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Sacramento, Calif.
Released On: December 12, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have scheduled negotiation sessions with seven Cross Valley Contractors on long-term conveyance contracts for the delivery of federal Central Valley Project water that includes conveyance through state-owned facilities.
Reclamation, the DWR, and the contractors have previously entered into successive, short-term interim renewal contracts pursuant to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, which included both federal water service and state conveyance terms and conditions. However, DWR now prefers that its conveyance responsibilities be defined in a separate contract that is exclusive of Reclamation's water service responsibilities.
The contractors are the Hills Valley Irrigation District, Kern-Tulare Water District, Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Pixley Irrigation District, Tri-Valley Water District, the county of Tulare and the county of Fresno.
The next conveyance contract negotiation session will be held in:
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012
9:30 a.m.
South-Central California Area Office
Conference Room
1243 "N" Street
The public is welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to comment. Participation instructions and all pertinent documents will be provided at the beginning of the session. For additional information, including directions to the South-Central California Area Office, please contact Rena Ballew, Repayment Specialist, at 559-487-5504 (TTY 800-735-2929), fax 559-487-5397, or email email@example.com.
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At Impact: DC at the University of Maryland, a short ride from the US Capitol, Jewish teens can stand up for what they believe in and make their voices heard! Want to learn more? Click here!
They learn how to be advocates, lead actual sessions with public officials, work directly with nonprofit organizations which focus on hunger, poverty and education and do hands-on service (and get community service hours!). Whether teens come to Impact: DC with a ton of political knowledge or none at all, it's the perfect place to gain a better understanding of the various issues facing society and learn how to stand up for those in need. They'll come home with the tools to advocate for the issues they truly care about, and they'll have lifelong memories of visits to places like the White House, the US Capitol, the Holocaust and Smithsonian Museums, the national monuments, Georgetown and more!
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While living in the dorms at the University of Maryland, teens get a feel for Jewish life on campus by being involved with Hillel throughout the program. With the campus as home base for advocacy training, the teens go out into the greater Washington, DC area to put their skills to use – and have fun, too!
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subset: commoncrawl


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Aug 9, 2006
New Wiki needs your help
Mitchell pointed me to www.nxt-mindstorms.com and is asking for contributors to help build the wiki. Check it out here.
6 comments:
- robotech said...
The comment: "there is no one place that everyone can look at everyone's stuff, it's just plastered all over the internet" -
I am not sure I completely understand. This comment seems to point to a far deeper issue than the lack of a centralized repository for NXT knowledge. Don't get me wrong: I think the NXT Wikipedia is a great idea.
However I do not think it is either practical or desirable to make it a central repository for "everyone's stuff...plastered all over the Internet". One of the strengths of the Internet lies in its distributed nature: how it distributes bandwidth, server capacity, and (not the least important) fault tolerance. Putting everything in one place is *not* a good idea. Putting links to "everyone's stuff" in a central place *is* a good idea.
- Aug 10, 2006, 3:19:00 AM
- Jim Kelly said...
While I applaud efforts to try and develop a "one-stop-shop", I too agree that it's difficult to do...
One of the purposes of The NXT STEP is to point readers to "other places" - we depend on readers to email us or post comments about things of interest... like this wiki.
Please keep us informed if you find interesting NXT news and things in your Internet travels...
- Aug 10, 2006, 4:09:00 AM
- Mitchell said...
I think that having some centralized links is a good idea and I now agree that having everything in the one place is completely impractical. But I think that the information about things like NXT-G, other programming languages, how to use the bluetooth etc... could be placed on the wiki.
I spose it all depends on what the mindstorms community wants. If they want something like a wiki, it will work well. If they don't, it will just be ignored. I suppose time will tell.
- Aug 10, 2006, 8:40:00 AM
Mitchell, there is already a wiki for FLL at this address; your wiki can point to it:
- Aug 10, 2006, 10:52:00 AM
- Brian Davis said...
As for the RCX, it also depends on the level. For instance, if you want to figure out the deep, hard, problems, I always go to LUGNET. But it's not the place to look for answers like "why does my RCX-based robot run backward?".
Brian Davis
- Aug 11, 2006, 11:57:00 PM
- Nxt-Mindstorms said...
As the owner of the NXT-Mindstorms Wiki, I thought I should comment on the purpose of the Wiki. Please don't mistake the Wiki as an be-all and end-all of the NXT world. In the numerous years I have been playing with Lego and Mindstorms, I just haven't seen somewhere where someone either new or old to Lego and Mindstorms can go to find even just basic information. The Wiki is just one site, of hopefully many more to come, that will allow people to seek the information they require alot more easily. I encourage people to link their sites on the Wiki, I would prefer the Wiki have a basic summaray then links off to all the sites that are relevant to the topic, than to have a copy of all information on the Wiki. The Wiki isn't about replacing the other sites, just making it easier for people to find it, wether it is on the Wiki or not.
- Aug 12, 2006, 4:47:00 PM


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text:
Annual Report and Accounts 2011
at a Glance
See how we deliver long-term value to our customers and shareholders
At Centrica, we understand
that energy is essential
for all of us, both now and
for the future.
That's why we are active in each stage of the energy lifecycle: from sourcing and generating to processing and storing; from trading and supplying to servicing and, crucially, to saving energy.
We want current and future generations to be able to rely on secure energy supplies. So, we are making vital investments across the whole energy spectrum – in nuclear and gas-fired power stations, wind farms, liquefied natural gas and in global exploration for new sources of gas.
At the same time, because we know we must reduce our dependence on carbon, we are working hard to supply cleaner energy. We are also investing in advanced technology to deliver products and services to help customers use energy more efficiently, for today and tomorrow.
Our strategic priorities
Our strategic priorities ensure we are on course to deliver our vision
Grow British Gas
Leading the transition to low carbon homes and businesses
Deliver value from our growing upstream business
Securing sustainable energy for our customers
Build an integrated North American Business
With leading positions in deregulated markets
Drive superior financial returns
Through operating performance and our unique investment choices
Review of the year
Chairman's Statement
Economic headwinds continue to prevail as we enter 2012 but I remain confident that the management are both appropriately skilled and suitably determined to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Performance highlights
Adjusted earnings 2010: £1,297m
Group revenue 2010: £22.42bn
Business Review
Chief Executive's Review
2011 was a tough year, both for Centrica and our customers. But the strength of our integrated business and balance sheet means we've been able to take the lead in helping customers through these difficult times, as well as delivering growth and making the investments on which Britain's energy future depends.


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July 22, 2013
Links: Australian Glass and the Pacific Northwest at Museum of Glass
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NCM Fathom and Warner Home Video present The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition on June 14, 2011 at 7 p.m. (local time). The event will include a personal introduction from director Peter Jackson captured from the set of his current film and "Lord of the Rings" prequel "The Hobbit," immediately followed by the feature presentation including nearly an hour of additional feature footage carefully selected under the supervision of Director Peter Jackson.
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Cast: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler
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Running time: 3hr 50min
Opens: Jun 14, 2011 Limited


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Contact: Daisy Yee, 415-865-8929, or Leanne Kozak, 916-263-2838
December 28, 2011
50% Off Traffic Amnesty Program Begins January 2012
WHO: For drivers with outstanding traffic tickets that was due to be paid in full before January 1, 2009. All of the following also must apply:
WHAT: The California Legislature mandated (Assembly Bill 1358) that all 58 counties implement a one-time amnesty period that allows a lump sum payment of 50 percent of the outstanding balance on certain violations to fully satisfy that court ordered obligation.
Only traffic tickets that were due to be paid before January 1, 2009, are eligible. Parking tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and reckless driving cases are NOT eligible.
WHEN: The program begins January 1, 2012, and ends June 30, 2012.
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HOW: Payment may be made in whatever form is customary in your county, which may include credit card, cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and personal checks.
WHY: A one-time infraction amnesty program would do the following:


text:
Dear Ghostvillagers,
There are many reasons why we approach the paranormal table. Some of us had a profound experience that drew us into the unexplained and forced us to keep searching for answers. Others are compelled to investigate what others scoff because we want to find out for ourselves whether this stuff is real or not. Eventually you find yourself deep down the rabbit hole in places you never imagined.
As many of you know, I work for the Ghost Adventures show on the Travel Channel as their researcher and writer. It's been an amazing job for me! I'm grateful to those involved and those who watch the show. Over the past four years of working on that show, I've gained some perspective on myself, on the paranormal, and on Zak, Nick, and Aaron -- you know -- the guys on TV. This month I'm proud to share with you Nick Groff's story. I helped Nick write his brand-new biography: Chasing Spirits: The Building of the Ghost Adventures Crew. This book traces Nick's earliest paranormal experience -- his near-death experience -- and shows how one television ghost investigator was formed. Unlike other paranormal shows, these guys weren't casted. They set out to document the paranormal, they edited their own footage, and through hard work and a lot of determination, they were able to turn their investigations into a documentary and then into a successful television series.
Chasing Spirits is an amazing story and a detailed look behind the scenes of how Ghost Adventures came together. This is a book for fans of the show, but it's also for people who are fans of the paranormal. The book officially goes on sale October 2nd. Please pre-order it right now! This book has a great chance at becoming a New York Times best-seller with your help!
This month tell us what got you started chasing spirits.
Supernaturally yours,
Jeff Belanger
Mayor of Ghostvillage.com
Chasing Spirits - Our Topic of the Month!
Started by Jeff Belanger , Sep 17 2012 09:21 AM
6 replies to this topic
Posted 17 September 2012 - 09:21 AM
Posted 17 September 2012 - 10:39 AM
I became interested because of seeing my grandmother in my dreams and hearing her foot steps on the back stairs of the house. I have had many encounters over the years. I think until something happens to a person they don't believe. I'm glad to learn that these guys are not just actors. I have been told that Ghost Hunters are only actors. I will be looking out for this book to read for sure.
Right this way to my haunted space.
Posted 17 September 2012 - 03:01 PM
This month tell us what got you started chasing spirits.
I grew up in this field. My grandparents, like many in this area of WV, came from a lineage of Scot-Irish and Cherokee...and held on to many of the stories and superstitions that were passed on to them. They were the first to really cultivate my interests in this field, telling me ghost stories, buying me books on ghosts, and most importantly, actually taking me out in the field, lol.
When I was 10, I moved into a house that was definitely haunted...and it refueled my original love and interest in all things paranormal. I wanted answers for what I was experiencing. I knew that not everything was going on was paranormal, but I wasn't happy with the blanket, skeptical explanations that people kept trying to shove at me. As I got older, it was natural to take my interests, my experience with the unexplained, and of course, my knowledge of the many natural things that mimicked paranormal activity and try to help others who were going through what I went through.
That's the "quick" version about why I got into this field, lol.
Huntington Paranormal Investigations and ResearchCheck out my website
Posted 17 September 2012 - 03:24 PM
I first started investigating back in the 1970s following the large outbreak of UFO sightings at that time. For some time I limited my work to UFO and related areas. By the 1980s I had taken several reports aledging contact with aliens. At that point I began to see a strong similarity between aliens and the claims of those seeing a full bodied apparition. (Floating above the floor, lacking feet, sometimes hooded or wearing a cloak, passing through walls, psychological effects on witnesses, etc.) At that point I bagan to consider whether some claims may be of the same entities with the only difference being interpretation.by the witness. Since then I have been covering both types of cases. (BTW, same consideration for Bigfoot sighting; these seem at times to tie in with some UFO activity.) Thus I research based on the possibility that all areas may be interconnected in some way yet unknown.
And for those who ask, while I have seen the effects and heard evidence of activity I have never seen directly any spirit or ghost.
And for those who ask, while I have seen the effects and heard evidence of activity I have never seen directly any spirit or ghost.
Visit my website, "The Paranormal DESTINATION"
Visit my website, "The Paranormal DESTINATION"
Posted 18 September 2012 - 08:56 PM
This month tell us what got you started chasing spirits.
My journey started with religion. I was never really big into Christianity. My parents were, and still are pretty religious. Not insanely so, but enough that as a child, it annoyed me. I was always a very scientific person, and could never come to terms with the idea of someone dying, and then rising from the dead 3 days later, it made no sense to me, and so I stayed far away from religion for quite some time. I used to listen to a lot of heavy metal music, I've since gotten over that, but while I was into it, my father would always say "I don't know how you listen to that stuff, sounds like the devil screaming. I bet they're all Satanic." The concept of Satanism had never really occured to me, I guess I knew it existed, but I didn't knew what they were about. I had no interest in becoming one, but I eventually googled it all just to look into it. I came across LaVeyan Satanism, which had heavy ties to Hedonism, and so I looked into Hedonism and other similar philosophies.
I was also always a curious boy, taking things apart, putting them back together, trying to see how things worked, and so when I got my first taste of philosophy, trying to understand how EVERYTHING worked, I was hooked. I studied everything I could find, on every different philosophy. Many philosophies tied into specific religions, and so I started studying religions as well. All had their myths, and most had some kind of mystery tradition, which is what really interested me. The idea that there was secret knowledge, the idea that following these paths could lead to a realization of how the world worked, and not some presumed realization through a sacred book, REAL realization, through work, through experience, through first hand knowledge. And so I started, mainly with Jewish mysticism, Qabala and such, and then I learned of other paths. Hermeticism, hoodoo, Hindu mysticism, and many others. I've dabbled in many, and decided to stay mainly within the path of western hermetic tradition, I've had many experiences and many realizations, life altering epiphanies.
Obviously all of this ties into the paranormal, chasing spirits, though I suppose in a different context than most ghost hunters. Either way, I'm a very curious person, always interested in the most abstract and interesting ways of viewing the universe. Upper level mathematics, quantum, particle, and astrophysics, evolutionary psychology, and, though many scientists would cringe hearing me say it, the occult. All of these things have helped me develop the world views that I have today, and that includes the belief in spirits, the belief that they can be communicated with, and the desire to go out and communicate with them.
Asperges me, AGLA, hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Accendat in nobis Eheieh ignem sui amoris et flammam aeternae caritatis.
My blog
Accendat in nobis Eheieh ignem sui amoris et flammam aeternae caritatis.
My blog
Posted 20 September 2012 - 05:35 PM
I started looking for spirits after I graduated from high school, though what drew me to that is that I have been seeing spirits and entities since I was a little girl. When I was around seven years old is when I first remember seeing someone, it was my great grandfather he had died that night (when I saw him he was sitting on the end of my bed). The next morning I told my mother about it and described him perfectly despite never meeting him or seeing a picture of him. Since then I have seen and spoken with spirits (often I was afraid because I did not understand what was going on). When I graduated from high school I became serious in my search for what I was seeing and why.
Posted 02 October 2012 - 12:50 PM
It's interesting to read how we all came to have the interest we share.
Right this way to my haunted space.
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Numb Nuts
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Pahrump, NV
Oddometer: 510
I Want To Do DAKAR (The Right Way)
Usually, right before the Baja 1000 I start getting e-mails. Riders looking for training for rally, specifically Dakar because they are likely going.
"Can you help me?"
I may seem cynical when I ask, With what? but at that point in the game it is true. What have you done already and what is your goal?
Now I know most riders are looking at my experience knowing I can teach them something about navigation or riding fast and navigating. But Im no magician and it takes a lot more than a couple of days out in the desert to learn just a small fraction of what you should know. On my first Dakar I learned something that saved my life ever day of the event I rode. And got a helicopter ride out because I didnt know enough. No, I didnt even crash!
Now you can learn a lot from reading posts on this forum, most of the mistakes and lessons learned have happened to all of the guys who have done rally racing at one time or another. But to put it out there for anyone who is thinking about a 2013 Dakar effort, you should be doing your learning and training now.
I know some other guys have done some rally training in the past and it was not a viable business operation due to many factors, I have tried to do the same in small versions and had the same result. So to put it in front of a large majority of fans and participants I am considering to do a full-spectrum training series over the course of 2012 if there is enough interest to make it so that I dont loose my ass in doing it. Since I have moved to an Editor-at-Large position with Dirt Rider, I have the time to do this properly.
This is basically a feeler to gauge interest and try and put something together. I have had some limited discussions with a few guys who are going this year and some that are planning on going some time so there is just enough interest right now to spark this to make it work.
The idea is that in March we would do a 2-3 day introduction class. I have a pretty good basic program that explains a lot of the navigation techniques and strategies as well as setting riders up on training schedules. This would also be a good time to evaluate the level of riding ability and fitness to see if something needs to be addressed here. Then there is the all-important mental aspect of the whole thing and I have some stuff on that front too.
Following that we would set up 2-3 day training sessions where riders will do rallies and some training activities I have set up.
Our facility is based out of Pahrump, NV which is very close to Las Vegas if riders were to be far away. Flying in and out of Vegas is simple and right now we are working on some ideas on bikes for training as well, as I said this is all in its beginnings. In fact one of the ideas we are kicking around it to have a parallel course with riders who want to do a fun level rally training at the same time where they get to observe and help the serious guys. We do not have anything posted up about this on our site yet and Im still not 100% we can pull it off, but I wouldnt know unless I asked. My selfish reasons for doing this include trying to find and train some younger riders for the future as well as include the training (mostly the mock rallys) to some of the top American guys today.
So if you have an interest in this at any level, feel free to post here or e-mail me at email@example.com
I was told by a very successful motorcycle racer, "It is not what you did yesterday, or last week, or even over the last month that will help your result tomorrow. It is what you have been doing for the last years that really makes the differance." I totally agree with this and am trying promote this kind of thinking whe it comes to doing something as big as a Dakar. Even if you are just a priveteer. When you think about how much you are going to spend I amazed at how little investment goes into training to finish and succeed.
Safari Scramble!!!!!
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: sanity?
Oddometer: 4,814
Having ridden in the woods of Vermont for several years, done several endurance rides on my own and via organized events, done Rally managements rally training, and done the Safari Rally...I can say that each helped. The greatest impact was in doing the Safari Rally. Everything from training, planning, logistics, riding, tech, nightly bike work etc is hard to duplicate in a training environment. Second to the actual competition I think the rally school helped tremendously. Getting used to riding with, reading, and interpreting a roadbook is key...also learning to slow down, stop, look, and think about a confusing bit is key as making a wrong turn is often more costly then sitting still for 20 seconds.
Seth S
My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of good judgement. Just installed my new trolling motor
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Bruins Nation
Oddometer: 10,441
Awesome, good luck!
Hillary, it would be like Frasier being elected president; only uglier.
Beastly Adventurer
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: FLint Hills
Oddometer: 1,445
I think this is a great idea! I think that you definitely need to plan for the "fun level" crowd (which I may be part of) to help support the program for the "will do Dakar" guys who are probably a limited number. In any case, I will be following closely to see where this go and may join if time and finances allow at some point in the future.
French vacation house for rent! Great riding area!!!
Team f5ool
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: "Pearl of the sound" - f5ederation of scandwegia
Oddometer: 20,861
Destination Down Under CHALLENGE
Within the scope of this "school" there were two different categories; one "fun level" training group (which we called BOOT CAMP) aimed at those enthusiasts who just wanted to be involved and experience something like this; ie to "observe and help".
Run in parallel with the boot camp were those who had entered the CHALLENGE division... which was an evaluation/selection type competition... the winner of which, recieved a fully prepped bike, paid entry and supported ride in a rally event (TUAREG Rally 2008).
The idea was that the "Challengers" competed against one another in various navigation, riding excercises, physical/mental challenges and even various trailside mechanical aptitude tests, to determine the ultimate victor. The "boot campers" were present during the entire event, and rode most of the transport/trail stages to get a "feel" for what it was like to be on a multi-day event (not just a trail ride... there were time schedules to adhere to etc.) and they used the same route/sheets as the challenge participants... albeit - occassionally - a shorter route itinerary to the "Challenge" riders.
Another positive in having the "boot campers" along on this type of "school", was that they performed the role of travelling marshalls or "helpers" to the organisation, when it came time to "assist" with conducting the different competition phases of the various "challenges". In this way they very much fullfilled an active role in the "selection process" and gained a much better understanding for what was need, if - in future - they ever chose to "step it up" and take up the task of competing in a rally themselves.
We found (and i think the same might be true here on ADVRider) that interest in the "fun level" rally training (as you put it) is significantly greater than the demand perhaps for a "hard core" Dakar/rally preparation course. In many way's those individuals who have made the commitment and strive to get to a big time rally event - like Dakar or similar - and are genuine in their commitment to reach that goal, will have often - themselves - already found ways to meet the training needs and adequately prepare and organise/avail themselves with the means to do so. There are a number of examples of these individuals that can be found actively on this website presently.
However, the "gee... maybe I'd like to do that someday" crowd, are possibly more interested in being provided with a model where they can come to a "set table" where the format is laid out and conducted by an experienced leader such as yourself, and that is NOT to say, if such a program existed; that the "hard core" guys would not avail themselves of it... it's just that (I think) your BIGGER market is in the "GI wannabe" sector... the guy's who really WANT to do it... are finding the means in any case.
Which is one of the reason's I came up with my "Dirty Long Weekend" concept...
Which has proven very popular with the "mere mortal" crowd, many of who - subsequently - have gone on to compete in a real desert rally event, having had a chance to get their "toes wet" and pump some other experienced riders/instructors for information/advice.
Good luck with it Jimmy... you've got an ideal base both logistically AND terrain wise, as a training ground for a true "desert rally" school.
troy safari carpente screwed with this post 12-06-2011 at 04:12 AM
Allergic to Asphalt!
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Kalifornia
Oddometer: 7,630
I'd love to do a 4-5 day fun class!
So Many Idiots, So Few Comets!!!!!!!!!
Numb Nuts
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Pahrump, NV
Oddometer: 510
Thanks for the insight and the links to your sadistic events. Some people think I'm mean and I think you are mean. But having done a lot of the kinds of racing that require this level of determination, your drills are not that far fetched.
The planning is in full fever pitch in my head and it will all depend on particiaption.
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: In my natural state
Oddometer: 7,768
Great idea Jimmy. Sent you an e-mail. I'm too old and unskilled for Dakar, but I love the race, love rallying and desert racing, and would like to get involved at some level. I'm also right over the hump in Henderson.
"Do or do not. There is no 'try.'"
Man Ball Rolls Through Coloutahrado 2014!
on the gas or brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: THE exact center of California/Bass lake/Yosemite
Oddometer: 6,952
If the chance came along like the Redbull KTM Dakar rider search a few years back.. I would be really be interested but I have found costs of just doing a couple BITD races a year depletes my very minor budget.. furthermore I found fund raising for a rally racing budget in the current economy especially last year was a dead end for me.. you need LOTS of money to fund even a single season of BITD... which most riders worthy of racing and finishing Dakar don't usually have... perhaps a Dirt rider continuing monthly story backed by a manufacturer(S) would be a great platform.. I also would like to see the ASO sanction a "Dakar Series" short 5 day rally here in the states or combined from the US in to Mexico in fact I have sent requests to France with no reply.. I was actually hoping maybe Casey can do another multi day Vegas to Reno but run it as a rally with roadbook and no pre running but im sure that will never happen..... I think you will find lots of volunteers for both support/logistics and riders here on advrider.... I don't fit the"younger rider" but have Dakar dreams and I will definitely be in touch!
Ps Charlie has tried this .. I hope you can make it work!
Thanks for the 2015 support: BELL HELMETS, SCOTT USA, Kriega USA, SEATCONCEPTS.COM , Galfer USA, Carbon-pro.com, GPR stabilzers, Sidi/Motonation, Masters paint and body, Magura , Motolab , Loctite and Dunlop tires .
Team f5ool
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: "Pearl of the sound" - f5ederation of scandwegia
Oddometer: 20,861
Just a quick reply, by way of addressing the "mean" aspects of the DLW & DDU events and dispell the notion that we were overly "sadistic" to the participants.
Here in Sweden, we have quite a good number of one and two day "navigational rally/roadbook trial" events, that are conducted using the routesheet/rally type format of navigation, very similar to that used in most rallies/Dakar etc. (Okay, so there is no possibility for "off piste" type stages, where the GPS is the primary navigation aid through open dunes etc. - the only way to replicate that for us IS to travel down to Tunisia or Marocco - and that's where you will have a real asset with your program from the base in Pahrump for sure).
What we find, is that most of the participants (here in Sweden) are already pretty much at home with getting their heads around the basic navigation and the principle of riding from written information - not a marked course - as one does in enduros or offroad/desert type events. Which (from my expereince - both at home in Oz and even in the state's - where this type of event is not so common) is one of the first big "things" that riders who have never been exposed to "navigational" discipline can have a bit of trouble grasping.
In that respect, we perhaps have a little shorter start up period with the whole; "okay... this is how a routsheet looks and this is how a tripmeter works... and this is how you use the two together..." scheme of things.
What we did want to achieve however, is convey the importance of preparation (for both the known, the forseeable, and even the slightly unforseeable things that can crop up in a rally scenario). Secondly the necessity for good time/resource management and thirdly to give them an inkling of the determination and sometimes sheer will power that is required to see the thing to the end.
Of course on a rally like Dakar - as you well know Jimmy - many of these things become self evident, by day five, six or seven etc. But we did not have that luxury (of time) in our four day program, so it was neccessary to "orchestrate" some conditions/situations in order to attain the right "stress/hardship" scenario in the short time we had available. Indeed one of the things we wanted to see was how "mentally prepared" the participants were to meet such a challenge and how they worked both individually and in a team situation (as they would compete - ultimately - as on of a four rider team).
So if some of the "drills" seemed almost "military" in nature, it was not of sheer coincidence. But as far as the "fun factor" was concerned, that was still very much a part of the whole deal, and when asked at the finish line of the four days, if they would like to turn around and do it all again... all but one of the challengers (12 of them) said they would jump at the chance.
I am sure whatever and whenever the program you put together Jimmy, that it will be a worthwhile excercise for all involved. We look on, with regards the developments of this one with great interest...
troy safari carpente screwed with this post 12-06-2011 at 11:45 PM
Tail sprayin
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: City of the Angels
Oddometer: 1,543
Legend doing Dakar training...
Wow, what an amazing opportunity... especially for not only the aspiring North American rider, but also the International riding community .
JL, you're a proven veteran. And a legend in American Dakar riders. And that's not discounting your proven racing record overall.
And a base camp offering sand training, where riders generally lack experience is hugely valuable.
Las Vegas is an easy location to fly in from any US or International airport. It's a perfect fit.
And I'd also think you'd be a great judge of talent for those corporate sponsors who will eventually tap into the marketing potential of the Dakar.
Not only is your vast knowledge of experience impressive, but your interest in developing techniques for teaching others to improved riding, racing and overall success as well.
For anyone with Dakar aspirations... American or otherwise...it's a top resource on a very short list. An opportunity not to be missed.
'"This whole memory lapse is gett'in to me. Hopefully I think I'll outgrow it."
Not in the clique...
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: South Central Texas
Oddometer: 10,001
Despite the fact that this has been attempted, before, I still find the concept very interesting...especially the whole "fun" option. Like the elusive "mid-size adventure bike", I feel it's an idea that has choked, in the past...but, nonetheless, an idea whose time has come.
For a few of us, "Dakar" (or any other Rally, for that matter) will never be a possibility. Plus, at this point in the game (I'm 41), the only thing I should be training for is Happy Hour. However, despite that, I would still love the opportunity to be exposed to the Rally experience...as an actual RIDER.
My personal limitations would be this...
1. Many, in this section of the Forum, are already racers. The last time I rode an offroad motorcycle, competitively, I was 13.
2. For the last two years, it seems as though I merely glance at my 300, and wind-up in the Emergency Room.
3. Genetics being as they are...some folks are built for speed, some for comfort. I am a member of the latter.
As you glance into the future (and ponder this idea), could you foresee taking-on a student such as myself? Just a thought...
Either way, I think it's a great idea, and wish you all the best in this endeavor.
I spent all my money on motorcycles, 4X4's, whiskey, and women...The rest I just wasted. (edited to fit/original phrase by "WIBO")
"There's a WEALTH of cool people and knowledge on ADV, there's also a decent sized pocket of douche bag assholes that think their ADV forum Post Count (Oddometer) is their badge at being experienced riders." goodcat8
Rally Dreamer
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: New Hampshire
Oddometer: 1,853
I am very happy to see this post as I do have Dakar aspirations. I have been targeting 2015 ... but more realistic I am thinking one of the smaller rallies (Morocco, Pharons, Abu Dabio....) makes more sense for 2015 and then I can make a more informed decision about Dakar. In the meantime I am doing as much as I can with trail riding, enduros and RallyMoto, also focusing on getting in shape (sitting behind a desk for years has not helped).
Being from the east coast obviously desert racing is something I have no experience with. With enduros and trail rides I have some experience with navigation from paper but obviously nothing like real rally navigation. I would be interested in doing something like what you described at the "fun" level this year and get more serious the year after. Bike rental would be a requirement for me as it really is to far for me to haul my own bike.
follow my journey: Dreaming of Dakar
Scott Whitney
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: SoCal USA
Oddometer: 2,786
For the fun level gang, well, why wait to have fun and experience a little of what Dakar competitors go through? Go for it now, before Jimmy figures out it's still not a very profitable business!
New desert racing frontiers
It will be Devilish !
Racing Like a Noob
Joined: May 2007
Location: Duh!
Oddometer: 4,541
PM on the way.
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Andy Cannon - EWNCWFormer Inferno Ignition Champion: 11/12/12 - 5/27/13
"The Southern Warrior" Chris Gatling - IWA
We all judge others even if it isn't our place to judge, but supposedly at the end we are all judged by one!!!
Wrestling, women and money who could ask for more???
Hey.. I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know.
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Eamon Dunphy reviews the weekend's Premier League action.
Some of the press coverage from 1990 as Ireland's exploits in Italy captured the attention of the nation (and some
25 years to the day since Ireland beat Romania to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, we take a look back at
Shaun Maloney's deflected strike brings Scotland level at the start of the second half
On this day 25 years ago Ireland qualified for the last 16 of Italia 90 thanks to a draw with the Netherlands. RTÉ
Jon Walters gives Ireland the lead against Scotland after 38 minutes at the Aviva
Liam Brady, Eamon Dunphy and Richie Sadlier analyse Ireland's 1-1 draw with Scotland
Ireland boss Martin O'Neill on the draw with Scotland
Jeff Hendrick reacts to Ireland's 1-1 draw with Scotland


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A clock ticks on. We all made New Year's resolutions. How many have you honored? Aunt May Gallagner was just like us. She would get up with a new day beginning and looked at her mantle clock.
At age 81, she wondered how many more days she had to live. It was like she was waiting for time to live and to die as the familiar sounds of the clock ticked.
Aunt May needed the basics of life: food, shelter, clothing and transportation. She did not have many of the frills that most of us have.
She had a mere existence down a gravel road up a dirt path to her modest home that she shared with her brother, Frank Gallagner, age 82. They lived in the countryside of Oktibbeha County.
I found May on Oct. 10, 1976 as she prepared for the winter. Today we find her painted on a 20X21 1/2 inches of 100 percent stretched cotton canvas.
Just take a look outside your frosted window and see a dreary day. In Mississippi, it seems like every winter day is like the day before - cold. Are we inside a deep freezer? We flip on WCBI-TV, and we hear the same forecast. We bundle up with a sweater as that weatherman says, "Tomorrow, expect snow."
Thirty-six years ago in the autumn, I was headed out to the rural county when all of a sudden on the side of the road I spotted an old home and two people on the porch — a brother and a sister who had probably spent their lives living on this spot of land.
I pulled over to the side of the road and made my way down a grassy worn dirt path to their modest home. This Sunday in Starkville Daily News I shall share with you Aunt May.
I remember how quiet and peaceful it was those two days I became a part of their world, and I enjoyed my creative world of sketching and painting for hours as I captured the world I was seeing on my canvas. I was in God's peaceful world asking for His help to create these paintings, and the only sounds I heard were trucks passing by.
I left my comfortable existence to go outside Starkville to the country. I hoped to capture the moment in a split second of two other human beings on my canvas to last forever for you, my viewer, to see what I experienced on Oct. 9-10, 1976.
Let's have fun as we together look at Aunt May Gallagner and her pet dog, Sam Boy.
We are going to read this painting starting at the left side top and read it like you would read sentences in a book until we end this page at the bottom with my signature as I signed it which could also say, "The End." We cheat as we view it because our eyes move across the page of the painting peeping at the entire painting from moment to moment instead of sentence by sentence. We can't help this because our eyes take in the whole painting. Slow down and see all the tiny intricate details instead.
The top facing of the brown screen door is beginning to show wear as it turns from white to gray. Look at the character of the old wooden porch as it has changed over the years. See the old white rippled siding that was used often in the 1940s and 1950s to cover up old wood underneath to make an old house look modern. The only glass window I painted caught the reflection of the sunrise. See the bright orange sky mixed with the blue/gray inside the top of the window panes. Go back to the left and see the old exposed light bulb hanging from the ceiling.
Find the exposed chain dangling from the bulb. I love this old light fixture. It is not fancy, but it gives the old home the light that it so desperately needs during cloudy days and dark nights.
Look at the touches of violet and gray. These two colors help cool the bright oranges I used in this painting. Look at the black mantle clock keeping perfect time.
We now see the profile of Aunt May's face and body. Her hair is almost gray mixed with a few strands of brown/black still hanging on. See her big rimmed glasses. See her protruding chin and her large scarf tied with a knot underneath her chin to keep her warm with its snug fit. She does not want to get a cold.
Look at her lime green sweater that looks almost too small for her since her dress sleeve is hanging out from the sleeve. The slight breeze caught underneath the sweater or is her back almost making her seem to have a hump back as she holds on to a log sticking out of her second arm by the window. She is about to carry one more log into the house to add it to the fireplace as it crackles.
Looking at Aunt May in her faded purple dress with a side pocket or two, we see she is a short lady with a big stomach. Part of aging is that your body sags and gets larger from eating so much turnip greens and cornbread. Melting butter drips from the sides of the hot cornbread. She made this corn bread in the old black heavy pans that are in the shape of corn itself. She made grits, ham with red-eyed gravy, fried eggs and hot buttered toast for breakfast with gallons of coffee steaming from a big white mug.
Dinner is served at noon with lots of strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream and gallons of iced tea to wash it down. Supper is at nightfall, and a fresh tomato picked from the hillside garden becomes the best tomato sandwich in Oktibbeha County. Mississippi is known nationally for being the most obese state. Aunt May had reached being fat, but she did not care because she was happy. "So what?" she would say. "I love life, and I love to eat my good old Mississippi soul food. Don' t you?" Our three meals a day are the best in the whole world.
My favorite things to paint here were Aunt May's light blue faded tennis shoes. They looked too big for her feet as her toes were nestled deep inside. She did not have on socks, and she had tiny legs. She has a determined expression on her face that she can take care of herself, and she will enjoy the rest of her life.
Let your eyes leap to the window sill to the bottom of the pane to watch the touches of the shadows off the front porch itself as they play across the glass.
See the stacked wood on the end of the porch by the front door. Aunt May carefully cut each piece of wood with an axe and used a handheld rusted saw, sawing each piece to fit into the fireplace. She is a hard worker all day long, cooking and cutting wood for the winter. This was the first cool day in October.
Look inside the house at the darkness. Now look at the glowing oranges and bright yellows of the toasty fire. Find the maroon/purples mixed with pinks, dark browns and caramels of the door facing itself. By the front screen door is her companion dog, Sam Boy.
His little ear is standing upwards, and the other little ear is going downward. He has sweet eyes and a pointed nose. He is the love of her life and her best friend in the world. Sam Boy is like her child.
Now look at the dark shadows underneath the door. The wide porch planks give the painting stability. These worn planks mixed with the sunlight of yellow colors against the blues and grays give such character to each piece of wood, and this old house and porch lead us to my signature.
We have become now like family to May. We realize that at her age of 81 she is preparing for her days ahead in cold January as the wind howls and this house shivers like Aunt May, too.
That one light bulb will probably flicker and threaten to go off during one of the brutally cold nights. The wood is neatly stacked right by the front door so that Aunt May can keep a few logs close by the fireplace to stay warm.
Aunt May is getting older, and she wonders how many more Januarys she might have to experience on Earth. She whispers, "Miss Carole, I wonder if I will go on before Sam Boy? I cannot bear to live without my dog."
36 years have come and gone, and Aunt May is I'm sure resting on a nearby hillside grave in a country cemetery with a quaint metal fence surrounding the church grounds. This grave is near the old home where she spent her life. Sam Boy is buried beside May.
January is here again. The dismal Mississippi weather is upon us. Will we survive? Yes. Our homes are cozy. Aunt May's was cold. She was not rich, but she was a beautiful, wonderful Oktibbeha County Mississippian who was both rich in her hearts and grateful for life and a roof over her head and a big porch to sit and relax on each day as she enjoyed life's moments.
Aunt May. wherever you are, stay warm, keep plenty of firewood handy by the front door so that you can feed the fire and pet and love Sam Boy.
Cuddle him close because he will keep you warm. May you rest in peace, and thank you for allowing me inside your heart to capture the moment when you allowed me a peep inside your soul. 36 years later, I get to share this painting with my viewers.
Carole McReynolds Davis is a local artist. Email her at firstname.lastname@example.com [2].
[1] http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/sites/default/files/CAROLEx_0.jpg
[2] mailto:email@example.com


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Shattering box office records across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, SEX AND ZEN 3D: EXTREME ECSTASY explodes onto the big screen as the world's first 3D erotic film. Directed by Christopher Sun and banned in mainland China, this surefire cult classic in the making is adapted from the ancient Chinese text The Carnal Prayer Mat and follows scholar Wei Yangsheng as he sets out to become a better lover for his beautiful new wife. Peppered with humor, high-drama and endless eroticism, this new film delivers a bevy of unparalleled 3D effects and glossy cinematography that you won't want to miss.
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- Erik Richardson
- Milwaukee, WI
- United States
Teacher, Richardson Ideaworks, Inc.
This conversation is closed.
How will you spend your time and/or make a living between ages 60 and 100?
As improved medicine and machinery continue to expand our lifespans in the developed world, the current model in which we work until age 65 +/- and then "retire" seems sadly outdated. New questions begin to arise, though, when we reflect on how we will each make a living and how we will make a life. I am excited to see what kind of ideas you all come up with.
One particular question related to the model is this: if someone goes back to school to re-tool for a whole new career at, say, 50, will they get hired into career-track positions where they could work for 20 years?
Jul 6 2012: I ship books to far off places
unaware of foreign faces
who smile friendly smiles
off shore and out of sight
My bedrooms a bookstore of delight
a transit station of imagination
list the book and wait
What is it you adore?
I hope I have it on my floor
in a pile; an eyesore according to my wife
who puts up with me with a knife
in one hand swearing one more book and and
and so I sneak them in in bags and boxes
scaliwags and foxes.
The gentle madness has me.
Ebay is my therapy
ebay is an income stream
ebay is a cloudy dream
whereby I connect with international commerce
World peace through World trade
read the sign high above Lexington and 8th.
once in bricks and shelves of wood
a little book store stood
people would browse around
and give meaning to what they found
but no more
Jul 6 2012: Rock on, Richard. Rock on. :-DJul 6 2012: NiceJul 7 2012: It's very compellingly powerful. Touched me deep! Best Wishes.
Jean Hafer
Jun 29 2012: Recently I had heard about people "re-inventing" themselves at age 50-60. Well, I think I had a jump start on most of them out there!! About 7 years ago, when the idea of gearing down at age 55 was blown out of the water by the loss of husband to lung cancer, when I was 52, I thought long and hard about what I was going to do for retirement. Being a nurse for 37 years, I had come up through the ranks of all degrees of nursing, LPN, RN, ASN, BSN, etc. So, I thought, how can I spend the rest of my life working smarter, not harder!! Getting the biggest salary bang for the buck!! Well, I had always wanted to be a doctor, and it would be the natural progression of educational accomplishments, so, I decided to apply and was accepted into a Caribbean Medical school. Last weekend was graduation, Magna Cum Laude at age 59 from medical school!! Never thought I would or could do it, but an opportunity presented itself and I grabbed on to it with both hands!!! I figured, I was going to be 7 years older, no matter how I looked at it, and I'm not one to sit down to a "pity party" for myself, so today, I not only have the MD initials behind the name, also accumulated an MS in Biomedical Science and an MBBS (British equivalent of MD).
- +7
I hope to be enjoying and working in the medical profession until I chose to retire, not because someone else dictates my fate. And, above all, hopefully be an inspiration to women, everywhere, to go for the gusto to fulfill your dream!!
Debra Smith
Jun 29 2012: Hurrah for Jean Hafer (and thank you so MUCH for sharing your story!)
- +1
Are you taking on new patients? (I am just joking because I do love my own doc and he is in Canada)!
Jul 1 2012: Thanks, Debra! JeanJul 1 2012: That's a great story, Jean. The other half is when we see how many hospitals offer to hire you on. Best of luck!
Jul 3 2012: Thanks Erik, we'll see how things go getting into a residency program, I'm optimistic. Then again, there's always "plan B"!!! Keep on trucking!!!
Jul 3 2012: So inspiring. Med school loans - that's the kind of monster under my bed that would keep me awake at nights, so I'm glad you have more courage than I would (do)! :-D I hope you will e-mail me directly when you land somewhere; I'd love to hear how the next chapter of your story unfolds.
Soyeon Kim
Jul 9 2012: Thanks for giving me a chance to think about my old age someday. I want to spend my time to help people with my ability not for the money but find and build myself esteem. My mom who is around the age 60 is actually working in a temple. At first, I persuaded her to quit the job because she did look tired. Whenever I tried her to stop working, she said " No, I can't. I'm really happy to find the place I'm needed. I'm old but I'm working. I feel I deserve to live in." After I heard of those words, It was my eye opner. It was a valuable chance to understand my mom. I want to live like her at the old age.
- +5
Jean Hafer
Jul 3 2012: Erik, sorry, should have gone under my original post
- +5
Fortunately, my student loan is manageable, I also had some financial resources available due to the loss of my husband and both parents to help offset expenses, plus being able to work as a nurse to keep the roof over the head and food in the belly!!
I am excited about the next chapter in my life. Life is what you make it. I learned long ago that every day I wake up with options about how to spend the rest of my life and my attitude. After losing my family, I've learned that "things" are not as important in life as family and friends. I thank the Good Lord for allowing me to see another day of sunshine and don't sweat the small stuff, and it really is, all small stuff!!
I would be happy to keep you apprised of my escapades as I blaze the trail, after all, life is a fabulous journey, not a destination!
I plan on living up to the quotation; "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out, shouting " Holy Crap, what a ride!".
Jul 5 2012: Dear Jean,
I like the quotation: "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out, shouting " Holy Crap, what a ride!".
It reminds me of a Chinese proverb: "The Journey is the reward." It's like saying life is to live and live it!
Best Wishes!
Jul 5 2012: Dear Jean, One more TEDdie who has been through so much! I am sorry to hear of your huge losses and I am delighted you are with us now.
Jean Hafer
Jul 6 2012: Thank you, Debra. I am happy to have found TED.com
- +2
Jean Hafer
Jul 6 2012: Teja, I agree, all of life is a journey and not a destination!
- +2
Debra Smith
Jun 26 2012: I was hoping to teach English overseas but that has to be reconsidered.Perhaps I will get a PhD or another MA if anyone will have me and i will work to help restore lives like my own.Jul 7 2012: I would like to be able to follow in my father's footsteps regarding this.
- +5
He is 66 now. When he retired at 55, he had superannuation to rely on, so he was in the fortunate position of being able to go back to university and study what he wanted to. He studied optics first, and did a whole lot of astronomy stuff, up to and including building his own telescopes (which is not as expensive a hobby as you might think, since he ground his own mirrors, etc.) He also worked part time, more to keep busy than because he needed the money, as a sales assistant at an outdoors store.
His health is failing now, so he has changed track, and is now silversmithing and jewellery making.
I'm on disability, but I'm hoping that that's the sort of thing I'll be able to do then. As I am in Australia, I can work part time on disability, so I'm studying computer programming and plan to do some work in that field - I may still be doing that when I hit 60, if I keep up with all the changes :)
Jul 15 2012: Your father is fortunate he was able to retire on sufficient superannuation to make ends meet- I can't do that, nor am I eligible for a pension for another 5 years. It is the difficult circumstance of being motivated to work for a wage & not being able to find anything psychologically satisfying that bothers me at 60. Therefore I can't see life in front of me at all. If I must be dependent on someone else's income for support when it is the opposite to all my values, life is not worth living. I have lots of hobbies & interests but cannot do most of them because of lack of money for raw materials. I can't go to the theatre or ballet or travel to enjoy myself like people with income can do. It is quite discouraging. I hope you are able to keep up with things over the years so that you enjoy your time between 60 and 100!Jul 6 2012: I went back to school full time at age 68. I picked up a graduate certificate from Algonquin College in their Documentary Production Program. I graduated with honours and made the Dean's list.
Why Documentary Production?
I got an honours degree in Physics in 1965 - but could find no work in Physics in Canada. I was offered a job as a Systems Engineer in Northern Electric - which turned out to be their first programming group. IT was my career for the next quarter century. I was then "downsized" from a middle management position.
I next discovered General Markup Languages and stayed in this domain as a career until 2000. I quit, formed my own company, and stayed there ever since.
I started to get contracts to produce video productions - prompting me to seek formal training in this subject. Hence the return to school.
Will I ever get hired into a whole new career? Never. I deduced that the notion of a "career" or a "permanent job" disappeared around 1993 and shows no sign of ever returning. In 1993 I even wrote a blog entry - http://cyberspace-industries-2000.com/Disappearance.html
I intend to spend what is remaining of my time on this planet continuing my consulting in general markup languages and documentary production. My current major effort is a historical doc - http://DanielDaverne.com
BTW - the name is "Hugh" - Facebook knows nothing about middle names.
Jul 15 2012: I wish I had got into a field/some fields where I was wanted- I've tried several different fields but been shut out of them over time by regulations, politics & economics. Now my age is the barrier- if I ever get job interviews, I always lose to a younger, less experienced applicant, even for jobs having only a 12 month contract. I thought being a good health researcher would keep me in work for the foreseeable future, but it hasn't. Perhaps I should take up some useful but slightly difficult programming language and specialise in it?? I believe I could learn anything if it had the possibility of an income attached ultimately.
Jul 15 2012: I have given up on learning a YAPL (yet another programming language) - especially if it is just to learn that particular language. Learn C++ and the next job wants something else... and multiple years experience at it as well. I have noted that I cannot afford the "expense" in time and $ to learn any language - unless there is a high probability of generating some revenue from it.... and of course an employer does not want to incur the expense of you learning on the job.
Of course if it is just for my own enjoyment - with no expectation of revenues - then I might proceed.
I always taken the attitude that I would hire a "good programmer" rather than someone who just knows language X . A good programmer can transfer his/her skills to any language.
Linda Sagare
Jul 19 2012: After planning for retirement, I reached my goals and retired at 62. The few years since retiring have been "enlightening". I discovered just how unhappily married I was. I hadn't married my soul mate after all. I'm now happily divorced with less money but more freedom and happiness. Since my divorce I decided to NOT make big decisions for about a year and give myself some time to figure out a NEW plan for the next few years. My career went from Programmer Analyst to Recruiter and Career Advisor to Retiree. I'm not looking for full time work and it is so important to me to do something that has meaning to me. So far I'm finding meaning in volunteer work but there's no income and I'm missing the extra money that would help me feel more secure about living to 95. I also miss the structure of a job. My challenge will be to keep what ever it is within part time hours so that I still have the luxury of accomplishing other personal goals.
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Starting something new is exciting. I'm open to many things I would have thought were not challenging enough before or didn't pay enough. I know a lot about transferable skills and how to sell myself into a position. Some of the TED contributors were right! For someone motivated, all you need is an opening and you can create and morph into other positions. Once you have that position and have proven you have it under control , ask for opportunities that will help you gain the skills and experience to take you where you want to go. I believe this and have seen it over and over. If opportunities are not given to the most willing and deserving, evaluate your contribution, find out what plans your company has for you and if nothing is imminent, either up your game or go shopping for another job. (do not quit until you have the next job). I have just about 6 months and one more Beach Vacation before I go find the start of my next (part time) career. It wasn't in the old plan but now it's a wonderful new adventure!!Jul 16 2012: I'm researching aquaponics and geodeisic with the hope to first provide food for my family, then later look to it for marketable organic produce and later possibly open a weekend restaurant with food from the garden/tanks. It's hard for a fifty-something retired secretary to find a place in this work force -- so often, the cost of working is more than the job actually pays. When I look at our largest expense, it is our groceries. So, it seems a sensible place to start.
I'm also fascinated by Paul Stamets development of mushrooms to save the world. By using a dome garden system and developing worm beds and mushroom beds, the food from the soil that's built should provide the best immune systems for us, and the system provides the best use of irrigation to grow plants -- fish fertilize the water, plants, clean the water, water that is evaporated falls into the soil beds and solid wastes feed the worm bed who break down the extra plants and leaves. Seems like a win/win solution.
Jul 16 2012: I really like how well thought out your approach is. :-D
Gord G
Jul 5 2012: I don't want to make a living when I'm that old. I want to make a meaning. If I'm at a time in my life when life itself is considered fortunate, I only wish to culminate it with a full disclosure of my understanding. Hanging on to the hope of prosperity in old age is void of the true value of the life you've lived.
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Jul 15 2012: I don't wish for prosperity- just a small independent income from something meaningful until I become eligible for a pension in 5 years.
Rob Clark
Jun 29 2012: When I reach that age (which is coming sooner than later I have recently realised), I'm going to do all the things I couldn't when I was the age I am now and create a better world for my children (if I have any!) and potentially my grandchildren and set a good example for them as they begin to explore life.
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Because life doesn't stop when your retire!
It's an interesting argument though about retirement. I know my mum is currently in a situation where she would like to start a new career, but she is just over 50 and nowhere will really take her on for a position which could potentially see her through a promotional career.
While I agree businesses need "young blood" so to say and give younger people opportunities, the older generation need the same opportunities. It should be not down to how old you are, it should be how experienced you are and who could contribute most to that business.
joy faber
Jun 29 2012: My husband is a carpenter. He has been a working carpenter since he was about 10, he is 52 now. He has no retirement, medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, pension. I have worked seasonal and part-time forever and am fortunate enough to have VA medical (bare bones no dental/vision).
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We are working in several areas 1 cut our cost of living expenses 2 grow much of our own food 3 turn our life-long skill set into a small business of our own-- making furniture/art etc... I don't see 100 in our future; maybe 80 ish, maybe 30 more years. The future in this country is looking bleak.
Jun 29 2012: Thanks for adding your perspective, Joy. I think you've really hit something on the head, and that is a return to some time-tested ways of life: growing some of our own food, small businesses out of the home, and so on. That's a great direction of change that I hadn't listed in my other post, and such things can help counterbalance - even if only a little - the corporatization of the world.Jul 8 2012: You have a huge amount to offer Joy. You could write a book based on your knowledge of the desert or other subject. We should never forget the value people in the older age bracket mean for us as a society. I learn this valuable lesson from our polynesian Kiwis, Samoans Tongans and the indigenous Maori. The older you are in these cultures the more precious. Your word is worth ten times that of someone half your age. Since our society has become too materialistic, some of us have forgotten some of the most important community values; that it is the older ones among us who carry our societies best wisdom.
joy faber
Jul 8 2012: I wish more people feel like you about age and wisdom. I often ask me parents for help and though they may not remember small details the advice they give me about how to be a decent human being is invaluable to me; and as it turns out also to my daughter and her children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your insightful comment. You also are precious.
- +1
Luke Hobbs
Jun 26 2012: I'm in my mid 30's, and my friends and I are just trying to cope with how much the world has changed in the last 5 or so years, let alone 30...Jul 23 2012: I shall be wiser, wasting less my precious time. That's crucial.
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I think going to school is also appropriate, grey cells are practicing.
That's healthy.
So, don't worry, be happy:)))
Emma Binte
Jul 23 2012: I want to feel like I am more in a place of life where I feel that I can "be" instead of "do". I believe that the first years of your life is more about doing than being. You have to explore the world and meet a lot of different people and try out your boundaries by doing new, sometimes crazy stuff. But when you grow older it is all about "being", being you and being at peace with your life. Imagine just sit on a bench in the park a whole day and feel like everything is wonderful and you have everything you ever want. To be able to see all the colours around you all the time and all the great things in the little things. I want to be that person.Jul 21 2012: Retirement now has to be re-imagined. In fact I suspect it will disappear from the vocabulary of many people. not least because of economic necessity but because of the ideas attached to the word. Maybe there will be third age entrepreneurs that create opportunities for others. Passive income for a lot is not feasible, because for the majority of us planning is often limited to the next week never mind the next 10-20 years.
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I suspect communities will rise up again with fresh fervour based around passion and the image of a mature in years person will change from a sedate rocking chair to one of either mental or physical activity still able and willing to participate fully in life.Jul 19 2012: I plan on moving into the Rock Till Ya Drop ... a community for musicians, artist of all types and everyone else who simply loves live music and the arts. While just a concept now, we plan to design and build this community as a grassroots, cooperative project.
Our mission is to provide very affordable housing (purchased or rented) to musicians and artist who have given so much to us for the last 40 or 50 years yet do not have the financial resources necessary to retire in a decent way. Unless you have made it big somewhere along the way, most musicians and artist don't have a pension or 401K to retire on (think starving artist?)
We plan to build this community of 1000+ residents around a town square anchored with a multi-purpose performance venue and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and studios. Additionally, we plan on having several 'garages' specifically designed for folks to jam or just hang out with the types of people we really would like to hang with.
Like I said it's just a concept now but we are looking for others thoughts and ideas... got any?
Jul 11 2012: I will try to pick a job that I love so much that I never feel the need to retire (unless I get some disability!)
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Looking at many senior and respected researchers and university professors around me, I know that's possible :)
Jul 11 2012: Doesn't your university push people out into emeritus status? I know that is a problem at some schools because it provides budget room in the gap between senior faculty and adjuncts/associates.
Debra Smith
Jul 12 2012: Erik, in Canada there is legislation against age discrimiination so only firefighters and police officers have to retire at 60 (I believe) because they are essential services.
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Comment deleted
Kay Walker
Jul 15 2012: You poor sod! Did you get involved in a shared retirement community scheme that went down the gurgler? Paid a huge "deposit" and discover you didn't own anything because your funds were squandered? It's happening a lot in Australia and the children of retirement home residents are also very angry as there is nothing left for them to inherit! My dad died in a Salvation Army Retirement Hostel while I was trying to sell his house to pay the $45 000 "deposit"! I couldn't even raise the $8 000 required for his first year because I had just taken out a mortgage to buy my own home. My father finally raised the initial $8 000 by selling all his remaining assets but the money disappeared from his savings tin in his wardrobe at the Hostel in the time between when he died & the time & could travel there to organise his estate & funeral (2 days traveling across Australia). I hope you are OK- do you have a "decent" place to live? You look OK in your picture. You need some sort of class action to claim your rightful deserts. [[hugs]]Jul 9 2012: With all due respect, You have asked One Questions which Satisfies two aims, Spending Time & Make a Living,
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I would like to divide them first, Spending Time, depends totally on your interests & hobbies, Now when you are at 60 to 100 Most of your hobbies become diificult, for eg: Outdoor activities
So create New Hobbies & take Interest in things which suits your age.
Second, Making a Living, This is a bit difficult Question, But their are options, depending on your health & Background, You have to be Very Selective, Because opposite to your Young age, Now you are planning a career when you are not strong, So a career Should be Something, which Don't Need Much of a Precision & Should not be Multitasking, (Generalized View, for Common People), Save Energy to live Longer & HEALTHIER life. Most Importantly, Spend Some time with your Family, which you ignored all your life.
Now Combining Both Making a Living & Spending Time, can be answered with below example.
Eg: book Writing, can be a career in which you decide, When & how much time you can give.
Kay Walker
Jul 2 2012: I am 60. I worked in universities as a lecturer for 11 years, then as a mental health researcher for 15 years. For 12 years I have been unable to get a full-time job, although I managed a few part-time ones until 5 years ago. I became so depressed that I am now not very suitable to work more than a few hours per day, but I have no work anyway. I have no superannuation or investments to live on & must depend on my defacto, which humiliates me no end. I haven't the faintest idea how I can exist until the end of this year, let alone until I am 100 [which is what I used to aim for as my father died at 95 of a congenital heart condition!]. I cannot see a future. Others live for their children & grand children but I've never had any due to physical health & circumstances. I enrolled in a Master of Public Health to get a new direction but no one wants to employ me. Even my supervisor says I probably won't work again, even though I am an excellent researcher & have published more than 20 papers. If I had the hope of getting a job as an older worker, I would gladly study anything as the prospect of being a checkout operator (all I have been offered) would make me suicide. I have really tried hard to take a new direction, I've done well in my studies & attacked my depression, made new friends & countless connections. However I cannot summon any hope nor "see" beyond the end of 2012. HELP!
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pat gilbert
Jul 2 2012: Kay
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You need one stable thing which is a job, take the checkout operator position. The work itself is cathartic and will help you.
Comment deleted
Jul 7 2012: I'm not acting like anything.
Kay was offered the job as checkout operator. I must be a moron?
Question what does cathartic mean?Jul 3 2012: I agree. Start small, and build your way back up. Being a checkout operator is as good a starting point as any, do well, show good work habits, promotion from there is the next small step. Before you know it, you'll have fresh experience under your belt, and that gives you leverage.Jul 3 2012: Kay, dont work at the checkout, and dont lose heart. I know someone who picked himself up at your age after a marriage break up and is today a wealthy, successful businessman. He has a young wife and two young children to boot. I have another friend, female of the same age, who just completed her masters and is offered promotion after promotion at her work. My aunt fell in love at sixty two with a man 15 years her junior. They are married and still live together.
Depression is crippling at whatever age it strikes. Change alone can bring on depression. Remember it is a condition, it is a feeling that can and will pass. Look for positive reinforcement among your friends. Those who do not know your strengths and want to tell you only about your weaknesses are not your friends. Dont listen to anyone who says you cannot get a job in your field. Why is that? You say you are good at it, then what is the problem? Employers PREFER younger staff? Aren't there laws against this kind of discrimanatory practice in your country? It is unethical, and probably illegal, if that has been happening to you. Fight back! An open letter to the paper exposing such practice would be a starting point.
In the Institute where I am on the staff, two of my most valued colleagues on our teaching staff are well over sixty five. I dont even notice their age, why should I be interested in that? They are wise and respected teachers.
I think Kay, perhaps you have a self perception problem? This you can change with reflection and meditation and by consciously deciding to believe in yourself again. When you change your own self perception, others will change theirs. Now get off TED have a nice cup of tea, a bit of a girlie makeover and go get a good job!Jul 5 2012: Dear Kay,
Your age should not be a burden, especially when you are convinced of your capabilities. My teacher, a Buddhist monk, is 65 and is still teaching at the university of Hong Kong (Centre of Buddhist Studies). There is also another professor who is in his 80s and still teaches.
It seems so frustrating to hear of the society telling us what we cannot do. Aging is a fact of life, and the young people need to understand this. The fact that someone has aged does not make him/her unworthy of a life. He/she is still a part of this universe, of the inter-connectivity of life, and can still contribute, at least in some small ways.
As to depression, I agree with Joanne that it "is crippling at whatever age it strikes." It cripples me also at times, although i'm still 22. But Kay, you have already journeyed a lot and know, perhaps, a lot more about life, about aging, relationship, etc, of which we young people might still be ignorant. And this seems a chance for you, if you find happiness in it, to educate the young world regarding aging, life, etc. You can find some people, young or old, and start a movement. Encourage people to study old-age, and I hope one day the subject can be incorporated in College or University syllabuses. (This is what I hope to do, after I can establish myself. I'm still financially dependent on others, so probably not now). It is just a suggestion, in case you have no other ways. It will keep you occupied and will probably generate deeper understanding of life. I have grown up hearing and learning that true understanding keeps the mind away from emotional agitation and thereby gives us happiness. (It is the purpose of meditation to generate understanding by developing the mind)
Best Wishes!Jul 13 2012: Kay,
I worked at a supermarket as a checkout clerk once. At the time I was in my early 20s and had been unemployed for 9 months. My girlfriend's parents were buying extra groceries to give to us so we could eat, and helping with the rent -- which injured my pride deeply. I had been fired from my last job after working there for 5 years, and as it was my only job experience I believed that no one had any reason to higher me. I was becoming more and more depressed about my situation everyday -- which was only making it worse.
One day my girlfriend came to me and said that her mom knew someone at a supermarket and could get me hired as a clerk. I HATED the idea. I felt like it was a major step back, I couldn't stand the thought of my friends seeing me there, and I felt like it was demeaning. But I also knew we needed money, and I could not say no. So I took the first step and said yes.
I didn't want to do it so badly, that I honestly wasn't sure I was going to go through with it until after my interview was over. I kept thinking, "there has to be another way." Still I continued to tell myself that it didn't matter if there was another way, because taking this job wasn't going to prevent me from doing that too. This was an opportunity I had to take, no matter how badly I didn't want to do it.
It was actually pretty fun :-) I got to talk to people of all ages about so many different things, It gave me the ability to get back on my feet and stop relying on my girlfriends parents (a big relief), and most importantly it got me walking out the door every day :-) So, just remember, if what you're doing hasn't solved the problem yet, then you need to just get up and take the opportunity that you have. It won't prevent you from continuing to think of something you would rather do more, and taking other opportunities that may come along. But it will get you back on your feet.
Comment deleted
Debra Smith
Jun 29 2012: "If you are holding back on your zest now don't we don't know when we will die." The woman who almost died in December -out of the blue- wants to second this profound statement in the hope of encouraging you all to live bravely as Myfanwy is doing!
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Comment deleted
Jun 29 2012: No more crap days for you young lady! However, as you said you have more than prevailed.
Terry Haynes
Jun 27 2012: I would do what I am doing right now and that is Living each day like was my Last. Taking nothing and no one for granted. Appreciating the little things in life like good conversation, Family and Friends, Sunrises and Sunsets. and last but not least, Continue to Learn and share what I have learned with others till the day I die.Jun 26 2012: I'll do my bucket list.Jun 26 2012: Since free schools will probably have disappear by then, i'd love to teach to my grand children some useful things to now about the past i lived through. But seriously, "making a living" while you are already alive makes no sens.. I'm 38, I hope people will have stopped to obey ignorants before I'll turn 60 : I doubt I want to live another 40 years in such an obscure and morbid world.Jun 26 2012: Plan to make a living from the returns on my investments built up over 40+ years.
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Will spend my time doing things that are not primarily to make money.
Jun 26 2012: I like that plan. I screwed it up early on by becoming a schoolteacher, but it's a good plan nonetheless. :-DJun 26 2012: Obey,
Be careful about that...living from returns on investments!!! That was/is my plan as well, and a good one it was when the market was different and my life was different. It appeared that I had enough invested to live on the interest. I need to be much more frugal now, and am still living life to the fullest, as I can at any given time:>)
I "retired" early, mostly because of a near fatal head injury which causes some complications at times, and you know what has happened to investments!!! Things change, life changes, and we make adjustments to the best of our ability. It's always nice to have a plan AND be prepared to adjust if the plan changes because of life circumstances.
I've done a lot of volunteer work, which is very rewarding, educational, and beneficial to me and the whole of humankind.....hopefully:>)
I don't think you screwed anything up. From what I've read of your comments, I bet you were/are a GREAT teacher, and that is very much needed in our world:>)
Jun 26 2012: Gee, thanks, Colleen. I love my kids, I just meant I screwed up my chance of retiring to live off of my investments. :-D
Jun 27 2012: You'll have teachers retirement, which is looking a little more secure than investments:>)Jun 27 2012: Sorry to hear that. I guess if we have to work for a living great if you do something you enjoy and contribute in a meaningful way.
Funny but my wife has an entrepreneurial spirit and would probably life to run a business till she drops. I'd rather travel while healthy, read, study, coffee & friends etc. Might get bored after a while and need some projects.Jun 26 2012: Yes it is a worry. A lot vanished in the GFC. If closer to retirement I would shift to cash/TD but then the interest rates are so low now in many places. Also, at some stage we might start consuming the principle. Don't plan to live forever and next generation will get a good education and much support but won't need to get our entire peak net wealth when we move on.Jun 26 2012: I like your question and your vision..that there may well be 2nd career opportunities after 60.
I retired at 53. 13 years ago with a vision of a conventional retirement,,more time for things I enjoy. But strangely, as a citizen lobbyist on no one;s pay roll I am doing what I always did and in many ways (partly thanks to the internet) do it better than ever and enjoy it very very much. ( And that's after a 5year cancer challenge) .
Everyone else I know over 60 is still also "in the prime" as well. My 80 year old furniture maker ust made me a set of three doors I designed on the back of an envelope..faster and better than anyone else could. Most of my freinds are thinking 70 for retirement. So there certainly is ability and willingness, I'd say.
But the question is how much work will there be? Will there be enough for their to be jobs for young people starting out and for a very big stack of 60-100 year olds?
In the 70's the vision was for 4 day work week for everyone Earning enough to live on in 4 days aweek. But real wages have actually declined..at least in America so the majority of households require two full time jobs 5 or 6 days a week just to stay afloat
.With more and more automation there will be fewer and fewer jobs associated with every dollar of GDP.
I think the global population has to shrink dramatically for their to be full employment let alone opportunity for seniors like me to stay on payroll or seek second careers...but maybe more of us instead of looking forward to leisure will end up doing high level professional work pro bono and getting something like frequent flyer credits good for tax credits and discounts at classy hotels and on elegant trains.
Jun 29 2012: I agree that there is an interesting question in how much opportunioty there is and will be over the years even for volunteerism (much less employment) for the aging population. My future lies in volunteering within my city, which I do already now alongside my work, but I have noticed that opportunities connected to existing organizations in areas other than fund-raising, parks or street maintenance, or event-based volunteering at marches and fairs can be hard to come by! It can require a network and competitive interviewing just as job-finding does.
Jun 29 2012: Fritzie..such an interesting point you are making.
Organized volunteer programs require an investment in oversight and coordination and therefore funding So as performance and budget pressures mount on main programs, just at the time when volunteers could be most useful and critically needed the organizations ability to utilize volunteers is often also most impaired.
Satewide volunteers for Headstart are coordinated through a third party provider under whom all Head Start Programs are administered. That seems to help in enabling a wise and efficient use of volunteers without adding to to the burden of the local programs.
My own strategy is to figure out where my professional background is most useful and just start doing things and just making sure with local programs that the initiative is needed and appropriate for their curriculum and milestones. I think in these times volunteers have to have that kind of self starter entrepreneurial approach to volunteering.
I also do what I consider volunteering ad hoc through my blogging at newspapers..
So, I think we volunteers have to be self starters and self directed to be useful to the enterprises we might have valuable pro bono services to offer.
Fritzie -
Jun 29 2012: You are right, of course, but your credentials and personality are an asset that so many people do not have who would also love to conttribute. It is part of the way some people become marginalized from productive engagement even in terms of volunteer service.Jun 29 2012: Fitizie..I think you are making an extremely important point here.. I wonder f you could say a bit more ..
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But don't you also think Fritzie that volunteers have to be self starters? I get the impression that people volunteer as a way to make friends...rather than bring their own expertise into play at a more professional level but as volunteers.
Clearly we need a better system for plugging in the value professional level reosurces people are willing to offer pro bono.
Jun 29 2012: I don't think people volunteer mostly to make friends. I believe people volunteer mainly for one of two reasons. First, they do so to make a difference and to be part of an organization they believe in. Second, those who are younger or earlier in their work lives may volunteer to gain skills that may prove useful in further employment.
I think there is a difference between being a self-starter and one who has a talent for getting his foot in the door in the first place. Getting a foot in the door often comes from credentials, good self marketing (which requires a certain personality), and connections. This is true even if the task at hand requires none of those attributes.
And an unemplyed professional seeki ng opportunities to volunteer professional services I am guessing would have a harder time getting an opportunity than someone still employed in his field and offering to volunteer as well. This is only a hypothesis for which I have no supporting data, but I suspect it is much like how employers in screening applications for positions favor those who are working over those who are not at the time of application.
Zdenek Smith
Jun 25 2012: This is really good and interesting topic.
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I agree that many of us will have to continue to work past 65. However I think it will be hard. While people can stay pretty mentally capable past age 65, physically we seem to age faster. What will people that work in construction industry, warehouses and other labour intensive jobs do? Perhaps they need to retrain for less labour intensive skills. That will be very hard as they will have to suddenly go back to school at such late age.
I also think that with continuing automation we will see decline in opportunities for jobs that require little or no education. Self driving cars, taxes, trucks etc. are not far away (20 years?). With increased automation we will need more people in high-tech industry.
Personally after 65 I plan to work only part time and I will spend rest of the time volunteering and with my grandchildren =)


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July 22, 2013
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A group of slackers living for free in a rock star's mansion suddenly find their lives on easy street threatened when the musician decides to sell his pad. To stop the sale the gang comes up with a series of ludicrous and hilarious schemes to insure the house never sells.
Rated R for crude sexual content, nudity, language and drug use.
Visit the official site
Cast: Clifton Collins Jr., Kevin Sussman, Nat Faxon, Josh Lawson, Zoe Boyle
Produced by: Richard Perello, Tom Gardner, Julia Dray, Greg Cimino, Adam Duritz
Directed by: Dan Rosen
Written by: Dan Rosen, Dave Gibbs
Running time: 1hr 17min
Opens: Jan 11, 2013 NY