Looking Up

SacDuc · 08-07-2007, 09:00 PM

So the wife and I havinng been struggling to make it here in Santa Barbara. Its fuckin' expensive here to the point that there are really only two classes - Independently wealthy and servant. There is just no real middle class here other than the oldtimers who've been here 25+ years. But most of them have cashed out and moved out to AZ. There are very few working schmoes like the wifey and I here.

But we are working our asses off, trying to live within our means, cutting costs to the point that I'll be parting out my m750 etc. I finally happened into a decent gig that doesn't pay a ton but its good work for a good company and the best boss I've ever had. We really want to make it here.

Well the little lady just caught a break, no that's not right, really she created an opportunity for herself today. You see, she sells toys. Which is actually really fucking cool for me because there is all this cool shit around to play with. But its cool for her too. She used to run a car dealership. This was stressful and she had to be around complete assholes all the time. Now here schedule is a bit more flexible and she deals with really great people. But finding enough business in the territory she has has been a struggle. I mean she is doing great (up for some "Rookie of the Year" award her company has, etc) but it can't come fast enough for the cost of living we have to deal with.

WELL, to make a long story even longer, she weasled her way into getting a whole additional territory. Where you ask? LAS FUCKING VEGAS that's where.

That's right, not only do I have a house full of the latest cool toys, but now I will be FORCED to accompany my wife on business trips to Vegas, baby. I married the coolest chick. Did I mention she can cook too?

So yes, things are looking up. Looking up indeed.

Cheers.

sac

cherub_rock · 08-07-2007, 09:03 PM

What kind of toys? Production toys or designer toys?

I'm apprenticed to a sculptor and toymaker right now... hand-made wooden stuff.

It's a wonderful art.

SacDuc · 08-07-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherub_rock

What kind of toys? Production toys or designer toys?

I'm apprenticed to a sculptor and toymaker right now... hand-made wooden stuff.

It's a wonderful art.

But I'll play along.

Mostly production stuff, but not like Hasbro and shit. Smaller vendors who sell mostly to mom and pop places and hope to god they catch on the way beanie babies did.

Hand made wooden toys would sell like fucking hot cakes to the rich ladies in this town. There is not a decent toy store in all of Santa Barbara. Which is weird.

sac

Cyrus Buelton · 08-07-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherub_rock

What kind of toys? Production toys or designer toys?

I'm apprenticed to a sculptor and toymaker right now... hand-made wooden stuff.

It's a wonderful art.

<threadjack>

Weren't you working in a convenience store a few months ago?

SacDuc · 08-07-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus Buelton

<threadjack>

Weren't you working in a convenience store a few months ago?

Hey quit jacking my thread! WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

Moderators HELP he's posting off topic. This is my thread and I don't want people like this posting in it. ITS AGAINST THE RULES and . . . oh wait . . . wrong board. Carry on.

sac

cherub_rock · 08-07-2007, 09:25 PM

B.S.? What? Do you want his email address to corroborate this?

I work as a graphic designer for MagicPotrait.com

I used to work at a shipping store.

Cyrus Buelton · 08-07-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacDuc

Hey quit jacking my thread! WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

Moderators HELP he's posting off topic. This is my thread and I don't want people like this posting in it. ITS AGAINST THE RULES and . . . oh wait . . . wrong board. Carry on.

sac

It is great to see that things are looking up for you and the wifey.

Only problem about frequent trips to vegas are:

1. Gambling
2. High booze prices

SacDuc · 08-07-2007, 09:35 PM

I know. WTF. Remember when they would feed you free drinks in Vegas so long as you were at least plunking nickels in the slots? Those were the days.

sac

Cyrus Buelton · 08-07-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacDuc

I know. WTF. Remember when they would feed you free drinks in Vegas so long as you were at least plunking nickels in the slots? Those were the days.

sac

I was in Vegas for the first time last year.

It might be my last time.

I didn't really care for the whole scene.

But whatever, to each their own.

SacDuc · 08-07-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus Buelton

I was in Vegas for the first time last year.

It might be my last time.

I didn't really care for the whole scene.

But whatever, to each their own.

Here's the thing about vegas: its like any other fiction, you have to willingly suspend your disbelief for it to work.

You can do this in any number of ways. A lot of people do it by trying to act like a higher roller than they are. A lot of guys pay for hookers to think of themselves as studs for a weekend. I have no need for that shit. But I don't mind trying my own pitiful HST weekend. Ride in and stay constantly drunk (I don't do much harder than that) and find things and people that freak you out. Ain't hard to find in Vegas.

If you get sucked in to the glitz, you lose. If you find yourself in a bathroom of a hotel you don't know the name of talking to a guy that you are pretty sure you should punch right now in order to make it out of the bathroom alive, then you are on the verge of having a good time.

sac

guardianofvalhalla · 08-07-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus Buelton

It is great to see that things are looking up for you and the wifey.

Only problem about frequent trips to vegas are:

1. Gambling
2. High booze prices

Dude! If you're gambling, the booze is free! It flows and flows until you pass out, give up or puke! WOO-HOO! Vegas is Valhalla on Earth!

truerider · 08-08-2007, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacDuc

So yes, things are looking up. Looking up indeed.

Cheers.

sac

See what happens when you switch forums!

Sounds great and of course best of luck.

CliveS2R · 08-08-2007, 02:01 AM

High five, Sac. We live in San Diego with 2 kids, and we are in the same boat. Both of us are working class folks and we were finding it harder and harder to keep our heads above water. (yes during this time i bought a ducati) (but it was for gas conservation

)

Breaks are hard to come by and I'm happy for you and your wife. Dont blow it all in vegas.

Or do. At least you will have been a baller.

Rat900 · 08-08-2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherub_rock

What kind of toys? Production toys or designer toys?

I'm apprenticed to a sculptor and toymaker right now... hand-made wooden stuff.

It's a wonderful art.

I understand that the Dutch are born with a natural sense of wood carving

PhilB · 08-08-2007, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacDuc

But I'll play along.

Mostly production stuff, but not like Hasbro and shit. Smaller vendors who sell mostly to mom and pop places and hope to god they catch on the way beanie babies did.

Hand made wooden toys would sell like fucking hot cakes to the rich ladies in this town. There is not a decent toy store in all of Santa Barbara. Which is weird.

sac

One of the things I remember about Santa Barbara is the weird surprising lack of many things you'd think any decent size city with some money in it would have. I remember a surprising lack of quality and variety in restaurants. I remember a lackluster music scene (for all genres, punk to classical). I remember a lack of good stores for any hobbies. All of that stuff happened on weekend trips to L.A. (I was there from 1981 to 1991, for college and a few years afterward.)

PhilB