Over 1/2 Way Through The Winter Break!

... And it occurs to me that so far I have not been as productive with my free time as perhaps I should've been. It is a vacation, after all, but I am starting to feel like a bum. Perhaps I should review some of my writings - it's been awhile since I've written anything and I still have numerous projects waiting to be completed. I promised I'd straighten the house some when I get the chance... it'll happen eventually. I have spent my time watching a few movies, finishing The Dispossessed, starting Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, and sitting around on my couch. I have also been working on memorizing lines for my next show which will start rehearsals in January.

Oh, and we bought a car! We finally bit the bullet and traded in Sara's clunker, and purchased a used KIA Rio5. It's a sporty little blue number and so far we really enjoy it. We'll see how we feel once the payments start, but I will no longer worry, every time the phone rings, that Sara is calling me from the side of the road, stranded as her car is engulfed in flames. A little peace of minds is nice.

Thankfully My Head Hasn't Exploded... Yet!

We're trying to buy Sara a car! That's right, we've thrown in the towel! Her lemon of a VW Golf is limping along on its last legs, or balding tires, and blown shocks,with its crumbling exhaust coughing along on its way towards a death rattle. Good Riddance!

The VW was our first attempt at buying a used car from someone other than my parents and it wasn't a shining success. A few months after buying the car the alternator went - Adam and I replaced the starter - and then ever since then the car has been a nightmare. It burns oil, leaks oil, shorts, shakes, stutters, and drives Sara crazy. It has lasted several years with us nursing it along, and spending more money on it than we purchased it for originally. It is no longer reliable and with winter approaching we don't want to take a chance of Sara getting stranded on the side of the road or blowing up one morning as she tries the ignition.

So we headed off to Carmax. We checked out several models and makes of affordable cars, test drove two and even looked into financing. Without boring you to death, we liked a car, were approved for financing, and walked away with plans to return later in the week and finalize the transaction. We walked out of the dealership feeling great. Then negative thoughts start to take over! Interest looms over your head! Financial stress compounds! Doubt! Remorse! ARGGGHH!

Keep in mind we're first time car buyers, so what may not seem like a big deal to you has taken over the last day and a half of my life and the repercussions threaten to resound for years to come. (So I'm being melodramatic. Indulge me!) Everyone we talk to has a different opinion, some are supportive to up to a point, and others choose to play devil's advocate meanwhile they're all just creating more questions. We've already gone back and forth several times and it seems like the waffling might continue until the deal is signed.

Whatever we choose will be our decision and I guess we'll have to live with that decision whether it be good or bad. This is what grown ups do, right? They experience new things, learn as they go, overcome obstacles, and eventually understand the world of finances, right? Hopefully, I won't stroke out before we drive the car off the lot!

Passports Cost $, Don't They?

Here I am, 2 days into my 2nd week of vacation, or as I like to call it 'school is out but I have nowhere to be or go, and no money to get there anyway'. As I previously stated, money is tight. I've been sticking pretty close to home; walking the dog, watching some movies on DVD or netflix.com, reading a book or 2, and cleaning the house little by little. The days are starting to bleed together, the house resists my cleaning efforts at a more vigorous pace than I can keep, and the cabin fever is setting in.

This morning I cued up my netflix and watched The Motorcycle Diaries. Bad movie choice. EXCELLENT MOVIE! Unfortunately, it has just made me feel like more of a lump on a bump on a log. 2 men travel across South America on a crappy old motorcycle, on foot, boat, and even raft while I sit on my porch counting loose change so I can buy cheap beer. How very depressing? These young adventurers repeatedly wrecked, went with out food, walked many miles, and even spent time working at the San Pablo Leper Colony. They kept on going. They persevered. I get overwhelmed when it's time to pay monthly bills, or figure out how we're going afford to move closer to our jobs.

I should be on a motorcycle wandering the Andes. I should be actively struggling against adversity -

SHIT! I just overcooked some boiled eggs because I wasn't paying attention! I forget boiling eggs on the stove top all the time.

Where was I? Oh yes, feeling sorry for myself.

The truth is that I have traveled. I've been abroad on a few trips, out of the country even. A few weeks ago we took a road trip to Chicago. In a few weeks we'll be in Minnesota. It's not the same. I watch a movie like this and it makes me long for 'adventure'. It makes me want to broaden my horizons. Horizon broadening, at least when it comes to travel, cost more money than we currently have.

I get jealous when I see friends on Facebook posting pictures of their travels to Thailand, or Jamaica. I am envious when my best friend announces he'll be spending 6 days in England... that guy doesn't even like to fly! When my brother and his wife go to Peru to stay with her family I wish I could hide in his suitcase.

For years now we, Sara & I, have talked about going to the United Kingdom. I've always wanted to go back to Europe especially Spain. I hope one day to be able to take my wife traveling to exotic locals, bear witness to unbelievable sights, and meet interesting people but for now I am going to walk the dog, pay the rent, and make myself an egg salad sandwich.