That London shopping trip just might prove to be worth a 21-day safari, and a crack at the Big Five. NEVER undercut yourself going into a deal!

AD

Maybe I will shoot for the 21 day safari. I am certain we have already surpassed my last 10 day safari with 10 animals.
Breakfast yesterday was two pieces of toast and two cups of coffee. Cost was $11.50 U.S.

London�s expensive but try taking hear to Helsinki or Stockholm! 11.50 US will get you nowhere at McDonalds in Finland!

I am certainly earning my next safari. Ten days ago I left with my wife from Chicago to London.
I sit here typing this as my wife is on her tenth shopping day in London.
Surely this is worth a ten day safari and eight to ten animals. Wouldn`t you agree.

I would even bet a 14 day safari with taxidermy and shipping would be cheaper than 10 days of the wife loose on London's stores. You definately have some serious ammo for your next safari.

"The Millionaire Next Door" I've read that book. Have you heard of Dave Ramsey?

Nitrox,

You are a funny guy!

Now if you�d only point those barrels in another direction I�d feel more relaxed!

Speaking of earning a next safari, I just got back from my first in June and ready to go back tomorrow. My fiance has decided that in order for me to shoot a zebra, I must go with her to watch plays for the next ten years. This damn zebra and better be worth it, but I figure no trophy room is complete without a zebra. I wonder what the Big 5 is gonna cost me, if a zebra is worth ten years?

graybird

It's not the shopping that will hurt you--only if she finds what she's shopping for does it hurt. If she's only after one thing, might not be too bad. Did she tell you what it was she was shopping for before you left home?

greybird

Take your fiance to "Des Ring de Nibelungen" and after the 18 or so hours she will let you hunt an elephant.

Unless she is a Wagner nut like me.

Graybird,
There are other, more agreeable birds in the bower! I'm sure you are madly in love and all that other happy horses**t, but you need to run, not walk, away. It only gets worse after you say I do. Guys look at wedding vows as much like swearing an oath for military service. Women are smiling because they know the vows mean "No more blow jobs!"
"Going to plays" really means "going to New York". Unless she is paying for the hunt, it's your business, not hers. Even if she is paying for the hunt, you can find a better deal than ten (years of) plays. And no, she isn't the best piece of ass in North America. That would be my girlfriend, who, when I mentioned that I was going to Africa as soon as I can arrange a couple months coverage for the practice said "If I can learn to walk quietly and not spook any of the game, can I go also?" That is the correct response.
JCN

Naw, I'm not worried about it. I get pretty much anything I want.

But thanks anyway Arts!

graybird

JCN

You might be right about all the 'benefits' of just dating someone and actually marrying the individual. Of course, each man/woman has his/her interpretation of what married life vs dating life is. Although, certain things may cease and assist that doesn't mean that one should quit and 'run away'.

I believe that everything in life has it's 'price'. My fiance and I grew up differnetly. I grew up on a rural farm while she lived in the city. I have never been exposed to the things that city life has to offer (plays, musicals, etc.) while she was never exposed to the things country life has to offer (hunting, fishing, etc.). This is where the flexiblity and open mind comes into play. I have already been to a couple plays with her and she has been on a few hunting trips with me. She doesn't want to shoot an animal and she asks that I tell her when I'm going to shoot, so she can shut her eyes; however, once the animal is down, she'll be in there helping me dress it. Granted, sitting in a theater would not be my first choice of entertainment and I would much more enjoy spending my time sitting in a tree stand hunting deer on a Saturday afternoon. As I am sure that sitting out in the blazing sun hunting dove would not be her first choice. However, it is the 'price' that each of us are willing to pay to make each other happy. I realize some people want things their way and their way only. Hence, this is when shallow people miss out on trying/learning new things they wouldn't most typically try.

I truly believe that no matter what the cost, my significant other is the long term goal. She will be the one beside me when the going gets a little rough from time to time, not some zebra head hanging on the wall.

Besides, she has already said that I need to go back to Africa for a kudu. She thinks I need a kudu in my trophy room next to my nyala that will be coming soon. If I don't ever get a chance at a zebra, so be it there are plenty of other animals that I can hunt. She wants to go with me on the next trip, which she will be going with me because she already knows how to walk quietly! Maybe your girl is just a slow learner?

graybird

She's mainly clumsy. But, she already owned her own machine gun when I met her.
I'm from Chicago, and have spent (too much) time in San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and New York city due to work over the last 30 years. The symphony, art museums, and ballet are worth checking out about 2 days, twice a year. (There is usually a ballerina in the background with red hair and big hooters.) Not much worthwhile to see in the play department since George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde croaked about a hundred years ago.
It is taken for granted information among city folks in general, and city chicks in particular, that their mode of existence is far superior to that of us rubes in the country.
I would love to be proved wrong on this score, but $5.00 says her participation in the blood sports dries up quicker than the frosting on the wedding cake.
There is one possible way to change that scenario. You have to get her to pull the trigger on a couple deer before the nuptials. Start off with her catching a few fish, then shoot a few varmints (crows, Yankee carpetbaggers, etc.), and finally deer. If you can get her hooked into hunting you are home free. If not, you are a f**ked monkey.
My sense is that this is the classic you pretend to be sensitive for cooter and she pretends to be rugged for the second ring. Don't take offense at that, those are both noble goals, and that is how things have worked for a long, long time.
Nothing any of us say will change a thing, so go shoot a Kudu, she'll pop out a couple of kids, and life will go on.
Take Care,
JCN

Good luck, Graybird, said with all sincerity, because I think you're going to need it!

Eloquent indeed!
JCN

I liked my wife's answer to my recent Namibia safari. She had absolutley no interest in going along, wanted to stay home with all the grandkids, and told me to use her airfare to shoot 4 more animals. Thank you, dear!

When I came back from Africa, I found I had drawn an Arizona Kaibab deer tag over Thanksgiving. Her comment was "Kill a big one, and we'll have turkey when you get home."

JCN

I understand what you are saying completely; however, with certain things it is baby steps first. She is the one dragging my butt to the shooting range. She loves target practice so I see this as a positive note and a small flame is burning. We'll take things slow and hopefully?! I'll get her talked into shooting a squirrel or somthing and then work our way up the ladder. So, with the fire burning slowly, I'm going to stand back and fan it like hell when getting the chance!

Be safe!!

graybird

My thoughts exactly; except she had the daughter, son-in-law, and all the grandkids for company the entire time.

Remember all that privacy you and the missus had when your kids were 2 thru 8?