On my way

So, my "happiness project" is beginning. I am still working out the financial stuffs, but I am excited about my new job. It's a fresh start. A poorer start, but out from the hell that was my old job. I live in a place that I love. I am thankful right now for where I am and what's coming my way.

Kinda Defeats the Whole Purpose

So I accepted a job this morning. A new FULL TIME job. That pays 15K less than if my old job were still full time (damn I had it good!) and about 7K less than what I would be making with my old part time job plus a new part time job. *sigh* How is it that I keep going DOWN the pay scale?

Ugh

Not doing such a good job at NOT spending money....

Irony

So, I find it ironic that Bob Shepard passes away just days ahead of George Steinbrenner. So, when George arrives at heaven (supposing that's where he ends up) Bob will announce him. I also find it ironic that only George Steinbrenner could trump the All Star Game.

Seriously though, it's sad. It's losing a huge part of Yankee history. It was a very emotional baseball week. The tribute at the All Star Game, the first game back @ Yankee Stadium and of course Old Timers' Day. Which my David Cone made an appearance at! Man, did he look good.

The ASG was okay. I enjoyed seeing Mauer start. As well as David Price who I think is the best pitcher on the Rays. I was glad to see Papi win the Homerun Derby. I like seeing the players out on the field with their kids taking pictures and having fun.

Fun. That's what it's all about.

It's begun

So, I have cashed all my paychecks... my big summer check that will cover all bills - BARELY, my June check for the consulting job which gives me wiggle room and my mini check from my summer job. I am saving that for my summer vacation. I bought groceries with the goal of not having to buy them again all summer. I am staying home as often as I can so as to not be tempted. Okay, so I did buy a birthday present for my best friend and a Bambi PEZ dispenser (2 - one for me and one for my sister) but I resisted the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore stuffed animals at Kohl's and their matching books. Go me!

I Hate Jeff Kent

So, growing up, I was a Mets fan. Only because my sister was a Mets fan and I didn't know any better. But in 1997, I fell in love with David Cone. By 1988, Cone and Kevin McReynolds were my favorite players. When I love a player, I go all out. I read everything about them, buy their merch and just become obsessed. In August of 1992, my world shattered. The NY Mets traded David Cone to the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada! The American League! I was crushed.

In the trade, the Mets got Jeff Kent, nicknamed Superman. When he arrived in NY he was anything but. He did nothing to help the team and eventually moved on. When he ended up in Houston, they moved furture Hall of Famer, Craig Biggio from 2nd base where he'd been positioned once they realized he was a catcher who could RUN. Having grown up watching the National League, I was fond of Biggio, collected his baseball cards and everything. Again, I have a soft spot for catchers, so I was TICKED that they moved him just because they acquired Kent.

Fast forward a bit, after August 1992, I disowned the Mets and began to like the Yankees. They were getting better and some of the players I had seen play AA with the Albany-Colonie Yankees were on the team (Bernie Williams) and they signed Paul O'Neill, a name I knew from watching the National League so long. And one night, in 1995, my dad picked me up from work to tell me the Yanks traded for some schmuck. Who??? David Cone. That sealed the deal. I cried when they lost in the play offs in 1997. I was hooked. My whole family became Yankee fans.

In 2001, I moved to Kingston, NY and hated every minute of it. So to console myself, I bought a 48 game week day package. I had season tix in the upper deck, section 4 behind home plate. Awesome seats. I would take my friends, or go by myself. It was my second home. I had tix for the Yanks vs the Astros. I could see Baggy, Biggio and Berkman. Yippie!

Usually, after the game, I would hang out by the baracade at the players' entrance to watch them leave. I had gotten an autograph from Jason Giambi that way. I liked to watch the players, cheer for those who deserved it. I stood out there in the rain after Roger Clemens' 300th win and he waved at all ten of us still hanging there waiting for him to emerge. It was getaway day, and there was a bus waiting for the Astros.

Out walks Jeff Kent. As loud as I could muster in the hot summer day, I screamed "Jeff Kent, you suck!" My mom is so proud. Kent was standing at the bus door, looked over at me and laughed, as if to say, "another crazy New Yorker". I didn't care. He heard me. That was all that mattered. My voice was heard.

So Many Ideas

A friend of mine talked me into doing a 5K. Walking, mind you, I am so not a runner. But we trained and raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ($1500 to be exact) and as it got closer, I was terrified. Would I be able to finish? My 14 year old nephew recently pointed out to me that I never finish anything. Nice, huh? Sadly, he's right. So, after a week of being sicker than a dog, on a humid gray morning, I got up at 7 am and headed downtown, hoping to not throw up, praying to finish.

I did, in 52:30 minutes. Go me. So I learned that I can set a goal and push myself to accomplish it.

Saving Myself for Joe Mauer

All I want to do is see Joe Mauer play baseball in person. Okay, so I did back in the day when he was on the Rochester Red Wings, but that doesn't count (although I was sitting behind homeplate!)

I don't care if it's in Minnesota, NY, Boston, Baltimore or Chicago.

I have seen all of my other favorites over the years play in person: David Cone (I drove from Buffalo to Toronto after my morning classes to see him pitch for the Yankees, saw him pitch well for the Sox AND sat in freezing drizzle to watch him get his final Major League win at Shea Stadium), Jason Varitek, Robin Ventura, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera... I need to see Mauer.

However, I am at a crossroads. My full time teaching position was cut back in February to a part-time one, I have been doing some independent consulting to help pay the bills and am scraping by. But I have no money to spare. I am not good with money, other than saving up for something I want. I need to save for the bigger picture.

So, this summer I am setting some goals for myself, that include not spending any money, working out a budget for myself and saving not just for my future, but to see Mauer play. Seeing him play is my incentive to 'save myself' and get myself out of this financial hole.

This is the final countdown. The project begins on July 1st. Wish me luck.