I could say something here like writers are supposed to write from experience, or that the only way to talk about life is to truly live it first, but the honest truth is some days it’s just about having fun.
I’ve talked in this blog before about my love of reality TV–not the sensationalized stuff like The Bachelor, but the based-in-reality shows you can only find on cable TV. Also, more recently I’ve shared another of my hobbies: auctions. Yesterday, we found a way to combine the two. Sort of.
The latest additions to our viewing schedule are the new shows featuring storage locker auctions. And while I was pretty sure there was a gap between reality and reality TV, both the hubby and I agreed it would be something fun to experience.
So, we recently discovered there would be one in driving distance and both cleared our schedules yesterday so we could be in attendance.
As to whether or not it was just like TV, the best answer is in some ways. I know one thing for sure, there were several grown men who felt their little hobby had been invaded by wannabees who’d watched too much TV and had dreams of grandeur and found fortune. And to their credit, they were right…to an extent. A few of the eleven lockers we witnessed being sold probably went for higher prices because of the great finds we’ve seen on TV, but the flip side of the coin is I heard several stories from those in attendance of just such discoveries.
The other difference was the number of lockers that were near-empty. With a third of them, there was no guessing as to what you were going to find. It was shown before you clear and plain.
I don’t know if the auctions on the TV show are staged, as a couple fellow auction goes accused, or if they shuffle through hours and hours and many, many actual auctions to find the great stories (what I suspect) and I can’t even tell you if someone found something great yesterday. We didn’t purchase any of the lockers…and we didn’t hang around in the cold to investigate that angle either.
But that doesn’t mean I didn’t get something out of the day. My husband and I spent a good chunk of time together, a rarity in the normal, everyday grind. And we did experience a call to adventure, something that should take place in every story we write, correct? (Okay, I did tie it back to the writing. Are you really surprised?) Did I witness anything that will end up in one of my books some day? Maybe not event wise, but it sure was a great place to study people!
Do you have any hobbies or interests that pull you out of your everyday box?
We just started watching that show! I love it! How cool that you went and found your own storage war. I’m jealous!
My husband and I are planning on taking a Basic Pistol class together. No dinner-and-movie date night for us. Oh, no. We want to shoot guns! I’m calling it “research” for my writing, since I write suspense novels. Not sure why he wants to shoot…..now, all we need are two open spots in an upcoming class.
Cool that you did that. I’m planning a spiritual/writer retreat. I can spend way too many hours planning on that.
I went to school with one of the guys on SpikeTV’s Auction Hunters. They actually say at the start of every show that they dig through hundreds of storage units a year and these are the stories of their most rare and valuable finds. Still… what a way to make a living – every day is an adventure, because you never know what you might find!
Very cool call to adventure! Glad you and your husband found a new and interesting way to spend a day together. I’ve never seen that show, but it sounds intriguing.
Jill: We’ve been watching for awhile. I love all the interactions and the egos…almost as much as what they find in the auctions.
Patrice: I’ve always been afraid of guns, but since we’ve started talking about doing a MVRWA field trip, I must admit I’m intrigued. We really need to make that happen. I think it’ll be fun.
Leigh: Are you planning another trip to Mexico? I know that recharges your batteries.
Siobhan: I’ve seen that show on Spike! I love those guys, and appreciated the way they did say they made 80% of the money off of 20% of the finds. Do you know if they are making new episodes of that? Are you going to Motor City next month? Would be great to see you!
Sloan: I’m a sucker those cable tv shows, you know. The other night on Pawn Stars a guy brought in a pair of Houdini’s shackles. The expert had a fascinating story…remind me to tell you next time you’re at coffee. Of course I was thrilled to see it. Going to miss you on Friday, good luck getting all your work done.
Cool hobby! I love reality-based reality tv…the husband recently got me interested in Pawn Stars, which cracks me up.
I love that show too, Kristina.
We enjoy Storage Wars, too! And, my husband had a similar experience as you did. He decided to take a Saturday to explore one of the auctions (I wasn’t able to go with him, my loss!) and he said the “pros” were all put out with the newcomers, but the auction folks weren’t. They were grateful for the extra folks. Most of the storage units went for much higher than what my husband was willing to bid, but he enjoyed the experience and has plans to go to some more. I think all the shows that feature hard-working folks finding “wealth” (those picker guys, pawn shop owners, storage wars) are fun to watch.
Thanks for the comment Bridgette. All the shows you mention on our favorites list. I love learning about history through the Pickers and Pawn Stars.