The Firebird - A Review... By a Guy

I'm a heterosexual guy. 

I'd go as far to say I'm a heterosexual man, but my collection of Skylander figures, and affinity for flatulence-related humor, pushes that description such that, on certain days, anything above adolescence is a stretch. The fact that, I'm a guy, and to a certain degree that I am also heterosexual, is extremely important information before you embark on a journey through my feelings on The Firebird, a historical fiction novel by Susanna Kearsley. In short, it may create some biases, both yours and my own.

Why did Steve Jobs hate putting on / off switches on Apple devices?

My slow ascension to Apple Nirvana is a common tale for many a modern Mac user, one that began with the second generation, original iPod and finds itself with the present adoption of the entire suite of Apple products. Back then, almost a decade ago now for me, when that bulky, monochromatic iPod still had moving parts, and many an internet meme bathed in making fun of a "wheel to replace a keyboard," I was not an Apple fan. 

My First Review: Keen Newport H2

Ignore the horizon, I'm really free-climbing.

I never write reviews. I don't know why, but the length of the review below is probably a pretty good reason. Who wants to read anything that long, just to see if you like a shoe, or a backpack. Anyways, I recently received a request from Zappos, and I thought, "Why not?"

Stuff: Remediation Realization

Image: Flickr, deeplifequotes

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Last time on A Collector's Tale: We learned I was selling all my stuff (you can still buy some here: http://www.amazon.com/shops/atheriusgames). Some friends had found out, and started to think I was a 34-year-old version of The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

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So, there I was, called out. The incarnate of  some real-life version of a Judd Apatow movie. I certainly wasn't looking forward to the waxing scene. Put simply, the facts were hard to dismiss:

• I was a collector of things, many of which were toy related… check.
• I kept them all in original, pristine packaging… sure, but doesn't everyone… check.
• I recently met an incredible woman, that was helping influence and change my life for the positive… absolutely, unequivocally, check. 
• … who was also helping to ensure everything was packaged and shipped with precise caution and care… this isn't helping my case… [sigh] check.
• I wanted to get laid… this one isn't fair…check.

Now, wait a minute.

Stuff: A Collector's Tale

Image: Flickr, BuzzFarmers

Stuff. I have a lot of it, or at least I did. I still do really, even after selling quite a bit. 

Despite the precarious mountain that still exists, I've steadily worked to detach myself from "stuff" over the last few weeks - working with a goal to replace "stuff" with experiences.