the bolt aisle
3.22.2010
As a semi-indulgent -- ok, slightly more than semi, say quasi? -- shopper of all things shiny, and flirty, frilly, dressy, and shoe related, I am fully aware the power that a store -- any store, just think of your favorite -- can have over a person. I could recount nearly infinite occasions upon which I planned to "window shop", to no avail. Internet window shopping -- P.S. -- well let's just say those stores make it way too easy to "add to cart". As if I plan to actually "remove from cart" and not "click to continue". Pfffhht -- 'tis a rant for another time.
Back to the power of the store -- the real one -- that you physically walk in to. As many occasions that I can recall involving said failed window shopping attempts, I can also name quite a few -- ok, I'll give him many -- where Dear Husband spent countless an hour sitting outside of a dressing room, wandering aimlessly, and/or/in combination with following along -- with little complaining to boot. He's a trooper, I must say. But with patience comes an inevitable, yet deserved, future price.
Touche -- the bolt aisle.
You see every home improvement store has one. The extent to which it goes on forever -- errr, I mean the selection varies quite a bit from store to store. With a resounding chest banging -- oops that's a gorilla -- high five, Lowe's seems to have the super, best, let's build something together, bolt aisle. I digress -- for it is not just bolts, but nuts, and screws with varying finishes and uses -- all wrapped up in lovely little baggies and carefully, if not painstakingly, positioned in sliding metal drawers with dividers worthy of my costume jewelry collection. Ah yes, the holy grail of trinket worthy, peruse for hours, pick up -- set down -- pick up again, MAN-dom. My love for all things shiny does not -- truly unfortunately for Husband -- translate to said bolt/nut/screw aisle.
And it is with great pleasure -- hypothetically speaking -- that I welcome the next trip to Lowe's. For I have learned -- just like my shoe obsession -- that it is not only about just getting what you need, but rather an experience -- albeit a rather excruciating one for Wife. I promise -- to try -- not to wince in pain next time. Totally promise.
Back to the power of the store -- the real one -- that you physically walk in to. As many occasions that I can recall involving said failed window shopping attempts, I can also name quite a few -- ok, I'll give him many -- where Dear Husband spent countless an hour sitting outside of a dressing room, wandering aimlessly, and/or/in combination with following along -- with little complaining to boot. He's a trooper, I must say. But with patience comes an inevitable, yet deserved, future price.
Touche -- the bolt aisle.
You see every home improvement store has one. The extent to which it goes on forever -- errr, I mean the selection varies quite a bit from store to store. With a resounding chest banging -- oops that's a gorilla -- high five, Lowe's seems to have the super, best, let's build something together, bolt aisle. I digress -- for it is not just bolts, but nuts, and screws with varying finishes and uses -- all wrapped up in lovely little baggies and carefully, if not painstakingly, positioned in sliding metal drawers with dividers worthy of my costume jewelry collection. Ah yes, the holy grail of trinket worthy, peruse for hours, pick up -- set down -- pick up again, MAN-dom. My love for all things shiny does not -- truly unfortunately for Husband -- translate to said bolt/nut/screw aisle.
And it is with great pleasure -- hypothetically speaking -- that I welcome the next trip to Lowe's. For I have learned -- just like my shoe obsession -- that it is not only about just getting what you need, but rather an experience -- albeit a rather excruciating one for Wife. I promise -- to try -- not to wince in pain next time. Totally promise.
