Well, hapless reader who has wandered onto this page, I confess that the widget that shows page visits has spurred me to write a new post. Why? Well, there’s no point in having a blog if you don’t write on it, and I haven’t posted much since the beginning of the semester. The thing pops up in my browser every time I start it, thanks to my internet preferences. Usually, I shake my head, close that tab, and go go go. On to more attractive and useful things to waste time on!
Well, it occurred to me that owing to my finances, I ought to find cheap and easy ways to engage in the world around me. Sure, I could step outside and take a walk, but then I might end up at a place that I’d need to spend money. I could ride a bike, but what if a tire popped? I could visit the hobby store with all my little army-men and play some tactical wargame, but then I’d be tempted to buy some more. I’m trying to simplify my life, spend less money, and do things that are free. Like the WordPress!
“But Why?”, you may ask? Well, I am a graduate student and I quit my job a few months back. I get a lot of irritation at my day gig (the mental hospital) and I don’t need more piled on top of that for some measly pittance and a free (and tasty) sandwich. I love Philly’s in P’cola, but not to work there. The twice-yearly funds from my rich Uncle Sam have nearly run dry, and you can only suckle on his teat for so long. Most of next semester’s money is already earmarked for the Big Move, scheduled to happen next June. Then off to the farm in the woods and relatively cheap living and some back-breaking labor. I can’t wait to chop me some wood, and rustle horses, slaughter chickens, and air-dry my clothes. The swimming pool and my step-sister are pretty cool, and there’s a ceramics kiln and apple trees and… and… well, let’s just say it’ll be fun.
Meantime, I am finishing up with classes (nearly done for this semester). A couple of papers to write and one test to take and I’ll be home free for the rest of 2009. Everything’s on track to get me finished with my M.A. in Counseling Psychology on May 1, 2010. Did a lot of reading about Jung, Vampires, Counseling Techniques, Borderline Personality Disorder, Substance Abuse and etc. ad nauseam. You know the drill.
But meantime, I am poor like the proverbial church mouse. Soon it’ll be all beans and rice, Oriental Flavored Top Ramen, unanswered phone calls from debt collectors and taking the old change jar down to the Coin Star machine. I probably ought to quit smoking, too.
Wish me luck. I’ll be travelling to N.C. this week for Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for. I have relatively stable mental and physical health, a beautiful wife, a roof over my head, good friends, a fine education, a good number of marketable skills, a digital camera and a legit copy of CS4, my car is paid for, and I’ll be spending Thanksgiving far away and cooking turkey with my Ma.
Hmm. Now that I think of it, I am not bad off at all. Keep good thoughts and hang in there, whatever your situation may be.
