Curses! Foiled Again!
In this post for my sister Laura’s birthday I mentioned a box that a I had made in 7th grade shop class. I had traded her that box for her Kiss-Destroyer LP. I had plans to get it back, but she sold it to a friend of mine right under my nose and made a handsome profit. She called me this morning after reading the post for the first time (she was out of town) and after talking with her I realized that I had been out-smarted by her not once, but twice! Here’s some history.
The box you see pictured above was actually the first box I made. I had forgotten about this one. I brought this box home and immediately was offered some unbelievable sum for it by my brother. I don’t remember exactly how much, but it had to have been at least 5 dollars. In 1977, that was a fortune for a kid like me. I relented and held out for more. If he was willing to pay 5 dollars for it, surely he’d pay more? Like, say, $5.25? OK, so I wasn’t exactly Bill Gates, but I got more than 5 dollars for it. I think it was 5 dollars and a Bachman-Turner Overdrive album. After about 15 minutes, I had a change of heart and decided I wanted my box back. According to my brother, it was “too late” because I had “already listened to” the BTO album. Tears and gnashing of teeth did no good as Mom and Dad sided with Steve; “A deal’s a deal” they said. What a conspiracy!
Do you see the craftsmanship in that box? The smooth, un-mitered corners; the uneven stain for that “rustic” look; the outside mounted hinges that would keep all thieves who didn’t possess a screwdriver safely away from your treasure. Sure, it was a design flaw, but it was MY design flaw and I happily re-created it when I built my second box; the box that upon finishing would be in my possession for about 4 days before my sister and I worked out our box/album trade.
After failing to get the box back from my sister, the one she sold to my friend, I was undeterred. “I’ll just make another one!”, I told myself. When I got to shop class I was informed by my teacher; Mr. Kind (Ironic, isn’t it?) that; “This isn’t called ‘box’ class, NukeDad. If you want to make another box, do it at home. We’re working on jigsaw-puzzles until the end of the semester.” I was crushed. Since the 2nd box I had made was gone (sold) forever, my only option was to somehow get my first box back from Steve.
Before it was all said and done, I think I offered Steve more money than he had paid, my first born child and Doobie Brothers tickets and still never got that box back. When he moved to Dallas years later, I assumed he had taken the box with him. I was wrong. What should appear in my email in-box today but the pictures you see here: box number 1. In the possession of sister Laura. Outsmarted again. I don’t know what deal she and Steve had, but it was apparently better than concert tickets and a newborn.
Tara R.
If you were my brother I would just give it back to you. Mayhaps filled with your favorite frothy brew. That’s how I roll.
Good luck in the Box Wars.
(NukeDad) She did win them fair and square. I have a feeling if I want it back it’s going to cost me.
Tara R.s last blog post..Home for the holidays
Dec 23, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Melisa
$5 AND a BTO album?
Does Laura like BTO?
I bet you’ll end up with it on your birthday next year, right Laura?
(NukeDad) She already “Took Care Of Business”. I don’t think I’ll be seeing it; her kids found it and “acquired” it. I think they paid 3 bucks and a Franklin DVD.
Melisas last blog post..Eight Crazy Posts! (#3)
Dec 23, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Audubon Ron
Actually, not bad. A man of depth and talent.
The Arc of the Covenant has been found!!
Srsly, my mom made me a decoupage box in high school. I stored my important pictures and stuff in it. Oh many, I say MANY years later she gave it to me. It was in the attic. When I opened it, I saw all sorts of pics of girlfriends and other stuff – and this one single joint of some swamp weed I had rolled back in the day looking as fresh as could be.
So she and I smoked it. It was good. What a surprise. Really.
(NukeDad) Really? Got stoned with your MOM? I didn’t know you were Mormon.
Audubon Rons last blog post..How to Gift Wrap
Dec 23, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
James
Ah man…er sis, Give Nuke back his box! How many of us have such keepsakes from childhood? Christmas gift???
(NukeDad) She did get them fair and square; I only have myself to blame. I think she got more use out of it than I would have.
Jamess last blog post..Ok, I’ll Play Along
Dec 23, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Mike
Read your blogging bible. Thy will not covet thy sister’s box, so sayth the blogger family.
(NukeDad) Is that the 11th commandment? I guess I should just buy some wood and make another one and be done with it!
Mikes last blog post..Tis The Shuffle Season
Dec 23, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
Weaselmomma
I love it! That’s a great story and the hinge on the lock is icing.
(NukeDad) I guess as a 7th grader I thought it looked cool; nevermind the fact that if you had a dime you could take the hinges off.
Weaselmommas last blog post..Let it Snow?
Dec 23, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Karen
Hehehe, I love silly drawn out family things like this. Reminds me of Mousey the Mouse, I might have to blog about Mousey one of these days.
(NukeDad) Silly? Drawn out? Ouch. It’s only taken 31 years to get to this point, and if I want to take my little box and go home or I’m telling Mom, then I will. Na na na na na!
Karens last blog post..Community
Dec 23, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
BBD
First of all I can’t believe Tom just said “Covet thy sisters box” that’s just all wrong on soooooo many levels. Next that box rules! The only thing I ever made in shop class was a wooden bowl on the lathe and I destroyed 3 blocks of wood and nearly lost an eye doing it. That box looks like it should be filled with dubloons or something, and putting those hinges would have happened on the third try if “Mr Kind” would have let you. Should we start a “Free NukeDad’s Box” campaign? Do we need a web badge?
(NukeDad) Ha ha, it was actually Mike who said it, and he’s from Southern Cal, so you have to forgive him. (Kiddin’ Mike) No badge or campaign will be necessary; I’m going to make a new box and probably lose it to NukeBoy2 in a chess game about 20 minutes later.
BBDs last blog post..Nuff Said
Dec 24, 2008 @ 2:49 am
Leta
I remember this box! I even think I was it’s owner for a few hours. Something along the lines of collateral for a loan…..a very small loan. Just enough to go to ‘tunas or the stampede for the evening, because the owner of the box was getting paid the next day.
(NukeDad) You TOO? Good Gravy, who DIDN”T own my box at one time or another? I remember your pawn service. I think I used it on more than one occasion. Is it too late to get my pet rock back?
Dec 24, 2008 @ 11:03 am
tom
Wow… this box has a legacy now. It’s a family heirloom already. Just imagine the kinds of treasures that will be stashed in it generations down the road: phaser, inter-dimensional transmographier, Sorian brandy… it boggles the mind.
(NukeDad) Wow. Your engineering mind has been working overtime. That, or you’ve been watching way to much SciFi channel again.
Dec 24, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Weaselmomma
Merry Christmas to the entire Nuke Family.
(NukeDad) Thanks, Barb! Hope the Weasels have a great one as well.
Weaselmommas last blog post..Back To the Funny
Dec 25, 2008 @ 6:41 am