This happens every year

Or it seems like it.

I got my tax refund last week. It wasn't much, but it was enough that I thought I could go pick up some books and movies that I've been wanting for while plus some things that I need - like new pants. I spent all last week prioritizing my wish lists. Which ones do I want to most. If they don't have it, what substitutions will I accept. I know, its a little obsessive, but these are books we're talking about. And I haven't actually bought any new books (for me) in over a year.

I was going to go shopping yesterday. It was my day off and I had no other plans. But then, my car died. It just wouldn't start. Luckily for me there are about 20 car repair places on my street. Its working fine now.

It seems like every time I get a little extra money and I want to spend it on myself, something major breaks and I have to spend that extra money on the broken thing. Last time I think a couple of tires split and I had to buy new ones. Another time my water heater broke. Does this happen to anyone else? or is it just me?

Race for the Cure

Well, its official. I got my T-shirt and number in the mail. I'm officially participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on April 4. That gives me 19 days to practice running 5 kilometers. I won't say "train" because a) I don't have a trainer or a program or anything like that, and b) even if I did, I wouldn't do everything he/she/it says anyways.

I can run 3 miles right now, which is close to 5k, but its a very slow run. More like a jog. But then, I don't have to be fast, since I'm not doing the timed competition. I would like to finish in under 40 minutes though (yes, you can laugh here) which is about what it takes me now.

And the Prizes are In

The 23 Things may be over, but the fun keeps on happening.

Anyone who was able to finish the 23 Things by the end of January was eligible for a prize. Turns out that we got to choose our prize. Since the 23 Thing was all about technology, the prizes were all technology related too. We could choose from a Flickr pro account, an MP3 player, or a flash drive.

Remember all those posts I did had the phrase "If I had an MP3 player. . . ?" Well, now I do. So now I can actually do all those things that I wish I could. YAY!

Swan Lake

Like my little brother, I cannot drive without music. I need something I can listen to, otherwise I start talking to myself. And when I'm talking to myself, I pay more attention to what I'm saying then the other cars on the road. Its not a good thing. But music keeps me from doing that. Yes, music can be a distraction when driving, but not as much as a distraction as me monologuing.

As I was driving home one night, as I was scanning through stations, I heard Swan Lake. I don't usually listen to classical music when I'm driving. Its hard to sing to, but every time I hear Swan Lake I have to listen. Its probably the only piece of classical music that I can hear anywhere in the piece and recognize.

When I was really little and still had to take naps, my mom would play Swan Lake on the record player to encourage us to sleep. Or at least be still. Sadly enough, I have never seen the ballet. In my dream city - the city where I will one day live, but haven't found yet - there will be a ballet company that does more than 2 productions a year and I will see Swan Lake.