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Post by sadkat on Dec 9, 2018 9:26:08 GMT -5
Ok- this week has been entirely too quiet! I’m going to take over from Shynjdude and start a question of the day thread. First question: since this is gift giving season, what is the first frivolous and expensive gift you bought yourself? Something you didn’t need but really wanted?
For me, I love bling! The first thing I bought myself was a Garnet ring. Yes, Garnet is my birthstone ( I’m a January baby). I had just graduated from college and started my first job. I wasn’t making a lot of money as a newbie employee. The hospital I was working at had a jewelry show and that’s where I saw the ring. I had to have it. It took me several months of living under a strict budget to pay it off but I don’t regret it. I wore it for a long time. I still have it and wear it occasionally all these years later...
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Post by isthisit on Dec 9, 2018 12:22:16 GMT -5
Yes I agree, despite being very new here it feels very quiet without Shy- a lovely recognition of his monumental contribution here ( in case you’re secretly lurking but not contributing Shy). It’s a great inaugural question, and my contribution is a trip rather than a tangible object. My daughter (then 13 years) has had a tricky couple of years recently with some challenging issues, and as she seems to have inherited my love of travel (unlike her brother who hates to go anywhere) I decided to treat her to a mum and daughter trip. Now I am pretty thrifty by nature anyway but thought that a life lesson in ‘more can be achieved with modest resources than you may think’ would be good so we set a budget (£800) and planned a trip. So last February we flew from the UK to Hong Kong, and after a few days moved on to central Vietnam (my number three fav place on the planet) for a week. It was the first time she had spent time in the developing world and she gained much from the experience. So much so, that this February we are going to be UAE and India, this time with my mum too- making memories across female generations of our family which hopefully will stretch into the future. I imagine that you, my ILIASM pals, will also have noticed that these adventures give me space to grow as an individual free from H. In fairness he is very supportive of these escapades. I will be interested to hear about the ways in which others here spoil themselves.
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Post by Handy on Dec 9, 2018 12:36:17 GMT -5
I am a thrifty person and when I was 12, I had a bicycle that was missing a seat cover and sat on bare metal when I rode to school instead of taking the bus. Most of one pedal was missing and the tires were worn through to the threads of the tire casing so I used friction tale so the tube didn't get a puncture. Fast forward to sever years after I retired (mostly) and I now had 6 entry level bikes and everything was working and in good shape. I was buying bikes, fixing them up, riding them, and then putting them up for sale. Well, I came across a bike that looked like crap but I knew it would be better than anything else i ever fixed up once I got all of the bugs worked out. I found out the bike cost $1,500 when new but I only paid $500 for it. I bought it and later discovered it was stolen so I was out the $500 and returned the bike to the owner. A couple of weeks later the owner called me and said an insurance company covered the theft and paid him $1,500 so I should come and get the bike I paid $500. Well, I put another $150 in the bike and I ride it regularly (weather permitting) about 100 miles a month in my local area from 5 to 15 miles at a time. I have one knee with a torn meniscu and an arthritic hip so something easy to pedal is important to me. I experimented with tires and now I have tires that require very little pedal force to move forward and they coast about twice as far as my bikes that cost a couple of hundred dollars when they were new. I only buy used bikes that cost below what they are worth. Parts cost too much to pay any more, especially after i spend several hours and put on some expensive parts if or when I resell the bike. The easiest pedaling tires are Schwalbe Big One LiteSkin Things in the bicycle world are measured in watts and the lower the watts, the better. www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/schwalbe-big-one-2016So I have a bike (Specialized Camber 29 XL)I never would have considered buying new and used tires ($60 for the pair) that I would never have considered buying new because I am too practical at times. I also bought several other goodies to make bike riding less effort and more comfortable. Some of my friends rode across the USA or other equally long distant rides a couple of times. Me, my butt and knee are limited to 25 miles, unless I actually buy an e-bike which is a bike with an electric motor and battery, where the electric motor adds to the pedaling power as sort of a boost. My current choice might be electricbikereview.com/voltbike/enduro/
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Post by workingonit on Dec 9, 2018 16:01:46 GMT -5
Thanks for stepping up sister sadkat ! I hate the quiet too. I would have to say my most expensive gifts to myself are trips and concert tickets. I love to go hear live music. I get lost in it and love being part of a dancing, joyful crowd. That is my one expensive vice although I do some tricks to find cheaper tickets and smaller venues, etc. I just bought some tickets for New Years eve- yay!
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Post by ironhamster on Dec 10, 2018 3:49:03 GMT -5
Nothing in particular. I don't need a holiday as a reason to buy anything for myself, but, with the Christmas season upon us, I did get a miniature Christmas tree to brighten the front room, and added red LED rope lights to my bedroom furnishings.
I hate Christmas travel, but, I was the one that moved, so I must be the one to come back to see everyone. Tickets this time of year are ghastly expensive, but it will be worth it.
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Post by sadkat on Dec 10, 2018 8:51:16 GMT -5
Question for today- If you had the ability to spend one week anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?
Since I am now trying to dig out of a foot of snow, I’d definitely go someplace with lots of sunshine and warmth! Maybe a Greek Island. I’d stay in a little cottage with fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea- sit in a chaise lounge and relax while I took in the view. I’d also want to explore every inch of the island, enjoy the local cuisine, and do a little shopping. A girl can dream!
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Post by jim44444 on Dec 10, 2018 13:25:43 GMT -5
A week on a sailboat along the Dalmatian coast, cruising from Split to Dubrovnik. Visiting the many islands, enjoying the wines, the food, the music and the people.
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Post by isthisit on Dec 10, 2018 14:50:39 GMT -5
A little town in Vietnam called Hoi An is my vote. Breathtakingly pretty, lovely people, unique shopping, fantastic food and a relaxed vibe. The company of a bloke who can’t keep his hands off me would also be welcome. I have been to several Greek islands and the Dalmation coast- great choices.
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Post by Handy on Dec 10, 2018 14:57:56 GMT -5
One place for one week? My list is too long. From 1986 to 2006 I didn't take a vacation so I travel by way of the Internet now.
I recently look at a lot of videos about Tasmania, especially the western part of the country. The Hawaiian Islands sound good.
Victorian Island in Canada sounds good. The Florida Keys sound interesting.
I like lots of things, foods, and places so most things are good. I can do without mosquitoes, snakes, and the bugs that bite. No raw meat or fish is another thing I will skip.
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Post by h on Dec 10, 2018 15:04:45 GMT -5
One place for one week? My list is too long. From 1986to 2006 I didn't take a vacation so I travel by way of the Internet now. I recently look at a lot of videos about Tasmania, especially the western part of the country. The Hawaiian Islands sound good. Victorian Island in Canada sounds good. The Florida Keys sound interesting. I like lots of things, foods, and places so most things are good. I can do without mosquitoes, snakes, and the bugs that bite. No raw meat or fish is another thing I will skip. No snakes in Hawaii
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Post by Handy on Dec 10, 2018 15:17:02 GMT -5
I had my fill of snakes, bugs that bite and mosquitoes living in Florida and other wet, swampy places.
Locally, when the river floods, the mosquitoes are bad but when the dry season hits or there is a "hard Freeze" no problem.
We have a few snakes but they usually are not a problem in residential areas except during a drought, then the rattler's come to areas where the grass is green.
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Post by workingonit on Dec 10, 2018 15:53:40 GMT -5
Someplace warm, tropical, culturally rich and vibrant without a cruel dictatorship in charge!
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Post by jim44444 on Dec 10, 2018 22:03:32 GMT -5
Victorian Island in Canada sounds good. The Florida Keys sound interesting. I can recommend the Florida Keys, especially Key West. Great seafood and laid back people.
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Post by deleted on Dec 11, 2018 0:22:40 GMT -5
Inner peace.
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Post by sadkat on Dec 11, 2018 8:51:27 GMT -5
Question for today: what personal characteristic do you struggle with the most?
For me, I’m very sensitive- I tend to take things personally and get my feelings hurt easily. I’ve learned to manage it throughout the years but still have to be aware of this tendency when interacting with others.
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