The fine art of 'de-gassing'

Yokosuka_Mike said:
Well said.

The ability to be bored is a good thing. I think creativity is the child of boredom. When I ride the train I see so many people scrolling through their smartphones to stave off boredom. I don't do that, I just sit there and think, look out the window, look at other people; I use my mind to entertain myself. From that usually comes ideas for things to do.

I'm probably not saying any of this very well, but I think boredom is much better than buying things to entertain oneself. Good things can come from being bored, and it's a lot cheaper too!

All the best,
Mike
Click to expand...

This is actually really important, and it's an element which is almost totally lost due to smartphones. I'm as guilty as almost anyone else. I had a pretty boring rural childhood and was bored all the time, but I've noticed as an adult being less bored, my imagination is also a fraction of what it once was (I know everyone's imaginations taper off from childhood, but I'm talking in my early twenties before getting off of the farm and into the rat race). Boredom allows the brain to catch up with itself and stimulates thinking to be less reactive and more outside the box.
 
Yokosuka_Mike said:
I got my GAS under control by no longer buying anything over the internet.

I realize that this is impossible for some people. It’s what works for me.
Click to expand...

Well said. I have thought of 'divorcing' Ebay, but I suspect we would miss one another too much. I use it extensively for checking gear and pricing items. Sunday mornings at the kitchen table with strong coffee and toast and cruising the adverts are a long-time ritual for me, and I would suffer too many withdrawal symptoms.

Ebay can be an expensive addiction but it sometimes throws up good bargains. Two as new fountain pens have just arrived this morning. I bought them last Sunday for A$31. One, a Lamy, is now selling (also online) for A$140. I will happily add it to my collection. Some day I may even use it...

Also an MB-17 auto winder for my second Nikon F65 (= N65). I bought one new in 2006 for A$150+ when I was a working architect and had an endless credit limit. Last week I picked up another, as new, also online for A$29 postage paid. So it goes on and on.

Much of the problem for me is I enjoy using quirky cameras - I even have a recent thread on this site about odd and unusual gear. Rollei TLRs, 1950s German folding cameras, Contax G1s occupy two shelves in my camera cabinet. I get so much pleasure from this harmless pastime, and I try to (mostly) do it on a sensible budget.

As I have never been one to fritter away my earnings on the 'classic threesome' of wine, women and song (well, two out of the three, yes, but again for the most part sensibly), buying and occasionally selling cameras and other photo gear keeps me pleasantly occupied and amused. In this Covid era we need all the mental health fortifying pastimes we can get.

Many have posted useful comments and of course I have read and considered them all. What of these I will (try to) apply in my already too-cluttered life, well, time will tell and we shall see.

Many thanks for your good advice, everyone!
 
Degassing is when youre bank account is a little lighter and you dont want to sacrifice kids in the sake for the perfect combo.

But then again you live only once so at least try it out and scratch that curiosity itch. If it fullfills your purposes then what does something new have to offer which the previous cant fullfill.

Often i find it best to wait for the review to come in it reduce any heightened antcipation that clouds logical judgement. Nothing aint perfect folks...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom