The World of Junk and Stuff

    A thought occurred to me as some friends were up to visit this last weekend.  We really do live in a world of junk and stuff.  To the similar extent that we live, breathe and go to work with friends, family and acquaintances.  What we want to have around us as possessions and triumphs these things that help define our lives.  My hope here is to really take a look at what we want and why we need to search out those items which help us express the life in which we live.
    For over the last 25 plus years I have traveled the globe, toured the country, and been in over 20,000 families lives buying and selling all types goods in all types of scenarios. In that time I took an interest in the commonalities and the very difference in how we live in relationship to junk and stuff.  Don't make the misconception here that all the things in this world is just stuff or just some piece of junk.  Probably about 1 percent of all merchandise and goods in this world fall into the category of true importance and art i our world as we know this world.  For an example, lets look at a well know person in world history,  Leonardo Da Vinci .  Considered by many a true Master of the Arts, Sciences, and Literary Works.  His works can bring millions of Dollars, Euros, and Pounds.  In contrast an endless assortment of trinkets and toys being offered in the great museums in which his works are admired, pure junk and just some stuff.  Even if it says 'Limited Edition' or 'Collector Series' any where on it.
    My point is simply this, we are consumers and we delude ourselves by saying to our selves statements like 'This is worth.....'  Truth be told, "it", whatever "it" is, holds no value unless someone is willing to buy it for what you want.  Only a few items in this world hold more than just a monetary value.  Some very special items in our life hold tremendous value for only two reasons.  One, it represents a lasting memory in our lives that recalls stories that will be told all night and all of our life's.  The second, the item itself represents a lasting memory in all the world's history.  Believe me when I say just because Da Vinci owned a simple chair does not make the chair a valuable and important item,  The ownership does, however, connect us to a piece of the World's history.  The Manuscripts He created and filled out imaginations with wonder hold a true value to all. The personal items left to his student, Salai also hold value, but only to him.  Just in that the belt buckle that my Dad left me is a nice sterling silver buckle but is really only worth something to me.  Believe me when I say this - There is no money in this world that could replace the memories held in that buckle.  Sure, I could replace it but that buckle would not connect me to memories or to the history of my family.
     Over the course of this discussion I hope to explore many facets of our lives.  Talking straight about the junk and stuff in all our lives and why we just have to search out this stuff.  So, to all the speculators, dealers, and consumers out there be on notice, the time has come to accept the true value of the junk and stuff we hold so dear.
      If there is any particular thing or item you want to discuss or you think is something to talk about please let me know.  I will try my best to reveal the real nature and divulge the real value of what we are talking about.
Next up, the short life span of whats hot and whats not and why is that.  Is there really no permanance to anything anymore?

      The Junk Man