Posts from — April 2008
The Year of Living Frugally – Week 10
These unhappy [outer space] agents found what had already been found in abundance on Earth – a nightmare of meaninglessness without end. The bounties of space, of infinite outwardness, were three: empty heroics, low comedy and pointless death.
Outwardness lost, at last, its imagined attractions.
Only inwardness remained to be explored.
Only the human soul remained terra incognita.
This was the beginning of goodness and wisdom.
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. – The Sirens of Titan
In honor of empty heroics, low comedy and pointless death – it’s time to revisit the employment situation.
I last presented my employment plan while at a conference in Monterey.
Toward the end of that conference – my supervisor found me before we were each going to different workshops.
He told me, “You need to carry my things back with you.” – motioning to all of the free corporate-giveaway schwag and work-materials. He was renting a car, and leaving the conference early, to take a few personal days to drive and visit someone.
I was so surprised, all I could do was laugh.
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April 14, 2008 5 Comments
The Year of Living Frugally – Week 8
Second-Month Budget Checkup
First full month of living in the new location…
Not bad – good company, getting my space figured out and not missing television at all anymore. The no-heat, drafty-house took a little getting used to – but it’s a chance to use my outdoor gear (and keep the down parka out of storage).
The biggest challenge of the last month was work-related. As in the overtime necessity and stress-level demands have been off the charts. I backslid a bit on making lunches for work – sometimes the greasy cafeteria food can be comforting.
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April 3, 2008 3 Comments

