I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR "LIKING" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Whenever someone asks me why I have such a serious (yes serious) obsession with flashlights, I simply cant answer. I mean, its hard (for me) to explain that. I hate looking like an idiot in front of so many people... Does anyone have a GOOD excuse for having such a hobby?

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Hey, the first time you have a blackout in your area, everyone will see that it ain't such a silly thing at all.

For me, having a flaky power supply is one thing. Secondly, I just like lights. And have done since a very young age.

First real light for me was a 250W SON-T floodlight I rescued from a council skip when I was about 12! And it's just gone downhill from there! My real passion is discharge lighting, but flashlights come a very close second!

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

people colect all kind stuff i think that is silly like stamps or baseball cards. .at least flashlights can come in handy

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

well unfortunatlely (for me) this neighborhood doesnt have blackouts since we dont live near those power houses. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif the last blackout we had around here was that famed NY blackout during the summer of '03 i think it was... back then I did like lights but did not even know what SureFire meant... Its like my first flashlight word was "MagLite". You get the point. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Well, my first lighting word was effectively Fitzgerald.

I don't think you need an excuse for a hobby though. Collecting lights is just something you enjoy, that should be reason enough.

Bit like my other interests, obscure cars such as the Lada Niva, Skoda Estelle, Draconology and collecting old computers/calculators! No logic to any of them, just things I like.

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Think of it this way...

They're tools, therefore very usefull. I don't know about you, but I can't see in the dark. And dark certainly makes up a larger percentage of our day.

How many other hobbies allow you to have and collect tools that are on the fore-front of technology and yet don't cost that much money? Try keeping up with the newest computers. Or the lastest designer watches.

The flashaholic world is also one that rewards innovation and ingenuity and allows the individual to be on equal footing with the large manufacturers. And as has often happened here on this forum, WAY ahead of the mainstream...

Mark

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Most hobbies are not useful outside of the basic process of collecting.
Stamps, banana stickers, postcards, books, gemstones, etc. spring to mind.
Only cars, knives and LIGHTS seem to be useful, even if they have little or no monetary value.
I know that this a generalisation, but you get the idea...

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

I prefer Raggie's rationale, at least good quality flashlights are useful. Not only that but they're works of engineering art and are more interesting to look at than stamps and sports cards, IMHO.

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

You don't need an excuse to like something.
While I've lately spent a lot of money on flashlights, it's not that I'm a huge flashaholic.
I'm just easily amused and like neat gadgets and toys. I've gots all sorts of little figurines, knives, toys, gadgets, lights, laser pointers, etc sitting around. Then there's the money I spent on my home theatre setup, my music setup, my dvds..
If anyone asks you why you like something just tell em "I just do".

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

I don't bother telling people why I like flashlights I just show em the ones I have and if they like em or not it is their problem. I don't sit around and ask them why they would spend gobs of money on their cars souping them up when it they have speed limits and cops everywhere preventing them from hotrodding or ask them to explain why they have 300 movies or 500 music albums or spend 1000.00 on radio controlled cars or planes... have more clothes than they need to impress normal people or have the latest fastest custom built computer and suck at the games they made it to play compared to a 13 year old with a playstation. If you have to say any more than... It's a hobby, I use some of them a lot and others I collect and study to improve the ones I use, then you are trying to rationalize your spending. We could all just listen to the radio and watch local tv stations with an antenna and drive cheapo 4cyl cars but people like more quality, higher output and more selection.. why should flashlights be any different?

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

I had to find something to occupy my time after I sold my porno collection. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Easy when people ask me why, I tell them cause its dark half the time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

My wife stamped her foot down on guns and knives. Nuff said
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Hi Mags Suk...

A belated welcome to the CPF! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

And may God have mercy on your soul. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif


As you are finding out, once you enter into the ever-exciting-yet-ever-agonizing world of flashaholism, and brazenly join the eclectic souls living in the Land of the CPF...it is too late to save yourself and be a "normal" person. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You will never again be "flashaholism free"....your only realistic goal is to cope with this new-found, permanent condition the rest of your life.

As far as trying to rationalize this particular twist of fate, or, God forbid, to try to *explain* it to non-flashaholics, my best advice is.....DON`T EVEN BOTHER TO TRY. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif No matter what heroic steps you may take to try to convince your non-flashaholic friends that what you`re doing is *OK* or has some real merit, they will never believe you. Never! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

So...

Just live with your affliction...apologize to NO ONE for your joyous obssession...and continue to live the rest of your life as best as you can. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif


Again....
Welcome to the CPF!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Maybe it's the fact that to a certain extent, light=power. The power to reclaim the most important sense taken away by the sun setting.
I agree that flashlights are things that can be used as opposed to other collectables. They are tools.
Not to mention the fact that there's just something cool about flashlights.

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

I think the biggest thing for Mags_suks is that most 12 year old boys would rather have an Xbox than a Mr Bulk LionHeart(assumption here). Both cost the same. But if I was 13 and he told me he wanted a LionHeart, I'd think he was kinda weird.

It also sucks that he's already into flashaholism at such a young age. Can't really buy all the lights he wants.

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Aloha,

A really good friend and co-worker asked "Why do you spend a lot of money for a light and how many do you need?" I looked at him and said "How much was your Xbox and how much did you spend to get it modded with a 200 GIG hard drive and then add up all the games you bought?" What we have here is "Six eggs in one hand and 1/2 a dozen in the other."

To seal my point I GAVE him a Brinkmax LX then told him "Tell me you don't like this light and want to give it back to me later.".......he still has it LOL

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif different strokes for different folks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Aloha,
Bill

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

It's technology, science, gadgetry, power, practicality, functionality, art/design...

Back to the ole' toolbox analogy...ya' can't always do the job with just one screwdriver! You can have good tools or cheap tools...ya' get what ya' pay for!

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Topper,
How much does your "worse half" spend on makeup?
Clothes? Shoes?

Tell her your hobby keeps you out of bars and away from low lifes... unless that is where you want to be!

Re: I NEED AN EXCUSE FOR \"LIKING\" FLASHLIGHTS!!!!

Sounds like you contributed to the conversion of another sick flashaholic. Awesome!!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif It's like living at Hotel California: Once you're in, you can never leave.