Oscar Wilde once wrote, “The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
That idea came to mind Wednesday when, as my headache was beginning to ease up, I had to run a few errands. I was at the Grove checking out prices and specs of a new Mac while buying a few necessities. To make things easier on myself, I decided to grab a quick bit at the adjacent Farmer’s Market where I could get a cheese plate at Monsieur Marcel. My sister-in-law insists that cheese is good for headaches. (Whether or not science backs her up is immaterial; just believing it is true transforms eating one of my favorite foods from a delightful and nutritious experience to a pleasant and therapeutic one.)
As I contemplated a sit-down meal, I pondered what I would do to deal with the boredom while I waited to order and be served. There were only so many ideas I could scribble into the note-pad I keep with me at all times. Would it be worthwhile to buy a book, I wondered (and not for the first time in such a situation), just to have something to occupy my time? Or, maybe a magazine, much cheaper than books they are.
I went over to the Barnes & Noble where I browsed a bit before starting to read Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers (about which I had heard much) and soon the decision was made. With the store discount and the additional B & N member discount (which barely covers the cost of sales tax in LA), the book would be about $18. I could have gotten it cheaper at Amazon, but not in enough time to avoid boredom at the restaurant.
So caught up was I with the book that time flew by as they prepared my meal. The cost seemed worth it. Plus I’d have the book to read on future such occasions (provided of course I remembered to bring it with me).
The whole experience made me wonder about the value of not being bored. Here, we live in a town where the main industry derives the better part of its income from people considering that very issue. How much will we pay for cable, to rent a DVD or go to the movies so we don’t have to be bored? Maybe that sounds cynical. But, I’m not so sure.
If I had focused so much on the cost of the book (which I could have gotten cheaper at Amazon), I would have lost sight of its value, to engage me, enlighten me and possibly entertain me while I waited for a meal. It did all three, well worth the extra money I paid to have the book right away.
Just a thought for what it’s worth. If anything.
A Dr. Pepper and a cigarette works for me. Unless you’re talking about a hangover, then the hair of the dog works best.
BTW, didn’t you just get a new Mac, like, last year?
Want some perspective? Travel in the Third World. It is astounding (when you come back) how little so many people get by with, and how much we all have in the U.S. (Even the poorest among us have full bellies, buildings, cars, public libraries, etc.)
for headaches: chocolate, coffee, or both. they both contain caffeine which helps headaches.
for hangovers: a nice grease burger. a study was actully just done (your tax dollars at work) proving the efficacy.
Cheese? maybe, its the fat in the burger that helps a hangover.
As to the question of how much people are willing to spend to avoid boredom? A very important question since so much of the American economy is dependent on entertainment of one form or another.
Movies, DVD’s, video games (and apparently Americans spend far more on video games than on movies), books, magazines, papers, computers, other electronic gadgets, internet access, television, music, tons of exercise and sporting activities, dining out, drinking, coffee shops, performances, travel, home improvement….hell, people even go shopping for entertainment.
It is a measure of how affluent America is that so much of our economy is dependent on leisure activities. It is also where people cut back first.
Yeah, my mom and I get to drive. I’ve been to the new Tampa Ikea thrice in three weeks and haven’t spent less than 3 hours there. Despite the economy, I’ve been to Tampa more since January than in the previous five years.
Sometimes it’s good to be bored. Just sit there and let your thoughts flow. Of course I’m not one to speak. With my iPhone I either connect to the web, or listen to a book or podcast.
hell, people even go shopping for entertainment
Shopping is very entertaining and a surefire boredom buster! 😀