I have a problem.
Okay, several. But I am going to talk about one specific problem. (at a time). You are perhaps hoping that I am going to talk about my nerd problem. Well, the thought crossed my mind, but I think there will be a time for that later. For now, I choose to talk about my favorite problem. One that I admit to having, but am unlikely to overcome anytime soon. Maybe we should play 20 questions?
Is your problem an addiction?
Yes.
Is your addiction manifest on this very blog?
Yes.
Okay, this is too easy.
My problem is buying things at thrift stores. I can't stop doing it! I don't want to stop doing it!
Most thrifty people (I don't think anyone would deny that I am one) seek to minimize their unneeded expenses. I am always searching to save a buck or two. Every bit helps, especially when you are a graduate student, with a wife and 1.5 kids. But even if I was rich, I would be pinching pennies. Unfortunately, the way things are heading, I am going to need to be rich, just for storage fees, let alone up front costs.
So what, you might wonder is the root of my problem? Am I too thrifty? I don't think that is the problem. I spent over $100 at thrift stores over Thanksgiving break... yet, I won't turn the heat up another 2 degrees, since I am saving money?
Well, I'll cut to the chase (I don't have much time, as I need to get ready to argue with Bohn on his next blog post).
What is the root of my problem? Why do spend $1000 a year on 2nd-hand clothes? Do I grow out of them? Do I soil them? (don't answer that).
Maybe before I answer that, I will give a few of my justifications. Everyone with a favorite addiction/sin has at least one really good justification... (He said that before he was the prophet... I have already paid for so much music, and the artist don't get their cut anyway... I will pay it all back and more when I get a high paying job and pay my taxes... The movie rating system isn't reliable anyway... gambling is just a form of entertainment, like paying $10 to see a movie... If God didn't want me to be homosexual, why did he make me that way? (I put that one in for you Sloyd, and so somebody wouldn't claim that I was just quoting him (or her...).
Okay, so here are my justifications:
- We need a years supply of food, why not a years supply of clothing? You never know if we will have laundry detergent, in the case of a disaster.
- How about: I am keeping it out of a landfill. Look at me saving the environment. Come hug a tree with me, and pet a koala.
- Or this: It is really an investment, I am sure I could turn around and sell them all for twice what I paid... if I wanted.
- Or: I am still saving money over those high priced department store goods.
Feel free to bear your testimony to me about why those are or are not valid justifications...
Anywho, none of those is the real reason I have a problem saying no at thrift stores. The problem is, when I find something totally awesome, whether I need it or not, I think to myself: "If I don't buy it someone else will."
That is why I have a reel-to-reel tape player, a briefcase slideshow presentation system, a projection screen, 3000 or so records and a whole bunch of 8-tracks.
That is why my closet looks like this:
(admittedly, the top left corner is cheltz' stuff)
And this:
And this:
Oh, and two laundry baskets full... and the dresser, coat rack, and hat rack. (but I am typing this naked so don't worry missing anything there)
And that is why my blog exists. So, if you find yourself envious of some of my highlighted finds (cough cough... tumble-weed blow-by from right) just remember, ssenssateews comes at a cost.
Oh, and the nerd problem? I don't think it exists.
posted by woo @ 12/06/2005 11:04:00 PM
17 Comments:
hey dude, the thing is this. You see something sweet at a department store you can "always go back" and get that item, even though you probably won't. At a thrift store you can't do that cause it could be gone next time you go back, you need to buy it then and there... Plus i always imagine people checking out my sweet finds when im sporting them and thinking how jealous they will be. I can't even go to thrift store cause if i do i will spend and then that stuff will go in my parents basement...
You're not the only one with a bottom feeder addiction. No real need to justify it. Some people spend a thousand on 10 shirts every year... you get more for your money.
As for your justification examples, I thought I'd respond since, despite the add-on for Sloyd, they seem to be intended for me (addressed in order):
1) Can't recall really ever using that one.
2) Have used this one plenty of times (But you're on no higher ground with regards to this "sin").
3) Huh? Only thing I can get out of this is perhaps a justification for under the table pay. I've paid taxes on everything I've earned for years (even when I could have taken it under the table). Perhaps this one isn't targeted at me?
4) This isn't a justification. The movie rating system isn't reliable (e.g. Sixteen Candles and Waiting for Guffman).
5) Guilty on this one. But playing cards was just a form of entertainment for me (I'd characterize your fascination with nickel slots in much the same way). I don't struggle with the urge to gamble at all. None of this makes the fact that I have gambled right though. I was the first to mock myself after Gordon B.'s talk last April.
6) Sloyd, why did he?
Were those justifications really intended for Marc? Although I probably have heard him use a lot of them I didn't assume that first time through. BTW, I'm working on a justification for the new Coke Blak. It's cold, and I eat coffee ice cream, it's just difficult to justify because I don't drink frappacinos, oh well.
4) Allow me to elaborate on the rating system a little. It is a little known fact that until the 1984 release of Indian Jones and the temple of doom there was no PG-13 rating, it was PG or R. Steven Spielberg was able to convince the rating board that his film was not an R rated film and that there needed to be a middle ground. Hence PG-13 was born. So a film such as Sixteen Candles, which was released earlier that same year, is rated PG even though it has a gratuitous tit shot. As for Guffman you are allowed one "F" word in a PG-13 movie as long as it is not used as a sexual reference. Guffman crossed that line with the quote from "raging bull" although it may not be reason enough in your mind for the R rating that is how the system works.
let us rage against the system... or machine as it were.
Coke Blak? I don't know if Satan can actually come up with a temptation for me that is less appealing. Well maybe he can... chewing tabacco, penis piercing, and Bear Clubs.*
* I will be forever grateful to Corey from my lab who introduced me to bear clubs, among other awesome things.
bear clubs are pretty bad ass, but there are some other clubs almost as awesome, i will see if i can't find a link.
xoxo
tell me you don't want to be part of this!!!
http://planespotting.com/
True, that is awesome, but I don't think there is anything morally objectionable to planespotting... whereas bear clubs seem to revolve around something forbidden.
Maui - I'm aware of the R-PG history, but that doesn't explain Sixteen candles, which says the F-word at LEAST twice in addition to the upper body shot (I think it actually might three times).
Sorry... I was wrong. It only says it twice.
Wow... Tyson... you really need to link planespotting to your blog. Along with Maddox and Ninja, that makes for a pretty damn fine link list.
Oh, and Woo, let Cory know I too am grateful that he chose to share his find:
"While the whole "bear" thing has grown enormously over the past few years (sometimes obnoxiously so), there are still many gay men out there who don't see themselves or their attractions reflected in the general public's opinion of attractiveness. Bear clubs provide an alternative, and that's why we think having a local bear club is important. We're not out to set up some narrow definition of who or what is a "bear’" it's just not a very darn good idea, and leads to silly things like bear beauty pageants and lots of little exclusive groups of people that don't like each other very much."
Sixteen candles is quite the anomaly I suppose, it seems to have violated all the rating system guide lines. 1984 must have been a very controversial year for the MPAA.
Controversial for MPAA but sweetass for the Cougars of BYU. We're number 1, we're number 1!
I must interject here, in reference to the ratings system, how many of you have seen Doc Hollywood? There is a 2 minute nude scene in that movie. It's rated PG or PG-13. There are movies that drop the F word and are PG-13 (DodgeBall, Wedding Singer, etc). There are a lot of movies that should be rated R, (all the Harry Potter movies, Sound of Music, Srictly Ballroom, A Cinderella Story, and any movie with Brendan Frazier) but they are not. I for one cannot put my trust in the arm of the flesh, I put my trust in my desire to see movies I want to see. you should all try it.
that's it! I'm going to rent showgirls today!
Sloyd said:
"I for one cannot put my trust in the arm of the flesh"
But you have no problem puttin' your flesh under your own arm eh?
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