Not sure why this memory has come to me, but it may have some relevance to someone out there, so I’ll share it with you. Several, actually, many years ago, I had the opportunity to work a summer job while in college. It was my sophomore year in college, if I recall, my first real job, and I was determined to enter the ranks of manhood and use the proceeds to purchase a car. I did the math, and realized that the full amount I would earn for my summer of employment would just barely cover the purchase price of a mazda 626 that, at the time was selling for $2500. I would be able to do it, but I would need to cut my spending to practically zero. (the beginning of my minimalism, perhaps?)
So, for that summer, while living in Johnson Hall on the Columbia University campus, I subsisted on pop tarts, bagels, spring water, generic spaghetti and ketchup. My breakfast would consist of a pop tart and spring water. I would have a bagel for lunch, but would often skip that meal. And my dinner would be a plate of store brand generic spaghetti, smothered with store-brand ketchup. Eating like this, I could average about a dollar a day on food, and since my dorm expenses were already paid, I wasn’t spending much else except the train fare to get to work.
If ever I felt that the deprivation was a bit austere, I could treat myself to a lunch special of two pieces of chicken and a side of French fries for $1.90, or some batter-fried shrimp for about the same price. (I hadn’t yet been enlightened to the virtues of being vegetarian). However, I didn’t splurge very often as I constantly held my eyes firmly fixed on the prize.
Well, as reward for my summer of restraint, I was able to surprise my girlfriend at the time as I proudly pulled up to her mother’s apartment in Washington Heights, a Dominican enclave in upper Manhattan, and show her my light blue Mazda in which we excitedly took our first dating drive together through the humid summer streets of New York.


Didn't learn anything useful on the job. I was as skinny as a rail, but I was mobile!

Ahhh! Yes, life is great!

Take what you will from the story, and let me know what, if any relevance it has in your life.

As I think about it now, I'm sure it's some subconscious message from myself to me relating to a book I'm re-reading entitled Happy Pocket Full of Money, one I've recommended here on the blog, but which I'll recommend again.

Labels: Lifestyle, The Universe

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