Ever since Ava started crawling around it's not uncommon to hear me say,"No no baby, those are daddy's toys."
These and other instances make me wonder sometimes. Am I getting too old for this? Should I trade in all my LEGO for a set of golf clubs? Are cartoons really just for kids? Is it really so strange that I prefer "childish" entertainment such as video games, over traditional "grown-up" pass times like golf? (I'm totally not ragging on golf. I even have my Golfing merit badge. It's just one of those games you're "supposed" to play when you get older to network or something. It's just not my game I guess. Well, I hear Mario Golf's pretty good, but I'm starting to ramble here.) I dare say nay! I'm turning 30 soon and I'm not getting too old for this. Rather, I believe I'm getting too old to worry about what people think of my love of all things awesome.
I know other fellow collectors of awesome have had these same doubts. I'm sure you've all come across well meaning family and friends that feel you should ditch your childhood already. How do you overcome and keep that geek flag flying? Or am I totally off base here? Do I need to "put away childish things" (1Corinthians 13:11)? What do you think?
My mother-in-law often tells my wife that "no grown man needs this many toys". Sooo... I feel your pain. But if it makes you happy, go after it! Something I would really say is to make sure you narrow your focus and buy/collect only what you truly care about. It's something I've had to start doing to prevent my hoarder-ism.
ReplyDeleteOuch! I've heard similar sentiments from friends and family. I think it's part generation gap and part differing tastes that lead to that sort of thing. Any hobby can get out of hand and I don't see how collecting toys is any different than collecting stamps, coins, butterflies, or freak show posters. Kinda reminds me of a pervious post about collecting versus hoarding:
Deletehttp://ditreasures.blogspot.com/2013/09/sunday-reflections-when-does-collecting.html
I severely lack focus and I collect quite a range of oddities if the price is right, though I won't buy just anything. There a select few things that I'm really passionate about and all the rest I am willing to sell, donate, trade, or gift to others, and I think that helps me avoid becoming a hoarder, because it does run in my family a little.
Am in my 40s and i love collecting toys and watching cartoons and my wife does hate it sometimes she understands i love doing it so she is my biggest support of my hobbies most of the time. Mostly with a "grin and bare it" sort of deal and it gets bad when my best friend Scott is around because he is just like me lol.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a geek in a lot of ways, but I can tell when I'm ranting and raving about my latest toy find that she probably could care less about it, which is fine, she's not a toy nerd. When she tells me about her new makeup my mind really starts to drift, but I'm totally cool with her makeup hobby (she's a Mary Kay girl). My wife and I have many similar interests, but somethings the other likes we totally aren't into. But it's all good though, that's what marriage is all about. :)
DeleteI think it's awesome that you still collect toys! My Dad is in his late 50s and he has all sorts of toys, trading cards, and comic books in his collection. I will likely collect toys until my last mortal days.
I hit the ol' three-oh last year and I think my opinion flip-flops every day. I often feel like I should start focusing on being more of an adult; not freak out when I stumble upon an awesome grab-bag of old action figures at the thrift shop. Maybe not waste twelve bucks on a Game Boy Color so I can play Pokemon Blue. Spend hours scouring Ebay for cheap vintage goodies.
ReplyDeleteBut always, in the end, I realize that it's those silly, simple things that bring me joy, so I'll keep on having fun with "childish things" until the day it stops being fun.
Exactly! I think we have been conditioned to some degree to think that if we're having fun it is wrong and we should stop. Sure, we still have to roll up our sleeves sometimes and take care of business, but you know, all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy.
DeleteI think as long as collecting doesn't consume our lives and take precedence over important things, like friends and family, then hey, there ain't nothin' wrong with it and in fact it's a good thing!
NEVER.
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is, Mason.
When I visit other's homes, I kinda just space out and go off into my own thoughts. Their homes are like dentist office lobby's and after 20 seconds I have nothing left to gaze at. What a terrible way to live, in a beige box with nothing to inspire a smile.....
And I often say the same to my kids, "Hey, that's mine" ;) But it's okay.
Because the have a mommy who plays toys with them and I think that they are pretty lucky.
"Childish" is more about the condition of our heart. A child's heart is naturally selfish and immature in it's decision making. You are most definitely not selfish, and the fact that you take such care with your family shows you have obviously put away "childish" attitudes. Playful and childish are not necessarily the same. I think our playfulness will lend years to our lives and benefit all who are in them. :)
I love your Sunday reflections!
I agree, I think the term "childish" has been misinterpreted. It doesn't mean we have to grow up to be mindless parental units. It means exactly what you said, not being selfish, putting others before your own needs, and being more Christlike.
DeleteI love spotting cool little details in your blog pics, your home is so vibrant and chic and it's totally YOU! As I've said before, one of my billions of interests is interior design and there's a design book called Undecorate: The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design by Christiane Lemieux and Ruman Alam. I love it because it breaks down all the stringent "rules" of design. All those dentist office lobby homes may be following every rule, but they are BORING! I'll stick with decorating with LEGO bricks, thank you very much. :D
While I'm rambling on about interior design I might as well mention Young House Love, a fun interior design blog and book by Sherry and John Petersik. When they first started designing their first home they tried to make it all perfect and cookie cutter and they hated it. You can't be afraid to liven things up a little with a favorite toy or something that totally breaks convention. It keeps life interesting and makes a house a home.
And thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my little Sunday Reflections. :)
I say go for it. Why deny yourself doing the things that make you happy - if it doesn't harm anybody? It's definitely a generation gap thing. I get the same flak from my parents because I still play video games. I try to explain that video games are the equivalent of doing a crossword or card game for their generation. They're all games are they not? Who cares what others think... You know what they say about opinions....
ReplyDeleteTrue true, my Ma gave me so much crud for playing video games! I tried explaining it just as you did, but she still tells me it'll "rot your brains out".Now a days it's hard to find the time to play, so I love listening to video game music for a healthy rush of nostalgia as I do my household chores. Nothing like listening to some Chrono Trigger whilst doing the dishes!
DeleteLuckily my Dad totally understands my "childish" ways because he's a fellow collector of toys, comics, and trading cards. He even used to have an Atari 2600. The Atari was a bit before my time, so I'm always looking for a deal on one so I can experience it firsthand. The NES was my first console.
Thanks for the comment and game on!