What are you doing now that you're retired?

People are constantly asking me that, as though being retired is akin to having a fatal disease. Well, I occasionally babysit my grandchildren and travel out of state to visit friends and family whenever I want to. I've taken up knitting and cross-stitching, exercise at the recreation center, upgrade my computers as well as keep up with new technology and my blog/facebook/twitter accounts (not as often as I would like), juggle listening to or reading at least five books at all times, and watch DVDs of TV shows and movies I never had time for while working.

My husband and I try to take in a few of the local cultural events and try new restaurants in the Cleveland area at least once or twice a month. When the weather is nice we visit areas a little further outside our comfort zone. This past year, we redecorated part of our kitchen and painted the TV room. Three more rooms are on our agenda for repainting this year. Next year the bathroom - ugh!

I volunteer two hours at our local church each week and will probably volunteer at my grandson's school when he starts attending in about a year and a half. I've offered my assistance at two other institutions, but my assistance wasn't needed - thank heavens, because I enjoy what little time I have left over to leisurely read the newspaper each morning and fill out the daily Sudoku puzzle.  

Retired people never have enough time. We're finally doing all those things we put off doing during the forty-five years we were employed. That's a lot of living to do!

Venting about executive bonuses and stuff

I hear the news everyday hammering about bailouts, executive bonuses, and trillions of dollars of debt and get more than a bit concerned. Since I was twenty-seven years old, I put at least 5% of my income into mutual funds, and I would like to know - where did it go?

Why do executives get bonuses when their shareholders get zip? Why is failure being rewarded by a golden parachute?

My husband and I constantly argue with each other about the state of the economy. We both believe in the capitalistic system and the free market economy, but I've seen trouble coming for quite a few years. People should be rewarded for creativity and good performance, but something has been brewing that is very disturbing.

Over the past forty-two years I've considered myself to be middle-class. It took me twenty-four years to increase my annual salary from $25,000 to $84,000. I should have been happy, but everything I put aside in investments all but vanished and the cost of my kids education used up all the rest.

My retirement income is currently one third of my former salary - now, I find myself in the lower middle-class and expect to stay there the rest of my life. Fortunately we live frugally, having downscaled from a large home to condo living, and going from two cars to one as soon as the lease on my Honda expires this September. My self esteem is not contingent upon what I possess, so I'm not lying around moaning about my current financials - well, sometimes I do.

This bleeding out of my personal investments didn't happen just in the past twelve months; it's been developing over the past seven years, maybe even longer. Over the past couple of decades the rich have gotten richer and the lower middle/middle class have lost ground.

I'm not opposed to rewarding those who make money for their companies, but first fruits should go to those who own the company - the shareholders, not just preferred, but also the "gasp" common stockholders. If profits and stocks decline in value, then no bonuses should be paid to any one.

Maybe they should even be fired or compensation reduced. I'd like to see those that receive stock as part of their compensation package not be allowed to sell for seven years - in my dreams. Heck, I was locked into time restrictions on my investments.

I'm not into class warfare. There will always be people richer than I am and more power to them for their creativity and hard work. I just don't want them driving companies into the ground and absconding with all the profits leaving shareholders and other employees with nothing. We made heroes of corporate raiders and executives with untouchable golden parachutes and no accountability. Now we are reaping the wind.

American Idol 03/17/09

Here's my take on this week's AI performances:

Michael Sarver - very likeable, but out of his league; would be my choice to send home.

Allison Iraheta - remarkable performer; amazed that she has such a small fan base. What's wrong with you America?

Kris Allen - very commercial, but still a competent singer.

Lil Rounds - will comparisons to Fantasia be her undoing? Hope she stays - want to see what she can do.

Adam Lambert - way outside mid-America's comfort zone; incredible vocals, not boring.

Scott MacIntyre - consistantly good, but not outstanding.

Alexis Grace - can't understand judges negative responses to her "Jolene" version; thought it was better than most I've heard on AI. If she is voted off, then it's their fault.

Danny Gokey - the Danny I love is disappearing. I'm getting the feeling that AI is trying to homogenize his image. Bring back that gravely Danny with attitude.

Anoop Desai - heck, I pre-ordered his version of "You were always on my mind" on iTunes, but not sure if he'll go much further than the top 10.

Megan Corkrey - I love this quirky contestant, but expect interest to tire soon.

Matt Giraud - I just don't get his appeal, sorry. Think the judges are trying to stir up interest.

My bottom three this week - Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, and Matt Giraud.

I project America's bottom choices to be - Alexis Grace, Allison Irahita, and Michael Sarver or maybe Lil Rounds.

If Alexis gets the fewest votes, will the judges use their save vote? Maybe, but I think they're saving it for David Gokey or Adam Lambert (if he didn't scare them to death with his latest performance).

Pre-ordered on iTunes - Kris and Anoop

Our Financial Dilemma

Loved Kevin O'Brien's editorial in the Cleveland PD, Hot recovery tip: Buy Morality.

Highlights:

• Nobody with a lick of sense believes in unfettered capitalism.
• Letting government attach the fetters makes capitalism a slave to politics.
• What's really needed is something the government cannot compel: morality in the marketplace.
• John Adams nailed it: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
• The regulations we need aren't governmental. They're internal.

To paraphrase O'Brien - The solution to our financial dilemma is not more government, but a return to the moral standards our culture has been working so hard to eliminate over the past 50 years.

Lenten reading -

• Render Unto Caesar; Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life
• Living the Gospel of Life

Also looking forward to reading Pope Benedict's soon to be published encyclical on the errors that have lead to our current global economic problems.