People do seem fascinated with blenders these days. It seems like every time I go to Costco there's some new pricey blender being demonstrated, which promises all sorts of health benefits from turning fruits and veggies into soup or juice or whatever.
Fast blenders, slow blenders, blenders with little taps at the bottom of the jar, blenders shaped like bullets, blenders specifically to make crushed ice drinks, yada yada yada.
I got by for years with no blender. My '80's umpteen speed Oster finally gave out after one to many daquiris. Now I have the three speed KA and a beehive Oster. I rarely use the KA, but do use the Oster to purée spices for kimchee. And that's probably how it's gonna stay until I lose all my teeth and have to gum my meals.