While I own a lot of things - which mostly look like books - I would argue that my "obsession" is 1st Edition Gamma World Items.
First Edition Gamma World, as you might recall from posts here and here, was a role playing game produced by TSR from 1978 to 1982, when it then moved to 2nd edition, 3rd edition, etc. I have never had quite the interest in the later editions as over time they tended to be less "campy" and innovative and more proscriptive in terms of what your characters could do. They also started to reflect modern technology or based on modern technology, which was also kind of a drag: I am not interested in a game with nanotechnology, I am interested in a game with Black Ray Guns, and Warbots and Think Tanks.
Its production run, such as it was, was a core rule book, a map of the ruined United States, two full modules and a referee's screen with a smaller module, a double handful of magazine articles scattered across Dragon magazine (which I truly wish I had kept all my copies of now) and two 20 piece sets and 67 blister packs of lead figurines.
I have the original rule books, map, modules, and referee screen (but sadly, the smaller module is a computer print) in print and the magazine articles on a drive (which I should really print as well). And while I have the twenty piece sets of figures, I only have a handful of the blister packs (which are seldom, if ever, actually in their blister packs).
As a result, any time a new one comes up (mostly on E-bay), I will at least try to buy it.
I know. They serve no good purpose and they are not of any use to me except for happy memories and the fact they please me. But if they are not ones I have, I will try to get them.
That is my obsession. What is yours?
Knives, mainly old vintage from the last century during the 40's to 90's. Many are used but still have useful life and others are NIB, ready to be sold to a fellow collector or handed down to a friend or family member.
ReplyDeleteMan is the Tool User and many people still carry that basic tool in their pocket every day. I can't explain why I feel the need to collect them, but there you go.
Nice Anon!
Delete"I can't explain why I feel the need to collect them, but there you go." I understand the feeling - for me, they just make me happy.
Ah! TSR! Old School purveyor of that oral drug known as D & D and Dragon magazine, there's a name I haven't heard in years TB. Used to have a subscription but those I saved got recycled years ago the last time I organized storage space. Remember SPI? Wargaming company....they put out their own RPG....DragonQuest. However their wargames.....my crack I'm afraid. Their magazine with a wargame in it each issue, got boxes of ziplocked bags of them along with dozens (?) of games they put out over the years. Good times, good memories.......:)
ReplyDeleteTSR Old school was great Nylon12. At one time I had the original AT&T box set, but that is disappeared in the mist of history. I have fond memories of Dragon magazine as well. The late 70s and early 80s were a magical time for role-playing.
Delete这也可以用中文写
ReplyDeleteNot sure I have anything that qualifies as an obsession, other than my love of reading books. Even that I would downgrade to more of a passion than an obsession if a distinction can be made.
I think there is distinction Ed. Obsession might be qualified as the irrational need to have.
DeleteTrying to simplify Christianity so a three year old can understand it and a rocket scientist can too. Woody
ReplyDeleteWoody, that is an excellent obsession to have!
DeleteBesides books I had no obsessions for "things". Now hubby on the other hand collected everything. But he's gone and I have no real idea what to do with all the stuff. He was in love with lighters. We have lighters from WW1 from WW11. And I could go on but won't. Think about what your leaving someone to do without your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteAnon - Lighters is one I have never heard of before!
DeleteYour point about the "after" is very well taken and one I had to deal with for my parents. It has made me conscious of the same for my iwn heirs.
Anon 4:17 here (aka knife addict :^) - I've told my wife and kids I know my collection is valuable to ME, not them. After I am gone, I have no problem with them selling them to a consignment shop with my blessing.
DeleteI write a list of the knives I own which detail the cost of it (at the time) for a reference of what is reasonable to ask for it. I don't expect them to keep them forever and if the proceeds can put food on their table or pay some of their future expenses, I'm happy.
That is exactly what my parents did with their jewelry, which turned out to be very helpful as well - and what I will need to do with any Iai related equipment and swords I have.
DeleteSo, it comes to light that our fair host is an old-time tabletop grognard? In hindsight, that explains much. Gamma World is clearly well before my own time - I wasn't even born yet! - but seeing as Gary Gygax had more than a hand in it, I suspect it was all but mendacious at times given what few tales I've heard of the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can say I've ever had an obsession, or perhaps I just don't recognize it if I have. Fixations? Absolutely. Addictions? Quite possibly. I've been suffused in some form of interactive electronic entertainment - "videya geams", if you will - for as long as I can remember. That probably counts, but I don't know if I could call it an obsession, at least by the standard of the header picture; not that I'm certain others won't understand, but that I'm never quite certain I understand it myself, and end up looking (and feeling) more... well, childish than usual about the subject.
P_P, I am very much a product of the early beginnings of the role-playing game era. My time runs from around 1979 to 1986 or so. I got busy with life so a lot of it fell by the wayside, but to be honest games were already becoming more complex and less enjoyable. One of the great things about the original era is that there was so much that was undefined that you made stuff up as you go. Now, if I look at rule books, everything is precisely defined and enunciated. Role-playing games have become just like real life.
DeleteI think they're can certainly be an element to not realizing that we have an obsession. I suppose the important thing is to just make sure they are harmless ones.