The Tyranny of "stuff"

I don't know about you, but I'm convinced that life used to be simpler. Right now, I'm pushed for time - I'm getting up early, working at my new job (which is great - Greenhouse really have lived up to expectations), getting home in the dark, going out most evenings (not many all-night raves or lock-ins these days)... repeat til bored. That'll take a while.

The bits in-between this routine, are spent tinkering with the random "stuff" that I've managed to acquire through being alive, and having enough money to pay for them.

What am I talking about? Pretty much anything you can buy in a shop:

- Computers: they're always going wrong. Then they wear out. Then you have to buy or build a new one, and figure out a way of getting all your data and software onto it. Then configure it, go "oooooh" at how fast it is, then spend time thinking about what to use it for.

- Hi-fi: They need cleaning, they need extended warranties, vibration-proof racks, cable tidies, upgrades, gold-plated cables. Didn't it all used to come in one box?

- Mobile phones: ringtones, downloads, upgrades, special offers, battery chargers, carry cases, fiddling around mis-typing text messages, worrying if you're out of range, wondering if you can hear the damn thing ringing in your winter coat.

- Kitchens: extended warranties on the oven, hob, fridge, freezer, toaster, microwave and kettle? Non, merci.

- Cars: time to get it serviced AGAIN? Has that tax disc gone up since last year? The AA are charging WHAT?? Is my fuel consumption okay? Will it start in this cold weather? Which garage is selling petrol for under £1?

- Websites: I'll just check my email. And the other email. And my Gmail. And Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, the forums, the BBC site, my Flickr feed, and some other thing I've forgotten the username and password for.

And finally, there's Christmas: planning for all of the above, only for other people. *Cue evil grin.*
I could go on, but you see what I'm getting at? We're slaves to our material possessions. I'm starting to wish I lived in a cave, with just a fire and a spear for company. But no doubt someone would try to sell me insurance and a 3-year extended warranty.

So, excuse me if I'm a little late in replying to your emails (I had 55 in my inbox yesterday), but I'm busy with *stuff*. I'll let you know when it's all taken care of!

Pete.