American Pickers

It's rare that I am obsessed about a TV show. There were "Murphy Brown" and "Northern Exposure" in the '80s (I planned my week around them!) and more recently "CSI Las Vegas" and "Ghost Hunters". "American Pickers" is my latest obsession. It premiered this past Monday on the History channel. No, it's not about banjo players (puh-leeeeze!), nor is it about those who mine boogers (gross!). It's two guys in a big truck driving around the Iowa/ Illinois countryside looking for properties that look like salvage yards. They scout out great old rusted relics, and unique collectibles and convince the owners to part with the stuff for a little ca$h. They don't come in and offer to buy it all-- these guys are selective. They pick and choose. They know the market and their clients. And sometimes they just choose something by instinct. We all have our weaknesses for certain objects.

Why do I like this show?

First of all, I like junk. Second, I love the thrill of the hunt. That adrenaline rush when you spot that "treasure" among all of the "trash". Third, I love to hear stories about how other people have found their treasure. And fourth, I am surrounded with my own American Pickers playground. I live in the land of pack rats and many of these old folks aren't willing to part with a single item (even to their relatives) because it is theirs. They don't have 401ks or fat bank accounts. They have their stuff. And you never know when something will come in handy. I am hoping to pick up a few pointers from the show.

So if you are a treasure hunter and a pack rat, I highly recommend you tune in on Monday nights at 9eastern/8central or DVR it, like I do. History Channel. American Pickers. Life is too short to watch it all, do it all or have it all. Be selective. :)