Sunday, May 18, 2008

May 18th - The Day to Review and Regret...





I almost didn't notice the date today... May 18, 1991 was the day I graduated from Oswego State University in New York, and every May 18th, I review the year and try to plan out the next year to make sure I'm better off than the year before. It's safe to say that I failed miserably this past year...

There were a few moves I made earlier to last May 18th last year that, in hindsight, were financially silly. The trip to Europe, buying a new car when the old one was just fine ( I blame that one on my brother, Mark - and myself). But I was still doing fine, and making good money, so who cared. Then I turned 39.... Most guys lose their minds when they turn 40, but I decided to start a year early. As stupid the things I did were, I was still okay, until I shot my mouth off at work, and spent the next 6 months trying to find another job. Sure, I'm back on my feet now, but I do miss the $10k a year I lost. I'm sure I'll get it back here, but it would've been better to not have lost it in the first place....

I have learned to appreciate work, and I am more relaxed at Honda, and I have learned to temper my mouth when work pisses me off. Chalk it up to experience... There is another thing that this has affected: attending my best friend's wedding....

Phil was my best friend growing up. I've known him since kindergarten, and we played in bands together since high school. Through thick and thin, we stuck by each other. But I couldn't make it to New York this weekend for his wedding. The money hasn't come in quite in time, and I can't take days off from a new job. Matt is there, and he's telling everyone how sorry I am. I truly feel like a piece of crap, but I couldn't see spending $500 this weekend when there are friends I owed money to for helping me out when it got rough this year. It was a tough choice, but I had to be practical for once.

On July 9th, the clock hits midnight, and i'll be 40 at last. Maybe it's time to grow up a bit. Sure, sometimes it takes years to overcome bad decisions, but I'm about there. The dark days are over, and the future is brighter than today is, and much better than yesterday...

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11 comments:

earlcapps said...

Glad you made it in one piece. At least you made it to the year's most important event - the Blogland Graduation Fest.

Thoroughbred 401k said...

That I did, Earl..

Anonymous said...

This is going to sound stupid and redundant but, everything happens for a reason.

Thoroughbred 401k said...

Not stupid at all, Anon. I suppose the reason was I turned into a goof. T-RAV is saying the same thing, but he had the $$ to really get in trouble.

Anonymous said...

it'll get even better when Bush is out of office!

Anonymous said...

heads up

earlcapps said...

Well, how can I cash in on your new-found wealth?

Thoroughbred 401k said...

Simple, Earl - just line up with everyone else that I owe money to... Besides I wouldn't call paying your bills 'wealth'

Anonymous said...

so on your 40th birthday we certainly need to make our plans soone

earlcapps said...

yeah, i've gotta get payback for my roast. hope you're ready mike.

Thoroughbred 401k said...

Oh boy. I'm in for it now. Nothing worse than Earl out for vengeance... ;)