I missed last week’s edition. I wish there was a good excuse for why but really, there isn’t. So we’ll just move on from where we left off two weeks ago.

But before we do that, I have a public service announcement: Google Reader disappears tomorrow. It sucks and it’s a big pain in the ass but we live in the Google galaxy and we’re stuck with their rules. However, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Daily Money Shot. You can sign up by email by selecting the envelope icon on the sidebar (I know you know this but I figured I’d be superhelpful because I’m awesome like that) or by following along at BlogLovin’. Eventually I’ll get around to updating my subscription buttons. I should probably do that sooner than later.

Now, on to the good stuff:

What I’m reading: I’m still working my way through the book I mentioned last, Confessions of a Sociopath. It’s a great book, but it’s also dense, intense reading and my half melted, completely distracted summertime brain cannot focus on it in more than 15 minute increments (I should also not try to read a book like this when I’m in bed, trying to fall asleep. That is a recipe for an unfinished book). However, in addition to reading a book, I’ve also been reading these blogs that you need to go read when you’re done here:

Save Outside the Box: Joel is a relatively new blogger, he’s participated in Bloggers Helping Bloggers, and his site is quite good. One of my favorite posts is Rethinking the American Dream and it has nothing to do with the fact that it reminds me of the lyrics in a Rise Against song.

Caviar and Quarters: Written by brunch planner extraordinaire Sofia, her site is a more a lifestyle blog than personal finance but that doesn’t stop it from being great. Go visit her and show her some love. Maybe she’ll ask you to join us at the next FinCon brunch.

What I’m watching: Nothing. I’m trying to decide between starting Sons of Anarchy or buying the second season of Hell on Wheels and watching that. I picked up the latter after the second season had finished (only the first season is on Netflix) and have yet to see it. The third season starts in August. But I’ve heard great things about Sons of Anarchy. Opinions are welcome.

What I’m listening to: I hope you’re sitting down for this (which I’m assuming you are unless you’re reading this on your phone while standing on line somewhere. If that’s the case, then step out of line and sit down). Because I? Have been listening to a country band. Brother Trouble. I saw them twice when I was in Nashville and they. Kick. Ass. Their music is fun to listen to and they are really entertaining performers. Also, they mix non-country stuff like the Beatles and Sublime and Tom Petty and Prince into their set. So you know I’m digging that. If I’m ever in Nashville again, I will probably plan my trip around their performances (Maybe. I’m not totally psychotic. Only a little). Also, I couldn’t find a good video and I’m too stupid to figure out how to add an mp3 to my site so just go to Spotify, look for “Live From Nashville” and listen. Worth. It. (And, if you know what “Butt Lights” means, please let me know. I’m a Northerner and I’m pretty sure this is a Southern thing. I think I’m in need of a Southern to Norther dictionary).

And, finally, my favorite pin of the week (something new I’m adding) because it’s the sad but true story of my life (oh, you’re not following me on Pinterest? You should be):

This list is coming to you from Nashville where I am hanging out, seeing some sites, and working on a project while my husband is at his industry conference (they put one of those airline size bottles of Jack Daniels in the conference swag bag. I love this idea). I'll also be headed down to the Dave Ramsey studios to get my personal finance nerd on (although I am hoping for a Jon Acuff sighting). Should be a fun week.

So, what I am I reading, watching, and listening to while I'm here? This:

What I'm watching: Freaks and Geeks (via Netflix). This is probably my favorite show of all time and at least twice a year, I watch the whole series. After seeing This Is The End last week, the F&G spirit moved me to watch it now.

What I'm listening to: 45 by The Gaslight Anthem. I know it's odd that this isn't a country song but I don't like country music (well, most of it. Some songs are acceptable). And The Gaslight Anthem recorded their newest album, the one with this song, in Nashville, so it counts.

What I'm reading: Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight by M.E. Thomas. I had never heard of this book, or the accompanying blog, until a friend told me about it. Should make for an interesting read, particularly given my history of working with adjudicated kids.

Last week, my friend Steph wrote a post wondering what happened to Baby and Johnny. Her questions about them got me wondering: what happened to The Breakfast Club after they left detention? Did John take Brian out to the parking lot to get high? Did he return the earring Claire gave him? Did Andrew win his wrestling match? Did Carl rat on Mr. Vernon for reading those basement files? Did Larry Lester’s buns ever heal? And where did they go once high school was over?

Burning questions, right?. And I need answers! So I made them up:

Claire Standish (“The Princess”)

Although Claire’s future seemed secure with an Ivy League acceptance and promise of an internship in France after she finished college, her obsession with John Bender has all but ruined her life. After that Saturday detention, she and John kept a clandestine relationship that lasted through their freshman year of college. When he broke up with her the summer after that year, she went crazy (like Amanda Bynes, Charlie Sheen level crazy), developing an obsession with John (leading to a restraining order) and a wicked shopping addiction that eventually landed her in rehab nine times over the last 20 years. Her final stint was 2 years ago and she has replaced her shopping addiction with tanning. She looks old and leathery but she no longer shops for comfort. And the fact that she looks old helped her meet her husband, a wealthy older man who paid off her debts and finances her tanning habit.

Unemployed, Claire currently spends her days Googling for information on John Bender and making her stepchildren hate her.

Andrew Clark (“The Jock”)

He did, in fact, win that last wrestling match.

Plagued with guilt over what he did to Larry Lester in the locker room, Andrew went to a mid-western college (on a wrestling scholarship, of course), studying psychology. He took a few years off to work as a professional wrestler, although he mainly performed on the state fair/high school gym/fire hall circuit. After breaking his nose for the 8^th time for very little pay, Andrew quit wrestling and went back to school. He graduated, obtained his PhD and now works as a therapist, specializing in traumatic childhood duct tape incidents. He volunteers for an anti-bullying organization and has recently taken up archery as a hobby.

Financially, Andrew isn’t wealthy but he’s finally paid off his student loans and is working his way through Dave Ramsey’s baby steps.

Allison Reynolds (“The Basket Case”)

As expected, Allison barely made it through high school. She moved to NYC shortly after graduation, working odd jobs, making just enough money to scrape by but never really needing or owning a whole lot, just what she could fit in her giant purse (which she still carries with her). In her mid-30s, she settled down in Brooklyn, where she owns an art gallery featuring art created by school children and lives in a small loft apartment with her lifemate, Stu (who makes a living dressing as Peter Pan for birthday parties), and their 6 cats, 4 dogs, and a rotating number of guinea pigs and rabbits.

Money isn’t a concern or a care for Allison. An active Freegan, she runs classes at her art gallery teaching others how to live on as little money as possible.

Brian Johnson (“The Brain”)

He did not get high with John. But he wanted to.

Brian, sadly, did not graduate as valedictorian (due to the tragic lamp incident) but he did graduate in the top 5 of his class. This perceived failure haunted him in the years following high school, even causing a small breakdown in his first year in graduate school. He dropped out, was ostracized by his entire family, and became a hermit until his 40^th birthday. A pioneer user of the internet due to his hermit existence, Brian honed skills he didn’t know he had is now a successful app developer. His most successful app, to date, is an app for kids called “Pull the Elephant’s Trunk”.

As a result of the apps, Brian is now incredibly wealthy and lives in a large, sprawling mansion in California. He’s still a bit of a hermit, but has been spotted at some of Hef’s parties.

John Bender (“The Criminal”)

He did return Claire’s earring when he broke up with her.

A career in criminal justice never seemed farfetched for John, although most would assume it would be behind bars rather than on the outside. After spending 11 months in jail for a bar fight with Mr. Vernon (John finally did take that swing at him), he regrouped, went to law school, and found his calling working for those who needed a good defense. He met his wife at a very high profile trial (he was the attorney, she was a spectator), leading to some speculation that John won the trial under shady circumstances. Like most things in his life, he rose above that, and, after the media caught wind of his childhood, jail time, and subsequent successful law career, his life was made into a Lifetime movie. With money earned from the movie coupled with his prolific law career, John retired from law to work on novels (a la his hero, John Grisham).

His restraining order against Claire remains active.