Adult toys

We all know that adults have toys: electronics, cars, boats, clothes, or whatever takes your fancy. Here's something interesting to ponder:

When I worked at Microsoft I used to buy lots of toys (although not nearly as many as my roommate). Even though I frequently succumbed to my urges and purchased a new plaything, I never seemed to come to the end of my list. As I recall, the toys involved a computer (or three), bits for the computer, computer games, television, stereo amplifier, tape deck, CD-player, VCR, video camera, second car, house, synthesizer, exercise equipment, a few power tools, cable TV, and who knows what else.

Here's the interesting thing: After I left Microsoft and started working for myself I stopped buying toys, or at least slowed down. I originally assumed I would purchase more since having more free time, I'd need to find ways to fill it. This didn't happen.

Here's why (I think):

• I worked long and high-pressure hours at Microsoft, much more than now. After a particularly bad day, week, or month I'd go out and buy a toy because "I earned it."
  
• I had very little free time. Consequently, I had to squeeze the most enjoyment possible per hour of free time. Toys are one such technique. Now that I have more free time, I'm not as bent on maximizing the enjoyment.
  
• Naturally, I didn't like being stressed out. I often bought toys because, for at least a few hours, they provided an escape. Vacations are one such "toy" that solve this problem. Now that I'm much less stressed and enjoying what I'm doing, I don't have the same urge to escape.
  
• Speaking of vacations: Most of the reason I wanted to take them was so I could relax, and for whatever psychological reason there is, home didn't seem like a particularly good place to relax. (Probably because I took my work home.) I found that after I left Microsoft and could relax more often, my urge to vacate dissipated.
  
• And finally, my concept of money has changed. Because I work for myself, I can trade off the amount of work I do for the amount of money I earn. Hence, Time = Money. When I worked full time at Microsoft, I had to work full time no matter how much money I needed. Money was no longer equal to time. Instead, it was an allowance. And what do you do with an allowance? Spend it all on candy or at the movies since next week your parents will pay your stipend again. When time is money, you think twice about spending your money on candy and movies.

This is just something to think about for those of you that are toy-obsessed. Maybe you don't really want the toys you buy, just a different life.