60 Arrived.

Last month was my 60th birthday. I can't believe it arrived. For almost a decade I was dangling around telling people I'm in my 50s. Now that is not the case, I ponder what now? An R&B singer, Aaliyah had a song titled,  "Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number". I thought of this, and say, really is it just a number? 

To me, it's a statement that I'm no longer in "that" demographic of individuals who are under 60. I'm with the group now that borders on pre retirement age to full on, no longer working. Well generally. I think of my high school classmates who are all turning 60 this year in 2025. To think just 35+ years out of high school we were young and invincible. As life moves on, we take on our careers, family, and new lifestyle of being adults. i.e. paying taxes, voting, and managing our lives as best as we can. Surreal. 

Union Square, San Francisco, CA  

Personally, as I prepare my impending retirement from my current employer, I'm a bit anxious and at the same time excited. On the other hand, fear creeps in my mind, as a single middle age man I constantly ask myself, "Do I have enough to retire?", "Will there be someone to take care of me as I age if I'm unable?" I've always been independent, self reliant, and been on my own for the most part of my life. But those two questions seem to haunt me in my mind and in my retirement plans. 

Today, I skipped going to the gym. My excuse was I'm getting over a cold and didn't have the energy to deal with crowds of people in my gym for a body pump class. The other reason is I simply didn't feel like it for a Monday. 

Union Square, San Francisco, CA  

As I reflect and begin to embark in my new decade of my life, my thinking as changed on focusing on my age. It wasn't an issue before but at this AGE, it seems to be an issue. I begin to think, "I'm I slowing down on my workouts?" "Has my mental health becoming an issue if I stop working?" "Will a flight of stairs become a crazy thought of falling?" Some of these things seem to bother me. 

But I do know that I can only control what I can. Adapt with a new way of living. The other day, I played a tennis match with an opponent who appeared older. In the game of tennis he played serve and volley strategy. Which is when he serves, he moves towards the net to cut off my return, basically shorten the point or rally. I stopped doing that years ago and decided to play at the baseline. The other thing I've decide not to do is chase down a drop shot. A while ago, my doubles partner said to not chase these balls down as I'm not as quick as I use to be. I tend to disagree. I want to get every ball as if I was still a 16 year old. Sadly, it's true, I have to adjust my game with my 60 year body and just let it go. Again, adapt. 

Union Square, San Francisco, CA  

I'm a few months away from choosing a full retirement from my current job, finances has been utmost my main concern bringing doubts on whether it's ideal to retire. Maybe I'm forcing the issue as I turn 60. I spoke with others who retired before me and many of them agree, they wished they retired sooner. I know I'll find something else to do with my time; spending time with family, pick up a new hobby or continue with the ones I have, and also travel as much as I can financially in the next 10 years. Some say it's the "go go" years, which I'm able to walk, run, and handle the rigors of travel. When 70 arrives, it may not be as worthwhile, this decade they call the "no go" years. 

My eye is still on the prize to retire early while I can and enjoy my saved earnings to do some of the things I would enjoy. I'll stay in my rent controlled apartment in San Francisco, and another two years, my home outside of the City will be paid for so more disposable income in my pocket. This I believe will serve me well for the first decade of enjoying retirement. As 70 comes into play, I'll have this extra money and nowhere to go to enjoy but find that my medical expenses might be where my money will be used for. I'm generally in good health. Gained a few but for the most part I'm managing. 
As July arrives, I hope to be in a much better outlook with myself personally, mentally, and financially. 

Union Square, San Francisco, CA  

Again, adapt as this will come in from time to time. 

Union Square, San Francisco, CA  

  

Rainy Day Review to Retirement Next Year

I'm taking in the stormy weather we've been having in the Northern California area to stay in to do a little writing. It's been a few days after Christmas and I'm really feeling the sense that my desire to retire in 2025 is literally around the corner! 

As I select July 1st as my last day in the office, standard protocol in submitting a retirement/resignation to my employer is generally 3 months. This allows all the paperwork to be processed just in time before I walk out the door. So starting in April I'm letting my director know I'm leaving. 

Personally, I still feel the anxiety and wonder if it's the right time, will I make a mistake by retiring too early, all these crazy thoughts start to surface in my head and making me second guess my decision. 

But as there is constant rain pouring outside my window, I'm given some calmness that all my preparation has been more than enough. I've crossed all my T's and dotted my I's, and it's really going to be my best foot forward to make the move at this stage in my life. 

As for the following, I think I've covered them all, well the ones that I'm aware of. 

FINANCES, ✅

SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE, ✅

HEALTH & FITNESS, ✅

HOUSING, ✅ 

To be honest the only thing that might surprise me is the roller coaster of mentally being prepared. Cross fingers all the networking with previous retirees, watching retirement preparation videos on YouTube, and simply talking to family and friends, sort of "calms" me versus freaking out. 

One person told me that I can prepare as much as you want and also holding off one more year before retiring will never establish reassurance. But I know one thing is that I'm embracing the TIME I have for me to take on another chapter or take on something new. Sure, spending time with family and friends more is a given, and traveling will be top of my to do list, i.e. bucket list new destinations will be the fun part. But going it alone might be a tad stressor for me versus thinking independence. That's for another blog. So for now, enjoying the sound of rain outside my window gives me pause to really settle in and hope 2025 will be exciting, comforting, and new for me. I need to change it up ! 

Where Do I Live After Retiring?

 

This has been such a common and important question many soon to retiree(s) need to make a decision. Do I stay or should I go? Sounds like a song lyric, but the truth is, yes where do I decide to live after retiring? 

City Living 

Here's my predicament, I live and work in the city where my job is so, it makes sense to be centrally located to where my job is - right? But, when you decide to leave, should you relocate? I live in an apartment in the city that has rent control. Many say once I leave, I can't come back as the cost of living for housing will never be the same. On the other hand, I also have real estate property outside of the city. This will be paid off soon. I could live there and forego any additional rent paying in the city. But I don't want to live in a remote setting. For me, I'm a city slicker, I love the city vibe, the convenience of walking out my door and getting a cup of coffee and sit and take in the city setting. Where as living in a remote location, I have to get in a car and drive somewhere to get coffee. Financially it makes sense, your saving money on rent in the city and soon enough no mortgage to pay in a couple of years with the real estate outside of the city. 

In reality, I could keep both and enjoy living in the city to bide my time until my real estate property is fully paid for and I still have a place in the city. All I have to do is just pay for property tax, utilities, and maintenance, which will still be manageable. I think I answered my own question(s), it will be tough for a couple of years, but there's an expense for traveling I must contend with. 

Soon after retiring, I'm told no big decisions should be made for the first month. For example, moving, making a large purchase, etc. Also, from what I've read, it takes about 4 months after retiring that you feel that you've really retired. That's when reality really sets in. I need to set aside funds for some travel once retiring, that should really hurt me, but a budget is needed. 

As much as I prepare in advance in my inevitable retirement date of July 1st, there's always something nagging that I have yet to do or need to do. I constantly look at my check list on items in my financial, social, mental columns to be sure I didn't miss a thing. 

But I can only hope that I've covered as much as I can prior to retiring. Like the movie directed by Mel Brooks, The Twelve Chairs, set in the 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest, and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution. A song in the movie titled, "Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst". I rather think of the positive aspect of retiring. 

Overlooking the City from Angel Island 

The journey continues! 

Years. Of. Compassion. AIDS Walk San Francisco 2018

AIDS Walk San Francisco beneficiaries 2018

I've been part of this event for a number of years and find this to be one of the most satisfying personal causes in which I've participated in. I hope you will join me on this continued journey in supporting me by making a donation here to AIDS Walk San Francisco.

AIDS Walk San Francisco recognizes that no one organization can meet all the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the event emphasizes not one voice, but many voices; not just services in one city; but rather the Bay Area-wide effort to bring this epidemic to an end.

In my blog, I appreciate your support, and hope you are able to join us at Golden Gate Park for the Walk on Sunday, July 15. 
Mahalo! (Thank you in Hawaiian) 

Fundraising page: https://sf.aidswalk.net/edgar

Part. Of. Family.

One week ago today, our boxer, Jack died during a Sunday morning walk around the neighborhood. I knew he wasn't well in the last couple of years, but did't want to admit that he was getting old and his health was failing. The gregarious and easy going Jack smelled everything along the way. That is how dogs usually see their world, by their sense of smell.

His death was sudden and quick, his heart failed. He collapsed and his paws were sprawled on the pavement. I quickly held him up to try to revive him at the same time calling my partner to come over and help me. But sadly, the remaining minutes we tried to save him ultimately turned to comforting and looking at him with compassion until he took his last breath. It was devastating. I cried and cried. We lost someone who was part of our family, our life for almost 10 years.

 
So, today, I'm celebrating his life and sharing his image to remember that he wasn't just a dog but an amazing addition to the family. We've gone through a lot together. Sometimes we take for granted of his constant companionship and think he'll always be around, but this day has come where he won't be back. I will have my moments but certainly, my thoughts and smiles will always be with this loving animal, just Jack, happy dog!

UCSF Prepares for AIDS Walk San Francisco 2012 | www.ucsf.edu

UCSF Prepares for AIDS Walk San Francisco 2012 | www.ucsf.edu

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UCSF Team Shows Spirit at AIDS Walk San Francisco | www.ucsf.edu

UCSF Team Shows Spirit at AIDS Walk San Francisco | www.ucsf.edu

Tough Times Didn’t Break Stride in San Francisco AIDS Walk

Members of the extended UCSF community, including their families and friends, on Sunday joined with 25,000 other people to fill Golden Gate Park to raise money for research and treatment programs for those who are living with HIV/AIDS and to help prevent new HIV infections.

“You helped make a powerful statement, and your fundraising efforts helped us raise $3,502,729 for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and 63 other Bay Area HIV/AIDS organizations,” AIDS Walk organizers said on Monday. “Thank you for making this year’s AIDS Walk San Francisco such a success!”

While donations are still coming in, the amount raised so far is a million short of the near-record $4.5 million that was raised in AIDS Walk San Francisco 2008. But the crowds gathered in Sharon Meadow looked just as large and seemed as spirited as in previous years.

For its part, the UCSF contingent, consisting of nine separate teams and more than 200 walkers and volunteers, raised about $30,000. That’s down from the $53,000 that UCSF collectively raised in 2008 when it finished in 10th place among the top fundraising teams in AIDS Walk San Francisco.

In the friendly campus team competition for the coveted AIDS Walk Trophy, preliminary results show that the new UCSF Global Health Sciences team is in the lead with $6,270 raised as of July 20. The UCSF School of Medicine team is in second place with $5,977 raised, and the UCSF School of Pharmacy team is in third place with $4,833 raised so far.

Down, But Not Out

Donations were expected to be down this year due to the downturn in the economy, which affects everyone – especially those UCSF employees who will see their salaries cut anywhere from 4 percent to 10 percent beginning September 1. All UC employees were informed of the pay cuts following the UC Regents’ vote on July 16 to approve a furlough program as one way to offset an anticipated $813 million reduction from the state general fund in support of UC’s 10-campus system.

Despite that bad news about UC’s budget, UCSF faculty and staff still shared conversation, danced to the music, walked the six-mile trek and ate lunch in the park, some grateful to still have a job. Many veteran AIDS walk participants were happy to see the cold, gray fog give way to sunny blue skies about midday. In years past, weather for the AIDS walk had been characteristically chilly for summer in the City by the Bay.

Even an employee who was recently laid off at UCSF volunteered her time, along with about 60 others who checked in walkers and handed out T-shirts and boxed lunches to the UCSF participants.

Showing his team pride and sense of humor was James Betbeze, director of admissions for the UCSF School of Dentistry, who donned his “Minty Fresh” costume, which made him look like a giant tube of toothpaste.

On a more serious note, many participants are drawn to the event every year to honor their loved ones who died of AIDS.

Vera Harrell, an administrative assistant in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and members of her family wore T-shirts in memory of Vern Kittling, her twin brother, who died of AIDS.

“I participated in the AIDS Walk in memory of my twin brother, Vern Kittling who passed away of AIDS,” Harrell says. “He was involved in AIDS research and did everything he could to contribute to research including voluntarily participating in AIDS studies as a human research subject. This year, two of my daughters and a niece joined the AIDS Walk in honor of Vern Kittling, my loving twin brother. Each year, I will bring one more family member.”

Edgar Micua, who served on the UCSF AIDS Walk Steering Committee and led the UCSF School of Medicine team, says the event is a tradition. “Every year I participate in the AIDS walk to honor my dear friends and family who have been affected by this epidemic,” he says. “Raising money and awareness for this cause is very important to me and gives me reason to smile because the funds we raise will keep HIV/AIDS programs alive for people who need help in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.”

Jennifer Dowd, who also served on the steering committee and led the Campus Life Services team, recalls her late friend and UCSF colleague Red Mangio, well known for his passion in the fight to combat the disease. “There are a lot of familiar faces that keep coming back year after to year, both walkers and volunteers, to honor his memory and continue his commitment to the UCSF AIDS Walk team. He would be very proud of that.”

Over the next few weeks, UCSF team leaders and representatives of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation will work to collect outstanding pledges for AIDS Walk San Francisco.
Prizes for the top fundraising team and the individual who raised the most money will be announced next month in UCSF Today.

Tough Times Didn’t Break Stride in San Francisco AIDS Walk - UCSF Today

Tough Times Didn’t Break Stride in San Francisco AIDS Walk - UCSF Today

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UCSF Seeks Participants for San Francisco AIDS Walk

Faculty, staff, students and trainees are invited to participate in AIDS Walk San Francisco, the annual trek to raise money for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment.

AIDS Walk San Francisco is a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) walkathon that benefits the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, in addition to several other local AIDS service organizations, including the UCSF AIDS Health Project and the Lesbian Health & Research Center at UCSF.

Join a UCSF Team

As in past years, UCSF has formed a number of teams that are busy trying to recruit members and raise the most money in a friendly competition to win the UCSF AIDS Walk Trophy, a bronzed New Balance running shoe formerly worn by Chancellor Mike Bishop, MD.

As the top individual fundraiser in 2008, Edgar Micua, who leads the UCSF School of Medicine team this year, received a MacBook laptop donated by UCSF Finance and Administration.

UCSF AIDS Walk participants and the individual who raises the most money also will be eligible for great prizes, including a MacBook laptop, as well as Macy’s, Best Buy, Hornblower Cruises, Mission Bay Foods and Asqew Grill gift cards.

UCSF will be offering members of the campus and community at large who participate in AIDS Walk San Francisco with discounted parking at the public parking garage on the Parnassus campus. From 8 a.m. to noon, a flat rate of $5 will be charged to those who either show their AIDS Walk T-shirts or AIDS Walk San Francisco registration papers.

Members of the campus community can go to this AIDS Walk San Francisco webpage to join one of the following 10 teams:

• UCSF AIDS Health Project (Team 1573), led by Rebecca Gitlin
• UCSF Campus (Team 0094), led by Lisa Cisneros
• UCSF Campus Life Services (Team 1420), led by Jennifer Dowd
• UCSF CMCN (Team 1981), led by Octavio Nevarez
• UCSF Global Health Sciences (Team 7930), led by Robert Mansfield
• UCSF Graduate Division (Team 0096), led by Julia Clark
• UCSF Residents and Clinical Fellows (Team 9921), led by Amy Day
• UCSF School of Medicine (Team 0091), led by Edgar Micua
• UCSF School of Pharmacy (Team 0093), led by Jeffrey Kaminski
• San Francisco General Hospital (Team 9505), led by Regina Glass

Last year, the combined UCSF teams raised more than $53,000 and ranked 10th among the Gold Teams. See this list for Gold Team information.

Edgar Micua, who works for the UCSF Center for Health and Community and leads the medical school team this year, was the top individual fundraiser last year, garnering nearly $3,500 from his friends and co-workers. For his hard work, Micua received a MacBook laptop, which had been donated by UCSF Finance and Administration.

The UCSF AIDS Walk Trophy was awarded to the UCSF Campus team, led by Lydia Derugin, formerly of University Advancement and Planning. Derugin, who served as a member of the UCSF AIDS Walk Steering Committee, accepted the trophy last summer.

Since 1987, AIDS Walk San Francisco has raised nearly $70 million for HIV programs and services in the Bay Area. In 2008 alone, 25,000 participants — many of whom were members of more than 900 corporate and community teams — raised a near record sum of $4.5 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and 58 Bay Area HIV/AIDS organizations.

Source: UCSF Today

AWSF Top 50 Teams & Walkers as of 6.22.09

Edgar Micua $1,590.00

AIDS Walk San Francisco 2009 - General Donation

AIDS Walk San Francisco 2009 - General Donation

Treasure Island Triathlon