We have a ton of Hilton Honors points from our American Express card. Well Cynthia decided to cash them in for Best Buy gift cards.
Without much coaxing we were able to have my tech-savvy father-in-law identify the best LCD flat screen TVs available within my narrow price range and several beyond (Yes, I acknowledge my frugality).
On my birthday last week, I ventured over to Best Buy with Nathan to check out the options. For 30 minutes I stood looking at these 42" TVs thinking "what on earth do you need something this big for?". So I moved to the next aisle where they had the 37" TVs. Nathan's only input was "dad get the bigger one cuz its cooler." Sorry son, but your dad doesn't make purchasing decisions based on size but rather the price tag!! He is far too practical.
For the life of me, I couldn't get someone to help me because there were two groups of twenty-somethings (I don't know where they get their funds) who were interested in the 50" and bigger TVs so they could play there XBox 360 in full 1080p glory.
So we left empty-handed because these TVs seemed too extravagant. Cynthia was surprised to find me without a big box in tow upon my return.
The best parts of this birthday were the gifts. I was presented with hand-wrapped cards and gifts from all three kids. I received a box of Nilla Wafers, a box of Rice Chex, and some chocolates. All three are some of dad's favorites things to eat. Each gift was purchased with their own allowance money. So I was very proud that all three (encouraged by their mom I am sure) purchased their practical dad very practical gifts.
A couple days later the whole family made the trip to Best Buy to purchase a TV. We ended up with a 32" set, which seems far more practical. It is only 720p, but no one is broadcasting HD in 1080p yet and since I don't intend on purchasing an XBox 360, PlayStation 3, or HD DVD player I will never have a complaint about not being able to truly experience HD television in 1080p.
When we returned from our shopping excursion I was greeted by my sister, Winnie. She was ill on my birthday and had come to wish me a belated happy birthday. Well she presented me with two more very practical gifts--a collapsable shovel for roadside emergencies (or digging a trench around a tent to avoid flooding--see previous post) and a very bright LED flashlight.
So without further ado I present the practical side of my birthday and the frivolous. You know which I believe is which, but you may disagree.
6 comments:
I wasn't mad that you came home empty handed the first time (I sound like such a hag in your blogs!) but I thought it was weird that you wouldn't just go to customer service and ask if someone could helpyou.
That's my hubby....never one to make a scene or bring on confrontation. That's a whole 'nother blog....
Can you talk to Dan? He moved our old t.v. from the spare bedroom into our bedroom so we could start falling asleep in our bed while watching "King of Queens" reruns rather than downstairs on the couch. I mentioned that one day in the FAR future, it may be nice to get a small flat screen to replace the monster t.v. on our dresser (purely for aesthetic reasons not because I want another t.v.). Anyway, now he scours ads and the internet for a new t.v. and he wants a 42 inch. Ridiculous, I know. However, he has to sell his XBox first before he can even fathom making such a purchase. Yeah, he is trying to sell his XBox and for that reason alone I will gladly accept a 42 inch HD TV in my bedroom.
Sweet...now I can bring my xbox over and we can play Star Wars Legos in HD...You can even hook up your laptop and use the screen for playing warcraft...life size heroes...that would be sweet.
I hope the flashlight is bright enough....I thought it would go well with your new tent! So talking about practical gifts, did you use the money mom and dad gave you for your birthday to purchase the T.V. or did you go out on a limb and buy something else? ;-)
Happy Birthday
You didn't say how much the TV cost! I am waiting for most of the HD tv's to fall well under the 500 mark before I abandon my 100lb tube 32 inch tv!
Funny post about tv.'s. When we got over to Scotland Christian wanted to get a 42 inch or bigger tv so we could play in HD when we played guitar hero...BUT I just couldn't see wasting that money on a tv that we can't take back to the States with us when we return in 3 years...so we bought a 32 inch instead and I think it works just as well. (he still doesn't though)
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