Where Men's Money Goes

Erm, I was told that bed was for sex and sleep . .

apparently it's for staring like a zombie at poor graphics and yelling
"Awwww you beat me!"

There's no clever clip at the end of this post but after realising I have to live on $10 a day for the next 15 days and, arriving home after my round-the-world horse feeding trip, hitting Chippy on the head with a bucket and giving him a good soaking with the hose to stop him pinching Laurie's dinner,(no it's not cruel, he has short man syndrome!) Then ducking into the shops on a Thursday night late night shopping session for some mince to make oh so exotic hamburgers (with lettuce, tomato, onions and of course beetroot!)I was not a little pissed off at my son's announcement that he and the Fringelet were planning a luxury weekend in the city for their second 'anniversary'. It's my favourite thing to do and haven't done it for over two years!

Nice hotel, clean sheets and chocolate on the pillow, Imax and a harbour cruise. A trip over to Manly to visit Chocolate by the Bald man and maybe fish and chips on the beach. More exploring the Botanic Gardens and dinner at the very expensive Meat and Wine Co. (another intelligently named Aussie Restaurant - almost as creative as "Nicks Seafood") . . .so my demeanour upon hearing this announcement was not over zealous.

Neither was I too impressed with the announcement that "Guitar Hero would be so much better if I could put a data projector above the curtains in the lounge and project it onto the wall" or "World Tour" comes out in a couple of weeks and is only $380." Although I rather fancy that because I can sing and not have to push buttons or rely on the dexterity of my arthritic phalanges.

So don't talk to me about what men spend their money on . . it certainly isn't their clothes or groceries! They're sneaky. They buy Playstations and hide them like an expensive new dress until you finally come home early and catch half a dozen boys in the pool room blowing people up "Oh I got it cheap from . . I've had it for ages . . what this old thing?". Or blow $3000 on an unregisterable motor bike for some noisy Sunday paddock bashing when he'd have been better off buying a few new pairs of undies and a pair of jeans that actually have a hem on them.

Then there's the sound systems with surround sound and sub woofers that make the gyprock vibrate, the Motocross subscriptions, the fast food, the car stereos, the Zhiljian Cymbals. More mature men (I use the term loosely) buy another enormous TV to go into their bedroom when there are four perfectly good TV's scattered about the house or blow $5000 on a greyhound that is later euthanased because . .well . . it was a 'dog' in all senses of the word or a pool side umbrella the size of Texas. Or dip into the savings for a complete golf set that's used twice a year and 'Big Bertha driver' because it's not their handicap that's the problem . . it's the tools of the trade!

Don't get me wrong, I'm good at spending money when I have it (which is not very often these days . .even my tax rebate was swallowed because my family benefit payment had been overpaid even though I cancelled it when Adam left school - so my rather healthy return was 'garnished' and I ended up with a pittance). But I don't waste it on 'things' other than the odd scented candle from Dusk. Any spare cash I manage to eek together over the next couple of months will be spent on a new washing machine so I don't have to go through the spin cycle twice and hold the hose up so it syphons properly and a new fridge who's door doesn't fling open and with a vegie crisper big enough to allow me to bulk buy and use my juicer and a new sofa bed so that guests have somewhere comfortable to sleep other than on an old rubber mattress on the floor! I might even spring for a new pair of shoes!

So among the gidgets and gadgets that men buy . . I think we women should stop hiding that little black dress or feeling embarrassed about our matching shoes and handbags . . or splash out sometime on that lovely little gold chain that's been discounted to $300! Men may not buy many of the 'practical' things but they spend a fortune on their luxury goods. Then again, maybe they're smart . . .I go out and buy two horses that I can't ride anymore but have healthy appetites and 'needs'. (read $$$$)

Although thank goodness for small mercies, we've moved on from "Slow Ride" to Knights of Cydonia, Santana's Black Magic Woman and the Killers . . .can't complain about the music selection on GH3 tonight! I might not have a social life but I have a plethora of games and cleanskin chardy is only $5.95 a bottle.