The Little World

Little World builders have powers far exceeding those they exercise in the Big World. They can be sole commanders, iconic architects, industry giants, or genius designers and no-one else can say them nay. Their word may be flawed, but it is generally final. It gives them a little taste of what it must have been like to be one of the great autocrats of history.

This monarchical power tends to dissolve a bit when they join clubs and enter into joint efforts to build layouts, make projects, or stage exhibitions. Social considerations start to take over and the wise Little World enthusiasts will need to rein in their commanding personalities. At best, it may make them disliked by other participants and at worst may get them elected to the committee.

The other thing that differentiates the private Little World from the public one is the matter of the purse. When you are the person paying the bill, you can order the expenditure as you like and need not take too many pains in the accounting. When you spend other people’s money as well, you’ll be answering to them, auditors, and magistrates. Club treasurers are one of the very few officers of any society that can actually be put in jail for dishonesty – the others just get scolded or elected to parliament.

I have taken the sensible decision with my Little World to pay for it by selling other unwanted items. As these are already paid for, the transfer of money does not affect other areas of life. There is a little fund in the safe devoted to this and I add and subtract money as it becomes available. It means waiting in some cases for the fund to build up before purchases can take place, but there is always some small thing that can be done in the meantime.

This is in marked contrast to my behaviour with previous hobbies. I suppose I had more disposable income in those times because I seem to have disposed of a lot of it for hobby items that are rarely used now.  But they can all be converted eventually, and the process of selling is fun to some extent anyway.

Note: Never convert your hobby to your job or you will be looking for a new hobby.