In a struggle to be happy and free

Drystone Wall

Month: December 2008 Page 2 of 9

Budgeting

Most of us work for a living and we receive a set amount of money after taxes. We choose what to do with the remainder. Typically, rent/mortgage, utilities, and food are among the expenses that we make sure get paid. After those priorities come others. Regardless of our own specific priorities, we all prioritize and make sure the things we require are covered while also trying to make room for the things we want.

Similarly, we have a certain amount of emotional energy available to us. Overspend, deny those close to us, or expend too much on those who are not interested, and you’ll find youself in just as bad a place as if you don’t pay your rent or have no money left for food. The sooner you learn to see when others aren’t interested, the better.

Jumper

I watched Jumper last week. I was okay, but just. It served to fill a block a time that I needed to fill, but I wouldn’t have been pleased if I’d postponed something to see the film. Something bothered me afterwards, though. It felt to me that the story had so much more potential than the film realized.

I bought a number of books as Christmas presents and while I was in the bookstore, I noticed a book called Jumper, by Steven Gould. It was first published in 1992. Given what Hollywood often does to good novels, I picked it up.

Hollywood did indeed do it again. The film bears little resemblance to the film. Only the most basic plot items are used. Everything else is different. It’s amazing to me that they kept the same title. It’s that different. Needless to say, the book was far better. I’ve discovered that there’s a sequel to the original novel, which I’ll certainly be getting. There’s also a novel written by the same author about a character from the film, who doesn’t appear in the original novel. I suppose a man’s gotta eat.

Both the original novel and the film are about David Rice, a young man who realizes he has the innate ability to teleport. All he needs is a memory of the destination. He can’t ‘jump’ to a place he’s never been. His mother left when he was a child and his father’s an abusive alcoholic. Once he discovers his talent, he runs away to New York City. The novel and film part company once David settles on a means of supporting himself. The film concentrates on fluff and special effects and the novel focuses on how David deals with this ability and discovers its limitations.

Which sounds more interesting to you?


Book cover art ©2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Temptation

I think the iPhone is one damn sexy device. I have most of the same functionality in my iPod Touch. The real downside is that I also carry a mobile phone, using more space in my pocket. As I’ve written before, the only reason I don’t already have an iPhone is the ridiculous price Rogers charges to use it on their network.

A couple of months ago, Don discovered that you’re not required to sign up for the iPhone plan to use the iPhone. I’m sure there are still restrictions, but he talked to a person who had an iPhone with talk minutes, but no data plan. Certainly that’s going to be cheaper, and the device has the ability to use WiFi access points. Certainly there are many areas without WiFi access, but I’ve never found this such a problem with the iPod Touch. I mean, if there’s no access point around, I wait until later. No big. Nothing’s so important that I must have it immediately.

He went and got himself an iPhone and beyond paying for it, all he had to do was sign up for three more years of the plan he was already using. Sweet!

Maybe someday, but it won’t happen any time soon for me. Still though, it’s nice to know that I won’t have to pay some $70/month if I ever do decide to make the leap. My money has other places to go in the meantime.

For now, I’m on the pay-as-you-go plan and doing just fine. Jessica told me that when she first signed up for pay-as-you-go, she bought $100 of time and it lasted nearly a year. So far, the $100 I bought in September is half gone, but that’s still just an average of  $12.50/month.  I know of no monthly plan so low. I won’t even be thinking about changing my mobile phone plan for at least another six months.

I’d love an iPhone, but I don’t need an iPhone.

Okay, stop!

I’m watching Deal or No Deal with my parents. As far as game shows go, it’s not a bad one, but I really have no time for game shows. I might make an exception for when I’m home and very sick, but even then I’d try to find something else more interesting.

The episodes on tonight are Christmas themed. And yes, I said ‘episodes.’ Two fracking hours of the show!

What really surprised me is that my mom knows the names of most of the women who open the cases. There are twenty six women! She can name them as the players choose the cases. Man alive, my parents are loyal viewers!

Kellemes Ünnepeket!

The card my nephew bought to accompany his gift for my parents is in Hungarian. I was really surprised to see it. The entry title is what appeared on the front of the card. The inside said:

Kellemes Ünnepeket és boldog újévet!

The direct translation is along the lines of “pleasant holidays and happy new year!” Nice.

Merry Christmas to you all!

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