So Wifey and I successfully avoided First Seder on account of we figure without kids -- we don't have to do that no more. The boys are with Joey and his family, D2 and Jonathan are with Jonathan's half brother and their whole family, and D1 is at old family friends --- texting us that apparently a Lefty Boomer is starting political discussions to great hilarity. Wifey and I ate some schmura matzah, and that was it. And then, since I am OCD and learned I can apply for Medicare the first day of 3 months before I turn 65, I set out to do that.
I joined the SSA website years ago, and check it for accuracy and dream of the checks I'll start getting at either 67 or 70, depending on which theory I choose. The increase is 8% per year, but since I would probably just invest the money anyway, if I lose out of those 3 years, it may make less sense. Plus, if I don't live that long, it will have made sense to start earlier.
But Medicare -- hell -- I WANT that July 1. So I signed on, and couldn't find a place to actually register for Medicare. I called a few govt folks, and then -- I got an error message. I got through to a worker, pleasant enough but who kept telling me I couldn't apply for Medicare until May anyway, until she realized that in fact April was 3 months before. Lord.
But then she said she found the problem. SSA has me being born July 12, not 18. What????? The site has been letting me on and showing my correct birthday for years now -- why the mistake? Well, she said, she would make me an appointment at the SSA office in Cutler Bay for Monday -- and they would work it out for me.
Great. Precisely what I was hoping to avoid -- actually interfacing with government people. My passport renewal was fine -- did it all on my phone without even having to visit a passport office. But now I have to schlep to SW 211 Street Monday am.
Wifey had to go once, as she has a complicated name situation -- sometimes she used her birth name, but later the less old Jewish lady Hebrew name. So she had to visit the office, too, when she was getting Medicare, and had an appointment but still had to wait a few hours.
I have the time, of course, but not the patience. But, as Tony S says -- what are ya gonna do? I plan on bring my passport, driver's license, and even birth certificate. Probably they'll ask for a water bill, too.
July 12? What the hell. Must have been that the 8 looked like a 2 sometime during the past 50 years. Who knows? Hopefully I get 'er done and stop those $2200 per month Obamacare premiums after June...
Meanwhile, tomorrow we have our non-seder, seder. We plan to bring in Middle Eastern food from a place called Turko -- and Paul and Patricia will be joining us. Paul joked that he plans to lead a formal seder that will last hours. I told him after Jonathan and I down a few martinis -- he can do whatever he wants.
The boys will take part in a tradition -- watching the Rug Rats Passover episode. They love it -- it'll become sort of our family holiday movie tradition -- like watching "It's a Wonderful Life."
I think Friday Little Man gets another sleepover before I re-home him before noon Saturday -- then off to see soccer in Naples -- the team his uncle owns.
Kenny scored some free Canes baseball tix on account of being a Navy veteran -- haven't been in a few years and am looking forward to that.
Speaking of Navy, a former Navy Captain just piloted a moon rocket tonight -- Artemis II -- first trip to the moon since 1972. It brought back memories -- I wanted to be an astronaut since I can remember -- like the vast majority of American boys of our era. It was sweet to see the craft blast off and go into orbit. I guess the plan is to land again in 2028 -- maybe this time they'll find Alice Kramden...
So this is Pesach. Wifey has on a TV service from some Reform temple in NYC -- girl rabbis. Ha. What's next?
Here's to a great unleavened week...
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