You Don't Have to Turn on that Red Light...

If you're wondering whether or not I can go see that new movie coming out or check out some cool LA dive bar, the answer is no. No, I can't go shopping with you. No, not even to the Goodwill. No more iTunes. No more take-out at work. No more Starbucks. No no no...I am on a money spending hiatus.

I wish I could say that this was a recent conviction of mine--that I am officially spurning all semblance of materialism in my life and therefore denying myself any superfluous pleasures. But this isn't the case. I got a traffic ticket. That's right. I violated the law, and now I MUST PAY!!

It's sooo lame because it's not like I was in a hurry or being particularly rebellious. I was lazy. It was Sunday afternoon, driving home from church...and I thought, "Oh look, that light is yellow. I could take my foot of the gas and press the brake. Or I could spare my thigh the work out..."

*Flashes from all angles like epic paparazzi*

I knew I was caught. I hoped my still out-of-state status would work in my favor, but a few days later, I received a phone call from Dad: "Busted!" (Seriously, this is a direct quote. My dad likes to use "cool" phrases like this, and therefore actually chuckled the term over the phone, with blatant disregard for my feelings.)

Eventually the ticket was forwarded to my apartment here and the actual damage assessed:

$380 for the violation
$10 to take care of it online
(because who has time to drive from downtown to the Santa Monica courthouse?)
$29 to take traffic school, and
$14.95 + tax to actually enroll in said traffic school

Ugh..

So really, I can't complain. It was my own dumb fault, and it's not like I can't find a way to pay for it. I have a great job and steady income. I'll still be able to eat and pay rent and all those things. I just have to wait on those brown flats that I "need" to buy for work. Really, it's a good reminder that there are a lot of things I buy with my money that are really not necessary. At the end of the day, I know I could live quite happily on much less that I have. I am more than blessed and should really learn to be more appreciative.

Oh, Culver City and your stupid "Red Light Project." How I hate you today.

Roxaaanne...