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Barkingsparrow

Japanese Destroyer Captain - Capt Tameichi Hara Memoirs of a Japanese naval captain who fought and survived something like 12+ major engagements in WW2. Very interesting to see things from the Japanese point of view - and he holds nothing back relative to his contempt for the inflexible Japanese co...

Barkingsparrow

My Life is Murder (Amazon Prime/Acorn). Just finished season 1. Breezy Australia mystery series staring Lucy Lawless. We liked it, does not take itself too seriously, and with an appealing cast. Enjoyed seeing the scenes around Melbourne where the series is based. Series was renewed for a season 2....

Barkingsparrow

My Life is Murder (Amazon Prime/Acorn). Just finished season 1. Breezy Australia mystery series staring Lucy Lawless. We liked it, does not take itself too seriously, and with an appealing cast. Enjoyed seeing the scenes around Melbourne where the series is based. Series was renewed for a season 2. ...

Barkingsparrow

Barkingsparrow wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:23 pm My stimulus deposit this morning was a whopping $131.88. Why even bother?

I just got the notice in the mail today from the IRS today that my EIP2 payment amount should be $737.85.
I have no idea what is happening - as to what this $131.88 deposit is all about.

Barkingsparrow

My stimulus deposit this morning was a whopping $131.88. Why even bother?

Barkingsparrow

I try not to be "that guy" for this reason, as well as my leaving would impact a few of my co-workers (at least for a few days/weeks) and they don't need to stress about that [nothing they can do about it], and as I don't want to give my manager/employer any ideas so they end up showing m...

Barkingsparrow

I saw a coworker talk incessantly about retirement and how he only needed 1-3 more years. Yep. Anybody who has ever worked at Megacorp has encountered this guy. I'm surprised that there's not a generally accepted nickname for such a personality. That probably describes me. I'm terribly afflicted wi...

Barkingsparrow

The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel I borrowed this book from the library based on the reviews from Bogleheads, and I don't think I have anything more to add that hasn't already been said; other then I plan to buy this book as a reminder to ignore the noise and stick to my simple strategy - whi...

Barkingsparrow

The Last Place On Earth - IMDB (Amazon Prime) Old BBC mini-series, a historical account of the race between Amundsen and Scott to the South Pole. Once they get past the initial episodes that details the politics/business maneuvers to try and finance the trip, the series really takes off. To the bes...

Barkingsparrow

Mystery Road - Amazon Prime After watching the TV series of the same name - went back to watch the original movie. Australian outback sort-of-noir slow burn about a newly promoted aboriginal detective assigned to a case of a murdered aboriginal girl. Really liked it. Has Hugo Weaving as the intrigui...

Barkingsparrow

This has been a good topic for me as I'm 65 but still really like my job. They say retirement is based on two points: 1. You have enough 2. You have had enough I meet criteria 1 but not 2 (yet). I've never forgotten the saying though: few people on their death-bed say "come to think of it I wi...

Barkingsparrow

Bordertown - Season 3. Finnish nordic noir. We really loved this show. The lead role - Sorjonen - was just such an engrossing character, a brilliant detective with some issues such as Asperger's. The lead actor played this role so well. Ostensibly - season 3 was going to be it for this series - but...

Barkingsparrow

The Last Place on Earth - Roland Huntford Engrossing book. Huntford obviously has very strong biases here - a bit strident at times even, but I would say I'm glad he was able to undercut this whole Scott myth, which frankly, annoyed me greatly. Before I read Huntford, I had read a number of other b...

Barkingsparrow

His Dark Materials - Season Two Enjoyed it, did not love it. Quality fantasy series but the narrative is choppy. Bordertown - Season One Nordic Noir from Finland. Really enjoying this one. I believe I had it listed on Netflix from a prior recommendation here. Engaging characters, especially the two...

Barkingsparrow

I also work in IT. Mild burnout is common. I personally don't think it has anything to do with compensation or quality of one's boss. You can have a great boss and be well paid, and still suffer some level of burnout. The reality is most people in IT, especially those in management or tech leadersh...

Barkingsparrow

I am 65 and still employed and have medical insurance thru work. It is a mega corp with a large plan. My wife will turn 65 in March and is getting bombarded with mail and info. Generally speaking, is she allowed to remain on my employer plan? Are there benefits to being on medicare? What should we ...

Barkingsparrow

The Great Influenza: Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History - John Barry Currently reading this absorbing book. First part details the evolution of medical science in the US. The 2nd part, and where I'm at now, is a detailed look at viruses. Scary stuff. Maximize Your Medicare: 2020/2021 Editio...

Barkingsparrow

GG1273 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:13 am Thanks to all for the great recommendations!

Right now, my nightly book has been Andrew Roberts' Napoleon: A Life

This is a great book. I found it so engrossing that even at 900+ pages it never dragged.

Barkingsparrow

I know that Wellesley is used by many as an all-in-one complete conservative portfolio but I'm interested in "bookending" a ~50% allocation to it with a simple (either fund-of-funds or 3-6 individual fund) portfolio that offsets Wellesley's concentrated all-U.S., value (equities) and inte...

Barkingsparrow

I"m transitioning to a similar plan - i.e. - Wellesley supplemented by other funds to approximate 40/60 or 50/50.

Maybe the following link will provide some ideas: https://www.caniretireyet.com/my-invest ... olio-2021/

Barkingsparrow

I just finished the queens gambit, really like it. I am on season 4 of Criminal Minds, surprised I didn’t watch these when originally broadcast. Waiting for last season of Better Call Saul. We just finished season 15 of Criminal Minds. Like you - I'm also surprised I did not catch the original broa...

Barkingsparrow

The number one on the runway reason to retire is "I don't want to do this any more". You're at that point. Go for it. How many people say that, despite a low-stress job at a good company, great managers, good people, and good pay? Sorry - to clarify - that is me. This is my situation and ...

Barkingsparrow

LadyGeek wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 10:04 am
The number one on the runway reason to retire is "I don't want to do this any more". You're at that point. Go for it.

How many people say that, despite a low-stress job at a good company, great managers, good people, and good pay?

Barkingsparrow

Thanks. I think the #1 item to be concerned about, and to plan for, is health care. In short, the timing of the transition from my wife's corporate plan to Medicare for both her and for me. If I turn 65 late summer and am on her plan, should I just make the move to Medicare and drop off her plan, or...

Barkingsparrow

I am trying to outline my retirement plan. I've messed up somewhat with my planning as I'll be tIRA heavy with no taxable balances to help even things out, and probably will get an IRMAA hit from Medicare. Would appreciate a review and comments on my assumptions. I would say expenses are overestimat...

Barkingsparrow

+1 So much retirement advice I read echoes this - all the experts inform you that you need goals, plans, purpose - you need to stay busy, challenge yourself, etc. It's probably because all the "experts" are type A personalities who can't imagine themselves being content not "working&...

Barkingsparrow

MikeWillRetire wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:00 pm Keep in mind that some of the people who waited too long can't respond to your question. They retired to the afterlife.

My grandfather worked in the coal mines most of his life. A good friend of his died in a cave-in just one night before the friend was to retire.

Barkingsparrow

Received $732. Promptly made a $250 donation to Gleaners. The rest goes into my savings.

Barkingsparrow

Terra Incognita - Sara Wheeler Continuing with my recent obsession with Antarctica travel/exploration. A travel narrative where she spends nearly a year staying at various research stations while also visiting historical sites such as Scott's hut at Cape Evans. The narrative is interspersed with hi...

Barkingsparrow

I guess compare to the average Bogleheads poster these days, who seems to have a household income of $500k and has socked away $5 million by 45. I've severely curtailed my time spent on this site as I just can't relate anymore to what passes nowadays as "average income" or "low net w...

Barkingsparrow

The Valhalla Murders - Netflix Nothing really new here in terms of plot - but the setting is Iceland, during the winter - something unique for us. It's what I think what some here have referred to as "Nordic Noir". Maybe somewhat predictable, but nevertheless we found it absorbing. What r...

Barkingsparrow

New Zealand Trips 1. Catlins road trip. Flew to Dunedin then slowly drove around the Catlins coast, to Queenstown. Beautiful, pristine country, virtually no tourism. 2. Hiked the Milford track + Routeburn track. Milford Sound cruise. 3. Hiked the Greenstone track + Routeburn track. The Routeburn jus...

Barkingsparrow

niagara_guy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:16 pm 1. Kruger Park (South Africa)
2. Australia (3 times, thinking about 4th)
3. Alaska, including almost every ferry
4. Niagara Falls (couldn't resist!)

Where did you go in Australia?

Barkingsparrow

The Mandalorian - Season 2

Enjoyed it more than season 1. Last 3 episodes were particularly entertaining.

Barkingsparrow

Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to Australia for 3 weeks and spent 2 months traveling through Western Europe. Was a really amazing experience. Also have road tripped across the US twice. Highly recommend for those who haven't done it. Where did you go in Australia? It's #1 on our list wh...

Barkingsparrow

He is absolutely on the autism spectrum. My wife said watching his interaction with his GF was like watching her life on a screen (I have Asperger's). Mountain climbing documentaries may be my single most favorite genre of entertainment, and "Free Solo" is definitely among the best. Do yo...

Barkingsparrow

New DNA studies are showing that there was mixing/contact between the Polynesians and the South Americans ... https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/07/dna-pre-columbian-contact-polynesians-native-americans/ Thanks for that link. I do think it's more likely that Polynesians may have sailed...

Barkingsparrow

Sea People - Puzzle of Polynesia - Christina Thompson Informative and (to me) engrossing historical survey of the various theories as to the origins and timelines of the migration into the "Polynesian Triangle" - the area between New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island. Every time I flew t...

Barkingsparrow

I just bought all three - Salvation , Salvation Lost , and The Saints of Salvation (published Oct 27, 2020). I've read several Peter F. Hamilton books, he's very good. I just started Salvation and am already hooked. I'm thinking to read the Night's Dawn trilogy next - The Reality Dysfunction , The ...

Barkingsparrow

Sea People - Puzzle of Polynesia - Christina Thompson Informative and (to me) engrossing historical survey of the various theories as to the origins and timelines of the migration into the "Polynesian Triangle" - the area between New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island. Every time I flew t...

Barkingsparrow

I have noticed, in the 55+ community where my mom lived from 1980-2005 (I owned it 2005-2018) as well as the surrounding communities, that the typical resident age seems to increase along with the age of the community. When my mom bought in, the community was new and there were a majority of reside...

Barkingsparrow

I read an article on the Wall Street Journal yesterday that Amazon is having a hard time finding qualified cloud computing candidates. Amazon is finding that they're training hires that are under qualified anyway. Supposedly they'll be offering training courses for people that have zero background ...

Barkingsparrow

oxothuk wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 12:14 pm Hiking the Milford Track in NZ

Hiking the Milford, Routeburn, and Greenstone tracks in NZ.

I'd like to go back and do the Milford one more time before I hit 70. Or maybe 80.

Barkingsparrow

When we go back to the office, I have already decided that I will be wearing a tie at least one day a week, even though nobody at my office wears a tie unless we have a board meeting. I enjoy dressing up and I plan to celebrate the freedom that comes with a vaccine by doing just that. Tie, suit (or...

Barkingsparrow

Today is Cyberpunk 2077 day. After reading the reviews i'm a little cooled off on it, but i'll give it a go. I'm holding off til the spring on that one. I'm not about to play a buggy mess of a game. I'll wait until they fix it up. I waited until there was a "Game of the Year" edition with...

Barkingsparrow

iPhone: Addicted to "Wordscapes". Sort of a combo of crossword and boggle.

PC: Trying to get moving forward on GreedFall. More of a AA title rather than AAA (like The Witcher 3) - but similar in many respects, first person RPG with side-quests, exploration, combat.

Barkingsparrow

I'm in a very similar situation and I am waiting to see what happens this spring with the SCOTUS ruling on the ACA before I make a move. My research of the prevailing analysis of the potential outcome of that ruling is fairly positive but you never know. I'm also waiting for clarity on the SCOTUS r...

Barkingsparrow

I'm planning to retire in October. I've been home since March and I hope it continues until at least the summer. October would be even better. I'm planning to retire Dec 2021. I've also been WFH since March. Virtually every member of my team has made it clear that they want to continue WFH 100%. Fu...

Barkingsparrow

Dark - Season 3 The first 6 episodes of this season seemed to be putting too much weight on the narrative and I was getting somewhat impatient. The final two eps however, seemed to wrap things much better than I expected, given how many plot loopholes that there appeared to be. Definitely an ending...

Barkingsparrow

DW is a dedicated tennis fan, and I have to listen to some of those players grunting as they hit the ball all the time. The problem is that ESPN has a contract with someone in the tennis world that gives them exclusive rights to broadcast the finals of the majors and the ATP 1000 events. So, you ne...

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