Materialism, or I don't want to grow up.

[cdave]

Someone just asked on a forum I frequent if anyone had any old trading cards they didn't want.

I do. I found them ages ago. I was quite into the franchise of which the cards were part of, and had all sorts of related tat. I found an incomplete set in a charity shop, so snapped them up. But I never new anyone else who was into them. And didn't have a display shrine or anything. So they just sit in a bag. Taking up space I don't really have spare.

I quite like owning them. But they serve no real purpose. Unlike a book, I'm not keeping it with the thought I'll re-use them some day. Unlike art, I'm not really going to get pleasure from looking at them, or displaying them.

So I'll give them up to someone else who wants them. But it feels like a scarily grown up decision. I can't be more than 5 years since I saw them and thought "nifty, want".

Comments

[jon-a-five.livejournal.com]

I've been less tempted by cool tat as I've gotten older. I have a bunch of action figures that I occasionally move in and out of their packages in a box and put some on my book shelves for show. But I've not bought any since I got a few in Japan two years ago. I realised that having stuff just takes up space.

[cdave]

Depressing isn't.

[jon-a-five.livejournal.com]

Dunno, I find the ability to say 'no' to myself kinda liberating. Gives me a sense of self control. More so now I'm UB40 and really have to be careful with money. My Amazon wish list has gotten big as I've kept adding books, CDs and graphic novels that I've not just bought and now there's a nice list for my family to choose stuff from for Xmas.

Not buying videogames means I've revisited a couple recently and I've got a few more I want to go back to. Now I have the time and lack of new games it's the perfect opportunity. (actually re-finished one today to get a couple of Xbox achievments I wanted from it).

I still have too many books on my 'to be read' pile. I keep buying them piss cheap from charity shops plus there's a bunch I got free and a bunch that were Xmas and birthday presents. I'd be working through them better if I still had the two hours a day reading on my commute!

[birdsflying]

See, I think I am a v. different person now than I was five years ago, even though it doesn't seem that long ago, so unused things from five years ago tend to make me go 'huh....why do I still have this?'

But mind you, I am a third culture kid and am so used to moving regularly that I automatically get into 'must throw out/get rid of/donate stuff' mode and pare down my stuff.

[cdave]

I've always (well since I was old enough to know) had a base at my Dad's house. There's no realistic way I could fit my books into my current flat. Apart from them I'm not hugely materialistic.

The main problem I have is with presents. If someone's given me a toy/gadget that I know would be amusing if I was to use it on a rainy Sunday, I'm loath to give it away, even if I haven't had a rainy Sunday in a few years.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Assuming she hasn't thrown them out annafdd has some Italian Magic Cards which she wanted to give away. I'm not sure who would want Italian Magic Cards in the UK - and whether it would be legal to use them in a game.

[jon-a-five.livejournal.com]

I imagine some collectors would like them as curios.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but how to find them. In the mean time they are just cluttering up the flat...

[cdave]

Thanks, but was Pokemon that he was after and was into.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

PS I have a large suitcase full of KNex which I bought second hand mostly for conventions - but that isn't such an important part of my life any more and KNex was never as important as Lego to me.

[cdave]

Ooh, that could be good.

I'm in charge of Kids Stream at Eastercon this year again, and am massively behind in planning. Or loan it out to the gopher hole, rather than a jigsaw. I can see the potential certainly.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Now, if we can get it to the Kids Stream I am happy to loan/donate it. Of course me not having my car may make this difficult.

[cdave]

I would be more than happy to swing by some time when we both have an evening free and pick it up. IIRC We both live north of the River. I'd even know where you live if I'd ever made it to one of your board game dos.