Friday, February 22, 2008

End of the Week/Shopping Blues

I didn't think I would have to look forward to the end of the week once I retired, but now that I am working part time, the end of the week is important to me again. I feel as if I don't have time to do everything I want to do. Next week I have to give up the stretching class on Wednesday to take the cats to the vet.

It's snowing again and I am getting pretty tired of winter. We have had below average temperatures most of the month and it looks as if the pattern will hold through most of next week. It will probably warm up here once we get to Morocco, where of course it is much warmer.

I finally got the Nintendo DS although I haven't really done anything with it yet. I'm not sure I want to take it with me. As it is I have way too many electronic gadgets for traveling. Still, my wish list is getting longer, not shorter. Am I brainwashed into the idea of constant buying to help the economy? Do I have a shopping addiction? Will a time come when I don't want anything? Although I don't really need them, I want a couple of pairs of Chico's jeans. They do fit really well and they have a deal on them (and I have a coupon). I realize that the deals and coupons are just ways to get you in to buy stuff you don't need. I also want (and have ordered) the Dahon Vitesse D7HG in Slate. This is the link to it: http://dahon.com/us/vitessed7hg.htm. I won't commit until I actually try it out, but it looks like a really nice travel bike. Will I take the bike when I travel? I hope that I can use it in Phoenix. It would get me out and about and give me the chance to get some exercise. I now need to save up for this as well as the Sidi shoes that should be coming in any day now.

Other things on my wish list--a bunch of books on polar exploration, some books on Venice and Siena as well as some on the Italian Renaissance. I want a Molteni wool jersey and a cycling yoga DVD and a book on bicycle maintenance. I want some Livestrong shorts and I want to donate to Yield to Life. I also want the bike racing novels by Dave Shields (and the jersey) and the new mysteries by Donna Leon and Andrea Camillieri. I have already ordered the Slipstream team gear (although socks don't seem to be available at the moment). It is too bad that the shorts are bibs, but you take what you can get. I need to make sure that there is enough money in my account for that purchase. I might look for dark blue leg warmers since they would go with the Discovery and Carmichael gear too.

And then there is the possibility of Venice and the reality of Phoenix, so I know I will need travel money. What I would love would be an infinite amount of travel money. I dream of three or four trips a year besides Phoenix. It is true that we would probably get tired of traveling that much. Especially since I would like fairly long trips. If I can't live abroad, I would like the feeling of it since I can't afford the reality. The weak dollar definitely doesn't help there and the cost of flights is getting worse and worse.

We also need to think about more work on the house, especially fixing up the basement and replacing the siding. These are not exciting but necessary expenses. I don't need to be rich but a bit of extra money would be useful.

I really need to start to focus on the trip to Morocco. I plan on just a carry-on bag so I need to think carefully about what to take for almost three weeks.

2 comments:

  1. Wow. I'm honored that my books and jerseys were mentioned on your blog. I hope you get the things on your wish list.
    Tailwinds,
    Dave Shields

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  2. Thanks. When I get back from my trip I will have a better idea of how much money I have to spend. I was disappointed to find that your books have not made it to my local library system. After I read them, I may donate them to the library so that other fans of cycling can read them too.

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