I HAVEN’T done Nursing for over four years now.
I’ve retired myself in 2014, when I turned 45.
It doesn’t mean I will get a pension.
Or, that it will be great even if I do get one.
But I love the idea of being retired at 45.
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I love the shock on the faces of people when I tell them I’m retired.
I love it when they say, “But you are way too young!”
And I love it when they think I have too much money.
“Do you have enough savings for retirement?”
“Are you really that rich?”
And I just tell them, “I can afford it.”
And I smile.
And they think I’m Bill Gates.
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I retired to spend more time with my retired husband.
But he died that same year I turned 45.
Yeah, the same year I retired.
I don’t know if I just didn’t want to admit it.
But I guess I got depressed after he died.
Too depressed to go back to the workforce.
That’s what I say now.
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It’s not an official diagnosis.
I just didn’t want to go back to work.
I mean, I finally have some money.
Life is short; my husband’s death proved that.
So, why work so hard?
Maybe, it’s not depression.
Maybe, it’s just laziness.
Maybe, it’s me, not you. Haha!
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I’m a single gay guy again after my husband died.
I have (had?) some money.
I can live comfortably.
And live comfortably for the rest of my days.
If I keep my rate of spending money.
If my homophobic family can take care of themselves, I will die happy.
I will not be some old, poor, needy gay guy.
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I don’t understand having children for social security.
I don’t want to have my own children who will take care of me when I get old. Eff that!
I mean, if ever I will have children, I want them to have their own great lives when I get old.
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If ever I will have children, and they’re grown, I don’t want them to worry about me.
I don’t want them to worry how I spend my money.
Or how I squander their future inheritance.
When I get old, I will buy boys who will take care of me.
I can afford it!
But before I get that old, I want a harem!
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I turned to writing after I retired from Nursing.
Kinda full time, but not really.
Since it didn’t rake in a lot of money.
How can you be a full time writer without a respectable income?
I got some high profile literary successes though.
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But still, I don’t think I’m doing as much as I want.
Let us see: I’ve continued my Palanca winning streak, and that’s always a good thing.
In 2015, I became the first Filipino author ever invited to the Sharjah International Book Fair in the Middle East. That’s a singular honor I will forever cherish!
In 2016, I authored a Creative Writing textbook for the Philippine senior high school. With an Editors’ Choice Award to boot.
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I’ve maintained my writing workshops whenever I visit the Philippines.
And I’ve kept up with the literary and artistic mission-vision of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc.
I made a controversial movie in 2016, albeit just a short film.
And I’ve reinvented myself as a stand-up performer in Iloilo City. Two shows in 2017; two shows in 2018, and the year is not yet over.
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In the US, I’m playing the good uncle, the good neighbor, the good guy next door.
I also stay online mostly for my fans, and the students who research me.
I’m an online resource person for anything and everything from sex advice to relationships, suicide hotline to Hiligaynon translation, literary stuff and assignments involving interviews with artists/writers.
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I’ve also been traveling like I have all the money in the world.
I mean, as far as mileage and tourism coverage is concerned.
I actually travel pretty cheaply.
In my grand European tour, like 17 cities of it, I survived on one banana, one apple, and 1.5 L of water a day.
Well, that one is very true on some days, but only partly true on others.
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Look, if I’m traveling, I don’t like eating a lot.
It makes me feel heavy. And I don’t like that.
And I like walking when exploring a new city.
I also like to be able to run to catch a bus or train, or whatever.
By whatever, I also mean boys! Haha.
So bananas and apples do it for me.
And water is perfect for hydration.
I seldom have coffee; but when in Italy, I want my cappuccino.
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But, but, but, I also like exotic food.
So I splurge on delicacies and local treats.
I am definitely for eating local.
I mean, what’s the use of going to Germany or the Czech Republic if I don’t get to taste their famous long sausages?
But I’m not into popular restaurants, just because they’re popular.
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Still, in Dublin, I went for broke.
The trip was in honor of my late husband.
Who was part-Irish. And had wanted to go, but didn’t make it.
So, I spent some of his money on that trip.
My three days, two nights in Dublin is one of the most expensive of my European tours last year.
And I didn’t even buy two Irish lads!
Oh, wait, did I? (500tinaga@gmail.com/PN)
