This Blog is all about finding ways to be Happy while single. That doesn't mean we can't continue to be Open minded about finding someone to Love. However, there are advantages to being Single that many people forget while running around, desperate to find a Mate.
A month ago my friend "Dee" needed a new computer. Dee has been happily married for about 4 minutes. Her husband, "Bob", is a great guy, but he is a guy. Lets not go into how men and women think and react differently, yet again. We all know it's true and we've all heard the pop-psychology on Dr. Phil.
Having determined to purchase a new computer, Dee and Bob head out to ABC chain store where computers are plentiful. This is how the event unfolded.
Dee: Oh, Honey, this one looks nice!
Bob, curt, moving quickly through the isles: Not enough memory
Dee: You haven't even looked at it!
(Bob is already around the corner. Dee sighs and follows)
Bob, standing in front of something that looks like it could launch the space shuttle and hack into government computers against operator instructions to cause WWIII: This one is nice.
Dee: It's too expensive.
Bob: It has a 5trillionbillion GB memory and a Y6 processor
Dee, wondering what the hell that even means: We don't need that much memory. And look at it! If we take it on vacation we'd have to buy a trailer to haul it around! What if I want to run down to Panera on Saturday with Jill and check my mail at lunch? I can't even carry that.
Bob: OK, what about this one? It's $10 cheaper.
Dee: Its especially for Gamers. See?
Bob: So?
Dee: When was the last time either of us played a game on line? Not counting hours of solitaire and Mahjong? I like this one over here.
Bob: Really? (disgusted look) It's tiny..and it has a 15" screen.
Dee: Right, it's perfect for sitting on my lap in bed at night or taking to a bookstore (smiling)
Bob: Honey, come on. It' only has a Y4I Processor and look at the memory!
Dee: Why do I need more memory!? I have an external hard drive on the computer desk.
Bob: What about music? To listen to on your headphones while you're at the bookstore?
Dee: Sheez, Bob! I am not listening to.... (glances at other computer specs) 3 trillion songs at the bookstore! I'm not even sure 3 trillion songs exist!
(Argument begins to escalate, voices become louder. Bob and Dee leave ABC store because it's better than screaming at one another in public and go to dinner instead.
Later Dee spent a hour over coffee telling me All about the computer drama they were going through, and that Now, Bob is actually trying to justify a computer that costs more than their car because it has some special program for his work that he doesn't need...except at work. Understand, the computer was supposed to be specifically For Dee, not Bob, who has a company lap-top he carries around every day.
Update: Bob and Dee Still have not purchased a computer)
I'd been putting off buying a new computer. The Blue Screen of Death was only popping up twice a week. I could live with that. And the thing was slower than frozen icebergs but checking my Facebook didn't need to be Fast. I've got time. And yes, I'm a pinch-penny. I purchased my computer in 2008 and as long it continued to let me download episodes of Dexter, I was quite happy.
Last week it also came time to purchase a new watch. Mine had gone AWOL a few weeks earlier and I really needed one for my morning run. On my lunch break I head to XYZ store around the corner and popped in for a new Timex Ironman. I had plenty of time after my watch choice to browse, so I strolled over to electronics. Just to see what new things are out, if Apple has dropped their prices (nope) and check on a new mouse.
Exactly 35 minutes later, I walked out with a new Toshiba lap-top. (If Apple would stop trying to fleece me out of $2500 for a computer when I get one down the isle for $700-900, I would have purchased an Apple. I don't know--Steve Jobs just isn't as bright as people keep saying he is, IMO).
And that was that, Done deal.
No one argued with me. I didn't have to justify my purchase to anyone. I didn't have to present valid arguments on whether or not Y4 processors are better than Y7-I's or which screen has a better resolution. I walked in, I saw, I purchased. I went back to work happy with my new computer and ready to transfer all my Spartacus episodes. After my purchase no one yelled at me for buying a large ticket item without consulting them first, or demanded to know what the hell were you thinking buying a computer on your lunch break.
And my computer is perfect for Me, my taste, personality and needs. I just happened to be in the right time, right Mood, and Right "Just Put on Sale" place and I took advantage of the opportunity.
It was a rather freeing, stress-less experience for me.
This is one of the huge advantages to not being in a committed relationship. One never has to justify or argue about how they chose to spend their money. If I want a pair of shoes, I buy them. If I can afford that new laptop and I know I need one, I go pick one out. And if and when the time comes, if I want to trade in my car, no one argues with me about it.
Except for all my Facebook friends who "face-palmed" and groaned at my purchase....but I say it's just because they're jealous of my new computer. Suckers.
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