A handful of dimes....

We've been hearing a lot about the economy lately, haven't we? A couple years ago, America was obsessed with losing weight, becoming more healthy, living longer. These days it's all about saving money. Yahoo news is constantly running stories with headlines like "Top ten ways to save $200 a month" and "How to get the most out of a tank of gas." People everywhere are tightening their belts, forgoing those vacations, trading in their SUVs... I haven't changed a thing. Granted, I did get a new, more fuel efficient car earlier this year but it wasn't for reasons pertaining to the failing economy...My point is: I've always lived frugally...sure, I buy myself unnecessary things when I get a large sum of money (like the giant TV we bought with our tax returns) but day to day, we're very simple people.

I don't feel we live beyond our means like so many Americans do. While people are whining and complaining about not being able to afford manicures anymore, or not being able to spend $100 on dinner and drinks, Sean and I are going about business as usual. In fact, having the rest of the country (figuratively speaking) down at our level has been a refreshing experience. I'm not trying to wish ill on people, I'm just saying maybe a little financial humility will be good for society. Hopefully it will teach people not to be so wasteful in the future and to make more responsible decisions when it comes to money. I don't know. Probably not.

I don't have much debt. No credit cards or loans other than my car. I'm still paying stuff off from when I was a dumb kid, but other than that... My bills are pretty strait forward: Rent, utilities, car, insurance....I have a prepaid cell phone and we don't go out much. We pretty much do what we want, even if it takes us a while to get some money together. We're very happy. I did go through a point in my life I like to think is over, where I stressed out about money so much it literally made me sick. Seriously, I have ulcers. I was convinced that I was the only one out there paying my rent late and making arrangements with the electric company...I was so distressed thinking about our future bills and how we were never going to get caught up. Then one day, I looked around and realized I was not alone at all. I see "rich" people freaking out and I smile to myself knowing that I'm an old pro at the "Money/Stress game."

One thing that bothers me is how ungrateful some people can be. Once a person is used to having a certain amount of money, anything less becomes worthless! I don't understand it! I know as people make more money they generally make more bills, so when they're salary gets cut they find themselves in a tough spot. Know what I have to say? SUCK IT UP! Do people really go around in life thinking that things are just going to get better? Did they not take history in school? oh no.... I just got myself started.

WHY are people still buying GIGANTIC ass trucks when fuel prices fluctuate as much as California weather and our environment is in peril? What purpose do they serve? There are smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles that can hold up to 7 people, I don't see the need for an F350 King cab. Sorry. Don't want to hear about your $600 car payment or how much you pay for gas.

WHY do people buy boats and trailers when they only take them out once or twice a year? You know there are places you can rent that type of stuff? When your family is eating mac and cheese with hotdogs for the 4th day in a row, just remind them how much fun they're going to have at the river next summer. If you can afford to go.

WHY do people buy ridiculous accessories for their pets? Muffy does not like his new fur coat. In fact, he's pissed and he's planning on shitting in your kitchen while you're asleep. Meanwhile, your kid needs new shoes and you're bitching about how much they cost.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. Here's the kicker. The thing that made me write this half-assed attempt at a post in the first place:

I make $15 and hour. That translates to $600 a week, $471 after taxes. So, I basically live on $1884 a month, plus my husband's pay which is even smaller than mine. It's more than enough for us to live well. (thank God we don't have children) Hear that people? $2800 is MORE THAN ENOUGH to support two people and 4 cats-WELL- even in California. I'm not saying there aren't sacrifices to be made, I'm just saying it's possible. Easy, even.

I do payroll for the company I work for and some of these people make TWICE my salary. Business is slow, so a lot of people aren't getting a full 40 hours a week like me. BUT their paychecks still come out to more money, even when they've worked half the hours I have. It kills me to give these people their checks on Friday just to hear them say "My measly little paycheck" or "This will hardly cover my bar tab!" It just makes my blood boil. I want to shout "Listen you ungrateful fucks! I LIVE on less than that, so if you've got a fucking problem with your check, you can just pass that measly sum of money my way and I'll make sure to fucking appreciate it and put it to good use!" God DAMN people can be so insensitive!

I realize how self-righteous this post might sound, and I apologize if I've offended anyone. You know I like to keep the 4 or 5 readers I have coming back...lol I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for reading.

PS. The title comes from Five to One by the Doors... "Trade in your hours for a handful of dimes. Gonna make it baby in our prime..."

Pretty much sums up how I feel about having a job. lol Cest la vie....

Thanksgiving

Until I became a stoner, I never fully appreciated Thanksgiving. My mom never cooked a turkey because it was "too dry" but we had a ham and all the trimmings of a holiday meal. It just didn't hold any significant meaning to me. Then, November 2002, everything changed. It was before my dad and step-mom moved to Kansas, and they asked me to watch their house while they visited her sons for Thanksgiving. In return, they left me a little feast: A large rosted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes and a cranberry apple pie. All I had to do was warm it up in the oven and enjoy. I had just started smoking that summer, and decided to invite my stoney friends over to share in the bounty. It was an amazing day! Smoke, eat, smoke, eat...ahhh good times.

The following year, my husband and I were living in our first apartment together (without roomates) and I decided I was going to make us a turkey dinner. I enlisted the help of my SIL and the results were......AMAZING!!! I can't believe our first turkey came out so well! Once again, we smoked and ate to our hearts content and that was it for me. Thanksgiving became MY holiday. I will not go anywhere; my place on the last Thursday of November is in my kitchen, then on my couch. NO EXCEPTIONS! I've got T-day down to a science now. Weeks before the day, I print new copies of my recipes, make grocery lists, and make room in the freezer for the guest of honor: the turkey. I even write out a prep schedule to keep myself on track while I'm cooking and ensure nothing gets left out. It might seem a little stressful, but truth is it's a blast for me. I get to cook all day, smoke all day and then share the fruits of my labor with friends.

I never really know who's going to join us, but it doesn't matter. Anyone is welcome at my place on Thanksgiving. I haven't had the exact same group of people twice. I think any cook loves to hear their food is good, but I can't describe the pride I feel when someone who spent a Thanksgiving at my house recalls the day lovingly. Tsk, I'm getting all choked up thinking about it, what a sentimental fool I am!

One thing that makes a feast more than just a meal is the meaning behind the occasion. I loved attending Passover Sedars with my Jewish friends because the whole tradition and ritual surrounding the meal is so appealing to the foodie-philosopher in me. Thanksgiving is a celebration of the Pilgrims' first harvest in the new land. Think of all the things on your table this time of year: Pumpkin, potatoes, squash, corn...... Know what else is harvested the month before this glorious celebration? That's right. WEED! It's only fitting that it be part of the ritual on this day. Plus, who doesn't like to gorge themselves shamelessly when they're high?

I hope all of you out there in the blogosphere love Thanksgiving as much as I do, and I hope the things you are thankful for last forever. With that, I leave you with my 2008 Thanksgiving Menu:

Herb Roasted Turkey
Country Sage Dressing
Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Baked Sweet Yams
Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Taffy Apple Salad
Sourdough Rolls
Pumpkin Cheesecake

All I Wanna Be is a G, HA!

My friends and husband will agree that I think I am a Gangsta. Well, a wannabe Gangsta anyway. I like to act all tough and talk big. I bump rap in my Hyundai Accent Hatchback...(not all the time, but sometimes I'm in the mood) I get teased, but I don't mind. It's all in good fun and besides.... One day, I will be a G. Mark my words. If you saw me in the grocery store or something, you might mistake me for a Mormon. I'm a plain Jane, jeans and t-shirt white girl from Southern California who likes to pretend she's hard. Hey it's all part of my charm. I can whip up a batch of brownies while bustin' out some NWA.

Last night, I was a little down and I confided in my husband that I was worried I was turning soft and I needed to toughen myself up or I'd never make it to Gangsta status.... He probably could tell I was being serious, because he didn't really laugh, he just nodded his head in agreement. SO, this morning I find that my husband added a new ringtone to my phone:

Natural Born Killaz by Ice Cube.

Talk about support from your spouse! I guess I'm not the only one who wants me to be a G. lol

Superpower Friday

It's Friday!!!

Drunk Stoned Guitar Hero ACTIVATE! ;)

Just a little something for Election Day

I am 25 years old and I have never voted. EVER. I figured since I live in California, the delegates in this state will vote the way I want anyway, blah blah blah... basically I didn't want to register and get stuck with Jury Duty. Which I have had 3 times despite the fact that I barely registered to vote in September. SO! This year being all historic and whatnot, I decided to go ahead and do it. In honor of my first voting experience, I wrote a little poem:

I'm going to the polls today
to stand in line and wait,
I'll cast my vote for president
and help dissolve Prop 8.

I'll sit and watch the TV screen
when all the votes are in,
And if Obama doesn't win
I guess I'll be Canadian!

YAY DEMOCRACY!!