In which I share with you some of my prized possessions.
Part Three: The Apple coaster
This is a coaster I cut out of a mouse pad:
I worked for a company called Telegroup in Iowa a long time ago. It was an Apple shop, and I ended up with this old school Apple mousepad which I eventually turned into a coaster.
This coaster has been next to my computer for over a decade. I have a mug of tea sitting on it right this very minute.
I have no idea why I’ve kept it this long, except I think it rather adds to my geek cred.
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In the early 90’s, I deserted my life in Oregon and went to Iowa “for a year.” I left the vast majority of my stuff with my roommate, including but not limited to an antique dining room set and all of my vinyl. But because I stayed in Iowa for five years, I never got any of that stuff back: I went from having a home full of stuff to pretty much being able to carry all my worldly possessions.
In the late 90’s I moved again. I ended up trapped in Albuquerque with no way to transport what little stuff I had, so I threw most of it into a dorm incinerator. When I was done, everything I owned in the entire world amounted to about six boxes of stuff. (I’d left the rest of my stuff back in Fairfield, had given most of it away.)
Two and a half years later, I drove I-80 from San Francisco back to Fairfield. Everything I owned fit in my little Toyota pickup. I’d gotten rid of yet another sofa, set of kitchen implements, and bevy of houseplants, and owned only clothes, a few small items of furniture (a futon and a wooden asana), and other random knickknacks like books, my cat, my computer, my altar, and heirloom items like photographs.
When I arrived back in Iowa, I got an apartment within the month and was immediately given a household full of furniture. Eventually I got married and bought a farm house and ended up with 3,000 square feet worth of stuff. Sewing machine, desk, shelves. Books. Sheets, blankets, towels. Laundry baskets, Windex, bread machine, candles. Dog bowls, recliners, end tables, chrome citrus juicers. Blender, futon, Christmas decorations. Bowling ball, framed prints, entertainment center, flatware.
In 2007, I drove from Fairfield out to Washington state. Everything I owned fit in my jeep. I’d abandoned all my stuff once again.
There are a few items I’ve kept through several downsizing phases, and I’ve decided, since I’m unemployed and have the time, to share them with you.
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Lately there have been deaths in the family (Captain Crab’s, though my family is due for some drama). The deaths have been making me think more about how much stupid, stupid shit is lying around here. Even before that I was trying to divest myself of tons and tons of worthless crap thinking that if I had to move, I wouldn’t move THAT shit.
It has been slow going with the Captain underfoot constantly plus his propensities combined with mine = total ratpackery.
Which is why a glass shower door with a rotten frame is SITTING ON MY FUCKING PORCH. He thought it would be good for something and I am waiting for the yard to not be a skating rink so I can haul it out to the dumpster and further wreck my back.
But there are some silly things I will never be able to part with, much as I know I do not need them….
Stuff weighs on the mind. If you don’t use it, throw it out.
After the ice melts, of course. -m