Last weekend on Mother's Day, I was having a conversation with my dad about barbeque's. He was saying how he needed a new one because his was dying. And he was telling me how expensive some of these barbeque's were. I told him that I didn't actually know how much they cost because I've never had to buy one.
When I very first moved out on my own, my parents gave me a small charcoal barbeque that I would use mostly for camping. It was kind of old, but it still worked. Then at some point, I was taking out the trash at one of the apartments where I used to live. Someone had thrown away a perfectly usable barbeque and it was bigger and better than mine. But no, I didn't climb into the dumpster and fish it out. It was sitting on the side. So I picked it up and took it. Free barbeque!
I kept that one for quite awhile, but it started to get rickety and fall apart. Then some guy who I knew decided to buy himself a new gas grill and he just gave me his really big Weber grill just to get rid of it. And I've been using that old thing for the last 6-7 years. And I was bragging to my dad how all my free barbeque's held up so well even if they came out of the trash or someone's hand me down.
Of course, I decided to dust off my magical grill the other day and it fell apart. The barrel thing fell off the legs. I guess it had gotten so hot over the years, it just melted the metal. It had rusty looking holes in it. My barbeque was dead. Was I really going to be forced to buy a new one? This would be a first. I've never had to do this. It didn't seem right to me.
I seriously went to my neighbors and asked if they had any old grills they didn't want. No one did. Everyone had gas barbeque's or really nice new grills. No one had anything for the trash (aka Me). This was very disappointing.
Earlier today, I was looking on Craigslist at work to see if anyone was giving any free barbeque's away. It's not that I can't afford to buy a new one. This was like a challenge for me just to see if I could keep the streak going. I couldn't. There was nothing.
One of my co-workers/friends saw me looking and he asked me what I was doing. I didn't tell him about my streak, but I said I was looking for a used barbeque because mine died. The conversation lasted about 3 minutes and I didn't think another thing about it. Except that on my way home, I thought about how we should probably go shopping this weekend and just buy one.
After I got home, we ate some sandwiches for dinner and then I got a call on my cell. It was the guy from work. He said he needed my help with something and was I free? I told him sure and asked what he needed. He told me he was outside in front of my house and needed help with something in his truck.
I was really confused because he's not the type of friend that I would expect to show up at my house. We have gone out together before, but lately we haven't been getting along that good. I was surprised. But I went out there and he had in the back of his truck, a brand new barbeque. In a box! And he said it was for ME. I was in shock. And when I asked him why he did that for me, he said it was an early birthday present (my b-day is next month) and that he wanted to give me something good to make up for the fact that he's been kind of an asshole to me these past few months.
It was so awesome. I was really excited over this. Not only do I have a new barbeque to cook on, but it was free! My streak has not been broken. This must mean something. I have no idea what. But it's cool anyway. And I was really touched that he'd bother to do something this nice for me. I guess he really did feel bad for the way he's been acting. It's nice to have my friend back again too. And my barbeque!
Tomorrow night, I'm cooking!
evil_twin posted on May 16, 2008
| views: 235
Comments
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the_infernal_optimist said on May 16, 2008....
Dude, that ROCKS that that guy did that for you! How cool! :)
And what a neat streak you've had! I hope it continues forever.
~Infernal
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MissMimi said on May 16, 2008....
e_t, you make me smile, asking all your neighbors if they have any old grills they don't want. That's so cool that your friend did that for you -- you shouldn't need to go on another hunt for quite a while. :) -
Mr_Box said on May 16, 2008....
You are lucky! That's kind of funny. Obviously it's some sort of bbq fate situation.That is also really cool that the guy just bought you a new one. I need more friends like that too. Is this the guy you were having so much trouble with a few months ago? If so, I think you deserved the grill.So when can I come over and eat steak? ;-) -
Fallyn said on May 16, 2008....
invite him over to celebrate!!! awesome! -
brit said on May 16, 2008....
Holy shit this is hilariously awesome!!!!
Your streak is continuing. It's the barbeque gods---they love you!!!
LOL
;-)
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quietone said on May 17, 2008....
Well if that isn't the cows bells!! How cool is that! I hope you are going to invite this friend over for a barbie now! Btw... what for dinner? I might be a bit late as I have to travel a ways. LOL -
kruuyai said on May 17, 2008....
Wow.... I've had hotdogs fall out of the sky... literally (in Poland) ... and umbrellas (in Prague), but I've never had a barbecue fall out of the sky. You've got me beat there. :) -
hotaka said on May 17, 2008....
Well, nice guys do finish first sometimes. What a great story. I was touched by how that guy bought you a grill just when you were giving up hope of getting any for free. Oh, how sweet life is sometimes. I guess you should invite him over for steak one weekend. -
pickersplock said on May 17, 2008....
You are a lucky duck!Mr. P bought me a new one last year for Mother's day, I love it! -
soaringraven said on May 17, 2008....
Which reminds me, I have to get a new grill. The kids and grandkids are coming over for Memorial Day and My grill is almost as old as I am.
soaring
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evil_twin said on May 17, 2008....
Infernal--I hope my streak continues on forever too!
Mimi--I'm glad I could make you smile :-) Nat thought I was a total dork knocking on doors asking for a barbeque. But we'd already bought meat to cook! I needed a grill! I've never had a new barbeque before, so I'm guessing this one will last me for the next ten years or so. I'm excited!
Mr. Box--Yes, this was the guy who was being a dick to me. But I guess we're friends again since he bought me this! We're making steak tonight, so I'll let you know if you're invited :-P
fallyn--I'm definitely going to have him over. I offered to have him over tonight, but he went out of town. But I will do it another time for sure.
brit--The barbeque gods do love me! I have no idea what this could mean, but it's pretty damn funny.
quietone--Dinner is steak and it's at 6pm CA time. Think you can make it? ;-)
kruu--You've had hot dogs fall out of the sky before? I hope they weren't covered in mustard because that would make a mess! ;-) Luckily my barbeque did not fall out of the actual sky though. It would have landed on me and killed me. But that would fit with my usual type of luck....
hotaka--My quest for free stuff was successful! It was definitely a big surprise. I'm going to have him over the next time he's free :-)
pickers--I am lucky! I'm glad you like your grill too!
soaring--You should try praying to the free barbeque gods and see if you can get lucky like me :-P
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kruuyai said on May 17, 2008....
e_t: I have indeed had real wieners fall out of the sky for me... I blogged about it here. (It's a very short post). -
Me-Myself&I said on May 17, 2008....
now that's cool! *smile* you lucky duck, hope your lucky streak keeps on rolling....Glad to see things are better for you. Have fun cooking up a storm. ~see ya -
TinSoldier said on May 17, 2008....
Heh, wow. That's some streak there!
We started off with Hibachi-style grills. Eventually we moved up to gas grills.
When I got tired of the gas burner guts rusting out year after year, and after not being able to adequately control the heat (they were cheap grills) then I ripped out the guts, put in a cake pan, and started using charcoal instead.
Just this year I bought a nice grill/smoker that wasn't expensive, and so far has been worth every penny.
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secretlife said on May 17, 2008....
oh wow.......that was a really nice thing for your quasi-friend to do!and what timing!!!you're a lucky one e_t!happy bbq'ing......betcha the burgers tasted good today! -
evil_twin said on May 17, 2008....
kruu--That was a funny story! That would have perplexed me too. At least it didn't land on your head.
Me-My--Thanks :-) Things are much better for me lately. And now I can barbeque too!
Tin--I've always liked the flavor of a charcoal grill better than a gas one. I do like the smoky flavor. Getting a smoker wouldn't be such a bad idea either! Or maybe I'll just find one lying around? :-P
secret--I am lucky! Every once in awhile, the gods smile down upon me :-P We had steak tonight and it was awesome!
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pickersplock said on May 17, 2008....
How are you my friend? Did you have a nice BBQ today? -
evil_twin said on May 17, 2008....
pickers--I'm doing good :-) And the barbeque was great! We had steak, which is my favorite. -
pickersplock said on May 17, 2008....
I'm going to BBQ some chicken tomorrow if it does't rain! -
kruuyai said on May 18, 2008....
e_t: Eww! That would have been too gross, even for me! -
silverwhisper said on May 18, 2008....
kyle, that's frigging awesome--what a great gesture by your coworker! i mean, seriously, i think that's amazing...he obviously must've been feeling bad about how he's treated you and leapt on that opportunity with both feet, huh?
go, streak! :>
ed -
evil_twin said on May 18, 2008....
pickers--Did you get your chicken?
kruu--It would have been funny to write about though!
silver--It was really cool of him. I'm still in shock. But the new grill works great! My very first NEW barbeque. I'm really lucky for a change!
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queenparanoia said on May 18, 2008....
woah!!!! this is so cool!!!!!!! youre so lucky!!!advanced happy birthday kyle!!!! =)
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