Something Bigger or Better

Originally I just thought I’d keep on trading until I found something I never knew I desperately needed, or until it stopped being fun. But then, while driving down the freeway the other day, I thought of something I really need, and I decided to make that my end goal.

A Toyota Prius.

Okay, I don’t NEED a Prius, I need a new car. And I’d LIKE it to be a Prius. Let’s start with why I need a new car. I currently drive a Honda del Sol. It’s cute, I like it, it’s been a good car to me over the last eight years. However, it is starting to have a lot of problems. The paint job got ruined by the salty air when I lived in Monterey, California. The driver’s side window no longer rolls down, making it difficult to go to the ATM. It also leaks when it rains, getting my butt all wet. The radiator is cracked and needs repair, and most horrifying of all, there is NO A/C. And I live in Texas. I am miserable driving that thing around in the heat.

So, I’d like a new car. It’s time. I’d like that car to be a hybrid because if I can save the environment easily, I say, why not? I also like the idea of saving on gas. So why the Toyota Prius? Because they’re great. First of all, Toyota is synonymous with quality in my mind: I know the car will last a long time with few mechanical problems. Secondly, the new ones are actually kind of cute! I also like that they are quiet, and most of all that they have A/C!

I’m not too picky, I’ll take a new one, a used one, a red one, a blue one. Whatever! I realize it’s a long shot, but if this guy could turn a paperclip into a house, I think I can turn bongos into a car!

This weekend I went to Costco and traded my bongos for a mountain bike!

Making the Trade

The guy with the mountain bike had a cool camouflage Geo Metro. I had to get a picture of that, you know? Anyways, so now I have a ParkPre Comp Limited Mountain Bike frame for trade. The bike is complete, except it doesn’t have wheels and it needs a new chain (the one on it is rusted). I don’t know what year it is, but here are the specs for a 1996 version that I found on Bikepedia.com:

You can also check out parkpre.com for more info on these bikes. They have quite the following! The bike is in good decent condition, some small rust spots, and a tear in the seat, but these things can be fixed easily. So, make me an offer! What do you have that’s bigger or better than this mountain bike? Email heatherwaibel@hotmail.com

So, I have accepted a trade for my bongos! I am trading for this mountain bike:

My New Mountain Bike Frame

The trade will go down tomorrow, and I’ll tell you all about it then. For now, all I know is that this is a Park-Pre bike with no tires!

New offers have come in for the bongos. I’ve been offered a treadmill, a compost bin, a mountain bike frame, and a chemical peel. Right now I’m thinking treadmill is the way to go, but I have to find out if it’s in good condition. I like the treadmill because I think I can trade that for something cool next. My husband Anthony pointed out, the people who will barter for bongos are not the same people who will barter for a treadmill. Probably true. I think a treadmill will get me into suburbia, maybe I’ll be able to snag a lawn mower or a dining room table or a moped or something.

I’m not sure when I’ll stop trading. I don’t have a specific goal, like the one red paper clip guy. I’m just trading until I get something I need or like, or until this stops being fun. I suppose if I get something I like, I can always start over with a new item.

So far, for the bongos I’ve been offered:

1. A portable basketball hoop

2. Piano lessons

3. A digital recorder

4. Solar coating for my windows

Since I can’ t trade for a service (since then the game would have to stop, I couldn’t keep trading up!) I can only consider the tangible things. I like the basketball hoop idea. It’s bigger, that’s for sure. Is it better?

Hello, my name is Heather and I recently acquired a set of bongo drums. How did I get these? Well, I let a stranger from craigslist come live with me for a month in Austin, TX. When she moved back to Philly a month later, she left her bongo drums because she couldn’t fit them in her suitcase. Her name was Madeline and I liked her a lot. As far as strangers from craigslist go, she was a cool roommate. She taught me how to make tasty tofu and also introduced me to one of my neighbors named Berto. I’m not sure he (or she) remembers that night, but I digress. Madeline left me a note instructing me to start a band with her bongos, but to be honest, I never will.

Rather than waste these beautiful bongos, I’ve decided to parlay them into an idea I’ve had for awhile. Bigger or Better. I have bongos, and if you have something bigger or better, I want it. My plan is to trade up as far as I can and see what I end up with! Of course, I will chronicle it all on this blog. So, what do you have that’s bigger or better? If you live in the Austin area we can trade in person. If you’re farther away we’ll have to ship, only if it’s really worth it I suppose.

So email me at heatherwaibel@hotmail.com with your proposal. My trash can be your treasure!

For Trade: 1 set of bongos, tan. Wear and tear evident. Brand: Schallock Percussion Made in Thailand. Estimaded value: $80

From some website: “An amazing level of care and craftsmanship goes into producing the Schalloch Wood Bongo Set. 6-1/2″ and 7-1/2″ bongos with hand-selected buffalo skin heads, 8mm tuning lugs, Siam oak shells, black hardware, and rounded rims for playing comfort. Interior backing plates for strength.”