I got two calls on my cell phone today from organizations wanting to sell me Medicare supplemental insurance. I have to start medicare on March 1. What bugs me is that I don't give out that number to many people. Apparently somebody was able to link up my age with that number and so I got the calls.

I personally wouldn't have a cell phone, but Ginny insists. You know, the electronic tether. She is the only person that ever calls me. When I am at home I leave it downstairs and I can never get to it in time to answer if it happens to be somebody I want to talk to. Ginny always calls back the number immediately, but I don't. I figure if it is someone with a legitimate need to talk to me, they will leave a message.

So I got to thinking about "dropping off the grid." That sounds like a great idea. One problem. There are certain things that I need (like insurance) and there is no way I can figure a way to really drop off.

The reason is that your social security number is tagged to everything. You can't outrun it. On my (ancient) social security card is says "not to be used for identification." What a joke. The card can't be used, but your SS number is EVERYWHERE. Everybody asks for it as a "positive" identification. Pretty soon they will be using biometrics. You can't escape it.

So I figure that if I really wanted to drop off the grid I would have to do a few things. First, take my meager funds out of the bank in small bills. Second, look for a place on the earth where nobody gives a damn about you, like New York City, for instance. You might also try some places out in the southwest. Just make sure you can walk to some sort of store to buy food (and beer!) Third, assume an innocuous identity. You know, retired school teacher or garbage man. Fourth, when you head out just tell them you are headed for northwest Washington State along I-5. That way when you don't get back, they will assume that you got stuck in traffic. Fifth, forget about watching the news or reading a paper, it is too stressful. If you want news, just make up your own. Remember that it is impossible to come up with something so stupid or dishonest that a politician hasn't already thought of it. So your home made news will be pretty close to the truth, give or take a few million dollars. Sixth, don't do this if you get bored easily. You will go nuts. It would be ideal for me; however, because I am easily entertained. I could wtch the sky, watch the rain, listen for critters, count stars. I never get bored. Finally, get a nice hand gun. I would take my Ruger 44 magnum and a boatload of ammunition. The way I figure it, when the democrats finally get their way, they won't know where to look for my gun because they won't know where to look for me. And if they find me, "come and take it," to borrow a phrase from the Texas fight for independence.

I guess that about covers it for today.