Expensive, but BORING!
Some major purchases
we make in life are just boring.
Some
purchases are fun, some improve your quality of life, some just make you
feel good. A new car for instance not
only improves the quality of your life, but just makes you feel good. It makes you feel good every time you smell
that new car smell.
This May,
for my 70th birthday I bought a beautiful very expensive new guitar. It improved the quality of my life as it is
such fun to play. The smell of fresh cut
mahogany of the all mahogany guitar makes me feel good every time I take it out
of its case.
This week I
was forced to buy a new computer. It is
not much different than the old computer, a little lighter, a little faster,
but essentially it has not improved the quality of my life. There is no new computer smell.
This week we
also had to replace our 10+ year old washer and dryer. This is the fourth time in my life I have
purchased a new washer and dryer. The
first time was exciting as not having to make a trip to the laundromat (scary
places late at night) was a clear quality of life improvement. The last three purchases have been boring.
Every single
washer and dryer I have purchased have been the same...white with dials. They all
operate the same, clean and dry the same and never have a new machine
smell. They are all boring, expensive,
but boring.
While we
were at it, Mrs. C wanted to put down a new linoleum floor in the laundry room,
as the old one was a chopped up mess and this would be the time to change it. About the only thing more boring than a new
washer and dryer is a linoleum floor. It
is no more functional than the old floor and it has no new floor smell.
I’ve spent a
lot of money this last week. My bank
account is tapped out. You’d think for
the money there would at least be some joy.
There is not. Life has not
changed. The neighborhood is not a-buzz,
we have not thrown a party to show off our new computer, washer and dryer, and
linoleum floor.
I thought of
throwing a party, I almost sent out invitations:
“Come to the Cranky’s
and celebrate our new computer which works exactly like the old computer and
our new washer and dryer that are still the same old white with knobs and work
exactly like the old washer and dryer.
Eat, drink and admire the new linoleum floor in our 7x9 laundry room.”
I did
not. I figured the only people who would
show would have to be really boring.
Really boring. And they might smell.
ReplyDeleteInvite some people who've never been in your house for a new guest smell!!
DeleteIt's a shame really, you spent all that money and there is nothing new for fun.
ReplyDeleteI on the other hand, might enjoy a new washer/dryer and new flooring in the laundry. Alas, the appliances still work. Bummer.
I'm betting Mrs C doesn't find the new floor and machines boring. Not yet anyway.
ReplyDeleteI remember being excited when I bought my front loader washing machine. I still love it now and it's twenty years old.
Kind of like getting s new roof!
ReplyDeletetoo funny. :) yeah, sometimes life is a non-plus...
ReplyDeleteReplaced our 23 year old washer dryer set yesterday because the repair/maintenance man finally retired. We went for buttons and lights instead of knobs but it will still only clean the dirty clothes. Some days it is just about maintence
ReplyDeleteKinda like getting...well, you know...without getting kissed.
ReplyDeleteI am 73, and on my fourth washer/dryer, too. Three were from leaving a perfectly good set behind in a move, for some one else to try to wear out. And one was perfectly good, but...long story.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the non-smell so long as everything works! Haven't you thought of giving a recital with your nice smelling new guitar?
ReplyDeleteHA! I don't think anyone responding to that kinda invitation would be boring. I think they'd be like-minded people with great senses of humor.
ReplyDeleteThe last washer and dryer we bought are totally cool. For the first time in my life, we have a washer and dryer that are the same color, so they MATCH, AND they aren't even white! They not only look all pretty, shiny and bright, but they have a bunch of features I've never had before. Not saying I necessarily NEED appliances with the capability to steam clean our undies, or that play a little ditty at the end of their cycles... but I love 'em! For the first time, I bought what I wanted, not the cheapest models I could find, and it felt pretty damned good. (Age has its advantages.)
Very cool on your guitar. I treated myself to a new one, too, but on on the lower end of the price scale. (I wash clothes a lot more than I play the guitar these days!)
I so agree. Some things are just fun to get and others are necessary but very boring.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day Joe. ☺
It's only fun to get these things if you don't have them in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathize. I recently paid five hundred dollars for new tires and they look exactly like the old ones. No good feelings over this purchase. No fun. Who needs treads on tires anyway?
ReplyDeleteThe kids just bought a new washer and dryer to go into their new (to them) house and they were really excited about it. However, they also got the good ole white ones that just wash and dry. They don't separate and fold the laundry.
ReplyDeleteIn 77 years I have never experienced the purchase of a new washer and dryer. Where is some wood? I seem to move or sell before anything breaks.
ReplyDeleteHowever I can relate to your frustration for like Stephen--I just bought new tires. They do have a new tire smell but that really is not a plus.
A new Washer or a new Dryer may not be fun, but they are very practical. If we had to do our laundry by hand, then get a new washer or a dryer then we would appreciate their value. I know what you mean but sometimes even boring things can be good.
ReplyDeleteI do like the washer/dryer and necessarily evils though I have to say laundromats are great people watching places. We bought a new set when we moved a few months back. I like that these just fill up water based on what is in the washer; but the washer locks for spinning and rinse cycles and I hate waiting until it finally spins to be able to open it. I used to like to stop it a bit earlier while spinning, but its all good. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletebetty
Hey, serve wine and I'll come :)
ReplyDeleteI know - everybody wants to get a pool; nobody wants to get a new septic tank!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha. I'm still waiting for the dryer that folds the clothes. Now *that* would not be boring! :D
ReplyDeleteOur last washer and dryer were a beautiful shade of light blue across the top where the controls are. I loved that! Unfortunately, when we got them home, my husband peeled the blue right off; it was only a protective sheet of plastic! Grrr...
ReplyDeleteI personally would attend that party.
ReplyDelete