I originally intended for this blog to exclusively feature my fictional short stories and musings regarding said tales, but sometimes I feel like writing about other things that cross my mind.
The other day I was doing an inventory and inspection of my archery equipment and while doing so I ended up taking a stroll down memory lane.
Decades ago I was heavy into archery. So much so that my mother and sisters joked that I single-handedly kept Cabela’s and Gander Mountain catalog companies operational through my archery equipment purchases. When I was 18 years old I was living in Grand Prairie, Texas. On Highway 303 a sporting goods store opened. I waited a few weeks until the crowds died down before I opted to shop there. One particular morning I went in there fully intending to spend about $10 and no more than $25 on new archery equipment.
I took about four steps inside the front door of the store and this cute little gal about my age greeted me with the biggest, prettiest smile I had seen in a long time. She walked me around showing me items that were on sale and I followed her around like a lost puppy dog. By the time she was done with me I had a gigantic shopping bag stuffed with things I didn’t even need. I had spent $175 in there, and that was in the mid-1980’s when that amount of money would be $300 to $400 in today’s funds.
I later found out that little filly was the store owner’s daughter. I’ve heard of excellent salesmanship skills, but she was crazy good at her craft. I never went in that store again because I was afraid of what she was going to talk me into buying the next time.
So, beware, guys. Pretty smiles will often separate you from your money quite quickly.
Part-Time Warlord 