Dénouement 2019

The effects of Convergence 2019 continue to reverberate into the last few seconds of the year. Some issues cannot be reconciled (e.g., situation with family). As stated in previous Notes, the entire familial relationship is a lost cause. Nothing can be salvaged. Uncertainty and tension still remain high even though the exodus is allegedly near completion.

The tenants of the “old folks home” in Waikiki have been served notice that the rent will increase by $25 per month commencing March 1st next year (bringing the rent to $901 per month for a studio unit). Alternative housing (or homelessness) must now be seriously entertained.

Food costs have been going up incrementally, the latest being about 8 percent (in the last quarter). A new round of increases is expected in January. There is almost no way to describe how ludicrous food prices are.

The most recently acquired (i.e., three years ago) Colombia® prescription shades began falling apart about two weeks ago. The tiny screws are apparently designed to loosen themselves over time. So, parts (e.g., one of the nose pads) has been lost. The Oakley® shades are still holding up with the help of glue. The acquisition of new shades is being postponed as long as possible.

The $30 per month T-Mobile® wireless plan was finally confirmed to have unlimited music streaming. The Google® Play Music “app” was deployed for the process. Unlimited SD video streaming is also included (verified using a dial-in short code). All-in-all, it’s actually a fantastic wireless plan. Nonetheless, the Google® Voice “app” was installed on the iPhone XR to exploit the “free” VoIP number in preparation for an inexpensive wireless plan. So far, no action has been taken to replace the existing wireless plan.

The holidays were obviously not observed. The itinerary for both holidays was essentially the same as last year. Perusing Notes from that time period in 2018 will essentially summarize the the uneventful nature of the holidays in question. The only major difference is the weather. Aside from the extended Summer (all the way through mid-December), the start of Winter has seen mild weather conditions. The fact that a tank top can still be adorned day and night will attest to that fact. Speaking of clothes, a few clothing items were donated to charity at the kiosk in Kahala Mall, including the windbreaker that lost its waterproofing after washing.

The last dental appointment for the year was covered by the Medicare Advantage plan, although only a cleaning was involved. The last medical appointment was another matter. The second dose in the series of the shingles vaccine was not paid by Quest/Medicaid, which means that the $130-$150 cost will have to borne personally. There is only a three-month window left before the first dosage would be rendered useless. Vaccinations for hepatitis A/B (two doses), pneumonia (two doses), and (annual) influenza were commenced, all allegedly covered by Medicare.

There were other medical issues. A vitamin D deficiency is now being treated with a weekly high dosage (read:prescription) “gelcap” for eight weeks, then to be subsequently treated with a daily intake of low-dosage “over the counter” tablets. There was some urging to begin medication for high cholesterol, but that decision was deferred. There is also an indication that medication is upcoming for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, but that will be resisted. There are other tests in the works, too. Alas, the senior citizen “cash cow” is about to be milked!

The use of the term “convergence” to describe the series of tragic events of a future demise is a misnomer. What is being witnessed is increasing entropy on a grand scale, that is, the irreversible state of order moving toward disorder. Any attempt to restore order only causes disorder to increase.

As for Notes, its future is uncertain. The current plan is to reduce the number of posts commencing January 1st. All issues have been fully detailed up to this point, so redundancy is not necessary. In other words, Notes is also a victim of entropy.

Addendum: A chance encounter with the formerly-homeless buddy last week was a relief. The formerly-homeless buddy was “missing in action” for a spell. He’s still finding ways to “make a quick buck,” either an obsessive hobby or an “immortality project.” The formerly-homeless buddy, though, is a good man.

Update: Dining out on a holiday like Saturnalia is an unpleasant experience. Most dining venues close early. The only alternative is to dine somewhere in Waikiki, where everything is open. Eating at Panda Express® in Waikiki led to the discovery that the price was $2 higher than at the King Street location. Never again.

Convergence Update

Convergence 2019 continues to “barrel along” towards oblivion. The Medicare premium will increase to $145 per month in January. A notice was received that all previous Medicare premiums (allegedly paid by the State of Hawai’i) is being deducted from this month’s Social Security payout. So, there apparently was no subsidy. Future Social Security payouts will only be $578 per month after Medicare deduction.

There have been no calls from either moms or the bro’s family. At this point in time, the assumption is that moms has probably suffered significant short-term memory degradation (read: dementia). Thus, moms probably has no real perception of time (as discussed in Notes previously). There are no current plans for a visit to Hawai’i Kai.

Bus fares are slated for a major increase soon. Of interest is the discontinuation of the $35 one-year senior citizen bus pass. Instead, senior citizens will pay half of the regular adult fare with a $45 monthly cap. That’s a $530 yearly expenditure. The recent numerous fare increases are directly tied to the ridiculous elevated rail project (currently under criminal investigation).

An attempt to find a reasonably priced pair of prescription sunglasses, allegedly convered by the Medicare Advantage plan, yielded nothing. Even the cheapest “piece of shit” was quoted at $300 or more. The Medicare Advantage vision plan is worthless, by the way.

Every possible coupon, discount, “freebie,” or subsidy is being exploited, but the entire enterprise is a lost cause. No wonder that there has been a sharp increase in homelessness. So many new faces on the streets now. Nobody (i.e., rank-and-file peons) can afford even a substandard life-style anymore.

Addendum: The book, “Hate Inc.,” by journalist Matt Taibbi is a highly recommended title. Taibbi explains the state of journalism in empire. There are many other implications as well.

Hoodie 1.0

A Nike® “camo hoodie” was procured for $27 at the gym. All clothing merchandise was marked down 60% because the gym will no longer stock athletic apparel. Naturally, all of the styles are primarily aimed at the younger generations.

Old codgers cannot wear most of the contemporary clothing without looking ridiculous. Even in the remaining “good years,” a senior citizen must be very prudent. Baring too much of a sagging geriatric physique is not recommended. Incidentally, a quick look at the mirror in the bathroom of the mausoleum in the “old folks home” confirmed that decrepitude has commenced. Therefore, all future clothing purchases must follow strict senior citizen fashion (sic) guidelines.

Addendum: After an exhausting search for a cheap wireless provider, only one stood out ... Tello Mobile. The best “budget” plan runs $7 per month. The only downside is that Tello is a CDMA provider. No decision yet, though.

Update: The paltry Social Security retirement payout will increase by $12 per month next year. Wheee!

Gateway to Death

The “gateway to death” abruptly commenced at age 65 years, prompted by prior months of endless mail and e-mail from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicare “affiliates.” Even after enrollment in Medicare, the geriatric junk mail keeps on coming. But, that’s neither here or there.

In the book, “Natural Causes,” author Barbara Ehrenreich declares that she is “old enough to die.” While not professing to refuse all medical treatment, Ehrenreich has decided that many of the superfluous routine tests are not worth the time, effort, or inconvenience. The worst case scenario, one she wishes to avoid, is “overdiagnosis.” There is now much agreement here with Ehrenreich‘s stance.

There are two appointments scheduled, one dental and one medical, for this month. The appointments were deferred until then to incorporate the new Medicare coverage. All future appointments will be reduced to one medical and two dental per year. Eye examinations will remain at two per year. Any geriatric medical tests are subject to refusal.

Continuing observations of senior citizens has yielded the conclusion that their physical decrepitude, in general, will not be personally workable. A means to “check out” before extreme physical degradation occurs will be a priority.

Addendum: There are no visits with moms scheduled at this time. Also, the transition to a cheaper wireless plan has yet to be accomplished.