The old Sears/JCPenny catalogs, lord I miss them. I spent 4 months pointing at a picture of the bike I wanted when I was 7. It was a new fangled bike we know as BMX. The photo had the number 10 on the front of it, a racing number. I pointed at that photo 1000 times to my mother and step father and told them I wanted "that 10 speed". Being a kid and no knowing better, I thought that was what the 10 meant.. Christmas morning I wake up, run to the living room. There sat my BMX with the number 10 on the front. Right next to my younger brothers much larger and less cool 10 speed bicycle. I hopped on the BMX wondering how in the world he'd be able to climb on that 10 speed. Until I was informed the BMX was my brothers and I had asked for a 10 speed.

Turns out, pointing at the photo of what I wanted and saying this 10 speed, they refrained from looking at the photo I was pointing out 1000 / 1000 times. Not once did they pay attention, SO..I got a 10 speed that only another adult would actually want or ride. I can say definitively that was the worse Christmas moment of my childhood. I regret to this day my reaction to that disappointment. And it created a fantastic poker face for those moments where I get underwear, socks or absolutely nothing for Birthdays or Christmas.

Character is not developed in moments of temptation and trial. That is when it is intended to be used.