Yeap, it's over before it even begun.
Tuesday after getting an answer from Financial Aid about the loan money, I went to see my adviser. Now just to recap, everybody I had asked to be my thesis director had told me "no." I needed to find out if I could take all six hours of thesis in the fall, when hopefully the timing would be better for any professor.
"Yes, you can but why do you need to?"
"To graduate and to have six hours for the federal guidelines with financial aid."
"But you can graduate with just coursework."
"Okay, I just dealt with Financial Aid for two hours. Explain slowly."
There are two tracks offered by the English Department. Pick a concentration, take 30 hours of coursework, 6 hours of thesis and produce the thesis, then take what is called the comps. exam (essay test on an assigned novel and critical theory about it). Track #2 is pick a concentration or jump into the literature one, take 36 hours of coursework, pull a long paper for one of those classes and work with the professor who first graded it to revise it into something publishable, then take the comps. exam.
With the class I have this semester, I have ended up with 36 hours. I can revise the paper and take the comps. exam in the Fall semester, and provided I pass everything, do the graduation walk in December. The only fees I would have to pay is graduation fees ($10 if I pay before February 15th, but I'm also thinking about gown and invitations). I do need to ask if the fees carry over to the next semester if you don't pass the first go around. I'm planning on it, but I need to know.
Now I just have to find a professor and a paper I want to work with for three months. :p
I'm kind of at odds with the decision too. One part is "yeah, light in tunnel!" but another part was looking forward to actually getting through the process. This is the second time I have avoided a thesis. Scholars' College made undergraduates do one, but by the time it got to my year, I was suffering from burnout so bad, I jumped ship to Northwestern's regular undergraduate program and got out. I know I have no reason to actually do a thesis with a Masters', but I did tell myself from go, I would get it done this time around. And now I'm not.
Still I hope this means I can deal with my completion issues and jump into the submissions process now.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Number Crunching 112
January Budget Meeting
Quicken Cash Flow = 532.89
Reconciling Quicken with bank statements: Everything tallies with only two minor errors. MYSource FSA account not balancing as well, and I have to figure out what's wrong in Quicken.
Reconciling last month's budget: What saved me this month was the loan, but I can't count on it for February. Well, I was kinda counting on my student loan, but I couldn't get that fund back because of federal rules. So I had to start paperwork on a different kind of loan called a student signature loan, which doesn't care how many hours you have signed up for. If SLU cares and won't give me the remainder, I have to start over again with a loan that comes directly to me. :p But I was assured that never happens, and I wouldn't be kicked out of the last class I need.
FSA Medical: I messed up and only counted one payment in the budget.
Citifinancial: ended up with double payments because of December goof-up.
Water: underestimated the budget.
Phone: ended up with double payments because of December goof-up.
Electric: underestimated budget.
Medical: woefully underestimated budget. But with eyes and teeth check-ups done, and chiropractor visits winding down, February's will be better.
Auto: Fuel: Underestimated budget, but not as badly as I could have.
Computer: Domain name: not budgeted but I couldn't pass it up.
Household: Maintenance: not budgeted but I bought anyway.
Groceries: spent over budget.
Eating Out: spent over budget really badly.
Personal Care: not budgeted and spent anyway.
Entertainment: not budgeted and spent anyway.
Vet: not budgeted but Mustard needed flea and tick medicine.
Verdict: My zero-balanced budget was woefully under what I spend normally, i.e. slashed spending amounts to unrealistic levels.
Creating February's budget: Three paychecks in February. The third check doesn't have insurance expenses taken out of it, so you get to take more home. I upped allowances in the categories I can, and manage to get more savings and paying off some debts.
Determining how much cash to withdraw for the pay periods in February: This is always fun to make sure the bills get paid when they are due. :p I think I have figured everything out. It will be less tight if the signature student loan comes through, but I will get through the month without it.
Ensuring all automatic payments went through: They all showed up on the bank statement.
Ensuring all automatic payments for the next month are set up properly: I need to call Demco and see if I can set up an automatic payment now. Everything else should be kosher.
Review short-term saving goals:
Update Net Worth statement: Found errors in Retirement in December 2007 and corrected it. I need to get updated balances for the mortgage, student loans, and find the Kelly Blue Book value of my car so the asset amount will be correct. I really want to see the line start inching up on this chart.
Overall, I'm disappointed in my ability to spend. I'm way too good at whipping out the debit card. I really don't know how to counter it, because I need the card on doctor visits, so leaving it at home appointment days is not an option. But that's usually when I eat out and overspend. I don't like the idea of locking it in the car. :S I will leave it at home when I go grocery shopping this weekend.
Behaviors I am proud of this month: entering all my receipts into Quicken on a daily or every other day basis. I could see when I needed to make a transfer from savings and saved myself a $5.00 charge for the bank to do it for me. The only week I didn't stay on top was when I was sick and not doing anything. I'm slowly dealing with stuff that can bring me an extra income (getting the Amazon sales experiment started, researching online writing, stuff sent to Mom's store). I don't think I'm at the stage where I have to take a second, menial job, but that does depend on the school loan situation.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Quicken Cash Flow = 532.89
Reconciling Quicken with bank statements: Everything tallies with only two minor errors. MYSource FSA account not balancing as well, and I have to figure out what's wrong in Quicken.
Reconciling last month's budget: What saved me this month was the loan, but I can't count on it for February. Well, I was kinda counting on my student loan, but I couldn't get that fund back because of federal rules. So I had to start paperwork on a different kind of loan called a student signature loan, which doesn't care how many hours you have signed up for. If SLU cares and won't give me the remainder, I have to start over again with a loan that comes directly to me. :p But I was assured that never happens, and I wouldn't be kicked out of the last class I need.
FSA Medical: I messed up and only counted one payment in the budget.
Citifinancial: ended up with double payments because of December goof-up.
Water: underestimated the budget.
Phone: ended up with double payments because of December goof-up.
Electric: underestimated budget.
Medical: woefully underestimated budget. But with eyes and teeth check-ups done, and chiropractor visits winding down, February's will be better.
Auto: Fuel: Underestimated budget, but not as badly as I could have.
Computer: Domain name: not budgeted but I couldn't pass it up.
Household: Maintenance: not budgeted but I bought anyway.
Groceries: spent over budget.
Eating Out: spent over budget really badly.
Personal Care: not budgeted and spent anyway.
Entertainment: not budgeted and spent anyway.
Vet: not budgeted but Mustard needed flea and tick medicine.
Verdict: My zero-balanced budget was woefully under what I spend normally, i.e. slashed spending amounts to unrealistic levels.
Creating February's budget: Three paychecks in February. The third check doesn't have insurance expenses taken out of it, so you get to take more home. I upped allowances in the categories I can, and manage to get more savings and paying off some debts.
Determining how much cash to withdraw for the pay periods in February: This is always fun to make sure the bills get paid when they are due. :p I think I have figured everything out. It will be less tight if the signature student loan comes through, but I will get through the month without it.
Ensuring all automatic payments went through: They all showed up on the bank statement.
Ensuring all automatic payments for the next month are set up properly: I need to call Demco and see if I can set up an automatic payment now. Everything else should be kosher.
Review short-term saving goals:
- STEF goal = $2369.06 Current total = $481.05 Bills changed so the goal changed. And I spent a lot of what I had gotten saved in January.
- State Taxes Savings goal = $49.00 Current total = $0.00
- Wish List Fund: Dishwasher goal = $500.00 Current total = $0.00
- Reenacting garb fund goal = $200.00 Current total = $0.00
- Wish List Fund: Laptop goal = $1500.00 Current total = $0.00
- Cosmetic treatment fund goal = $1000.00 Current total = $0.00
Update Net Worth statement: Found errors in Retirement in December 2007 and corrected it. I need to get updated balances for the mortgage, student loans, and find the Kelly Blue Book value of my car so the asset amount will be correct. I really want to see the line start inching up on this chart.
Overall, I'm disappointed in my ability to spend. I'm way too good at whipping out the debit card. I really don't know how to counter it, because I need the card on doctor visits, so leaving it at home appointment days is not an option. But that's usually when I eat out and overspend. I don't like the idea of locking it in the car. :S I will leave it at home when I go grocery shopping this weekend.
Behaviors I am proud of this month: entering all my receipts into Quicken on a daily or every other day basis. I could see when I needed to make a transfer from savings and saved myself a $5.00 charge for the bank to do it for me. The only week I didn't stay on top was when I was sick and not doing anything. I'm slowly dealing with stuff that can bring me an extra income (getting the Amazon sales experiment started, researching online writing, stuff sent to Mom's store). I don't think I'm at the stage where I have to take a second, menial job, but that does depend on the school loan situation.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Yogalates Workout 2
Real resistance bands made a world of difference. I was able to do the leg exercises that I couldn't do before with the tube.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Medieval Resources for Fiction Writers
Medieval Resources for Fiction Writers
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
This actually makes me feel better
The Dark Knight
An actual trailer! DUUUUUUUDE!
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
An actual trailer! DUUUUUUUDE!
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Monday, January 28, 2008
So bummed I can't concentrate on homework
I just got the word that SLU is sending my loan money back. I'm not enrolled in enough hours. So tomorrow morning, I have to go fight for it back instead of going to work. And go bitch to someone that I would have enough hours only nobody agreed to be my thesis director!
If I knew they were going to pull this shit, I would have enrolled in something to drop after I got my money.
It's just I was counting on that money so bad to get me in a better financial leverage. Dishwasher aside--because I can wait for it--I need to pay my parents back. I don't have enough income to make ends meet without the student loans.
And it galls me beyond belief that there is so many rules and regulations, do's and don't's on money I HAVE to pay BACK! My reform: you're in school, you attend classes, it doesn't matter how many, take out what you and the bank say you can afford. LIKE WITH EVERY OTHER FUCKING LOAN OFFERED IN THE NATION!!!!!!
Well, here's to me trying to read something.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
If I knew they were going to pull this shit, I would have enrolled in something to drop after I got my money.
It's just I was counting on that money so bad to get me in a better financial leverage. Dishwasher aside--because I can wait for it--I need to pay my parents back. I don't have enough income to make ends meet without the student loans.
And it galls me beyond belief that there is so many rules and regulations, do's and don't's on money I HAVE to pay BACK! My reform: you're in school, you attend classes, it doesn't matter how many, take out what you and the bank say you can afford. LIKE WITH EVERY OTHER FUCKING LOAN OFFERED IN THE NATION!!!!!!
Well, here's to me trying to read something.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Yoga Workout 2
Made it through the whole workout. Shoulder seems to be doing okay. I also upped my fish oil capsules to 1200mg. Chiropractor told me that I probably wasn't taking enough before.
Last night was a night of funky sleep. I ate dinner and was exhausted by 6pm. Held out on the computer till 6:30, then signed off and crawled into bed. Read until the words made no more sense, so I think I shut off the lights around 7:30pm. Woke up at 10-ish, hot and sweaty. Kicked off covers, got water, bathroom, moved covers away from me better now that Mustard had jumped out of bed, back to sleep. Toss 'n turned until I turned on the AC unit in the window, set for 80. That finally did it, though I didn't hear the alarm until 4am.
And I forgot to pack homework or research this morning. :p Oh well that's Monday for ya.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Last night was a night of funky sleep. I ate dinner and was exhausted by 6pm. Held out on the computer till 6:30, then signed off and crawled into bed. Read until the words made no more sense, so I think I shut off the lights around 7:30pm. Woke up at 10-ish, hot and sweaty. Kicked off covers, got water, bathroom, moved covers away from me better now that Mustard had jumped out of bed, back to sleep. Toss 'n turned until I turned on the AC unit in the window, set for 80. That finally did it, though I didn't hear the alarm until 4am.
And I forgot to pack homework or research this morning. :p Oh well that's Monday for ya.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
GTD: Hack Better Way to Track Projects
Been keeping the project list on Word, separate files for different things. And then keeping what I'm doing during the week and weekends online on Backpack. Moving things back and forth has gotten annoying.
43folders has lots of suggestions, but they are geared for Mac users. Me uses PC and Windows. (o flames about it, please.) I really need something online that I can print out. I like Backpack, except I feel I have too much double entry for projects. Backpack is best for reoccuring projects (like keeping track of weekly chores).
At lunch Friday, I went searching again, thinking I was going to have to set up a Wiki in order to keep the list organized, when someone said they used SimpleGTD and provided the link. Since I was looking at all the program names I found, I clicked over.
My mouth fell open with just how PERFECT it is for me. The printout has the checkmark boxes I have grown to love at Backpack. You list the project and the next actions for that project with the contexts, and selecting what to do is a simple click with the mouse. I spent the weekend moving stuff over from Word into it, and I'm already impressed.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
43folders has lots of suggestions, but they are geared for Mac users. Me uses PC and Windows. (o flames about it, please.) I really need something online that I can print out. I like Backpack, except I feel I have too much double entry for projects. Backpack is best for reoccuring projects (like keeping track of weekly chores).
At lunch Friday, I went searching again, thinking I was going to have to set up a Wiki in order to keep the list organized, when someone said they used SimpleGTD and provided the link. Since I was looking at all the program names I found, I clicked over.
My mouth fell open with just how PERFECT it is for me. The printout has the checkmark boxes I have grown to love at Backpack. You list the project and the next actions for that project with the contexts, and selecting what to do is a simple click with the mouse. I spent the weekend moving stuff over from Word into it, and I'm already impressed.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Weekly Check-In
This twelve-week period seems to be crawling by much slower than the other two twelve-week periods I have gone through. But I have got the bands out of the gym locker--and hopefully I can get the membership paid before they decide to throw out my shoes. :p
Week 32 = 178.8
Week 31 = 179.2
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Monday will be me going back to the yoga workout in the morning, but it will only be every other day. So let me breakdown a schedule.
Sunday = yoga hip-openers routine after thirty minutes on computer
Monday = Element: Yoga for Beginners
Tuesday = rest
Wednesday = Yogalates Workout One
Thursday = rest
Friday = Yogalates Workout Two
Saturday = yoga hip-openers routine after thirty minutes on computer
Let's see what that does in a week.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Week 32 = 178.8
Week 31 = 179.2
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Monday will be me going back to the yoga workout in the morning, but it will only be every other day. So let me breakdown a schedule.
Sunday = yoga hip-openers routine after thirty minutes on computer
Monday = Element: Yoga for Beginners
Tuesday = rest
Wednesday = Yogalates Workout One
Thursday = rest
Friday = Yogalates Workout Two
Saturday = yoga hip-openers routine after thirty minutes on computer
Let's see what that does in a week.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Politics that make me cry
But they are tears of hope. They are tears of honestly being moved by a politician's words. That maybe, just maybe, there is history being made and it's history to be proud of. I am so ready for the baby boomers to get out of the way. The world is already past all the shit their generation is still obsessed with.
Obama won South Carolina.
A transcript of his victory speech at CNN.com.
His speech on January 20th at Dr. King's church in Atlanta:
Louisiana has gone to a closed primary system and I missed the date to change my party in order to participate, (And I'm so going to send letters to my state legislators to explain to them you can't leave out the Independents.) so I'm stuck waiting for the Democrats to make Obama their choice and put him on the November ballot. An editor at Harvard Crimson explains why Obama is my choice.
It's nerve-wracking because, well, we as a nation don't always do the smart thing. Especially lately. And I really can't do anything until November. Actually, I think I'm allowed to donate money but I don't think I can do anything else with the campaign (ethic laws with being a state civil servant). I will check though. What I'm left with is sending out a lot of positive energy and mentally begging people to pick Obama.
He won South Carolina. Caroline Kennedy has endorsed him. And just to wrap things up with a laugh because I need one: The Daily Dish: Obama beats McCain and Huckabee Combined
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Obama won South Carolina.
A transcript of his victory speech at CNN.com.
His speech on January 20th at Dr. King's church in Atlanta:
Louisiana has gone to a closed primary system and I missed the date to change my party in order to participate, (And I'm so going to send letters to my state legislators to explain to them you can't leave out the Independents.) so I'm stuck waiting for the Democrats to make Obama their choice and put him on the November ballot. An editor at Harvard Crimson explains why Obama is my choice.
It's nerve-wracking because, well, we as a nation don't always do the smart thing. Especially lately. And I really can't do anything until November. Actually, I think I'm allowed to donate money but I don't think I can do anything else with the campaign (ethic laws with being a state civil servant). I will check though. What I'm left with is sending out a lot of positive energy and mentally begging people to pick Obama.
He won South Carolina. Caroline Kennedy has endorsed him. And just to wrap things up with a laugh because I need one: The Daily Dish: Obama beats McCain and Huckabee Combined
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Friday, January 25, 2008
Number Crunching 111
Quicken Cash Flow = 677.66
This weekend I need to cross some financial projects off my list. I marked the ones I will target with the asterisks. Though anything with school money depends on SLU making the deposit. As of yesterday, I hadn't seen any evidence of the money, so I'm thinking it's probably delayed to next week.
Research on selling writing online - I joined Holly Lisle's group discussing that very project.
Next week is the Budget Meeting to review how the month went and plan for February.
Financial Projects
*Check balance of FSA account.
*Reconcile the FSA Account in Quicken.
Get TurboTax.
Fill out Federal and state taxes.
Fill out federal student aid paperwork.
*Divide school money according to plans.
Loan AMF enough to switch over the website to a new host.
Call First Access and see if they have a copy of house appraisal.
*Set-up Amazon sales.
Set date to start using online surveys for money.
Set a date to start using Project Wonderful ads
*Sell Aluminum cans
Research into selling writing online
Get the house appraised.
Find the rest of Waste Management invoices.
*Make a decision about Waste Management.
Review the home insurance policy.
April: Switch to the managed accounts under Deferred Compensation.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
This weekend I need to cross some financial projects off my list. I marked the ones I will target with the asterisks. Though anything with school money depends on SLU making the deposit. As of yesterday, I hadn't seen any evidence of the money, so I'm thinking it's probably delayed to next week.
Research on selling writing online - I joined Holly Lisle's group discussing that very project.
Next week is the Budget Meeting to review how the month went and plan for February.
Financial Projects
*Check balance of FSA account.
*Reconcile the FSA Account in Quicken.
Get TurboTax.
Fill out Federal and state taxes.
Fill out federal student aid paperwork.
*Divide school money according to plans.
Loan AMF enough to switch over the website to a new host.
Call First Access and see if they have a copy of house appraisal.
*Set-up Amazon sales.
Set date to start using online surveys for money.
Set a date to start using Project Wonderful ads
*Sell Aluminum cans
Research into selling writing online
Get the house appraised.
*Make a decision about Waste Management.
Review the home insurance policy.
April: Switch to the managed accounts under Deferred Compensation.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Scaling back workouts again
I fucked my shoulder up again and was told not to resume exercise until Thursday. I accept that fact that I got damaged and made that damage worse by waiting before finding out what was wrong. I hate the fact that I am weak and not losing weight because I can't burn the calories. I do not like being weak and having to watch everything I do. I want to fight crime. Okay, I really just want to be able to dress up as superheroine for Halloween, which spandex won't work if the gut stays bigger than the boobs!
And the school semester is about to start and I just found out what the course entails and I could use it to burn off the stress. Holy crap, I have to study people and will probably have to interview them too. Yeah, no stress there for the gal who'd rather play with the people in her head.
And I'm on the side that what happened to Heath Ledger was an accidental overdose. Sorry, but the media reveals too much of the insane dopehead celebrities. I remember hearing stories about River Phoenix before he OD'd. You didn't hear that about Heath. However, I do think what this tastelessly-titled column played a part: Heath Ledger: The Killing Joke. How can playing a realistic Joker not fuck with your head a little? And the only way his daughter is going to know him is through movie performances. That's just sad.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
And the school semester is about to start and I just found out what the course entails and I could use it to burn off the stress. Holy crap, I have to study people and will probably have to interview them too. Yeah, no stress there for the gal who'd rather play with the people in her head.
And I'm on the side that what happened to Heath Ledger was an accidental overdose. Sorry, but the media reveals too much of the insane dopehead celebrities. I remember hearing stories about River Phoenix before he OD'd. You didn't hear that about Heath. However, I do think what this tastelessly-titled column played a part: Heath Ledger: The Killing Joke. How can playing a realistic Joker not fuck with your head a little? And the only way his daughter is going to know him is through movie performances. That's just sad.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Rethinking the internet sales
I have procrastinated horribly on setting up an Ebay store. Reason one: last time I tried to use my Ebay account I could never sign in, and I never found where they sent my info. Reason two: I suck at taking pictures of items. Trust me, I've had lots of practice to know I suck.
Now Amazon lets you sell stuff through them. I don't know if I can sell clothes through them, but for the other stuff I have piled up, this may be a viable solution. At least one I can set up in less than a whole weekend.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Now Amazon lets you sell stuff through them. I don't know if I can sell clothes through them, but for the other stuff I have piled up, this may be a viable solution. At least one I can set up in less than a whole weekend.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Yogalates Workout 1
Okay, I tried. The stretchy tube I have at home does not work the same way as a Thera-Band. I didn't buy any bands because I already have some--in my gym locker. Gym was locked yesterday. But I must bring at least one band home for next session.
The first DVD has two workouts on it. I made it about five minutes into the second one. Better strategy is to only do one a day. I'm also worried that I don't target my ab muscles and I use the hip flexors instead. that is part of the issue with my hip flexors shortening. The only way to counter it is to concentrate on the abs when the exercises need me to. But... I don't feel anything move in my gut when I move my legs. Maybe they're attached wrong in my body.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
The first DVD has two workouts on it. I made it about five minutes into the second one. Better strategy is to only do one a day. I'm also worried that I don't target my ab muscles and I use the hip flexors instead. that is part of the issue with my hip flexors shortening. The only way to counter it is to concentrate on the abs when the exercises need me to. But... I don't feel anything move in my gut when I move my legs. Maybe they're attached wrong in my body.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Monday, January 21, 2008
Home Yoga Workout 1
I can make it through the fifty-one-minute routine on Element: Yoga for Beginners. But I do have to pause in the middle because she accelerates from a downward dog through plank and cobra and back to downward dog without inhales and exhales. I have to be told what breathing to do with what because otherwise my timing goes to crap. And sure enough, she stops saying it, I get lost, and have to pause the DVD to assume the right pose and start over. Once I have the routine memorized I doubt it will be much of a problem.
I'm not ready to get into a routine just yet, but I do think I need to push myself five days a week. I also got Yogalates, which blends Yoga and Pilates. It was two DVDs for the same price as one so I couldn't pass it up. I like the idea of targeting my abs and other core muscles. I also like the idea of alternating between the two different styles. I won't know if I can do it until I do it.
Did that make sense?
I'm also reactivating my Amazon Associates membership and using it more in my blogs. So I'd appreciate the clicks and hopefully, eventually the buys.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
I'm not ready to get into a routine just yet, but I do think I need to push myself five days a week. I also got Yogalates, which blends Yoga and Pilates. It was two DVDs for the same price as one so I couldn't pass it up. I like the idea of targeting my abs and other core muscles. I also like the idea of alternating between the two different styles. I won't know if I can do it until I do it.
Did that make sense?
I'm also reactivating my Amazon Associates membership and using it more in my blogs. So I'd appreciate the clicks and hopefully, eventually the buys.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Human again, yeah!
I still have half the dosage of antibiotics to finish, but I'm not coughing as badly and my voice sounds like it's mine again. Yesterday, I ended up in Wal-Mart and bought a Yoga workout DVD. Theory behind buying it: I don't know if my schedule will let me go to a class this semester, and I have no idea if a night class will even be offered by the gym. Second consideration is it is too damn cold to use the gym on the porch.
I made it through the whole workout! I was worried that I wouldn't have the lung capacity, but it didn't seem to be a problem. I'm glad to have something to do that I can do in the morning or at night when I get home.
Week 31 = 179.2
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
I made it through the whole workout! I was worried that I wouldn't have the lung capacity, but it didn't seem to be a problem. I'm glad to have something to do that I can do in the morning or at night when I get home.
Week 31 = 179.2
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Friday, January 18, 2008
Number Crunching 110
Quicken Cash Flow = 972.77
Being sick for a week made things easy. I spent a whole lot less. I cleared up some paperwork. I still got paid.
I expect school money to be in the bank on Friday. I still have a lot of financial projects to do, but I have accomplished a lot since I started keeping track of it on the blog.
Financial Projects
Get TurboTax.
Fill out Federal and state taxes.
Fill out federal student aid paperwork.
Divide school money according to plans.
Loan AMF enough to switch over the website to a new host.
Call First Access and see if they have a copy of house appraisal.
Set-up Ebay/Half.com store.
Set date to start Ebay garage sales.
Set date to start using online surveys for money.
Set a date to start using Project Wonderful ads
Sell Aluminum cans
Research into selling writing online
Get the house appraised.
Find the rest of Waste Management invoices.
Review the home insurance policy.
April: Switch to the managed accounts under Deferred Compensation.
Fill out paperwork to get reimbursed for eye exam.
Put Dfrd. Comp. statements into Quicken.
Finish setting up Financial Notebook
Call Liberty Mutual about moving bill date
Research date for school money and add to calendar.
Do paperwork to get Citizens refund
See Capital One about hold on account - Saturday
Change Deferred Compensation to 2.5% of every paycheck
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Being sick for a week made things easy. I spent a whole lot less. I cleared up some paperwork. I still got paid.
I expect school money to be in the bank on Friday. I still have a lot of financial projects to do, but I have accomplished a lot since I started keeping track of it on the blog.
Financial Projects
Get TurboTax.
Fill out Federal and state taxes.
Fill out federal student aid paperwork.
Divide school money according to plans.
Loan AMF enough to switch over the website to a new host.
Call First Access and see if they have a copy of house appraisal.
Set-up Ebay/Half.com store.
Set date to start Ebay garage sales.
Set date to start using online surveys for money.
Set a date to start using Project Wonderful ads
Sell Aluminum cans
Research into selling writing online
Get the house appraised.
Find the rest of Waste Management invoices.
Review the home insurance policy.
April: Switch to the managed accounts under Deferred Compensation.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Still not a hundred percent
And I think I must be the only person in the world who gets sick, loses appetite, goes to two meals a day, basically existing on fluids, and gains weight. I blame the mucus. The mucus must be heavier than everything else in my body.
I think the fever broke. At least since I started the antibiotics, the whole-body ache has stopped and I hadn't noticed the chills either. I haven't been taking my temperature so I don't know how accurate it is.
Went out today to get the rest of the antibiotics and an expectorant because I have moved into the phase of what is in my lungs doesn't want to come out no matter how hard I cough and damn my throat hurts when it does. And groceries--small list too. Took me over an hour to do two stores and fast food lunch. Took me over an hour to get dressed. Now I'm exhausted and spacey, but at least I had some food while I was out. Yesterday, it took two hours to put four pictures into the Educators' Guide. Some of that was searching for pictures but still.
The stupid Puritan work ethic thingy in me that has been making me feel guilty about missing so much work (paying job and writing at home) is now saying unless there's a miracle overnight, you probably shouldn't try to drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow.
I miss a shower when I'm sick. Well, I miss a shower all the time, but you can't get a bathtub steamy to help clear out congestion like you can a shower. I'm debating if a humidifier is actually worth the expense, or if I just fill up the 11-quart stockpot with water and boil that on the stove it would reach the whole house?
There goes the spacey again. I'm not trying to push myself too hard, but I need to finish the illustrations for the Educators' Guide by Sunday. AMF's website: most of what I'm coming up with to do requires conversion to Drupal, which I am putting to an after Faire starting point. Mostly because the changes need to be discussed in committee. I think what I will need to do is clean up the worst-of-the-color issues, update text where necessary, and get the ticket booth functional again is all I can do before Faire.
That's enough for an update.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
I think the fever broke. At least since I started the antibiotics, the whole-body ache has stopped and I hadn't noticed the chills either. I haven't been taking my temperature so I don't know how accurate it is.
Went out today to get the rest of the antibiotics and an expectorant because I have moved into the phase of what is in my lungs doesn't want to come out no matter how hard I cough and damn my throat hurts when it does. And groceries--small list too. Took me over an hour to do two stores and fast food lunch. Took me over an hour to get dressed. Now I'm exhausted and spacey, but at least I had some food while I was out. Yesterday, it took two hours to put four pictures into the Educators' Guide. Some of that was searching for pictures but still.
The stupid Puritan work ethic thingy in me that has been making me feel guilty about missing so much work (paying job and writing at home) is now saying unless there's a miracle overnight, you probably shouldn't try to drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow.
I miss a shower when I'm sick. Well, I miss a shower all the time, but you can't get a bathtub steamy to help clear out congestion like you can a shower. I'm debating if a humidifier is actually worth the expense, or if I just fill up the 11-quart stockpot with water and boil that on the stove it would reach the whole house?
There goes the spacey again. I'm not trying to push myself too hard, but I need to finish the illustrations for the Educators' Guide by Sunday. AMF's website: most of what I'm coming up with to do requires conversion to Drupal, which I am putting to an after Faire starting point. Mostly because the changes need to be discussed in committee. I think what I will need to do is clean up the worst-of-the-color issues, update text where necessary, and get the ticket booth functional again is all I can do before Faire.
That's enough for an update.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Bacterial infection
Doc thought what I have is bacterial rather than the viral flu, so I have antibiotics now. I should go back to work on Thursday. I told them Friday. Honestly, I don't know how I lost a day.
I feel more human right now, but I think that is drug related. I expect it to only last for another hour at the best. This is the time I usually start drooping, achy and don't want to do anything.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
I feel more human right now, but I think that is drug related. I expect it to only last for another hour at the best. This is the time I usually start drooping, achy and don't want to do anything.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Monday, January 14, 2008
Still sick
This makes 48 hours. I think I have the flu. Going to the doctor tomorrow morning.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Sunday, January 13, 2008
So what do I get on a three day weekend?
Yeah, I don't have to go into work tomorrow since Bobby Jindal is getting inaugurated. So yeah, three days to catch up on housework and other projects.
Saturday morning I wake up with a cough. So I start taking Airborne all day, and get through it, cross stuff off the list, getting writing done, started outlining stuff for the website. By last night my whole body is aching (having done nothing more strenuous than laundry), I've still got a cough, and I can't shake off the chills. I turn up my electric blanket and eventually take some nighttime cold medicine. And then woke every four hours to dose myself again.
This morning I still have the cough, body not as achy but I don't want to do anything, and I have a fever. So I found my daytime cold medicine and taking that along with extra vitamin C and Airborne.
What really sucks? I'll be well by Tuesday.
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Saturday morning I wake up with a cough. So I start taking Airborne all day, and get through it, cross stuff off the list, getting writing done, started outlining stuff for the website. By last night my whole body is aching (having done nothing more strenuous than laundry), I've still got a cough, and I can't shake off the chills. I turn up my electric blanket and eventually take some nighttime cold medicine. And then woke every four hours to dose myself again.
This morning I still have the cough, body not as achy but I don't want to do anything, and I have a fever. So I found my daytime cold medicine and taking that along with extra vitamin C and Airborne.
What really sucks? I'll be well by Tuesday.
Week 30 = 181.7
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Number Crunching 109
Quicken Cash Flow = 593.53
I didn't follow cash only very well, but I think it was because of the leftover December bills. Now those have all been paid off. So goal today to allocate my next paycheck.
:p Good thing I have the money in savings because I think I'm going to be $63.00 short for what I spend. *headdesk* I just have to hang on until the student loan check and get the savings filled.
Projects
Fill out paperwork to get reimbursed for eye exam.
Put Dfrd. Comp. statements into Quicken.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
I didn't follow cash only very well, but I think it was because of the leftover December bills. Now those have all been paid off. So goal today to allocate my next paycheck.
:p Good thing I have the money in savings because I think I'm going to be $63.00 short for what I spend. *headdesk* I just have to hang on until the student loan check and get the savings filled.
Projects
Fill out paperwork to get reimbursed for eye exam.
Put Dfrd. Comp. statements into Quicken.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Oh good, only one more day to get through
Still haven't got my sleep schedule straight. I don't know if I'm not getting to bed on time, not enough water, not enough exercise, or a combination of all three. I'm hoping it's not stress and very afraid that it is. Though back muscles tightness is probably more bad posture and need to exercise more. I got to get yoga back in the schedule.
Looking at more things with AMF website and MySpace page. I think I have a question that could relate to the Library as well considering Drupal. The question hasn't completely gelled, if you're wondering why I sound so vague. However it does fall under the things to consider later after Faire season.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Looking at more things with AMF website and MySpace page. I think I have a question that could relate to the Library as well considering Drupal. The question hasn't completely gelled, if you're wondering why I sound so vague. However it does fall under the things to consider later after Faire season.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Thesis Quest Part 2
Just got my third rejection for the job of being my thesis advisor. Currently waiting on a response to my "now what?" to the graduate studies in English head. Really hoping that I can still graduate in Decemeber, and that it won't be put off until May 2009. I am willing to work during the summer semester. However at the rate things are going, I doubt any of the professors are willing.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Feeling Guilty About Updates
Website updates might be the source of my wiggies. I haven't done anything on Alt. BM Site, the Library, or Acadiana Medieval Faire sites. in fact, the only thing I can say I've done on this front is get feedback and buy back two domains that I haven't put to use yet.
The websites exist in in a funny place for me. With the exception of AMF's, I do them for fun. I get them to the point now where I don't have to sit on them 24/7 so I have a life. And after so long, I start feeling like I'm letting people down. Mentally, I know this isn't true--the site is up, people are happy--but I don't remember that when I get in the throes of "AGH! TOO MUCH TO DO!" And when that feeling gets overwhelming, I want to crawl out of my skin and end up watching a DVD instead of actually facing the problem.
"Which is why one must do the mind sweep and remind oneself, grasshopper."
I think I'm past it now, mostly. So tonight I'm starting on redesigning AMF's website from getting home till about 8:30 or 9pm. I've been getting home around 5:30 to 6pm, but I need time to eat. So hop online and tell me hi and save me from tearing my hair out if you're available. All times Central time zone.
8:30pm and I have wrapped up. Sorry you missed me. :p I got most of the basics done at least. By Friday, I think I'll be ready to start the actual design process.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
The websites exist in in a funny place for me. With the exception of AMF's, I do them for fun. I get them to the point now where I don't have to sit on them 24/7 so I have a life. And after so long, I start feeling like I'm letting people down. Mentally, I know this isn't true--the site is up, people are happy--but I don't remember that when I get in the throes of "AGH! TOO MUCH TO DO!" And when that feeling gets overwhelming, I want to crawl out of my skin and end up watching a DVD instead of actually facing the problem.
"Which is why one must do the mind sweep and remind oneself, grasshopper."
I think I'm past it now, mostly. So tonight I'm starting on redesigning AMF's website from getting home till about 8:30 or 9pm. I've been getting home around 5:30 to 6pm, but I need time to eat. So hop online and tell me hi and save me from tearing my hair out if you're available. All times Central time zone.
8:30pm and I have wrapped up. Sorry you missed me. :p I got most of the basics done at least. By Friday, I think I'll be ready to start the actual design process.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
The Overwhelming Wiggies
GTD is making a huge difference. I know what needs doing and can usually settle down and do it, even if keeping the In Basket empty is a nigh impossible task. (Maybe I need to move the filing cabinets around or something. It's always filing I let pile up.) I try to break the day at home into twenty minute chunks at the desk and away from the desk. And it works, up until I'm done for the day, have free time, and need to work on writing.
Then I have the uncontrollable urge to wiggle out of skin. Sitting at the computer desk is impossible. I wander around the house until I finally settle into something that's not writing. Saturday night I ended up doing fifteen crossword puzzles in a row while letting Apollo 13 play on the TV. Last night it was three episodes of Battlestar Galactica.
It's not a problem with my writing brain. I'm working fine at Starbucks, I worked fine on the trip, I get a bit done at the paying job (though not the full lunch hour I keep fantasizing about but can't get accomplished). So why the disconnect at home, which should be my serene haven that allows me to work?
Why I find it so disconcerting, it is a relatively recent development over the course of my writing career. I started writing at age 11 and haven't really stopped since then, and up until starting all this "real world" shit (house, car, paying job, etc.) I could write any where any time. Now it's I can write any where any time as long as it's not my house.
Usually feeling like that means you need to do a mind sweep, but I didn't even remember that at the time. Which, in hindsight, I find annoying. Why didn't I do a mind sweep and reach the core of what is bothering me?
There will always be too much to do at house, too many distractions. I have to get past that in order to get anything done! Conversely, it may not be a personal fault, but a way for my brain to take a needed break. I have been frazzled a good portion of the week with finances. I understand needing a break. Don't understand the want to crawl out of my skin feeling. And getting really annoyed with the sensation.
In better writing-ish news, I finally got off my ass and finished a submission. It's just an advice letter to a national column on house repairs, so there was no reason to sit on it nearly a month--other than my fear of submissions. :p It's not even a conscious decision. I just forget to take that final step.
So that is done and a project crossed off the list. I reviewed the lists this morning, made a few minor tweaks, but generally like what I have on my Saner To-Do list. It's a good amount to get finished in a week. Now I think part of the issue is I haven't addressed the website updates and the clock is really ticking on AMF's. But apparently clock not ticking hard enough to motivate me once I reach home. :p That's not very helpful.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Then I have the uncontrollable urge to wiggle out of skin. Sitting at the computer desk is impossible. I wander around the house until I finally settle into something that's not writing. Saturday night I ended up doing fifteen crossword puzzles in a row while letting Apollo 13 play on the TV. Last night it was three episodes of Battlestar Galactica.
It's not a problem with my writing brain. I'm working fine at Starbucks, I worked fine on the trip, I get a bit done at the paying job (though not the full lunch hour I keep fantasizing about but can't get accomplished). So why the disconnect at home, which should be my serene haven that allows me to work?
Why I find it so disconcerting, it is a relatively recent development over the course of my writing career. I started writing at age 11 and haven't really stopped since then, and up until starting all this "real world" shit (house, car, paying job, etc.) I could write any where any time. Now it's I can write any where any time as long as it's not my house.
Usually feeling like that means you need to do a mind sweep, but I didn't even remember that at the time. Which, in hindsight, I find annoying. Why didn't I do a mind sweep and reach the core of what is bothering me?
There will always be too much to do at house, too many distractions. I have to get past that in order to get anything done! Conversely, it may not be a personal fault, but a way for my brain to take a needed break. I have been frazzled a good portion of the week with finances. I understand needing a break. Don't understand the want to crawl out of my skin feeling. And getting really annoyed with the sensation.
In better writing-ish news, I finally got off my ass and finished a submission. It's just an advice letter to a national column on house repairs, so there was no reason to sit on it nearly a month--other than my fear of submissions. :p It's not even a conscious decision. I just forget to take that final step.
So that is done and a project crossed off the list. I reviewed the lists this morning, made a few minor tweaks, but generally like what I have on my Saner To-Do list. It's a good amount to get finished in a week. Now I think part of the issue is I haven't addressed the website updates and the clock is really ticking on AMF's. But apparently clock not ticking hard enough to motivate me once I reach home. :p That's not very helpful.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Weight Loss
I need to get back into exercising. I think part of the reason I keep hurting is I scaled back to nothing and my body misses it.
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
Progress Bar from Writertopia
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Week 29 = 181.9
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
Progress Bar from Writertopia
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Friday, January 04, 2008
Number Crunching 108
Actually, it's a little early for the monthly Budget Meeting, but I'm trying to get habits established. And I need to figure out how to conduct a meeting with myself and the blog.
First step, Quicken Cash Flow total for the week = -190.03
Second step is to maintain Quicken entries daily. Been doing that and reconciling the financial software when I get paper statements. That way they don't pile up as I am wont to let them do.
So third step is the process of the actual meeting that I have no clue what to do. Getting Finances Done has a few suggestions, luckily.
Reconciling last month's budget: I had a budget for December, but not a zero-based one. I can reconcile to that and how much I overspent in what categories along with my December account statement.
Results: I am right royally fucked.
I knew December was in a bad shape but I expected to have some money to start January with. Mortgage got paid but that was the only thing that would get paid. Nothing even for gasoline. CRAP!
So I went and had a nice talk to the bank and got loaned enough money to cover what didn't get paid in December and what is coming due and to get a big leg up on the STEF. Of course, now I have a new bill, but I can continue to go to work.
New Quicken Cash Flow total = 1310.13
Creating next month's budget: January's is made already and yes, I am sticking to it. When I get to the last week of the month, when the monthly Budget Meeting is scheduled, I will do February's.
Determining how much cash to withdraw for the period: I figured this up when I did January's budget and broke down the bills by my pay periods. Trying it for a month to see if it works.
Ensuring all automatic payments went through: 3 payments bounced at the end of December. Tomorrow, I have to make online payments for them or call the companies and tell them to try the check again.
Ensuring all automatic payments for the next period are set up properly: I already changed due dates for the bills so they will fall better according to income. I canceled my Big Fish Games and Audible memberships. I checked with Demco, and they will let me set up levelized billing once I'm at a zero balance (i.e after I pay this month's bill). Automatic payment review comes at the end of January, so i should know for February. I can set the will in motion to cancel Centennial account to go in effect next month. So it's time to start shopping for a new plan to go with the TomTom. (And if the bots show up in comments, I still feel like it's false advertising not to tell people on the box what cellphone companies work with the service. :p)
I'm still undecided about Waste Management, and I need to make a decision soon.
Reviewing short-term saving goals:
Sam of Getting Finances Done also recommends doing the following once a quarter. Since January technically starts a new quarter and I have never done them, here I go.
Review long-term savings goals:
And yes, my first three long-term savings goals are ultimately spending goals. The house needs work (and those are ballpark estimates done by me, not a pro) and I'm not getting any younger and would like to see Europe before my health gives out. Surprisingly, I stuck to one country and found the quotes I was getting online affordable. Paying off my major debts has to happen, so I just put them here for now. They'll move in another month or two.
Update Net Worth Statement: I'm saving this one until the end of January. I've just added another loan, will be making payments on other loans, and I don't want to mess with it right now.
Plan for upcoming vacations or major purchases: Dishwasher counts, and so does getting ready for Faire in March/April. Damn, I need a cauldron and new shoes for Faire.
Keep in the financial binder: a list of decisions made, a list of situations that count as emergencies, a list of large purchases, travel plans and budgets, gift giving plans and budgets, prioritization of high-level goals. Doing that, except I don't feel like I've made any decisions in this meeting. Okay, I took a break and went to bed to come back to this.
Now that I actually have some money in the STEF, I want to keep it there.
Some are larger than others and most I have been living without, so there's no big rush to purchase them. So I can save up money and then buy the items. And I know the garb wish list is incomplete, but while I still want a flintlock in a oh-it-hurts way, I don't need it for March/April.
Now for the category I don't do well in.
The order of stuff goes fairly wonky at the end. Safe to say that the first eight are pretty much in order of importance. Though laptop and bathroom remodel change places with paying off loans depending on my mood.
And now we have finally reached the end of the meeting. I hope the next one doesn't take as long. But I am establishing things here that I haven't ever established for myself before. Less of the wishy-washy and more concrete, and I don't feel so bad saying no to a splurge purchase if it's because I need the money for the dishwasher. I can reason with my worst impulses, as long as I have the fact to fight with.
Now it's time to stick things in the binder.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
First step, Quicken Cash Flow total for the week = -190.03
Second step is to maintain Quicken entries daily. Been doing that and reconciling the financial software when I get paper statements. That way they don't pile up as I am wont to let them do.
So third step is the process of the actual meeting that I have no clue what to do. Getting Finances Done has a few suggestions, luckily.
Reconciling last month's budget: I had a budget for December, but not a zero-based one. I can reconcile to that and how much I overspent in what categories along with my December account statement.
Results: I am right royally fucked.
I knew December was in a bad shape but I expected to have some money to start January with. Mortgage got paid but that was the only thing that would get paid. Nothing even for gasoline. CRAP!
So I went and had a nice talk to the bank and got loaned enough money to cover what didn't get paid in December and what is coming due and to get a big leg up on the STEF. Of course, now I have a new bill, but I can continue to go to work.
New Quicken Cash Flow total = 1310.13
Creating next month's budget: January's is made already and yes, I am sticking to it. When I get to the last week of the month, when the monthly Budget Meeting is scheduled, I will do February's.
Determining how much cash to withdraw for the period: I figured this up when I did January's budget and broke down the bills by my pay periods. Trying it for a month to see if it works.
Ensuring all automatic payments went through: 3 payments bounced at the end of December. Tomorrow, I have to make online payments for them or call the companies and tell them to try the check again.
Ensuring all automatic payments for the next period are set up properly: I already changed due dates for the bills so they will fall better according to income. I canceled my Big Fish Games and Audible memberships. I checked with Demco, and they will let me set up levelized billing once I'm at a zero balance (i.e after I pay this month's bill). Automatic payment review comes at the end of January, so i should know for February. I can set the will in motion to cancel Centennial account to go in effect next month. So it's time to start shopping for a new plan to go with the TomTom. (And if the bots show up in comments, I still feel like it's false advertising not to tell people on the box what cellphone companies work with the service. :p)
I'm still undecided about Waste Management, and I need to make a decision soon.
Reviewing short-term saving goals:
- STEF = $2202.00. Current total = $994.81
- Dishwasher Fund = $500.00. Current total = $0.00
- Reenacting garb fund = $200.00. Current total = $0.00
- Laptop fund = $1500.00. Current total = $0.00
- Cosmetic treatments fund = $1000.00. Current total = $0.00
- Wish list fund = $500.00. Current total = $0.00
Sam of Getting Finances Done also recommends doing the following once a quarter. Since January technically starts a new quarter and I have never done them, here I go.
Review long-term savings goals:
- Bathroom remodel fund = $12,000.00. Current total = $0.00
- House remodel fund = $200,000. Current total = $0.00
- European vacation fund = $5000.00. Current total = $0.00
- Retirement fund = $292,547. Current total = $33,379.00
- Pay off mortgage = $41,195. Current total = $0.00
- Pay off school loans = $69,233. Current total = $0.00
And yes, my first three long-term savings goals are ultimately spending goals. The house needs work (and those are ballpark estimates done by me, not a pro) and I'm not getting any younger and would like to see Europe before my health gives out. Surprisingly, I stuck to one country and found the quotes I was getting online affordable. Paying off my major debts has to happen, so I just put them here for now. They'll move in another month or two.
Update Net Worth Statement: I'm saving this one until the end of January. I've just added another loan, will be making payments on other loans, and I don't want to mess with it right now.
Plan for upcoming vacations or major purchases: Dishwasher counts, and so does getting ready for Faire in March/April. Damn, I need a cauldron and new shoes for Faire.
Keep in the financial binder: a list of decisions made, a list of situations that count as emergencies, a list of large purchases, travel plans and budgets, gift giving plans and budgets, prioritization of high-level goals. Doing that, except I don't feel like I've made any decisions in this meeting. Okay, I took a break and went to bed to come back to this.
Situations that count as emergencies
Covering a bill between paychecks
- Citifinancial bill
- Natural gas bill
- Water bill
- Telephone bill
- Cellphone bill
- Medical fund
- Electric bill
- Fuel fund
- Mortgage bill
- Auto insurance bill
- Car note
- Garbage removal bill
- Grocery fund
- Pelican loan bill
Groceries is a last resort though, and I need to be unemployed
Car breakdown
Gasoline budget goes dry between checks
Unexpected illness or injuries
Travel expenses for a funeral
Unexpected household expenses (fridge or AC breakdown)
Unexpected tax burden
Travel expenses for a hurricane
Now that I actually have some money in the STEF, I want to keep it there.
A list of large purchases/wish list
Dishwasher – see wish list folder
Laptop – see wish list folder
Posture Pleaser for home
Belkin Tune Cast II at Walker Wal-Mart
Blinds for the office
3 Fisher space pens
Black ink for Epson Stylus 760
Digital pen
Compost bin for kitchen counter – see wish list folder
Compost bin for outside
Metal pullout shelf for kitchen
2 maroon standard pillowcases from Linens ‘n Things
Ikea Sova full fitted sheet
Ikea Tupplur full top sheet
Robin Hood extended version DVD
Caboodel for costume make-up
Change bank
Better car backpack
White basket for bathroom – top shelf
Custom frames for Biker Mice artwork
Trunk for blankets
Real luggage
Thigh-high black socks from Dreamsocks
Black ankle boots
Black leather high heels
Cauldron
Medieval shoes
Some are larger than others and most I have been living without, so there's no big rush to purchase them. So I can save up money and then buy the items. And I know the garb wish list is incomplete, but while I still want a flintlock in a oh-it-hurts way, I don't need it for March/April.
Travel Plans and Budget
Acadiana Medieval Faire March 29 - April 1
I don't know if I need to take off the week before or the week after yet.
Budget needs: gasoline money, blow money, personal food money, camping supplies money, supporting the demo/feeding the cast budget.
Next Action: Compare what was spent last year and adjust for this year. I hope I don't need to feed the cast out of my pocket again.
Pennsic August 2008
Doubt this one is in the budget this year.
Austin, Texas Whenever
Need to budget for books and Ikea. I badly overblew at both stores last trip.
Gift Giving Plans and Budget
Krista January - send an snail mail card
Kay February - book $20
Mom Mother's Day, May - movie $20
Dad Father's Day, June - movie $20
Atticus July - book $20
Kai October - send a snail mail card
Christmas - would like to do an Experience event rather than gifts. Exceptions: Kay and Atticus.
Now for the category I don't do well in.
Prioritization of High-Level Goals
- Fully fund STEF.
- Pay off Mom and Dad.
- Buy a dishwasher.
- Pay off Citifinancial Loan.
- Pay off Pelican loan.
- Buy a new laptop.
- Remodel bathroom.
- Long term savings so I don't have to borrow from Mom and Dad.
- Go to Europe.
- Remodel house and landscape yard more.
- Pay off car.
- Save more for retirement.
- Save for Atticus's college education.
- Pay off mortgage early.
- Pay off school loans.
- Earn money from writing.
- Buy the rest of my grandmother's land.
- Set up a living trust.
- Get full insurance so I don't worry about losing everything.
- AMF pays me for my writing
- Go to Pennsic again.
- Go to New York City.
- Buy the next car with cash, no loan.
The order of stuff goes fairly wonky at the end. Safe to say that the first eight are pretty much in order of importance. Though laptop and bathroom remodel change places with paying off loans depending on my mood.
And now we have finally reached the end of the meeting. I hope the next one doesn't take as long. But I am establishing things here that I haven't ever established for myself before. Less of the wishy-washy and more concrete, and I don't feel so bad saying no to a splurge purchase if it's because I need the money for the dishwasher. I can reason with my worst impulses, as long as I have the fact to fight with.
Now it's time to stick things in the binder.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
It's that time of year again
Bah. I decided to make it easy this year. Basically, I resolve to keep doing what I said I was going to do in this post: Let it not be said I was inflexible.
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
Iron Experiment Day 26
So I'm back from New Year's trip with my parents. It was fun. I didn't win anything at the casino, but I got three days of work on the Educators' Guide and two days in the hotel fitness center! Woot!
The Bowflex machine was a let down. I made sure the machine was set on fifteen pounds, since that's the weight of my barbell at home. The chiro doesn't want me exercising with the max weight I can do, but on the Bowflex, it felt like nothing. I ended up doing three sets of fifteen reps, which was overdoing it. The next day I went back and got on the treadmill. Treadmills still scare me. I can't run on them, I can't let go of the rails, and I don't understand how the programs work and I can never finish one. Oh well, I think I'm glad I spent my money on free weights.
Tomorrow though, I'm staying inside with the yoga DVD. It's getting down to 28 degrees tonight. BELOW FREEZING! Not going to be outside before daylight unless I'm running to my car.
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
The Bowflex machine was a let down. I made sure the machine was set on fifteen pounds, since that's the weight of my barbell at home. The chiro doesn't want me exercising with the max weight I can do, but on the Bowflex, it felt like nothing. I ended up doing three sets of fifteen reps, which was overdoing it. The next day I went back and got on the treadmill. Treadmills still scare me. I can't run on them, I can't let go of the rails, and I don't understand how the programs work and I can never finish one. Oh well, I think I'm glad I spent my money on free weights.
Tomorrow though, I'm staying inside with the yoga DVD. It's getting down to 28 degrees tonight. BELOW FREEZING! Not going to be outside before daylight unless I'm running to my car.
Week 28 = 182.8
Week 27 = 182.7
Week 26 = 185.3
Week 25 = 188.2
Week 24 = 188
Week 23 = 186.7
Week 22 = 187.4
Week 21 = 186.9
Week 20 = 186.2
Week 19 = 186.4
Week 18 = 186.3
Week 17 = 186.5
Week 16 = 187.2
Week 15 = 188.6
Week 14 = 188.8
Week 13 = 189
Week 12 = 187.6
Week 11 = 187.8
Week 10 = 189.6
Week 9 = 188.9
Week 8 = 193.4
Week 7 = 194.5
Week 6 = 194.5
Week 5 = 195.5
Week 2 = 199
Week 1 = 205
Read Free!
The BookWorm
There is a new renaissance festival in Louisiana! Check out the Acadiana Medieval Faire at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/
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