do you have any material possessions to which you are particularly attached?

[fizzgig]

i don't care much for 'stuff' anymore, although i have a large collection of it from my younger years (i'm not counting books in this)...i own all of the x-files and sleepy hollow movie action figures, i have a nice collection of flower fairies ceramic figurines, stuffed animals from my childhood, etc.

i would be sad if i lost them, but not devastated. there are, however, two things that would absolutely break my heart to lose. one is my teddy bear, a gift given to me when i was less than two years old (i slept with it every night up until i met my sweetie in march...he was the first boyfriend to displace the bear from my bed). the other is my car.

that bear, simply called teddy all these years, is worn and in need of a wash (i am reluctant to wash him out of fear that he will disintegrate). he even wears a shirt that matches a sleep shirt i had when i was little...it came as part of a set. i have panicked when he's been misplaced and cried when he was found. he's traveled with me to europe twice and accompanied me to various places across the states.

my car....sigh. she's an 82 volov wagon and we've been together since i was 16. i will likely be the only person at my 10 year hs reunion next year to drive the same car that was driven to the graduation. there are times i actually tear up thinking about the day i have to say goodbye to her. she's never had a name, she's always simply been 'my girl.' she's old, busted and rusted, but she runs well and takes care of me. i encourage her as we go up steep hills or down the interstate and i always tell her that she's a good girl for making it up that hill and will apologize if i hit a bump or dip too fast or hurt her in any other way.

i know it's slightly ridiculous to be so attached to inanimate objects, but i'm not going to apologize for it.

what about you, loungers? do you have anything similar?

[XemaSab]

1. My baby

Leica Televid 77mm. :loveya:



I love my Swarovski bins too, but not in quite the same way.

[fizzgig]

2. very nice

and, considering your field and hobbies (from what i can recall), i can understand why you are so attached

[XemaSab]

4. I was in Florida last year

and there was a jay perched on a telephone wire across a two-lane highway from where we were.

I could READ THE NUMBERS ON THE BIRD'S BAND.

It was mind-bending. :o

[fizzgig]

8. that is incredible

i am now jealous

[ghostsofgiants]

3. Nice.

Everything Leica makes is super sexy.

[XemaSab]

5. You're not kidding

Somehow the art-deco racing stripes make the scope. :D

[ghostsofgiants]

6. My sketchbook.

But that's not because of the book itself but the contents. Same goes for my computer. (Though when I get my new computer soon I will be very attached to it.)

[fizzgig]

9. absolutely

if i had any writing worth anything, i would feel the same way about my journals

[ikojo]

7. I am very attached to my Vespa scooter...a

GT 200L...very attached. As a matter of fact a co-worker when she asks me how I'm doing will also inquire about the scooter.

[fizzgig]

10. i can understand how easy it can be to develop a relationship with your vehicle

there's something very personal about it

[ikojo]

31. My scooter, named Spunky, has given me freedom

I forgot about. For 15.5 years I did not own anything that took gas, then I bought a scooter. Until my scooter came into my life I was dependent upon the bus and well that sucks. People on DU can speak oh so romantically about public transit but it sucks in most cities and St Louis is on exception. I'm glad it exists but I did it for a long time and appreciate my scooter ever more because of that experience.

As a matter of fact I bought my scooter as a response to changes made to the bus schedules. My commute was going to be made even more time consuming that it was already. I saw only one solution..get a vehicle. Since I didn't like driving when I had a car I opted for a scooter and I've been very happy with my decision.

[DS1]

11. Camera and lenses

L lenses are things of beauty

[fizzgig]

12. i have seen your photography...amazing

and i completely understand. i'd forgotten about my camera...i'm no great shakes behind it, but i do love it.

[DS1]

23. thanks

:thumbsup:

[redqueen]

13. I do... lots of things.

I have a little box full of little things ... concert stubs, pictures, old buttons and pics. Also a huge box full of even more pics. :)

My gifts from a friend who's very special. All the drawings and cards and gifts my kids have made for me.

And the poster that Thom & Colin signed.

That's it.

[fizzgig]

14. concert stubs...yes indeed

and i would be damn heartbroken if i lost my pics...guess there are a lot more things i'm attached to than i thought

[redqueen]

16. I will occasionally panic...

thinking of what might happen if there's a tornado and all my pics are scattered to the four winds.

I briefly consider buying giant ziplocs to put them all in... or even fire / water proof safes.

Then I come back down to earth. :P

[BeachBaby]

15. I got a couple....

1. A casket flag from World War II. My great-uncle was shot down during the Normandy Invasion. The flag hasn't been unfolded since it was handed to my great-grandmother at the military burial. And it has only 48 stars!

2. My grandfather's dog tags from WWII. They hang on the rearview mirror of my car. The tags from that era are different than they are now - they have a gap in them, so that if a soldier was KIA, their tag could be jammed in between their two front teeth for identification.

Those two things are by far my most prized possessions. They are priceless, and they're a reminder of how much my family has given this country.

I also have a 1992 Firebird that I refuse to part with. She's my baby, she's been good to me, she's fun, and she's pretty:

[loveable liberal]

17. you arent the "Hoff" are you?

;)

[fizzgig]

20. those are beyond priceless

what amazing mementos to have of your family

and that car...what a beauty!

[loveable liberal]

18. Colnago steel framed racing bike.

It is a thing of beauty. Though I dont get to ride it enough.

[fizzgig]

21. i've ridden a bike once in the past 13 or so years

but i'm already falling in love with the one my bf is building for me

[yellowdogintexas]

19. an antitque silver water server given to my great great grandparents as a

wedding gift in 1854, and a cherry table which also belonged to them, made from cherry trees cut down on the farm in Kentucky.

My great aunt's diamonds which I had remounted
My aunt's diamond solitaire
My step grandmother's engagement and wedding bands given to her by my grandfather and given to me by her sons (which was just about the sweetest thing possible since they could have given those to their own children)

a few pieces of cut glass from my great aunt, great grandmother and grandmother, and my grandmother's two small marble topped tables.

some paintings done by my mom

all photographs

my daughter's art that remains in the house (she took a lot with her when she moved to AZ)

These are things that cannot be replaced or duplicated. Since all of my mother's family things except the silver pitcher set and the cherry table were destroyed in a fire, they are particularly precious.

[fizzgig]

24. i don't have any family heirlooms yet, but they would be on the list

those are invaluable

and how sweet that your step-brothers (?) to give you those rings

[yellowdogintexas]

38. my mom's step brothers, actually. They were in high school and my mom was

already married to my dad when their mother married my grandfather. I loved her dearly, she was the best grandmother anyone could want. I asked them for something of hers and that is what they gave my mom to send me. It was so sweet.

[Shakespeare]

22. My camera, my cast iron skillet and my knives.

There are other things I'd hate to lose, too, but those I'd miss dearly.

[fizzgig]

25. i love my cast iron skillet

and i'd be so sad to lose it

[China_cat]

26. My family pictures. Especially the one

of my daughter who died when she was 5 days old.

[lukasahero]

27. Oh China_cat

That just broke my heart. I was going to respond with the answer family/pet pictures and personal notes so I clicked on your post. I'm so sorry and hope you never lose your picture.

[China_cat]

29. Yep. There's only the one.

[fizzgig]

40. those pictures, i'm sure, are a treasure beyond words

:hug:

[Wcross]

28. No. Nothing. Nadda, it can all burn tomorrow & I would get new stuff.

My dogs & cats- yes, you can't replace living things.

[lukasahero]

39. All I have left of my dog is pictures

I'd be devestated if I lost them. :cry:

[Wcross]

52. I store my photos online.

At least consider scanning them & having them transferred to DVD. You could have numerous copies stashed so you would never lose them.

[lukasahero]

58. I have scanned them

I've got most of them on a flash drive already but I need to get them on my web drive. I need to get my videos transferred next. But yeah, you're right - at least we have that option now. :hi:

[fizzgig]

41. i would be beyond devestated if i lost my girls

[RFKHumphreyObama]

30. A pillow that my mother used during her final days

I keep it in a special place to preserve as much of her scent as possible

I've also got a whole lot of her personal possessions stored in a draw. Again they are there because they are special to me and I don't want them mixing with my stuff because they stand out in a class of their own

[fizzgig]

42. i hope that pillow always keeps it's scent

:hug:

[Connonym]

32. a celtic knot ring, a WWI Red Cross issue robe and my dad's old zippo

the robe was my grandfather's from when he was in the Red Cross hospital during the war, the zippo is special because it's personalized and engraved with his signature. The ring I bought myself in Ireland years and years ago

[fizzgig]

43. what amazing things to have

[Connonym]

53. I can say without a doubt that people must have been a lot smaller during WWI

I have rather broad shoulders, the robe fits around me fine but draws across my shoulders. My grandfather passed long before I was born but by photo he doesn't appear to be bony. I'm not saying that Americans haven't become fatter in the past couple of generations, we clearly have, but I also think we've gotten larger (and heavier) skeletal frames in the past couple generations as well (probably due to better nutrition).

[NJmaverick]

33. no- things are just things

People are important

[fizzgig]

45. you are correct

those two things of mine have become people to me, though

[Skittles]

88. arrogant

read some of these responses to find out why "things" can mean stuff to people. The Minnesota Vikings cap I keep hanging in my closet reminds me that my brother, who passed away of alcoholism, did have some happy times.

[Bennyboy]

34. My poster collection.....

I have been collecting for years and years. Music posters and photographs. Some signed.

An Original Acid Test poster signed by Ken Kesey.

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, YMSB, Charlie Hunter, Keller Williams, String Cheese Incident signed photos (plus a few more that I cannot remember)

Signed John Entwhistle poster
Tons of Fillmore posters.
Tons of JazzFest posters.
Some Frenchy's work
Some Scramble Cambell's work
Tons of stuff. I have about 100 in frames and about 200 unframed (and still in safe wrapping).

[fizzgig]

46. what a fantastic collection

i've been meaning to talk to you...my dad is trying to figure out what dead show he saw in manhattan in 71 (i think)...there were three shows and he's trying to hunt down playlists. is it ok if i get in touch when i get more info? i figured you'd be a good person to go to

[Bennyboy]

65. Why sure.

I can help you out here though....http://www.setlists.net/?show_id=2333 (it opens to my last show!)it is pretty simple to use and find shows....

And then go to archive.org and the show amy be there. If not let me know I am sure I can hunt it down.

[fizzgig]

67. i sent the links to my dad

thanks so much!

[Bennyboy]

68. Let me know which show it was....

Always curious you know....

[Fire Walk With Me]

35. America.

[fizzgig]

47. i see where you are coming from

but do you really consider it a material possession?

[Fire Walk With Me]

50. Bush does. I have a better use for it.

[fizzgig]

54. spot on, my friend

[FloridaJudy]

36. My quilts - the ones I made myself.

My Tibetan singing bowls.
A silver ring I picked up on E-bay. It looks a bit like this:

I mean I appreciate my computer and my car, but anything else that worked would be just as good.

That's about it. Everything else I'm really attached to has a heartbeat

[fizzgig]

48. you have reminded me of yet another thing i treasure

when my mom's mom died, she left a number of unfinished afghans. one of my aunts paid to have them finished and i got one of them...it's one of the few things i have left of her. i miss her terribly.

she had six kids, 18 grandkids and seemingly innumerable great and great great grand kids, but she always made me feel like her favorite.

[LaraMN]

37. Yup! In the lock-box under my bed.

:o

:rofl:

[fizzgig]

49. lock box?

oh, wait...you have kids

i know my cats aren't going in that drawer :rofl:

[Redstone]

44. My musical instruments, even though I can't play them anymore. Four guitars,

the banjo, three Autoharps, the two mountain dulcimers, and the one mandolin.

I just CAN'T bring myself to part from them, even though I can't play them.

Redstone

[fizzgig]

51. i can say i understand, but i don't know that it would be entirely truthful

i will say, though, that i am honored to know you to the little extent that i do

[Redstone]

55. Thank you for that.

Redstone

[littlebit]

56. My Jeep

and my Peterbilt.

[fizzgig]

60. why did you pick those two?

not snark, but honest curiosity

[littlebit]

64. My Jeep

because it was my dream car. I have spent several years restoring it. My Peterbilt because I had this goal that one day I wanted to own a big shiny truck. After almost ten years of working my ass off I got it.

[Symarip]

57. I own one of these

There are only 20 or so in existence these days. Each one is hand painted and completely individual. There were originally about a hundred made (rumor has it that they may be hand painted by Danny Elfman, himself). I searched nearly twenty years before all the stars were aligned and I was in a position to nab one off the interwebs. This is a picture of one on a website since mine is back home in a vault and I can't really take a picture of it from here, 2000 miles away. Last I checked, this little record goes for nearly two grand and it seems to double in value every 3 to five years.

If my dog ever goes to college, he's set.

[fizzgig]

61. what a fantasitc find

hey, what about putting me through school? ;)

[Whoa_Nelly]

59. Every card my son made for me

Favorite Mom;s day card he made...:
My Mom is a BOMB! (hand drawn exploding bomb)
Inside: A KISSING Bomb!

And every piece of art he did, and now all the ones from little Whoa_Nelly (am going to be an artist when I grow up!)


Oh! And my old ballet pointe shoes that look a lot like these.

[fizzgig]

62. i can only imagine what a treasure those cards and art are

[pokerfan]

63. Not a thing

I was going to say my computer but that can be replaced. It's the hundreds of GBs of data that's important and I've got that backed up.

Material possessions? Nah, nothing that can't be replaced.

[Oeditpus Rex]

66. Yeah

This:

[DarkTirade]

69. My instruments mostly.

A few other little things here and there, but mostly my instruments. :)

[AlCzervik]

70. pictures of my grandparents.

[sellitman]

71. My Iphone!

And new software coming tomorrow for it !

Yes!

[grannylib]

72. "The Family Suitcase" - it's a Norwegian folk-painted steamer trunk

My grandfather's grandmother brought all her stuff in it from Norway when she emigrated at the age of 18.
It's got my mom's and my grandma's wedding dresses, and veils and shoes, and scads of old photos, and memorabilia (school medallions, programs from 4th of July celebrations, dried flowers from weddings of family members or graduation ceremonies, etc.)
It's family history...it's the one thing I'd go back in the house to try to save if it were on fire.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

73. musical instruments.

My three violins and two bows.

My two pianos. One of them ins a 1925 Gulbransen upright. The other is a Kurzweil which is unreal. It produces so many different sounds it's unbelievable. It also talks to the computer via MIDI.

That's where my resident computer nerd comes in.

Also, my Fender jazz bass my sweetie bought me. It's indigo purple and is tuned in fifths like a cello (C-G-D-A). I can't think in fourths, because I'm a violinist. I can read bass clef, since I'm a piano player.

[Fox Mulder]

74. A ring that my grandma gave me that belonged to my grandpa.

He wore it all the time. It reminds me so much him. :(

[Skittles]

75. a Minnesota Vikings cap that belonged to my brother Glenn who passed away

it hangs in my coat / vacuum cleaner closet wherever I live so I see it regularly

[Maddy McCall]

77. ...

:hug:

[old mark]

76. I guess it makes me terrible, but I'm a "stuff" kind of guy.

I am specially attached to my several basses and guitars, a few WWI era guns, and a Wittnauer watch from about 1940 I wear most days. I have cameras, and lots of guy stuff, but they are mainly just tools and I replace them when something better is needed.
I sometimes sell stuff on eBay and at flea markets etc, so our house is always full of little stuff I hope will interest someone besides me.
Fortunately, my wife thinks I have a good eye for "stuff" - especially jewelery - and she is happy with most of it.

mark

[Phillycat]

78. I'm a big fan of my Macbook.

And losing the external hard drives would suck, because we'd lose 221GBs of music and more than that in movies/TV shows. Otherwise, photographs, I guess. Oh, I love my Dyson vacuum cleaner. I think that's it. :) Ooh wait, the jewelry my mother in law's given me! Beautiful stuff, family heirlooms.

[Burma Jones]

79. One of my Trumpets, my photographs,

Although I've digitized many of my photos, one of them is a picture of an Uncle in his Marine Dress Uniform. He served in Viet Nam for two tours and was subsequently killed in the line of duty as an MP in San Diego. I was given this picture when I was 7 and have kept it since.

Everything else I own, with the exception of a few Vinyl records, is replaceable.

The trumpet is the one I played throughout what passed as my professional musical career.........

[B3Nut]

80. My Hammond B-3 organ and Leslie

and my photographs, and the drives with my digital photos. Also my Taylor acoustic, and the Canon A-1 camera my late grandfather bought for me when I was 12 or 13. I'm also rather fond of my Luxman seperates (preamp, amp, and tuner), the bookshelf speakers I built from a kit, and my '77 Polk Monitor 7B speakers (with original Peerless tweeters with the holes burned into the domes on the production line.)

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

[EnviroBat]

81. My Panda...

[bif]

82. My new Nikon D80 camera & my music collection

They both bring much joy into my life. I just love this camera.

[Midlodemocrat]

83. Yes several.

I have a dimestore St. Francis that sits on my kitchen windowsill. It was my mom's and sat on every windowsill in every house where I lived.

I have her Nativity scene that I bought for her when I was in college. G. Fox in Meriden, CT. I paid $5 every two weeks for months on layaway.

My mom's engagement ring. My engagement ring. My dad's wedding ring. The flag that draped his coffin. A watch that was his mother's. My Nana's black onyx ring.

Pics of my kids.

Stuff that can't be replaced.

[dropkickpa]

84. My photos

Not all of them are transferred to digital, so their loss would be unrecoverable. Everything else can burn, it's just stuff.

[SacredCow]

85. Yeah- most of my guitar stuff....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7764977

[Iggo]

86. My Epiphone LP Silverburst.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21685014@N03/2202718852/

[Writer]

87. Just my books.

I could give up everything and live in a cardboard box, for all I care. As long as I have my books.

[MISSDem]

89. My sterling silver Cross rollerball.

I love that pen!

[mnhtnbb]

90. Having lost everything--just about everything--when our house burned down last year

I can say, no, I'm not attached to any material objects. Not any more. I did manage to salvage a few things--glass dessert dishes from the 40's-- from cupboards in the kitchen which had to be soaked, scrubbed, soaked, and scrubbed repeatedly to clean the smoke damage from them.

What do I miss the most?

I'm a writer. I miss my manuscripts, notes, library, family photo albums, and my collection
of crystal. I had beautiful colored glass, Lalique, Waterford, and a red/clear glass water pitcher
my husband bought for me in Limoges, France on our honeymoon.

I also miss the memorabilia and scripts from the plays I acted in, the videos of my boys growing
up, and the videos of my work as an actor.

I miss our hallway wall of 8 x 10 candid photos of our family over the last 20 years.



Sigh. It is all just 'stuff'. But sometimes, stuff has wonderful memories associated with it.