If you could have the world’s largest collection of one thing, what would it be?
I’ve collected a lot of stuff over the years. When I was a kid, I tried my hand a baseball cards and comic books. I dabbled in collecting postcards, books, and for a while I had quite a collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. But, somewhere along the journey I got tired of having to manage and caretake the things I collect. It’s the age old example of starting by trying to own something and having it own you instead.
The only things I can say I modestly collect today are writing instruments (they more than just “pens”) and timepieces (they are more than just “watches”). The thing I like about both is that they are functional in every day life, they are small and don’t take up much room, and there’s not a lot of expense in maintenance. Plus, there is a metaphorical side to them: time and expression.
So, if I was to have the world’s largest collection of one thing, I’d have to choose between the two. This morning, my head stuffed with the common cold, I don’t have the mental energy to choose nor reason through my choice.
If you could steal on thing in the world, other than money, without getting caught, what would you take?
My mind immediately went to wildly priceless things like the crown jewels. But what am I going to do with them? Same thing with a Gutenburg Bible or Shakespeare’s First Folio, both of which I considered. I thought of art to hang on our wall here at Vander Well Manor, but I already covered that in Day 4.
Since I’m guaranteed of never getting caught I might as well steal something I will use and enjoy. Being a guy, my mind went immediately to cars. There are a lot of cars I would love to drive, but I’m not sure I’d want the ongoing cost for storage, maintenance, and insurance. So I started thinking of things I could use and enjoy everyday which have relatively low cost of maintenance. I have always admired a timepiece (you can’t just call it a watch) made by Jaeger LeCoultre called the Reverso Grande Sun and Moon. It’s simple but really elegant, and I love the idea that master watchmakers can create movements to track the sun and moon as well as the time (without a computer chip!). I can’t see myself ever spending the thousands of dollars to own one, but I love the thought of having one on my wrist.
The only things I can say I modestly collect today are writing instruments (they more than just “pens”) and timepieces (they are more than just “watches”). The thing I like about both is that they are functional in every day life, they are small and don’t take up much room, and there’s not a lot of expense in maintenance. Plus, there is a metaphorical side to them: time and expression.
