"condiment collection" news and stories

I have a confession to make. I collect condiments the way other people collect rare books or unusual stamps. I'm always on the lookout for interesting mustards, regional mayonnaise (the trip out to Lancaster County a few weeks ago introduced me to Duke's), funky hot sauces or ethnic flavor enhancers (that bottle of Kecap Manis is an Indonesian condiment I fell in love with the summer I spent in that country. Dark, sticky and sweet, it has no relation to ketchup and is amazing with chicken and rice).

The problem with my condiment collection is that I'm also something of a hoarder. The condiments come in, but rarely do they go out again. I dole them out, horrified at the idea of using the more exotic ones up, because what if I can't find them again?

However, since Scott moved in with me, I've been forced (to a certain degree) to change my ways, because he finds my desire to hang on to aging foodstuffs a little insane and totally disgusting (objectively, I can see his point). So I've been cleaning out, throwing away questionable bottles and jars (the picture you see above is pre-purge).

How about the rest of you? Do you pick up condiments (mustards, vinegars, jellies, chutneys and jams to name a few) as vacation souvenirs? Or are you with Scott and find this practice a little nutty?