Deltiology

07.18.07 Facts no comments

Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards. Yes, postcards. Remarkably, this hobby ranks as the third most popular in the world today.

Can you imagine these people? Stop into a local Sheetz or Highs Dairy tomorrow and you might see a deltiologist perusing the postcard rack, just looking for that perfect addition to his collection. My guess is that he’ll probably be wearing a multi-colored canvass fanny pack situated over his right-hip. He’s also likely wearing denim shorts, 6-inches above the knee, with white crew socks to complement. His t-shirt is probably off-white portraying “The Great Outdoors” with a deer on it to boot. The crazy part about all of this is that, may I remind you, this is the third most popular hobby in the world.

I must depart. I heard there’s a $0.99 postcard sale at Wal-Mart.

Fun Facts and Philately

06.28.07 Facts no comments

These facts will range from the mundane to the boorishly insignificant, aiding our readers and writers in their plight to waste even more time and read even more feckless information.

Philately is simply the study of stamps. Here I pose a question: Why? and another: Who are these people? My source for this fact (Wikipedia) makes sure to state that this is a “distinct activity” from stamp collecting. The sheer impracticability of this hobby is not what’s most striking. Taken with [let's get technical] the “collection” of stamps, philately is the most popular hobby in the world today.

Question from Bill: “if I go to the dump, will I see ‘philatelists’ rummaging the garbage looking for stamps?” I don’t know. But I wouldn’t be surprised.

Next Week: “The third most popular hobby in the world”