A recording I really enjoy is johnny Q. public's "Extra Ordinary." I recently retrieved it from my collection. I might be lucky to average 10 recordings a year. Unless a music club offer comes in the mail--then I get a bunch at one shot.

What I like about johnny Q. public's music is its seering creativity. I use the term "irreverent" loosely. It's more of a contempt for the status quo. It questions traditional church and its methods while mocking secular culture for its absurdity. It's a mix of incredible musical talent, lyrical creativity on a large scale, and relevant material for today's culture, even several years since its release.

I went without a cell phone about six months ago for budget reasons. I couldn't see paying $80-120 per month for two phones. Especially not for the plan we had. Talk about withdrawal symptoms. Even now, I find myself worrying about Karla and wanting to call to check on her or see if she needs anything.

I have to say, not having the extra expense has definitely helped. I think. On the other hand, I'm not really sure if I haven't just spent the extra money somewhere else on extras like food, videos, etc.

There's a saying, "An advantage is not an advantage unless you take advantage of it." Sorry, I can't remember who said it. A savings or cut in your budget does nothing to save you money overall if you spend that same money on something else.

But anyway, as the title hinted, I'm watching the plans and the technology, just waiting for the right mix at the right price. Since I bought my phone, they've introduced color screens with games and digital cameras. Cool! But not cool enough. Or at least, not cool enough to get back on a plan. Yet. The longer I wait, the more I save, and the cooler the products get.