Possessed
Workmen trim hedges around Simon Cowell's Beverly Hills mansion using levels and measuring tapes. And wait, is that some Topiary in the background?In an interview with the Daily Mail Cowell states: "When I walked into this house, I literally arrived with my belongings in a suitcase. One suitcase."
This question of 'stuff' has been perplexing Topiary for some time. Are we our stuff? We shop for it, we keep it or give it away. We pack it and take it with us. Can we be "us" without stuff? Is our stuff us, and if we get rid of it, are we still who we think we are? Does our stuff make us, or do we make our stuff? Would stuff be interesting without us? Would we be interesting without our stuff? Can we tell who we are if we don't have stuff around that says: this is what I read, this is what I like, this is art I find appealing?
Although Mr. Cowell seems minimalist, in actuality, his belongings consist of what's in the suitcase, AND a mansion, the cars, the furniture. And a couple Picasso drawings, reportedly.But no leaves on the lawn. The gardeners are instructed to pick them all up. And hide them, presumably.
And yet, Topiary approves of Mr. Simon Cowell. An animal lover who's stated he'll leave his fortune to animal groups, as well as someone with a regard for hedges and Topiary. Who could ask for more?
Moo!
posted by The Topiary Cow at
2:08 PM
5 Comments:
good question: is lots of "stuff" OK if one leaves all their "stuff" to a good cause?
Big question and one I often dwell on. People like Simon Cowell think that because stuff is not in a box, on a shelf, in a drawer then they are minimilistic. In fact, there stuff is just HUGE. Huge house, big cars etc. So is he a maximumistic? Is that a word?
But, you are right, the fact he is going to share his goodies upon his death is a kind thought. However, if he shared his goodies with charities right now - well, that would be a noble sacrifice indeed. Then he could live in a tent - very minimilistic.
I think the stuff you own says a lot about who you are. Although, sometimes people do own stuff so that people think that is who they are when in fact they are not that at all. They don't know who they are because the media somehow told them to get the stuff so that they would be part of the "in" crowd.
Spontaneous accumulation of stuff is good.
I think this was a "stuff" filled comment.
Kate: Welcome to the Land of Topiary! Topiary is honored for the visit after having a quick squint at Kate's most bodacious blog, and will visit Kate again!
As for this knotty question of stuff...probably any action to benefit good causes are good...
Lovely Linda: Totally agree. How can someone with 8 cars and a 14,000 square foot house boast of having only one suitcase?
Maximumistic is now a word, and what a word it is! Moo!
Cow finds Linda's astute comment on buying stuff so that people think that is who they are, is probably far too universal.
People with expensive cars who live in dumps. People with expensive clothes and cell-appendages with dumpy cars. People who spend fortunes on hair dressing, but have not a penny in the bank.
Of course this doesn't apply to Topiary. Every hour spent carefully trimming Topiary, or hiring others to clip and measure and trim, can only be counted as a Good For The Entire Planet, regardless of expenditure.
Uh oh. Hopefully accumulation of Topiary is NOT stuff...
(scared Moo!)
Did Ms Cow see the film Holy Man starring Eddie Murphy? He had virtually no stuff, but a lot of clever words and actions. I don't think you need stuff to be you.
Gorilla: (Cow noting moovie) have not seen it, but it is now on the list!
Gorilla, Cow respects your words of wisdom and feels that you are right!
Moo!
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