And to think I don’t even believe in cosmic balance. Or karma. Or any of those what-goes-around-comes-around convictions. Well, haha to me.

Yesterday, just before going home from work, I decided to visit to my Internet bank and check on the current state of my overdraft. It should have been a decision between making do with the cash in my wallet, or being able to withdraw just a tiny bit more, enough to survive until my next pay check.

Instead, the online statement listed a balance I had to read twice to understand. It seems my accountant has done a thorough job of my taxes: the refund that was deposited into my account yesterday consisted of more money than I’ve ever possessed. I went home in a state of confused euphoria, trying to decide between buying a second good suit, a laptop, a bookcase for my study, or a new wardrobe for my bedroom (to replace the ugly white closets my landlord provided when I moved in), and then realizing I could do all four.

In a moment of very unusual caution, I began by transferring a huge sum into my savings account, which up until yesterday has never held more than the price of two beers. Cheap beers at that. I fell asleep yesterday feeling rich and lucky. (I know, I know, feeling lucky for getting back money I gave the IRS in the first place doesn’t make much sense, but I guess it’s just my cheerful attitude… :-D)

So early this morning I was riding my bicycle to work, wearing my good suit (for office reasons as well as for tonight’s date) and whistling ‘If I was a rich man’. I barrelled past a green traffic light and eased into a left turn, when I suddenly noticed the cyclist coming from the opposite direction To avoid a collision, I had to brake firmly.

On wet leaves.

Suffice it to say I’ll have to buy new pants for this suit before buying a new one. And those abrasions sting!