Idealizing Leaving Something Behind

My consumerism of the last post definitely stems from my wish to pass on to my kids good stuff that's intimately associated with me. I like the idea of my son having/using the watch his father used or my daughter signing her wedding registry with the fountain pen her father always used. Watch company's try and sell you their top of the line watches and call them heirloom pieces; however, I've come to the conclusion that most of the time a mid-range product will do just fine. Moreover, I'm much more attached to the idea of an heirloom piece having value associated with the stories it comes with rather than any intrinsic value, e.g., solid gold. For instance, if I wrote my PhD thesis with my fountain pen that would be an object I could proudly pass on with a story attached to it.

My father, at my daughters baptism, has actually passed on a wall hanging to my daughter because it is something that has been passed down through the women in his family. Because my grandmother had no daughters, the brocade went to him and he passed it down to Asha. Irmina has had it appraised and it just so happens it is valuable but to me this is secondary to the fact that it's an object with meaning. It's another reason that I wanted to buy Asha and Finn expensive Steiff teddy bears (although I haven't yet). I want the expensive ones because I know that they will last for another fifty years without disintegrating. I'll always remember watching the antiques roadshow and seeing this elderly woman talk about the teddy bear that her parents gave her when she was a little girl (I think it was a Merrythought--another expensive brand).

This is why I really have less interest in cars or electronics (although I admit my interest isn't zero--those LCD TVs are really dropping in price.)

Week in review

Those of you who know me may know of my many past times and obsessions. The irony is that many of these obsessions are in no way reflections of my level of skill or knowledge regarding them. For instance, I have a bit of a chess obsession--yet I'm probably the worst player I know. The computer can beat me with at every predetermined skill level with the possible exception of the opponent that seems to move more or less randomly. I should definitely spend more time practicing which is of course the key to getting better.

Another obsession is for watches. I have one watch and it's a Timex. Moreover, I know nothing about watch repair or movements--although I did see an online course I'm toying with enrolling in. This week after about a year of deliberation I spent 45$ (those of you who know me also know that I can hem and haw a LONG time about purchasing something I know I don't really need--even if it's a small amount). Anyway, I got a gray market Seiko on ebay. I've got a bit of a thing for in-house movements and Seiko is one of the few that manufactures pretty much every part of their watches. Plus, they are really good value for the money. Sort of the hondas of the watch world. So it hasn't arrived yet but expect picture of the new watch both to go up on facebook and on timezone.com. I'm eyeing the Seiko Spirit for the next purchase although it's more like 300$. I'll have to save up, but there are other personal purchases I should probably making beforehand--like a new pair of dress shoes (right now I use my doc martins).

Aside from my consumer tendencies and news there are other, more important, things going on. Finn still isn't speaking and we're starting to wonder if he is just delayed or if there is something more serious going on. Fortunately, my sister-in-law is a speech pathologist so she is going to assess him.

Sleepy

Holy sleepyness batman. First day back from a two week vacation is painful yet unbelievably busy. Still, can't complain. A enjoyable and productive vacation. Finally managed to fix the drywall in my basement and kitchen (with the help of my father-in-law). Also get the quotes to fix my roof. And, most importantly, took a lot of cool daytrips with my family e.g., Black Creek Pioneer Village, Niagara Falls, and the ROM.