Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving morning, I am overcome with emotion as I recall my holiday memories. As a youth, I remember visiting relatives and enjoying a holiday feast. In NAPS, I remember visiting John Wolf and his family. As a young adult, I remember Pearl visiting New London, CT and John Wolf's family. With family, I remember time in Bowie with our immediate family, plus time in California with in-laws, relatives, and mo
We celebrated Thanksgiving at Diana's house. The yearly photos are a treasure. Then, afterwards had dessert at Edna and Dave's house.

A Full Weekend of Social Connections

I attended a couple of UCD music concerts; then, with Mae watched a UCD women's singing group and studio 301--a student musical production. I enjoyed playing soccer at UCD and Nugget--our early morning game was my first in the cold. Jen, Joey, Mari, Anujit, Caleb and I celebrated Ameya's birthday at Pizza and Pints. We are planning to play pickleball tonight and I'll host another poker game next week. On Sunday, after church, we visited grandparents, while Leslie, Mike, Caleb, Philip, and JoAnn stopped by. Yesterday, I enjoyed afternoon Mahjong, then a Rebekah meeting in the evening. I'm excited for the upcoming Thursday Live, Beatles concert. I'm learning the music for the Odd Fellows' Odes as next year I will be the musician. I invited Shirley and Arlene to the Doobie Brother's concert. Neither could go, but Henry and Pearl now plan to attend.

Visits

The last two evenings, I have enjoyed chatting. Yesterday, Philip stopped by after soccer practice. I enjoyed hearing about his first couple of days at the Senate. The transformation from remote to in the office will be an adjustment. Nonetheless, it was insightful to hear his review of the code base and assessment of his new role. Tonight, Caleb stopped by after having dinner in Davis with friends. I enjoyed our discussion about the potential of AI, as NVDA reported stellar earnings today.

I played soccer tonight at UCD. I seriously questioned whether I should go, whether I am too old with limited skills, and whether the risk of injury it too high. As always, I was glad that I played. Similarly, I questioned if I should go to the Odd Fellows Wine Club, but afterwards, I was glad that I attended. Is the secret to life captured in Nike's famous quotation" Just Do It! Should I play piano on the worship team? Should I invite the Dong side over? Should I play chess with Odd Fellow friends on Tuesday mornings?

Purple Team

Soccer "purple" season is over. The purple Kings are playing terribly. The days are short, the first rainstorm passed. Winter is here.

Philip started at the Senate. Mae moved to another apartment in the same complex. I played piano to welcome the public to the Odd Fellows Classic Film Festival. I enjoyed a couple of 1970s murder mysteries: The Last of Sheila and Murder on the Orient Express. With nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, I'm taking Amtrak to SF.

I've been a saver all my life. We have reached a unique time in history, when big tech is dominating the business work and financial markets. Having studied the numbers in retirement, I have surely made the transition. By any measurement, time is now the limiting factor. I feel I am making the tranistion to this new mindset. Now, will others follow?

Piano

I finally feel, that when I'm in my zone and not nervous, I have become a good piano player. Last week, I had a small epiphany of a walking baseline from the root down to the fifth. I tried the same pattern in all keys. Suddenly, I felt with practice I had a new tool to improvise. I thought I could learn more patterns like this to complete my skills and play more by ear. Essentially, I'm learning music and connecting the dots in my music theory and practice. Here at Asilomar, I enjoy playing the piano for 30-60 minutes each day. It's a refreshing break, a mental challenge, and an emotional joy when I feel I am playing well.

Monterey

I was slightly apprehensive about coming to Monterey, but like usually, once I started I had a great time. We had dinner with Wayne and Nora, biked Pacific Grove, walked around Carmel, and enjoyed several nice meals. The piano at Asilomar is old, but it works. I savored a quiet walk on the Asilomar campus to the sounds of the ocean, lit by the full moon. For a few moments, I could almost feel as if it were 1991 again, when we lived in La Mesa.

Connections

A night of connections.... playing piano before the Classic Film festival was fun. I didn't think I would make it through the movie, but I stayed and I loved it--"The Last of Sheila" an old 1970s murder mystery. The best part was the audience was full and I grabbed a nearby open seat. I happen to be next to neighbors, Mitch and Joan; behind UCC Doug and Gail; and in front of Odd Fellows, Juan and Becky. I also ran into Will from Mahjong. I enjoyed these simple moments of laughter and connection, about the movie, piano, and life in general. Finding friends in other venues is serendipitous and make life full, rich, and connected. Next up... text messages from our fellow Viking cruise travellers and catching up with Wayne and Nora from Monterey. I reflect now with a moment of contentment over the past weekend. The Odd Fellows Halloween party was fun. The labor of setting up spooky decorations with Dave Reed and Deb was work, but a worthy investment in community. Elias came home. Dinner at Mom's Dumplings with Ameya, Joey, Mari, Anujit, Pearl, and Eli. Church with Mae. Lunch and soccer with Caleb and Philip (purple won). Finally, playing piano in a full theater, filled with friends and strangers; followed by a great movie.

The AI Stock Market

I spend an hour or two everyday tracking stocks, portfolios, budgets. From a grand overview I wonder if we are in an AI stock bubble or the fundamental shift of the economy, the fourth industrial revolution, lol. I watch videos (biased) toward my view, but also try to hedge, dollar cost selling NVDA stock ocassionally. I enjoy this time, but I doubt it's productive. The stock market (or it may be more accurate to say) the Magnificient 7 continue to reach new highs. In other news, I bike, play piano, garden, play soccer -- but I need more weight lifting exercise. Retirement is going well, but it is an adjustment.