Thursday, April 9, 2009

Rampant consumerism

I'm not proud to say it - but I have a lot of stuff. I have a lot more stuff than some of my friends - but not nearly as much as others. As I grow older, I try very hard to avoid buying more of it. I know I don't need more stuff - and I remind myself of that fact, in the hope that it will help me not to want more stuff. But I know I will buy some more stuff - and soon.

The things I want right now are:
a digital voice recorder and a big-screen TV.

So the digital voice recorder thing is not so hard to justify. I almost need it. If I'm going to continue try to post in both written and spoken versions, I have got to find a more straight-forward way to get some decent-quality sound files to upload. I'm spending too much time doing tech-geek stuff - and not enough time writing.

Don't get me wrong: I enjoy the tech-geek stuff. In fact, I love it! And therein lay the problem. I'm perfectly willing to spend a bunch of time doing that instead of generating new material - which is a bad trade. The end result is I'm staying up too late writing and recording blog posts and missing out on my beauty sleep (which, believe me, I need desperately just to maintain my current mediocrity of appearance). So I gotta pull the trigger this week and order a digital voice recorder that will save WAV files and connect via USB 2.0. The devices aren't that expensive - so I don't have to agonize too much over the decision. Recommendations welcome.

The TV is a more delicate matter. I could never say (with a straight face) that I need a new TV. I currently own a 55" Toshiba that has served me well and faithfully for over 9 years now. But I have wanted a wide-screen TV since the time I bought the Toshiba. Wide-screen models were much more expensive than standard 4:3 sets when I made that purchase. HDMI wasn't around then - nor 1080p format TVs. I can get a HUGE wide-screen 1080p TV (anywhere from 61 - 73") for less money than I spent on my current set. I am leaning towards a DLP screen (a bit bulkier than plasma or LCD sets) due to the lower price point for large screen sizes and potential for a significantly longer lifespan. I really like some of the Samsung models I have seen on-line - but have been unable to view one at a local retailer.

So I may buy a TV this week too. I don't know. I want to do my part to support the economic recovery. But I know I don't need more stuff.

I just want more stuff. As Pooh would say: O bother!

Take care.

4 comments:

unmitigated me said...

Not such a bad problem to have. I can't help feeling this post may be somewhat ill-timed.

Anne Percival Kruszka said...

Let me know what kind of digital recorder you get and where - although sorely limited here as to places to purchase electronics.

Stacy Hackenberg said...

Ah, stuff. And then, as the late great George Carlin would say, you'll need a place for your stuff. I have so much stuff I don't know where it all is and I certainly don't have a place for all of it. But then, I still want more. So I know completely how you feel.

Jim Styro said...

MAW: You're right - I'm sure that nobody who is out of work wants to listen to me whine about making shopping decisions. My hopes for the TV are growing dim anyway.

T-Lady: I'm buying on-line, so your locale shouldn't be a problem. I will wait until I've had a chance to try it out before I divulge too much. Hopefully, it will be delivered this week.

TBT: We all must fight the good fight to hold our wanton desires in check. I wish you success in the struggle.

Thanks to all for reading and commenting.