Well I'm 32 as of Saturday, and I feel like things are changing now. I suppose it's a bit coincidental that I got myself a copy of Cities: Skylines with gift card money because it helped me realize what's going on in my life.

You know that point in a city builder game where you're happily chugging along and realize you're losing money? The only thing that fixes the problem is major changes in the way you do things and various sacrifices. No, I can't build that shiny new district or fancy building because I have to tend to the needs of the city that's already there. City builder gamers should know what I mean.

I've reached that point in my actual life. Smartphone bills, medical bills, vet bills, and simple upkeep have seemingly caught up with me. I would really like to upgrade my janky PC right now - not because there's some new game I want to play, but because I feel like my rig is slowly coming apart at the seams! I've started to wonder a bit about my car, and my shoes are falling apart.

Damn, what happened?!

I'm still afloat so far, but I'm starting to wonder if this is just the start of more trouble. I'm going to have to seriously reexamine how I do things... especially since I have that layoff period to always save up for. All you people who actually get a chance to enjoy your tax return? Ha, I envy you. Mine just goes straight into savings.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not exactly desperate (yet). I'm not starving and I get my bills paid. But additional bills start to make me nervous at times... two of which just arrived yesterday.