True Lies

I lie to tell the truth.

I want to journal what I really feel, think, and believe. I want to proclaim how much I make and save, without being worried that someone I know will take advantage of me. I want to share my experiences without it reflecting badly on my career, or upsetting my family. I want my story of my personal growth to be helpful to others who want to change themselves and their lives, without endangering myself or my life.

I write this blog pseudo-anonymously because telling lies that will keep my identity private allows me to be more forthcoming about what really matters.

So, here's what I'm lying about: personal details, identifying characteristics, particularities of my friends and relatives, places, times, and any other trait that could give away who and where I am. For example: if I tell you I went to a concert last weekend, I may have actually gone a month or two ago. If I complain about the air conditioning in my crummy Victorian apartment, it may in fact be a problem in my modern condo. So you can see, it's not all real, but a lot of it is true.

My feelings are true. My finances are true. The goals and the stories I tell about my experiences trying to achieve them are all 100% true. It is why I lie.

Wish List Genesis

I've been thinking lately about setting goals and how to get more of what I want out of my life. I suppose I'll start a wish list so I can get a handle on what I think I want versus what most people want that I think I should want.

Be prepared: the list is could to be a little weird.

So far I've got:

• An aquarium full of seahorses


• Go Hang-gliding


• Be the best damn financial planner I can be


• Save up some money and create a simple financial plan for myself


• Get laser eye surgery

I'm still working on it, but I plan to have a list of 75 wishes by the end of the week. I'll let you know how that goes.

On an unrelated note: I'm so excited about my job, I could bust. This is my birthday weekend, so I'm going out to eat at an my favorite Indian restaurant with my family. (I don't care what people say, the food doesn't smell like feet.) The weather's also been perfect, with warm sun and a cool breeze, and I've been loving every second.