I am still alive

@topffer (42156)
France
March 28, 2021 10:03am CST
I am sorry to have missed myLot since several weeks. I was supposed to retire last month, but, as I can do it, I have decided to do 1 year more, maybe 2. 2 would give me a full pension. I lost too much time in colleges. For those who don't know, I have a PhD in international criminal law. I did it to make my parents happy ; however my own happiness was to be an archeologist, so these years were lost. Or quite lost. Recently Academia.edu sent me a link to an article of somebody quoting my thesis in a country that Trump would call a sh*thole country. My big mistake was to click on it. Now I am informed of any article from the law college of Yaoundé... Speaking about articles, I have ended the final proofreading of a big Covid confinement baby (56 pages) which is in press now, and I am working hard on another one with a dead end on April 15th, but I may have finished next week, so you will see me for Easter on myLot. I still follow the news, and I find incredible the speed of vaccination in USA. We are lacking of vaccines here. France is no more what it used to be, but America is great again. Take care of yourself and see you soon.
27 people like this
26 responses
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
28 Mar 21
I am really glad to see you back. In Italy you can "buy" the years you studied to have the full pension, but it is expensive. My brother "bought" because he studied many years to become a doctor. It was not a good idea, when he finally retired, three months later they called him to help at the hospital for Covid.
7 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
Nobody will call me to save Pompei I cannot buy my missing years here, but some people can, it depends of the work. 2 years more would be 200 euros/month more... I am happy with what I do, it is not a big deal, but I will certainly stop before a good friend who is still active at 75
7 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
@LadyDuck I don't know if I told you, but I have a good friend who is now curator of the national roman museum in Rome. I have just to learn a bit more Italian and to marry an Italian girl like him, and I may be named in Pompei. I am too lazy to continue until 75, it is crazy.
6 people like this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
28 Mar 21
@topffer It is a shame that no one will call you to save Pompei, they should, there is a treasure still to be discovered there. If it's not a problem working a couple more years and you enjoy better not to stop now... but not continue until you turn 75.
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
2 Apr 21
I have missed you here, Top, and was worried about you. I had allergic reactions last week so wasn't here very much. I'm sure that's the reason I missed seeing this discussion. You know you can stop getting stuff from that link any time by going into your settings and removing the cookie, right?
3 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
4 Apr 21
Sorry to read that you were sick last week, I hope everything is right for you. I got a hay fever this week, birds of a feather fly together No, I did not knew that a cookie could stop the emails sent by them Where is this cookie ? Is it an academia.edu cookie ?
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
11 Apr 21
@DaddyEvil Thanks you vert much, it seems to work
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
6 Apr 21
@topffer Yes, feeling much better now, thank you. Yes, that's the one. Just delete it from your computer and you should stop getting that type of email from them.
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
29 Mar 21
Just glad to see you back and safe and well. I was just thinking of what you might be doing and I have more or less guessed right. What goes on here you know that Spain is different to everywhere and everybody else. In Gibraltar now is how it will be here in a few months time maybe.
2 people like this
• Pamplona, Spain
30 Mar 21
@topffer I prefer to take the day from a stance of how it was before we got invaded by all this stuff and all the rest of it never ending news of doom and gloom. Plus all the reality junk that they are trying to get us to swallow none of that. They are using strong social themes like violence and stuff like that not very helpful to anyone as if we don´t already know what is what. When they give up trying to treat us like little kids is when people can relax more. Hence Nino Bravo and happy things is the way to see more clearly the times ahead. Hold on a bit I found something useful to you well I think so its about the beautiful castles in Wales. I so love Wales it has peace all of its own. The real Prince of Wales comes out there Llewellyn Guffud.
Historian Marc Morris details the history of the British castle. Each episode details either an era of castle-building, what they were used for, and/or focus...
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Mar 21
@lovinangelsinstead21 I am still on Nino Bravo, Youtube sent me to his best hits, and I have opened the windows to share with people walking in my pedestrian street to make them forget their mask a moment. I do that maybe twice a year, it is my release valve day.
N. BRAVO SUS MEJORES ÉXITOS - N. BRAVO 30 GRANDES ÉXITOS ENGANCHADOSN. BRAVO SUS MEJORES ÉXITOS - N. BRAVO 30 GRANDES ÉXITOS ENGANCHADOShttps://youtu.be/pA6B...
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Mar 21
I am also pleased to see you again Sue Spain is not that bad now compared to France. Many French are going to Spain where they can go to restaurants again. And I saw yesterday a news about an open concert in Barcelona. I am jealous
2 people like this
@much2say (55601)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Apr 21
Oh my gosh, how could I have missed this post from about a month ago . I had been wondering about you! Well good that you had been back afterall . I can understand getting that full pension . . . you are so close, so why not. That keeps you busy during these still crazy times, so that is a good thing. Vaccines - the rollout here has had its share of hiccups, but we have not had problems for the most part. My parents are both vaccinated fully. Hubby and I got our 1st dose earlier in April - the next appointment is in May. My daughter is eligible, but it is a matter of finding her an appointment. And my son is still too young. Both kids are still at virtual learning. I hope it has sped up in France!! I hope you are doing well otherwise! You take care too!!!
2 people like this
@much2say (55601)
• Los Angeles, California
24 Apr 21
@topffer Not for work, but I have had a year full of online meetings for school - and I know how "fun" that is . My concern here is the reopening of things - and too quickly for my taste. The cases are supposedly very low, for now, but what happens with the upticks in our other states, and other countries. If people are going to travel, and mix and mingle, we are inevitably never going to get out of this . I am not in favor of celebrating too early . . . some of us remain extra cautious still while others act like this pandemic is done already . I hope you get vaccinated soon. The eligibility level here now (in our part of CA anyway) is 16+ . . . so my daughter makes it in . . . but it will be a while before anyone under that gets vaccinated, including my son. And for 16-17, it's only Pfizer. We do not pay either, but I wonder about future booster shots, which will most likely be needed. I just realized our 2nd dose will be next weekend! Grumbling - yes - I have a lot to grumble about too - and I'm not even French .
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
22 Apr 21
A full pension is not a lot of money more when you have reached the legal age to retire, and I was very tempted : I work at home since 1 year with online meetings, and it is not fun. I was thinking last month that we were not far from the end of this mess but I am less sure now. Despite of a new confinement the number of cases is still very high here. Very good to read that you have been vaccinated I am eligible to vaccination since 1 week, but only with AstraZeneca, and this one has a bad reputation, I am waiting for the Johnson & Johnson, also opened for my age, but it is not yet available in my area. Due to its giant bureaucracy this country is a diesel engine, but, yes, it is launched now, and France is vaccinating at high speed, but only people above 55 and health (soon education) workers for the moment. Your daughter would not be eligible before next year. We don't pay for vaccination and all workers blocked because their shops (restaurants/cinemas/etc) are closed because of the confinement are paid by the state, so we should not complain, but I am grumbling with others, or I would not be French
3 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
26 Apr 21
@much2say You are ready to ask for the French citizenship We will get rid of this virus only when enough people will be vaccinated. The sooner the better. Many shops are closed here, maybe too many (Is there a health interest to have closed the shops selling clothes or shoes ?) People will become mad here if we continue to live in prison. Especially the youth, a generation has been sacrificed during this crisis.
2 people like this
@emine08 (1551)
• Indonesia
17 Apr 21
hi Topffer, still remember me?
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
22 Apr 21
Sure ! pleased to see you back at myLot
2 people like this
@emine08 (1551)
• Indonesia
23 Apr 21
@topffer finally coming back to this site. how are you topffer?
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
24 Apr 21
@emine08 Like most of the world I am waiting to be vaccinated...
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
29 Mar 21
I am so glad to see you back. I was worried about you. I would work for another 2 years too for full pension. Yes, Americans are getting vaccinated at a record pace. My husband and I have had 2 shots of the Moderna vaccine. We are both over 70; so we were high on the list. Have a good week.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Mar 21
@LindaOHio I read that the AstraZeneca vaccine does not protect against the South-African variant, but with the Moderna it should be ok 3 weeks after the vaccination. What we don't know is how long the vaccines last. The vaccination should be opened to me in May, for the moment only the 70+ can be vaccinated or the younger with health problems.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
29 Mar 21
@topffer I hope you are eligible for your shots soon. I agree that this pandemic is far from over. Two members have gotten the virus twice; and one member's daughter caught the virus even though she had both shots. We must continue to wear our masks and stay vigilant. Yes, I would retire while I was still young enough to enjoy it! I hope you have many, many years left!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
30 Mar 21
@topffer My husband and I have received both Moderna shots. I hope you will get your shots ASAP.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Mar 21
Glad you're still alive. Hang in there.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Mar 21
Happy to read your humor again
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
28 Mar 21
In my country, we are great as vaccines are (we have a culture as vaccination goes) but both the authorities and the population, specially youngsters, are absolutely stupid so we have now more cases than we did last year and we are again in complete lockdown.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
We have also a lot of cases now, but only a curfew+bars and restaurants closed. It is difficult to call youngsters "stupid", they want to live their life, and are a bit more in a hurry than us. Thinking at it, I would also probably have been also stupid at 20 years old.
3 people like this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
28 Mar 21
@topffer THe word "stupid" is relative. I´m 75 years old and in my country now the covid cases are in the range of 45 and 55. That´s because the government allowed indiscrimate vacations. The beaches were packed. And the nearby small towns had no hospitals. The elders now are at home (like I am) and there are no beds in hospitals occupied by seniors.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
@marguicha It is not far to be the same gere. It does not sound good.
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
28 Mar 21
Good to see you back Here in India people are getting vaccinated daily and hope in few months we all be vaccinated and will fight with the corona.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
Thank you, I wish you so, I would like to see this nightmare behind us, and the normal life back again.
3 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
28 Mar 21
@topffer even I hope everything comes back to normal
2 people like this
@cherigucchi (14876)
• Philippines
29 Mar 21
Happy to see you again. I have not been active for quite a time. I hope to hear a lot from you again
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Mar 21
Thank you, it is nice to see old friends again
2 people like this
@cherigucchi (14876)
• Philippines
29 Mar 21
@topffer That is correct. Hope to see more often around
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
22 Apr 21
Wish you could retire but good you do what is best for you.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
22 Apr 21
It will not be a lot more money each month and I was tempted to give up at 62, which is the legal age to retire. I may retire next year if the covid mess has not ended.
2 people like this
• Arvada, Colorado
23 Apr 21
@topffer Yes perhaps next year. I had already retired I am 65
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (35574)
• Philippines
15 Apr 21
Glad you are back. Though I don't usually have conversation with you on our discussions, I would say, I am happy for those who come back here. 56 pages - that's a lot of work for sure.
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
16 Apr 21
Or a lot of confinement Thanks to have stopped here, I appreciate
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Mar 21
It's good to see your name appearing again. It's a pity you can't get the full pension but if you enjoy your work, why would you stop?
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Mar 21
It is also nice to see you, thank you. The main reason is the covid : since a year, I am fed up of meetings through videos, and of all places of culture closed to the public. If I have decided to continue at least 1 year more, it is because I think that we will see the end of this nightmare soon.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Mar 21
@topffer Surely, once more and more people are vaccinated, the virus will become less prevalent.
2 people like this
@YrNemo (20255)
8 Apr 21
so you are still alive. Glad to hear the news . (I was worried that people might think the opposite about me, so I had to come in today.)
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
11 Apr 21
I was asking myself where you were gone, but as there is no covid in your island, I was not worried about you
2 people like this
@YrNemo (20255)
11 Apr 21
@topffer Not really correct what you said, but the situation is not so so bad as other places.
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
27 May 21
How is it there now? Did you get vaccinated?
1 person likes this
• Germany
28 May 21
@topffer That`s good. What vaccine did you got?
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 May 21
I received the first shot but the second is scheduled only for June 25th.
1 person likes this
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
13 Jun 21
Wow a PhD in International Criminal Law, does that make you a lawyer or a lawmaker or a professor? Anyway haven't been around for a few years too and just decided to drop by today. Haha~ it's nice to know you're still around. Maybe you can pursue being a pseudo archaeologist after retirement then? Hehe.
1 person likes this
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
15 Jun 21
@topffer Oh my bad I thought you didn't become one haha.
@topffer (42156)
• France
14 Jun 21
It made me an archeologist I will certainly continue to write articles about archeology, but I already feel more free to write and sign about other subjects. I was surprised to see you back, but it is a nice surprise
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
19 May 21
Top ..our leaders have been confused ignorant complacent and incompetent. Confused about what to do when covid came, and its causes. They did not know or understand mutations. They remained complacent that the problem will not return. Incompetence stemmed from all the above. When they should have been planning to vaccinate people and increase production of vaccines, they were planning Kumbh Mela (a large religious gathering of Hindus), elections, and parliamentary building. Now we are running helter skelter for those vaccines.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
20 May 21
@topffer Our leaders could have made it mandatory but they chose not to so that funds could be spared for religious ceremonies and elections and now a new building to house parliamentarians. I am wondering why those funds could not be spared for manufacturing more vaccines! We could have protected ourselves and we could have given to other nations too. There was absolutely no planning whatsoever. I am sure the doctors suggested how to go about it. But their opinions were overridden by election winning mascot. Everybody bows to his wishes because he is the face of the party. He is no good Top. The only reason he wins is because there is no worthwhile opposition leader.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
20 May 21
@vandana7 Quite the same here, there are years that I do not vote for a good candidate, but for what I believe to be the less worse.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
20 May 21
It is not a lot better for us. Here they prefer to lie than to admit that they made errors. We lost 3 months because of stupid decisions and they treat us like children. We have a World record for curfew (since last October) which is completely useless but is still there... I finally managed to receive my first injection, but only 10% of the population got the two injections ; although vaccination is free there is a heavy bureaucracy slowing the process with many rules to follow. While there are enough vaccines now to open it to everybody, it is not. Besides there are 40% of people not wanting to be vaccinated, so we will never get rid of this virus If a law does not force them to get vaccinated.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
30 May 21
And you are still alive good
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 May 21
And I will survive, I have received my first shot of Pfizer
1 person likes this
• Arvada, Colorado
30 May 21
@topffer Very good for you then..look forward to the next one
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
29 Mar 21
vaccine has just started here
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Mar 21
Here only people above 75 are already vaccinated, and the vaccination is now opened to the 70-75.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
28 Mar 21
More and more people from Bosnia come here to be vaccinated.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
28 Mar 21
You are doing good with vaccinations ? If yes, congrats, the EU is not that good
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Mar 21
@Nevena83 I did not knew that, congrats Here we are told that the best are the Britons
2 people like this
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
28 Mar 21
@topffer Yes, we are the leading country in terms of procurement and the number of vaccinated in Europe.
1 person likes this