(Note to the reader: this is a stream-of-consciousness thing, that isn't really relevant to much of anything. I won't be offended if you go away now.)
So I've got this best friend. We've been best friends since we were like 10 or 12 or something. From playing to fighting to running from the law to drinking to girls to whatever - we did it. And a whole lot more that I'm not sure the statute of limitations has run out on yet, so I'll remain silent.
Now, life for me as a kid was straightforward - do whatever the fuck my parents said (or at least don't get caught doing otherwise), eat my peas, do the dishes, rake the leaves (gawd I hated those fucking leaves), and come Christmas time, I could reliably count on getting some good loot.
Life for the BFF wasn't nearly as clear-cut as mine. A challenging family life at home led to some juvenile delinquency, dropping out of high school, and generally shitty stuff like that.
Naturally none of that crap changed our friendship - it just complicated some of the logistical details of the relationship. When I was in college, he'd come visit, but only if he wasn't in jail and could scrounge up the money. You get the idea.
But the point here is not a sob story about my BFF's rough childhood. It took him around 20 years, but the fucker actually carved out a perfectly solid life for himself. He's got a spousal unit, two boys (not his sperm, but he doesn't care - they're HIS boys), a house, and a nascent career (got his A+ certification and some others). They're still kind of poor, so the holidays are always a challenge for them (2 boys, durr). But there's light at the end of the tunnel, and it has lit up his face (I haven't seen his face for a couple years, but I know the light is there).
So this year, he's getting a Playstaion 3 "for the kids". Of course, that's basically a lie. Me and him played ps2 growing up all the time (well, when we weren't riding bikes, playing football, or doing statueoflimitations things at any rate). His favorite game, and mine, was car racing - a game called Gran Turismo. Jesus we loved that game. We would routinely be up until dawn sweating and hootin n hollering over that game. He was always a smidge better at it than I was, but it was always totally competitive (indeed he was a better real-life driver than me, too - but just by a smidge - that always bugged me lols).
The BFF wants his PS3 and the newest Gran Turismo game so we can keep playing (I've already purchased mine - should arrive tomorrow - woot!). Plain and simple. In recognition of all I mentioned about him above (and a lot more besides), I bought him a ps3 steering wheel to play gt5 with, without his knowledge.
Since money is tight for them, they were only able to get the console itself, and the game. This has him in a complete tizzy - HE WANTS HIS FUCKING STEERING WHEEL. I had it shipped down to his spousal unit, who is hiding it from him, and won't present it until xmas day.
So for the last few days (and me and the spousal unit fully expect it to continue until xmas), the BFF has reverted to a 12 year old kid, whining to the SU about how much he HAS to have a wheel. He's been scouring craigslist day and night for cheaper used ps3 consoles, so that he can afford a wheel. The SU had to make up a bill they "forgot" to pay, just to make BFF hold off on buying the wheel until after the holidays. Basically, he's just been a complete whiny ass titty baby about the whole thing. lols!
I feel bad for the SU, since now in effect she has 3 kids to deal with until xmas. But it's still nice in the grown-up role, looking at it all, knowing how happy he'll be to have the wheel, and how chagrined he'll be when he opens it (chagrined about what an ass he's been). The SU is also looking forward to xmas, so she can give him shit about how he acted the whole time.
There's no important point to this diary - just documenting what happened. If anything, there are really only 3 takeaways from all this blabber:
- Good job, BFF - you were dealt one of the shittier hands in the game as a kid, and ended up making it work for you. Enjoy the wheel - you deserve it. And I'm gonna kick your ass at gt5!
- WHO THE FUCK TRIES TO BUY SHIT FOR THEMSELVES JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I MEAN SERIOUSLY WTF. Wait until AFTER Christmas, take note of what you didn't get, and THEN go buy what you want. Sheesh.
- To the girls: We don't change. Boys are annoying as all hell at 12, and we're still annoying as all hell at 40. Either love us in spite of it, or go gay or something (if that's even an option for you). Sorry (shrug).
Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, or Happy Whateverthehellreligiousthingornotreligiousisyourthing!