Each month, the President of CMERA, Chuck Cullen, publishes his account of the universe we live in. His post may include information, news of interest to retirees, and/or opinions of the world around us.
Contents of The President’s Perspective are those of Chuck Cullen solely, and may or may not reflect the views of the Governing Board.
President’s Perspective – September 2026
General Meeting
Only one month until the Fall General Meeting of CMERA. The Fall newsletter is at the printer and will be set to go out in a few weeks. Some (those who requested it) will receive a copy emailed to them. Everyone else will get their newsletter in the mail. The newsletter will have more information about the General Fall Meeting and provide updates and information about CMERA. The date is Saturday October 10 at the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati located at the corner of Reading Road and Linton Avenue. There’s parking across the street. Coffee and donuts will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. when the meeting starts. This is also a great time to join CMERA, renew your membership, or update your contact information. If you cannot attend, we hope to have the meeting recorded and posted to our website afterwards. The newsletter will have a membership application/renewal form for your use. Don’t forget – Saturday October 10th.
More Technology
Several years ago, I purchased a Fire TV Cube. This device interfaces with my TV to combine my over-the-air stations with streaming platforms into one voice-activated controller. I only must ask it to perform a task and it obeys – usually. I need not search for the remote to watch shows. It will also provide a weather report and tell me the time upon command. I can turn on the TV; play a video; search for a movie or program; adjust the volume; etc. It will not, however, get me a beer. To activate the unit, I must first speak its name, Alexa, followed by a command. Alexa responds by confirming the command. Until recently, the response was always “OK.” Now Alexa has received an upgrade. It will now vary the response. So, if I instruct Alexa to turn off the TV, it may reply by saying “OK,” “Got It,” “Alrighty,” or my favorite, “Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.” I hope the next upgrade will program Alexa to get me that beer.
Less Technology
Last month, I mentioned the lost practice of having a gas station attendant fill my tank and wash the windshield. I must be getting old and nostalgic because now I am remembering other services once considered common that have disappeared. I recall:
- My pediatrician making house calls because my family did not have a car.
- The milkman delivering milk to the house. (I would sometimes sneak the brown paper tag notice on the porch delivery container. This would alert the milkman that my family wanted a quart of chocolate milk.)
- The city worker placing up to two garbage cans each week from the side yard to the curb on the morning of trash pickup. I had to return them to the curb after pickup.
- Dial phones and party lines (a sharing of a phone line)
- Phone numbers that began with a word abbreviation (RE for Redwood, ME for Melrose, etc.)
- 3.2 beer (a reduced alcohol content beer that was available to those between the ages of 18 and 21.) They were produced with a red cap on the bottle.
Neo Lives!
Like most of you, I receive an occasional call from a company called Matrix Medical. They try to get you to submit to an in-home visit from a member of their staff. Yes, it is part of our plan with Anthem and yes, there is no cost to you, and yes, it is an attempt to promote better health, but it also can be a nuisance. The first few times when they call I politely say, “not interested” or “no thanks.” But after that………..
Matrix: “Hello, Is this Mr. Cullen?”
Me: “Yes.”
Matrix: “Well I’m from Matrix Medical and I’m calling on behalf of Anthem.”
Me: “Matrix!!?? I saw that movie. I don’t want anything to do with the matrix.”
Matrix: “No, we have nothing to do with the movie.”
Me: “How do I know? Maybe you are really Agent Smith trying to stop me from taking a red pill?”
Matrix: No, Mr. Cullen. Do you know that your plan covers the cost of a home visit?”
Me: “So, you just want to locate me at home. Maybe you think I will lead you to Morpheus.”
Before there was further dialogue, the phone line suddenly fell silent, followed by a “click.” End of call. I’m waiting for their in-house mental health staff member to call me next.
Open Enrollment Period
Be on the lookout for mail from the City Retirement Office announcing the medical, dental, and visions insurance options for 2027.
Until next month…