The Baby Boomers First-Hand, First-Year Guide to Retirement: 365 Days of Bliss(???!!!)Or Diss (Not???!!!)

By Duane Lance Filer

Ever wonder what really happens that first year after you retire? I'm talking about the day-to-day emotions, feelings, projects, questions, anxieties... the ups and downs of this very important next step in one's life after some 25/30/35/40 years of formal work?

Well, my "The Baby Boomers First-Hand/First-Year Guide to Retirement... 365 Days of Bliss (???!!!) or Diss (Not???!!!)" could provide some insight for those recently retired or contemplating retirement. This 365 day (from January 17, 2013 to January 17, 2014) daily journal allows the reader to follow along as I experience the chores, the life; the new budgeting, the wife the questions, the emotions; some answers and hopefully some solutions. "First-Hand" is an easy-to-read/fast page turner; a humorous collection of thoughts and stuff... it does not hit you over the head with heavy retirement questions regarding pensions or 401(k) requirements; or statistics such as inflation projections, investment facts, tax shelters, financial formulas, etc... My book is simply a personal essay of my first 365 days of retirement, featuring real names and real people. Included are personal pictures and anecdotes of my 2013 journey that sheds light on the everyday minutia of retired life.

I self-published my first book "SQUARE SQUIRE & THE JOURNEY TO DREAMSTATE" in 2012. I have a completed children's short story collection "LongTALES for shortTAILS" currently being illustrated; and I have a young adult/short story collection "Word Food for Doods" ready for publishing. I am presently working on a novella about a jive/hipster dude cat called "Diddley Squatt."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499032604

Duane Lance Filer

Duane Filer is a writer now residing in Carson, California, who has written four books, three of them after retiring from the California Public Utilities Commission after twenty-eight years of state service. Duane and his six siblings were raised in Compton, California, by mom, Blondell, and dad, Maxcy (now deceased), and were always told to follow their dreams and achieve but also to contribute to society and give back to the community. Duane loves music (especially jazz and funk), diddles on the bass guitar, and loves all sports and animals. Squirrels are welcome in his backyard. Jay DeVance III is an up-and-coming illustrator residing in Compton, California. Jay just published his first two books, “The Story of Decapolis –Book of Heroes Vol. 1” and “The Story of Decapolis – Coloring Book 1.” Jay can be contacted at [e-mail] or [e-mail].

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Copyright © 2014 by Duane Lance Filer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 06/30/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

626901

CONTENTS

NOTES ON THE BOOK/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1- The First ½ month – Jan U – Eerie - January 2013

First thoughts: Yikes! This is really going to

be an eerie month – no work and my

first month of retirement. Let’s go!

End of January Retire-Cap

End of January 2013 Retire-Cap

Chapter 2- Feb-U-Ready - February 2013

First thoughts: Am I really ready for retirement?

Who knows-but it is too late to turn back now

so I better make the best of it!

End of February Retire-Cap

End of February Re-tire Cap

Chapter 3- March (Madness) -2013

First thoughts: I love the NCAA Collegiate basketball tournament called

March Madness.

Will I pick the right teams (i.e. tasks, projects)

to keep my brackets fulfilled?

End of March Retire-Cap

End of March Retire-Cap

Chapter 4- April (Showers)- 2013

First thoughts: Has my retirement sprung

fresh rain into my 60 year-old body?

Or- am I in a drought?

End of April Retire-Cap

End of April Retire-Cap

Chapter 5- May (May-Not)- 2013

First thoughts: Oh Oh? Are there some misgivings,

or are these just road bumps?

End of May Retire-Cap

Chapter 6- June (Gloom goes Boom) 2013

First thoughts: Halftime at my 1st 6 months

of retirement –time for a serious assessment.

The good teams and management make adjustments

at ½ time- am I a good manager?

End of June Retire-Cap

Chapter 7- July (Pretty Fly) -2013

First thoughts: Busy month – my sons and

daughters birthday month, plus a family reunion cruise.

How will I respond to the added activity and

family questions? Bless and stress?

End of July Retire-Cap

Chapter 8- August (A Gust) – 2013

First thoughts: A gust of strength? A gust of perseverance?

A gust of disgust?

Your gust is as good as my gust.

End of August Retire-Cap

Chapter 9- Sep-TIMBER! - September 2013

First thoughts: Wife’s birthday month – leading up

to the busy holiday season.

This is usually a stressful time. Am I standing tall

or wood I fall over?

End of September Retire-Cap

Chapter 10- Octo-BEER - October 2013

First thoughts: My birthday month – turning 61.

Wife’s surprise retirement announcement?

Yikes? Octoberfest will have to rest and

I will have to be at my best…..

Hope it’s not a mess!

End of October Retire-Cap

Chapter 11- Nov-EMBERS - November 2013

First thoughts: Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday.

Will I have even more to be thankful for?

End of November Retire-Caps

Chapter 12- December- (I Remember) – 2013

First thoughts: Christmas…..Xmas decorations…..

stress…will I be put to the test?

End of December Retire-Cap

Chapter 13 - January - Jan-U-Weary- January 2014

First thoughts: Last chapter. The year has flown by….

which started as eery….now I’m A bit weary….

but thank God I’m still thinking clearly…..C’est La Vie!

End of January 2014 Retire Cap

Chapter 14 –Finale- The First Year/First Hand/Final 365 Day Retire-Cap – Bliss (???!!! 56566.png ) or Diss (not ???!!! 56564.png ) - FINAL TALLY!

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all my baby boomer brethren -referring to all us lucky babies born between 1946 and 1964. This list includes all my old fogies, friends, enemies, hippies and squares. We were quite the generation and had a blast, didn’t we? So now baby boomers, per Father Time’s directions, it is time for us to slow down and retire…..you know………the aging gracefully thingy. As we move into our 60’s and 70’s and don’t feel like twittering, texting, facebooking or twerking; that rocking chair awaits us and we must replace our beer with Geritol. Hey- what am I saying………. forget that- retire yes, but:

LET’S PARTY TILL THE END!!!!!!!!

"Stand

In the end you’ll still be you

One that’s done all the things you set out to do

Stand

There’s a cross for you to bear

Things to go through if you’re going anywhere

Stand"

Stand

-Sly & the Family Stone

NOTES ON THE BOOK/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I must acknowledge those who contributed ideas and thoughts; pictures and images; comments and edits that contributed to the completion of this book. Thank you all!

Book Cover- Props to my beautiful daughter Arinn Filer and little brother Judge Kelvin D. Filer;thanks for your ideas on the cover concept.

Pictures/Images/Comments- Props to brother-in-law Fulton Bell for the personal pictures of old’ uncle patches (me) and my paintings and fffunklab pictures. Thanks brother Anthony Filer for many of the pictures, and also brother-in-law David Walker and sister in-law Sylvia Walker for use of their kids graduation pictures. Thanks brother-in law/sis-in-law Kevin and Saundra James for comments. Thanks son Lance and sis-in-law Della Bell for some legal expertise. Thanks Arbutus Street friend Gary Kelley for use of his pictures.

Inspiration- Thanks to the two wisest, nicest ladies on earth- my mom Blondell Filer and my mom-in-law Floyda "Grammy’’ Thompson. Whenever I reach a rough spot in life,I just think of you two and my problems disappear. Maxcy in heaven- thanx Dad. Shout outs to all my friends, relatives, neighbors, dogs, birds.....you all contributed by just being there.

Duane can be contacted at [e-mail]

or at Facebook or Linkedln.

PREFACE

Hello. My name is Duane Lance Filer. Let me introduce myself by telling you that January 16, 2013, was a very important day in my life. Why, you ask? Because January 16, 2013, was the day I retired from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), State of California, after 28 years of dedicated service. Yes…..I can’t believe I worked for the good old CPUC in downtown Los Angeles, California for 28 1/2 years. Before coming to the CPUC, I worked five (5) years with Pacific Bell (now AT&T), and before that two years with Los Angeles Unified School District. Sure – I worked other jobs after graduating from Cal Lutheran University in 1974………..process server, sweeping the floor after the circus at the Long Beach Arena, Census Taker, etc…….off/and on jobs until I caught on briefly with LA unified and then more concretely with Pacific Bell. However, my CPUC job experience is the main experience of my life.

I loved my job at the CPUC. From 1984 until 2013, I generally had nothing but positive experiences during my work life, and I appreciate the CPUC for allowing me the chance to grow into the person I became. I was a supervisor for many of my years at the CPUC, and was lucky enough to have some great supervisors and managers, loyal staff, and, through the most remarkable of coincidences, once I became Los Angeles Consumer Affairs Branch Telecommunications Supervisor in 1986, all of my supervisors henceforth were in San Francisco. How lucky was that? Nobody looking over my shoulder; my supervisors had the confidence to just let me do my job and complete the state’s/peoples work we needed to complete. Heaven!

I was always told that years could fly by quickly – and yes they did…….quickly…..quickly my friend; and as the years flew by, every employee witnesses that phenomenon of their trusted co-workers, friends, confidants…..retiring. You go to their retirement parties and sit in the audience; as the retiree sits at the dais with family and trusted friends. You may get up and make a few funny or sentimental comments during your retiree friends/family comment section……and afterward go and enjoy the cake while speaking with co-workers. However………you never, ever, truly grasp the reality that maybe one day…..…..just maybe one day…… you will be the one sitting up on that dais while receiving the comments and plaudits from the audience…..and somebody brings you your cake. It’s wild my friend.

So you work…and you work………and time passes. It’s your turn. When you are on that dais, and folks are talking about you……….you remember parts of your early work life….. like (flashback) at the first year of your work life, you are walking through a hallway at work one day with your newfound work buddy and you pass an older co-worker….. and when you get out of earshot, you say:

Can you believe that old fart is still working? You laugh and slap five with your buddy as you head out to lunch.

Then…it seems like with just the snap of a finger….years later, you are walking that same hall – alone- and some young co-workers (who you trained by the way) pass you and as they think you are out of earshot you hear the last refrain of:

…….can you believe that old fart is still working? as they slap five and head to lunch.

Yes my friend- you have indeed become the old fart in the office 59798.png Now it is time for you to retire.

That’s how fast life happens. Sigh…..

I was born on October 17, 1952 in Elkhart, Indiana. I’m sure you have heard the term baby boomer…..well, I guess I boomed when I was a baby. Seriously, some historian folks came up with this term to describe people born between 1946 and 1964. After the long and exhausting World War II, folks relaxed and were celebrating like crazy and birth rates across the world. This explosion was known as the baby boom. It is significant because during the boom, an estimated 77 million babies were born in the U.S. ….the largest generation of Americans born in U.S. history; and today represent 20-25% of the American public. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that because of these figures, boomer’s had and continue to have a significant impact on the economy…and as a result, are often the focus of marketing campaigns and business plans.

Well…you guessed it….we baby boomers are now in the 60-65 year- old range, and that means we are thinking about retirement. All my buddies my age are scouring/reviewing their pension programs, 401(K) plans, etc…to see if they indeed are in the position to pull the work plug and move on to the 4th quarter of their lives (I love sport analogies.) I was lucky enough to make it to this important time of my life…….so…………….. I thought I’d write about the first year of my retirement and hopefully help some folks through my first-hand/first-year experiences.

Following is my day-to-day journal of my first 365 days sans formal work. I must point out that the following is more than just a journal; this journal is different. How you ask? I think this things-to-look-for/how-to-prepare-when-maybe-it-is-time-you-are-thinking-about-retirement/first-year journal will help guide your decision and ease your mind as you move into this stage of your life. This stuff is a humorous collection of thoughts……..it does not hit you over the head with heavy retirement statistics, facts, charts, financial formulas, etc… musts you need to have in place before either retiring or planning your retirement. It’s not that kind of book. It is a personal essay of my first 365 days of retirement, featuring real names and real people. Included are personal pictures and anecdotes of my 2013 journey. So no……I am not an expert………..just a dude who wrote a one-year journal that I think is informative and will make you stop and think. YOU MUST HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR WHEN READING THIS GUIDE- LIFE IS FUNNY AND UNPREDICTABLE!! It not only describes my daily activities, but more importantly my thoughts and emotions during this very important first year of retirement. My hopes are that this book/journal will be a source of reference for those of you thinking about retiring, or recently retired. Hey……..we are lucky to make it this far – right?

Monthly/Year-End Retire-Caps, Music/Jams-of-the-Month, and Journal Your Thoughts.

Join me and my journalistic rants as I navigate the first full year of retirement. As I was writing this book, I immediately noticed that once you retire, folks in your life circle, and I’m talking current working people, retirees, people in the neighborhood, people in general – before we discuss anything else – they greet me with how does it feel to be retired? First words out of their mouths, I guarantee. The amazing thing about this question you ask?………… they really want to know.

At the end of each chapter I have 3 sub-sections which should be of value:

Retire-Caps

Monthly Retire-Caps at the end of each month will discuss/relate my feelings to that point in time. My thoughts and hopes are that such a monthly report will not only help provide a quick/brief re-cap of my innermost feelings at the end of each month, but to also act as a break in the format – to make it easier for you the reader to follow along with my thoughts/ideas/issues on each 30 day cycle. I have also assigned various grades for that month, either "blisses 59801.png or disses 60062.png " to let you know if the month was good or bad. The blisses and disses will be tallied after 12 months. ***You have to read the whole book and check the last chapter to see what grade I give the first year***.

I have also included a ½ year retire-cap – at approximately 182 days of retirement – so you can gauge my progress ½-year through retirement.

~Music Jams of the Month~

At the end of each month I provide a list of music/jams I listened to when either walking, working out, writing, or sitting at the park. Music is such a soothing and important stream in our everyday lives, especially as you get older and begin slowing down from your younger year’s vices and pleasures – I just had to add brief lists of the jams that help me journey onward. As Tower of Power so soulfully put it in one of their signature songs:

"All the things that used to fix me

they don’t fix me no more

……………… I got to groove!"

Journal Your Journey

And lastly, I have provided a blank page at the very end of each month for you the reader to journal your journey and thoughts in case you wanted to personally jot down some ideas or comments for each month. See- I’m looking out for everybody 59803.png .

______________________________________________

My Retire-Caps are in Question and Answer format. On the very last page of this book, you will find the cumulative tally of the past 12 months and we will find out my opinion of first-year retirement – the Final 2013 Grade - Bliss ( 59805.png ) or Diss ( 60065.png .)

So……….let’s get started with that very first day after retirement.

CHAPTER 1

THE FIRST ½ MONTH – JANUARY 2013

Jan-U-EERY

First Thoughts:

Yikes……..This is really going to be an eerie month – no work and my first month of retirement. Let’s go!

January 17, 2013 – Day One of Retirement

Thursday. I retired officially yesterday……January 16, 2013…..a Wednesday. Yesterday was my last day on the CPUC books; on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, my friends at work threw me a retirement party – and what a party my friends at the CPUC, led by my longest CPUC friend Kyle DeVine, threw for me! I’m a big Laker fan (sports fan in general – Kobe Bryant is my favorite Laker for this Laker era) and the whole office knows it. Kyle had a Laker theme for the party; all the tables draped in purple and gold, with Laker knick-knacks gracing each table. A humongous purple and gold paper mache’ Laker basketball was perched at the table where I sat.

Other tidbits about the party: Since 1986, I’ve been in charge of all our office pools….Super Bowl, College NCAA Basketball March Madness, etc… So Kyle sent out a pool with squares and a lot of my fellow workers wrote their names in a square with best wishes. Thanx Kyle. Others at the party? My wife Janice, kids Arinn and Lance, brothers Anthony and Kelvin (our present LA Office Supervisor Denise Tyrrell’s husband sat and talked to Kelvin all through the party – Kelvin is a Superior Court Judge); sister Stephanie and some of her church friends; sister in-law Della and sons James and Justus – all came to my retirement party. Unfortunately, my 84 year old mother, Blondell, fell sick that day and wasn’t able to make the festivities, but she and my deceased dad Maxcy were there in spirit.

A lot of the folks from our LA office staff showed up for the party…..and not just staff from my Consumer Protection & Safety Division (CPSD) like my San Francisco Supervisor Linda Woods; CPSD tub-mates Janeen Long, Chris Poschl, and Pejman Mosgfegh. Retirees came……Maxine Harrison, Bobbie Santa Maria, and Gloria (Glo) Gibson. Our Consumer Affairs Branch, where I once supervised, put on a music skit featuring Juanita Lane, Juanita Hill, Etta West, Gregory Harris, Fawn Piangenti, Toni Williams, and Katt. Pam Gavin Watts, Saud Muhammad, Socorro Garcia, Bob Butler, Rayford Scott, Epuna Matthewson, Debbie Zundel, Stephan Vaisa, Darryl Thompson, Pat Esule, Karla Rausch (Karwash), Dr. Ken Seiff, Hani Moussa….Love, Drisha, Virginia, Shelly ……..all my friends made it.

We had folks from our Safety and Water Divisions……from every division in the LA Office. I was also glad that personnel from the Junipero State Building’s General Services Division (the custodians) made the party. These guys and I have been buddies for years….and I was so glad they, along with friends of mine from other state departments, made the retirement party. Of course…I was delighted that some retirees also made it.

And the official announcement for the party? I mean – the flyer announcing my retirement was a picture of my face photo-shopped over a picture of Kobe Bryant (my favorite current Laker) driving to the basket. The flyer was made by the CPUC’s Alejandra Lumbreras-Martinez. Below are pictures of my retirement cake as well as a picture of a giant Laker piñata somebody brought:

019_b_reigun.jpg019_a_reigun.jpg

Below are some other pictures of friends/retirees from the party:

C:\Users\Duane\Pictures\Duane's CPUC Pictures\FW Duane's Retirement Party Set 2_files\image007.jpg

Pictured above- my Consumer Affairs Branch friends:

Juanita Hill, Juanita Lane, Fawn Piangenti, Gregory Harris kneeling; me in the center, Katrina Cooper, Etta West , Antoinette Williams

C:\Users\Duane\Pictures\Duane's CPUC Pictures\FW Duane's Retirement Party Set 2_files\image011.jpg

My direct CPSD Unit: Chris Poschl, Janeen Long, me, Supervisor Linda Woods, Pejman Moshfegh

C:\Users\Duane\Pictures\Duane's CPUC Pictures\FW Duane's Retirement Party Set 2_files\image010.jpg

My retired friends: Maxine Harrison and Gloria Gibson

So- today is my first day of official off after 28 years of getting up and catching that doggone Blue-Line (rail system) from Carson to downtown Los Angeles. Janice, my wife of 35 years, is a school principal and works right around the corner. Janice has no intentions of retiring anytime soon, as she is a different type of personality. While I am a laidback, somewhat introverted old hippie- Janice is an aggressive, high-strung social butterfly who has to have constant social contact. There must be stuff happening around Janice or she will go out to find the action. Me? I could move up into the hills and not seek human interaction. I can honestly say I could live without a cellphone/ internet/chat-rooms/Facebook/twitter account. About the only knew technology I really like is the IPod because of my love of music.

I know I’m talking about yesterday and getting off my first day subject a bit, but I thought it was important to give you an idea of my party along with a smidgeon of the type of personality that is Duane Lance.

Back to that first day…….Janice wakes up and gets ready for work. Me? I turn over and look at the clock…..it says 8a.m…..and I realize I don’t have to get up and start getting ready for work (which these last 2 weeks has been dreadful- I was just wearing jeans and the closest t-shirt these last few weeks.) IT IS A SURREAL FEELING to say the least. I look around for Janice, and not seeing her in the bedroom, guess she is probably in the closet going through her mountain of clothes trying to figure out what to wear that day. Finally, I hear her voice coming from the distance, and I surmise she is going to tell me something profound, funny, existentialist, envious…something deep! Here it comes:

Janice: Duane?

Me: Yes

Janice: There’s no toilet paper. Can you go into Lance’s bathroom, or downstairs, and get me some?

Duane: Sure dear….I’ve got nothing better to do as you know

So starts my first day. I wake up around 9a.m. for good with this burst of energy to get stuff done. In my pj’s and robe, I commence to wash all the dirty clothes, clean the bathrooms, vacuum the rugs, sweep and clean the hardwood floors, wash the dishes. In our laundry room, I installed an eraser board with the heading TTDT (Things to do Today) – and will relay to Janice the board is to be used specifically for her use each morning- to jot down the chores/errands she wants me to do that day.

I get dressed in my most comfortable clothes ever ("good clothes – ripped jeans and a Sly and the Family Stone T-shirt); then, I hit the door and go grocery shopping. Next it is to the car wash; run a few other errands, come home and cook. The Lakers lose to Miami that night. By the time Janice hits the door- I’m exhausted!

Janice: How was your first day of retirement? How many movies did you watch? (chuckle)

Duane: I did more work on my first day of retirement than I’ve done the last 3 months of work!

After dinner, I fell out in the bed with my clothes on I was so tired. So goes my first day of retirement!

January 18, 2013 – Day 2 of Retirement

Day 2. Friday. Woke up still tired from my first day’s activities. Thinking I overextended myself – did waaaaayyyyy too much that first day…….I mumble to myself that I will need to learn to pace myself.

Got up to get dressed and starting throwing on my clothes when it hit me – I won’t be wearing anything but jeans and t-shirts for practically the rest of my life. All those work clothes in the closet – when am I ever going to wear them again? Not now- on days like today. See, I have about 3 pairs of these old, patched jeans (I did the patching myself I’m proud to say) that my wife just hates. I’ve told her, you NEVER throw away jeans….NEVER….jeans are like plastic bags/synthetics/plastic bottles……they are biodegradable and will last forever. But please understand…….the main reason I wear jeans and like to recycle them is because this is what I feel most comfortable in life wearing – so now that I’m retired, I figure I’ve earned the right to wear what I want –dadblastit!! (my late dad’s favorite expression.) Plus, I do have another 3 pair of dress jeans –that is jeans with no holes and not too faded- that I’ve been wearing to work every day for years…..now these jeans will be my considered my good jeans. I’ll wear the good jeans if Janice and I go to lunch or something……or if I have to go to Janice’s school (Dr. Janice Filer is a principal of a local high school) so I won’t embarrass her.

And t-shirts – I have trunk loads of t-shirts…..t-shirts with my musical heroes plastered over them (Miles, Sly, Jimi, The Stones) or Laker t-shirts. These were my Saturday and Sunday t-shirts until yesterday; which will now become my Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday/ Sunday shirts. I do have other dress shirts and slacks I’d occasionally wear to work if we were having a meeting or I was meeting public folks……..I really don’t need these anymore and may consider cleaning out my closet and donating these to Goodwill.

Below is a small collection of some of my favorite boys – some of my t-shirts……I laid out on the pool table in our junky garage. This is but a small sampling……..:

C:\Users\Duane\Pictures\First Year Pics\_DLF1036.JPG

Picture by Fulton Bell

Oh yeah, I also have my left ear pierced and favor hooped earrings – it goes without saying Dr. Filer hates my earrings! Hey……I’m just a 60 year old hippie, what can I say?

Back to today…..it just blew by – but I still managed to do more cleaning. I went through all my boxes from work and collected the stuff I would need for my desk at home….the rest of my junk I just left in the boxes and will go through at a later date.

Dinner- I made spaghetti, a fresh salad, and heated a California Garlic Pizza!

January 19, 2013 – Day 3 of Retirement

Day 3 is my first Saturday after retirement. My wife and son are home today. My son Lance still lives at home. He recently passed the California State Bar so the esquire counselor is still seeking his place in the legal profession. I don’t mind him being at home – he’s a pretty cool dude. We talk sports and women (er……I mainly listen about his women stories.) My daughter Arinn lives in a condo in Long Beach. She is following in her mother’s footsteps and loves teaching; presently teaching pregnant teens in downtown LA. I’m blessed to have such great kids!

So Saturday. Janice usually has some school errands to run, and today is no different. Hey – she put my first to do on the board. She’s requested I sweep our bedroom and shake the rugs. Cool.

She’s also made reservations for us for a 3 night stay at the Sheraton Universal at Universal Studios as a retirement gift. Tonight there is an old school Soul Review festival at the Universal Amphitheatre and Janice bought tickets. She wanted us to go to Obama’s Inaugural which is this coming Monday, but I told her financially it was maybe too soon – plus- I wanted to get this writing project off the ground. My wife believes in living in the moment regardless of the cost – and I love her for that – but I just thought the traveling, crowd and costs would be too much. You think maybe she was upset with plan B instead of plan A – you are correct sir! However…..……..onward.

So the evening comes and we hit the 110 Freeway, Carson to Hollywood. I’m actually looking forward to the concert. The hotel room was nice and soon it was concert time. We get to our seats, and my sly wife has also invited her sister Della and husband Fulton (their 25th wedding anniversary – congrats), as well as two of my best friends in life, who happen to be my brothers Kelvin and Anthony. I’m blessed to have such great brothers, and it was appropriate we celebrate my retirement at a concert….we’ve been to so many great concerts together I can’t name them all. I’ll just mention one- we went to a Sly and the Family Stone concert, and my brothers and I ended up on stage next to Sly…and somehow his harmonica fell into my pocket (wink) and I’m looking at it on my wall as I type this sentence.

Back to the concert….the first group to hit the stage is Clymaxx- an all women group from back in 1980’s whose big hit was Meet Me in the Ladies Room. We didn’t make it in time for Clymaxx. The Dazzband hit the stage and tore thru Joystick, DAZZ (Disco Jazz), and closed with Let it Whip. Next came LTD…of course minus Jeffrey Osborne, and sang Party Hardy, Love Song, and closed with Back in Love Again. SOS then surprised everyone with their strong set – great musicians and showmanship – they closed with their top ten hit Baby Do It Right. The Ohio Players were next and were smoking! They were actually the best old school band on the stage tonight. They opened with Love Rollercoaster and just played everything big of theirs: Pain, Sweet Sticky Thing, Heaven Must Be like This, and of course the finale was Fire. The Ohio Players were baaaaaaad – and I mean good! Cameo closed the show and unfortunately it didn’t go to well. When you have an old school show like tonight with 5 or so acts – and the show begins at 7:30p.m. – by 10:30p.m. When the last act comes on- folks are exhausted (you can only raise your hands in the air and wave them like you just don’t care and somebody, everybody SCREAM so many times when you get older)….especially folks past 55 years old! So Cameo came out and did their best, but by the time they closed with Word Up people were spent and heading home. It’s a shame, but sometimes the headliner should think about coming on next to last instead of last; just my opinion.

Overall – great show. I treated my bros and Della and Fulton to dinner afterward at the Hard Rock Café. Then it was beddy bye time.

January 20, 2013 – Day 4 of Retirement

Today – 4th day of retirement - Sunday. Janice had promised me we (or at least I) could just chill today and watch the football games. Today were the divisional play-offs between the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Atlanta Falcons and the Baltimore Ravens vs. the New England Patriots – winners go to the Superbowl. This was perfect. In addition to the great games on TV today, I had brought along my various journals, some recent Rolling Stone Magazines, the recent GQ (with Beyoncé on the cover – damn she looks good)…so I was good to go. We ordered in breakfast and watched the games. Janice got bored mid-first game, so I wasn’t surprised when she got dressed and went out exploring. Janice loves to explore anyplace new; and if there are stores near by – forget it. She can be lost for hours, which is actually fine with me. She likes shopping – I like dropping…….and it has worked for our 35 years of marriage.

She brought fajita dinners when she returned that night….so it was a great restful Sunday.

January 21, 2013 – Day 5 of Retirement

Monday. Today is a very special day. Not only is it Martin Luther King Jr. Day – but President Barack Obama is being sworn in for his second term as President. It is a great day for America. I have to admit I never thought I’d live to see a black president, and here he won re-election. Janice set a wake- up call for 6.a.m so we wouldn’t miss any of the inauguration. We watched the festivities until they were over, and at 1:30p.m. it was time to check out. We didn’t have that many bags and Janice’s suitcase/thingy was on rollers, so I suggested we just carry our backs downstairs. Janice said no- we will call a bellhop. So she did. It’s not that I’m a cheapskate, but jeez……I could have probably carried all our stuff to the car while she was checking out – BUT NO!

After checking out, I assumed it was a quick drive to the 110 Freeway, jump on the 101 Harbor Freeway, and we’d be home lickity split. Of course I was wrong.

Janice: Since we are here, don’t you want to go to the show. This week was her treat, so she knew I wouldn’t say no. Plus, I like the movies

Duane: Fine with me. C’mon – what did you expect me to say?

What we’ve always done in the past is alternate picks on what we see; but lately because of all the violence and shootings in the schools and theaters (remember Janice is a principal) – she doesn’t go in for any movies with gratuitous violence. Hey…I’m easy and eclectic……I can just about watch anything. So, we went to see Les Miserable. We had seen the play years ago, so I was actually excited to see the movie. It was fantastic! I enjoyed the cinematography, the ensemble acting, and the music. My favorite characters were the notorious husband and wife scoundrel innkeepers Monsieur Thenardier and Madame Thenardier. I love their song Master of the House – it’s irresistible:

"Master of the house,

Doling out the charm,

Ready with a handshake,

And an open palm."

I was humming duh duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh duh…..duh duh duh duh DAH duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh duh? all the way home. I could tell I was driving Janice crazy but I didn’t care.

"Master of the house,

Duh duh duh duh duh,

Duh duh duh duh duh,

Duh duh DUH DUH DUH DUH!!!"

That was the night…………

January 22, 2013 – Day 6 of Retirement

Tuesday – 6 days since I retired. Things are calming down a bit after the away weekend with the wife and MLK day yesterday. I woke up around 9:30a.m. and for some reason it popped into my head to dedicate the day to getting my present home office in shape – no long how long it took. I wanted a fresh start, so I decided to re-arrange the room. I moved the desk from in front of the window to the side, added some desk lights, and moved around the reading chair and small futon to give the room a completely different look. You would think it would be nice to look out of the window while sitting at the desk and composing, but that’s only good if you have a nice view to look? My office is on the first floor of our house, and right outside is an exquisite (just kidding) view of our fence and the side of our neighbor’s house- not an inspiring sight. Plus, with the window over the desk, it made me feel uncomfortable that somebody could be watching me. This new configuration is mucho better for now, although very soon I planned on upgrading the office with a better computer, printer, etc……but for now, the new scenery would suffice.

All the moving took all day, and at around 4:30pm. I started dinner; a chicken pasta dish and fresh salad and rolls. I’m loving the idea of keeping a fresh salad in the fridge…the freshness theme!

I felt really free today! I accomplished a lot by getting my office in near complete order (still need to purchase that printer/fax/copier/ scanner though.) I jogged down some thoughts later that night in my journal. Positive day!

January 23, 2013 – Day 7 of Retirement

Woke up at about 8 a.m. again this morning. Funny, but usually I’d just dread having to get up; shower, brush my teeth, find something to wear, get in the car, drive to the train station, get on the train and listen to some person’s drama as they loudly and rudely talk on their cell phone; and finally get to work. Now…..here on just the 7th day of retirement – I don’t dread getting up at all!

Since my new office and desk was in shape, I felt like writing. I blasted And the Gods Made Love from my iPod and new speakers – and I hit the keyboard. I started working on this very project that you are reading. Here’s the idea for the project; 1.) I purchased a January 2013 Journal………and either during the day or at night I jot down what the day has been like; especially any feelings about my new transition to retirement; 2.) I also have a journal near my bed, to jot down thoughts/ideas/issues that may come during the night; 3.) the next day I will transfer these written notes to the computer. At the end of a year – I hope to have a completed project. Great idea, huh?

So I am a couple of days behind – but I’m a good note taker. It is hoped that once I get rolling, this process will become smoother and easier. I write for a couple of hours this morning, then I started feeling sluggish and I knew it was time for a trip to the gym or a walk. Since it was ugly and overcast outside, I opted for the gym. My son had given me some new gym gear, so I was feeling eager and ready. Sometimes, I ride my bike to the gym, but wasn’t feeling it today. Hit the gym and start my usual workout; stretch first (back in the 1980’s I tore my Achilles tendon playing basketball, and I was told the most important exercise before exercising is to fully stretch everything – good tip;) then I usually do 45 minutes on the treadmill to get the sweat going and the heart pumping; next I move to the abdominal exercises- I have a bad back so I have to work on strengthening my core ab muscles; then I do some leg exercises and close with upper body lifts. I can usually do all these exercises in about an hour and a ½ - maybe 2 hours. Sometimes, if the basketball gym is not full, I’ll go in and shoot some hoops. The last time I played, I played with some women, and although I was sticking the j (I was always a good outside jump shooter), these girls were taking the old man to the rim hard and heavy! It’s a new day!

Another thing I noticed about the gym crowd during the work day – there seemed to be more good looking women working out? Was this just in my mind? MY GOODNESS there were some good looking ladies working out, and lucky me they all like to start out on the elliptical machines which are directly in front of the treadmills. Coincidence? I’ll have to keep an eye on this issue (no pun intended- you can bet a fat-rat-that!)

Also, today something funny happened, and a catastrophe avoided but for some lucky circumstances, at the gym today. When I finished my workout I went into the men’s locker room area to relieve myself. I had my headphones on blasting some loud funk (James Brown). I had previously noticed the sauna, and always assumed there was a Jacuzzi in the back part of the gym. So I sauntered into the back to explore the area looking to check out the Jacuzzi……listening to James and paying attention to nothing else. It’s like a maze back there- going in and out of narrow tiled hallways – when I saw some benches and lockers, and assumed I had come full circle and was back in the men’s locker room. I was turning to go back, and when I turned I found these guys frantically running/motioning toward me laughing and waving me to come to them and take off my headphones.

Man…where were you going…you didn’t hear us? one said.

No- what’s up? I said.

You were heading into the WOMAN’S LOCKER ROOM they all laughed.

I could have fallen over! Can you imagine if someone was in the woman’s locker room changing at the time and I’m walking through bobbing my head listening to my music? Yikes! I dread the thought.

What a day!

January 24, 2013 – Day 8 of Retirement

Thursday – day 8 of retirement. Woke up to rain outside…….and it was cold in the house. For the first time since retirement, I turned on the TV before getting dressed…..don’t know why…..just did. I’m not in to day-time TV at all…about all I’ll watch is some occasional news, sports, or movies. It so happened that Contraband with Mark Wahlberg was playing. I did watch the movie- my first during daytime retirement. Something did happen while I was lying in bed, deep under the covers, though. Maybe not what you are thinking, but I did smell a musty smell? Then it hit me – when was the last time I actually used some deodorant. Don’t get me wrong- I shower evvvvvvvvery day and maybe twice/3 times a day if I work out or Janice and I may have a special night when I want to be extra fresh. But since my retirement – I don’t think I’ve once put on deodorant. I hadn’t really gone anyplace special in the last 8 days except for the concert….so I figured why use deodorant or put on this cologne I usually spray on before work? But now I could smell the funk.

After the movie I got up and took a shower and ran some deodorant under the arms…it was then that I noticed that I immediately, automatically, also put on the same underwear I had taken off? What was happening to me? I just figured- going no place special – if the underwear didn’t appear dirty – why change them which would only cause me more clothes washing duties quicker?

Huh I exhaled.

I’ll have to keep an eye on this change or not to change phenomenon that I’m experiencing post work.

January 25, 2013 – Day 9 of Retirement

Friday. Fridays still feel like Fridays….regardless if you have to go to work or not. Fridays are just plain happy days – the weekend starts tomorrow.

However, Fridays aren’t always the best days. Got some bad news this morning. I just happened to be up walking past my office at 7:15.a.m. this morning when my cell phone rang. It was Pat Nixon, mother of my good CPUC friend Marcus Nixon who I actually hired for the state in the late 1980’as. Pat informed me Marcus had died the day before, which would have been January 24, 2013. Pat and I had talked extensively over the past months, consoling each other as Marcus was working through some personal and health issues….his mom and I had become trusted friends because she had limited relatives in California – although she had a network of girlfriends she relied on for support.

It suddenly became a very sad Friday. Marcus and I were great friends at work, and although he could get on my last nerves sometimes- he was still a trusted friend. His death was a shock.

My cell phone and work phone blew up immediately with calls from retirees and present CPUC employees as we commiserated over the life of Marcus and his death. May Marcus Nixon rest in peace; I’m positive I will be attending his funeral.

Although Marcus’ death put a pall on the day – life goes on.

Something I do after I hear about a close person’s death….something that soothes me and I do as a tribute – is play music that I know the deceased enjoyed. So I moved to my music room I named the fffunklab (filer funk family - it’s a part of our 3 car-garage that I dry-walled off one section – and I have my bass, a guitar, drums, keyboards, stereo, speakers etc…….it’s my real mancave.) I knew Marcus well, but he totally wasn’t into old school funk or jazz- he was more popish. So I put on some Adele and I knew he liked John Legend. I played I Can’t Write Left-handed REAL LOUD. I then strapped on my bass, and although tons of rust I was, I played my Jimi Hendrix version of the Purple Haze for Marcus. I did my best buddy – RIP Marcus!

That night was my father-in-law Eugene Thompson’s 81st birthday. We went over and watched the Laker’s game (they beat Utah) and sang happy birthday and watched him blow out his candles. Papa is a good dude….always glad to celebrate an elder’s birthday – they love it.

January 26, 2013 – Day 10 of Retirement

Saturday. Raining outside- both Janice and I decided let’s stay in bed awhile under the covers and watch a movie. We couldn’t find a movie we both liked – so Janice decided hey – nothing is good on right now, while I’m surfing for something good to watch, and you’re recently retired, why don’t you make breakfast. I couldn’t argue with that.

I do love to cook, and I’m an efficient cook. Regarding dinner, I can start cooking early/all day because I enjoy putting on some good jazz and get into the art of cooking -which requires love and patience. But cooking breakfast is different. Using one non-stick skillet, I first fried some turkey bacon, then threw in a can of corn-beef hash; quickly cleaned the same skillet – in went the stirred scrambled eggs (I add a bit of water to my scrambled eggs for fluffy-ness.) The toast goes in when the eggs are scrambling….juice and milk and voila- breakfast is served. The wife doesn’t like to eat in bed, so we ate downstairs. We watched a movie.

Got a call around noon from my mom that one of her dogs – she has 3 – needed to be picked up from the vet…and if I wouldn’t mind paying the vet. I picked up Ebony, paid the vet $276 (grrrrrrrrr) and took the mutt home. Anything for my moms!

Saturday night was slow and easy………watched Saturday Night Live until I fell asleep.

January 27, 2013 – Day 11 of Retirement

Sunday. I will have to confess something here, but please hear my out. I do like church! I am a Christian and believe Jesus Christ is our lord and savior; however I do not go to church every Sunday. It is totally my fault, but I just don’t go every Sunday. I was raised a Methodist because when we were growing up in Compton, California, in the early 1960’s we were some of the early blacks in the city and my dad was a civil rights activist…….and we helped integrate First Methodist Church on Compton Blvd. The wife is Church of Christ; my kids went to both of these churches over the years and we let them decide their desired faith/denomination as they got older. I’m glad to say they are both god fearing Christians with a deep faith in God.

I really like to go to different churches. Sometimes I will go to my Methodist church in Compton, sometimes to the wife’s church, and then sometimes I like to be a free agent and go to completely different churches. I’ve been to the famous First AME Church (FAME-First African Methodist Episcopal) in Los Angeles; Dr. Fred Price’s Faith Dome of the Crenshaw Christian Center; West Angeles Church of God (Rev. Charles Blake); Noel Jones’ City of Refuge in Gardena; Faithful Central Bible Church (Rev. Kenneth Ulmer) just to name some of the more prominent predominately black churches in my area.

So I didn’t make church today….Janice went to church with her mom. I moved to the fffunklab and listened to some jazz – Miles and Coltrane. Since it was Sunday, I also listened to some gospel….Freddie Stone has a gospel CD. Just a chill Sunday………….

Lakers won – beat Oklahoma for their biggest win of the year.

January 28, 2013 – Day 12 of Retirement

Monday again. Today I worked primarily with Pat Nixon on composing Marcus’s obituary; I did not have one problem with helping my friend’s mom with his funeral arrangements! So it wasn’t a particularly pleasant day as I drafted and sent Pat some ideas on how to compose Marcus’ obit/funeral program (and I helped supply his CPUC history)…….. until around 10:30 a.m. when I received a knock on the door. At the door was a carrier from Golden State Overnight and I had to sign for the delivery. I knew exactly what it was – my excess vacation check from the CPUC – I had been expecting it. After opening, I let out a whoooopppeeeee because I must admit, it was MUCH more than I expected - and it would have been much more except for the federal, state, and social security taxes taken out….jeez…….the government takes a lot for their taxes! But I won’t complain. I banked all those excess vacation hours, and at least now I was being rewarded and compensated.

I called my bank, Bank of America, to check on Janice’s and mine joint saving account, which I hadn’t monitored in some time. My plan was to pay off all my debts – the major one being the Cal Bear Credit Union Visa Card I had used to help pay for my dad’s funeral. I’m a pretty frugal guy – I may have a credit card or two, but I pay the balances each month so my credit rating is actually excellent.

As it turns out, our joint saving account was not huge but OK. My idea was to establish another separate savings account just to monitor the family bills I felt most urgent. My intentions were for right now just put the check in a new savings account; pay off the majority of my bills, and to then look into possibly diversifying some of the money. Janice wasn’t available to go with me to the bank, so I ended up opening up a new savings account under just my name (I’m sure Janice would understand….this was just to pay off these $%^&^%$#@ bills.) Also, I had been talking to an Edward Jones guy I like…but now I just wanted to get the check someplace safe to bank. I checked with the State and Fed Tax boards that we owe, and Cal Bear Credit union- to get balances. I plan on paying off all these credit items.

Can you believe it? The main guy at the bank who discusses/whose job duties regarding savings accounts- his computer was down and he couldn’t help me. He took my contact info and stated he would get back to me when his system was back up. I really thought about going elsewhere – but I guess stuff does break down. So – que sera sera- I just went back home to write some more.

I cooked dinner; a frozen potato/chicken/ cheddar cheese/vegetable concoction from the freezer. Fresh salad, bread, lemonade, the wife scarfed it down when she got home. Meanwhile, I noticed we need more light in the den – so I was searching through the garage for some of Lance’s furniture he had brought home from Michigan. I found a nice light that met Janice’s approval, and it looks nice. So while I was doing all this searching work, Janice and Lance took turns on moving into my office; Janice talking on the phone and perusing her email; then Lance to look up some law file case work. By the time they were done- I was done I was so tired…..didn’t feel like writing anything tonight.

Goodnight…………

January 29, 2013 – Day 13 of Retirement

Tuesday. I forgot to mention that I drank some wine last night – and I definitely could feel the after affects today. I have to watch that! As I get older, I’m not a good drinker or sipper. I’ve for the most part moved from hard liquor to wine…but I just have to monitor my intake regardless of the drink.

I didn’t move to the computer first thing this morning; when I went out to get the paper it was cold. I got the paper and came back to those warm covers! Sometimes I listen to sports-talk radio in the morning (Dan Patrick and Jim Rome are my favorites- although Romey has moved to another station that I can’t seem to locate.)

When I did get up and go through my usual routine (I always make up the bed EVERY morning; shower, brush my teeth), instead of going to the bank first, I called customer service to ask some questions. I found out I could apply for and establish a savings account right over the phone, and then drive to the bank later and deposit my check. That was great…I did all the work over the phone, and then drove to the bank to deposit the check. The only problem was because the check was fairly large, I couldn’t pull out the cashier’s checks for the 3 major bills I wanted to pay – credit union, back federal and state taxes. The bank had to put a hold on the majority of the check until it cleared. By next Tuesday February 5, everything should be all cleared and I can clear these bills. Actually, there is no big rush other than I like to get stuff done…but nothing I could do about it.

See- I’ve learned to not really get mad/upset with industries if something goes wrong….especially to get upset at the folks who are trying to help you. Although they indeed represent their company, 9 out of 10 times it’s not their fault if something in the business screwed-up – they just happen to be the ones on the front lines to relay the bad news. Bummer job – I’ve been there.

Went home….cooked….watched the Lakers game. Later that night, I watched The Bronx Tale on TV. I love that movie…especially the young Italian kid who falls for the black girl and the ensuing circumstances that arise.

January 30, 2013 – Day 14 of Retirement

Woke up at about 8:30 a.m. because I had a dream about a song. The beat was relentless in my head, and the title of the song was:

"Your Love- It’s Good to Me

Your Love- It’s God for Me"

I keep an extra journal by my bed for such occasions so I jotted all this down. I immediately could imagine Beyoncé’ belting out the song……the song was a dichotomy because the your in the title is ambiguous…it could be the person’s lover or it could be God himself. Hey, I don’t fight the thought – this is how all this came to me in the dream and how I’m writing it now. So I wrote it down and may use it later as I get deeper into my retirement and find time for my music aspirations.

As I moseyed downstairs and peeked out the window, the song It’s a Beautiful Morning, by the Young Rascals popped into my mind – it was such a clear and gorgeous morning. So I plugged in my IPod and the Young Rascals filled the room.

Today was walk day! I am very lucky – I live right in back of a college and they have a very nice walking trail along the outside of the college. Cal State Dominguez Hills is also the home of the Home Depot Center, home field for the Los Angeles Galaxy (yes…I’ve seen David Beckham walking around the facilities) of the US Soccer League. So I laced up my walking tennis shoes, threw on my new championship work out shirt somebody gave me for Christmas; headphones, and I was ready except for one more piece of equipment…….my trusted walking stick! Back in the 1980’s when we lived on Beechley Avenue in Long Beach, a good neighbor named Jimmy Murray lived across the street. He and Steve