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  • Sunday, January 21, 2007

    Scooter's challenge

    Scooter wrote this meme just for me and has challenged me with a the lion-hearted taunt of "I'll do it if you do it... you go first! "

    Brave, Scooter. Brave man.

    Especially since this is a meme about materialism.

    Okay, just what are you trying to say about me? Hmmm? Hmmm? But I have to admit, subject aside, it's kinda fun to be targeted with a meme... and also that by question #4, I was cracking up.

    So here goes. I'm not the kinda girl to turn down a challenge.

    Scooter's Materialism meme

    1.) What's your most cherished item, the one item you would save if you couldn't save anything else (and not a cat or dog, a thing)?
    It may be tough to believe, but I'm not actually all that materialistic in terms of needing to have designer this and that or the latest, greatest whatever. But I do like nice things (I just don't need them per se), and I am sentimental about a number of things I do own. So what's the answer here? Probably the ring my grandmother (now deceased) gave me. It's our birthstone, aquamarine, and according to her, the most precious thing she ever owned. My grandmother didn't have more than one or two luxury items during her life, and the ring comes with a very interesting history. So it's a family heirloom. Probably not worth all that much. Except to me.

    2.) Only for cat and dog owners - save the item in #1, or save the cat/dog?
    The dog, of course. And hope that the ring survived the fire!

    3.) Can I buy #1 for $10? $100? $1000? $10,000? $100,000? $1,000,000? What's your lowest price? Does it have a price?
    Nah. Not your birthstone anyway. If I really needed the cash, maybe for a cool million. Maybe.

    4.) If it doesn't have a price, have you sought therapy about your sentimental attachment to materialistic goods? And on a related note, do you hold your own garage sales?
    LMAO. No to the therapy (unless PTW has an opening?). And I don't have a garage, so no on that point too. Although I have sold things on eBay.

    5.) Favorite precious substance?
    What do you mean by "precious substance"? Coffee? That's mighty precious first thing in the morning. I don't have favorite anythings, so I can't really answer this question. Sorry.

    6.) Every had an item blessed that really shouldn't have been blessed?
    Um, me? At my baptism?

    7.) What personal item has surprised you with its durability?
    Is there innuendo in this question, Mr. Scooter? Hmmm... Well, I do have a clock radio that I received in the 6th grade, and it's still going strong.

    8.) What's the most expensive thing you've ever purchased (other than primary residence and vehicle)?
    My law school education -- which cost a whole lot more than my car and my apartment together. Other than education? I think the most I've ever spent on a single item is about $2K on various laptops over the years. After that, the answer would probably be plane tickets to/from Asia (when I lived in Japan, travelled to Hong Kong, Vietnam, etc.) or health insurance. Surprised?

    9.) What do you feel is the appropriate % of your income to give to charity? Do you donate something other than money (and what)?
    I don't donate based on % calculations (no tithing here); I donate based on impulse. Recently, however, I have myself have been in the category of needing charity. But when I donate, I do give money as well as my time and effort.

    10.) Do you shop at garage sales? How often (and how much do you buy)?
    Yes, especially if you consider eBay the world's largest flea market. I don't make it a plan to attend garage sales, and when I do, it's because I saw a sign and followed an impulse. I rarely buy much though, unless I need something. For example, when I moved back from Japan, I hit garage sales to buy stuff I needed for my apartment. Since then, not-so-much.

    11.) If you said yes in #10, what's the best thing you ever bought at a garage sale?
    Best... hmmm. I don't do superlatives, so I don't know what the best thing would be. I have gotten some great deals though. I bought a Coach leather purse for $4 at a garage sale. I was pretty happy about that. I've bought lots of cool things on eBay, too.

    12.) What item do you constantly find yourself upgrading?
    Nothing. Seriously. Nothing. My car is a 1988. I got my television in 1997, used (a hand-me-some from someone else). I only buy a new computer when my old one dies. I may upgrade my iPod with a video model, but I haven't done it.

    13.) Day to yourself. Shopping or chores?
    Shopping. I can't stand chores.

    14.) Day to yourself. Shopping or reading?
    Oooh, that's hard. Flip a coin. The answer depends on my mood and the weather outside. But I'm not a big fan of malls, so I avoid them when I think they'll be crowded.

    15.) Day to yourself. Shopping or some sort of event (movie, play, sports event).
    The event.

    16.) Let's press the issue. Shopping or sex?
    C'mon Scooter, do you really think I'm this much of a material girl? Sheesh. Sex. On the other hand, the shopping would last longer. And it might fire more endorphins.

    17.) Your boss gives you an award. Do you want the public acknowledgement, or a private $25 gift certificate.
    Public acknowledgment. But if it's $50, I'd take that instead.

    18.) If you could only carry an armload (let's say one to five) things out of your burning abode, not including the cherished item in #1, what would they be?
    My jewelry box (other sentimental pieces there), maybe one or two of my masks, my laptop, some photos.

    19.) What does another friend have that you want?
    I envy anyone that has a house. I want more living space.

    20.) Every get nicked (arrested, detained) or confronted for taking something you wanted?
    Nope. Unless you count the time I took some change from my mother's cache of cash. But it was something on the order of 50 cents (which could actually buy something when I was a kid) or taking candy from the pantry. But not stealing from a store or anything.

    21.) Do you get a magazine that's primarily devoted to acquisition or reviews of material goods? Which one?
    Nope.

    22.) Ever take a job just so you could get a discount on something?
    Nope.

    23.) Where do you buy most of your stuff? And why there?
    Online. Ebay. I am the ultimate bargain shopper. I like things cheap. It's like that old saying... that a woman will spend $5 on something worth $20, even if she doesn't need it, but a man will spend $20 on something worth $5 if he does. For me, it's the thrill of the hunt and kill to find a good bargain and buy it. A good purchase is like a prize, an accomplishment of some sort. That's why when women come home after shopping, they have to take out what they've bought and inspect it and show it to you. See the game we've bagged? Men just tend to throw the purchase in the corner until they need it. It's just an economic transaction for them; no hunt/kill.

    24.) Where would you buy most of your stuff, if you could? Why there?
    Online. Because I don't like dealing with parking at the malls. Because it's convenient to have things delivered directly to me.

    25.) What do you consistently buy for yourself that you really (really) don't need?
    Shoes on sale. Campaign pins for Asian American politicians.

    26.) Did you meet any of your friends through a shared appreciation of certain materialistic goods? Did the friendship last?
    Nope. See? I'm not really addicted to acquisition. I do admit to being a bargain-shopper however (see #23). Heck, that's why I do eBay... it's a bad combination which preys on my weaknesses: impulse purchasing, bargain prices and competitive bidding. I. must. win. this. auction! (only to later think, "WTF was I thinking?") But I digress... this question sounds like it's written for you, Scooter and that ever effervescent chase of the hops...

    TAG, Scooter -- you're it! But I'm adding two questions: What do you collect? What one thing do you have that will most likely make it on some future version of Antiques Roadshow because it's rare, unusual, collectible, etc.?

    And since I've been really meme-y lately, I won't tag anyone else, but everyone else should feel free to wax eloquent on their materialism if they've got a hankerin'.

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