Friday, January 29, 2016

First cold since retirement

About four weeks into my retirement and I've gotten my first cold since then, most likely picked up from my teenage son Kailen.  I'd been wondering if maybe I could fight colds off now that I don't have the stress of going to work, but no such luck.
It does seem to be mellower than most of my colds--I haven't had to use a breathing strip at night, for example.
One negative is that since heavy exercise with a cold usually worsens my lung congestion, I haven't been working out as hard, just doing a little walking and stretches. Combined with being home near a fridge, I've gained a couple pounds.
Gotta watch that.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Cam Newton and America's weakness for children

I don't think Americans are particularly good at raising children. We spoil them, so they whine too much.
European parents I've observed do a better job of putting children into the context of their lives, rather than our propensity to let our kids be our lives.
Still, watching Cam Newton and his Carolina Panthers teammates seek out kids in the stands today and present them with footballs after they score touchdowns reinforced something I've thought for awhile: If there's anything America stands for, it's making kids happy.
Santa excess. Trips to Disneyland. Lavish birthday parties. Trophies for everyone. And most especially, the most American group of all, something no other country would think of, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
We can't cure some diseases, but at least we can make some kids happy for a little while.
 Or, like the little boy and little girl at the Panthers' game today, they can get a memory and a souvenir that will last for the rest of their lives.
And there's nothing wrong with that.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Good morning!

For years I've used the handle "baycommuter" online, going back to the days when I edited transportation news for the San Francisco Chronicle and drove or took the train from Menlo Park to the city five days a week.

Since I retired from SFGATE (the Chronicle's online site) at the end of December 2015, I've decided to insert a capital X into my handle and restart a personal blog. I think I'll concentrate mostly on financial topics, but I may go into sports, politics, or other subjects as well.

No, I don't miss the commute.