freewheeling
The Scarlatti project finished in Grenoble yesterday and I found myself almost ecstatic playing the arias for the last time. The colleague who has ruined this project for all of us stood alone afterwards at the 'pot' clutching her champagne glass as everyone hugged in celebration. I, like the rest of the company, could not bring myself to thank her, but her cage of solitude is still tugging at me.
During the three days away from home the vine shoots have shot out of their gnarled parent and the skirt of the Mont Ventoux is bright emerald. The air is drinkable and sweet with new wheat and flowering grasses and tommorrow a new chapter begins with the bio-dynamic team arriving to build Julian's studio and gallery.
Julian, meanwhile, wants (and deserves) a trophy. The trophy of his choice is called a Spider. It is red with an open top and it goes very fast. It's a classic. What would it say, this toy, to our fellow villagers? Would it simply say we are freewheeling? And if so why not?
I am supposed to be saying "Of course you should have a sports car darling. Have two!!!". I am finding it difficult though. I am saying it then taking it back. For sensible old me it's too soon, too rash....there's the kitchen and the terrace and my room still to do. And there is the gold tooth he may need and the septic tank will will probably have to replace.....
I, apparently, am no fun.
posted by ruth at 10:06 AM
14 Comments:
Oh you are _loads_ of fun. But there is appropriateness for fun too. J is revelling in his praise and wants a special treat for being so clever. You are doing the adult thing in considering the jobs that need doing to make your home more comfortable. You both need to negotiate and be clear about whether you are one unit or two!
My D loves, and plays, guitars. I tell him he can have as many as he can save for.
Life is uncertain, a toy is good. Perhaps lease one for a while? Save for it? Generosity feels wonderful. Is he giving you a trophy that you want?
thank you anonymous and zhoen. more please we're really struggling here!
Okay, m'dears, I'll weigh in on the car issue. While a small car is impractical (how much can you stuff into it at one time?), it is economical (doesn't use much gas). While a soft top is really only a great car to use for maybe six months of the year, it will still get you from A to B at other times of the year, right? Will you have another car besides the little one? If not, maybe it should be reconsidered. If there is another car, then that one should be super sturdy and good for transporting all the crap one needs to maintain a home and a studio.
Bottom line: If you want a car that makes you grin, get one. Because at the end of the day, if it isn't as much fun as you thought it would be, you can sell it. If it's the only car you'll own, remember you can always do a day hire of something bigger to haul crap.
I'm sure I've muddied the waters even more than they were before. I'm good at that.
Zoom zoom zoom...
no lin, thanks to you lot the waters are getting clearer. It seems I have to learn to be a little more adventurous and playful. However, once burned....I'm getting there. More please.
One of the wonders of marriage is how traits surface in one partner as a reaction to the the other. I have a cousin that is often astonished to hear herself say, "We can't do that", because she is another truly fun woman (as I know are you). She just happens to be married to a man that surpasses her in that arena.
These are opportunities. You might not embrace the Spider without getting a firm date on when you get your next treat. But I'll bet you get a huge kick out of it, anyway. Plus, you'll look smashing in a head scarf and dark glasses as you zip around with your insanely happy husband.
I'm not with Lin (but I like the reasoning). Frankly, cars are something I really could not care less about. Maybe they are a boy thing. Doesn't the thrill of toys wear off after a bit? They are just stuff, after all. For me, living in harmony with the ones you love and who love you is the best fun. Why does it matter what sort of car/house/shoes/etc you have.
Go for the car. You only live once and its short.
You will always find money for the basic necessities, but when will you ever just have fun money.
Head or Heart?
So difficult to say....
I had wanted a convertible since I was 17 and a boyfriend wrote a song about me zipping around in a white sports car. My ex refused, point blank. Post-ex and approaching 45 years I bought myself a silver convertible. It was a rash and extravagant gesture, in my case an act of defiance. It was beautiful. But it owned me rather then me owning it. I fretted about the paintwork, snarled at hapless fellow motorists who parked too close, worried about losing it. My 'silver dream machine' became my ball and chain. I sold it after a year. Took a 5000 pound loss. And walked away without a backward glance to my old, faithful, battered Escort...
Me, I'd wait a litte while longer
Sometimes it is better to have dreamed and waited than to have obtained and been disillusioned...
Hey Ruth - I understand the need for trophies ...and the bill paying fiend in me wants you to be able to do all the sensible things as well as the Spider ...and, do you both get a treat?? And ... sorry for the history bit here but I can't believe you are talking about the man who used to follow me round the supermarket taking things out of the trolley after I put them in saying things like 'we don't need that'!!!:))
"Trophy" "Toy" and "What would the neighbours think"?
All very telling.
Banish such thoughts, get the car and enjoy it!!
Argh. Didn't Proust say something about the pleasures of one half of the world being incomprehensible to the other half? Unless Jane Austen said it. Or maybe it was me. Anyway... I realize the *point* is to splurge wildly, so leasing for a month would sort of miss the point... but... well, I guess that's why I live in the suburbs with a dull computer job. I'm just prudent down to my socks.
If they've made a car as fun as you, go for it, but I know how *I'd* rather splurge. (Er, I guess I better stop at this point :->)
And another thing...
I think there's a great deal to be said for self-gratification and if a little red, nippy car makes you feel happy...well, have fun with it.
Having said all that, mon mari has been lusting after an Austin Healy for the last few months.
I'd say, "go for it" but negotiate that you too get a toy of your choice at some time. Re the neighbours, I would bet that you are "the crazy English" in their eyes anyway, so WTH.
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