Are Any of You Still Out There?

(Photo Details:  What have I been up to?  You're looking at her, my new baby.)

I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without writing a blog post, nearly seven months!  To be honest, I have drafted a few blog posts about retirement that have bored me so much during the editing that I decided against posting them at all.  I also wrote a few political blog posts since the election that I knew I would never post, just to vent a little.  I spared you all on both counts.

Over the last several months, I have received emails from many of you, wondering what’s up-- wondering whether I will ever blog again.  And many of these emails have gone unanswered because a) writing what’s up could well have just been a blog post, and b) I wasn’t really sure whether I would blog again.  This much I’ve learned in retirement:  I have no idea what I’ll be interested in doing in the future.  I only know what I’m interested in right now.  And that has changed many times over the last nine years of my retirement--as I’m sure it will in the future too.

There is one question I am frequently asked in your emails, and it’s the one that has inspired me to check in with you all today.

Are you OK?

That’s just the sweetest question, and I really wanted you all to know I more than ok.  I’m healthy, happy, and still enjoying retirement more and more with each passing year.  In fact, I’d probably be posting more frequently if I were not ok—at least then there’d be some interesting challenge or thought-provoking issue to share.  

Are you going to close your blog?

The other frequent question I get is whether I have quit blogging all together.  I don’t think I will ever want to just ditch the blog entirely.  I like having the possibility of returning to it if I am inspired to write.  Because who knows?  But right now I am pretty consumed with making music.

As you know I started taking jazz piano lessons a few years ago.  Then last fall I enrolled in a jazz piano class at the local city college that met three times a week.  It was so great I took it again in the spring.   And I took private voice lessons on top of that.

Last month, I spent an intense week at jazz camp, followed by a summer school course in jazz improvisation.  And now I’m taking a jazz singing class with a friend.  I’ve been working on the goal of accompanying myself on the piano while singing.  It is so hard but SOOOO much fun.  I’m even making significant progress on the stage-fright thing!  As our friend Tom recently commented after hearing how well Doug plays the guitar now, “You really CAN teach an old dog new tricks!”

That’s the most amazing thing to me.  Oh, and that whole practice-makes-perfect thing.  (Well I will quibble with “perfect” part, but it certainly guarantees improvement!)

Have you been off traveling a lot?

We have a big biking trip planned later this summer to Italy, which I am looking forward to.  We also went to New York earlier this year, and have done a bunch of short trips, Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Scottsdale--and San Diego is coming up soon.  So now that I write that all down, I guess we have been traveling a lot over my seven-month blogcation!

Maybe that’s why I’m so sick of traveling right now.  While I always enjoy myself on our trips, I hate the hassle of flying (many of you can relate), and I miss both my kitty cat and my piano when I’m gone.  I’m threatening no trips in 2018.  I’d like to make 2018 the year of the staycation.  Avoid the hassles and also recoup the chunk of change I spent on a new piano a couple of weeks ago (pictured above—that is actually two years’ worth of vacation budget.  Maybe should stay put through 2019 too . . .)

What do you think about this last election?

I did answer that email privately.  You all know what I think—and many of you don’t want me to write what I think--I know.  I will admit, the effect this election has had on the stock market has been amazing to my retirement spreadsheet.  The increase has added five years of living expenses to my nest egg.  A huge consolation prize.  And I’ve been steadily rebalancing to keep my 60/40 stock to bond allocation in check.  Meaning that I have taken much of that gain off the table as the market has risen.  (This might be a good idea for a near-term blog post if my inspiration keeps up:  What my advice would be to those considering retiring right now, into a stock market at record highs.  I have plenty to say about that from personal experience!)

I miss you!

Well that’s of course my favorite email.  So thank you for those.  I miss you too, which of course is my fault.  If I actually posted more often, I wouldn’t have to miss you!

And finally, I apologize to those of you whose emails I have not returned over the last seven months.  I will try to catch up.  Also to those journalists’ requests for interviews that have gone unanswered.  My heart just wasn’t in it.  (Although, coming up for air last week, I did do an interview which I will post a link to when it becomes available.)

Thanks to those of you who are still out there!

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Related Posts:

            Postcard from Retirement

            Improvising Retirement

            Where am I Going to Find 10,000 Hours?

 

 

Comments

[Donna Parks]

Happy to hear that you are well and still enjoying your retirement. With that schedule I'm surprised to find that you have any time to blog at all. I have also been taking some money off the table to rebalance my portfolio. In these crazy times, that is at least something to be grateful for. Wonderful that you have something that you enjoy so much. I love listening to jazz and I await your performance in NYC where I live!

[Renee Cue]

Very happy to see your comments. I'm a bit behind your schedule toward retirement as a full time job. Right now, more part time.

I would love to hear about the following:

(This might be a good idea for a near-term blog post if my inspiration keeps up: What my advice would be to those considering retiring right now, into a stock market at record highs. I have plenty to say about that from personal experience!)

[Dickson Pratt]

Nice to hear the latest Syd! For me this is key:

"This much I’ve learned in retirement: I have no idea what I’ll be interested in doing in the future. I only know what I’m interested in right now. And that has changed many times over the last nine years of my retirement--as I’m sure it will in the future too."

In 18 years of early retirement I've changed my interests and activities considerably. That's ok!

I don't really rebalance my porfolio like I should, in part because it is too complicated, but I have been selling into the rally periodically to raise cash to live on during the next bear market that will come someday. I also need to raise money to pay the car loan for my CPO Model S, my extravagant toy that you are aware of. 28k miles in sixteen months, so it is getting well used.

I've been dealing with elder care issues in recent months, if you need a topic for your blog. Something a lot of us face, I would guess. Being single, I also wonder what I will do when it is my turn to need care.

[Monica]

You look great.. and so happy. I've missed your posts -- and I am SO looking forward to this one:
"This might be a good idea for a near-term blog post if my inspiration keeps up: What my advice would be to those considering retiring right now, into a stock market at record highs. I have plenty to say about that from personal experience!"

Please, please write it! I am retiring at the end of the year (I have a 60/40 allocation and I'm trying to stay the course... I tally up missed gains with this slightly conservative allocation.... but I know I set it and I need to forget it!)

[Retired Syd]

Monica & Renee: Looks like I am inspired--that post is in the works. Stay tuned.

Dickson: That elder care issue would be an excellent post. Maybe you would want to write a guest post--I don't really have experience in that area yet. I'm sure it would be valuable to many people (including me!)

Donna: I'm noticing today that it's actually kind of good to step away from the piano to write a blog post and respond to comments and emails. Maybe I need this for a little bit better balance in my life!

[MARILYN VON ALLMEN]

So happy to see yor email today. Your writing voice is so conversational that I feel like I am sitting there in your living room waiting to hear some of that jazz. I am 68 and retired for 6 years. I recently decided to launch a new venture (target date May 2018) which will feature my nature photography and a blog detailing my outdoor adventures etc. You have taught me the importance of writing like you are visiting with someone you are out to lunch with. Thanks! And good luck with your music (ad)venture. ☺

[Retired Syd]

Marilyn: Well that is the ultimate compliment--thank you! Be sure to send a link when you get your photos and blog up!

[Rick]

Good to see a post .... glad I didn't bet against the Warriors this year. Take care.

[Diane C]

OMG, a post today and the promise of another one, plus a link to an interview. Be still my heart! (Okay, not literally, because I want to live in retirement a good long time...)

Good to hear from you, Syd!!!

BTW, I also miss Tamara's blog and I know you know her, so please send her my regards too, if you have the chance.

[Retired Syd]

Diane: Thanks Diane, and I sent your well-wishes to Tamara!

[Anna]

Have fun biking in Italy!

[Working Rachel]

I'm still reading, too, and appreciate the periodic updates on your life! I abandoned my blog long ago, but I surpassed my financial goals and last year at age 35 was able to switch jobs to something much less lucrative. Here's to living our best lives!

[Cindi]

Yes, we're still here. And it's so wonderful to know you are too.
You're very correct about living in the present. That's all I seem to be concerned about also.
Yesterday is gone.
And we have no idea about tomorrow.

Have fun in Italy. Ciao!

[deegee]

Great to see you posting here again, Syd. Great pic of you and the piano. Those Yamaha pianos are great to play on. I once had the pleasure of playing on a Yamaha upright back in the 1980s and it was the BEST piano I ever played on!

I wouldn't mind reading your thoughts of the election. I, too, have been making some rebalancing moves, some big ones, in fact, due to the stock market increases.

LOL try to make another post here before the end of the year, okay?

[Retired Syd]

deegee: Another post by the end of the year seems a worthy goal!

Cindi: There is something to that living in the moment, isn't there?

Rachel: I remember your blog well (and miss it!) Congrats on achieving your goals!

Diane: So you don't have to miss her, Tamara's new blog: http://myretirementproject101.blogspot.com

[Tom Sightings]

We've missed you! Good to hear that you're well and busy and enjoying life. When you get around to it, I'd like to hear your investment outlook, since I'm a nervous retiree worried about taking a major hit to my nest egg.

[Retired Syd]

Tom: Your wish is my command--just posted my thoughts on that.

[Diane C]

Ooh, I just saw this! Thanks, Syd. I can't wait to catch up on the Adventures of Tamara and Mike! It's like an unexpected birthday present. Interestingly, I've been procrastinating on something that's due today. I'm going to force myself to complete it before I dive into the new blog. Of that strategy, I'm sure Tamara would approve.

[CMW]

Great to see you back!