I grew up at an early age in Kailua on the windward side of Oahu then left to attend the San Francisco Art Institute in 1972. In 2012 I was laid off after 24 years as a medical claims rep for a couple of HMO’s and a physician’s group. Having failed to secure meaningful work, I filed for early Social Security benefits, after collecting over 60 weeks of unemployment benefits, ACA insurance marketplace subsidies covering most of my health insurance premium and my employer’s separation package. You with us Craig? I’m waiting for Harry Reid to announce approval of another extension of unemployment benefits. Later that same year I moved to an Emeryville converted warehouse loft lowering my cost of living. Property values were still depressed from the 2008 subprime mortgage bust, short sales and foreclosure sales listings were numerous. After many years spent in an impaired state, I began to paint again.

My supervisor one morning called me into his office. Someone reported that you’re drunk. No, just hung over. I’m required to ask. You understand Craig, as we exchanged wry grins. He was hung over too. 

I envisioned a wind turbine anchored on what was beachfront property, now a marine reserve. There's what appears to be a memorial plaque attached to the base, but I can't quite make out what it reads. 

Life is compressing and getting more interesting, curses are not boring.