Living in a material world
I’ve been musing a bit on this question. Narrowing it down to material objects, there are probably a few things that I would consider. I have remarkably few photos, the ex Mrs Davros having kept all of our holiday and wedding albums (although I have a feeling she wants to redress that particular balance, given her personal circumstances). So, amongst my accumulated hordes of plentiful (and, in the grand scale of things, ultimately useless) items, here are a few.

1. The Dalek collection, obviously. Whilst it is nowhere near as large as Tourette’s would like to make out, I do possess 5 radio controlled ones, a model made from a kit years ago, a smaller talking variety, an absolutely tiny one (about an inch high), and, of course, the full sized one. However, trying to wrestle a 5’ tall replica from a burning building would probably be beyond the bounds of reason and I’d undoubtedly end up being burned to a crisp. So I reckon I would let them burn, and replace them on the insurance.

2. My CDs. I certainly couldn’t save them all (and I do have a fair few, but not as many as some people on here, I suspect). But, of all of them, it would probably come down to the Depeche Mode singles box sets 1-6, containing pretty much every single, b-side and remix they ever released on single format, whether 7” or 12” vinyl, or CD. Again, the rest can be taken care of via the insurance.

3. DVDs. Again, a fairly extensive collection and it would be difficult to pick. I certainly couldn’t carry them all, and my tastes change according to the mood I’m in. So, another one chalked down to the insurance I think. I could replace my VHS collection in the process as well.

4. My full length leather coat would definitely be saved, as I could wear it and therefore carry something else of sentimental value at the same time. Plus, charging through the flames in a big flappy coat conjures up a certain dynamic, heroic image that I spectacularly fail to live up to in real life. So this could give me a bit of an andrenalin boost! Come to think about it, I’d probably do it in slow motion for added effect (and, more than likely, get burned to a crisp again as a result – not so good).

And so, going on the principle that all of these items could be saved, but equally could be taken care of via the insurance, I am reminded by The Resident Loon of one item I possess that is unique, and that is an original painting I bought in Cannes, circa 1999. I’d gone there for a week with the ex, and we had had probably the most chilled out and relaxing time we’d ever had on holiday. Walking along the seafront one night, I spotted an artist busying away, and saw this painting.

It’s hard to describe – it’s an incredibly simple beach scene, done in acrylics on canvas. The canvas is a flat, piercing blue, with a single raised white and blue line that depicts a wave about to crash on the shore, with a faint white wash on the beach. But I was instantly transfixed by it. He had several variations on this theme, but this one in particular caught my eye, so I bought it. It took pride of place on our wall, framed in a pine frame that had been lime waxed to bring out the grain in the wood. It’s a very serene painting.

When we split up, that was the only possession we had together that I wanted. I got very little else from our home together, but I still have that painting. When I moved into my bachelor pad, I sought out the right colour blue for my bedroom so it would match the painting. Now it hangs against a chocolate brown coloured wall in our bedroom, and it still looks good.

So yes, out of my material possessions, that painting would be saved. And, I could protect it from the flames using my leather coat. Sorted!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 13:37, 33 replies)

Coat
The leather coat has the bonus feature of keeping the flames away from you for that little bit longer.
(BearWithLittleBrain, Fri 9 May 2008, 13:45, closed)

the coat does sound ace
I have one that I was given and it's really cool (to me, anyway).
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 9 May 2008, 13:50, closed)

The next b3ta bash we both attend
I shall wear it especially for you. You can stroke its black, leathery flappiness until you pass out with the excitement :-)
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:00, closed)

*kisses Mr. Davros*
As a fellow leather-coat-owner, you're making the right choice.

I don't wear mine often enough, but when I do, I feel invincible.
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:08, closed)

I have touched on this before
But there is something supremely satisfying about wearing a big, flappy coat on a windy day as you stride purposefully through the office car park....

Plus, the missus has a big thing for Spike from Buffy, so added bonus points, times a million!!!!!!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:11, closed)

"But there is something supremely satisfying about wearing a big, flappy coat on a windy day as you stride purposefully through the office car park...."
Yes!
Fantastic!

Apart from the office carpark...
More like striding purposefuly through a town, late at night.
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:15, closed)

^ Yes
That too. Most definitely.

*Sigh*
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:17, closed)

Er...
Was the sigh for being old, and no longer being able to get away with such things?

Hmmm... I'm going to wear mine tonight.
Not that my social life means I'll be leaving the house...
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:18, closed)

More the fact
that the sun is blazing outside and there's not a bit of wind - the flappy coat equivalent of bromide, if you like...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:29, closed)

Ah... Yeah.
Tonight though... It'll be cold enough.

Or not.

Damn hot weather.
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:33, closed)

I have a coat I love
which doesn't exactly flap, it more "swishes" around me when I walk. It's cream and not exactly practical, but boy do I love wearing it. That and a pair of high heeled boots (oh and some clothes as well of course ... usually) and I just feel more elegant. I love that coat.

*goes off to wardrobe to gaze at coat*
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:43, closed)

^ ^
A long coat and boots would do it for me...

*realises that he's got to stop this kind of thing*
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:44, closed)

I can relate to the coat.

( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:46, closed)

@Kaol
it had to be you, eh? Actually, my husband loves that coat too, for probably quite similar reasons to you. Let's just say his memory involves the coat, a dark night, long black boots, and leave it there, eh?

@TRL - cool look, man.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 9 May 2008, 14:52, closed)

Dammit!
*tries to stop sweating*

Er...

All you're missing Mr. TRL, is a sword!
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 14:54, closed)

I don't own a sword.
However, I do own a staff and a recurve bow.

(I also now own a compound bow, as of last night. This weekend I'm going to take it to a range and try to re-learn it.)
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 9 May 2008, 15:08, closed)

@TRL
the staff, yes, most assuredly the staff. Sorry, but a bow (of any description) makes me think Robin Hood. Which reminds me of the whole men in tights thing. Eeeurgh.

So yes, same picture, but leaning on the staff.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 9 May 2008, 15:14, closed)

Argh!
My photoshop gland is itching...

*supresses it with crystal meth*
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 15:17, closed)

Kaol
I think there's a cream for that...
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Fri 9 May 2008, 15:19, closed)

You mean I've
Developed a terrible addiction for no need?

*steals your TV to fund habit*
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 15:20, closed)

I now have Teh Fear
that my pic is going to suddenly get a tremendous magenta CDC and spong eyes...
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 9 May 2008, 15:23, closed)

No...
My images are more subtle than that...

This little fellow, for example:

( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 15:28, closed)

Leather coaters;
Stand facing the the train as it comes out of the tunnel (on the tube), and then turn round as it passes for matrix feeling of coolness. I feel special every time.

Also, you are several kinds of cool for the Dalek collection. I'm called Zoe after the assistant (genuine reason) so my dad has passed the legacy on.


EDIT: Kaol, what in the name of god is that?!
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Fri 9 May 2008, 16:38, closed)

my leather coat
(as donated by my cousin, brand new with tags - the coat, not the cousin)


( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 9 May 2008, 16:45, closed)

^ ^ Nice!
I feel a leather coat club coming on...

Edit: But I'm not posting any pictures of myself.
( Cawl, Fri 9 May 2008, 16:49, closed)

I would most definitel post a picture
if I had one looking as cool as CHCB does. Sadly that will always be impossible.
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Fri 9 May 2008, 16:52, closed)

^ it's only cool
cos you can't see me face.

@Loon - was that photo taken on the Burren?
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 9 May 2008, 17:14, closed)

That photo
was taken in Yorkshire Dale by our very own Big Girls Blouse this past January.

What's not obvious is that the limestone I was standing on was coated with ice.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 9 May 2008, 17:31, closed)

CHCB
Not only are you wearing a cool coat, but also a Tom Baker-esque scarf.

You remain one of my favourite people on here.

*If I had a picture of me in said coat, I would post it. But I haven't, and our digital camera is too advanced for the software on our PC, meaning we have to wait until the memory card is full, get them transferred to disk and then upload onto the computer.

Bollocks.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 9 May 2008, 17:32, closed)

^
That's my chromatic aberration scarf that my sister knitted for me when she was too poor to buy Christmas presents a couple of years ago. I asked for stripey and long (precisely for Baker reasons) and she obliged!
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 9 May 2008, 17:53, closed)

Being of the miniature persuasion
leather coats aren't really possible for me unless I want to look like a mobile bollard. However, the other half has one that it's now too hot for him to wear, but it does make anyone look instantly about 75% cooler, and makes at least me go a bit wibbly:

(he is one of those rare people who enjoys being photographed.)

Also, I love the sound of that painting; I have a similar one on the wall of my room in my parents' house and miss it at the moment...
( Maladicta, Mon 12 May 2008, 14:32, closed)

That is
A very fine coat indeed.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 12 May 2008, 16:01, closed)

He'd thank you
if he knew I'd put it on b3ta... nicked that one off his Facebook page, it's from before I met him :) he's very very fond of it, even if the buttons keep pulling off because of the weight of it...
( Maladicta, Tue 13 May 2008, 15:22, closed)