3:10 p.m. - Monday, Apr. 12, 2004
the \"catch up\" entry
Okay, the lesson for today is this:
Once I get really behind on diary entries, no way am I ever going to catch up, no matter how good my intentions.
So instead of moderate to lengthy entries on each topic that I've wanted to write about since I got back from my cruise, I'm going to give you the Cliff's notes version so that I can get on with updating when I have new things to update about, instead of convincing myself not to since I have so much old stuff to write about first.
(this isn't supposed to be work, dammit)
The work update:
While I was on my cruise, they laid off a bunch of people in my department, including one of the three doctors I work for. They did not, much to my dismay, lay me off while I was away. But this marks the second time I've gone on vacation and come back to find people I work with gone.
So things here have been ... well, I guess challenging would be a good word ... since then. Add in the fact that our department is in the midst of a "massive reorganization", and it's been nearly unbearable. However, things seems to be starting to smooth out, so this is a good thing, I guess. And unlike the last time, it did not result in a torrent of extra work poured on my shoulders.
I also had a couple of panicky days last week (the week before last? god, I am behind) when I saw that my boss had put a note on his schedule to talk to me about "more time." Right now, I so don't want to be taking on more hours. But the conversation never happened (or at least, it hasn't happened yet) and I've pretty much pushed it out of my mind.
The money update:
I am so broke. Operation "Live Skinny" is in full effect.
This means I cannot buy any more: (a) clothing or shoes, (b) books (unless I'm using Rewards Certificates from B&N), (c) CDs, DVDs or other entertainment media, or (d) jewelry or cosmetics. This also means that I'm seriously limiting my spending on things like eating out and Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and trying to cut down on how much gas I'm using and how much I'm smoking. And it means planning future vacations is pretty much on hold for the time being.
This hurts, kids.
I mean, I've never actually been any good at bugeting. Never. My solution to that was always to just make more money. But since the money isn't exactly pouring in these days, and since I'm really doing too many unprofitable things now to even think about taking on another job, I need to cut frivolous spending until my bank balance starts to look a little more robust, and my credit card balance ... well, a little less robust, I guess.
I did make one exception to the "no frivolous spending" mandate - I signed up for the speed-dating event that's happening next Thursday in Worcester. This will either prove or disprove my notion that speed dating absolutely could work for me, if the event was close enough and, well, not in Boston. So there goes that $35, assuming I get confirmed, which if I remember correctly with these things, is always *really* iffy.
The upside of that is that the speed-dating company I used is affiliated with an online personals site I had never heard of called Love Access. Because I put a photo on my profile, I got a free 7 day trial membership, and although there aren't gobs of men on there that really excite me, there were a few, and I've gotten at least three dozen "interest alerts" so far (half of those from men who were both in my desired age range and distance range). I've written a few e-mails, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Only 8 dates to go before I can blow the whole thing off again for awhile.
Seriously though? This is something I really want. And I can't sit at home waiting for it to happen. I need to make it happen. Therefore, that's what I'm trying to do.
Okay, as soon as I get all caught up on my Spark entries, you can expect semi-regular updates here again. Really. I mean it this time.
