Way way way off topic regarding my impending retirement (5 weeks):

I received two letters from the Social Security Administration this week asking for more info before they can process my applications for Medicare and SocSec, one from Chicago and one from St. Paul. Called both offices today and everything appears to be OK now, but then the woman in Chicago asked if I want to start SocSec in June instead of August. I was planning on waiting until I was done with work but the Chicago office told me I could start right away because my 66th birthday is late this month. YAY!! I am now officially an old.

Gotta say that everyone that I’ve ever talked to at SocSec are the most helpful, generous and pleasant people I’ve ever dealt with about bureaucratic issues. It’s pretty amazing.