Between here and Goodwill been a good day thrifting. Got a nice new brass lamp for my office and some swanky shirts for work. Now to hike in the Albany Pine Bush! That wind is roaring though!

First Saturday night of January. Soon the tax forms will come rolling in, and it felt good to get the final paystub in the mail and see it was six figures. It was a good year last year by any stretch of the imagination, my investments grew substantially even if I didn’t buy a house. Paid over $26,000 in payroll taxes last year, but also saved over $30,000 for retirement. Plus I saved and invested quite a bit though the numbers are harder to track as I changed my stragety mid year after I determined I wouldn’t be buying a house after all. I’m sure the market will crap out this year but then maybe there is a chance for some good buys.

Today after I shower I’m going to head up to the Salvation Army and Goodwill 🧑‍💼 to look at shirts for work. Then I’m going to bundle up and hike in the Albany Pine Bush 🌲. I’m really antsy to get out after being sick 🤒 so long. It will be cold ❄️ but the fresh air is a good thing! Next to also get to the bank and get some small dollars 💵 for the laundromat. I love how ATMs 🏧 now have $1 bills.

Tomorrow it’s the laundromat and grocery shopping 🛒 early before the crowds. Then maybe I’ll finally top off the brake fluid on my mountain bike 🚲 and ride out to Voorheeesville. I also want get down to the library 📕 and work on some more Qt6 code that I’m working to master. I am finally getting really into GUI and other programming as I have ideas for applications I could write. 📝 I’m also thinking I should contribute to some open source software packages 📦 as a way to further boost my skills. I was surprised to learn that most of the new cars use Qt for their speedometers and digital displays.

I’m excited to be moving forward and getting back to work Monday. 🧑‍💼 I’m so tired of being home, feeling miserable and sick 🤒. While I’m no longer sick I hate being stuck in these small walls. Actually saw an amazing looking cabin on Zillow in Rennselaer County for a good price – I’m sure it’s pretty dumpy inside – but only 2 1/2 acres of land. It’s good to keep looking but I’m still not sure if I want to buy in New York. 🏠 I wonder if next month I’ll be getting a rent hike notice and for how much. Still might be the least expensive option, as commuting is expensive if your not busing it to work or riding your mountain bike 🚵.

Going to be cold ❄️ although I can certainly remember colder periods. I’ll bring the heat up to 55 degrees downstairs at night and leave the kitchen cabinets open at night to avoid frozen pipes not that I’ve ever had that problem except back in 2009 with the ice storm that knocked out power and heat for a few days. But even at negative 17 a few years back things were fine. I’ll bundle up 🧤 for heading out to the bus 🚍 and not get too early of a start and skip the walk down to the Park and Ride 🅿️ and catch the bus downtown. Looking forward to once again though being able to ride to work.