h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sounds idyllic, Paul. I wish I could retire right now...

It's a great feeling, having an entire cinema screen to yourself, isn't it?

I'm glad that you're enjoying it, Paul! I had the same thing when I was unemployed for 2 years, but no money! And the guilt of being out of w*rk made it difficult to enjoy the time off.

When I was working, I thought of America as two societies: the working people who have too little spare time, and the people (mostly retired) who have time on their hands. In order to feel that I have really lived, I am being quiet serious about exploring the best possibilities of both worlds. I have friends who take lots of courses at a continuing education place. There's an older lady who used to be in my book discussion group. She has invited me to concerts at a local church, and student musicals at a local college. This makes sense when you think about it, because college and high school performers need to have audiences. Their relatives might not be able to come, or might not be numerous enough to fill the hall. I feel that I'm there for them when I go to their shows. In some way, I feel that I'm part of what is going on.

Of course you are - and a very valuable part. What would music be without an audience? Like a tree falling in the forest without anybody noticing?

We're very lucky to live in Oberlin. We have an arts college! There are lots of free concerts by students. And free music in Tappen Square every Friday during the summer. I love it!

We have free jazz concerts in the town's square every friday throughout the summer - only sometimes it isn't jazz but people singing about dead dogs

Definitely part of the "working people with no time" half of society. There are always free concerts and shows around, and even not free ones that I'd like to see, but never have any time.

Now I have a reason to retire - I just have to find the means!
(off to up my 401K contribution and buy a lotto ticket)

Good thinking!

Just noticed that tomorrow's band plays electric blues. We'll see how that goes

"We're very lucky to live in Oberlin. We have an arts college!" [Shea]

I know a prominent Boston-area musician who went to Oberlin. Oberlin is sometimes mentioned as a good bet for retirees looking to relocate to a community with good opportunities for concerts and shows.

I hadn't even heard of it until we were shown this house. The Realtor drove us around the city, and I thought somebody made it just for me!

Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary played here a few days ago. I didn't go. I felt no urge to hear "Puff the Magic Dragon" live.

Have you no taste?!!

Actually, I do. Which is why I didn't go.

That was one of my favourite songs... when I was about five.

Seeing as how I'm CONSIDERABLY older than 5, I found it difficult to get excited about it.

Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey occasionally have solo gigs in the Boston suburbs. Mary Travers doesn't perform because she has passed on. Old folk singers don't seem to have a limit on how old they can be and still perform. Carl Sandburg seems to have kept doing his thing into his eighties, as did Pete Seeger. Tom Paxton continues on, too, though I think he aims at a children's audience.

As far as I know Svend "The fiddling viking" Asmussen is still playing. He's 95.

Slogan seen on a button: "If I had a hammer... There would be no more folk singers."

I think they would try to stay out of hammer range.....

heeheehee

Chuck Berry still performs regularly at Blueberry Hill in St Louis, and he still tours (he'll be in Durant, Oklahoma tomorrow night), and he'll be 85 in October.