I want something new...
Okay -- lest you all think I've gotten excessively serious or, worse yet, maudlin, I have a confession to make. The thing I most covet right now is a new carvehicle. Sure, I have a perfectly serviceable 2002 Toyota Prius with 118,000 miles on it. Careful readers with long memories might even realize that this means I've driven the poor beast 70,000 miles in 3 years. With hardly a hiccup. What possible motive do I have to want something different?

I'm bored. Crazy bored. I mean, this car is completely reliable, eminently practical, and completely utilitarian. It has no soul. None.

I need something that has some personality -- that provides some driving pleasure. Something that excites my soul. It could have two wheels or four, but it has to generate some excitement. I don't need beauty. I don't need exclusivity or luxury. I just need passion.

Almost any motorcycle would do, but I admit to wanting either a BMW R ____ GS (the blank can contain pretty much any number BMW ever made in a GS version), a Ducati Multistrada or a Suzuki V-Strom. But even an SV-650 would do just fine.

On the 4 wheel front, I think a nice WRX STi would be ideal, with the Lancer Evo or a Mini Cooper being completely acceptable alternatives.

However, none of these are in my near future... unless I get a job... preferably one which involves minimal commuting.

Oh -- in case you missed it, I had a birthday this week. I'm older. I had some Best Buy gift cards to burn, so I got Rock Band for the PS2 ($50 for the whole kit -- drums, wireless guitar, mic and the game.... Bargain!) I also picked up a new CD player for the car, and a set of closed type headphones (as opposed to the absolutely fabulous but completely open Sennheisers I usually use. At night, the Sennheisers let too much sound leak, which disturbs the sleep of my loving and long suffering wife.