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Monday, January 09, 2006

think

Here are a few things I've been thinking about lately (in no particular order):

1) Condo. Investing is the way to go, and now that I'm rapidly approaching my late-mid-20's, I realize that my early-late-20's are just around the corner. IF I DON'T INVEST, I COULD DIE!!! Not really, but I have been debating looking into what a condo would take. I'd imagine association fees, taxes and mortgage payments. Roughly, about $1200-$1300/mo. This is substantially more money than I pay per month on rent at the moment, but I've got it on the brain and it's something to get familiar with.

2) School. Right now I have it setup so that I graduate in Spring of 2007. This requires taking 3 classes over summer, or 1 class over summer, and 5 classes in both fall and spring semesters of next year instead of 4. It's going to be rough, but I feel getting it done in this manner will help me stay focused and move me ahead in my career at the pace I want to do so. So far, I've gotten all A's the 2 semesters that I've worked full time. Oddly enough, I feel that working part-time would inhibit my grades, as I tend to get lazy if it's not a constant GO-GO-GO environment for me. This DOES take a toll on my social life and emotions, but I deal with that on my own and know it's all for a good reason.

3) Work. My current job requires little effort. However, The pay has been the same for 3 years, but my bills have increased and I find that I'm more and more strapped for cash, especially with school books and supplies, etc. The benefits are cheaper to get on my own, and vacation is limited to 1 week per year. Now, I'm not a benefits/vacation whore, but I feel some motivation should keep me here, and it's lacking, so I feel the need for a new job. This, however, is complex for me. My portfolio only has maybe 6 pieces, and I feel 10-15 is the right amount for design gigs. I'm also currently in school for design, so I feel that since my degree isn't done, that may inhibit my ability to find work at a design studio or graphics company. I could probably find another job like my work at IBM, but that's not really where I want my career to go, and I'd like to be doing something in my field of study and long-term career goal. Either way, today I suppose I should work on the website and get things done with that so that I not only can use it for the portfolio, but I can also have an online portfolio attached to it. My resume is updated, so I think I'm on the right track here... Just need to get some things done.

4) Music. I'm a terrible lyricist. I try too hard to be poetic and profound, but I'm just not poetic or profound. I'm a cynical, sarcastic being that views the world in a logical manner and keeps his emotions in check. As most of my friends know, I rarely care what a singer sounds like, as it's the music that I'm usually attracted to when listening to new bands (unless the singer is REALLY REALLY annoying). I also am not a singer. Singing is going to be a new thing for me. So lyrics for the 4 completed songs I have done thus far will be difficult to write, and even more difficult to sing. I know I can carry a note, but having never fronted a band, I don't feel I have the control to change pitch correctly and don't know if I can handle singing for long periods of time. It's VERY intimidating. I did do some singing (well, talking in a singing manner) a while back to see what I sounded like, and found that I sound a little like Billy from Oh My God, or really any singer that has a deeper, loud voice. But is that fitting with this music that I'm making? Will I be able to write lyrics that match the voice and the music? It's going to be hard times on me, people.

5) Health. Last year, I gained 20lbs from working out between Memorial Day weekend and the end of 2005. This has also caused me to get a little pudgy (yes, even thin people can get fat - we may not increase our clothing sizes or anything, but tone goes away and our stomachs look a little pudgy). Now, even though I've gained 20lbs, there aren't a lot of people that notice, which is a sure sign of how pathetically thin I really was. My goal is to gain another 10lbs, and just stay there. But I can't seem to get over this 20lb hump, so the only logical solution is to start cutting carbs in order to increase protein, and help lose some of the fat that comes with gaining muscle without doing cardio, and start taking whey protein shakes. These days, I am concerned with my health and how I feel as a result of working out and keeping healthy. I guess one goal of mine is to replace soda's with water and juice, but I never made that a resolution or anything. Perhaps I should...

6) Taxes. I'm not sure what to do here. I thought I could deduct things like books and computers and such from my taxes, but I guess that would be less than the standard deduction from what someone told me last night. All these student loans and such - I just can't take it... Taxes will not be fun this year, and who knows what the hell I'll end up doing.

7) Bars. I went to a bar every night from Thursday to Sunday. I really just don't like them. Once in a while is fun, but 4 nights in a row, and it's just a nightmare. Same people, same drama, same nasty-ass smoke smell on my clothes and skin when I get home at night. It's a bit much...

I guess that's really all I've been thinking about these days. Lots of things, not a lot of time to have them all floating around at once. They aren't in any particular order of importance from the other. Just items that need processing and to be taken care of.

Anyway, you guys have fun today, and I'll talk with you later.

posted by grey as mike @ 9:26 AM

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