Played a Collings MT the other day and loved it.  I always had a thing for black-faced mandos.  Checked the only mando store in eastern MA's web site and see one in stock.  Must be a sign from you know who that if I get that bonus, I should drive there and buy it.

http://www.themusicemporium.com/product-detail/asetid/5/product/colllings-mt-glossy-black-top.html

Looks like that one's gone but I'm liking the look of this Honey Blond


Things I so different now.  It used to be if I wanted a toy I just bought, then figured out how to pay for it.  Maybe it'd take a few months to catch up on bills but I never would drive myself into endless debt.

Back in college, I saw a nice Les Paul Custom hanging in a shop and just plopped $500 (about $1200 today) down on the spot.  And that was when I was a student; I wasn't a poor student but I wasn't a rich student either.

Now I spend many thousands a month just a bills.  I put $450/month in my kid's college account.  I almost never go out and buy myself something that even costs a few hundred.  There's nothing I want except maybe $500 for a pair of skis and that's only maybe every four years.  I feel kinda gypped as my kid and wife will want something for $50 or $100 or $200 every few months and we can buy it because we can afford that much of a hunk of money at once.  I just never have $2-3K for a new mando burning a hole in my pocket.

What I really should have done a year or two ago is put $100/month for myself away.  Hardly would have noticed it.  I'm paying $100/month for my kids karate lessons for gosh sakes.  Then when I had $2K, I could have just bought the mando.

Still no word on the bonus.  I checked my letter and it says March 15 and there is no word so either--

They haven't decided yet and postponed any announcement.

The numbers weren't good and we didn't make goals so I get $0 but they aren't even bothering to let us know.

Nice, very nice.

I bought my MT2V birdseye from the Emporium Great mandolin. Better snag one, you'll love it!

I saw a blond like that used in the classifieds for $1500, local too.  Should have bought it but I'm not playing now do to tendinitis and I don't want to deplete what little savings I have because of the economy.  I had to pass which sucks as it would have been a good deal.