Retirement and Deckchairs

Just bought myself a 107cm plasma.  We decided that anything bigger would involve extending the lounge.  Hopefully it will be delivered this week.

Bought a lot of CDS too.  Three albums by the Eels, Art Brut, The Wombats, Animal Collective and Battles.  Again haven’t got them yet.   I’ve bought them from my secret cheapo supplier.  It takes a while for them to get here.   I did receive a Toyko Police mini album and a Low album which are awfully good.

Business is good at the moment, albeit stressful.  Having to rely on drunk immature knob-ends is not good for the heart.    But I’m feeling confident I can retire at 54 now and start my dream of sitting in a deckchair full-time.  When I’m 54 I will have been working for 40 years.   High time for a well deserved rest.

Holidays, The Polish, Plasma TVs, Motorbikes and Magdeburg

I’ve already sorted out my holidays for this year.  Easter we’re visiting my Mum in Tenbury Wells.  I’m hoping to visit a few chums and swap a few CDs with them.  Summer hols we’re going to Poland for 2 weeks.  Rented a holiday cottage with a Polish cook.  Not sure what the grub will be like but she’s got really good reviews from previous guests.   Everybody thinks I’m mad for taking my car there.  I personally trust my Polish neighbours.  Then in Autumn I’m going to the horsey farm above Magdeburg with my daughter.   Then for Christmas we’re going to Seattle for 3-4 weeks.    Sounds good but I’m getting depressed looking at my work schedule I’ve lined up for myself to pay for all the holidays.  I’m also very keen on a 90 inch plasma TV and there are about 300 cds I want to buy.  Plus I should be topping up my pension plan and saving for the kids college fund.     

Other plans for 2008.  Going to try and get my motorbike licence. I’m not sure if I can afford this and plus I think I have to do a written test in German.  Used to ride a bike in England for 3/4 years.  I never bothered getting my licence because back then you could ride up to 250cc without a full licence.  I think this idea is connected to my mid-life crisis.

Other ambitions are to open another school in Magdeburg in Jan 2009.  I need to start planning this in June 2008.  

I want to lose some weight for health reasons.  Basically as I understand it fat people die early.  I don’t mind looking fat but I’d rather live to at least 75.  I think this involves not drinking so much beer, not stuffing so many sausages down and doing exercise.  I’ll give it some thought.