Graditude Day 6: Cheap food

Stats show that the average household now spends much less on food now than they did 30 years ago (as a percentage). Even as a somewhat low wage earner, I can enjoy olive oil from Italy and tea from China. I can also use my money to support local and ethically raised food without breaking my budget.

Some of the low prices of food do in fact have higher costs, through inhumane treatment of animal, government subsidies and intense mono-cropping. However, some of these advances are simply better methods and better manufacturing. As a consumer, I can make the choice which food policies to support with my wallet. I used to belong to a CSA, now I do a lot of shopping at the farmer's market, allowing me to spend my food dollars for healthy, more ethical food. And I still spend less money than many people who stop at costco. Fancy that

Gratitude Day 4: The internet

I'm an information junkie. I love it all, from tech news websites to frugal living guides. Oh, did I mention food blogs? Who knew anise ice cream existed, let alone it was yummy. Mostly, I stick to blogs. When I find an author I really enjoy I can read just about anything.

But also, what a great body of reference. I can google computer errors, the lifespan of a mouse and addresses all in a matter of seconds. Keeping up with my friends is easy, sometimes I get confused when friends not on facebook make an announcement. "Your cousin is moving to NY." I'm aware. I was aware in the planning phase of this move.

Now I'm gonna watch tv, browse the web and read thru a cookbook, thx.

Gratitude Day 2: A job for a late riser

When I was younger, I remember my father before work. He would come into my bedroom, pick me up and put me in front of weekday morning cartoons. I'd wake up to an animated version of Peter Pan. My father was very wise.

Normally, waking up that early would make me pitch a fit. Bleary eyed and warm, I would vent my wrath on the fool that woke me. Cartoons could placate me, but not much else. Certainly the prospect of going to school didn't. I wish I could say I became less immature as I aged.

As I entered young adult hood, things didn't improve. Any 8:30AM class I would be consistently late for. One quarter I had an 8:30AM class I would attend once a week. Still pulled a C+; a sad statement on the state of higher education.

Enter a job at a retail store. Sure, it has drawbacks. Customers, for one. But the perks- I don't have to be at work until 10AM. No perky, alert people at 8:30 in the morning. I'm not expected to roll out of bed elegantly coiffed. That is something worth working for.