Still Clickin

If you’re itching to become engaged and “out among the people”, volunteering may answer your needs. Although it wont help paying the bills, volunteering often pays handsomely in the sense of satisfaction you gain by helping other people.

Numerous organizations want your help. Hospitals, churches, museums, senior services, schools, non-profits, and service clubs all depend on volunteers to perform many of their basic functions. While some organizations have very organized volunteer operations, others are quite casual. How should you select among them?

• Follow your own talents and interests. For example, if you love to cook, a soup kitchen may suit your fancy.
• Search and list a few organizations in your area that reflect your choices.
• Craigslist has postings for volunteers in their community section.
• Talk to friends to learn if they know of any local opportunities or organizations.
• Inquire at the local library and churches, which may be aware of organizations in need because they often provide space for their meetings.
• Once you have identified some opportunities, try a few. While the mission of one organization may appeal to you, the individual personalities you encounter may not. Don’t be afraid to dabble until you find your comfort zone.

Once you’ve found your niche, don’t hesitate to dig in. In any volunteer organization, the best challenges are always reserved for the people that can be “counted on”. If your commitment is only marginal, the treatment you receive will reflect that.

Once you are involved and know you are making a serious contribution, your sense of satisfaction and ownership of the operation will deepen. You will become one of the key members of the group and develop that rewarding sense of “being needed” and “making a difference”.

And if, in these troubled economic times, the cost of groceries ever does start becoming a problem for you, you will find that many organizations look first to their key volunteers when selecting someone to fill a paying position.

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If you have an Internet site, you must let the search engines, e.g. Google, know that you’re there. There is a detailed registration process involved. However, anyone with a little smarts also signs up for Google AdSense, which permits Google to place ads on your site. The few pennies involved aren’t worthy of discussion, but the enhanced visibility certainly is.

Now, website owners are being alerted by Google to the upcoming (April 8, 2009) launch of interest-based advertising, which “will allow advertisers to show ads based on a user’s previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. “sports enthusiast”).”

To alert our visitors, we have changed the heading of these ad sections to “ads: no privacy”. But does anyone here in the United States care?

In Sweden, where there is a finely-tuned sense of privacy, they certainly would. In America, however, no one seems to care.

• On social networking sites, e.g. Facebook and MySpace, people publish all sorts of information and photos of a very personal nature. (Note: In contrast, wikiSenior supports total anonymity in order to protect privacy.)
• We continue to hear of organizations that have “lost” our credit card information.
• So many vendors ask for the last four digits of your social security number that you suspect that you’ll be asked the next time you’re going to the movies.

The results of this loss, e.g. ID theft and stalking, have not yet caused enough outrage to elicit firm controls from the government sector. Essentially, you are on your own. Proactively, what can a person do?

1. Politely decline any invitation to become a “friend”, “associate”, of “member” of a social networking site.
2. Limit the disclosure of social security numbers to employers and financial institutions that must report to the IRS. If you insist, even phone companies will accept other forms of ID.
3. Never supply personal information to any email request - EVER. Any reputable organization will have a more formal process.
4. In the Internet Options tab of your browser, limit your “cookies” to “current session” so that your clicks from two weeks ago aren’t following you.
5. In general, watch where you click. It sounds terrible to say, but Big Brother IS watching you.

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Have you ever been to Night School? It is a very special place. The people whom you meet there invariably treasure and respect learning. Rather than sit in front of a boob tube or go to the mall, they are rushing through dinner, or delaying it, and doing their utmost to reach the room ahead of the teacher. It isn’t easy.

I’ve shared the Night School experience at a number of different levels - trying my hand at oil painting at a local YMCA, taking an exhausting 3-hour class in advanced physics in which I had to keep kicking myself to stay up with the presentation, teaching a physics course (only 2-hours long) to people that had worked hard all day just as I had, and teaching business people how computers were going to change their lives. I felt that each of these experiences taught me a lot whichever side of the desk I occupied. The fun of learning was contagious.

A day rarely goes past where you don’t learn something new. With retirement, however, the opportunity to dive back into the formal learning environment is real. Typically, local schools are very generous to senior citizens auditing classes, charging only nominal fees. It is always exciting for a senior citizen to feel the energy of the younger people in the classroom, and your participation makes them gain new respect for their current opportunity.

If you are a bit afraid of taking this step into the classroom, don’t be. With the perspective of age, you can readily accept a very fundamental precept of teaching, i.e. that there are very few difficult ideas, only poorly explained ones. Above all, a good teacher is a good communicator, and it is not unreasonable to expect clear communication. With the grace of age, you are able to ask the question that others in the room may be afraid to venture. In that way, you can make a valuable contribution to the entire process.

But the biggest part of the education experience is to enjoy the ride. Look for a refresher course about something you once knew, or reach for an entirely new subject that sparks your curiosity. You will not regret the experience. And if you choose Night School, you will meet a diverse group of quite interesting people.

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An obituary for Mr. Common Sense -

This obit appeared in my email today. It was originally published in the London Times during 2007. As my correspondent suggested, it was probably written by an English Headmaster/Headmistress. Maybe we should have a “Wry Humor” category.

Today, we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

• knowing when to come in out of the rain;
• why the early bird gets the worm;
• life isn’t always fair; and
• maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of

• a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;
• teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and
• a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student,

only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

• I Know My Rights
• I Want It Now
• Someone Else Is To Blame
• I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

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We Interrupt This Program . . .

There are difficult sleep disorders that can occur in people of all ages. Most people, however, go through life refreshed by a deep sleep every night. That is, until you reach a certain age.

Sooner or later, as we grow older, undisturbed sleep is no longer a given. Whether it’s neighborhood noise, bladder pressure, or a worry that won’t go away, some interruption always seems to occur in the middle of the night. And once it occurs, finding your way back to sleep often follows a tortuous path.

As one friend remarked, “I’m never in the right place. When I’m in bed, I want to be up and active. And when I’m up, I always feel that I want to be back in bed. What I wouldn’t give for a good night’s sleep.”

He’s not alone. Apparently, our bodies don’t seem to enter the realms of deep sleep as easily as the years go by. Some people turn to pills, but that can be dangerous and dissatisfying. Indeed, medications for other problems also can have an influence on sleep.

There don’t appear to be any universal answers. But if your medications aren’t the problem, try some tricks rather than more medication. Everybody has to figure out some tricks that work for them. Some personal tricks I’ve tried -

• Although I love it, I never have coffee past noontime.
• Check your surroundings and try a few changes. I added an another thin pillow that raised my head. It not only helped my sleep, but it removed the stiffness from the side of my neck. I can once again turn my head easily, which certainly helps when backing out of the driveway.
• I’ve tried mind games, even actually counting sheep. I have never found one that worked.
• If it’s three a.m. and I simply feel too wide awake, I get up, go to another room, and read for an hour. Articles and periodicals work better for me than books, because the conclusion is quicker and they tend to be more detailed and boring. This seems to remove all of the other scattered thoughts that cascade around in my brain and gives me a chance to return to restful sleep.

This article by the Institute on Aging paints the broad picture of sleep problems that seniors may encounter. There are a lot of serious issues out there that tricks won’t help. But it is a place to start. Any progress toward a good night’s sleep is worth the effort.

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Once you are retired, one of the first steps you may wish to consider is to sell the family home. Whether you are downsizing, relocating, or cashing out, buying or selling a home is not an easy process. Typically, you will wind up feeling a bit disatisified. Both buyer and seller simply want a fair deal that happens quickly. But a fair deal only occurs when the buyer and seller are equally dissatisfied. That is simply the way negotiations work.

If you are selling -

1. Choose your best selling season. A hot selling season, e.g. Spring, has the most buyers but also the most competition. A slow season, e.g. Winter, has the least competition and the least number of buyers. Often, the best timing is the end of a slow season as the first crop of new buyers start to appear. Learn the details of what is happening in your particular market.
2. Start preparing the home at least six months before your target listing date.
3. Address obvious eyesores and problems. Don’t explain about the wobbly step. Get it fixed.
4. Paint. Use neutral shades that open the space and permit buyers to imagine their own furniture in the room. For interiors, use whites, off-whites, beiges, or pale grays. White exteriors also sell well.
5. Remove clutter. Rent a storage locker if need be, but it is critical for rooms and closets to be free of clutter. If you must, move the clutter to the garage which is the only place people might discount some of its impact.
6. Clean, clean, clean. A lack of cleanliness can cost thousands of dollars.
7. One or two months before your target listing date, interview three different real estate agents. A good agent will inspect your home, give you more ideas about preparing it, learn about your objectives, and provide you with a written market analysis and pricing recommendation. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts; some brokers will offer them outright.
8. Consider staging your property. Professional designers can reposition furniture, add a plant, and even assemble some rented furniture to show off your home to its best advantage.
9. Choose your agent. If none make you feel comfortable, consider doing the job yourself.
10. Decide upon your asking price. This is your most important decision. It is far better to be realistic than greedy. You want to price right where the market would expect it to be. Check Zillow Home price estimates for your neighborhood.
11. Sign the documents and list the home.
12. A weekday open house for agents and a weekend open house for buyers will announce to opportunity to the world. With all your preparation, you should feel proud of your home as your neighbors and potential buyers traipse through.
13. Disappear whenever the house is being shown. Buyers are uncomfortable when the owner is present.
14. Anticipate specific feedback from any showing and react (e.g. add a brighter bulb), if possible.
15. If your home is shown to a number of buyers and it is priced correctly, you should expect to receive at least one offer during the first month, even if it is too low. However, If there is little to no activity, lowering the price is the most important change you can make. Don’t be bullied, but don’t be foolish either.
16. If you must move, and the market in your area is simply too slow, consider renting. It can be a frustrating choice, but one that might make financial sense.

If you are buying, there are a number of questions you should ask yourself.

1. Why do you want/need to move?
2. Is there a schedule you must meet?
3. What price range are you considering?
4. How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
5. Approximate size or square footage of the home?
6. Approximate size of the property?
7. What are the requirements for schools?
8. What style or age of home are you targeting?
9. What are the requirements for basements and garages?
10. Are there any local travel requirements?
11. Are you looking for an urban, suburban, or rural location?
12. Have you picked specific neighborhoods or communities?
13. How close to shopping would you like to be?
14. Are there any special health-related requirements?
15. What physical or community amenities do you desire?
16. Are there any special features desired for the home?

Once you are able to answer these questions, you will have a very specific idea of the home you are looking for. Also, check other web resources, e.g. Federal Government Home Buying Information.

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If you want to experience an upbeat moment, see the documentary, Young@Heart. This is the story of a group of senior citizens from Northampton, MA who belong to a chorus that knocks your socks off.

Rather than sing songs from Gershwin or Cohen, this crew serves up renditions of Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix. They don’t just sing at the local auditorium, but internationally. Audiences love both their talent and their spunk. See the details at their own website, Young@Heart Chorus. Whether you purchase a copy of their movie there or order it through Netflix, you will be cheered and amazed by the quality of their performance.

Oh, it should also be mentioned that the average age of the group is 81. Just the way that Eileen Hall, age 92, serves up “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash will make you sit up and take notice. See this film and be inspired by the determination, enthusiasm, camaraderie, and real talent of this ensemble.

Your town may not have a group like this, but it certainly must have church choirs as well as other groups that embrace the wonder of song. Rather than waste your talent on arias in the shower, investigate what’s happening in your area. Song is a universal gift. If you are searching for an activity that benefits both body and soul, try the chorus.

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Today is the day for our high-definition digital TV purchase. The choice will be a close-out model. The new models may double their contrast ratings and offer novel super-hero innovations, but not enough to make a difference. Frankly, the stuff that is out there now is good enough for most eyes. This close-out model has a compelling feature, it offers the best bang for the buck!

The parameters of this particular HDTV selection are many.

• It is the largest size possible for the space into which it must fit.
• LCD was chosen instead of plasma because -
  • LCD is a simpler, more reliable technology.
  • The side-view, motion-blur, and deep contrast limitations of older LCD’s were nearly impossible to observe both during a fast sport scene or a studio interview setting.
  • The fine 1080 detail, rich colors, and brightness of the LCD display were compelling. It would not require a darkened room.
• It is configured with multiple interfaces to permit future adaptation.
• Since Sony is closing out this model, it is currently enjoying a 30% price discount.

Because of the rapid aging and latest-is-best psychology of technology pricing, a slightly older model can often provide the best value for technology purchases. Technology evolves in a series of plateaus. Be it a TV, computer, or camera, it takes about three years, at any given plateau, for the functionality to mature and the product stability to occur.

Now, LCD TV’s have reached that level. It was reached for digital cameras a couple of years ago. Personal computers really haven’t changed since the year 2000. Once a plateau is reached, these products become commodities, with volume quantities driving prices ever lower.

One technology that is in flux and looking for a new plateau is the pocket tech device. It has left the comfort of its cell phone capability. It has added digital camera, audio player, computer, and global positioning functionality. But none of these changes have brought it to a new plateau. Innovation will continue there until a new set of stable capabilities emerges. It will then become a very compelling product, but you have time. . . . . wait three years.

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