Being broke tends to shackle even the most ambitious sports writers on days off, and on this particular Monday night, consider this one under house arrest.

It's not that pawing around in The Litter Box is something I despise doing, it just seems a little pointless on my day off. However, I'm coming to find that my days off aren't that valuable (I make no money on them) and all they do is give me time to think.

I'm a much better person when I've got stuff I need to do and don't have the ability to hang out with myself all day.

The time is nice, but it truly does reinforce that the saying "time is money" is a complete load. I would trade this whole day off for the measly $300 some dirtbag owes me, although I think it is worth pointing out that I'm not above using my shoeleather resourcefulness to find his house and burn it to the ground. I am kind of tired of the smoke, though, so that might not be an option.

Still, the nearest entry on the Wildcat sports calendar is a women's soccer exhibition on Aug. 15, and I can't leave this thing alone until then. Video games are rotting my mind. My roommate won't play Trivial Pursuit with me. My guitar's e-string busted. It's going to be a few more days at least until I'm escorted out of town for a birthday celebration of some kind and the new book I ordered won't show up until after I'm back. So that means a de facto opportunity to sharpen my nails, and, unfortunately for those of you who only read this blog because you really like Chico State sports, my apologies.

Actually, not really, because there are none going on, at least not for another two weeks. And honestly, the most important thing about Aug. 15, to me, is my financial aid disbursement.

Until then, it's squalor and ramblings only somewhat related to Chico State, but I figure you'll hang tough and grow to commiserate with the guy who's going to be covering your beloved Wildcat athletics soon enough.