First, I found out I'm getting a free ride this coming semester. Based on my grades and my terminal unemployment (not to mention the fact that I have a two-year-old dependent) convinced the university that they (and the government) should pay my way. Whoo-hoo! That means my student loan money is all mine to pay expenses while I cram more crap into this tired old brain.

Second, I've been awarded a work-study position in the university's Poetry Center. The pay isn't all that great, but I can do the bulk of the work from home and at my own schedule. What's interesting is that my first project is to write the copy and build a website for their new MFA in Creative Writing program (and I'm just a second-semester freshman!). Apparently, they must feel that my many years of experience in the advertising, public relations, graphic design and technology fields actually *are* worth something. I guess it also helps that the professor heading up the program is a fan of my poetry, but this'll be a nice feather to stick in my writer's hat.

btw... if any of you have graduated from an MFA program (especially in creative writing), I would love to hear of your experiences and what may have motivated you to choose a particular program/university.

Third, I landed a nice bit of part-time web-development work that will fit nicely with my work-study. An old client of mine has a nice long list of things she wants to do with the website I built for her last year. Eight bucks an hour isn't anything to write home about, but it sure beats flipping burgers for minimum wage.

Lastly, my girlfriend's mother offered to buy us a house if we make the payments. I've been dreaming of a place to call home for years, but with my credit it's been nothing more than a fantasy. Imagine -- a place to live without neighbors above, below or on each side. And if I'm lucky, a place with a garage and a basement! Maybe I'll finally be able to write without the incessant "eh-oh's" of Teletubbies ringing in my ears...