It must be all this nice weather we are having here in southern Quebec, my spirits have been a bit higher the past couple days. Was able to get out and run some errands today and yesterday and came back not feeling too bad. I think this weekend I’ll take my bike for a tune up and hopefully ride it a bit for some exercise. I’m supposed to be walking more than I am, but I find it hard to get started doing that … and really boring once I get going. At least riding a bike it would feel like i’m doing something. ;) My uncle recommended that I make a trip out to the driving range also, hit some golf balls. Might do that too soon, haven’t played golf in a long long time … not since I was at Notre Dame I think. Always enjoyed it though, perhaps I should try and set aside enough $$ each month for a trip to the golf course … would be good for my mood I think … well, if I find someone to play with at least!

Managed to finish the revisions on one of the papers from my work at NWU. Sent it off to JACS for review. Hopefully it goes through without too much difficulty. It should, one of my co-authors is an editor there. lol. Few small gaps in the article that I couldn’t fix, but hopefully the reviewers won’t harp on them too much. I have one more to finish up from NWU .. this one is a bit more iffy. It’s got good experimental data and chemical modelling, but the structural modelling of the phenomena is a bit out of my range of knowledge. So I’m just winging it. lol. I’ll be sure to recommend a review I know will check that part over thoroughly so I don’t end up publishing garbage. I’ve always tried to stay true to the scientific review process, hoping the articles get reviewed by people who really know their stuff and are willing to put in the time to give constructive criticism. Most of the time however, you get some guy who could really care less about your work. They correct small errors, and then harp on some unimportant aspect of the paper that magically refers to their own research. lol. I guess I end up doing the same when I review articles … but I try at least.

Daunting task for next week is to find a credit counsellor or bankruptcy lawyer to help me do something about my credit card debt. I’m now 2 months behind and the companies are calling wondering what is going on. I tell them that I’m not able to pay and have no idea when I’ll be able to. Needless to say, they aren’t over joyed by the news. Unavoidable though. Especially with these new laws that went in force in the united states. They somehow decided that it was a good idea to require people to pay twice as much for their minimum payments each month. Was impossible for me before … now, not only is it impossible now … but will be in the future too, even if I get a (meagre salary) job. No wonder bankruptcies are on the rise. they give you all this credit, lured in by low interest rates and modest payment plans. Then they scare you over by doubling your obligation to pay … which makes you mis payments, then rates rise to ridiculous levels - adding more debt than your payments each month. Your screwed over and over. So if I can declare bankruptcy, I won’t feel bad about it. Yes, I over extended myself … hedging for a good paying job in my near future. But they set themselves up for a fall also. Looking at the bankruptcy laws, they are probably going to make me sell off most of my luxury items. TV stereo computers, etc. But I think I will be able to hang onto the computer due to the fact that it’s required for me to work in my field. My car is my biggest worry. I really would hate to have to give that up. :( I’m going to see if I can get my sister to assume the payments and ownership. I owe about as much as it’s worth anyway .. so even if sold, the credit card companies wouldn’t get anything … as the GM financing would get first grab at the cash. anyway … lots of work to do on that front. Taxes due soon too. blah.

Darn it! This post started out on a good note and ended on a bad one. sucks! That’s what I get for thinking too much I guess. Need to stop that. Kids are just getting home now and looking for help with homework … so I guess I’ll sign off. cheerio!

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