[TheBlueMarvel]

@Kirathis

"An ode to my Legends," or "The Ballad of the Collector." You should, at the very least, name your lyrical prose.

Welcome to the rabbit hole, Kirathis. I hope you enjoy your stay and find peace within yourself and your collection. lol A long time ago, I resigned myself to the fact that I will end up with MANY figs that I don't need (and sometimes, don't even want). I've read that Americans create collections of nonessential goods like no other industrialized nation. In many ways, this aspect of Americana has created wealth for manufacturers (whatever the product) from the 50's forward. Bric-a-brac, clothes, jewelry, coins, cars, and antique Coke bottles represent just a small sample of our culturally documented tastes. Some might argue that this is the reason we have been coined the "super-consumers" of the world. When I think of the large collections that have passed through my hands (and the ones I still own), I have no concrete answer behind the driving force, other than a vague sense of "want."

I have had huge collections of Star-Wars, GI Joe, Shogun Warriors, Godakins, comics, books, music tapes/vinyl/cds/downloads, Sega Master Stystem/Genesis/Saturn (import mostly, I has' style)/Dreamcast/Xbox/Playstation games, and VHS/DVD/downloaded movies all throughout the years. I loathe materialism, but freely admit my own hypocrisy as it pertains to my personal collections. Like you, sometimes I feel as though the individuals I purchase these items from are looking through me; appraising my priorities. Maybe the judgement we infer from the eyes of others is some form of psychological 'tell' regarding the judgements we hold of ourselves. I dunno...

My limit stands at the threshold of "hoarder," another telltale sign of America's collecting obsession...I think we've created much of the modern lexicon behind the term (at least on a societal level) and we may have been the first nation to identify it as a mental-health issue...don't quote me, I'd need to refer to my DSM-IV (not in the field anymore, so I don't own the recently updated DSM-V) and cross-reference the historical appearance of the condition (I'm not gonna do that by the way ). Once any one collection of mine grows too large and cumbersome, that's when I know I need to sell the surplus. As long as your collection doesn't push you out of your home and it doesn't stand between you and your loved ones, you're good IMO. We all tell little lies to ourselves now and then...Be kind to yourself because others are less inclined to be...I don't personally believe in "YOLO," but the sentiment works here...