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MP173

Not a movie, but DW and I just completed binge watching Season 1 of Homeland. Really enjoyed it.

Showtime has great programing.

Ed

MP173

"Since We Fell" by Dennis LeHane. I am a big fan of LeHane and have wished he were more prolific in his output. I loved the Kenzie/Gennaro series and hopefully he brings it back. This book left me feeling a little empty. Rachel is a 30 something former print/TV reporter who has no idea who her fathe...

MP173

This line worked great when my boys were younger and would ask for something: "No, but thanks for asking!" It seemed to stop the conversation in its tracks. Example: "DAD! The new Michael Jordan shoes are coming out and only cost $100 (20 years ago). Can I have a pair?!!?" Reply - "No, but thanks fo...

MP173

Northwest Indiana reporting... Spring like other locales has been a challenge for gardening. I planted spinach in a recycling bin with soil about a month ago and placed a window over it to create a mini hotbox. Even with that there are only about 8 spinach plants up about 1" tall. The snap peas plan...

MP173

Use the IRS allowable mileage deduction....or price out a rental car and factor in gasoline.

Ed

MP173

Congratulations on the promotion. I am a newcomer to this discussion and have quickly skimmed thru it. Appearance matters....be it female or male. Old (62), white male here in sales. Been doing it a long time. Started out in suits and white starched shirts 28 years ago because that was what was expe...

MP173

Congratulations on making a decision. Seriously. Sometimes the windfall can make one paralyzed with indecision....full disclosure - had that occur to me. Perhaps the best advise when receiving a windfall is to do nothing and allow a few months to pass. I basically agree with your decision to pay off...

MP173

Aldi this morning... Whole milk - $1..99 gallon eggs - $.99 dozen for large eggs bananas - not purchased but $.39 per pound. 1/2 gallon orange juice - $1.99 per container. Really good quality. 6 ciabata rolls - $2.49 misc chips, crackers, etc. various prices - usually around $1.50 for 10 ounces. Big...

MP173

Go to a good local bike shop and talk to them. I have a Trek (forget the model). It has been a great bike for me. Cost was about $500 about 4 years ago.

Ed

MP173

Boxes which hold books are 1.5 cf. Boxes for misc stuff are 3.0 cf. Linens and lightweight stuff go into 4.5 cf. My first job was sales for a moving company. The typical ratio was the total cubic ft x 7 lb per cf = estimated weight. Thus 1000 cf would be estimated at 7000 pounds. A typical house wit...

MP173

Boxes which hold books are 1.5 cf. Boxes for misc stuff are 3.0 cf. Linens and lightweight stuff go into 4.5 cf. My first job was sales for a moving company. The typical ratio was the total cubic ft x 7 lb per cf = estimated weight. Thus 1000 cf would be estimated at 7000 pounds. A typical house wit...

MP173

Hendricks/Pekkanen's "The Wife Between Us"... I wasnt too impressed the first 100 pages or so and considered returning it to the library, then the first of many twists came into play. It held my interest until I realized the "hunted" was really the "hunter". Really enjoyed the book. It follows the "...

MP173

Check out the YMCA of the Rockies. There are two locations and we (wife and I) stayed there a couple of summers ago for 2 nights. We had a small cabin with stove and refrigerator and a porch with stunning views! Cost was very reasonable and lots of things for children (of all ages) to do. It is adja...

MP173

"The Chalk Man" by CJ Tudor. Big hype, but this book didnt quite deliver for me. The story is told in alternating chapters between 1986, which the narrator and friends are 12 years old and discover a dead girl and 2016 when a death to one of the friends occurs. This was ok but not as big as I expect...

MP173

My wife gave me a great Christmas, Valentines Day, birthday present a few years ago....a 7' fence surrounding our 16 x 30 ft garden.

I named it Fort Potato. No deer or other critters. However, the moths attack the brocholi/brussel sprouts, etc. Gotta figure out a netting or something.

Ed

MP173

"Tin City" by David Housewright. Housewright's McKenzie series is quickly becoming one of my favorite "charactor novels". McKenzie is an ex cop in Twin Cities who years earlier had resigned and then nabbed an embezzler and claimed a large reward, thus setting himself up financially. He now "helps" f...

MP173

Thanks for all replies regarding modes. It has opened another view of scales. Being an advanced beginner, I primarily hung around the pentonic minor blues scale...easy to use and pretty good sounding. This is pushing me to explore other scales, particularly the major scale shapes. Again, thanks for ...

MP173

"Steely Dan FAQ" by Anthony Robustelli. When I saw this book at the library (new book section) I was elated. There just isnt much about Walter Becker and Donald Fagan out there. They kept a purposefully low profile. Becker's death came as a blow to many ( including me) last fall. Wow....this book, w...

MP173

I understand (sorta). My big hangup was the use of either major or minor scales. My closed mindedness, no doubt due to lack of formal or informal training didnt allow me to understand that there are many other "sounds". In the case of Scarborough Fair, the music would show no sharps or flats, which ...

MP173

Thanks for replies. I understand the building of chords based on triads and how those are either maj or min. I also understand the concept of 4th and 5th being majors and 2nd, 3rd, 6th being minors and the 7th being a dominant (i thing). I just do not understand Modes. To me it is a version of the m...

MP173

Cheyene: Thanks for the explanation. I understand the mechanics of modes and how they relate to different notes in the scale. I can also construct the modes by starting on the note and following the pattern of Whole and Half steps based on the major scale. What I do not understand is the practical a...

MP173

telemark: Thanks for the link to stack exchange. I spent some time on that site reading questions and replies. Here is a question regarding modes. I somewhat understand what a mode is. It is the scale of a note (lets say C because it is easier to notate) in which the scale "shifts" to another tone w...

MP173

The growing of vegetables is more of a hobby and enjoyment of fresh vegetables rather than cost savings. That being said: About $2 in seed potatoes will yield enough potatoes to last from August to Thanksgiving. Onion transplants (not sets) cost about $1 for 30. Invested $4 and we had massive quanti...

MP173

Cheyene really addressed the questions regarding bass vs guitar and electric vs acoustic, but I will throw in my 2 cents. Knowing the guitar makes the bass a lot easier. I would also recommend learning an acoustic guitar first and then move on to electric and then to a bass. Or perhaps not even go e...

MP173

Regarding session musicians.... Last year I read the book - Good Vibrations by Mike Love. I was never a big fan of the Beach Boys but that book turned me on in a big way. There are a number of videos on You Tube showing the recording of various Beach Boy songs in the studio, using the Wrecking Crew....

MP173

chickens and vegetables in a $2m house.

Sold!

Go for it.

Ed

MP173

Great discussion. I took a short class in music theory years ago...just enough to know a little bit. Let say a song has a key signature of 1 sharp.... G major. But, if it is started in Em, is it still technically in the key of E minor or is it G major key? Same with C and Aminor. Which key is it and...

MP173

62 years old here. Last fall I changed my routine when I headed to the gym. During the summer months I ride my bike about 4-5x week - typically 70 - 80 minutes at 130 and above heartrate. Then to the gym when the weather changes. This time, I wanted to include weights and other things. This is my ty...

MP173

I took up guitar 17 years ago at ago 45 with no formal training previously. The concept of keys, chord changes, etc has always intrigued me. Why do certain notes or chords sound good with others? After all these years I still do not have the answer, nor do I have perfect pitch, but I can generally r...

MP173

It is full employment out there. Now is the time to look if you are unhappy.

But...figure out what you want to do. You shouldnt be miserable 1/3 of your life.

Ed

MP173

Advise above is to double major and I would suggest a Marketing degree along with the art degree. I have mentored young men and women fresh out of school in the past and have been amazed at the amount of student debt some have had. Not a good situation. This is a tough situation....she no doubt wish...

MP173

My bad....it is 1.1mm.

Thanks for replies.

Love those old pencils...along with my old slide rules.

Ed

MP173

Anyone here collect old mechanical pencils? I have picked up a few (15-20) over the past few years, usually those with advertising on them...especially railroads. Here is the issue...the lead in these is fairly thick and once it has been used, cannot seem to be replaced. Does anyone know the thickne...

MP173

OP here...

We purchased a Restonic brand California King firm spring mattress. Working like a dream (pun intended) so far (3 nights in).

Not an experience that we wish to revisit. Hopefully this will last 10 years or more.

Ed

MP173

My father graduated from high school in 1929, my mother was 10 years younger than him and only had 10th grade education. My father "worked" and lived on a farm as a hired hand and saw his income drop to the point where they could not afford to pay him. He lived with them and gave him $$$ when it was...

MP173

My home workout equipment consists of: 1. Trek bike 2. 20# and 25 # kettlebells. 3. Resistance bands Due to climate, I seldom ride outside from November thru April and go to YMCA for workout. I really like the Expresso stationary bike which features a computer screen with courses to ride. This is as...

MP173

I enjoy going to the library and typically read 40-50 books per year.

Books that I wish to keep for reference will be purchased. I will also buy books at garage / estate sales and then give to co-workers after reading.

No e-books yet.

Ed

MP173

Just finished Lawrence Block's "Tanner on Ice". Block is one of my favorite authors and he has been quite prolific in his career. I have never read a "Tanner" series book and this was quite slow for awhile but picked up steam. It sort of reminded me of William F. Buckley's "Blackford Oakes" series. ...

MP173

I agree with the others...you are in a good place financially with healthcare being the only expense issue and even that should be manageable. Only other concern I see is that you have $900k in individual stocks with $600k in cap gains. How diversified is that $900k? How many stocks? What is that am...

MP173

I do not think there is anything wrong with not wanting debt. Now, if it causes issues in your life, then that is a problem. My father graduated from HS in 1929, my mom was 10 years younger. They were both influenced deeply by the recession. Their behavior affected me as I observed how they lived. W...

MP173

finished Season 2 of Lilyhammer....slow start but enjoyed the last couple of episodes.

Looking for more suggestions.

ed

MP173

As mentioned above, I was going to read John Feinstein's "The First Major" about the 2016 Ryder Cup. Finished it and highly recommend it. I am not a golfer, nor do I follow it. However, Feinstein is excellent. After finishing I am ready to: 1. Find other books of his to read. 2. Watch big golf (majo...

MP173

I personally enjoy being debt free. That is my personal view. Everyone is different.

Smart of you to be planning 20 years in advance.

I can only imagine the higher quality of life in NC vs NYC.

Good luck.
Ed

MP173

Diogenes says it best "There is no one right answer." Again, thanks to all who have responded and PM'ed me. I dropped in to see my accountant today...his door is always open and discussed the situation as he is somewhat familiar with our situation. He confirmed that we will be taxed at 85% of the be...

MP173

Great information....thanks to all.

Lots to chew on, but it seems as if we are leaning on her taking the benefit at 62 and me at a later date...probably 70.

ed

MP173

So, to steer this back on topic and hopefully address a question of mine... It appears that there are definite benefits, based on our situation it will be considered. Next question...assume she take the benefit and I continue working...how will her benefits be taxed? I read enough to realize there w...

MP173

One more comment. I ran into a "Basketball legend" here in NW Indiana last spring. He played for a State Championship and also an NCAA championship at UCLA in the 70s. He also coached a HS championship before retiring. Our paths had crossed several times during our playing days and we have sons that...

MP173

As I grow older I find myself following footsteps of my father. He and mom owned a small grocery store and worked 6 days a week from 7am til 6pm. Lots of hours. I do not quite work that much but am highly motivated. When he retired, he simply moved from doing what he had to do to what he wanted to d...

MP173

Thanks for the replies so far. I have discussed this with DW and we have some serious discussions and planning to do before making a decision. Several points: 1. We are not trying to maximize the overall payout. As pointed out, there is no way to plan the dates of our deaths. 2. Probably my biggest ...

MP173

Her PIA at full retirement (per last statement) was $1610.
Mine is estimated at $2650 (last statement was several years ago.

Ok...can anyone recommend a good reference book or website or other source? Probably should do some work myself on this.

ed

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