Back in the day I used to have this system based on when I got paid. While working in the US I would get paid every two weeks. This was a good thing, and my spending habits were determined by it. After the money went in and funds were available I would take care of lifes annoyances. What was left would usually be spent on alcohol, clubs, and hobbies. Life was good, food was plentiful and girls like you a little better.
I called this moment A-week.
After the bills were paid, traffic tickets were paid, and alcohol was all gone life was a little less comfortable. The girls called a little less. And instead of dining out it was "Chicken Voila!" and ramen noodles.
I called this moment B-week.
The good thing about B-week was it lasted a few days until payday and A-week was back. The bad thing about A-week was that it lasted only a week. Don't you wish you could have money all the time?
Life in France is different. I get paid once a month. Payday is the last day of the month. I don't have an A-week or a B-week. I have an A-day and a B-month. You see all of my inconveniences know I get paid on the 1st and they attack my bank account like a 10 armed monster. And since they all have direct access to my account (hard to get any services without it) they dig in like...well a monster. If there is an accounting error on their part, and when you finally do get through to a breathing body. They won't give you your money back. No they'll transfer you all around, not resolve the problem, and finally you'll fill out some paperwork.
But you won't see that money. Not for a while if ever. So when you are past the worrying of getting the bills paid and have the one day to splurge. The next morning, the 2nd, is when the worrying starts all over again. B-month.
And thats where I am now. Thailand was a delicious and excellent trip. It cost us a little to get there. It cost us more to stay for a while. I would do it again. Now I just have to survive B-month. only 8 days to go.
I'm back baby. I survived the Thailand heat and humidity and can truly say I'm ready for more. 2 week vacation wasn't long enough, next time I'll try and go for a serious amount of time to study buddhism or something along that line.
For now, I've got things to unpack. people to call. and get back to my dreary Paris dwelling until something better comes my way.