Retirement rant

I am of the age where retirement news and information is repeatedly thrust at me.  So the topic is often in my thoughts.

Recently, I overheard a woman saying "I'm not unemployed.  I worked for 20 years.  I'm retired."

Working doesn't entitle you to retirement.  Saving enough money entitles you to retirement.

If you've got enough money to retire, great.  If you can't live on your Social Security (which you paid into so it's not an entitlement) and your pensions, then you have to keep working.

Simple as that.

When did retirement become the goal?  People didn't always expect to retire.  In many places, they still don't.  Work is what you do to survive. Or it's what you do to keep active and engaged.

My mother complained about being bored. I suggested she find a part-time job.

She was aghast.  "I'm 70 years old.  I deserve to not work."

Not if being retired is boring.

Not if you can use the money to support your activities, hobbies, charities.

Not if you can't afford it.

Not if you would miss the conversation, interaction, mental stimulation of work.

Retirement is an option, not a requirement.

When did working into your 70's and 80's become so newsworthy?  When Joan Rivers died, a fuss was made over the fact that she still worked.  She loved her job.  Why should she quit?

Betty White is 93 and still working.  Bob Newhart is 86 and still working.  When I started with my current company, one of the developers working there was 78.

People talk about When I retire, I'll do this.  I'll do that.  There is no guarantee that you will be able to do all the things you plan after you stop working.  Your health or finances may prevent it.  If it's important to you, do it now.

I've realized that if I retired I would spend time with the dogs, Bogie and I would visit the hospital, I would read, work on stained glass, putter in the garden, watch movies.

All of which I do now.  Work is my stimulation, the place I get my intellectual challenges.

Maybe it's different because I like my job.  I can understand why people would want to leave a job they hate.

Even so, retirement is something you have to plan for.  It's not something you are entitled to.  It's also not something you are required to do.  Work if you want.  Retire if you can afford it.

The Big Bang Theory Lego set

I had to have the Big Bang Theory Lego set.  I mean it's nerds.  And Legos.  And seven mini-figures.  And cool items on the shelves.

Here it is set up.  I added the Christmas tree for the holiday.

My Lego Christmas Tableau

This combines Gingerbread House, Santa's Workshop, and Toy Shop. 

I just noticed a skier is hidden behind the big tree.  Next year :-)

From Nexus 5 to Nexus 5X

Definitely a first world problem.  But in case anyone else wants to know how well the upgrade went, here's what happened to me.

I like the Nexus because there isn't the bloatware that other devices have.  Straight up Android.  And one of the first to get any Android upgrades.

Setting up the new phone was slick.  It transferred data from the 5 to the 5X, downloaded and installed all the apps I already had. And set up all of my Google stuff automatically.

Pro - Fingerprint recognition is nice.  I can pick up the phone, unlock it and log in with only a couple of movements.  I scanned 4 fingers, just in case.   This was my main motivation for upgrading.  I didn't want to leave my Nexus 5 unprotected, but I never typed in my password correctly the first time.

Con - SIM cards are different sizes.  I couldn't just transfer the card.  I had to go to T-Mobile for a new card.  For $15.

Apps all installed, but I still needed to look up all my logins.  And Words With Friends brought over my games with people, but not my Solo Play games.

Con - I had to reset all of my Llama profiles and events.

Pro- Remembered my work WiFi setting and password.

Pro - King games ported over fine once I signed up for an account on the Nexus 5.

Con- Hangouts did not.  The history of my texts didn't carry over.  I still have them on the Nexus 5, but I don't know why they couldn't have transferred.

Con- Disney's Frozen Freefall progress did not transfer. I didn't feel like starting over so I deleted it from the 5X.  I had the same issue when I first bought the Nexus 5.  I couldn't port over all of my progress in 3 different Angry Bird variations.  I figured I could start over, but found that starting over was tedious and boring.

Couldn't get Fitbit to connect.  I could have troubleshot the issue, but it still works with my Nexus 5.  I planned to keep the Nexus 5 anyway for an alarm clock and game device.  Not enough resale value and no trade-in with Google.

The charger connection is a USB-C connector.  Which meant my spare micro-USB charger and portable charger didn't work.  Until I bought an awesome little adapter from Amazon.  Worked great. USB-C to Micro USB Adapter 

Very happy with the Nexus 5X.  The fingerprint scanner is a godsend.  The camera quality is great.  The battery life is better.  I find I can read the screen better without having to grab my reading glasses.

Overall, I'm glad I upgraded.