Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Driving Beyond - Driving Me Down the Road

Here's me and my family in the late 60's with our totally groovy VW camper.

I was tagged for a meme. Like I said, I'm hit and miss with memes, but I'm going to do this one, and just not tag other people because you all know how 70's I am and how I think people should just do their own thing, man. I'm also not going to link to Booda Baby's blog, because I'm tired and too lazy and you all are smart enough to look for the link on my sidebar, right?

Here are the rules:

1. Write your own six-word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post.
4. Tag five more blogs with links.
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Here is my 6 word memoir: I obsessively document all my experiences.

Which should be no surprise to any of you who read my blog. Why do I do it? I guess that would be the real question right there.

Most people seem to be either thing people - those who take comfort at home with their things and aren't quite as into going out and having adventures. Or experience people - those who are happier going out and creating fun adventures without the need to hole up and play with their items as much. I seem to be more of an experience person. I also grew up with a dad and several other relatives who were photographers. Everything we did was well documented on film.

When I was younger and we moved all the time, writing and taking photos of things was a way to keep all the places straight. I've rarely gone back to any of my old neighborhoods, so it's good that I've kept journals and taken photos

Now, I'm at that time of year where I have to think about how to use my Summer vacation time. I think we're for sure going to Chicago to see a Cubs game and possibly go with and/or meet up with friends to check out the scene. Ideally, I'd like to see the Cubs play the Cards, so both my daughters would be happy, but I know those tickets are tough to come by. I've also been kicking around the idea of a roadtrip to California. I would contact my friends from here to there for cheap places to stay and then I could finally show the girls my old San Francisco and Northern California haunts. The big issue is, how much I'm willing to go into debt for it. My question to you gentle readers, is how much are you willing to go into debt for your things or experiences? (depending on which kind of person you are)

14 comments:

Mr Atrocity said...

I've always been too scared to go into debt for things or experiences. I didn't take a proper holiday for nigh on 10 years because I didn't think I could afford it. I rather regret that attitude now I have responsibilities which eat time.

These days I like to save up for something; it works as a motivator and because I have no dependents it's not too difficult for me to do. If I had kids I suspect I would think differently.

Anonymous said...

I have been to the depths of horrible debt and come out alive and talking about it. 25 large was a bad way to be.

I have taken the more cautious approach these days and now want to save for some large things on down the road. Not going to be risky about it, but not cheap either. I have a few plans for the nearer future, but I will not tell anyone about them right now.

Tara said...

The cruise I went on with my friends was the closest thing I was to being in debt, and we got our cabins on the ship at a discount. But it still wasn't too bad. If I had ordered more of the excursions, that would've put me into debt.

Oh and also our trip to Canada. That wasn't cheap.

I would love to save up to travel to the UK and Australia.

DJSassafrass said...

My motto: you will never hae enough money and people will always want more of it from you. I wish I had taken more time to do these things when I had the chances.

Anonymous said...

The only major league professional ballgame I attended as a kid was Cubs vs Cards once in St. Louis - Its worth it.
I love that picture
loving pictures is also loving stuff, just stuff about experiences
A

booda baby said...

See, now, I have this funny idea that you don't have to go into debt. You just have to change your lifestyle. I guess that scares the hell out of people more than going into debt.

But that's my technique and I'm sticking with it.

You did put me on your hotels-in-California list, didn't you? SB isn't the absolutely BEST location to use as HQ, no it's not, but it's not bad, either.

laura b. said...

I fear debt like nothing else. But I am not against saving my pennies in hopes that they add up to something worth spending some day...like I would totally spend money saved on a dream vacation, rather than keep it in savings.

And I think it is great that you obsessively document all your experiences.

Poptart said...

I am still paying off debt from a trip to Europe in 2002. It was worth it, for sure. I am all about experiences and I think it's really good to think about the money aspect but not let fear about money stop you from doing what you want to do.

If you don't visit me in Chicago, by the way, I will be very upset!

MrManuel said...

Go into debt? I don't know. I mean, I guess I am always in debt because I owe for my house, cars, student loans, tv, etc. But, I make payments every month and haven't missed any yet. But I guess that is still considered debt right? Now, would I take a trip if I couldn't pay it off next month on my credit card? No. I pay it off completely every month because I refuse to pay interest.

rel said...

Churlita,
I don't like debt and avoid it like the plague. However on 3 occassions I did voluntarily incurr debt.
1. 1969 I bought a brand new volkswagon bus.
2. 1993 built a two story garage to have a home gym upstairs. (made final payment this month!!!!!!)
3. First trip to france was pretty steep, but off set by staying in son's cramped apt.
I lke things but I enjoy people more and will go out of my way to make the acquaintance of strangers.

Here's my 6 word Memoir:
Sports, Music, Girls; repeat as necessary.
rel

j-dub said...

It's amazing how many people here fear debt, and I'm totally with them. As a disgruntled homeowner who can't seem to un-homeown...can't stand that feeling m'self.

that said, SF is a fantastic city. Debt? not worth it. Scraping it close? perhaps :)

Churlita said...

Mr Atrocity,

It's a bit of a tightrope, isn't it? How do you get to have adventures and still be fiscally responsible?

Evil-E,

It sounds like you have a great handle on things.

Tara,

I would love to go to Australia too.

DJ,

I'm glad that I was a bit of a vagabond when I was younger. I certainly don't have that kind of freedom anymore.

A.,

Absolutely. Pictures are stuff. I'm not opposed to things, as you well know. It's more like if I had to trade a thing for an experience, I probably would. Does that make sense?

Booda Baby,

Yeah and I can't change my lifestyle that much until my girls graduate from high school. Although, I could probably be better about saving if I wanted to be honest with myself which sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.

LauraB.,

YOu and me both.

Poptart,

Don't worry. I'm gonna totally stalk you. I'm expecting you to show me some cool bars. How would you feel about eating hotdogs and drinking beer at a Cubs game this Summer?

MrMAnuel,

You're good. It sounds like you might have perfect credit.

REl,

I love your memoir.

JWilliam,

You're right. My readers aren't like the rest of the nation when it comes to debt apparently.

I'm thinking I might wait until next Summer when I can get some more money saved for the big trip.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I have a balance of both. I love to stay home and cook and be all mellow, but we spend most of our disposable income on traveling. I love to see what's out there and experience new things.

I'm glad that you have this blog and are a chronic chronicler.

Unknown said...

Money is a renewable resource and debt is only debt if you let it hang on to you. I never put off ANYTHING. I know too many older folks who never did what they wanted when they were younger and now they can't because of health, family, finances? I would have no problem charging a 10,000 trip right now- it would give me impetus to market my writing more productively.- uh, when I go tback, that is.
love the camper- that was my dream car when I was 11. I even designed curtains I was going to sew for the windows.