My First Bonus

I was paid today, a lot! Wow, I mean I was paid more after taxes today than I made before taxes in 2010. That does not say much about my 2010, still I worked three and a half months full time. It is astounding to me. I see this from several different perspectives.

We are so rich in the United States.We have so much wealth. Just ask a person from Africa or rural Asia.

If I made so much money at the bottom of the totem pole, the people on top of me must be rolling in money. Seriously, tens of thousands of dollars in one paycheck kind of thing for some people. Is that why so many people drive new cars?

Along those lines, how much money does a person need?

As a stockholder I think that the company could easily reduce expenses and increase the dividend.

As a taxpayer I could stand to pay a lot more in taxes. Preferably for better or more education and healthcare for the entire country.

As a future old person, there is absolutely no need for people in my income range to rely on social security. We make plenty of money to save on our own.

As a former contractor, wow, that is a lot of money to miss.

I am so blessed. I have so many luxuries. The scary part is that I hope this wealth does not make me soft. With my back against the wall and little to lose I do things that are difficult, like try and run 93 miles around Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail or solo the Nose on El Cap. Maybe I should get rid of my tv and dvds? Maybe I should sell my road bicycle? I need to go to Africa or again to Asia. I haven't been out of the country in six weeks and I am forgetting how to be tough. I need to suffer more. My life is far too easy.