I remember one school field trip to the University of Rhode Island's Alton Jones complex. It was basically a glorified summer camp, a way for rich parents kids to feel like they were 'getting back to nature' without having to actually get back to nature or hang out with non-wealthy kids. I got to stay there overnight...most of my friends didn't. I only found out later that my Aunt and Uncle had paid quite a bit of money for me to stay there.

I had wanted to go, cried about not being able to go with my friends, yet when I was there, I wasn't happy. Turns out my more affluent friends got to go, and my poorer friends hadn't. I was somewhere in the middle. My aunt and uncle had some money, but they had worked hard for it. The wealthy kids who I thought were my friends resented me being there, and they were kinda dicks to me, and I made my poor friends feel bad.

That's when I learned that I hate money.

Money is one of those ingredients, like alcohol, that can be added to some people to create an instant asshole.

Well, I mostly hate how it affects me. For instance, there's a Les Paul custom at a store in Pittsburgh that is perfect for me. Gibson only made a limited amount of these, and they were only manufactured in the mid 90's. They generally go for around $1500-$2k, but this one is $395, and I have it on pretty good authority (a friend who lives in the area who checked it out for me) that it's in pretty good condition.

It's $385. Plus, their payment plan is $80 down, with a month to pay it off. Even with shipping, it's still an amazing price for what is THE perfect guitar for me. So...instead of sitting here being thankful for all the good I have in my life-and I have a lot of it, man. Some really amazing friends, my health isn't anywhere near as bad as it's been.

I have a ton to be grateful for. Usually, I am. I don't let the fact I'm not able to work or not loaded get to me, I have vast spiritual wealth. But this guitar...man, it makes me feel like I'm letting true romance pass by. It's dumb as hell, but there it is. I know it's not moneys fault, it's mine. Still. It's easier to blame not having money.

Wow I talk a lot. http://www.pittsburghguitars.com/usedelectrics.php scroll down, you'll know the one.

I'm not much of a guitar player. In fact, I suck.

However, I'm perfectly happy with my guitar, and would never trade it with anyone.

I have a Samick LW-015G acoustic that I bought new for a fairly cheap price. However, it has a really magical, ringing tone to it. That particular model has become somewhat of a collector's item, especially since they're no longer made.

With regards to money: that's been a problem for so long now, that I really don't own luxuries, or really do anything for myself anymore, and haven't in a very, very long time. It's all I can do to pay my basic bills, and the only real extravagance I have is my yearly trip to Feral. All other trips I take are for business or research reasons, otherwise, I'd never be able to go.

Hence, my only outlet is writing, and my only fantasy is that, which I can create for myself.

Dude..you have a very sweet guitar. That was a really good model. Probably one of the best beginner models to have been put out by Samick. My first guitar was a Samick.