Day 198 -Interview

 INTERVIEW

Prompt - Write based on a recent interview you've read or seen on TV or heard on the radio.

"I'd like to start at the end if that's OK with you.  You've had this addiction - is it fair to call it that? - you've had it for over three years now, but this time you feel you are really able to give up?  What makes you confident that you'll see this through?"

"I suppose it's the realisation that I do have a problem, and have ended up wasting a lot of money.  I've got a lot of good things out of it too, and enjoyed the process that's involved, but it was leading me to pledge for a lot of stuff I didn't really need."

"But you have had some useful items out of it?"

"Yes, loads, including some that get used near enough every day.  Others that have proven very useful.  But there are a couple I've never used at all, and may never do.  And one bought as a present that turned out not to be suitable."

"And what about the projects that have never delivered?"

"Well, after the experience with Breton it's hard to say.  That went on for about three years, and eventually delivered something, just not what I'd pledged for - although at least the backpack I did get has seen plenty of use since it arrived.  But that has left me with a ridiculous optimism for a couple of projects which are clearly dead, and never coming back.  If there's something you really need then don't try to get it through a crowdfunding site.  It'll almost certainly be much later than you were promised, and the need for it may have gone by the time it does arrive.  If at all.  Even if the Breton bag I coveted had managed to be produced it wouldn't have been as useful an item as I'd hoped.  The use case had shifted over the three years and I had purchased better alternatives in the meantime."

"So you are still optimistic about the ones you haven't got yet?"

"Not if I'm honest with myself!  The Pluvi umbrellas are clearly never going to be produced - which is no great loss really, except in the money invested.  I'm more frustrated by the loss of the voice recorder pen, which I really had hoped would be useful to me.  I should look for an alternative.  But not on Kickstarter!  There's also a camera tripod I've been waiting for for a long long time.  It might still appear, but I no longer care."

"What are the best things you've bought through the crowdfunding sites?"

"If we're just talking about actual useful objects, rather than arts related projects, then the wallet I use every day, the Solgaard backpack that has been an excellent shopping bag.  I haven't used the Solgaard suitcase very often yet, and covid's ensuring I won't, but when I have had it with me it's been brilliant.  The shelving unit works really well.  Also got a lot out of some tech items like the two mini laptops.  And come Spring I intend to get a lot of use out of my ebike and all the related items I've got."

"And the most useless?  I've never used the Safy bag, it's too small inside to be of much practical use, and there's another bag my DSLR sits in, but which has never been out yet.  But perhaps the most useless was the one that started me off, the Sequent watch.  Took years to deliver, I wore it for less than two months when the glass cracked.  Sent it back, which cost me, waited a long time for it to return, then it finally came back - and lasted only a few weeks before packing up.  A lesson i should have learned!"

"And are the items you still await going to be of much use?"

"I'm looking forward to the new winter jacket and hat.  And the mini mouse should be a good companion for my new Chromebook, since it's to be used for travel.  And yet another backpack could be the one I really want for my long walks, assuming I'm still up to them.  That's the trouble with crowdfunding, by the time you get what you pledged for your own life has moved on.  That's one of the reasons for giving up now."

"Finally, you say you'll continue backing music projects.  Will you be able to restrict yourself?"

"Yes, because I'm doing them for the artists as much as for myself, so the motive is different.  I like the feeling of being a tiny part of that creative process and will keep on with that side.  Maybe even books or other arts formats as well."

"Thanks for your time and good luck with kicking the habit."