I had a birthday recently, and along with a few awesome gifts that were exactly what I wanted, I got a “giftcard” to certain online retailer that is named after a river, or tall women.

I put parentheses around giftcard, because there was no actual card, just an email telling me how to redeem said monies.

So, I get on the site and look at the wishlist I put together for myself incase of such occurrences.

One problem: I want a lot of stuff but need next to none of it.

I have a golden opportunity to fulfill a need that I have had for sometime now, but can’t quite place my finger on what it is I am really needing.

New tools? Could always find a use for those, but nothing comes to mind right away.

New guitar stuff? Not a big enough “card”.

How bout a new backpack? Haven’t had a good one in a LONG time, and whenever I go out of town I always use a messenger bag that I’ve had for a few years now and it does alright, but never quite can hold everything.

That’s it! A backpack!

Good. Grief. There are a TON of backpacks on this website! Sporty ones, black ones, leather, nylon, fabric, etc. Black, Brown, Green, Camo.

Oh my, the Camo…. Mossy Oak, Real Tree, Legends, Big Game….

I quote the immortal words of Keanu. Woah.

So, I settle on 2 different styles from the same manufacturer. One is smaller, a daypack if you will. The other is a bit bigger and can hold several days worth of stuff, a Bug Out Bag of sorts. (Don’t know what a Bug Out Bag is, ask your neighborhood survivalist. You’ll get a LONG lesson!)

So, I think I have it narrowed down, and go to order on my phone last night. Turns out that “card” code is so long I have to keep looking back and forth from the email to the website, and my phone craps out and the order is cancelled.

In frustration, I resign myself to having to order today from a desktop computer here at work. (It’ll just take a sec boss, I promise!)

The torture of the online “giftcard” is almost through. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, because it’s always the right size, color, shape, and flavor.

That, and you try to narrow down what your Dad should get you for your birthday and send him a link, only to see how badly it gets mis-ordered!

Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it. Honestly, I do! I swear!

Ben Cox is the morning show host of “Ben Cox in the Morning” on KQBZ, 96.9 FM in Brownwood Texas. He is the new in-stadium voice of the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets football team, & Ben is also an event DJ for weddings, parties and the like, and can be contacted through the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

The thoughts and comments reflected in this column are those of the writer alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of Wendlee Broadcasting, or its affiliates.