30 Years And Almost 3 Months

^ That's how long it took me to purchase my first television. Ever. I don't remember ever laying down any actual money for a TV. There was always a spare or two lying around when I needed one (probably a pretty natural occurrence back in the old standard definition days). I've purchased 1080p-capable PC LCD screens in the past, which I've then used for gaming and HD-DVDs. The biggest screen I have is 24" though. Hardly even counts.

Today I splashed out on a 50" Samsung plasma, which I chose over an LCD/LED due to price and... well, price mostly. Also the fact that I'm getting a free Blu-Ray home theatre system through the current Samsung promotion. In real terms this means about $2500 value for less than $1200 of actual money (including extended warranty and delivery). It pays to shop around sometimes. Maybe I just taught myself a lesson?



Anyway, this is supposed to just be the TV that will tide me over for a little while and allow me to watch the World Cup in high definition. It'll probably end up in my bedroom one day as the spare HDTV. I'm pretty crazy about video games, movies and a number of carefully-selected television shows, so I could pay thousands for a proper HDTV quite easily. Of course by easily I really mean if I had the money.

Perspective

I'm currently living through one of those situations in life that we all think will never happen to us. There's gonna be a need for me to deal with some negative shit going forward. One of the things I prefer to dwell on during times like these is the perspective it brings. All of a sudden all the other pressing issues in my life have been reduced to nothing. I've stopped worrying about when I'm going to finally attempt to start my dream career. Finding a new place to live can wait. Trying to save money for a ridiculously large HDTV seems unimportant. Tonight's dinner is just gonna have to be whatever's lying around. I think it's great though (in a really, really fucked up way). The more you experience, the more you realise how little you really need to be happy. Or at least as happy as is possible for each of us.

So what do we want? A job we're passionate about? A chance to be creative? Family and friends? Nando's and a large Slurpee? What about the future? A house (or another house)? A partner? Children? Power and status? Money?

One day at a time I guess. Shoot for the Slurpee to start with so it feels as though you've accomplished something when you undoubtedly pass a 7-Eleven at some point in the next week. Then work your way towards your biggest goals or your most time-consuming goals. I think that's what I'm gonna have to do. I have the added perspective now though. I wish I didn't, but shit happens so I'm rolling with it. I'm gonna turn this into a positive situation in the long run.