Mar 24 2015
Searching for Gold
Throughout life, we find some objects irresistible. We dream of them, search for them, save up for them. Plot and scheme ways to get our hands on them.
When I was a child, the desired object was often a book, sometimes a toy, occasionally a ticket to a Barry Manilow concert. (It is sad but true that in high school, I cheered and screamed at a Barry Manilow concert.)
As an adult, books are still high on my irresistible object list. However, lately it is often a plant, shrub or rose that must be found and acquired. The search can sometimes morph into an absurd quest that I awaken from and think,”How did I get here? Is this really worth it? Am I a crazy person?” (Digging out the roses from Mom’s garden in Minnesota, shipping them to Virginia, and planting them after arriving home qualified as crazy.)
My one escape route from the irresistible object is that I am not a collector of things. I am a purger of things. “Do I really need this?” is often in my thoughts.
Collectors have a much harder time resisting the irresistible object. Gabe is a collector and the gamer industry has him in their sights. In its desire to make lots and lots of money, the industry has added collectible figurines to go along with their games. Some figures released online sell out in minutes. Other figures are released on random dates at varied stores.
Midnight last Thursday, Gabe and I found ourselves standing with the motley gamer crew at an electronics counter. We were all there searching for gold.
“There’s a fine line between a fan and a crazy person, and I think I crossed it,” Gabe remarked. “I’m standing in line at midnight for the release of a doll.”
This was his quest for the Gold Mario.
