10 Mar 2009 :: Best Purchases
Over the weekend I acquired a new bike for cheap and it vaulted into one of the highest quality bikes I have ever owned, and while I haven't had it long enough to evaluate it as a purchase, it reminded me the importance of patience and thought that goes into a good purchase.
These are my two favorite purchases:
My current GAP cardigan. Last winter I got rid of my jacket and spent the entire cold months without one, but always with an eye out. I wanted something black, stylish and warm for under one hundred dollars. I had really wanted a technical softshell, but they weren't cutting it in the aesthetic department. The cardigan became a part of the wardrobe instead and probably spruces up my terrible array of t-shirts and thermals, but most importantly, is freakishly warm and kept me nice and warm while regulating moisture on a 130 mile bike ride to Portland, overnight, in late November for Thanksgiving. That is versatility.
My SV650 is prohibitively the best thing that has ever happened to me. I've commuted on it nearly year round for three or four years now. The joy I have being on that bike in 35 degrees plus windchill and rain borders on lunacy. Every time on the bike puts me in a better mood and a the best of rides refreshes my soul. I'd make everyone get a motorcycle, but death rates would spike prohibitively.
A handful of honorable mentions....
Specialized Rockhopper/Surly Karate Monkey: the introduction of mountain biking rivals the life changing nature of my sweet Suzy. Both of these bikes have given me a lot of fun on the trails and hundreds of miles of dependable commuting. I'll likely have them around forever.
Honda Accord (aka, $hro) I bought the think for around 2k about six or seven years ago and have now put about 500 dollars into it. It'll probably die any day now, but you can't beat the value for an almost reliable vehicle that has gone through serious neglect. $hro can pass on in peace, having lived a vibrant twenty years.
Old Navy jeans: I don't have to shop- I can walk in and right back out, they fit well and they look ok and cost me about two hours of work. Who cares if I burn through two pairs a year?
Anything Radiohead: I think I listen to Radiohead about ninety percent of the time and have been doing so for about a year now, and I liked them well before then. I'm enjoy In Rainbows, but have a serious love affair with Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief. |
