Monday, November 12, 2007

An Airbus 380, A Learjet or a Flatscreen TV

Airbus announced that a Saudi prince with a net worth of about $20 billion has ordered an Airbus VIP 380. He currently is flying in a 747. Airbus will only say that it will cost more than the plane’s $320 million list price. The AP article in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution online said the plane when outfitted may run $50 to $150 million more.

The article went on to say "’[t]he amount of billionaires has sky rocketed in recent years, and the really rich ones are looking to buy a commercial airline[r] rather than a Learjet….’”

"’It's like buying a new car or a new TV,…[o]ne wants something bigger and better.’"

I want a flat screen TV. I’m not sure whether it should be an LCD or plasma. I know I want it to be a 42 incher. The neighborhood bar has those and 50’s. A 42 is good enough for my “needs.” Ah, there’s the rub.

I don’t need a TV. I have two. A 36” fat TV in the living room and an ancient 20” TV in the bedroom. I was fine until a couple of years back when I got the 36 for the living room and then looked at the “baby” TV in the bedroom.

My plan is to put the fat TV in the bedroom, dump the baby TV and go with the the new monster in the living room.

I’ve said that I’d do it when they went to $800. Sears ran an ad for an LCD at that price this weekend. I’m not going to give up on this, but I’m going to delay till after Christmas. The New York Times says the price will drop further.

But, I’m having trouble with my Depression Era parents’ influence. I don’t NEED a TV, I only WANT a TV. Saudi princes don't seem to have this problem.

10 comments:

Posol'stvo the Medved said...

I have teenagers infesting my house. As such, I give regular lectures on the difference between "need" and "want."

For example, you "want" a pizza party with all your friends. I "need" my house to be quiet and peaceful.

Posol'stvo the Medved said...

Sorry -- should have included this in my first comment -- but, Dave, if you are going to be replacing a TV anytime soon, I am sure you have noticed that it is very hard to find a conventional CRT style televsion anymore. They're all LCD or plasma nowadays. Or else they're some third world export I've never heard of.

dr sardonicus said...

Then again, with oil approaching $100/barrel, Saudi princes need something to do with their money...

Jeni said...

I'll have to be sure to call this particular post to the attention of ALL THREE of my kids and especially to the 16-year-old stepgranddaughter here! My kids know -all too well - that those words "the difference between want and need" were part of my standard operating principles when they were growing up - so much so that I think they all hated hearing me launch into that bit. The stepgranddaughter on the other hand, has never had too much said to her along those lines over the years so it's gonna be a rude awakening and a long, long haul for her till she leaves home I'm afraid. She has no clue at all right now that there is, indeed, a very big difference between "Want" and "Need." Hopefully, she will learn -quickly too - but if track record to date is any indicator, my earlier assessment that it will be a long, hard road for her here is gonna win out, for sure!

Anonymous said...

"Them that die with the most toys win."

Think Bill or Warren or Slim have theirs on order yet?

Debo

Ripple said...

Well, if you go plasma, then you gotta drop the cash for a great sound system, HD tv and Blu-Ray DVD technology. You'll be able to see every blade of grass when you watch the Masters next year.

Dave said...

Hey Paul, From the little I've read the jury is still out as to whether Blu-Ray or the other system will become the industry standard for DVDs. I'll probably wait awhile for that.

Hedy said...

Dave: Does anyone really NEED a TV, ever? Needs are food, clothing shelter, bleh. Even if both of your TVs suffered - I don't know - tragic, TV-related accidents, you still wouldn't really NEED one, would ya? Seriously, though, watch Boston Legal. Fabulous show. Prolly even better in HiDef. :)

SonjaB said...

Not on point, but I saw you guys got 18 inches of rain today. Congrats, hope it helps.

The Exception said...

I recently experienced computer issues. I chose to get the computer fixed. I want a new computer but, honestly, this one works fine. I would love a new TV, but the set I have works fine too.

I think I just take much better care of my stuff than I should! ;) If something "broke" then I could justify a new...