I’ve come to realize I will misplace, forget, or quickly use up a supposedly reasonable supply of something once it becomes important to me and is invariably discontinued or missing at a dire moment. It’s made me a collector, even something of a pack rat.
As a result, I’m of the mind there are certain things it’s always good to have more than a singleton of – items of clothing you’ll wear over and over again in between laundry loads, from outfit to outfit; spare keys; “fake-my-own-death” plans…
A therapist might diagnose this as a symptom of something dysfunctional, but my habit of having spare house keys for my family, for every bag I might use outside the apartment, and to inevitably lose, requiring more copies (so it helps to have five originals) has prevented a great deal of worry and headache.
What about you, Crassholes? Do you practice the idea that there can never be too much or too many of a good thing, and is there anything unusual you or someone you know keeps similar (or even identical) versions of? Do you have two of the same dress (maybe even in different sizes)? Four pans of the same eyeshadow (same shade, different brands) or jewelry item? Three of the same tech gadget, just for your use? Glasses (perhaps reading or sunglasses, scattered throughout your house in various spots to have handy)? Copies of the same book? Two copies of a pet toy for your one destructive pupper? Four of the same Pokemon card or a collectible Beanie Baby* – some for you, and some to sell when they become hugely profitable (of course)? Multiple boxes of cold medicine** so you never have to run to the store while sick as a dog? Five copies of the same issue of Penthouse or Betty Crocker cookbooks (acquired and used with equal enthusiasm)? Condiments? Emergency kits? Taxidermied foxes? Copies of the same album?
Tell me what, and tell me why or how.
*Remember that shit?
**…Not for nefarious purposes, of course, on the likelihood the economy breaks down and you have to turn to unusual goods to sell…