DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

Top O the Mornin Dads and a very happy Friday Eve! Was happy for the Cubs players to win last night as it looked like the weight of the world was lifted off their shoulders and they were able to exhale / have some fun. Not saying they are coming back just nice that they avoided a sweep.
I would normally do it on Saturday but DW and I are headed out of town to see the Bare Naked Ladies.
Making you go out of town to see 'em hey?
 
Afternoon all. Work week done, church work tomorrow. Ready for the weekend.

Holy crap!
That's.... criminal!

:hug:

::yes::

Really sorry to hear about this Norm. Terrible to have such a drastic change at this point in your life.
Being in the private sector all my career, I've always had a contribution plan but at least I knew that and could plan with it. Not easy to know when enough is enough and pull that trigger though.


I find that Crown makes things feel better. Just curious, you drink it straight or mix? I usually mix Crown and ginger.

Crown with an ice cube. As for the other, thankfully I contributed to my own retirement account. Sadly, i could only fund it at 8% as i had 8% mandatory withdrawals to a retirement system that at best has 4% growth.

praying it doesn't pass,

...and fork your governor.

::yes::

headed out of town to see the Bare Naked Ladies.

Have a good one all.

I think seeing some bare naked ladies would make it a good one. Oh, you mean the rock band. :lmao:

Had to check in and see how you it would effect you. Sorry to hear that. I really doubt it is the end either. They Lexington Herald did an analysis a couple of weeks ago and sometime in 2016 they crossed the point where there are more retired state workers than current workers. That just isn't sustainable.

Didn't see that article, but that doesn't sound right. But, even so, for every $1 million invested 22 years ago, becomes $8 million today, assuming they just invested in an S&P index fund. I had my money taken out of my check the past 22 years. The fat cats didn't do their part, which is why we are where we are at. Sadly, they won't be required to make up monetarily for their failures.

Wow, Norm! That's not right. Maybe this is the sign to head South after all? :smickey:

Still to be determined. I'm ready to go now.
 
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Spent the day in Key Largo. First time I was out of the house for fun since before Irma and it was a good day. Will try to post some pictures later. They are battered but open for business.

Will also catch up with the previous posts but Norm, that sucks. Maybe crossing the no politics rule but I am really tired of our "representatives" doing everything they can to screw regular people to give tax breaks to their corporate buddies and the top 1%. I expect the Pirate Princess's and my health insurance going up at least 25% just because of the screwing around in Washington.
 
Spent the day in Key Largo. First time I was out of the house for fun since before Irma and it was a good day. Will try to post some pictures later. They are battered but open for business.

Will also catch up with the previous posts but Norm, that sucks. Maybe crossing the no politics rule but I am really tired of our "representatives" doing everything they can to screw regular people to give tax breaks to their corporate buddies and the top 1%. I expect the Pirate Princess's and my health insurance going up at least 25% just because of the screwing around in Washington.
I don't know that crosses the politics rule since it happens regardless of which side of the isle you like better. I may be crossing the line myself, but it's people who make a profession out of politics that kills us. It was supposed to be servant leadership, serving your constituents and then going back home to make a living vs. politics being your career.
 
Didn't see that article, but that doesn't sound right. But, even so, for every $1 million invested 22 years ago, becomes $8 million today, assuming they just invested in an S&P index fund. I had my money taken out of my check the past 22 years. The fat cats didn't do their part, which is why we are where we are at. Sadly, they won't be required to make up monetarily for their failures...
Here is the link...
http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article177157361.html

I've been in a 401 (k) since leaving Iowa and unfortunately, the hit of 2008 did a number on me, not to mention the lost earnings on the lost money.
 
Will also catch up with the previous posts but Norm, that sucks. Maybe crossing the no politics rule but I am really tired of our "representatives" doing everything they can to screw regular people to give tax breaks to their corporate buddies and the top 1%. I expect the Pirate Princess's and my health insurance going up at least 25% just because of the screwing around in Washington.

That's not breaking the rule. I go a step further. I think both parties along with the media to be just another form of social control. There aren't different classes. There is the wealthy 1% vs everyone else, and the control to keep it the way it is.

I don't know that crosses the politics rule since it happens regardless of which side of the isle you like better. I may be crossing the line myself, but it's people who make a profession out of politics that kills us. It was supposed to be servant leadership, serving your constituents and then going back home to make a living vs. politics being your career.

Servant leadership is Christian morality. It seems like our society has abandoned that.

Here is the link...
http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article177157361.html

I've been in a 401 (k) since leaving Iowa and unfortunately, the hit of 2008 did a number on me, not to mention the lost earnings on the lost money.

I've earned all my money back and them some since 2008. I've followed the Dave Ramsey investing advice, and am 100% in equity stocks.

As for that article, that would explain some things. It seems that the retirement system is a ponzi scheme that has run it's course. However, there is one thing the article points out and some others that it is misses. The one it hits is the average annual benefit is $21K + Health Insurance. So, it's not like employees are making a killing. But, the one it misses is that amount is actually skewed higher than the real average amount, as 10% of the retirement system funds are for past legislators and administrators who made the $100K + salaries. And, many of them are double dipping - retire at a high salary and re-hire at same high salary. Those are the ones that need to be addressed.
 
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Evening Gents.

Got the first basketball game in tonight, not a bad run.

It was great to see you guys didn't disappoint me today with all the comments on upcoming concert trip. Well done!
 
Morning folks.
Just about done work. Bed time. Catch y'all later. Play nice, now.
 
It was great to see you guys didn't disappoint me today with all the comments on upcoming concert trip. Well done!
You keep tossing' em up buddy, and we'll swing for the fences.

Afternoon boys from an autumnal London. West Ham tonight at 8pm our time, it will be DS's first time under the lights, if I can convince his mum that 10.45pm is an acceptable bed time for a 6 year old.

As Norm's work week is over, Pkondz has literally just gone to bed, Darcys off to see either fake nudes or real nudes, and I basically do naff all for a living now, I'm ready to call it.

That's it. Work week over. Everyone out. Last one in the Casino has to take Mother Gothel home. And let me tell ya, if she don't take her meds, she looks proper rough in the morning. Have a good Friday fellas.
 
And the hammer fell. The Governor introduced the retirement plan. And, since it is a Republican plan made behind closed doors and they control both sides of State Congress, it is sure to pass. As it pertains to me, a 3% cut in pay next year for health insurance. More significantly, current retirement plans will be converted to contribution plans, and retirement age will be 60.

This is absolutely devastating. I had 5 more years and then i could retire. Now, it would be 15 years. It was one thing to last at a low paying, low stress job for 5 more years. But, as i haven't had a raise in years, i can't afford to work another 15 with poor salary and poor investments.

Dude. That's awful. I'm sorry to hear that, Norm. Been through one pay cut myself, and that was not a fun year at all. We take less in salary in order to earn the pension and benefits. Totally wrong for them to pull a Darth Vader and alter the deal midstream.
I doubt that is the reason. It's probably just you. :scared1: :lmao:

And here I've been wearing deodorant and everything.

Being in the private sector all my career, I've always had a contribution plan but at least I knew that and could plan with it. Not easy to know when enough is enough and pull that trigger though.

Seems like we can't win either way. With a contribution plan, you have to gamble on the stock market and hope that when you retire, it's not in a year like 2008. Or that you work for a company like Enron. With the public sector, the pension is the long-term goal. Now we're starting to find out it may not actually be there.

New subject -
Netflix sent an e-mail explaining how thrilled I should be about their incomparably fabulous 15% rate increase.

Look folks...
If you're gonn'a raise prices, just do it and let me decide if it's worth it.
Don't insult my intelligence with propaganda and marketing ploys.

You're going to love our new tiered pricing structure! Oh, and Star Wars Land too!

I've been in a 401 (k) since leaving Iowa and unfortunately, the hit of 2008 did a number on me, not to mention the lost earnings on the lost money.

I hear ya. A lot of people in that boat. That was the year I had to take a pay cut.

As for that article, that would explain some things. It seems that the retirement system is a ponzi scheme that has run it's course. However, there is one thing the article points out and some others that it is misses. The one it hits is the average annual benefit is $21K + Health Insurance. So, it's not like employees are making a killing. But, the one it misses is that amount is actually skewed higher than the real average amount, as 10% of the retirement system funds are for past legislators and administrators who made the $100K + salaries. And, many of them are double dipping - retire at a high salary and re-hire at same high salary. Those are the ones that need to be addressed.

We have those games going on, too. At least they've been trying to close loopholes about double-dipping. They also stopped counting overtime hours towards your pension because people were massively abusing that as well.

We still are facing trouble with health care, though. I can't figure it out. I've seen article after article claiming the new health care laws have done an amazing job of keeping premiums down for Americans. Yet my government (firmly Democrat) is telling me that I have to pay more for my healthcare because the costs are skyrocketing. Which one is it? Hard to figure out the truth anymore.

Morning folks.
Just about done work. Bed time. Catch y'all later. Play nice, now.

Ah, back to the vampire hours, I see.

As Norm's work week is over, Pkondz has literally just gone to bed, Darcys off to see either fake nudes or real nudes, and I basically do naff all for a living now, I'm ready to call it.

Woohoo! One hour workday!
 
You keep tossing' em up buddy, and we'll swing for the fences.

Afternoon boys from an autumnal London. West Ham tonight at 8pm our time, it will be DS's first time under the lights, if I can convince his mum that 10.45pm is an acceptable bed time for a 6 year old.

As Norm's work week is over, Pkondz has literally just gone to bed, Darcys off to see either fake nudes or real nudes, and I basically do naff all for a living now, I'm ready to call it.

That's it. Work week over. Everyone out. Last one in the Casino has to take Mother Gothel home. And let me tell ya, if she don't take her meds, she looks proper rough in the morning. Have a good Friday fellas.


Took the day off to rake up the leaves before heading out to see the ladies. I'm hoping for a good blow today.
 
'Morning all...
I see Dan has already call it.
Too bad my Overlords still don't recognize his authority.
(bunch of pillocks...)


That's it. Work week over. Everyone out. Last one in the Casino has to take Mother Gothel home.
The odds always favor the house, but that sounds well and truly rigged.
Don't think I'll be placing any bets on those tables.


You're going to love our new tiered pricing structure! Oh, and Star Wars Land too!
Exactly...

Truth is, I believe they've already priced us out to an extent.
The last trip down included a good bit of time staying off world.
If we get down there again in the near, our lodging may well be entirely off world.
(otherwise, I doubt we could even afford the parks at all)


Took the day off to rake up the leaves before heading out to see the ladies. I'm hoping for a good blow today.
Always best to take the extra time to be sure to your tools are are well looked after.
 
Rough day today. The memorial service for the father of one of our neighbors was today. Our families have known each other for over 20 years and our kids are best friends. It was tough to she the grandkids talk about grandpa and my neighbor going though that roller coaster. He was ill for a while so it was expected but still.

Got the first basketball game in tonight, not a bad run.

Good luck to Declan.

Just about done work. Bed time. Catch y'all later. Play nice, now.

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. Play Nice? Us? Oh, i get it, you are joking. Good one.

That's it. Work week over. Everyone out. Last one in the Casino has to take Mother Gothel home. And let me tell ya, if she don't take her meds, she looks proper rough in the morning. Have a good Friday fellas.

Tough week for me. Normally I wait until the Mickey hands say it's 5 but maybe sooner today.
 
Rough day today. The memorial service for the father of one of our neighbors was today. Our families have known each other for over 20 years and our kids are best friends. It was tough to she the grandkids talk about grandpa and my neighbor going though that roller coaster. He was ill for a while so it was expected but still.

I'm sorry for your loss, CJ.
 
Have a good weekend gents!
Took the day off to rake up the leaves before heading out to see the ladies. I'm hoping for a good blow today.
Always best to take the extra time to be sure to your tools are are well looked after.
While you're out there, take a minute just to trim back that bush.
Sounds like Darcy needs a Garden Hoe
Rough day today. The memorial service for the father of one of our neighbors was today. Our families have known each other for over 20 years and our kids are best friends. It was tough to she the grandkids talk about grandpa and my neighbor going though that roller coaster. He was ill for a while so it was expected but still.
Sorry to hear that CJ.
 

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