Tuesday, June 4, 2013

When you heard about how Smithfield Foods was acquired by a Chinese company for a pretty penny recently, you likely reacted normally, read an article or two, then clicked out of your browser. I chose a different route. Sure, I scanned a few news pieces. But then, instead of shutting down Chrome, I opened another tab and beheld my Kickstarter profile with a renewed fervor, the dual sensibilities of consumerism and patriotism colliding at sympathetic frequencies.

I’ve doubled down on my Kickstarter habit, in the truest sense possible. My last confession placed me at six projects backed. As of today, I’ve upped the ante to 11 projects, and the train doesn’t seem to be losing any steam. I was able to resist the hoodie I mentioned last time, primarily because, well, I don’t wear hoodies, but now I’m on the fence about this belt. I like belts. Been wearing the same one for more than a decade, so it’s high time I upgraded, right?

I logged into my Amazon account this afternoon and witnessed a startling sight: naught but a single order in the queue. There’s been a significant shift of wallet for me to Kickstarter, and I need only look at my actual wallet for proof. The Slim has grown on me, with its slight profile and surprising durability. For a swatch of woven elastic, the little fucker’s proven remarkably resilient, having been tried in the crucible of daily usage. I need only look at my shoes to be reminded of how I snipped off the bows three weeks ago, courtesy of my Lace Anchors. And I need only click on one of the production videos for any number of projects to appreciate the creative process. On Monday, I took my Kickstarter relationship to an altogether different level–I’ve ordered meat from the Internet. You heard me. Internet meat! There’s no turning back for me.