Today's fortune: April 2, 2011

Today's fortune: You will soon gain something you have always desired.

I knew exactly what this fortune meant when I opened up the cookie today.

I have been wanting a tablet computer ever since I knew they existed. My brother bought an iPad a few months ago, and if I wash my hands he lets me play with it, which has reinforced my feelings.

The "something" I've desired in this fortune is surely talking about a tablet PC, right?

But the thing is, I don't exactly have the cash to drop on an item that would be nothing more than a luxury (for gosh sakes, I have a computer, and I can surf the internet on my phone).

However, about a week ago, as Jamie and I were reading the Sunday paper, I saw an ad for an inexpensive tablet computer in the most unexpected place: Walgreens. That's right, the national drug store chain sells a tablet PC, or as I call it, the walPad.


But my loving wife Jamie shot the idea down like she was the Red freakin' Baron. "Why don't you just wait, honey?" she said as we drove to have breakfast with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. "We'll save up the money, and in a few months we'll buy a real tablet PC."

Yeah. Waiting. That sounds like a blast!

I was hoping for encouragement from my brother, who has always supported me, no matter what.

"You shouldn't buy that," he said, acting like a real iPad snob. "The functionality will be terrible, you won't be able to download any apps, and blaaah, bla blaaah, bla bla bla bla bla blaaaaaaaaaaah."

It made me want to run this ultra-flattering picture of him again.

Blaaaaaah.

Feeling thoroughly poo-pooed, I decided to ditch the walPad plan (I didn't really want one, I just thought it would be fun to write about).

On the way home from breakfast, Jamie and I stopped by Bed Bath & Beyond to pick up some supplies for our bedroom, bathroom and beyondroom. The second we walked in the door, we spotted another item both of us have been coveting ever since we bought our house: a nice, sturdy, inexpensive set of patio furniture.

We bought it.

And it cost a lot more than a walPad.

After we brought it home, I assembled the two lounge chairs and ottomans. I'll put together the loveseat and the coffee table tomorrow. The set will make a great addition to our back patio, which has become our favorite place in the house.

But for tonight, two chairs is enough for Jamie and I to go outside tonight and enjoy an evening by the fire.