Sharing life's vicissitudes

[jack]

all talk of hawaii and kmcas and marines, and of painters who couldn't get enough of the very area of oahu i was so fond of has put me in a funk and at the same time challenged me.  i had the epiphany that right at this time i had over 2k in the bank and little but possessions holding me here in florida, so why was i planning on getting a larger apartment and pissing away that money that is my ticket out of here.  its not a done deal, but i am chewing on the idea of walking away from nearly everything (except my beloved electronics) and flying my ass to hawaii.  i have a steady income, and i have always said i could live on any income as long as it is steady.  i may likely be putting that theory to the test yet again.

how's THAT for vicissitudes?

[Cally]

Wow, Jack!!! 

Big thoughts there - good luck with them...

[chapeaugris]

Jack, is Hawaii more expensive than Florida? I understand that food is more expensive because so much has to be imported. What about rents? I can totally understand wanting to flee Florida, so maybe you should try to figure out what it would cost you to live in the size of place you're in now. I say if you can afford it, go for it!

[jack]

Jack, is Hawaii more expensive than Florida? I understand that food is more expensive because so much has to be imported. What about rents? I can totally understand wanting to flee Florida, so maybe you should try to figure out what it would cost you to live in the size of place you're in now. I say if you can afford it, go for it!

*sigh*

i had had to make this explanation so many times and i am always surprised it isn't obvious.  have you ever visited or lived anywhere, in the US for sure, and i suspect everywhere, except for gated communities, and that's debatable.

if you can't afford steak in florida, are you any poorer if you can't afford steak in hawaii?

seriously though, if one moves to an area with a much higher cost of living demanding that your life style remain exactly the same, life is daunting, but if you adapt to the reality on the ground, one can do passably well anywhere, and i have done this, lived among the wealthy, time after time.

in hawaii i would look for a studio or perhaps rent a room in a house in a much better neighborhood, with a pool even.  there are also low income senior housing unit there, although the wait might be long to get one.  another thing i have researched is living on the big island or maui.  rents are much lower in both, but you move further away from the conveniences of urban or suburban living.

the last time i lived on oahu, there were certain items that i simply  had to do without, or enlist one of my marines to buy from the PX for me, like most dairy, and to some extent boxed cereals.  things should be a bit better now because  both walmart and costco have been introduced to the island, and while not priced as on the mainland, they have had a salutory effect on previous price fixing and gouging at stores.

the hardest part will be editing my possessions down to two or three suitcases.  i've done this several times before in my life, but i could always leave some stuff with my parents to hang onto.  no more, i will have my work cut out for me.

i say i am just considering this, but as i weigh the options, it seems more and more like that last grab for the brass ring.  and what does going on just as i am get me?  just stuck.

maybe another idea will present itself, i had been considering several other options recently.  time and thought will tell.

[dahlia]

BTW before I went away I exchanged my suddenly untrustworthy Sony Reader for a Kindle - lovely!  But now after 4 weeks half the screen has disappeared, though I am not aware of having damaged it in any way.  I'll take it back to the shop (large supermarket chain) this afternoon, but I have a feeling they'll say it must be my fault.

Tell me about your Sony reader. What problems did it have? I've got one too. Good so far, except for the fact that you can't use it while you are recharging it - which is crazy.

[killersmom]

That is the one feature I dislike as well, Daniella.
I don't have any other problems with mine.

[dahlia]

maybe another idea will present itself, i had been considering several other options recently.  time and thought will tell.

Haway huh? They say that good choices surface on their own, if you just allow them and yourself  the time and inner quiet to do so. I am not sure that's really the way it works but, all the same, I hope you find your way.

[Cally]

Tell me about your Sony reader. What problems did it have? I've got one too. Good so far, except for the fact that you can't use it while you are recharging it - which is crazy.

It became very unpredictable and slow to respond - jumped to the wrong screen etc.  But that was after about 2 years.

But I think I could use it while recharging though.

[Sason]

That is the one feature I dislike as well, Daniella.
I don't have any other problems with mine.

Same here.

[janjo]

It looks like I will be having vicissitudes for the next few months, followed hopefully, eventually, by something to put on the "Sharing joy and happy news" thread.
I went to the hospital on Monday about my knee. After having X rays done the doctor pronounced my knee "completely shot"  which I could have told him.
He was very nice though.
He definitely agreed that I need a total knee replacement, but said that also my leg, due to the original injury is misaligned. He thinks his boss will do the operation, but they will have to order "special tools" because they will have to cut at an angle. There is just a chance of me being referred to an even more senior surgeon, but he didn't think that would be necessary.
I now have to have another clinic appointment after they have pored over and discussed my X rays.
Unfortunately, they couldn't find another appointment slot before May.
So it looks as if I am set for major surgery, which with any luck will solve most of my walking problems, but not just yet.

I would say it will probably be June, but that is not the end of the world. We have lots of notable family birthdays coming up which involve quite a bit of travelling and celebrating, so I will be able to go to all of them, and also I will be able to see my students to the end of the academic year.
Now, I need to get fitter and lose more weight ready for the operation.
I feel full of trepidation laced with just the right amount of hope for a much more active future.

[jack]

all i have on the agenda is giving away pretty much anything i ever had and hung onto...

oh well, its for a good cause.

[Sason]

Well, that is good news, Jess!
Of course you're worried about it all, but I'm sure in the end the result will be worth it.
And the timing seems pretty perfect too.
(other than several years too late, of course)

It looks like I will be having vicissitudes for the next few months, followed hopefully, eventually, by something to put on the "Sharing joy and happy news" thread.

When reading this, for a moment I thought to myself, "But that's not possible, Jess is way too old!"   
 

[janjo]

Thank goodness! I've done my share of child rearing!

[jack]

Haway huh? They say that good choices surface on their own, if you just allow them and yourself  the time and inner quiet to do so. I am not sure that's really the way it works but, all the same, I hope you find your way.

daniela, i don't think i adequately followed up on my recent statements, but you're right, the thought that i had better go while the going is good, and doable, or i might not get the chance.  and i am going to go.

i intend to fumble on through doing things, however badly and in what disorder, until time runs out, and then for good or ill i will just walk away.  the cat is still a concern, unless i have a confirmed cat friendly place to move into, in which case i will go through the hassle and expense of getting him prepared to meet hawaii's strict animal importation rules.  up until a couple years ago, a pet had to remain in quarantine for 120 days before being released to its owners.  now there is a list of tests and vaccines that must be accounted for and the pet can check through.

[Cally]

Good luck with this big change, Jack, and I especially hope you can take your cat without problems.