In typical American fashion, when I think about contentment–I tell myself I should learn more about that. So I can be the most contented person ever.

 

It’s probably un-American, anti-globalization and so-not-the-21st-century to not be striving towards 100%, maximum profit  potential utilization of free time and available resources.

 

But here we are. Or there I am, anyway.

 

I’m trying not to look at contentment as a competitive sport.

 

I used to joke that every plan I make starts small–and then balloons until the last bullet point is “Rule the World”. I’m pretty sure that any plans for enjoying life more are unlikely to provide opportunities for world domination.

 

Or maybe that just makes it more of a challenge!

 

Seriously, though, I want to be more content. With what I have. With who and where I am.

 

At least we’re having wonderful autumn weather here in Tulsa. Perfect for sitting on the back porch, watching the birds flutter around the feeder, spying the bunnies and squirrels sneaking over for sunflower seeds, and just being … content.

 

For a few minutes, anyway.

 

And then it’s back to work. Because Project Vee isn’t developing itself.

 

-David

 

Well…the IRS doesn’t consider it so very “minute”, but finalizing my 2007 taxes was just one of a number “chores” that kept me occupied last week and into this week.

 

The hard drive crash back in the spring, just 2 weeks before 2007 taxes were due to be filed, rather put a crimp in my life. Then and now. I had to completely rebuild my financial data for 2007 before I could report my taxes. So I filed for an extension, which gave me until October to file. I decided late August was enough time spent not getting them done and sat down last week to be done with them.

 

It was … uh … fun? Scouring through bank statements and credit card statements (online and hard copy), tracking down all of the various sources of income (4 different payment processors plus PayPal, check stubs, invoices–those that survived the crash–and so on) and expenses, hour after hour for several days in a row isn’t what I like doing.

 

But it’s done now.

 

Oh, and in the middle of that, my daughter–who uses my wife’s laptop “like a rental”–evidently clicked on a malicious email attachment or a popup Web ad or something. Wee! So in the middle of the Joy of Taxes, I have to pause and take a day to rebuild my wife’s laptop. Fortunately, ever since late March, I’ve kept very good backups of the main computers in the house. Still … bleh.

 

And then, somewhere in all of that–probably related to the simple cause and effect of file-your-taxes-get-your-stimulus-check–I got obsessed with buying a Wii. For the family, of course. Not just so I can play Madden 09. And not just because … well … the NFL season is starting.

 

From what I could see, Amazon.com is colluding with Wii scalpers to sell the consoles for a 20% (or higher) mark up. That is, Amazon isn’t selling the consoles directly. Instead, the Wii console can only be purchased through resellers, for a minimum markup of $50. The Walmart near my house received 16 units Tuesday–and before Tuesday night all of them had been purchased (for $250). And–I’m assuming–were immediately offered for resale on Ebay and Amazon Associates for at least $300.

 

When will people ever learn the lesson that what was hot and popular–and out of stock–the previous Xmas will not be in such short supply again the following year? I’m betting on: They never will. Enjoy the coming glut, assholes.

 

For the record, I ordered my Wii and related accessories (and Madden 09 and LEGO Indiana Jones) from Walmart.com. Sure, I had to pay a bit of shipping, but: (a) the resellers I could find were charging shipping on top of their marked-up prices, so I was already ahead (Walmart charged the MSRP); and (b) the “special buy bundle” I purchased included a bit of savings versus buying the various pieces separately, so I’m even further ahead.

 

The last distraction preventing me from working on the longsuffering, somewhat neglected Project Vee was caused by my slight overpayment of 2007 taxes. I’m getting a refund. Which, frankly, irritates me. I prefer to underpay and owe a bit (figuring I can better spend/save my money than the government). But there it was: I overpaid. My wife and I decided to plow the money into the house (sure, I could’ve put it back into the business–where it came from–but “Keep the Wife Happy” sometimes trumps “Business Development”). The Home Depot and the Home Decorator Collection were very excited to see us and very happy to help us out. Presto! No more pesky refund.

 

So, yeah, that’s been my last 2 weeks.

 

-David