Andy Chase

While picking up a few groceries on my way home last night I made my usual sweep of the toy aisle. I knew there would be the same small selection of toys and games that they always have, but I looked anyway, especially at the board and card games.

I have this thing where I'll see an all-time favorite game, book, or CD in a store and I'll want to buy it again... not for the instant gratification of buying myself something, but for the hours of enjoyment the I know for a certainty the thing would give me. (Obviously, since I already own it.)

Decks of playing cards are probably the most insidious example of this; no matter how many packs of Bicycles I already own, those compact little boxes always make me want to buy more. There is nothing quite like a slippery, crisp new deck of cards.

Fortunately it's not a compulsion, or I would have a closet full of them.