personalized advice.
And get this, this group of retired advice-givers have a weekly advice column that runs in 15 publications - a book compiling their advice is due out next year - and they're in negotiations for a reality TV pilot.
No question is off limits, they've covered everything from a lagging sex drive to non-flowering begonias.
If you or your retirement organization are interested in joining this group the following is directly off their website -
Please Note: To become an EWC Elder seniors must be at least 60 years of age, no exceptions.
Work as an individual Elder and offer wisdom via your home computer, the system is safe & easy to use.
Form a group of seniors and answer letters collectively; in this case only one person needs computer access.
This is a perfect activity for an independent or assisted living facility. We can assist in setting up your circle and training a facilitator.
All prospective Elders or Elder Groups must complete an application & screening process and be approved by the EWC Advisory Board.
All Elders are expected to participate on a regular basis.
Elders may browse the database and select those letters that best suit their area(s) of expertise &/or interest.
We STRONGLY suggest you review a few letters on the site (Browse Advice button) to get an idea of the type of letters you would reply to before making your application.
Here's you chance to become another Ann Landers or Arnold Landers.
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To end the week - here's some fun stuff - not WOW fun - just hum-ha fun - but hey, you're retired you have the time.
Thanks to not-yet-retired buddy Bill Mckay for this - have a pencil or calculator handy? We guess your age by using the chocolate math formula - it takes less than a minute - work this out as you read ...
First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (more than once but less than 10)
Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
Add 5
Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator.
If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756 - if you haven't, add 1755.
Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number.
The first digit of this was your original number - (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next two numbers are YOUR AGE!
This is the only year (2006) it will ever work, so spread it around while it lasts.
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My thanks to retired buddy Bernice Dini for these -
First, a link to a fun site with an editorial comment that many of you will likely utter a "right-on" after viewing.
Retired in Texas -
A an elderly gentleman living in a Texas Retirement home was confused about paying his taxes, so he decided to ask the elderly lady in the next room for some mathematical help.
He called her into his room and said, "Even though it was a long time ago, you graduated from the University of Texas and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"
The old gal stared at him for about a minute - smiled and said "Everything but my earrings."
You gotta love those old Texas gals.
A Texas State trooper pulled over a retired gentleman who was driving his aging pickup on I-20, well over the speed limit.
The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"
The driver replied, "Bout whut?"
Am elderly woman in Tyler had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it.
Then she got back in the car to wait.
A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back.
He asked the woman what the problem was.
The woman replied, "I have a flat tire."
The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"
She responded, "When you break down they tell you to put 'flares' in the front and 'flares' in the back! I never did understand it either."
Everyone have a great weekend - and remember, a creative retirement job, via the interest, will help make your life more interesting the longer you live - (Go to URL)

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September 11, 2006 - Retirement Job Library - luxury in Mexico and the crumbled $20 bill

Whenever people learn I was computer and internet illiterate well into my retirement years, (and even now not all that swift) they ask how could an old(er) guy like me build a series of websites - my answer is simple enough - read the books, watch the videos and follow instructions - it ain't rocket science - and to coin a well know phrase - if an old geezer like me can do it - anyone can do it - and the odds are - a hell of a lot better.
Over the weekend, after receiving another Email about the books and videos, I thought it might be a good idea to build another chapter on the host website listing all the various manuals and videos I've studied - both the freebees and the commercial.
So, here's the new - Retirement Jobs Library. just the first shelf - I have other material - but this first batch will certainly get you started.
Download the printed versions, pack a cooler with food and drink and find a shady tree or download the videos, refill the coffee pot and put your feet up on the desk - now you know how I work.
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Check out this retirement headline - How we retired in luxury - on $2,000 a month
I found this story from Canadian Business Online
Herman Heynen retired from is job in costumer service at CP rail - his wife, Anne, a legal assistant, retired several years later - the sold their Calgary home, bought a 14 x 44-ft mobile home in a beautiful RV park south of Calgary and now spend the summer months in Canada and the winter months in Mexico - buying a completely restored, fully furnished, two bedroom home complete with patio and garden for 45,000 in Mazatlan, Mexico - they love the place with it's long sandy beaches.
The houses are old there - some go back to the late 1800s and they're very affordable.
As well, there is lots of local culture, great shopping, an open-air marketplace and plenty of restaurants
Herman and Anne say living expenses in Mexico are between a third to a half of what they are in Canada.
The two of them live very well on about $2,000 a month.
Their monthly expenses - about $135 a month for shelter, including utilities, property taxes, Internet and telephone.
Property tax, for example, is just 381 pesos per year ($40) - they pay an additional bank trust fee of $422 annually because our house is within 50 km of the ocean.
Even with air conditioning in the hot months, their electricity costs average $16 a month>
Services cost even less. You can visit the dentist for $20 to $30, hire a cleaning lady for the day for $10, have your hair cut for $4, and get your laundry done for about $4.50 for three kilos.
The Heynen's say you have to budget a little extra for health care. They have an FM-3, which is a special visa allowing them to live here for one year. It also allows them to buy into the IMSS, the state-sponsored medical plan, at a cost of about $580 a year for the two of them because they're over 65.
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The crumpled $20 Bill - Sometimes we retirees just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
" My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20."
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.
You are special- Don't EVER forget it."
Life is simple - It's us HUMANS that screw it up.
Now let's get working on our retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 12, 2006 - Free Retirement Jobs E-book - Retirees golf tip

Right off the top, I have a retirement job freebee for you.
As I know from personal experience, you don't have to be a 'techie' or 'computer geek' to earn money online - that said, there are some basics that have to be understood and in that regard you can download this free E-book "Understanding the Internet for Home Business", it's a detailed look at the most important things new Home-based Internet Business folks need to know, from a 'hands-on, let's get started' point of view.
The authour, Chris Malta, takes the confusing techno-babble of the Internet and puts it in everyday language that anyone can easily understand.
The book is also wonderfully illustrated by Barrett Hinkle and Matt Hedges, making it an extremely informative and fun read!
Click Here for you free copy of "Understanding the Internet for Home Business!"

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OK, so it didn't help me yesterday, but I still think that visualization is a key player in developing a positive attitude. - however, I have to admit it didn't help my golf game.
The other day while researching for more material on visualization I came across and article titled - The Zen of golf - Golf Tips of the Week, By Shawn Kelly
" There are three parts to the pre-shot routine, and they are visualization, setup and the athletic swing thought. I would like to share with you the part of the routine that is, in my opinion, the most undervalued: Visualization.
This is what I call "the best five seconds spent prior to impact."
Even though it is usually the most overlooked part of the routine, it is probably the easiest part to accomplish. When you visualize the shot before you set up to the ball you give your mind and body a positive image to emulate."
Shawn then goes on the explain that different shots take different times to visualize - a short putt will take less time that a tee shot.
" Putting - Visualize the ball rolling on the green, see the break, sense the speed and watch the ball dive into the hole.
Short Game - You'll want to see the ball fly to the landing area and then roll to the hole like a putt.
Full Swing - See the ball soar through the air, land and then roll towards the target.
Sometimes when I play, during visualization my eyes will drift to a hazard. This is when I will look for a safer route.
Perhaps I'll look to the fat part of the green rather than aiming at the flag-stick, because this can be an important part of course management.
It is amazing how your body relaxes and the confidence builds when you give your brain a good picture of what you want your body to do.
I don't know how to contact Shawn - wish I did - would love to lay down a bet with him - note his closing line - " Spend an extra five seconds in your pre-shot routine to watch your "video preview" and I'll bet pesos to pot-stickers that you will play more consistently and be pocketing your share of those week-end Nassau's. Good luck, Grasshopper!"
Grasshopper my A_ _ - I was more like a nomadic nit - but hold on - visualization - positive thinking - OK, I only lost four golf balls - last week it was six.
Now let's get back to our creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 13, 2006 - Retirement News Grab Bag

Today - a Retirement News Grab Bag -
First, from the Retirement News picture gallery -
Yesterday I mentioned about the art of visualization for improving your golf game but there's nothing in the visualization handbook about overcoming this obstacle -
No introduction necessary here - super pic -
This looks like one of my audiences back in the days when I was invited to say a few words -

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I'm not in the "power demo" - I'm too old - however, those of you in the 55 to 64 age group, are the target market - the once coveted 18 - 49 focus group is now history - even the 25 to 54 group is being edged out.
This TV season with it's host of baby boomer stars, is aimed at the older audience - not as old as me perhaps - but the kids don't rule anymore other than with the reality shows and other such meaningless programs.
Why - easy - money. New demographic surveys show that 40% of the audience in prime time is in the 40 to 64 age range - and the fastest growing demographic is the 55 to 64 group - the folks who have bigger bank accounts than the youngin's.
David Poltrack of CBS notes - "The baby boomers have the most discretionary income and they're heavy spenders in luxury goods."
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And while on the subject of age statistics here's some interesting new numbers.
By 2010, more than 51 percent of the workforce is expected to be aged 40 or older, a 33 percent increase since 1980
The number of workers aged 55 and older will grow from 13 percent of the labor force in 2000 to 20 percent in 2020.
The National Council on Aging reports that one in three Americans age 65 and older has a retirement job.
80 percent of baby boomers expect to keep working at in retirement jobs.
15 percent said they'd like to start their own business as for their retirement jobs.
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From the retirement humour chapter of the home website this advise to those married men who are about to retire and therefore will be with their partner 24/7 - the following is the golden rule of a married retirement -
Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
Whenever you're right, shut the hell up.

Now let's get back to work on our "at home" retirement jobs - (Go to URL)

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September 14, 2006 - Retiree concerns and the interview from hell

If you have journeyed through the host website you know I'm a promoter of the importance of exercising the mind in order to keep mentally sharp as we grow older - also that I found working my computer and maintaining a creative retirement job via the internet is a powerful energizer.
Check out these stats from a survey of Americans, ages 63 to 80, to identify what seniors want and are most concerned about across a wide range of lifestyle, wellness and healthcare topics.
Among the survey's top findings:
Nearly 6 out of 10 seniors (59%) are concerned about staying mentally sharp.
Nearly seven out of ten seniors (69%) expressed concerns about their health and wellbeing, a larger percentage than expressed concern about other categories such as personal finance (52%), often considered a top source of anxiety among older Americans.
Eighty percent of seniors reported that they keep up to date on the latest health news. Doctors, at 43%, are the most popular source of health information for seniors. The Internet (25%) is the second most common resource consulted by seniors.
Other finds -
Less than half (48%) say they are concerned about maintaining social relationships.
Less than one-third are concerned with dealing with depression (32%).
Less than a third are concerned with dealing loneliness (31%).

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And while on the subject of health, here's a follow-up from previous entries -
According to Health Day News, nicotine withdrawal begins within thirty minutes of a smoker's last cigarette. - Here's how I quit a two packs a day habit cold turkey
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More stats - The National Council on Aging reports that one in three Americans age 65 and older has a retirement job, working at least part-time - and what is the number one reason they want a retirement job? According to their study - MONEY - the chance to earn supplemental income is one of the main reasons people want retirement jobs.
Like I say - Your knowledge + Your computer + the internet = a money making retirement job to bring in supplement income while giving you an energizing mental workout - better than popping pills.
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Now here's a video for you to download - it's a riot - it also proves I suppose, that I have a sick sense of humour - but it's just that I know how this can happen - it has happen to me - true, not while discussing such a delicate topic - but I know that - " but for the grace of God go I."
It's the dangers you face on live television - like the time I introduced a story by saying - "....the lead researcher in the study said it was the first orgasm....."(instead of organism)
Then there's the times when, for some unexplainable reason you break out in uncontrollable laughter.
This almost became a habit for me - some remark, facial expression or whatever, unnoticed by others, would set me off
The daily, hour long "live" news magazine I hosted in the 80's- and early 90's, originated from the newsroom so I could walk around and, on occasion, debrief reporters at their desks.
Reporter Blain Henshaw, a true professional, answered my question with a brilliant two minute ad-libbed explanation - the trouble was it was filled with financial numbers and legal terms - when he finished, he paused for a moment, looked me square in the eye and asked - "Could you understand anything I just said?" - pause - and in unison we lost it - uncontrollable laughter - twice I tried to speak - never made it past the first word - finally director, Jim Hill switched to a commercial break.
When we came back on air - I apologized for our unprofessional behaviour. - an interesting turn however, the station was swamped with calls and according to the call sheet - not one negative - the viewers had laughed along with us - because it was natural I guess, not staged.
However, in this case, I doubt if this station had the same response. - this opens a Window Media Player file - if you need to - download free Windows Media Player
Now, let's get back to our creative retirement Job - (Go to URL)

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September 15, 2006 - Laughing at Retirement - classes for retired men

I copied the following notations while I was caught in the web yesterday afternoon,
From Discovery Health - "By the time a child reaches nursery school, he or she will laugh about 300 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 17 times a day."
From the University of Nebraska on the science of laughter - "Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times."
That last one reminded me of December 23rd 2004 - our daughter Cindy, nearing the end of her heroic battle against cancer, requested that family and friends come to her hospital room for what she called her "goodbye party." - the room was packed and thank God, the wonderful dedicated people at the hospital arranged it so we didn't bother other patients
For several hours that night, Cindy was Cindy with that infectious laugh of hers framed with a smile that could light-up a bat cave - we all laughed - long and loud as the stories were told and memories returned - for those few hours the inevitable was forgotten.
The next night, Christmas Eve - Cindy was gone.
After the funeral, when the large crowd gathered - again as Cindy instructed - we remember the best of times and laughed and it helped a great deal - the laughter helped to - "lower stress, dissolve anger and unite the family in our resolve to overcome troubled times."
SIDEBAR: Cindy, who told us to "always look for the good and beautiful" would have loved this slide presentation - thanks to retired buddy Jim Hill for sending this video - Note the rainbow picture - lock yourself in on that one and think positive thoughts. - (depending on your connection - could take up to 10 seconds to load)
Back to this laughter topic - the question I put forward - as we grow older, do we laugh less?
If we do we shouldn't - laughter is better than pills in helping us deal with the various aches and pains that come with the passing of years.
James Rotton, Ph.D., of Florida International University, reported that orthopedic surgery patients who watched comedic videos requested fewer aspirin and tranquilizers than the group that viewed dramas.
The Doctor says "You'll live to be 60!" "I AM 60!" "See, what did I tell you?" - Henny Youngman
A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps reduce the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions.
I guess I was in the minority - I thought I had an active sense of humour and laughed more than the average back in 87 so this didn't work for me, but this same U of M study indicates that laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack.
Anyway, yuk-it-up it's good for your health - you'll find some chuckles in the Retirement Humour chapter on the host website
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In my last entry I noted the importance of men adjusting to the new rules of 24/7 retirement co-inhabitation (I'm joking here) - thanks to daughter-in-law Julie for this one - (is there a message here Gord?)
WINTER CLASSES FOR MEN WHO ARE A BOUT TO RETIRE AND THOSE ALREADY RETIRED WHO HAVE NOTLEARNED THE NEW RETIREMENT RULES - REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, October 10, 2006
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 RETIRED PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.
Class 1 - How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. - Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? - Round Table Discussion - Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3 - Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice - Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4 - Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor ---Pictures and Explanatory Graphics - Meets Saturday at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 - After Dinner Dishes - -- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? - Examples on Video - Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6 -Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other - Help Line Support and Support Groups - Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7 - Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming - Open Forum Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8 - Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health - Graphics and Audio Tapes - Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9 - Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials - Tuesday at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.
Class 10 - Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? - Driving Simulations - 4 weeks, Saturday noon , 2 hours.
Class 11 - Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife - Online Classes and role- Playing - Tuesday at 7:00 PM, location to be determined.
Class 12 - How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion - Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. - Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 13 - How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered - Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14 - The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used - Live Demonstration - Tuesday at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Have a great weekend y'all and keep working on your creative retirement Job - (Go to URL)

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September 18, 2006 - Killer is a senior and other stuff

Everyday there are signs that tell me never to forget - time waits for no one - appreciate the now.Also, it seems to me that as you grow older, time is moving on a fast track.
Although the leaves on the neighbourhood trees are still dark green, the leaves on the old maple in our backyard that serves as my sunshine umbrella on lazy summer afternoons, have turned fire-bright red and are falling likes sparks from a camp fire. -to me, that was one short summer.
Then - "Great Balls of Fire" - last week while I was downloading and burning new CD's for the car, my favourite music site informs me the Killer is 71 years old - Jerry Lee Lewis is one of us.
I seems it was just a few years ago - actually it was 55 -56 - I was the right age to rejoice in the birth of Rock and Roll.
For those of us who caught on right from get-go, much to the chagrin of the majority, the birth place was the studio at Sun Records - the fathers were Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.
I always put Cash on a different plateau - he's in my country/folk library - but for rock and roll I favoured Perkins over the other two - true, Elvis was anointed king, but as Perkins noted - "I was bucking a good-looking cat called Elvis who had beautiful hair, wasn't married, and had all kinds of great moves." - it should also be mentioned that Presley lucked out by hooking up with Colonel Parker.
But Carl Perkins was the complete package - perfect "cracker rockabilly" voice, songwriter - "Blue Swede Shoes" - "Daddy Sang Bass" for Johnny Cash, "I Was So Wrong" for Patsy Cline, "Let Me Tell You About Love" for the Judds - and as one critic noted - " "His guitar style is the other twin peak -- along with that of Elvis' lead man Scotty Moore -- of rockabilly's instrumental center, so pervasive that modern day players automatically gravitate toward it when called upon to deliver the style, not even realizing that they're playing Carl Perkins licks, sometimes note for note."
I don't know if this is legal - but hey - it's only a tid-bit - a piece of evidence to prove my case - Perkins working with The Mavericks and Duane EddyClick here for a 40 sec example of Perkins at his best.
So it wasn't yesterday - time moves on - Perkins, Presley and Cash are gone - Jerry lee is the last man standing, which by the way, is the title of his new album.
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My wife likes this one -
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink.
She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
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There was a report in our local media about a car accident just north of the city. Police were having difficulty reaching the victims next of kin.
I think it was back in June, that I reported on a great idea that everyone, especially seniors should follow up on - the plan developed following a disaster in London - the East Anglican Ambulance Service launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign.
As many retirees, like myself, carry cell phones just for emergencies - we should store the word "ICE " in our mobile phone address book, and with it, the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency " - for more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
In an emergency situation, Emergency Services personnel and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number programmed under "ICE" - it could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
Now let's rock and roll with our creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 19, 2006 - Lest We Forget and a Video worth watching and passing on

It's been only 15 days - once again, I had to change the "war on terror" honour roll numbers on the Connect2Canada page of the home website.
Yesterday in Afghanistan, four Canadians soldiers were killed by a bicycle riding suicide bomber - who waited for the soldiers to leave their armoured vehicle to hand out candies to children.
The military has identified the men from the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry:
Cpl. Glen Arnold
Pte. David Byers
Cpl. Shane Keating
Cpl. Keith Morley
They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The deaths raised to 36 the number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
More than 18,500 troops make up ISAF, with contributions from 36 nations.
To learn more about the NATO force make-up and mission - click here for their official web site.
Honor to the soldier, and Sailor everywhere , who bravely bears his country's cause,
Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.
(Abraham Lincoln)
Even with the mounting casualties, a Globe and Mail/CTV poll released yesterday shows support for the decision to send troops to Afghanistan increased by 2 per cent between May and September - not much of a jump - however, this small bump in the mission's favour was supported by a 6-per-cent drop in those who said they were opposed to it.
Allan Gregg, the chairman of the Strategic Counsel reviewed the findings this way -
"Notwithstanding the change that we've seen since the last time we were in the field, we still see Quebeckers decidedly opposed to the mission and English Canadians split.........the mounting casualties unto themselves, against conventional wisdom, have certainly not caused Canadians who otherwise were supporters to recoil and change their position at all."
Worth Watching
CBS news has a new feature on their nightly newscast called "Free Speech" - all kinds of folks, be they right, left or center, have a chance to give their personal editorial - and before people paint all Muslims with the same wide brush becuase of the terror caused by the fanatics - listen to this comment from Irshad Manji, a best-selling Muslim author, who says Pope Benedict should not have apologized for his remarks about her religion and says he was only trying to set up a dialogue with the Muslim world.
For those interested, I have published on the Connect2Canada page, an edited version of an editorial published yesterday in the Vancouver sun - "European Allies Letting Canada down" - (Go to URL)

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September 20, 2006 - Creative retirement and Rec Hall trivia

When you retire you can't allow yourself to be devalued - retirement is a rebirth or it can be if you're willing to accept new challenges - what I call having a creative retirement job.
Barry lee Coyne, who has spent more than 30 years coaching and counseling senior citizens warns that when you retire and settle for the proverbial rocking chair, you stagnate and stifle who your really are.
Coyne puts it this way -
" You are not simply "retiring from" but also "retiring to" something new and wonderful -- leisure time.
That invites rekindling your creativity. The tempting path is to stick to what you've always done.
You may be the prisoner of the failures of the path. However, the past need not be a carbon copy of things to come. Yes, you can find a new channel for your potential.
Dare I say it again - a creative retirement job - you + your computer + the Internet = a creative retirement job.
Coyne also has this advise -
"Retirement is a vessel for retrenchment. We have fewer distractions for the duration, so long as our health permits.
Don't neglect that element, either physical or mental.
Continue to learn new things and recharge that inner battery."

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Meanwhile, Online business expert, Richard Gorham, advises that retirees and those yet to reach that age plateau to start thinking about a creative retirement job based on what you are passionate about, regardless of the theme, and create a highly successful online business.
Gorham explains exactly what I soon realized - "You don't have to be a 'techie' or 'computer geek' to earn money online - there are literally tens of thousands of ordinary people who are making extraordinary incomes doing business online."
Also, as I found out, Gorham warns - "This is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and this is not some sort of multi-level marketing operation - building a profitable business from home requires focused energy and enthusiasm. Don't let anyone tell you that creating a business won't require any real work."
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And now, thanks to retired buddy Dan Dombroski, it's time to learn some stuff so we can amaze our friends with our knowledge - plus win a few trivia contests and free beers at the retirement recreation center -

*Alaska* - More than half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska.
*Amazon* - The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of the world's oxygen supply.
The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean.
The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States.
*Antarctica* - Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country.
Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica. This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world.
As strange as it sounds however, Antarctica is essentially a desert. The average yearly total precipitation is about two inches. Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it, I.e.), Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.
*Brazil* - Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.
*Canada* - Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village."
*Chicago* - Next to Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.
*Detroit* - Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, carries the designation M-1, named so because it was the first paved road anywhere.
*Damascus* - was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BC, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence
*Istanbul* - is the only city in the world located on two continents.
*Los Angeles* - Los Angeles's full name is El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula --and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size: L.A.
*New York City* - The term "The Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930's who used the slang _expression "apple" for any town or city. Therefore, to play New York City is to play the big time - The Big Apple.
There are more Irish in New York City than in Dublin, Ireland; more Italians in New York City than in Rome, Italy; and more Jews in New York City than in Tel Aviv, Israel.
*Ohio* - There are no natural lakes in the state of Ohio, every one is manmade.
*Rome* - The first city to reach a population of 1 million people was Rome, Italy in 133 B.C. There is a city called Rome on every continent.
*Siberia* - Siberia contains more than 25% of the world's forests.
*S.M.O.M.* - The actual smallest sovereign entity in the world is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (S.M.O.M.).
It is located in the city of Rome, Italy, has an area of two tennis courts, and as of 2001 has a population of 80, 20 less people than the Vatican.
It is a sovereign entity under international law , just as the Vatican is.
*Sahara Desert* - In the Sahara Desert, there is a town named Tidikelt, which did not receive a drop of rain for ten years.
Technically though, the driest place on Earth is in the valleys of the Antarctic near Ross Island. There has been no rainfall there for two million years.
*Roads* - Chances that a road is unpaved in the U.S.A. - 1% - in Canada - 75%
*United States* - The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one-mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.
*Waterfalls* - The water of Angel Falls (the World's highest) in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters). They are 15 times higher than Niagara Falls.
So, didn't it feel good to learn something new today???
"I have always said you should learn something new every day. Unfortunately, most of us are at that age where what we learn today, we forget tomorrow. But, give it a shot anyway!............ "
Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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September 21, 2006 - Happiness is not measured by memory - New retirement laws

He is 79 years old and admits his memory is not what it used to be, but he's still at the top of his game.
Endel Tulving, the Estonian-born immigrant who came to Canada in 1949 has been awarded Canada's highest honour - the Order of Canada for his contributions to memory research.
This is hardly his first such award - as his boss at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute in Toronto noted in a recent profile - "he's won every world prize but the Nobel."
Said another associate - "His work in memory research remains highly influential. It's part of the classic core of memory theory still today."
When asked about retirement Tulving answered - "I have been retired most of my life - that means most of the time I have been doing what I wanted to do."
But it was a story he told to Barbara Turnbull the author of this newspaper profile that stayed with me -
As for memory loss, Tulving says his previous belief - that it would be horrible to live without memory - changed after studying a man known as KC, a Mississauga (Ontario) resident who lost all memory after a brain injury sustained in a motorcycle crash.
KC remembers nothing from his past and nothing that happens to him moment by moment.
Tulving spent countless hours, over many months, with KC, who was 30 years his junior.
KC provided a window into a world with not one single memory.
He might discuss a subject like consciousness, but forget it as soon as the chat ended.
Though most people find the notion of complete amnesia terrifying and unfathomable, KC scored his own happiness four out of five.
When asked how long he wanted to live, his response was, " 'I guess 100 would be good,'" Tulving recalls.
"If he does not know that he's missing something, his whole personal history, but otherwise feels no pain and gets pleasure out of things - this is where I changed my mind. It's the thought that makes it so unacceptable to most people."
KC taught Tulving that no one can judge another's quality of life.
Tulving concluded that happiness is not measured by memory, but by special moments that make life worthwhile.
He realized KC is still having such moments.
So is Endel Tulving.
"Happiness is not measured by memory,
but by special moments that make life worthwhile."
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LOOK OUT -
A recent national (US) survey, involving more than 70,000 people indicates that for the third straight year, there has been in increase in the number of baby boomers using drugs - and drug use by young teens is down.
The most popular drug among the baby boomers is marijuana.
Peggy Haecker the Executive Director for the Benton Franklin Substance Abuse Coalition said marijuana use peaked in the 1960's and 1970's, which was a time when many baby boomers were teens.
Haecker noted that the drug is much stronger today and there has been a significant increase in adults that are seeking drug treatment.
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New laws for Retirement
Retirement Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.
Retirement Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Retirement Law of probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Retirement Law of the Telephone: When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
Retirement Law of the Alibi: If you tell your wife you were late getting home because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Retirement Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now. (works every time)
Retirement Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
Retirement Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
Retirement Law of Bio-Mechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Retirement Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich of landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Now, for those of you who think you might like to take a shot at Ecommerce but haven't a clue how to start - grab a coffee and take a few minutes to watch some videos - (Go to URL)

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September 22, 2006 - Retirement thoughts

As actress Bette Davis once said - "Old age is no place for sissies."
Ain't that the truth - the older we get, the more work it takes to keep going.
Yesterday the Doc tells me to get off my butt - start walking - drop ten pounds - or else.
Right then, I remembered a web article in which a Doctor observed that he found it truly amazing that some people take better care of their cars than their bodies - and I realized that's me.
I have a windshield reminder for when my car needs and oil change - I personally am responsible for the local wash and wax outlet's monthly profit margin - I go ballistic when a bird poops on the hood and if I hear a slight rumble or God forbid, a squeak or squeal, I burn rubber getting to the dealership.
I mention that quote to the Doc - his reaction - "It's weird but true - especially old guys like you - you fall into a soft routine or, like you, work on the mental exercises with that computer and internet stuff you like so much, but neglect the physical part - so start using it or lose it."
Then he pulled a swifty - he told my wife - I have ten minutes to finish today's entry.
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WHY MEN SHOULD NOT TAKE MESSAGES.
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My thanks to retired friends and southern neighbours Frank and Norma Lamphier for the following -
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty- six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!
After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "
Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
Enjoy the simple things.
Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
Be ALIVE while you are alive.
Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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An article in a retirement magazine claims these telephone exchanges actually took place between a computer support line and computer newbies (age not given but one could assume)
Tech support: "Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time.
That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen.
Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: " I don't have a P."
Tech support: "On your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "What do you mean?"
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!"
One more -
Tech support: "What's on your monitor now, ma'am?"
Customer: "A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11."
That it's it for today and this week - I'm about to be yanked out of my chair - I'm told I'm going to take a walk along the lakefront - whoopee - the wind has slowed to a brisk 35 MPH - everyone have a great weekend - and after your walk, be sure you return to your creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

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September 25, 2006 - Retirement affiliation

This old(er) retired guy has to confess - I would rather French-kiss a porcupine that go shopping.
Grocery shopping - OK - I know were everything is located at the local supermarket - I'm in - I'm out - but it's big box store and mall shopping that gets me on edge.
My wife Audrey is the opposite - hates grocery shopping but for her, mall shopping is a spa like experience.
From my observations, I know I'm not alone - there's many a retired guy who feels the same way - scratch the retired - there's many a guy who feels the same way.
However, I've still been able to earn a favourable reputation as a gift giver and I never leave the house.
Since I discovered E-commerce as a creative retirement job, I have also discovered shopping-on-line and I'm certainly not alone - according to OAL - The average male spends more money shopping online per month than the average female - $204 to $186, respectively. The numbers are bigger, as is the margin, when looking at holiday gift shopping. The average male plans to spend more of his holiday shopping money online than the average female, by a 15% margin - $326 to $284, respectively.
What about the future of Ecommerce - Forrester Research reports - E-commerce transactions in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to reach $145 billion, $168 billion, $198 billion, $228 billion, $258 billion, $288 billion and $316 billion, respectively. By 2010, E-commerce will have a 14 percent compounded annual growth rate over six years.
I haven't been able to locate E-commerce stats for retired guys, but I would bet the farm they would likely be in line with the above - especially the male/female breakdown.
Anyway, as the the host website, - my creative retirement job is based on personal experience, I am now working on setting up E-commerce affiliations.
One of the keys to success with affiliate marketing is to select the best of retailers - retailers you know, from personal experience, can be trusted for product and service.
For the non-initiated, affiliate marketing is when a webmaster places an ad or banner for a retailer on his/her website and when a visitor to the site clicks on the ad and buys a product you're paid a commission.
First though, you apply for affiliation and they check out your site to see if its suitable for their marketing strategy.
The host web site has been accepted by several and for two of them - it's a tad weird because although I like their products, I just don't enjoy visiting their brick and mortar outlets - but shopping their place online is a joy - I can take my time - find what I want (and some stuff I really don't need) and have if all delivered to my door - click-click shopping - gotta love it..
For Canadian Shoppers I've teamed up with Canadian retail icon - eFlyer@CanadianTire.ca and for American shoppers - Walmart.com - Yes, I know - Wallymart is worldwide but for the moment it's only online in the United States.
Just one other story - another affiliate approval just arrived from what for many men - from twelfth grade to rocking chair can be a "get-out-of-jail-free card" or, can earn you more brownie points you've ever recorded since your honeymoon.
Stay with me on this - say we have three men with the same problem - one in Yippie-eye-ay Texas - another retired guy in Oldie Ontario and one in sitting in a pub in O'clancy Ireland - all three are wondering what the hell they did wrong - true, the wife didn't say a word when they left the house this morning - but they got that look - the look that says you're in trouble - but you can't figure out what you did wrong.
Then it hits - today's her birthday - fast action is required - but because they once visited PPP Retirement Jobs they know what to do - get to their computers, click on 1800flowers.com- click on the map of their country and order, not just a bunch of flowers, but custom-made bouquets that will knock her socks off - and that my friends is affiliate marketing - advertising for the common good.
click-click shopping - ya gotta love it.
Now it's time for you to get to work on your creative retirement job and make a few bucks through affiliate marketing - (Go to URL)

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September 26, 2006 - Retirement News Grab Bag

This will be the last RN entry until next Monday - the wife and I are off on our annual "fall colour" tour.
In order to clear the desk of some of the clutter, I have a crab bag of items to pass on - no particular order of importance, I'll just pick scraps of note paper and copy whatever notation I've written on them - example:
Productive Aging" and "Bridge to Retirement" - copied from a retirement article - perfect for the host website to describe the importance of having a creative retirement job - you + your computer + the internet = "A bridge to retirement" while offering the creative benefits for "productive aging."
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Brit study shows 62 percent of people aged between 45 and 65 have no plans to cope if they need care in later life.
Nearly half said they would sell their house if they needed to pay for a place in a home.
A fifth of 942 people questioned said "life is too short" to worry about what may happen when they are elderly.
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"Superlongevity Revolution" this is from the 2006 meeting of the World Future Society held at Toronto's Sheraton Centre.
Sociologist and futurist Dr. Michael G. Zey, author of the forthcoming Ageless Society (New Horizons/Kensington), contends that this "Superlongevity Revolution" is radically changing the whole concept of post-career life.
Dr. Zey claims that we are undergoing what he calls the"Second Wind" phenomenon -
"Nowadays, people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who finish their first careers have an array of exciting choices to make-they are just getting their 'second wind' and pursuing new life adventures."
Dr. Zey says those choosing to continue to work into their 50s, 60s, and 70s will "re-career", choosing new professions and occupations - that latter life entrepreneurism will become popular-he points to the large numbers of those 55+ who are using eBay as a platform to launch their own businesses.
He also described novel marketing opportunities being created by this "Second Wind" phenomenon.
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Productive Aging" - "Bridge to Retirement" - Superlongevity Revolution" - "Second Wind generation"
Get in the action folks.
Lets take a break for some video - thanks to retired buddy Carol Raycraft for the following -a seniors lullaby - How do they do that?
From retired southern bowling buddy Bernice Dini - Salute to the 50's
From retired buddy Frank Lamphier - some fun stuff with German teddy bears
And finally - something to think about -
In 1923, (long before many of us were born!) Who Was - President of the largest steel company?
President of the largest gas company?
President of the New York Stock Exchange?
Greatest wheat speculator?
President of the Bank of International Settlement?
Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.
Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them - The Answers:
LI>The president of the largest steel company - Charles Schwab - died a pauper.
The president of the largest gas company - Edward Hopson - went insane.
The president of the NYSE - Richard Whitney - was released from prison to die at home.
The greatest wheat speculator - Arthur Cooger - died abroad, penniless.
The president of the Bank of International Settlement - shot himself.
The Great Bear of Wall Street - Cosabee Livermore - also committed suicide.
However, in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was Gene Sarazen.
What became of him?
He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral: Screw work - Play golf
With a creative retirement job - plenty of time to play golf AND have a few buck in the bank - (Go to URL)

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