THE GOOD LIFE AT 15 CRAIGSIDE

What could be better than a nearly two months around the world trip, mostly flying, but also including three different cruises, plus six days in New York City?   I called it OMG Adventure, for Our Momentous Global Adventure.  The journey was, indeed, monumental and mostly enjoyable.  We were most thankful, however, for maintaining good health throughout the circuit, as we caught 11 planes (where I more recently reported that this is dangerous regarding COVID-19) and two out of the three cruises had covid outbreaks.  There were days when I thought, boy, wouldn't it be nice to avoid all this stress by staying home.

Home is 15 Craigside,  a senior's community in Honolulu.  We go on trips because we're getting old, for every one could well be the last.  We do have a major adventure coming up this fall/winter, with two cruises, one from Seattle all the way through the Panama Canal to Southampton (UK), then a second being on a European Christmas river boat.  But about 15C, the weather here is the best on the planet, and more so within our building, we are free to do nothing, or participate in a wide range of activities.  For example.

• I tend to go golfing weekly.  I now ride a cart, but still walk an equivalent of 3 miles or so.  My pedometer readings last week and this past Wednesday.  Even though I'm mostly riding, those are also 3-mile walks.  Exercise is crucial, and we also have a wellness center with all those machines, plus assorted classes for balance, strength, Tai Chi, yoga and the like.

• My retirement attitude is, if I'm asked to do any volunteer work, I want to be paid.  I now only do things for myself.  However, there are exceptions.  For example, the residents of 15C put on a three-day (lasts all day) summer course for children of our staff.  A dozen students are taught what we are taught:  ikebana (flower arrangement), bon odori (a Japanese summer dance festival), and so forth.  My assistance is minimal, but how can you not participate?  I would lecture them on the Blue Revolution, but that kind of teaching is too much for the summertime.

We get community orchestras and bands to regularly entertain us, as for example below, Legacy.  They play music old people like.

Quite a choice.  I picked the Strawberry Snowthie.  Of course, they are free.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I walked through each floor of our building to see if Covid-19 had spread in the building.  Found five doors with all those scary signs.   However, while I was at that, I also took a few scenic photos of our sights...if you don't mind graveyards.

I was born in this year of the Dragon.  Events to come.

They do sometimes treat us like we are kindergartners.  Some things also I just don't do, like bingo, tea time and line dancing.

I'll close with a hopeful sign for the future.  There was once a Vintage Cave Club in Honolulu.  You paid a  $5000 membership to have the finest Japanese meal you can find anywhere.  I thought this was the best restaurant in Hawaii.  The cost of each visit is deducted from your balance.  You also have access to fine wines, but can also store your own wines in a personal locker at the Club.  The artworks on the wall were museum-like, as for example, 19 Picassos.

Well, it suddenly closed during the pandemic and a fight with the Ala Moana Shopping Center.  VCC also kept our wines and balance, which was not much anyway.  Then, when we were just away for our global adventure, I got an e-mail saying to please pick up my wines.  Also, the balance can be spent at their Tokyo restaurant

So today, I pick up my wines.  I also checked out the internet what I could learn about Vintage Cave Tokyo.  Apparently their membership price is $10 million, so the restaurant food and service must be fabulous:

Membership is limited 999 members globally and 

requires a US$10 million membership participation per member.

The VCC 999 fund will be managed by the joint venture in 

New York between Stifel and VCC 999.

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