Grateful

Okay, so I just got some pretty bad news. I have to pay like $1200 extra to the government that my accountant didn't know about. Technically I can afford to do this but, as I was walking back from my accountant's office contemplating my budget -- clutching my $4 coffee and the bottle of gin I stopped to pick up on the way home, how's that for budgeting -- I realized how quickly I was sinking into feeling sorry for myself. And that is UNACCEPTABLE so I decided to spend today listing all the reasons that I am grateful and all the things I should be grateful for even if I am not.

1) Although my apartment is consistently messy and I have no closet space, I am not homeless. And for that I am very grateful.

2) I don't agree with anything that the president of my country has to say but I am allowed to say that, scream it from the rooftops if I want to, even write about it on my blog. And for that I am very grateful. (Latest stupidity from Bush - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/28/politics/28legal.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fB%2fBush%2c%20George%20W%2e)

3) I have never known what it is to actually be starving. And for that I am very grateful.

4) I know what government cheese tastes like, so I am always aware of how wonderful it is to be
able to buy food at the supermarket. And for that I am very grateful.

5) I have friends, lots of friends. Straight friends, gay friends, black, white, purple friends -- okay, not really purple unless you count the tiny Dead bear someone bought me in college. And for that I am very grateful.

6) I have never had to wear a burka, gotten beaten for being a woman, not been allowed to vote or drive or walk down the street with a man. And for that I am very grateful.

7) My mother loves me unconditionally and always. And for that I am very grateful.

I could go on but I think those seven things are enough to chew on so that I won't be all sad sack about being poor again this month. And I have enough money for a drink with some friends and to pay my rent, so I'm good.

I feel better already.