January 19, 2005
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News and Notes
It's already the middle of January. Past the middle, actually, and is that hard to believe, or what? Frankly, THIS is the year I can hardly wait for August, because that's when I finally pay off my 401k loan, and am looking forward to what will seem to amount to a 50 dollar a week raise. I've attempted frugality this year, as I did last year (with the possible exception of the digital camera purchase in Feb. 04 on a credit card.) I wanted to do something last weekend, but receiving a credit card bill on Friday which put me back over the top of the "limit", adding further "overlimit fees" plus "late fees" because I was late getting the payment in, hampered any attempts to go out and spend anymore money I don't have. Years of saying "to heck with it" and using more and more credit, and then not receiving any real raises has just about done me in, and I find it very hard to keep my head above water, as it were. I certainly have enough "entertainment" at home that I don't need to spend any more money, and I'm living proof that people shouldn't figure they will be able to "rectify" credit card situations when they owe over 20 grand in debt to cardholding banks who are little more than money suckers when it comes to APRs and fees. I'm at the point where I'm actually wondering if I'll ever be able to make a dent in the principle on these cards. But it's ALL MY FAULT. Trying to survive frugally right now is like closing the barn door after the horses run away. I know I was stupid. I didn't listen to my friends, and now I'm paying the price.
But enough of this wallowing in self pity. The ipod MP3 player I've been gushing over now has quite a few CDs burned into it. I haven't checked the capacity lately, but I have nowhere near the 40,000 songs the machine says it's capable of holding. Each morning instead of listening to depressing news on NPR I get worked up by listening to favorite tunes on the way to work. (I have promised myself not to purchase any new CDs on credit, as well)
The poems I posted last Sunday were given an interesting response on the ElectricPoetry Group. I got a few emails telling me I "used words that were too big" which prompted a laugh and a bit of despair that people who call themselves poets have so small vocabularies and don't want to have to "look up a word" they don't know. I responded telling the naysayers that "back in the day" having a large vocabulary was encouraged, and if one wants to call him or herself a writer, having many shades of meaning at one's disposal is a positive thing, and not a negative thing. I've always been in love with words, and found this kind of response rather shocking.
It's slowing down a bit at work, after a firestorm of activity during the Holiday season, when municipalities have to get rid of their allotments of lose the money, so we sold a lot of panels during November and December. I noticed a slowdown in the amount of quotes I'm making, which means less work down the road. Good thing we didn't hire any technicians when it was busy, because we'd be looking to let them go after three months on the job.
I notice I have't posted much here on the Xanga this week, but I haven't really done much to the AllThingsMike website in a while. I did post new poetry, and I'm in the planning stages of writing a "sexual history" which might be interesting. I was a young man during the "sexual revolution" in the 70s, and have what I consider to be some interesting stories to relate. I really want to write more prose this year, but each time I plant myself in front of the computer, I seem to go "exploring" as usual, and rarely finish anything I start. With the money situation, I might even be shutting down the website this year, but as Scarlett O'Hara was wont to say, "I won't think about that now, I'll think about it tomorrow. Because tomorrow is another day."
Our weather has been nice. I'm still afraid the rains haven't completely "ended" yet so haven't shampooed the inside of the car, but driving around with the top down again is pleasant, and I opened up the windows in my rooms last night for the first time since late fall.
This morning I go in to see the neurologist for the results of my MRI, prompted by the pinching of a nerve in my left shoulder about four months ago. I don't expect he'll have any news at all, and I'm "living" with the fact two fingers on my left hand seem to be permanently asleep.
Well, I am at work, it's time to take my daily constitutional around the business park (another activity which had to be curbed during the rains.)
Oscar nominations are next Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to my friend Jim's sister's Oscar Party again this year. I haven't seen a lot of the films yet, owing to high theater prices, but I'm sort of hoping Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" gets Best Film, Hilary Swank gets Best Actress for the same movie, and that Jaimie Fox gets Best Actor for "Ray" (which I have seen.)
Comments (71)
People had the nerve to complain that you used "big words":nono: That is beyond ridiculous. I :heartbeat: words....all kinds of words...big, small, obscure.....I have read a dictionary in my lifetime...as well as 2 thesaurus. I respect someone with a great vocabulary....there is no need to dumb-down your writing for the ignorant masses. Take care ~jacki
I really enjoyed reading about your real life. Sometimes it helps to read and understand a person's poetry by knowing more about that person. Or at least I think it helps.
I'm with you, I can't wait to see Million Dollar Baby.
Anything that requires me to use a dictionary gets extra credit in my book! Those people that complain about it are only inclined towards exiguous things and addle-pated thinking (gotta love my Thesaurus)!
As for the financial stuff, I'm in the same boat and unemployed. Fortunately, I had a great job interview today and feel optimistic about getting the job. Maybe things will look better for me soon. For now I guess we both just have to hang in there!
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