Ladies. Let's face it. For the life of us, we men are NEVER going to understand why you ladies like diamonds... and shoes... and purses... and stuff like that.
Or... can we? Are we really all that different?
The reason why I'm thinking about this right now is because I was looking over some CDs a coworker gave me. The CDs contain what must've been his entire collection of gun porn. 
Pistols, rifles, and field competitions galore!
Naturally, this too fueled my own gun lust. You know what I've been lusting for? No? Well, if you can resist the instinctive urge to roll your eyes and skip to the next entry, I'll be happy to fill that little void in your life. Just what you've always wanted to know, right?
First, there is the Zero Tolerance. It's... a knife. But not just any knife! It's an over-built monstrosity with exquisite attention to details, from the fish scale-like handle grip to the tiger-stripe camo for the blade itself! The price for this beautiful piece of work of art? $200USD.
Hold on, there's more. Next, is the pistol. A lot of people would have gone with a different gun (such as the Springfield XD) for color-coordination, but me, I am in love with the curvatures of the Smith & Wesson's new Military & Police (MP). Notice the fish scale grip on the back of the slide? Matching decor! Only $600USD to take this lovely number home.
Last but not least, the pièce de résistance: The space age Fabrique Nationale FNS2000!
Look at those luscious curves and advanced bullpup design. Price tag for this little slice of heaven? $3000USD but I know I can find it for cheaper!
And the scariest part of all of this? I've personally groped and fondled all three items. And let me just say that those pictures seriously don't do justice. They are much sexier in real life. Roooar! Can you see how they all just seem to compliment one another? Like a nice dress/purse/shoes ensemble... except for men.
Okay, but let's be serious now. You're most likely wondering, "Why on Earth would anyone want to spend $4,000 on all this fancy junk!?" Well, part of it is because it's a mechanical tinkertoy that does something cool. It also builds (twisted and superficial) confidence that you can somehow fend off a pack of timber wolves, terrorists, or lawyers. You know, male hunting instincts and all that.
But when it comes right down to it? And here's the honest, serious truth to an otherwise non-serious entry so far: It's to wow his friends.
I don't know how the female world works, but the reason why men buy toys is largely to impress his friends and enemies alike. The more envious they are, the better. Yes, toys are lots of fun to play with, but it's even better when other boys want to play with you because you have the toys they want to play with.
The sad truth unveiled.
This is something that wasn't glaringly obvious to me until I started on my new frugal way of life. It used to be, "Hey guys, check out what I got!" or "Oooh, that's awesome! Yeah, I'll get one too and we can do it together. It's going to be so cool!" You're young, you're having fun, and you're not really thinking about how much it costs. Because money isn't everything, and friendship is. At least, that was how I once viewed life and money.
Now? While I've learned that friendship doesn't require expensive toys, conversations in general are sadly not as interesting or fun as it used to be....
Whenever people ask me what I'm up to now, I sort say "Oh, well, yeah, well, I'm getting divorced... that's kinda got me tied up." Of course, while it's true, that's not the real reason why. It's just seems easier to say that instead of saying, "I'm going frugal" because that somehow implies that I am poor, uninteresting, and just plain crazy.
Oh, I know that's not true of course, but still, the drab implications of frugality is an awkward direction to go sometimes. Instead of talking about something fun and interesting, I end up feeling like I have to explain and defend myself for this self-imposed madness.
I may not be articulating this well, but I know it's a notion that many of you are keenly aware of: That the outside world probably thinks we are crazy. Like those monks that you see on TV... living in dusty monastaries, dressed in orange curtains and eating little bowls of rice. Sure, it's interesting to watch, but you'd have to be out of your mind to want to live like that!
So, I guess that's the point of tonight's thoughts: That consumerism is a deeply-rooted psychological phenomenon. And a perversely twisted one at that. Perhaps that's why the cosmetic industry makes so much money... making women feel like they're not pretty enough without their products. Or why men have mid-life crises.
That's why I am all the more thankful for online communities such as this one, because it isn't easy being a frugalite in a consumer world. If it wasn't for this place, I surely would have thought that there was something wrong with me. But here, I see that, right or wrong, at least I am not alone.
Seriously, thank you for all your support. This truly has been a sanctuary of sanity in an insane world.As for the weapons of mass distraction, don't worry. As much as I "lust" for these toys (and many, many others), I have absolutely no intention of buying any of them... anytime soon.
I'm still dedicated towards becoming debt-free first. (Sometimes, having a one-track mind isn't an entirely bad thing)!But there you go. That's one reason why boys want their toys. To gain the approval of his fellow peers... oh and in a twisted sort of way, to try to impress the ladies. And all that translates into some form of self-worth through artificial means. Crazy, I know. Welcome to Consumerland.
February 3rd, 2007 at 07:06 pm
February 3rd, 2007 at 07:12 pm
February 3rd, 2007 at 07:24 pm
February 3rd, 2007 at 07:42 pm
February 3rd, 2007 at 08:03 pm
perhaps it's just me, but i think of nicholas cage in "gone in 60 seconds": too many self-indulgent weiners with too much bloody money! not you, per se, but they shiney toy-ridden metrosexuals who all spend more time on their hair and manicures than i do...
February 3rd, 2007 at 08:05 pm
February 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Men - weapons, cars, electronics - in most cases, items you point.
Fascinating. Freud would have a field day.
February 3rd, 2007 at 11:15 pm
February 4th, 2007 at 05:44 am
For example, its not really my style to wear yellow gold rings, because I personally prefer simple silver and a more modern understated look.
But... I do often slip on a yellow gold ring with a big hunk of sapphire on it, no less, because someone I love dearly gave it to me as a birthday present.
Anyway my point is that women may *seem* to care about diamonds and such, but I think its the sentiment behind it that matters to most of us. Just my opinion
February 4th, 2007 at 07:16 am
I do like clothes do - I could never have enough- guess that is my downfall.
February 4th, 2007 at 07:23 am
February 4th, 2007 at 11:48 am
And yes, some women have to have a bigger diamond to impress her friends, others take trips, were not much into shoes or purses, but I do know some!
And at least you can perpetually "be shopping, looking for, trying out..." your guns and knives. Still something to talk about, nobody said you had to own one, right?? Start shopping BMWs and Porsches. Heck, test drive em! Just don't BUY them! :-)
February 4th, 2007 at 02:52 pm
I don't think you ever need to worry about being uninteresting...
Or inarticulate, either!
February 4th, 2007 at 03:27 pm
You're quite right! They would certainly not be the kind of woman I'd like to waste my time with. Of course, since I drive a 10 year old Toyota Corolla, I guess I don't really have a problem with that one.
miclason:
Yes, that is very much it! And the more "insecure" a guy feels, the more he wants to go out and do stuff like this. Now that I think about, it's just as much about escapism too... because a guy's regular life may not be going well.
Come to think of it, it's made frugality that much more difficult throughout my divorce because of it.
baselle:
Yikes! Uh, let's just not go there, how about that?
Ldyfaile:
Oh, sorry. I know not every woman is like that. I'd have to say it seems rather rare though, since consumerism is so rampant here....
Sindel:
That's a very good point, and it's one that I'll have to keep in mind.
monkeymama:
Heheh! You were doing so good until that last bit.
Ima:
I think so. I've only listed a couple of reasons, but there are more. But Corvettes are nice no matter how you slice it, so, I can't blame anyone for liking them.
boomeyers:
I really try to stay away from stuff I want. The more I want it, the more I have to stay away from it. Because, you're just several steps closer to buying it! Well, not cars anyway, because I certainly can't afford that. But I have to be very careful with things that I can!
You know, this reminds me of how I've been trying to cope with that itch. The more I want something, the more I will drop money into my student loans. That way, I would make it such that I can not afford it at all. So far, it's working.
LuckyRobin:
That so sweet of you to say! Thank you for making me feel better... hey waitaminute. I just noticed that you didn't mention anything about being "just plain crazy". What're you trying to say here? Hmmm?
February 4th, 2007 at 05:09 pm
But I also noticed there are two kinds of guys, those who want the curves, and those who want arm candy..arm candy has to be 'all dolled up', a guy interested in curves, just wants to be able to see them (well in public they just need to see).
Anyway, I'll ditto the idea that there is no point in attracting a woman (or guy) interested in the 'fluff', unless you want (and can afford) to spend the rest of your life trying to have and maintain the right 'fluff'.
February 4th, 2007 at 06:07 pm
February 5th, 2007 at 02:12 am
February 5th, 2007 at 01:24 pm
February 8th, 2007 at 09:52 am
February 8th, 2007 at 01:50 pm
February 9th, 2007 at 07:34 am
February 9th, 2007 at 09:48 am
Your post made me rethink things... I will let him find one that is cheaper.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:48 am
As for flashlights.... Oooh yeah! Me like! Trouble is, I've got more flashlights than I know what to do with. Including two weapon-mounted ones. I'm... not sure... exactly what I'll be mounting them on but... um, yeah, I sure did get carried away in my younger, spendier days. He wouldn't happened to want one would he? I could part with one for cheap!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
February 11th, 2007 at 11:32 am
February 13th, 2007 at 02:56 pm
It seems the odds are on this site we out do the 'general' public averages.
February 13th, 2007 at 09:32 pm
I do not know what add is or if I miss that until I know what it is.
I like my diamond. It says that my husband had enough time to think about the band that wraps and intertwines with the band that holds that diamond.
February 16th, 2007 at 09:40 am
He has one that does 5 diffrent light functions and special lights to scope out scorpians at night. He is always striving to find the most brightest smallest led light he can find... What you have? Smile
February 19th, 2007 at 02:34 pm
I also have a Streamlight rechargeable. Forgot the specs, but it's quite bright. Not LED though. It's the size of a toothpaste. Fairly bright for its size, and I have a duty pouch for it as well, so it's quite portable. It also comes with two chargers, one for home, and one for the car. I think I bought that one for $120, but again, I'm willing to sell it for less.
I have other flashlights, such as a 4D LED Maglight and an Inova X5 with a GG&G TID mount and its own key ring thumb holder and pouch, but you could probably find either one in a store for about $40, so it isn't worth selling it....
I understand about LEDs though. They're very energy efficient and the lumens output just keeps getting better with each technological improvement. However, seeing as how I have more flashlight than I know what to do with, I most likely won't be buying anymore anytime soon.