- Joined
- Sep 5, 2006
- Messages
- 1,117
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Belton, TX
- First Name
- JD
- Last Name
- Evans
When I bought my C14, my wife the Inquisitor, asked how much more it was going to cost. Every bike that has ever taken up residence in the garage has been showered with love in the form of various farkles. She has figured out it is never just the initial price of the bike.
When challenged about the C14 I was cool as a cucumber, and deftly told her it would not cost anything more as I had purchased the fastest one they made. While it stumped the Inquisitor for the time being, it also limited how I was going to rationalize future purchases.
Here is how I got away with another bike in the garage...
While deployed to Afghanistan I purchased a rather large wood carving of a camel. Did I need a wooden camel, well not as much as the locals needed my greenbacks, so as a quirky souvenir I bought the carving. Upon returning to the United States, I was chomping at the bit to get another bike in the garage; but how? Then my boxes began arriving and I remembered the camel. I took out the camel and promptly put it on the fireplace mantel. This carving does not even remotely complement any of the decor the Inquisitor has picked for the house. Though the carving is quite good, it looks garishly out of place amongst the Inquisitor's coordinated palate of colors and design style.
The Inquisitor eyes the camel, and surprisingly says nothing. So I leave the camel where it is and say nothing. After a few days, the Inquisitor has had enough and brings up the issue of the camel. She wants it moved from the mantel. Now is my moment of truth, I put may plan in motion. I compliment the Inquisitor and then proceed to tell the Inquisitor that she has done a wonderful job of decorating our home, but I also point out that there is nothing in the room, other than the TV, where I had any input. (Hmmm, probably why it looks so nice) I then state that the Camel is a reminder of my accumulated tours of duty, and how much I want "contribute" something to the room other than sweat equity in theater that paid for all the stuff. Ha, for the second time in two years I have stumped the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor now seems to lack the urgency to have me relocate the camel. I save this poker chip for later.
Almost a month later and days before the Inquisitors birthday, I mention that I'd like to have another motorcycle. The Inquisitor's defense system goes on full alert. She is ready for an iffy justification, and throws down the gauntlet. "And just why do you need another motorcycle? I thought this one was one of the fastest ones they make." I respond. "It is, and true to my word I have not spent any money on go-fast parts, windscreens, or saddles. I'm thinking of something a little easier to maneuver in a parking lot for when my hip (replaced twice) is giving me problems but I still want to ride". The Inquisitor is a strong negotiator, and wants to know if it would be "OK" for her to buy something she "wants" but does not really "need"? Diabolical... She is waiting for me to either unwittingly agree to a cruise or something shiny, or to start tap dancing about why I should get another bike when there is already more than one in the garage.
Now I use my poker chip. I tell the Inquisitor... "Baby, if you'd rather that I sell one of my other bikes, or just not buy one all together, I can do that. I'd be disappointed, but I'll live all the same. On the other hand, if I can get another bike that does not duplicate what I already have, I'll take the camel out to the garage with me to keep myself and the other bikes company. The Inquisitor quickly agrees and a deal is struck. Seeing how there was not a Yamaha or an Enduro in the garage, this left a lot of possibilities. So I bought a KLR and a FZ1
Well, the camel and I are spending a lot more time together than I anticipated. Guess I'm going to have to take that cruise after all if I ever expect to see anything other than the Lifetime channel on the large screen TV.
When challenged about the C14 I was cool as a cucumber, and deftly told her it would not cost anything more as I had purchased the fastest one they made. While it stumped the Inquisitor for the time being, it also limited how I was going to rationalize future purchases.
Here is how I got away with another bike in the garage...
While deployed to Afghanistan I purchased a rather large wood carving of a camel. Did I need a wooden camel, well not as much as the locals needed my greenbacks, so as a quirky souvenir I bought the carving. Upon returning to the United States, I was chomping at the bit to get another bike in the garage; but how? Then my boxes began arriving and I remembered the camel. I took out the camel and promptly put it on the fireplace mantel. This carving does not even remotely complement any of the decor the Inquisitor has picked for the house. Though the carving is quite good, it looks garishly out of place amongst the Inquisitor's coordinated palate of colors and design style.
The Inquisitor eyes the camel, and surprisingly says nothing. So I leave the camel where it is and say nothing. After a few days, the Inquisitor has had enough and brings up the issue of the camel. She wants it moved from the mantel. Now is my moment of truth, I put may plan in motion. I compliment the Inquisitor and then proceed to tell the Inquisitor that she has done a wonderful job of decorating our home, but I also point out that there is nothing in the room, other than the TV, where I had any input. (Hmmm, probably why it looks so nice) I then state that the Camel is a reminder of my accumulated tours of duty, and how much I want "contribute" something to the room other than sweat equity in theater that paid for all the stuff. Ha, for the second time in two years I have stumped the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor now seems to lack the urgency to have me relocate the camel. I save this poker chip for later.
Almost a month later and days before the Inquisitors birthday, I mention that I'd like to have another motorcycle. The Inquisitor's defense system goes on full alert. She is ready for an iffy justification, and throws down the gauntlet. "And just why do you need another motorcycle? I thought this one was one of the fastest ones they make." I respond. "It is, and true to my word I have not spent any money on go-fast parts, windscreens, or saddles. I'm thinking of something a little easier to maneuver in a parking lot for when my hip (replaced twice) is giving me problems but I still want to ride". The Inquisitor is a strong negotiator, and wants to know if it would be "OK" for her to buy something she "wants" but does not really "need"? Diabolical... She is waiting for me to either unwittingly agree to a cruise or something shiny, or to start tap dancing about why I should get another bike when there is already more than one in the garage.
Now I use my poker chip. I tell the Inquisitor... "Baby, if you'd rather that I sell one of my other bikes, or just not buy one all together, I can do that. I'd be disappointed, but I'll live all the same. On the other hand, if I can get another bike that does not duplicate what I already have, I'll take the camel out to the garage with me to keep myself and the other bikes company. The Inquisitor quickly agrees and a deal is struck. Seeing how there was not a Yamaha or an Enduro in the garage, this left a lot of possibilities. So I bought a KLR and a FZ1
Well, the camel and I are spending a lot more time together than I anticipated. Guess I'm going to have to take that cruise after all if I ever expect to see anything other than the Lifetime channel on the large screen TV.