: When I used to windsurf more I had an old, battered and very rusty
: VW Polo. The old kind with the square rear. The kind of car
: people in fancy rides do not park beside because their vehicles
: my devalue by association. It was my windsurfing car.

: One time I went up to a popular venue in Dingle for the company and
: arriving on the beach pulled in beside a brand new high end BMW.
: The BMW stood in a line of other fairly nice cars, most of which
: had up to date gear on top of them.

: While looking at the water trying to assess which of my battered
: boards and what sail to use the BMW owner came over to shoot the
: breeze.

: Some talk about wind, and then... looking somewhat condescendingly
: at my car and much used gear, "where you from?"
: "oh, about an hour down the road, mostly I sail from home but
: I felt like a bit of company today."
: "looks like you could use a couple of new sails"
: "yeah, these ones have had a lot of use."
: "I've never managed to use up a sail, the new range is out
: before the current ones are used much."
: "Mmm, I get out a lot and don't really update gear until it
: breaks. Then I pick up year old second hand stuff for peanuts.
: I've probably got some of your old stuff in my bag, ha,
: ha."
: "you must get out a lot, how far are you from the sea?"
: "My favourite spot is about fifteen minutes from home."
: "How often do you get out?"
: "Whenever the wind is blowing."

: By this time he, a Londoner on holiday in Kerry to windsurf, who
: normally has to travel through traffic for hours to get to the
: sea, can only get away on weekends, and usually arrives to less
: than optimal wind conditions, is looking at my wreck of a
: traveling circus with new respect. His city home, fancy car, new
: gear every year, meals out, etc, it would seem, have cost him
: his lifestyle. The very lifestyle he was trying to buy with the
: well paying job that got him trapped.

: The guy has been compensating for his lousy life by buying stuff,
: but the novelty seems to wear off so quickly on all that shiny
: stuff. Doesn't it?

: I follow the rule of boating. "A boat gets used in inverse
: proportion to it's size". That is to say that people with
: big yachts rarely get to actually use them.

: Et
Etienne, put me down for a copy of your book too. I'd like to give it to all my "yuppie" friends. Maybe you'll end up living the lifestyle you want and having money too!