Purple Madness
Sunday, July 8th, 2007Purple Madness
Excited…I left my hubby downstairs as he chat with some strangers while I quickly run up to the 3rd floor after a two hour shop at the mall. I immediately grabbed a chair, reached and placed my ‘110th purple bear’ unto my cabinet. Overall, my purple cabinet’s are filled with stuffs that I really, really love. Though I knew it from the start that it was congested. For the fact that I can no longer slide the thick framed glass of my cabinet, but somehow manage to squeeze my newly added collection with my enduring patience, as I carefully pushed the others back that took me quite a while as drops of sweat hit my face.
Poor them. I think some of the stuffed bears are deformed. Noses were pressed back. Bodies were tightly squeezed. Even there arms were raised up high forcedfully. They badly needed to be place in a new spacious shelter I guess? But that is another issue that I have to convince my husband. So for now, all I can give to my babies are friends that they could mingle while I’m not around with them in the house. Ooooh, Spoooooooky!
My cabinet is my ‘Sacred Keeper’. It held and kept a lot of my favorite items. Some are hard-to-get purple goodies that I usually bought from vintage stores. The cabinet was actually designed, created and hand-painted by my husband. A gift he gave me after transferring to our new home. And being a certified O.C. that I am, I made sure that no finger prints where marked on the glass. I easily get irritated if I noticed one, and somehow my husband gradually adjusted to the kind of habit that I have.
Even after celebrating our 1st year anniversary, it still feels good to collect something you are fond of. That visual pleasure that injects a natural high. Something that I couldn’t explain but creates a feeling of satisfaction. Perhaps a craving to seek and once found, you don’t want to lose them at your sight. It’s a devotion. Hmmmm…exaggerated? But I never get tired of collecting; possibly wanting more as a form of a simple achievement.
I don’t know why, but I usually found myself staring at my cabinet for at least a minute, waking up before proceeding to the bathroom. Probably a habit that is subconscious, but it does give me a sense of joy and pride. It may sound absurd, but…yes, “Am I not ‘purply good enough for you? Today, may not be my day, but Tomorrow, I’ll make sure I’ll find one. ( If not then try again ).
As far as I can remember, I’ve been collecting my ‘purple goodies’ as I fondly call it since highschool. But I became serious as soon as I started working; earned my own money after college. Approaching my so-called 30’s, I never considered to cease collecting. I maybe considered (old by others) for my age to collect, but after all, they are precious to me. There’s not a certain bracket of age that will dictate us to stop, as long as it gives you the amount of happiness you’re yearning, then by all means go for it. For me, it does make me feel good. A simple glance is a time worth spending.
I don’t know how I end up collecting them? I just felt the likeness when I was a kid. The passion grew when I encountered purple things along my way, especially when my mom gave me my very first gemstone. An Amethyst which she said that I have to take care of since it’s my birthstone too. I pretended to be the guardian, safely keeping it. Then of course I was absolutely happy.
Everyone in the family knew of my fondness for everything that is Purple. It has been easy for them to wrap me up some presents on certain occasions. One time, my dad ate in this popular food chain in one of those busy main streets of
Manila . He saw a package meal where toys are included if you would purchase the given ‘kiddie value meal’. It was so thoughtful of my dad to give me those plastic purple toys, even if it meant eating 5 more burgers to avail of the 6 promo toys. I didn’t even asked for it, it just came so naturally for them.
Just like what my husband, Edsel would do, he continues the habit of giving me something that is purple even if it’s not my birthday. Be it an inexpensive wallclock, a picture frame, or a coffee mug, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s purple. Very sweet! I didn’t demand him, it’s simply an act I call…‘LOVE, haha!
I was even more excited everytime my birthday arrives. I knew I would be receiving gifts of Purple treats. I really considered them valuable. For instance, my former officemates handed me their gift. I unwrapped it excitedly like a kid, and found a doll with matching ‘purple hair’ to brush, stroke, and accessorize it. I felt like I was in my kinder days, with my ‘girly playmates’ pretending to have a tea party. Wonderful!!!
My dearest friends way back from highschool, college, and even former officemates do have something in common. They also love the idea to collect. Their collections would actually vary from the smallest, to the cheapest stuff, upto the most expensive items that you could possibly imagine. From stamps, colored erasers, and stationaries, to the unusual, rare expensive toys such as marvel comics and figurines, mangga/comics, anime/japanese metal-cast figurines, to vintage Transformers, Voltes V, Astro Boy, G.I. Joe collections, He-Man, to McFarlene Movie characters, and so much more!
I guess that’s what makes us bond together and go out of our way to shop at malls and even surf the net to reserve for future editions of collector’s item, or simply to trade for your old valuable toys. It’s more like a treasure hunting. The older you find, the more priceless it can be. Take for example a vintage ‘Archie’ edition #16 baby-tee on the net that I found auctioned on the net. It cost around 320$, and I thought it was damn expensive, but hey…a young Filipina actress bought it. How’s that for a third world country who can afford to spend so much for a t-shirt?
Frankly, not everyone can relate to us. Others may question; some would call it ‘weird’, or unpractical. But it all boils down to being happy. It’s a way to release stress. A fun, playful fixation that sometimes you look forward to find each day. Sometimes a mere candy wrapper he finds and picked in urban streets can be called collecting. Antique coins handed down by your great grand uncle is something you can pass on to your great grand children too. And most importantly, it also leads to a greater connection. Connecting to a more diverse folks who happens to have a habit of collecting simply for the sake of pure fun. Yup, it’s fun, fun, fun! As long as you can afford it then why not? But not to the extent of going beyond the means of your salary, or asking your parent’s and siblings to lend you money as you may lie extensively to meet your demand, then I would consider you being the unreasonable one.
I am a Purple Lover. I have bunch of goodies at home to prove it. It may sound boring, but I do care to mention it. From straws to plates, toothbrush to grape-flavored toothpaste, powdered grape juice drinks, table cloth to bed sheets, chimes to fans, candles to picture frames, body accessories to toiletries at home, pants to blouses, and the list goes on. I can be extremely happy for over a simple purple eraser. Shallow me, but at least I’m easy to please.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have contributed to my overcrowding purple items; My supportive family and loving hubby. My dearest friends, officemates, and even neighbors. And my extended family’s of my husband as well. From their simplest gift they could think of, I’m just happy of the thoughtfulness they executed. From the fact that they took their way out of giving something means so much to me. I’m so blown away with a lot of appreciation in life. Really!
And to end up, don’t you know that a child with a respiratory or heart ailment, if given a teddy bear, helps to alleviate the condition if cuddled, and hug while sleeping. So I suggest you give someone you’re concerned with a Purple Bear with lots and lots of love.
Oh yes, a Purple Bear indeed. Cheers! = )
(Any positive or violent reactions are welcomed. If booo’ed by the crowd, take note “ Sa inyo na isang milyon! Kung kaya ng sikmura nyo! Quote and unquote by the lovable, angelic, miss mannered, virgin Wendy. Aheheheh….)
