Windbreaker 2.0

A new RVCA® windbreaker was purchased for $63 (on sale at 30% off MSRP) at the gym. Yeah, a ridiculous price. The justification? The generic windbreaker that was purchased last year from Ross® offered no protection from rain. Water soaked right through the fabric. Well, that’s not the entire story. Turns out that washing a windbreaker repeatedly will eventually remove the water repellent coating, thus rendering it useless.

So, what happened to the austerity measures? Oh, a very slow implementation at best:

• The switch to Medicare was unnoticeable aside from the $136 monthly deductions from the meager retirement income.
• The Humana® Medicare Advantage plan has been problematic. Even with the on-line account restored, it has not been set up yet. So, no plan benefits have been exploited.
• The switch to a more cost effective cellular wireless plan was postponed again.
• The cheap $9 electric razor that was purchased from Ross® two years ago will continue service until failure. Ditto with the decrepit 15-year-old Oakley® shades.

To claim that the official retirement experience has been a joke would be an understatement. The only rationale that can be offered at this time is that the entire process is a “transition.” Yeah, a “transition” to what?

On a side note, the e-book, “Pleased to Meet Me,” by Bill Sullivan was read to completion. And, the book, “Civilized to Death,” by Christopher Ryan was read at the bookstore in Ala Moana Center. The latter book may be of interest because the topic, the failed “civilization” paradigm, is a recurring theme in the old “blog.” Both books are highly recommended for seekers of truth.

Update: The problems with the Humana® on-line account was solved by creating a new account, that after another long phone call to a service representative. A Silver Sneakers® card was also requested in order to qualify for a subsidized gym membership. Dental and optical benefits are also being investigated.