Rum Bucolic Ape
Stuff of Beauty
In this case, an old Alvis Speed 25, a lovely old car with classic lines. Just like something out of Bugsy Malone. I read that around 500 were built between 1936 and 1940. It was a sporty number, 3.5L straight six and 110 horses under the lid.
I admire those with a passion for a hobby. Mainly as I can never muster the enthusiasm for one. Folk who collect, preserve, restore and maintain stuff bemuse me slightly. I've never been particularly materialistic. I don't get great pleasure from merely possessing objects. I do suspect that such hobbyists might be compensating for a slightly empty life.
On the other hand, I can understand aesthetes; those who wish to only possess things of great beauty and banish ugly items from their life. However, it tends to be a rather expensive way to live life. And inevitably leads to a self-serving lifestyle about the acquisition of yet more stuff.
I'm not at all minimalist; I hoard all manner of things. But things with a real practical use, a specific identified function. I'd ideally like to be more ruthless and have the balls to pitch out stuff and declutter. But I'm sentimental and foolish, particularly about books and old CDs.
I read something last year that struck a chord, an interesting blog that differentiated 'stuff' from 'things'. I like this notion.
Realistically, I'm unlikely to declutter much any time soon but the thought of less stuff and more things does stop me buying needless cheap crap of dubious benefit. It also justifies buying a few items that will be very useful. Like camera gear for example...
Stuff of Beauty
In this case, an old Alvis Speed 25, a lovely old car with classic lines. Just like something out of Bugsy Malone. I read that around 500 were built between 1936 and 1940. It was a sporty number, 3.5L straight six and 110 horses under the lid.
I admire those with a passion for a hobby. Mainly as I can never muster the enthusiasm for one. Folk who collect, preserve, restore and maintain stuff bemuse me slightly. I've never been particularly materialistic. I don't get great pleasure from merely possessing objects. I do suspect that such hobbyists might be compensating for a slightly empty life.
On the other hand, I can understand aesthetes; those who wish to only possess things of great beauty and banish ugly items from their life. However, it tends to be a rather expensive way to live life. And inevitably leads to a self-serving lifestyle about the acquisition of yet more stuff.
I'm not at all minimalist; I hoard all manner of things. But things with a real practical use, a specific identified function. I'd ideally like to be more ruthless and have the balls to pitch out stuff and declutter. But I'm sentimental and foolish, particularly about books and old CDs.
I read something last year that struck a chord, an interesting blog that differentiated 'stuff' from 'things'. I like this notion.
Realistically, I'm unlikely to declutter much any time soon but the thought of less stuff and more things does stop me buying needless cheap crap of dubious benefit. It also justifies buying a few items that will be very useful. Like camera gear for example...