Sunday, October 23, 2011

Breaking the Rules


Due to my perpetual fear of crossing into hoarder territory, I have 2 simple rules to follow when thrifting:
Rule #1: Do not buy anything you don’t have a specific use/need for.
Rule #2: Do not buy anything bigger than a breadbox, ESPECIALLY if you don’t have a specific use/need for it.
That’s it. The rules are pretty simple. Today I broke them both:


When it comes to impulse buys, some people buy candy. Apparently, I buy bikes.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Proclaiming a Collection…Gulp!

I’m scared. I think I have a new collection, but I don’t want to admit it. If I say it out loud, it will be real and then there’s no stopping it. People (myself included) will buy me this item as a gift. I will suddenly be neck-deep in this useless thing, gasping for air. Every time I see a new one, I will have to evaluate: Should I get this? Does it pass muster? Do I really have room for one more thing? Oh, the anxiety!

I’m not sure the number at which something officially becomes a collection, but if it’s at least 6, then I’m afraid I’ve got a collection of trophies. There. I said it. Gulp…

I collect trophies.

I’ve got 6 and I want more. I love old trophies: the shiny statuettes, the ornate bases, the engraved nameplates. I love imagining the story. Was there a ceremony? Did everyone cheer? How did someone’s achievement end up in this thrift store for $1?

And why do I want this trophy now? Am I so starved for success that I need to collect someone else’s? Or is it like taking in a stray animal? No one else is going to love this trophy so I’d better give it a good home.

Whatever my reasons, I have come to accept this new path. I will bravely march forward into this dangerous new world, scanning the thrift store aisles as I go.