The End of the Obsession

**Alan H** · 11th May 11, 03:12 PM

I would like a dark brown or charcoal herringbone tweed kilt jacket. That would look good with either of my two "fancy" kilts, the Capercaillie, and the Ancient MacNaughton that will someday be finished. I find that I only wear my black Eton jacket for the Nor Cal Rabble Burns Night, and there's really very little reason to even own it, aside from that. The only other possibility would be a night at the San Francisco Symphony, and we don't ever attend "Opening Night" so....not necessary. Besides, I'm *ahem* brawnier than I was when I bought it, and it barely fits any more.

A nice tweed jacket is the thing to have. Truly, I have no real need of anything more formal than that.

However, I find that I have a lot of other things that are more important to me to spend money on. So when it came out that a certain retailer was having a huge sale at the Woodland Highland Games, and hose and jackets were half or even a third of retail, I did not rush over to the booth, heart aflutter. Besides, its was warm and I was thirsty and there was only so much time before my friends were back on the field, throwing again, and I didn't want to miss it.

I think I am no longer obsessed.

It seems to me that there's no rush, anymore.

**BEEDEE** · 11th May 11, 03:15 PM

Alan - shame on you! What sort of example are you setting to our members?

Brian

**piperdbh** · 11th May 11, 03:26 PM

If that vendor has a Sheriffmuir in a 44 long, a-flutter right over and buy it for me, please.

**Bob C** · 12th May 11, 08:23 AM

Guid on ya, Alan, but Panache made out like a bandit at that sale.

**Whidbey78** · 12th May 11, 09:55 AM

I can sympathize Alan. I'm pretty well "kitted up" unless another prince gets married and my invitation doesn't get lost in the mail like it did this last time.

About the only thing I'm "obsessing" about now is hose. I'm not really adding new stuff, just replacing items that are becoming worn...and waiting patiently for a good sale to do it. Maybe by Christmas time I'll order some...or just learn to knit.

**Alan H** · 12th May 11, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

Guid on ya, Alan, but Panache made out like a bandit at that sale.

That he did! He wasn't the only one, either. MacMillans son scored a nice jacket, so did Smayniac and I think WalkerK also picked one up.

That lunch break came and went, with much talk about the killer deals to be had, and it was only that night that I realized that I was only vaguely tempted to go look. A couple of years ago I would have jumped up and at least hustled over there and LOOKED, you know? That saturday I was more interested in getting a cold one out of the cooler, saying hi to friends, and saving my money for a memorial trophy that I am putting together in memory of a good friend of mine, to be given out at the Enumclaw Games.

There's no judgement associated with this. It's not like I look down on the guys who bought a jacket on sale, you know? That's nuts.

I was just interested to observe myself, nine hours later, and think back on how my thoughts/motivation/interests have changed.

**piperdbh** · 12th May 11, 12:07 PM

Would you care to tell us the name of the vendor, so we can see if the sale is still on?

**CMcG** · 12th May 11, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

<snip>I was just interested to observe myself, nine hours later, and think back on how my thoughts/motivation/interests have changed.

Priorities change but I imagine that you are also fairly well stocked in the kilt and kilt-related paraphernalia department too, no?

**Alan H** · 13th May 11, 02:40 PM

On my list? The tweed jacket, someday. Some sort of brass or bronze kilt pin, I'd pay up to ten bucks for this, but notin a hurry... a nice pewter, more traditional buckle to replace the chrome one on one black belt. That's it.

**Dave.TX** · 16th May 11, 09:00 AM

AlanH, a bit disheartening from someone new to the X and kilting! I can share your pain, though. As a younger man I was obsessed with hot rods. Two years in a row joined the Hot Rod Power Tour (1998 & 1999). After the second year I was burned out on hot rods! Had seen probably over a thousand cars at many, many car shows. The interest hasn't come back to go to another car show. I know the two aren't the same thing but they both can be considered lifestyles and you do join a community of like minded people.

Maybe you aren't as "passionate" about it as you once were, and that's OK in my book. Just don't lose interest altogether. Sounds like it's still a big part of your life but priorities have now set in and being obsessed about it has gone, which is normal.

Dave