It’s after midnight here in the Southeastern U.S., and I can’t go to sleep. Insomnia? Not tonight. Children ill? Nope. Tempting passion? Not at all. Ebay. I’ve got to win the Droid Lego Mindstorms building set thing with the remote control and PC programmable microchip deal. That’s what Speedreader has been wanting, and dammit, that’s what I’m gonna get. It’s not sold anymore through Lego; it’s older so can only be purchased used. It’s a sort of entry into the bigger, pricier Mindstorms kit, and seemingly perfect for our needs/budget. And that jerk that keeps outbidding me better watch out.
It starts innocently enough. Ah. A thing I need. A thing I want. And a bid is placed. Several hours pass in peace with the assurance that the object is mine. Errands go on, housework is done. Meals cooked. Stories read. The world spins as it should. Then the email chime. And the Notice. I’ve been outbid. Outbid? Who dares? Did I not stake my claim hours ago? Do they not know this thing is mine? So I rebid. And get outbid. And I rebid. And get outbid. Now I’m getting ticked. It’s personal. I’m sweating as I refresh the page to see where I stand. Have they come back yet, or has someone new thrown their hat in the ring. My fingers race across the keys. Shhhhhhh! I’m bidding! I snap at hungry children. Got. to. win. this. Thing. What would have cost $75 retail is soaring past $100. $110. $112. $113.50. $118. It’s Mine, it’s Mine. They. can’t. beat. me. Who do they think they are?
Aaah. But I am savvy. There are 47 minutes left on this bid and I’m going to watch it til the bitter end. Who’s the smart one now? And just in case I fall asleep, I’ve set my alarm to go off 93 seconds before bidding ends so I can swoop in if necessary. Hah. See who wins this auction. I bet they’re all snug in their bed, sawing Zs, feeling all cocky that the Thing will be theirs. But No! No matter that there are 14 still left for the taking, this one is the one I’ve claimed. Suuure, I could get one for $47.75, but then they’d win. And I can’t let that happen. Ah ha! 40 minutes to go, I am still high bidder bad ass! The Droid builder will be mine!
(35 min. 10 sec…)
(27 min. 16 sec…still hot! I’ve got butterflies…)
(16 min. 45 sec…ooooh, more jitters, I smell a win!)
(Ha! 6 minutes to go!)
59 seconds…47…32…28…11…2…SOLD! Sold to the crazy woman in her jammies with the mutt and snoring hubby at her side! I got the Droid builder, nanny nanny booo-boo…and only for 3 times what it would have cost me last year right out of the Lego catalog…what a deal! I wonder where it’s being shipped from?
