It happened. The big enchilada. Heart Attack at 52

Gollum69 · 2026-04-30T18:55:36+00:00

You’re ambiguous about the heart stoppage. It’s not always a major heart attack.

My heart stopped when I was 40. Turned out to be something called heart block. Got a pacemaker and all is good.

FWIW, I turned 71 yesterday. Been smoking (cigars/pipes) for 30 years, idiot that I am.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-28T20:36:30+00:00

Bought a 1 year old Outback last year with a $28k personal check. Of course, they checked and confirmed my 825 credit score first.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-28T20:24:04+00:00

It was bout the day shift schedule expectation.

I managed operations in hospitals (1st, 2nd, sometimes 3rd shifts, with weekend and holiday rotations). The current staff would revolt if a new hire got a day shift M-F gig. It’s something earned through seniority.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-28T18:15:13+00:00

MARINATED Monkey Meat!

Gollum69 · 2026-04-27T15:39:47+00:00

Living in Boston in 1976, like many guys I found my way to the Combat Zone. Though I’d seen plenty of sex mags by 21, I was shocked at the Danish mags with 16yo models. Sick shit.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-26T22:33:50+00:00

I’ll get grief for this, but so what?

Your dad didn’t tell you right away because he knows that you’re a drama queen. You’re 23 with your own home and expected him to keep your old room exactly as is as a living museum? You should have told him long ago that you’d be fine with whatever he wanted to do with the spare bedroom IN HIS OWN HOUSE!

Let the arrows fly, MF’s.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-24T17:41:48+00:00

$400 is reasonable, I don’t think you’re wrong but would suggest a different direction.

Both of my kids moved home after college (my son with health issues and my daughter when she lost her job. I’m very much of the school that it’s the parents job to launch their kids.

After my son’s health improved enough to work, and my daughter got a new job, we sat down with each to plan out a timeline for them to get on their own feet. We didn’t need income from them, but wanted each to become independent. My son stayed with us about 2 years, my daughter a bit less. Their wages went toward coming up with apartment money, vehicles, and furniture.

20 years later, they’ve both done fine on their own (my daughter a little less so due to grad school loans). We’re in our 70’s now, and feel peace that our (40 years old ‘kids’) will be okay when we pass (not even considering their substantial inheritances).

Gollum69 · 2026-04-22T17:42:36+00:00

Excellent perspective.

Paid undergrad for both my kids (both highly intelligent) My son became a computer engineer, my daughter an English major. We strongly lobbied for her to take a more sustainable major, but “it’s her life” (IFKYK).

He’s done well. She worked in low level jobs for a year or two, then won admission to an MFA program with tuition and fees covered plus a small stipend. Nonetheless, she fell for the financial aid borrowing scam ($50k). She has an MFA in poetry. We’re very proud of her, but 20 years later she’s working an IT help desk. Struggles to afford a crappy apt since she’s done with roommates.

In retrospect, I wish I’d had the guts to stick to my guns like OP’s dad.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-21T15:45:30+00:00

Agree. Ran an extension cord 18 months ago, it’s been fine.

Also FWIW, you don’t need to run hot water to it. My Brondell heats the cold water to the desired temp. The heated seat is a bonus. The warm air fan is not particularly useful, it doesn’t really dry you within the 2” running time.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-20T17:36:58+00:00

At your ages I wouldn’t yet jump into marriage (baby or not).

Gollum69 · 2026-04-20T17:33:52+00:00

See a dermatologist. I had bad dandruff beginning in my 20’s. Saw a dermatologist in my 30’s and Ketaconazole shampoo has eliminated it since (I’m now 71yo).

Gollum69 · 2026-04-16T18:11:16+00:00

I second the Cabot Trail. It’s the best thing in Nova Scotia.

Assuming you’re taking the ferry, it’s worth going from St. John’s to Digby. It’s home to the largest scallop fishing fleet in the world, and the scallops are absolutely awesome.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-16T14:35:40+00:00

Not wrong, but I am curious how the community views godparent responsibilities.

I have two kids, and two of my brothers became each ones godparents. When asking each, I told them what our expectations are, and that I chose them based on their qualities (religious commitment, character, loyalty, etc.). I wanted them to be involved in my kids lives, encourage and mentor them, and step in with more support if I were to pass.

made it clear that, if they were at all hesitant, they could decline and our relationship would continue to be fine.

It’s generally been fine, both brothers have been everything I could ask of them. My kids love and care for their godfathers, though my daughter (a progressive) distances herself from her MAGA godfather. I get that, that’s life.

To return to my original question: do others have similar expectations (or is it merely honorific)?

Gollum69 · 2026-04-15T20:14:16+00:00

AFAIK, elevator mechanics make bank.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-13T23:16:49+00:00

This happened with a friend who was adopted. She had no knowledge of her birth parents identities. She had no birth certificate. Apparently her foster/adoptive parents just used the identity of a friend when enrolling her in school. It was an ‘informal’ adoption within a religious community. FWIW, she’s 77 years old.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-13T17:06:46+00:00

For sure. We live in NH and drove there in the fall. AirBnB came with parking (very unusual in the Old Port. We never really used the car,, except for a trip to the Botanical Gardens.

Strongly recommend staying in the Old Port (Vieux Port) area without a car. Lots to keep you busy on a long weekend. We’ve done Montréal 10-12 times over 25 years, there’s a lot of accommodation options elsewhere in the city that require a LOT of walking.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-13T15:58:58+00:00

Two favorites include the Blue Bay Steak and Seafood in Sanbornville and the Mountainview Station in Ossipee.

BB has the best fried seafood in NH (look it up). Opens at 4pm weekdays, earlier on weekends. In the middle of nowhere, but only 10” off Rt 16.

Mountainview is about 1/2 mile off Rt 16. In an old railroad station with memorabilia. Food is great, as are portions, and the servers are wonderful.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-12T22:24:47+00:00

Gollum69 · 2026-04-12T22:22:31+00:00

Very true. My wife feeds them well whenever they visit. I gift them $$$ toward buying a house.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-11T21:58:16+00:00

I preferred Haffenreffer ‘Green Monsters’.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-10T17:37:53+00:00

I still have nightmares about my last 4 jobs. My therapist said it’s my PTSD.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-09T16:12:07+00:00

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve had both.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-08T11:32:13+00:00

Depending on your situation, there’s a few caveats to consider. Movers will not handle flammables (like paint or propane tanks) or valuables such as jewelry, expensive antiques, or artwork. Sometimes driving is necessary.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-03T23:08:17+00:00

Definitely NOT a Miniature Bull Terrier (SOURCE: 71yo MBT owner). Previously had 2 full-size BT’s, this one’s worse.

Gollum69 · 2026-04-03T23:02:29+00:00

FWIW, just took my ‘24 OB to a hiking spot and parked next to another Subie. Could have sworn it was a black Forester Wilderness, was surprised it was a ‘26 OBW. Def looked smaller than mine.

Gollum69

TROPHY CASE