Friday Random Stuff

Hey friends and far-off neighbors! I've got a few things going on, and I thought I would share the shopping-related thoughts in my head...

...WITH PICTURES!!!

• School Books: I'm going to need four books for when school starts, and then a fifth book sometime later, when my "short session" class starts. It is going to be a LOT more expensive than I thought, because some of the books aren't available used. So I'm all sort of screwed here cash-wise, but what else can I do?

• Laptop: I'm going to need a new one, like NOW. I've been shopping online and wandering around the stores, and I'm just not inspired by the whole mess. That's a good thing, in my case. It keeps me from wanting some $1700 super-computer... something I always struggle with. No, I just want something a little bigger than what I have, with a bright monitor. That's pretty much all. So now I'm just torn between an HP with the features I want, a Dell with a colored chassis, or a Toshiba with a sexy black chassis. These are happy problems, right?

• Watches: Since my father-in-law came to visit, and showed off his fake Rolex to me. Now I want a watch too! I want a real one, though... not a fake Rolex, but a real Invicta, Citizen, or Bulova. I'm an adult now, like it or not. I need to start wearing an adult watch.

• Cell phone: I got a fancy ridiculous high tech phone last time. This time, I want something simple and less clunky and LIGHTER. My phone weighs down my fucking pocket! I just want a flip phone that's light and sharp looking. Yes, I'm shallow. So sue me!

• Eyeglasses: 18 months ago, I went and got glasses... the cheapest ones possible. They are in sort of crappy shape. The lenses are scratched up, the frame is bent, and I'm just very unhappy with them. Next time around, I'm going to invest in something a little nicer, with the scratch-resistant lenses. A little extra money? Sure. But they are on my face from the minute I wake up until I go to bed, and will be for the rest of my life. Maybe it is worth spending money on something that you have to use that much...

... come to think of it, that's what this whole list is about, besides the schoolbooks. I've gotten way past wanting to collect stuff that looks cool and sits in drawers or on a shelf. Yeah, the katana is neat, but unless there's a zombie, ninja, or possibly pirate attack... what good is that doing me?!?!?! On the other hand, every time I leave the house I have to bring or wear glasses, watch, knife, wallet, cell phone, shoes, and harmonica. I'm on the computer a lot too. These are things that are with me all the time. It would be stupid of me not to get the best I can afford in these categories.

And in the long run this should save me a lot of money. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it makes perfect sense. I have owned dozens of guitars in my life, and I was always looking for a new one, a better one, whatever. Now I have a couple of guitars in the $1000-$1500 range, and it is rare for me to look at guitars anymore. Not only do I not need any more guitars, but I don't even want new guitars anymore. Instead of buying a new $500-700 guitar every year and wanting new ones too, I have what I want and don't spend any more money.

The same thing goes for my $250 pocket knife. I've probably owned more than 50 knives over the past 20 years, at about $50 a pop. Now I have the best knife I can imagine, so I don't have to spend another $2500 over the next 20 years. Sunglasses, same thing. You get one good thing, and you are happy with it and use it until it falls apart.

If only I had some money...