Thrifty

Growing up, my family did a lot of shopping at thrift stores. We weren't poor, exactly - Just with two children and only one paycheck coming in, it made sense to shop secondhand so we'd have money for more important things. Like college.
Most of the things we'd buy were clothing, and I was always amazed at the difference in price between secondhand clothes and new. Even at a cheap department store like Kohl's or Sear's, new jeans ran anywhere from $20 to $40 a pair. Thrift stores held a huge supply of gently used, sometimes even new with tags, jeans in all styles and cuts, usually in the $2 to $4 range. Even allowing for a fewer number of wearings, it just made so much more sense to shop secondhand.
But most of my classmates didn't seem to understand this. To them, shopping at a thrift store was something dirty, poor people did. Apparently buying clothes new, wearing them a few times and then donating them was "better".
But when I was in high school, the economy went to hell and more people started realizing the benefits of buying used. Shopping at thrift stores become more socially acceptable, and even sort of vogue. I kept shopping at thrift stores for a few reasons.
1) My vegetarianism led into other areas, such as the plight of the environment. I realized that buying used not only kept stuff from ending up in landfills. but reduced the energy and resources needed to make new products.
2) Going to a department store, I'd see racks and racks with all the exact same piece of clothing, just in different sizes. I imagined dozens of girls my age all coming to this store and buying the same outfit, and everyone looking exactly the same. (Maybe they were practicing for when they joined a sorority?)
3) Again, the cost differential. The huge difference between buying new and used.
I bring this issue up because in a few weeks, I will be moving into my first apartment, which will be extensively furnished with secondhand items. I haven't made a tally of everything I've bought or how much I've saved, but just as a general idea -
100% cotton full size bed sheet - 75 cents.
Ice cube tray - 27 cents.
Hamilton Beach 10-speed blender - $8 (It works absolutely fine. This model retails for $29.99, by the way).
Shower curtain - $2
3 packs of incense and holder - $1
Large mixing bowl - 50 cents
It's worth mentioning most of my wardrobe, aside from socks, underwear, swimwear and shoes, is secondhand. Probably why I have so many clothes - Most of the items cost less than $4. 

Blame the Heat

No, not the basketball team.
This insane heat wave over the Midwest has been making it very difficult for me to sleep. I wake up, sweating, and turn on my air conditioner, which keeps me awake with the noise. I'm up for about an hour, waiting for my room to cool off, then I kill the A/C and go back the sleep. Or try to, anyway.
Lying awake, I had the idea to write gritty reboots (because everything has to be gritty nowadays) of children's stories. Make them a little more plausible and realistic. Because why not?
I started outed with Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and I've remembered why I wanted to be an author when I was younger - The sheer joy of writing a story, having the power to make things happen, controlling what a person says or does.
I've given up that dream of authoring a best-selling novel (Though if Stephanie Meyer could do it, how hard could it really be?) in favor of a more practical aspiration to be a chemist, but it's something I'm glad I started doing again.

Blistered Fingers

That's what happens when I don't play the guitar for almost a year and then try learning two new songs at once. It was a fairly successful session, and I now have "Like Steps in a Dance" by Anchor & Braille and "Imaginary Enemy" by Circa Survive in my musical abilities library.
However, I don't expect to pick my guitar up for another day or two, and I'm wondering why I always go so long without playing.
I mean, I can't get better without practice. And since this horrible economy prevents me from finding a job before I return to school in August, I'm trying to enhance my life in some way. Enter guitar.

Q101

I just heard about the sale of 101.1 FM, locally known as Q101, Chicago's Alternative, to Merlin Media. The new owners plan to revamp the station as a news/talk station.
For those not in the know, Q101 is the most popular alternative rock station in the Chicagoland area. Their playlist includes classics such as Metallica, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and vintage Foo Fighters, as well as emerging acts such as Anberlin, Saosin, Middle Class Rut, Bayside, and Escape the Fate. The station also dedicates a segment on Sunday nights to local bands who are trying to get their name out there.
The loss of this station will create a gaping void in Chicago radio. The new owners must acknowledge that they will be alienating a huge group of listeners, from young punks to older rockers.
Q101 is the station for anything alternative. We must not let it die.
http://www.change.org/petitions/save-chicagos-rock-stations
Please sign this petition. Save Q101.

It's all in the name

The anonymous comment was correct - This blog was named after a lyric from the song Paperthin Hymn by Anberlin.

August evenings bring solemn warnings to remember

To kiss the ones you love good night.

You never know what temporal days may bring

So laugh, love, live free and sing.

When life is in discord,

Praise ye the Lord.

In other news, good job to the New York legislation for passing the same-sex marriage bill. Whatever makes you happy in this life is what you should strive for.

Opening Post

Why did I start this blog? It's something I'd been thinking about for a little bit now. Mostly due to a desire to put my thoughts out there, and hope someone can take something away from them. Maybe someone will think, "Hey, that's an interesting thought." or "I didn't know other people felt that way."

Who am I? I am a college student presently residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA. I am working towards a bachelor's degree in chemistry with a minor in astronomy. I have three cats - one skinny, one fat, and one in the middle. I am also a vegan.

Finally, why did I name my blog Temporal Days? ...Maybe that should be addressed in my next post. If you have any guesses, post them in the comments. First person to answer correctly wins an e-card.