ScuzzBlog: Diaries October 2019
Entry 3rd October 2019: Post 01: Amiga Morph Plus - The Transition.
Amiga Morph Plus - The Transition.
Guess I've been doing this collecting a good while now. When I
started there was no YouTube and all these retro specialists.
Most were still using their kit so the idea that I set myself up
to collect all that I could just to feature pictures on a website
was quite a wacky idea. Back then we only had the groups and they
were pretty popular. Some of the posters were heavily into the
Amiga and it was almost sacred ground. And I made enemies quite
easily. Loads hated that I was keen and talkative and wanting
to enjoy the kit. For many they just wanted an excuse for
getting out.
The days at the beginning were quite sad. We had been waiting
an age for someone, anyone to step up to the challenge and get
the Amiga up and running again. For many I think they realised
it wasn't going to happen and so started selling their stuff.
In those days there really wasn't Ebay so I got my stuff by
asking and searching Amibench and the local rags. I think
that once I put the site together many started to see what I
did as a way of maintaining their love affair by gifting me
all their kit and stuff.
I was amazed and staggered by the generosity of many in the day.
Much of what I have was gifted to me by fellow Amigans. What I
did struck a cord with many. It's only sad that in 2008 I ran
out of room or I could have obtained so much more. After that
date I frequently turned down offers and pointed the donator
to folk I knew on the groups.
So what about Morph Plus well that was a good day for collecting.
As an Architect I travelled the country and had a project in
Bridgend in Wales UK. This was a long journey for me from the
south coast of England. I had won an auction for something
that I forget from a guy in Swansea in Wales. I arranged to meet
him in a car park late that afternoon. It was snowing and even
though I had a long journey ahead of me I enjoyed chatting to
the guy.
He had been a reporter journalist for Amiga magazines and over
the years had been given copies of software and kit to review.
His story was truly magical and I simply enjoyed his recollections.
Then to my surprise he opened the boot of his car and said he
would like me to have these boxes of software. All Amiga top
end boxed and many still sealed software plus various bits of
paperwork from the developers. Also boxes of Amiga kit. I was
totally speechless and humbled by his generosity.
This wasn't the only time I have been gifted stuff and it really
is amazing just how much folk have been happy to give me. But
that cold afternoon in the snow in Swansea will always go down
as a quite memorable day. In taking the books, software and kit
I was asked but one thing, which has been the same thing that
anyone has asked of me. I was charged with looking after all
of what I have been given. They may be parting with the kit
but they just wanted to know it would be looked after. And that
is what I do.
I get criticised by some with my collecting being called a hoarder
and other such derogatory names. And yet I feel no guilt in
what I have. I cherish the generosity of others and always
have the image of their kindness heavy on my heart as I try
each day to look after things. One day I will no longer be here
and will hopefully have found a kind person to look after what
I have. I would give it freely if I could find another scuzz.
Anyway like that day in Swansea I discovered that I had some
how become something I never originally intended to be. The
transition from collector to custodian of other folk's kit. It
is a massive responsibility and one I treat very seriously.
And one last thing I never part or sell anything. So don't ask.
It really is not mine to give.
Amiga Morph Plus - The Transition.
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