All the conversation on the C64 got me thinking about my old Vic-20 that I won in an essay contest back when I was somewhere around 11 or 12 years old. My very first computer, which oddly I let sit in the closet of my room for many months before even opening the box. Believe it or not, at that time I had zero interest in computers. I just didn't realize I was a tech geek just yet at that time.

I still remember it was a rainly day and since I couldn't do my normal playing outside sports or riding my bike which I did all the time, I decided to unbox it and check it out. That was pretty much the beginning of it for me. The rest is history and only got more interested over time.. And bought more stuff, etc.. Eventually going to Apple //c systems, modems, BBSing, then PCs later in my teens. Hard to believe I actually thought at the time that I had no interest in them.. Crazy!

Also, the talk of retirement is awesome! I have been counting down myself, but I still set my date for exit 2 1/2 years from now.

- Mark

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Also, the talk of retirement is awesome! I have been counting down
myself, but I still set my date for exit 2 1/2 years from now.

- Mark

You should do fine. You've got lots of "toy boxes". My wife, vicariously, is getting the bug. She is a few years younger but just created a spread sheet of her budget and expenses. She asked me to do mine so, I have just detailed 2024 and 2025. She is a landscape architect and designs commercial and residental properties. She is also the property manager for the Ames estate in Easton i.e., Langwater. The Ames family made their money by getting the tool contract for the transcontinental railroad (watch Hell on Wheels). That was a conflict of interest scandal since Oliver Ames was a Congressman at the time and, well.... She will scale down her work and get back to being an artist. There is nothing like being married to a workaholic :O Anyhow, our budget and combined incomes looks great. It's the sudden catastophies that you are unaware of that are unpredictable i.e., house infrastructure, health, automotive issues etc. 2 1/2 years will come up on you faster than you think....


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unpredictable i.e., house infrastructure, health, automotive issues etc. 2 1/2 years will come up on you faster than you think....

Yeah, I'm sure it will. The big thing is keeping the budget on track so nothing changes and can hit the target with some breathing room. Naturally there will be challenges along the way that likely will take some creativity to get around, but that is just life.

For instance, over the past two months I didn't anticipate spending almost $800 on one of my motorcycles due to the eletrical issue I had to repair (and did all the work myself). And the fact that I have been in PT since March for an injury I did to myself 2 years ago (basically gave myself whiplash) from a wasp sting in the back of the neck. At least that is part of my insurance now. And then I broke a tooth and that cost another $800. Always something.

I have been savings so much for the past 8 years, I live on a fraction of my income so I can finally get out of the work force and have freedom once again!

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS ú telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs ú Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
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PT since March for an injury I did to myself 2 years ago (basically gave myself whiplash) from a wasp sting in the back of the neck. At least
that is part of my insurance now. And then I broke a tooth and that
cost another $800. Always something.

Whiplash from a wasp sting? How wonderfully lucky yet, I can imagine that....

Anyhow.. I am excited for you!


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Whiplash from a wasp sting? How wonderfully lucky yet, I can imagine that....
Anyhow.. I am excited for you!

Yes, it happened around 2 years ago. I was using the weed whacker trimming the yard before cutting the grass. A wasp stung me in the back of the neck and I whipped my neck down and to the side as a reaction which I wish I hadn't had done. When I first did it, I had major pain and nerve issues probably herniated a disc or something. All down my left arm, left hand, left shoulder blade.

After that happened I searched for the wasp nest which ended up being under our deck and wiped them all out. My wife had to pull the stinger out of the back of my neck.

I didn't orginally get PT which I should have, but waited until around March of this year and it has been helping, though a very slow process. I have been doing lots of bike riding and exercising mainly to keep in good shape but also to help mobilize that area.

I have to admit that I like the AI PT I'm doing. They sent me a tablet, I have a PT that I can chat with over time, and they assign stuff for me to do daily. It is pretty cool. I have been doing that since March.

- Mark

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