Fear not, dear Banditas and Bandmates, I am not obsessed with spiders. Nor are there any scary bug pictures in this post. Phew! BUT, I came across an article (while following a rabbit trail of research I no longer recall) stating that Dominic Monaghan is heading to Africa in search of the rare Hercules Baboon Spider. You may remember Dominic from the Lord Of the Rings movies and Lost.
Dominic, it turns out, is an avid insect and reptile collector. He is also, apparently, a young actor with way too much time and money on his hands. The Hercules Baboon Spider, which is approximately the size of a dinner plate, is quite rare and has not often been seen. One was found by a biologist in Nigeria in the early 1900s and is now on display at the Natural History Museum in London. That was the last verified sighting. If Dominic finds one, he will earn a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records. Hm.
This made me quite curious about obsessions. Why this spider? Why now? It may be somehow related to his recent break-up with his Lost co-star Evangeline Lilly. Perhaps heartbreak has driven him to search for giant arachnids! Maybe it's simply an obsession he can't escape. The giant spider taunts him and haunts his dreams or something. 
I will admit I obsess about things. Lots of things. I obsess about songs and play whatever is my current favorite over and over until it drives my family insane. I can get an obsession on like nobody's business! I drove 10 hours each way to see an indie rock band that I had seen several times before. I have foregone food, exercise and the company of loved ones because I didn't want to mess up my hair. I have searched for the past five years for the perfect black leather jacket - even searching Manhattan - to no avail. So, I have a great deal of compassion and empathy for poor Dominic. That said, I am fairly certain I would never, under any circumstances feel compelled to beat the bushes in Africa looking for a giant spider. This spider, by the way, is a bird eater. Does Dominic really think his collection of insects and reptiles would be safe with this beast around? And really, is the mention in Guinness worth it? I'm unconvinced. But I bet you anything Dominic will let his obsession be his guide, whether it's good for him or not.
What about you? Have you ever obsessed for something (or someone) you knew was bad for you? If so, did you pursue it (or her/him) anyway? A lucky commenter will win a $15 Amazon gift card, so do tell!
94 comments:
Has he come back to Australia
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, congrats on nabbing the GR! I'm sure my tardy post threw off the competition, you sly thing!
Great post Caren I saw one of those spiders on a documentry years ago the are huge I wouldn't want to be near one ever, spiders don't bother me but one that big would.
I don't think I am obsessed with anything other than books I must have them and I will spend hours in second hand bookstores trying to find out of print books from authors that I have found and loved their work ( I carry a list with me) I order anything from 6 or more books every month and shop at target for any others I can find. My TBR pile now numbers about 180 and I am waiting for 6 more to be delivered.
I have seen Rod Stewart in concert everythime he has come to Australia since I was 15 years old and I have everyone of his albums from the very first one so I guess that is another obsession.
Have Fun
Helen
First, I just have to throw this out there - I wonder if Dominic's obsession with spiders et al had anything to do with his breakup with Evangeline? I know I wouldn't want to share living space with spiders.
I'm not an overly obsessive type of person. It might have something to do with other family members cornering the market on obsessive behavior, I don't know - haven't figured that out yet. The closest I came to an obsession was back in the 80s when I fell in love with this local band and followed them around Massachusetts and Connecticut to hear them play. Does that count?
Hey, Caren, long time no "see" - how are things?
Best always,
Margay
Helen, after reading your comments about your towering TBR pile, I think it certainly qualifies as an obsession. Of course, I tend to think of books as a healthy obsession.
After all, they have no fat or calories, are low in sodium, travel well and are ready whenever you want them. So, obsess on, Helen!
At least books are generally more available than, say, the perfect black leather jacket.
Margay, welcome back to the Lair! Long time, no see, sweetie. (Okay, that's my fault, but still!)
I expect there could be something to the insects and reptiles being behind the breakup. I did read that Dominic appears to have broken up with Evangeline, but it could have been because she was unaccepting of his particular obsession. It makes the writer in me very curious!
As to following the band around the state in the 80s, yes, darling it qualifies as an obsession. The nice thing about being obsessed with a band is, you usually get over it. After you've seen them 20 times in 15 different venues, listened to their music ad nauseum, pimped them to friends, posted on their MySpace page, connected with fellow fans and worked on the street team, it can all start to feel like work - my least favorite thing. Not that I speak from experience or anything.
Great to have you here, Margay. You should swing by more often!
Hi Caren, loved your post! If you find that jacket, please let me know. I'm very obsessive about certain things--fortunately, writing is one of them! Recently, I became obsessed with ordering stationery featuring the cover for The Dangerous Duke but I managed to rein in my expenditure before things got too serious.
Like you, I can play the same song over and over, although I try to save my obsessive playing for when I have headphones on or when everyone is out. Hmm, I'm sure there are other things, like books, of course. When I find an author I love, I immediately glom all of her books. I read them far too quickly and then have to go back and reread them. Better stop there or I'll sound really nuts!
Helen, dear, your obsession for Rod Stewart (and perhaps Tim Tams, as well) is well-established. We are all jealous of your getting to see Rod so often. He never comes where I live!
Christine, I'm so glad you were able to put down the credit card. I swear, the Internet has simply ENABLED those of us who are obsessives, hasn't it?
Backlists, oh my! I'm just the same. When I find a new author or band I want everything they've ever produced. I have worked to pace myself and have tried things like asking friends if they have certain books or CDs, checking with the library for books. Still, that all takes much more time and effort than going to Amazon and having it all arrive like magic on your doorstep!
As to the black leather jacket, be assured that when I find it, I will have one of the fam take pictures and I will post them to our loop. I don't anticipate it will happen until the recent trend toward short jackets ENDS. Short jackets are not for tall girls with wide hips. Ack!
Spiders with breakfast, thanks, Caren. I guess I've now learned my lesson not to read the bandit blog while eating.
I also saw some documentary that mentioned those huge spiders. No thanks. The ones I get in my house are big enough.
I'm not an obsessive person either. I don't have a huge tbr list or any action I'm totally in love with.
Ha! You are so funny! At least I didn't start a fan club for them! I read here about someone's obsession with books and it made me think of the piles of books I have everywhere that are tbr, to be re-read, on my wish list, etc - gee, until this moment I didn't think reading was an obsession, I just thought it was a good way to pass the time. Now that I think about it, however, I have to admit that it must be pretty obsessive when, even though you have enough books in your tbr pile to build a staircase to the moon, you still go out and buy more books to read or borrow from the library or your mother. Yeah, I guess I have an obsession with books. But please don't refer me to a 12-step program for it - this is one obsession I'd never give up! And yes, I will have to try to stop by more often. Time is a little tight since I got a new diagnosis on my younger daughter - in addition to the bipolar, she's now been confirmed as an Asperger's kid, which means that I've been obsessively (ha!) researching the 'net about it when we're not in therapy for it. Ah, the joys of parenting...but that's another topic for another day.
Margay
Okay, I didn't have superstitions, but I do have obsessions. Luckily they're transient. It used to be that when I misplaced something, like a favorite pen, I would keep looking WAY past when other people would give up. Looking, looking. WHERE IS IT? I made myself get over that.
I'll also play a song over and over, milking every inflection, nifty chord change, etc. until I'm sick of it. If I find an actor I really like, I'll look up his old stuff and watch it, although I won't watch out of my favorite genres (no horror, thanks). Mostly I get obsessive about the instant feedback of the Internet. I usually have to go cold turkey for a few days to break that cycle, so when I disappear, that's why.
Oh geez, in high school I wasn't just a fan, I was mighty obsessed with Star Trek. Nope, no uniform to school, but did wear my pin for a good amount of time one year. LOL Still a fan, but vastly less visible of one. LOL
Today, I usually am in a bookstore, and will always pick something up. But that's a good obsession, however. :)
Lois
One of my life's goals is to hug a brown bear, not a tiny black one. Those visit our back yard in the spring. Those don't count. I'm talking about a bona fide large, live (and oh so very cute and cuddly) brown bear. I have followed research about, read magazine articles on, and chatted via e-mail with people who work with brown bears (not in circuses or zoos), but conservation and propagation.
Another life goal is to hold a mountain gorilla's hand. These gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and the Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). Again, lot of background work has gone on with this obessions. In addition, I've adopted one from the Karisoke (Dian Fossey's) foundation. Bikereri is so cute.
Spiders give me the heebee jeebees. As big as a dinner plate?? Eeek. Imagine how badly it would hurt when they bite you. Nope. Doesn't matter what happens to me. I'd never be compelled to seek one such as these out.
Spiders?! Yuck!
I get obsessed with songs, hearing a certain one for months and months until it bores me. And, of course, books. That's my no.1 obsession, can't help it.
And oh! gummy bears. I eat them until they make me sick.
I'm afraid my first thought about him snagging one of those things out of the wild is how awful it would be for the spider. Think about it, the poor fellow is just trolling along, maybe letting his latest feathered dinner settle, and he's swept up and re-located to some cage or something. That would be so cruel.
I think I got all my obsession stuff out as a teen. If I got a crush on a boy, I stalked. But musicians in general were my thing. At 15 I was positive I would marry Joe Elliott. LOL! Yes, I was dillusional, but the moment I realized this would never happen, I assure you I was crushed.
Now it's just books. Topping the 200 mark on the TBR pile and still buying. And since I hate to give books up after reading them, I've never checked a romance out of the library. *sigh* I need to learn to let go.
Helen, I am so with you on the book obsession thing. Sometimes I believe I enjoy ordering them more than reading them. At least, ordering is quicker!
You see, I like reading multiple books at a time and one of my greatest fears is about NOT having a good book to read! Sometimes I save one I'm sure will be superb just so I can savor it later.
Without a doubt I have the book OCD. 200 is a small tbr list lol. I have more books than can be read in a couple of lifetimes but I can't stop getting more - buying, winning, flea markets - you name it. And they have to be in alphabetical order lol. And I can't give any of them away - I will loan them to dependable people but I WANT THEM BACK.
My other biggest obsession is an internet game called diamond mine (bejeweled). I can play it hours and hours on end and of course get nothing done when I do.
Does a chocolate obsession exist... as I can't live one day without having tasted some chocolate!
Other than this little 'caprice' I am not the obsessive type :)
I am not an obsessive person, however I agree that I have more books than I could read in a lifetime, so I guess collecting books must be my obsession!
I also love recycling, whether it is paper or clothes that I don't wear now, so spring cleaning always takes another meaning and I don't why but it just brings me a boost of energy to do so!
Christie, you are among the blessed ones. You guys with no obsessions are so lucky! I can't tell you how much time and money I would save if I didn't have to find that one catchy song from 1983 that I've been longing to hear for 20 years or more.
Okay, found it! It was JoBoxer's "Just Got Lucky". Must...order...from...eBay!
Margay, don't be afraid. No one here will steer you toward a 12-step program to kick your book addiction. Matter of fact, we're enablers. See the pretty books? Such friendly covers. Let the pages flip through your fingertips...*eg*
So sorry to hear about your daughter. But knowing is better than not knowing. I have a friend whose son was diagnosed as Asperger's when he was 19, I think. It was quite a relief, because at least then they knew how to help him. I hope the therapy helps with that!
Esri, given the conversation we had about You Tube yesterday, I am not shocked to find out that you may have an obsession or two. *g*
Looking for lost things WAY after it's time to let it go? I identify with that. I lost a favorite earring at church about a month ago. I look for it every time I go into the church. Not in a tear-the-place-apart way, but I am looking along the edges of the walls, in the lost-and-found box, in my Sunday school room. No earring. Worst part? It was one of my ORANGE earrings! I'm in mourning for it.
The obsessive song play? I try to limit that to my iPod and the car these days. Sometimes I don't realize I've played the same CD over about 20 times until one of my daughters says, in a pained voice, "Can we please listen to something besides Belle and Sebastian?"
They aren't too hard on me, though, because I hear them singing along to the same song over and over on their iPods. Isn't it terrible what we pass along to our kids?
Lois, did you ever get to a Star Trek convention? Those always looked SO FUN, but they never had one in a town where I lived.
I love it that you had the pin! My gynecologist has one and she wears it proudly on her lab coat. She's had it every time I've seen her, including during the delivery of my daughters. It always made her seem so very human to me. A person before a doctor, you know? Maybe you should wear yours to work! *g*
And remember, books are a healthy obsession (no fat or calories, high in fiber!).
Keira, should we worry about you and the brown bears? I take it they are rather friendlier than black bears and grizzlys and such. When you finally get to hug one, make sure someone takes pictures. We will all want to see!
It's wonderful you've adopted one of the African mountain gorillas. Holding hands with one certainly would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I can tell we will have to put a GPS on you once the kids are grown. *g*
Wendy, the songs and books afflict so many of us! But in addition to books being healthy, I think songs are, too. If you make sure to shake your booty while you listen (or at least chair dance) and sing at the top of your lungs, it's practically an aerobic activity!
Um, am I enabling again?
Terrio, I had the same thought. The biologist who found the one in 1904 in Nigeria did what with this marvelous specimen? Plopped it in formaldehyde (or whatever) and put it on display in a museum in London. I felt sorry for that spider and scratched my head at a naturalist wanting to take things from nature. Then again, he didn't exactly have a digital camera handy, so I suppose we should cut him some slack.
Dominic is another story. I can't believe he thinks the spider would be happier in his house than in its natural environment. I suppose his obsession is blinding him.
And who could blame you for Joe Elliott? Def Leppard totally rocked! My younger daughter is currently obsessed with Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and is convinced she will marry him. Never mind that half the under-18 girls in the USA think the same thing. Somehow she is sure this will happen. Poor baby. It will be so heart-breaking when she realizes that won't happen. Or maybe it will. Who am I to naysay her dreams?
Btw, I see Joe is still married to Kristine and lives in Dublin. But anything could happen and who wouldn't love living in Ireland?
Jo, I'm so glad I'm not the only one with several books going at a time. I usually have one beside my bed, one in my bag for work, and even one for the car (for when I'm stuck waiting for tardy children who should have finished whatever activity 15 minutes ago). Sometimes I'm so thrilled to get an eagerly-anticipated book in my hands I start it immediately and ignore all the others until it's finished!
That has just happened with Sabrina Jeffries' "Let Sleeping Rogues Lie". Fabulous!
I think books are a healthy obsession too but I do spend a lot of time trying to get them in some order. When I was younger my hair was my obsession. My friends and I spent way too much time worrying about why our hair wouldn't do what we wanted it to.
Catslady, that is so funny that you can't give your books away! I have, over the years, done major book clearing. I recall before my son was born, I had a compulsion to get rid of many books I had from my adolescence. Since then (he's almost 22), I have re-bought copies of many of those books. I blame the compulsion to purge on hormones. I mean really, if I didn't love them, would I have kept them for years? I should have known!
But...er...you may need a consultation about the alphabetizing. *g* Actually, I have a good friend who feels life is not under control unless her books are alphabetized by author. Glad that one has never seized me!
Oh, and you HAD to mention Bejeweled, didn't you? How did you know I'm a non-playing Bejeweled-aholic? I went through the 12-step program and everything! My only hope is to stay far, far, FAR away from Bejeweled. I can still hear that comforting male voice saying, "Level complete". *sniff*
Nathalie, I am sure you're not alone. There is probably a Chocoholics Anonymous chapter near you. However, dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and eating a small amount every day is good for your cardiovascular health. Really!
I think chocolate, eaten in moderation of course, is better for you than, say, creme brulee. As far as obsessions go, yours is practically beneficial!
Lily, is there really such a thing as too many books? One day you will be finished with med school and your residency and life will be more or less manageable. Then, you'll look around and realize you have all those lovely piles of books to get through. What a blissful diversion they will be!
Oh, I envy you already. *g*
Wendy, I hear you on the Gummy Bears. For me, it used to be Hot Tamales. Before that, SweetTarts. Then, chewy SweetTarts. Then Pixie Sticks. Then Junior Mints. Oh, and Sugar Daddys had their day, as well. My younger sister is still mad for Spree!
Oh and Lily, recycling must be the healthiest obsession ever! I try to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever I get the chance.
I was indulging in another obsession yesterday (You Tube) and saw a Beck video with some sobering environmental statistics. Especially how many plastic bags we use in the USA every minute. It is astounding. I reuse bags or simply don't use them as often as I can. I carry bags in the car so I can take them in with me when I shop. I get strange looks some places, but other places actively encourage this. Go you, making a difference where you are.
May your spirit of spring cleaning visit my house SOON!
Maureen, books are indeed a healthy obsession. But I think you were a strong woman to kick the hair habit. I haven't managed that one yet. Oh, all right, I haven't even tried. *g*
I think of good hair as a kindness I do for those who have to look at me. I know, it's a total rationalization, but it's working for me. It is, at worst, a conceit on my part. I really enjoy having great hair! Btw, my hair looked really great all week. Because, naturally, I'm getting it cut Tuesday. It's a trick our hair plays on us!
Caren, what you wrote is funny... I still have 7 years to become a specialist and by then I don't know how many books I will have collected, and the problem in my case is that I love to read books in english, whereas my entire family prefers french... which means I am even more doomed and I am starting to miss space!
I agree that recycling and having some kind of order can be a healthy obsession :) Hoping the cleaning spirit visits your house! I know I do this with my mom, because it could be quite depressing to do alone!
Lily, you may have to rent a storage unit for your books. *g* Either that or make friends with someone who has a wall of bookshelves they don't use!
My dream is to one day have a real office in my house where I can have my desk and computer, a filing cabinet and walls of bookshelves. Maybe if I move all my books into a room of my own, my husband will be more tolerant of how very many I own!
Helen, congratulations on the bird! And books aren't an unhealthy obsession - they're an essential food group!
Caren, great post. Um, I think I could just copy my post from Trish's blog yesterday. Yes, I do get slightly (um, define 'slightly') obsessed. Richard Armitage, anyone? And I obessively hunt for out of print books I want too - it's such an amazing moment when I find them! I've always been a bit monomaniacal (define 'a bit') - I look back now and wonder how my parents ever survived my horse obsession when I was a wee gel. Honestly, I don't think I talked about anything else for about five years! And then there was the ballet obsession. And then there was the movie obsession. And then there was... Caren, no wonder we're buddies! ;-)
Caren, I was LOL about the post and shuddering about the very thought of a spider the size of dinner plate. UGH. Why would you go LOOKING for one??
To each their own, I reckon. (Shudders again)
Oh, and I must say, Helen adn Terrio, I love you both. :> You are a Readers Extraordinaire. I live to have my books be read by a wonderful avid reader like you two, and so many of our other Bandit Blog readers. Hugs to you and keep reading! Yeah! Oh, and congrats on the GR, Helen.
As a librarian's daughter w/ a library degree, I do NOT consider book collecting an obsession. That's my story and I'm sticking too it because the house is filling fast... Grins.
Keira, I'm with you, but I'm a Big Cat fan. I support a group called Carnivore Preservation Trust. They're not too far from you, Caren. I used to sponsor a Snow Leopard (hear me sigh) who was just stupendous. When he passed, I just supported their work in general as my tithe to the Universe. :>
I'm also a huge wash-the-tinfoil recycling fan. My DH thinks I'm obsessive, but I'm just progressive. (Another story I'm sticking to!)
Hmmm, perhaps I'm more obsessive than I thought...
When I was younger I wanted this pair of expensive Nike sneakers. It was decided by all that I would have to pay for them myself. I did many chores before I was able to purchase them. I was extremely happy with my sneakers until several months later when a new style came out, replacing the pair I have. Fads and styles change on a dime, so I've learned to buy cheaper sneakers, although I still covet the expensive ones.
Lets see...I obsess about research books. Can't have enough of them. Granted the library isn't far away and the internet only a click or two, but there's something so verifiable about finding a fact in a book from your own private stock.
While working on Mrs. Brimley I became obsessed with pink corsets. I have magnets, mugs, pictures,a tealight (thank you Anna) - I'm surrounded by corsets!! Now all I need is a waist. *g*
Since writing The Trouble with Moonlight, I'm been obsessed with symbols of the moon. These, I might add, are easier to find than corsets. But I have tons of moon paraphenalia. Do you see a trend?
Guess I need to write a book about chocolate...or fabulous designer clothes. However, as I'm at the mercy of my imagination, the next will probably feature frogs...or spiders (eek!) One never knows -
Foanna, I'm surprised you were able to tear yourself away from the North & South vid to even comment on today's blog! *g*
Oh, your girlhood horse obsession sounds like my oldest sister's. She is also an artist, so as well as owning and riding, she also drew them, painted them and taught herself leatherworking so she could tool saddles and belts and boots, etc. It was hard on the rest of us. *g*
My youngest has a friend she's known since kindergarten who is in my Girl Scout troop. This child was obsessed for AT LEAST 3 years with cats. She could talk of nothing except her kitties. The other girls would try to get her on other subjects, but invariably the conversation ended up back on cats. It was quite trying. They are in 8th grade and somewhere in 7th, I believe, is when she figured out that having a single topic of conversation could be social suicide. *g*
We're glad you moved on to Richard Armitage, Fo. I find him easier to discuss than fetlocks and withers!
Jeanne, I'm familiar with the Carnivore Preservation Trust. They do wonderful work and are only about 45 minutes from here. The stories of the cats they rescue are often sad and sometimes quite horrifying. It's amazing how many people believe they can raise a big cat from a kitten and have a PET. People are not very intelligent at times.
I'm glad you support their work. It's terrible that more work is not done to keep wild animals safe from the people who would abuse them or try to domesticate them. There was a really tragic story here about a family who had a tiger, I think it was, kept as a pet and it mauled their younger son. Not the cat's fault, but the little boy was blinded in one eye and has facial scarring that left him permanently disfigured. Very sad!
Good on you for washing your foil! I just washed some myself. *g*
I have to admit I'm rather flighty, so I'll be obsessed with something for a bit and go nuts, then be done with it. For example Raoul Bova. :D Ok - so if I think about him, I'm still obsessed. When I first discovered him, I tried to rent all the movies he'd starred in. I only got Under the Tuscan Sun, Avenging Angelo, and Facing Windows/Il Finestra di Fronte, and I caught the end of Alien vs. Predator on TV right before he died and chuckled to myself. I also googled a ton of his pictures and saved them.
So... would that count as an obsession? It was intense while it lasted... otherwise, my obsession is books. I'm a professional student, so this is bad. But I'll visit about 100 blogs/boards a day, and I have book release dates set in my google calendar, starting a week before the release date and weekly reminders. I spend hours a day reading too. I recently went a bit nuts, and created spreadsheets of all the books I have, in alphabetical order, including publisher, list price, what I paid for it, etc. I just cleared out my closet shelfs for book space too.
Oh, Jane, isn't sneaker envy horrible when you're young? For me, it was the checkerboard Vans like Spiccoli had in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High". I actually got a pair (not sure how THAT happened), except they were blue checkerboard rather than black. They were THE STUFF where I lived in a suburb of Houston...then we moved.
When we landed in Charlotte, NC, no one else had Vans of any color. Finally one extra-cool Indian guy got a pair of black ones, so we were cool together. *g* It's hard to be fashion forward! Those things are STILL AROUND! (Though mine were "recycled" long ago, sadly.)
Oooh, LimeCello, I love you too. You set GOogle alerts for releases? Wow. What a great idea...(off to check how to make this work on my google...)
I agree books are a healthy obsession and I love it BTW Catslady mine are in alphabetical order as well I have 2 1/2 bookshelves with books I have read and 1 1/2 with books waiting to be read. My March releases from Rendezvous will be arriving tomorrow I can't wait and I have a 2 page list of books that I must have that I carry everywhere I go incase I find a shop I can look in for them LOL.
Have Fun
Helen
Yippie!! I made it back to the Lair, and you are talking about giant spiders!!! OMG!!! There is no way you would get my anywhere near that thing! I don't even like the little bity ones around here.
As far as obession goes, I really can't think of anything. I mean I am a little OCD, but does that really count?!!?!!
Great to be back with you all.
Limecello, your obsession with Raoul Bova definitely counts! The fact that your obsession was brief doesn't signify, it's the intensity that matters. For that reason, I go along with (or maybe I enable) my daughter's OJD (Obsessive Jonas Disorder). I know it won't last forever, but denying her the latest issue of Faces or Life Story will only prolong the obsession. Eventually, she'll realize she knows all she will ever know and that, perhaps, less is more. Maybe.
As to books, welcome to the Obsessive Book Disorder home page! *g* You are in fine company, my friend, and no one will attempt to steer you to a 12-step program. Promise!
Donna, whenever you write your chocolate book, I'm available for research assistant duty. Hey, I'll bet Nathalie would help you too! You might need a budget for research for that book.
Jeanne, back away from the Google Alerts...slowly...Really, do you need something else to keep up with? Pish!
Buffie, darling, welcome back! Sorry about the giant spider, but at least I refrained from pictures. I had a great one, too, but then recalled prior conversations about how some people don't even like to see a picture. Aren't I a model of self-restraint? *snork*
And...er...I hate to break it to you, but if you are a tad OCD, then the "obsession" is rather built in. No need to go borrowing trouble by fixating on one thing when you can be content with a dozen or more, right? ;-)
Helen, I lament your lack of local bookstores with romance sections. The horror! When you come visit the USA, you'll have to head straight to a bookstore and load up. Bring an extra trunk!
My thoughts exactly Caren. My obessions change with the wind!
Oh, and thanks for not posted the picture. I'm sure I would have thought I felt something crawling on my all night long :)
Oh, Buffie, the horror on my large monitor would have been too much! I don't mind the smallish ones much, but those big things look furry. *brr* And did you see that this spider Dominic is after is listed as a bird eater. How in the world does a spider catch a bird?! It boggles the mind...
Hey, Limecello, nice to see you in the lair! I must check out that guy you're talking about - I had a slight obsession with Stefano Dionisi at one stage (still waiting for the definition of 'slight'). He was in Farinelli il Castrato and a couple of other rather obscure films but seriously, he was just gorgeous! Actually, now I think about it - he was a bit Richard Armitageish with a long nose and intense expression until he smiled. I do think most of us have a type we go for.
Buffie, we've missed you, gal! Where have you been? And I've got to say the idea of a spider that eats birds is a bit scary, even for a big tough Aussie. And yeah, sorry to break it to you, but OCD DOES count! ;-)
How does a spider catch a bird? He climbs a tree, of course. As the past owner of a number of tarantulas I have no problem with Dominic's obsession as long as he leaves the highly endangered spider alone! They are fascinating creatures. I used to sit and watch mine spin webs and cocoons. Even I, however, would not want a giant bird eater in my house. I did have a "pacman" frog the size of a dinnerplate for years. He ate mice and basically served as an object of wonder for my students.
I too suffer from book OCD. I have no clue how many books are in my TBR pile, but trust me it is over 100. Yes, mine are shelved alphabetically too. I am currently in the process of entering them in Library Thing so I don't have to carry around my notebooks that list what books I have by each author. And once I read someone whose work I love I will move heaven and earth to find their backlist. I never give books away. I never know when I might want to read them again. Currently my obsession includes adding books to my Regency research library. Any suggestions, ladies? Just got THE ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE : A GRAND TOUR by Gervase Jackson-Stops. GORGEOUS!
I'm a musician! Of course I have obsessions!
Milo's iced tea, Earl Gray's hot tea and chocolate - must have some of each at least once a day. I think I need to become obsessed with exercise.
Caren, I too take my own shopping bags with me. Get some strange looks here in Alabama, but I am considered a little odd anyway. (She listens to that opry stuff and I ain't talking about Loretta Lynn!)
And good on you, Helen! The GR was craving some sunshine and tim tams!
Foanna, there is comfort in knowing oneself. At least you have the distance to see that you are attracted to a certain type. Interestingly, my husband was not a man I considered "my type". That is, until I realized that my lifelong obsession with Kurt Russell was no fluke. My husband is quite Kurt-like in appearance. *g*
Doglady, I should not be surprised you had a tarantula or the ginormous frog but somehow I was. I'm sure the tarantula was fascinating.
I recall visiting my (reclusive) Uncle's house in Atlanta once. He had a gorgeous garden spider who had spun a web across half his dining room. He was quite upset when my mother insisted on moving the spider outside and clearing out the spiderweb so we could, you know, eat dinner. *g*
Hey, you can join the OBD club with everyone else! You alphabetizers may need to form your own "special interest" chapter. *g*
Chiming in very late here and what I have to say is not really a secret......
My name is Dianna, and I am a book-aholic. My TBR pile is out of control and STILL I keep buying books. What is the term for someone that has gone beyond obsession? If there is such a term then it was created for me.
The good news is, being here in the lair, I never feel alone in this obsession.
Congrats to you, Helen on bringing the GR to roost!
Caren, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be hunting for a spider as big as a dinner plate and capable of eating a bird. ICK! The 2-inch long banana spiders we used to have when we lived in Florida were bad enough. *shiver*
Obsessions, huh? I'd have to confess to being a book-a-holic. If I'm within 100 yards of a bookstore, I MUST stop in. I love to search websites for new authors and books. I read my RT magazine in search of something or someone I haven't read before, as well as those must buy authors.
Yep, never met a bookstore or aisle I never liked...well maybe ones centered on giant spiders!
I think chocolate, eaten in moderation of course, is better for you than, say, creme brulee. As far as obsessions go, yours is practically beneficial!
Caren, bless your little enabler heart. Not only do you enable all the book-aholics you enable the chocoholics as well. *eg*
Boy, what a topic, Caren! I think I definitely have obsessive tendencies... these days they're mostly in pursuit of books (I've done the whole tracking down of authors' out-of-print backlists on eBay and all that... eek!) and books are fast filling most free space in the house (much to my DH's dismay, although there are far worse obsessions, really!).
And Caren, I totally feel for you on that errant earring! I HATE to misplace anything, and I will totally take my house apart to re-locate something... not always successfully, but I can't stop until I've done it.
I truly envy those of you with no obsessions!
But uh, absolutely no interest in tracking down spiders of any size--I'd really be far more invested in keeping as much distance between them and me as possible, especially those PLATE-sized ones! Gack!
Congrats on the GR, Helen!!
Books is my obsession. I always have to have a book with me no matter where I go. I do collect books.
[everyone together] "Welcome, Dianna!"
You are among friends here at the Obsessive Book Disorder Club. As someone whose obsession extends, as you confessed, beyond the bounds of obsession proper, we offer you complimentary charter membership!
If we ever pull off that bake sale we keep discussing, the Club will be happy to present you with a rooster-shaped Charter member pin and a glossy picture of Richard Armitage (only slightly drooled-upon). Your picture may or may not appear on the official OBD website (if it's ever developed).
Unfortunately, the plan remains forever a plan because none of the members can remove their noses from a book long enough to do anything!
Oh, well. Now, where was I? Oh yes: Anthony glowered at the groups of friends he'd had since his days...
Suz, Amy S. and beloved Fedora, welcome to the Club! Really, if I could get Foanna's nose out of that book, I'm sure she could whip us up some membership cards.
Certainly Cassondra or Jeanne could get us organized - they are ACE at that sort of thing. But, um, I seem to have misplaced them. Oh, they must be hiding in the "stacks" (which is what Jeanne insists on calling her TBR piles - daughter of a librarian you know, WITH a library degree of her own).
I suppose, though, we could forget the whole "getting organized" bit and just sit down somewhere and ignore each other while we read our books. *g*
Dianna, I am always happy to enable - I mean, help - a friend. Just remember my rationalization - er, reasoning - the next time you indulge your chocoholism. *g*
Hear, hear, Caren! Let's forgo organization and just read. I've had a "day" and I need the mental space a book provides. Grins. And, since I didn't win the HGTV Dream Home AGAIN this year, I guess I'll be reading at my own little humble abode tonight. Ha!
Caren, your blog today sponsored a lot of google searches with the kids for pictures of bird eating spiders! My dad had a tarantula when I was growing up. He didn't want to have it de-venom-ized (thought that was cruel) so he gave it to a zoo when it got big enough to really bite. I have to admit, it was a cute bugger!
I share the obsession with finding a particular garment. I get something in my head (red chinos, right now) and will spend far too much time searching for this particular item.
Until the season changes and I lose interest, of course. I'm obsessive, but also have a short attention span. So that helps. ;-)
My biggest obsession, though...WRITING. Drove myself into a complete frenzy for about three years, absolutely determined to write something GOOD and SELL. Once I sold, the pressure came off a little, but I'm still pretty driven. I never understood people who talked about procrastinating instead of writing. What? Putting off writing? Still makes no sense to me. Writing is like lifeblood. There's no way I can NOT do it. :-)
Jeanne, I didn't know you were the competition for my HGTV Dream Home! *g* I never get any love from them. And that house they did in Texas last year was MADE for me! It had a cute little exercise room and a nifty office and everything. *sigh*
Oh, well. Guess we'll have to content ourselves in the stacks. Especially since you're bent on reading rather than color-coding things. *g*
Kirsten, my sister in pursuit of the perfect garment! Good luck with your red chinos. You know, I bet they would look FABULOUS with a black leather jacket that comes just past the hips, natural silhouette shape, deep vee collar, 2 or 3 buttons, straight cuffs, no belt. Yep, I can see it now.
Ooh, especially if paired with the ideal black leather boots I also haven't found!
Um, Kirsten you need to hang out with Doglady and bond over your love of tarantulas. I'm not sure the rest of us could really appreciate the "cute" part. I'm glad your kids were digging the giant spiders, though. It's amazing how many species of spiders are bird eaters. I was dumbfounded!
Y'all, thanks for playing with me and sharing your VIOs (Very Important Obsessions) with me. I'm afraid our infant Obsessive Book Disorder Club has already disbanded due to a serious lack of attention. Darn books!
I'm toddling off to bed now, so I can go work under the baleful eye of Big Brother tomorrow. *sigh* I only get to read at lunchtime there! Life is too cruel.
But that explains WHY I get sidetracked with stories like Dominic's. See what a lack of access to blogs does to a person? It's outrageous!
Doglady said:
Get some strange looks here in Alabama, but I am considered a little odd anyway. (She listens to that opry stuff and I ain't talking about Loretta Lynn!)
OMG! LoL! Doglady, I have a story about Loretta. I was running an event--The Legendary Songwriters' Acoustic Concert--in which we featured songwriters who had careers of hit songs spanning 20 years or more. One year Loretta (yes, THE Loretta) agreed to be our feature/finale act. Before her was an act that had written a number of Broadway hits including "New York, It's a Helluva Town". They were fun and hilarious. I was standing backstage at the Ryman Auditorium (a magic place) when the "New York" duo was on stage, and Loretta (who would take the stage next) was standing beside me. She asked for a bottle of water, which I fetched for her, and she said, "Who is that?" And I told her. And she said "And what did they write?" And I told her they wrote Broadway hits, and she said..."Oh. That's not my area," and turned to speak with her manager. It was one of those moments you never forget.
Caren, wonderful post. I've obsessed about men (well, BOYS) but not much since I was in my 20s and got married. I obsess about certain songs or artists and have to have ALL of their work. Now, not so much.
NOW I obsess about finding something I'm looking for that's exactly right. For instance, I want a nice, leather laptop case, and I've looked all over. All over the state, all over the internet...and I can't find the one that's exactly like the one I would design. I would pay a lot of money. But it's not out there--at least not in my price range. And I just won't buy it unless it's "the one." I will carry my laptop in a brown bag if I have to until I find "the one."
I'm that way about "stuff." If I have to pay money for it, I want it to be something I'll love. If it's not exactly the way I want it, I just won't buy it.
I'm currently obsessing over a coffee maker since mine, last week, went to the big Starbucks in the Sky.
Obsession? You mean like singing....."Spider Pig, spider pig, does whatever a spider pig does?"
:-) at Suz
Actually, I became obsessed with the Broadway musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". I've seen it over a dozen times and one time when it came to Louisville I went THREE times in one week to see it.
*sigh* I love it.
OH, and in my earlier years I was an Oakridge Boys groupie!
:-)
Imagine how badly it would hurt when they bite you.
Keira you wouldn't feel pain...not from the BLOODY STUMP!
God, I hate insects. Tonight I got out of my car and there was a bug...with LOTS of legs all around it's long little body sitting on my garage wall!
I sprayed 1/2 can of RAID on it and the other 1/2 just to make sure!
I am so with the spider haters here, if it has more than 4 legs keep it away from me! Everyone has their limits, mine happens to be 4 legs. You are not going to believe this but it was reading that put the fear of insects in me. Lenigen Versus The Ants, never even thought about bugs until then, add to that the experiences in junior high and seeing what they looked like under a microscope, nope, that done it for me. I would pick up a black snake and carry it home but a little pee ant gets on me and it is hysterics time. I got a lot of whoopin's over that.
Okay, note to self. Do NOT appear in Joan's vicinity dressed as a bug! It could prove hazardous to your health. She is the Scarface of bug killers. "Let me introduce you to my little can!"
Cassondra, what a great story. That is one of those once in a lifetime moments, isn't it?
Caren: You'd need to put a GPS unit on me with a camera, so you can see me holding hands with a mountain gorilla, hugging a brown bear, watching the Northern Lights in Alaska and Finland, and traveling to: Tibet, Bhutan, Laddakh, Galapagos Islands, and Antartica. Might as add petting penguin and a giant tortoise to my list of Keira-Animal Interactions (KAI).
Caren Crane said...
[everyone together] "Welcome, Dianna!"
You are among friends here at the Obsessive Book Disorder Club. As someone whose obsession extends, as you confessed, beyond the bounds of obsession proper, we offer you complimentary charter membership!
Dianna ooking up from book saying "What did I do? Where? When?
BTW, the above list (except for penguin and tortoise) is real.
OK. Going through this list, I see that you guys have been having fun at my expense. Well, when you receive those photographs of KAIs (Keira Animal Interactions), courtesy of Caren's GPS with camera, you'll know that I survived and be appropriately envious!!
Chocolate is good for you in all amounts, Caren, not just small portions. Forget the antioxidants. Think about the endorphins!! :)
Jeanne: I love how you express your obsession for snow leopards in a beatific manner "my tithe to the Universe." Yes, that's it. My KAIs are my tithes (don't laugh) to the universe, too.
Donna: Just keep writing about the Regency. They have morning chocolate, tight pants, afternoon tea, tight breeches, night parties...why they have chocolate, designer clothes, and more.
Donna: You're hilarious. A corset in need of a waist. :)
Cassondra: As a Seattleite, I almost split my sides laughing over your coffee maker heading for the "big Starbucks in the sky."
Joan: Are you sure your bug with all those legs bought it after being assaulted with only one measely can of Raid?
Keira wrote, "Imagine how badly it would hurt when they bite you."
Joan wrote back, "Keira you wouldn't feel pain...not from the BLOODY STUMP!"
Joan: From a spider bite, I could get slow poisoning and/or a ton of pain. With a bear tearing off a limb, I'd be in shock or lose consciousness. No pain there!!
Are you sure your bug with all those legs bought it after being assaulted with only one measely can of Raid?
Oh, now that's just evil!
Joan, tearing her bed apart and taking a baseball bat to bed with her.
Okay, I won't be looking for any enormous spiders either, but I do have an obsessive personality (in a good way). I too play my favorite songs (and YouTube videos) over and over. When I discovered the band HIM a few months ago, I went online to find out if they'd be touring the States anytime soon. As it happened, they were on the last legs of a U.S. tour before heading back to Europe. If my hubby wouldn't have thought me insane, I would have so loaded up the car and driven two states away to see them at Myrtle Beach. Alas, I'll have to wait until they hit the U.S. again.
Joanie....come just a little closer so I can *smack* that spider pig obsession out of you!
Cassondra, that is exactly the way I feel about the black leather jacket. I found one in NYC that could have been the one, but it was $400. Now, some people might be able to justify that, but not me! Not only must it be perfect, it must be at the right price. Life would be so much easier if I were rich!
Keep looking. I'm sure SOMEDAY we'll find what we're looking for.
Joanie, LOL on the Oakridge Boys! I think your evil garage-dwelling insect could be the heinous camel-back (or cave) cricket Cassondra and I were going on about. Eew!
Call Orkin, stat!!
Dianna, an overabundance of imagination can be problematic (as I find out OFTEN). But hey, you'll never have to worry about the effects of a spider bite, now will you? *g*
Keira, I knew it! I just had a feeling you had a whole LIST of things to do once you get rid of the kids. Just make sure they get used to you being gone and never try to move back home. *g* I hope they improve our on-body camera technology by then. I would hate to miss a second of your future adventures!
Trish, I TOTALLY would have gone to Myrtle Beach with you! I am often tempted to jump in the car and drive over there. It's only about 3-1/2 hours from here. I hate responsibility! And the day job! And all that other stuff that keeps me from making road trips! Except, of course, I really do adore my little family, so I suppose the sacrifice is worth it. *sigh*
love lifehouse
obesse with mtv.
my first love, i guess you could say, i was almost a stalker lol, but to be young and think he is a god from atlantis, well not exactly that, but thats how i felt about him, so so nice,sexy,snile, dimple, o yes i persue and caught him but then my shynees would burst out and all i could do was mumble noting good ,lol
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