My biggest weakness as a consumer

So, I guess it's about time I posted about my spending spree of a couple weeks ago. See, I decided I really wanted a video camera so that I could film some stuff and edit it on the computer. I wanted to get the hang of shooting, using a camera, and the editing piece. I asked Jen, and she gave me the go-ahead. Right on!

First I went to Costco, as I recalled them having some video cameras. Unfortunately, they didn't have squat. Mostly they had those burn-direct-to-DVD cameras, which is definitely not what I wanted. So we decided to go to Fry's the next day.

The next day, it was on to Fry's. I looked over their cameras, and decided I wanted the Canon Elura 85. That wasn't the one I really wanted - the one I really wanted was three grand. But I wanted the Canon so I could just kind of get started here. Jen asked if I wanted to apply for a Fry's account, and I said sure. We're used to getting turned down for credit left and right, so we figured at best we'd get an account for a few hundred.

They approved us for over $3k.

This was quite tempting. We looked around for awhile. Jen decided to buy a portable DVD player to use for Chas when we're on long drives and stuff. And we bought a computer desk, as we didn't really have a decent one. We looked at new computers, and Jen drooled over the Media Center PCs, which she has wanted for awhile. But she said we should wait. She's generally the voice of reason in these situations.

Then I saw the Macs they had. I've been wanting a Mac for awhile, specifically for video and audio editing. I've seen the programs for that on both the Mac and Windows, and the ones for Mac are much easier and better. Jen told me no way was I getting a Mac before she got a new computer, and complained about the fact that we hadn't bought a new computer for her in...oh, I think ever...while I had gotten a laptop and a desktop machine. We left, without giving in to the temptation to buy a bunch of stuff and rack up our new account.

But you see, electronics are my biggest weakness as a consumer. I love 'em. Those and cars. I don't like to shop for clothes, or food, or anything...except vehicles and electronics. Those I will go window shopping for just for fun. And I got to thinking, we hadn't bought Jen a new computer in...well, ever...and I was feeling guilty about that. So the next day, while she was at work, I went back to Fry's. I bought a Media Center PC for Jen, and some upgrades to it (it really needed a better video card and more memory). And another desk. And then I walked by the Macs.

Oh, I was tempted. I kept debating, imagining Jen's voice screaming at me about spending so much after she told me to wait. In the end, I gave in. After all, Fry's has a return policy...if she was too pissed off, I could return stuff. I bought myself a Mac Mini, which is very cute and nice, and should run Final Cut Express quite nicely. In fact, I'm writing this on my Mac. I'm kind of a convert now, after years of bitching about them. I still have the PC for gaming, and my Windows laptop, but I use the Mac for browsing and e-mail and stuff like that. And of course, I'll be using it for video and audio editing.

Anyway, I started home with the Volvo loaded down with about two grand worth of Fry's products - the salesmen loved me - and got into Issaquah about the time Jen should be off work. So I called her and asked her if she wanted to go to dinner, and she said sure. I was hoping to get to the restaurant after her, but she pulled in right behind me and clearly saw all the stuff piled up in the back. She got out of the car and the look on her face...oh boy. I started to get the boy out of the car, and when Jen got out I said, "You wouldn't kill me in front of the boy, would you?"
The look on her face said she was thinking about it.

After dinner and a discussion about just how much I spent, she decided it was ok, especially since she got a nice new computer all her own. So now our office is all set up and I have the Mac and the old PC at my desk hooked up with a Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse switch, and Jen sits next to me with her computer. We're happy. I've hardly watched TV since we got the office set up, because I spend that time in here instead. Although I gotsta watch some West Wing tonight.

Mattbear out.