The first entry I made in this blog mentioned something about being full time and never being allowed to work overtime and loving it. It also mentioned that I had played the multiple simultaneous jobs game and had hoped to not have to do it again. Something about been there, done that, and only catastrophe could get me to wear that grubby, tattered t-shirt once more.
Guess what? The stupid shirt still fits, unfortunately, and it didn't take a catastrophe to get me to wear again. All it took was a look at my checkbook.
I found myself taking a long, hard overview of my finances not too long ago. Like many, I couldn’t figure out why I had no money left over paycheck to paycheck. It especially hit home when wondering about gift-giving in the upcoming holiday time. Shall I bore you with the bit about having my portion of the national debt to pay and that it's accumulating interest at what was once considered usurious rates? Nah. If you’re as cynical as I am, you’d just be saying that it serves me right. How about the price of fuels – heating, car running, etc. – and the utility bills effected by same? Nah. Medical costs? Nah. Groceries? Please – everybody eats. I’m not alone in this financial woe, I’m just the one having a vocal moment about it online. I’m done kvetching now – almost.
It would seem that finding something else above and beyond those 40 hours is upon me again. I don’t relish the idea, but I’m back to perusing want ads for something to tack onto the work-week. But, I feel my middle years a bit more nowadays. I don’t bounce back as well as the 20-something year old a part of my brain keeps telling me I am. Still, the bills loom before me, winter looms before me, all manner of money-eating expenses loom before me and none of it’s going away.
Do I hear the smallest violin playing sad sympathy notes just for me? Nah. Probably just the additional squeaky chair I’ll be sitting in to continue to earn my keep on this round rock we call Earth.
Happy holidays, all.
