Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fun,but strange to be a voyeur of someone's life

Today I wanted to go driving around aimlessly.
It was a beautiful morning.
I already had my first cup of java,  it was still early and I had money in my pocket. 



I asked hubs if he felt like going with me and he grumpily said............ok.

We started off at a yard sale down the road. Most Saturday mornings, years ago, began this way.  Today was the first time in a very long time. 
Did not score, or perhaps did score. I left with never opening my purse.  That is a score in Hubs eyes.


Back in the SUV again and we headed west, or maybe south~I am totally geographically challenged and Proud!

Hubs saw a sign for an auction and did a quick U Turn.
You see, Hubs loves auctions.
He used to live in Lancaster Pennsylvania, the land of the outside auction and the Amish..
I corrupted an Amish man (Him~and he liked it) and he came live with me.
He decided to cohabitate with me because it took too long to come court me by horse and buggy
and he is not a fan of the
Amish Airlines.

Anyhow, we found this auction.
Cars and trucks  were lined up and down this long street.

It was my first auction of this kind. 
I had worked an at an upscale auction house a few years ago as their computer person, but this was
nothing
like that.
This was Hubs kind of auction.  Everything would go.

Here,
in broad daylight,
 among strangers,
 was a man's lifelong accumulation of things
and his
 home,
 being sold to the highest bidder.
It was his estate. 
There was a plethora of things. 
Most probably had no sentimental ties, but still it felt odd, almost obtrusive to be there.
Seeing all that he had touched, or loved, or whatever, put out for everyone's scrutiny of value.
With him, not there to defend their worth.

And, oh boy, this man had a lot of stuff. 
 Tools, decorations, furniture, housewares
and
risque art,  risque toys, risque gags and risque lamps
..........the guy was into naked women,
let me tell you.
I wonder what he would feel if he knew all this was out in the open.  It was circus-like as the auctioneer and runners joked about his sexual belongings.


On to my experience!!!
Ok, I was shy at first.
I was intimidated to bid.  I had first time
virgin
auction bidder nervousness.
But, then, I got caught up in the excitement. I raised my hand at first,then the auctioneer knew what I would bid on,
and
he just looked at me for a slight nod.
He had my number.
The following are photos of the fun.
This was my score.  I am a costume vintage jewelry addict.....Seriously!
This is a great place to people watch also.  That is one of our favorite things to do!
Hubs was checking out some of the goods prior to it being auctioned off.

That white case held a lot of the pieces I bid and won!!!
Below, Hubs is putting the little wooden dove-tailed set of drawers that I bid on and won (in a slight bidding war). The auctioneer said held jewelry. 
  It actually had
no
jewelry.
It was full of copper bushings and couplers.....
Errrrrrrr, oooopppppps!



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

that sounds like such fun...and it looks like you scored some great pieces. I'm a huge people watcher, and auction lover...sounds like a perfect day;)

Mark said...

Thanks for taking us on that little trip with you. And thanks for filling up that Post with pictures. My attention span is not too long so it's nice to distract me with pretty pictures of stuff.
Congrats of winning a few things. That is always a fun feeling. I get so nervous at auctions like there is too much pressure on me. I know, it doesn't make sense but there you are.
Your Friend, m.
30 minutes from Lancaster.

Anonymous said...

I've never bid at auction and sure could relate to feeling nervous - but from one vintage costume jewellery nut to another, you scored!!