October 2018 Las Vegas at MGM Grand - Highlights

I just completed a fabulous 3-night stay at MGM Grand in fabulous Las Vegas. This trip was an offer I could not refuse!!!! I received a comped offer for 3 nights in Vegas at MGM Grand during Southwest's annual Fall sale.  So comped nights and reduced airfare was an offer I could not refuse!  Hence, that made of a nice October getaway in fabulous Las Vegas!!

From Sunday to Wednesday, I shared many many photos, videos, posts and Facebook Live. So, members received some nice types of trip reports during my October 2018 stay.  Instead of doing 3 trip reports, I am writing about 10 highlights of my October stay.

1. Wonderful travel day, thanks to Southwest Airlines.  The plane had a mechanical issue, so we had to deplane BUT, another available plane pulled up to another gate and I was off to Vegas in 1 hour.  Southwest has a large fleet of planes, so I continue to LOVE Southwest Airlines!

2. Age of Automation!!!  My entire travel arrangement was essentially electronic! This age of automation reduces wait time in lines.  Here's how...

• Air travel - booked online.
• SuperShuttle- booked via their app.  Long line at McCarran's kiosk, BUT, no wait for me.  I checked in via the SuperShuttle app..... YES!!! I went immediately to the van!!!
• MGM Grand- Pre-checked in right at MDW. Notification sent to me 15 minutes  before I arrived at MGM.... like 30 minutes as soon as my flight landed... YES! Nice representative at the Mobile Check In.  I was in my room in about 45 minutes of landing at McCarran!!

3. RTC 3 Day Pass! This express bus got me to and from Fremont fast on each of my 3 days!

4. Excellent Play Time at Slots!  I am a realist. So, my play time was long, controlled and focused on play time, not hand pays.  It works for me!!!  YES!!!  Best casinos were MGM Grand, El Cortez and Downtown Grand!

5. Commitment to Fitness!  Able to complete 10,000 powerwalk steps every single day.

6. Good Social Media Engagements!  I really enjoyed the real time photo-sharing, video sharing, posts / replies and Facebook Live.  I enjoy sharing my Las Vegas experiences with others who are passionate about Las Vegas.

7. Ancient Aliens and Chopped Marathons!  I love those shows... I watched the marathons via MGM Grand's cable/TV/satellite.  Nice receptions!!!

8. Frugal Spending.  I took my tea packs, water bottle, snacks, ate at McDonald's for breakfast and Subway.  Everyday was lunch at El Buen Pastor in Fremont.  Hey, I cook big time at home, so I do not seek to eat in Vegas.  I do fine dining in Chicago... not in Vegas.  I do gaming in Vegas, not dining. I'm just saying how I roll...

9.  No spending at MDW and LAS.  Listen, purchases at any airport is expensive.  BUT, I was ready! Zero "0" spending!!!!

10. Empty Middle Seat.  Yes!!! Yippee!!! The middle seat on my return flight home was empty!!!!

In conclusion, I love Las Vegas!  But, I do more than simply traveling to Vegas.  I have my own Las Vegas Group page, come join!!!  Its a  bit different, its more like my Las Vegas blog.  Come check it out.
I cook and enjoy cooking.  I have a nice group called Cooks Who Host.  Just regular folks who cook and we are called to host dinners and casual events.  Come check out that group.  Really wonderful members there.
I am also a lifelong, native Chicagoan and I love my city.  I promote local events in the central downtown beautiful area of Chicago.  If you ever visit Chicago, you will want to check out this Page.

Here are my links:

Adults in Las Vegas
https://www.facebook.com/groups/543277526065798/

Cooks Who Host
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1077807192386917/

Chicago Speaks Local Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222182274466496/

Central Chicago Events
https://www.facebook.com/centralchicagoevents/


Thank you again!!!!

Frugal Airport Planning

I have been a air traveler for many years going back to about 1979 for professional conferences. In recent years, my travels have been predominately from MDW to LAS for my Las Vegas getaways! So, I know a whole lot about have expensive time can be in airports.

For my many travels to Las Vegas, I know that a lot of money can be dropped in an airport. However, I do not factor associated airport spending in my travel plans.  Today, I am more frugal that ever with travel costs.  So, I am always engaged in critical thinking and planning to keep travel costs as low as possible. Just last month, while in line to board at McCarran, a guy was in front of me and displayed a fantastic idea!  On the sides of his backpack, he had 2 water bottles filled with tea!  Apparently, he saved his empty water bottles for entry through TSA.  Once past security, he filled his bottles with water and added the tea mix!! How smart!!!  I will start doing the same, from now on!!

In the meantime, here are some frugal airport travel tips:

• Purchase snacks before travel day.
• Purchase tea packs before travel day.
• Secure empty 8 ounce water bottles before travel day.
• Prepare favorite sandwiches morning of travel. 

Hence, once I arrive at Midway, there is no need to spend money unless I want a cup of hot coffee.

Going to McCarran on the way home, well, there is nothing much I can do. The only thing I can do is pack my empty bottles for TSA, then fill with water and mix with tea.
For snack, I'll just pick up something from Walgreens, CVS or the ABC Stores before travel day.

I think this is a workable, practical and frugal travel plan.  Yes!!

Happy travels!!

1st Summer in Retirement

Summer 2018 was my very first full season in full retirement. June 12, 2018 was my last day. THANK GOODNESS!!

The summer of 2018 was a very busy and full season for me. On my very last working day, I strategized my full retirement plan, celebrated my birthday the next week, then flew to fabulous Las Vegas.  Nice start!!  This is how I spent my summer of 2018...

Created a fantastic Facebook Page (@CentralChicagoEvents) where I promote and share events in the central area of Chicago.  This has been a major business effort!!!  Searches, evaluation of venues, creation of databases, redesign of a Facebook Group and design of this Facebook Page have taken a lot of time!!

My condominium community now has a website were events can be submitted.  So, I submit all of my targeted events to this website with the utmost professional appeal.

Because I promote events, it is important that I attend many of them, take photos and promote on my Central Chicago Events Page. Here are the events that I attended:

• Taste of Chicago
• Toast of the South Loop
• Humana Rock & Roll Marathon
• South Loop Beer & Cider Fest
• Windy City Wine Festival
• American Dream Reconsidered: Eric Holder
• American Dream Reconsidered: Common
• Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest
• Annual Senior Fest
• Bronzeville Echoes at the Chicago Cultural Center
• Folded Map exhibit at Loyola Museum of Art
• Shopping Spree at Niketown

There were other nice things that I did this summer, beyond my promotions which were:

• Las Vegas with stay at Encore in June
• Las Vegas with stay at the Wynn in July
• Las Vegas with stay at the MGM Grand in August  (Yes, I love Las Vegas!)
• Big Greek party at former worker's place... always fabulous
• End of Summer condominium party

As soon as I fully retired, I increased my powerwalks from 30 minutes to 1 hour... practically every day.

I even got time to relax at the swimming pool!!!!  So relaxing!!

I have done a lot with my Facebook Groups!  One is growing by leaps and bounds!  So, I have to do regular surveillance to ensure proper posts by members.  This is a lot. Another group is Las Vegas focused, so it requires regular updates to ensure interest of members.  I also created a brand new group for folks who cook and host dinner events. That group requires a lot of attention to ensure members who post recognize that I appreciate their contribution.

Finally, I love Korean food. I located a nice vendor in the Thompson Center in downtown that is in a food court.  I enjoy this!!!

I also remain professionally active by attending local conferences.

As you can see, I had a very busy, BUT cost-effective, low cost and extremely active 1st summer of retirement.  A lot of thinking, planning, strategizing and engagements have been required. No way do I intend to sit at home.  I have more information coming up for the Fall season, but stay tuned to my blog as I will be doing more!!

7 Success: Seven Points for a Holistic Retirement

7 Success!  Seven Points for Achieving a Holistic Retirement!

YES YES YES!!!    I FULLY retired in June 2018!  Retirement has been a progressive process for me over 7 years. I believe I worked harder during my early retirement years. I reflected on full retirement during those years; as a result, I created the following 7 points to enjoy retirement. I'll just list the points for now, and will blog later on each point. 

Folks in their mid-50's should already be engaging in retirement strategies. Folks should NOT retire, then try to figure out what to do with free time. That will not work. I speak from experience!  I have been active in every single point for at least 15 years before I fully retired. 

Hopefully, my following 7 Success points will be of benefit to you before you retire!

                          7 Success!  Seven Points for Achieving a Holistic Retirement

• Physical Fitness
• Prudent Diet
• Stress Management
• Financial Management
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Social Engagement

Retirement - August 2018

Yes!!!  I am officially retired!  Just think, I used to say, "Oh, I'll never retire!"  Just remember... Never say never!

My path to full retirement has been progressive since I VERY early retired back in 2011.  In 2011, I resumed working full time in 2 weeks, but in the private sector.  In 2014, I had enough so, I started teaching once a week.  After 3 years, I noted very dark nature of students in the for-profit sector.  Very dark and menacing.  Totally beneath my standards as an educator who upholds quality education.  

My last day to teach was in June 2018.  I rejected an offer to teach in July 2018.  I am happy with my decision!  Never compromise quality standards!!!

Now I am fully retired and enjoying it. Listen, at some point, we all must retire, but we better have a good plan to enjoy retirement.  Hence, my subsequent blogs will be about what I am doing during my very welcomed retirement.

Right now, let make clear what I plan on NOT doing during retirement:

• Volunteering- those days are over!  I did a lot of volunteering when I was working.  Organizations tend to "use" good volunteers.
• Sit around the house- got to stay active.

What I plan to do?.... Stay tuned to my upcoming blogs!!!!

Anatomy of Warfare on Facebook

 

So much nastiness and meanness on Facebook. I am not referring to differences in opinions, but to the viciousness of folks. Its almost just like war. It so ugly and unnecessary. Here is what I blog as the "Anatomy of Warfare on Facebook".

Anatomy of Facebook Warfare

1. Surveillance: Those who sit back and watch your every post, but never clicks a reaction.
2. Espionage: Those who spy THEN they run and tell folks who do NOT have a Facebook account (or even a computer) about your posts.
3. Ambush: An act of sharing from your timeline without first clicking "like".
4. Propaganda: When someone disagrees with your posts, create a meme negating your post, then posts that antagonizing meme on their own timeline.
5. Provocation: Subtle, nasty replies to your comments/posts.
6. I.E.D.: Nasty "hidden" chain letters sent by insincere fiends to your Messenger
7. Ambush: When an unexpected "unfriend" action occurs.
8. Proclamation of War: When a block occurs.
9. War: Direct, outright posts and comments of hate.
10. Nuclear War: When the online spats extends into the real world.

 

Listen Facebook folks - Keep this stuff decent. If you see a post you don't like...just scroll on!

My Thoughts on Retirement

I early retired some years ago, but continued to work full time in the private sector. In the recent 2 years, I have reduced my hours to where I am semi-retired.  This is an ideal situation for which I shall now blog.

I now go into work 1 day a week. That is sufficient. I am very careful about my time and expenses as a semi-retiree.  Here are some pointers...

Time:

• I have essentially retired from all volunteer duties. These days,  I only do small reviews for 1 nursing association.  It is sad that younger generations are incompetent. Hence, many things that I have done will never be performed by others.  Many places have followed the "lynchpin" approach to management.  When that 1 vital person is gone, everything collapse. So sad.
• I give my grateful thanks be to God every day for his blessings bestowed onto me.
• My big focus now, is daily powerwalking for the health benefits.  This has been great, but, after 10,000 steps, an older person can do little else. Ha!
• I continue my learning by going to conferences.  I need to stay up-to-date as I continue to teach weekly.  I have always loved conferences.
• I look forward to my quick getaways to Las Vegas. So much fun. May try to do monthly.  This is only doable for retirees.
• I enjoy attending wine-pairing events in my general and surrounding area.
• I absolutely love the social media stuff including Facebook and Instagram. I just love creating memes and getting on my soapbox to espouse my views and passions.
• My son loves to dine out, so we do this once a week. I also make time for dining with my neiece and nephews.
• I love cooking, watching cooking shows, collecting and sharing recipes. Holidays are family events at my place where I can strut my stuff.
• I visit my sister weekly and enjoy that sisterly time together.
• When relatives have gatherings, I make it a point to attend and celebrate.
• I especially enjoy the casinos.  But, I am very controlled and cautious. Its the fun, the lights and just being around folks that I really enjoy in the casinos. Ain't gonna be any winnings and ain't gonna be any big losses at the controlled penny slots. I am very careful with this type of fun.
• When I go to work on campus, I am in and out.  I have no interest in socializing. I am dedicated to quality teaching and investing my time to ensure my students receive excellent education from me.  Co-workers are users and I have no time or interest with them.

Expenses:
I keep this as low as possible!!!! I am very careful about expenditures. I like being retired, because when fiends approach me to donate... I tell them, I am now retired.  When I worked full time, fiends from the workplace and church always approached me to buy tickets or something.  Good riddance to that bullshit!

Recommendations - 10 Points:
1. I strongly recommend that folks carefully plan out retirement early in their careers.  I have no advice on financial planning.  But, just try to enhance your skill so that when retired, you can find something to supplement your income.

2. Focus on that supplemental job BEFORE you retire. Try not to have any gaps in employment.  Part-time is ideal.

3. Learn about computers programs.  Mainly Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook.  If a retiree knows nothing about these important computer tools, that person is shit out of luck.

4. What will you do for recreation? You got to keep your brain active!!

5. In your older years, how will you get fit and stay fit? I recommend a fitness tracker and 10,000 steps per day.  The health benefits are awesome.  Its hard to exercise AND work.  So, retirement days are the best.

6. I never encourage folks to retire.  So folks post on Facebook they are planning to retire.  I ignore them.  They are just having a hard day at work and retirement is the only way out of that stress.

7. Get a cheap laptop to stay connected with the real world.... at a safe distance.

8. Consider the freebies!!  This is so doable in Chicago. So many FREE things to do... if you are smart.

9. Don't bother contacting co-workers.  Remember, those were co-workers and not friends.

10. Be wary of volunteering! Don't do it!  Folks will feel that you have time to do work.  DO NOT DO IT!!  Enjoy your later years of retirement.