I Must Be Living Right...

Or at least happily, as I haven't entered anything new here in almost a month. I seem to write when I have a lot to unload, so lately I must be handling life fairly well.
I do have some concerns: The first being the market- and by that I mean the stock market. I am trying to learn how to make a living by trading in the market. And no, this is not a 'get rich quick' kind of approach, like the cheezy programs you see on TV at the New Year. I don't take any 'stock tips' that people may send my way, I just study almost 110 different stocks and am learning which ones seem to move best at particular times of the year- I base my trading upon that knowledge. I've been doing this for the past 2.5 years, trying to learn and apply what I learn on a daily basis. I'm on a 'five year plan' to become self sufficient by doing this, and it is just my luck that I have entered the market at one of the most crisis filled times in its' history. Figures. But, at least I have an excuse for not being able to do better- if the really seasoned pros can't figure out what in the world is going on, then how can I be expected to? (That rationalization always makes me feel better...) But I do know that if I just am patient and keep at it I am going to be able to take good care of myself. So, for now I just watch what goes on and journal about it a lot. A whole lot.
Next concern: The usual- my weight is driving me crazy. I am at a real plateau- have been at the same place for almost 6 months. And it's not like I sit on my fat butt all day; I DO go to the gym six times a week and try to watch what I eat. So, I'm thinking that there is something else going on- but I also know that my body hates me. It really does. But this is going to be a case of mind over body. I will persevere. I just hate the thought of not being able to shop for the cute clothes in the 'regular' racks. I don't ever want to have to shop in plus sized areas ever again. That is really a depressing thought. I like not having so much of myself around these days. I feel better, and I like the fact that people don't overlook me like I don't exist- which was quite common a few years ago. That is a really awful feeling to have. It's nice to be noticed again.
The economy: And not just the stock market. The huge bailout is really only a bandaid, which is hard to believe, but I think it's true. We have some underlying problems with our society/economy and they aren't going away any time soon. I think we are going to head into an economic depression within the next 5 years or so. Not a great prospect to look forward to- how well insulated does a person have to be to not be horribly affected by this? What will it take to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads? That is a big question. And not only that- but since I have this feeling ahead of time does it mean that I should work harder and save more just to find out that in the end it's all been for nothing? Will my hard earned nestegg just evaporate? Will I be left with less than nothing? And if I lose it all what about those poor folks who are barely scraping by right now? What will become of them? The uncertainty is really hard to deal with. I don't know how my mother's generation did it.
OK- guess I have unloaded for now. I feel a bit better by putting some of my issues out here for all to see. Letting go of them is a good thing to do, even though it won't really make a huge difference in most people's lives. That's OK, this is MY blog, so it really is all about me today.