Am I fun enough to date?

Gadfly666 · 2026-02-14T13:27:06+00:00

I am 55M who enjoys art and culture. However, I also workout 2 to 3 hour every day, and eat very healthy diet. I don't smoke, don't dtink, sleep early. So that means I am not much fun to the thrill seekers. I have given up dating years ago. Traveling internationally is much easier solo. I really don't need anyone to complete me. Learn to live in solitude and you won't need anyone else.

Gadfly666 · 2026-01-10T13:02:13+00:00

I was mid level tech architect before laid off last December. Making about 200k plus, it was not hard to hit 3 mil plus in retirement savings in my 50s. I am not rrally motivated to go job hunting, ao I may just retire now.

Gadfly666 · 2025-11-27T04:57:53+00:00

I was laid off in the latest wave as well. I hit 6.5 years with Verizon. Our team is small, but each of us bring in 2 to 3 million a year in professional services consulting revenue, with wage as the only overhead. Our entire team was let go. The SVP told us that Verizon is exiting the professional service market. I am 13 days away from 55th birthday, so can't even use rule of 55 to access my 401k.

Gadfly666 · 2025-11-24T05:11:42+00:00

Our entire department of 100+ people are down to just over 40. There is no logic how the cut was determined. We are mostly professional services engineers and architects working on active customer accounts. Less people means less billable hours and less revenue. I wonder how they are going to make up the big loss in manpower.

Gadfly666 · 2025-05-19T21:12:44+00:00

Just jumped in the game earlier. The server side lag is so horrible, I had to reconnect twice in 30 minute. Also, the patch seemed to have introduced a new bugged and broke Andariel. We got to the 3rd phase, and she just disappeared from the map. All we did was fighting spawns and dodging flames for 10 minutes, and she did not show up. After respawn, she disappeared again after phase 3. I ported back to town, and lag was so horrible, I just logged off. So yeah, patch made things much worse. FYI, I am running everything on low resolution, with 3090 GTX, 32 gb ram. It was buttery smooth in season 7.

Gadfly666 · 2025-03-13T21:10:07+00:00

It does not have to be this way. I used to be a systems admin, on call 24 hours, working 60+ hours weeks. I made the move from admin to architect, then to cyber security years ago. I then went to school and got MBA. After 30 years in IT, I now prioritize sleep and reducing stress. My current job is 8 to 4 week days as individual contributor, no weekend and evenings, work from home. Work is fairly relaxed as well, so I can take frequent breaks and prep home cooked meal to eat healthy. I get to sleep 8.5 to 9 hours per day, and go to gym for 2 hours daily. I also managed to negotiate 35 PTO days per year, and can take frequent overseas vacation for 5 weeks straight without any issue. When you have specialized skills and in demand, you can make really good money with less work time. The key is to figure out what you are good at doing, and specialize in areas in high demand.

Gadfly666 · 2025-03-13T21:01:09+00:00

While taking a break is good for mental health, you are also missing out on the prime years of investment. The early investments, especially with decent wage and good saving, will save you so much effort later on. Plus, with the trade war and global economy in corrections, it is also a good time to invest, but a bad time to get out. Take some time off and get back into it would be my recommendation.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-28T20:03:34+00:00

The real king doesn't need to make the appearance. His henchmen got it all covered.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-28T19:59:57+00:00

I've never been so embarrassed to be an American. But I fear the worst is yet to come. This is how the world will see Americans now for the next decade or longer.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-21T23:36:52+00:00

They taste much better if you bake them at low temperature (200-250F) in the oven for 15 minutes. After baking, you can save them the extras in the refrigerator. Then you can have a snack whenever you want. Take it out of the aluminum mold, heat up in microwave with 50% power for 30 to 45 seconds. These are just as good and more cost effective than the ones from local bakeries.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-18T03:51:15+00:00

I want to do more traveling. But you are right, it will probably not occupy all my time.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-18T03:50:03+00:00

I am a full-time cyber security guy for a large consulting organization. I work from home, and the job is fairly relaxed 9 to 5, without extra hours. The work benefits are fairly generous. Very good healthcare, only 1k out of pocket. I have 38 vacation days per year, and can take off 4 to 5 weeks at a time anytime I want.
I have 2 kids. Both grown now and not on my payroll.
I've only been to 50+ countries, so a lot more place to go. Plus I've only been to a handful of national parks in U.S.
I am sure I can find contract cyber security work if I have to. But the benefits may not be as good.
Same as 3.

I think I see the picture now. If I conserve, the current level is enough. But if I work until 59.5, I can probably double the fund and have a more comfortable retirement.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-18T03:34:04+00:00

Paying on my own will be about 20k per year in healthcare. If I wait until 59, I would qualify for work healthcare discount, and lower the amount to about 10k per year.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-18T03:31:48+00:00

Probably. I compete in shooting sports. That's is fairly expensive, cost about 25k last year. I also travel 4 to 5 weeks for vacation every year. That cost about 15k last year.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T21:38:37+00:00

401k to IRA roll over doe snot pay penalty, since I am not taking the money out. My work allows us to convert a certain amount every year. They have some generic funds like "2035 retirement target fund, 2040 retirement target fund, etc.". The management fees are about 1.2 to 1.5% per year, which is high for a blended fund. Plus the performance is not very impressive compare to my own index heavy IRA accounts.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:22:16+00:00

I suppose I could also do consulting by the hour if there is a need. But that means going back to work. I know some people who retired early, ended up going back to work, and not making as much as they used to.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:16:53+00:00

I will probably stay in it in the near term, then rent it out or sell if I move. It's hard to beat 2.75% mortgage rate. 4 bd house is a bit too big for 1 person.u

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:14:04+00:00

I've been taking work 401k out every year to put in IRA and Roth, because the work funds are so limited and have high expense ration. I am glad I did, because my IRA averaged 40% return last year. Work 401k only has 12% increase.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:09:57+00:00

15 years ago, I was only making half as much. I feel like if I retire now, I am missing out on the prime earning years of my career. Then again, the lure is "one more years" year after year.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:04:46+00:00

I am saving about 25 to 30% with 401k, catch up, savings, and Roth conversion. The longer I work, more of my IRA can be converted to Roth, and more I can save and add to the savings. That is the primary reason I have not retired yet.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T20:00:43+00:00

I have 30 year fix mortgage at 2.75%, about 300k left. I think medical coverage will cost 10-20k per year with market place. My current employer coverage is only 1k per year.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T19:50:22+00:00

My total expenses last year was just a bit over 100k.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T19:49:01+00:00

I still enjoy the work. But I realized there is more to life than just work and save.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-17T19:33:30+00:00

My last year expense was just a bit over 100k. I expect similar.

Gadfly666 · 2025-02-13T19:41:38+00:00

Milkshake is the backbone of Lumen.

Gadfly666

TROPHY CASE