One Room At A Time

It never fails

2011-09-19T15:47:00.000-06:00

I suppose that when I do a bit of deep retrospection, I will find that I am not as patient as I think, or hope, that I am. Case in point, my latest endeavor. Having a few people read it and give positive feedback has not contributed to my ability to wait for things to happen. I come home from work, find no phone messages, find no emails, and become just a little sad. I end up taking a nap, which screws with my night sleep schedule. I putter about the place wanting to work on the 1rat, but find apathy to be stronger than motivation.

So, as of today, I guess I will either have to a) make myself a true nuisance, b) consider shopping my work around in traditional fashion, or c) say "Screw It" and be glad I didn't give up my day job.

Not for the weak

2011-09-18T08:24:00.001-06:00

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.
David Arquette and Courtney Cox-Arquette.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston.

Quite the list of names, isn't it? I comprised this list because:

a) They are all generally respected actors who have some serious skills.

b) They are all "Hollywood" couples who have managed to stay together for quite a few years, in an industry that seems to do more to destroy relationships than to foster them.

I developed this list for a particular reason, but not to establish any sort of fan club. Granted, a group such as this deserves a fan club, and I would probably join such a club if one were to be established, as I respect them all for both of the above reasons. It might have to do with the fact that I a) have been involved with theatrical arts from age ten and b) have been involved in a relationship for quite a few years, with all the associated joys and trials that those years brought. OK, so it's the Mrs. that deserves the props for staying with me, as there is no way I could have stayed with me for so long, or put up with so much. And I live with me. Daily.

Anyhoots, back to the list. Yep, all long-term couples and all actors. My interest in them is far from passing these days, although not stalkish. It ties into a certain project (that does not involve cleaning of any sort) I managed to get myself involved in of late. An Indie project, as it were. Yeah, yeah. I know. 'A' listers. Get in line. Get real. See previous post, blah, blah, blah. Whatever. A person can dream, right? I mean, I've thought about it, and to me the best combination to play certain characters in a certain production of which I am der schriftsteller would be a married (or long-term committed) couple. Given there is a great deal of chemistry that is required to pass along the subtle nuances of the lead characters, it only seems right to have an intimate pair play those characters.

So, if any of the above couples are bored of late, and are not so ego-bloated as to think an Indie project is beneath them, and would welcome the opportunity to spend some time in a slower-paced Midwestern community (perhaps in the company of Dana Altman or Alex Payne), then I invite them to drop me a line at the email listed over there <-- and I can provide more details.

Nobody special

2011-09-17T11:45:00.002-06:00

So, here I sit looking at a blog about a project that has for the most part stalled, due in most part to the fact that real life must continue on, and I have one question burning in my chaotic mind.

Who do I think I am?

A simple question, and one that is not unique to the human race. Everyone, at some point, has asked themselves this question. Everyone, at some point, has answered this question. It is within these answers that each person can discover a piece of the truth about what is involved with being human.

Take a moment, reflect on that truth. Is it glorious, life affirming? Is it mundane or cliche? Is it downright scary? Do we collectively need to make appointments to see therapists?

For me, there was a time when I would answer the question in a near delusional fashion. I thought, at one time, that I was destined to be important. A world-changer. Famous or infamous, I would be known. Now I recognize and accept the truth; the honest to goodness, down to earth, undeniable truth. Even more alarming, personally, I have to admit that it might just be better this way.

I am nobody special, and someone special.

So, as I sit here looking at this blog about a project that has for the most part stalled, I release a sigh, think about the little things I want to accomplish today, and smile.

I smiled until my face hurt.

2010-09-27T19:54:00.005-06:00

It didn't take long, either. This morning, on the way to work, the strangest notion popped into my consciousness. I decided to smile all morning, or at least for as long as possible. Not sure why, but I did. My face started hurting within minutes. Now, some could say that the root cause of this is the fatigue of muscles that are not used enough to keep them flexible enough to maintain the required tension. Or something like that. My mom would have said that I frowned too much and my face froze that way, so smiling was an unnatural act. Yeah, whatever. I did give it an effort, though.

I did smile when I finished the cart this afternoon, repainting everything down to the bolt heads, with exception of the wooden castors. I'll smile even more when I put it all back together and the Mrs. is smiling because the dishes are off the dining room table. You never know, my face might not hurt too much when that happens.

Maybe I like colored snot.

2010-09-26T17:52:00.007-06:00

Not the standard colors, either. I mean the kind you get after spray-painting old furniture to make it all newish looking, or least not as ugly as it was prior to the paint job. Give the nose a blow in a trusty old tissue and the result almost puts Pollock to shame.

Now, I've known this disgusting bit of art trivia for some time, but today (and yesterday), I was creating marvelous nose art as I was renewing the old cart we used to hold up the dishrack. For those of limited life experience, a dishrack holds dishes, generally hand-washed dishes, until the are hand-dried or air-dried. Quite the concept, I'm sure, but for the moment I will avoid that literary tangent. This particular old cart has been with us a long time, so long I can't remember when we came about it, but I do know that it was owned by the Mrs.' parents before us. Wooden castor wheels give a clue to the true age of this cart, and it has just been sitting next to the sink, bearing the burden of a strange orange paint job over it's original ivory ceramic as it bore the weight of dishes, as well as pots and pans stored on the lower shelves.

Did I mention that it was an strange orange color? As in pumpkiny orange of the kind you find on the road the day after Halloween. Don't try to imagine it without something of pleasant color to imagine, or at least imaginary whip cream.

So, scraped and primed and repainted, the cart will go back to its under-appreciated but functional use, and the nose will issue forth the standard colors, and my attention will shift to other mini projects in the drive toward progress with the bigger project.

So I fart on elevators.

2010-09-25T07:59:00.004-06:00

Granted, it is usually when I'm the only one on it, but it's really fun when a death cloud gets released just before a new arrival. I'm amazed how many people avoid eye contact in such situations. Hehheh.

Back to the subject at hand. When I started this project, many moons and meds ago, I found a name for it that was unique, and snagged the .net domain name for it, mostly because the .com was parked, and I didn't have fundage for the half dozen other variants. Now I discover that there are many, MANY domain variants, most of the common of which are claimed, and some of which are very similar in theme. Funny, there is even some Inc. out there that uses my project's name. I'm impressed. I did think about offering my .net for sale and finding a new name that better reflects the reality of the project's status (like, omghowlongdoesittaketofinish.xxx or justthrowthestuffoutalready.yyy or ifthewifewasletlooseonitthingswouldbedonebynow.zzz), but I've grown kind of fond of the old name.

Thus, and therefore, I walked about the place noting what has and hasn't changed, and determined that a great deal has changed, while much has remained the same. Yeah, chew on that one psychobabble types. Shame I couldn't get more original. Oh, well. Still, enough has changed to give me hope that someday I can bring this to a conclusion (and maybe start up another blog on some obscure topic, or better yet, some disgusting topic like farting), and enough is still cluttered to drive me to recharge the cleaning bots and make literary note of the efforts and results.

Now, I must go before I...too late.

Yeah? Well...

2010-09-24T04:23:00.003-06:00

So, I receive this “notice” in the mail that looks like a bill but really isn’t a bill, and it gets me to thinking that I have long ignored some element of my existence, and that I really need to revisit this project (or life endeavor as it would appear) before it becomes yet another example of “you are such a loser”-ness, and blah blah blah.

I’m back.

With a vengeance.

And some good medication.

It's just a shadow, but...

2009-02-02T16:39:00.000-06:00

January is finished, and in the grand scheme of things, was a fairly decent month. Definitely better than the January of last year, although that one was not as bad as some initial months of years past. I managed to get back into the One Room flow, to some extent. A very small extent. OK, I didn't really focus on any single room, but I did send some things off to new homes. Did my part to stimulate the economy by making some money for eBay and PayPal. Did a few things to move forward on an idea I have been working upon. Oh, and I made a few rugs.

So, now that the month of the groundhog is upon me, I will keep with that slightest of forward momentum. Perhaps this month I will actually get a room cleaned.

Don't look now...

2009-01-06T13:41:00.001-06:00

Has it really been THAT long? Wow. One could easily get the idea that things have been abandoned by the lack of communication, and one could be close to the truth. Sort of, that is. No, I've not given up on the project, but let's just say that the last year was not the most conducive for progress. That's an understatement.

OK, a new year is upon me, and much like the other lemmings of the world, a new resolve is upon me. This is sparked mostly by an inner dialogue along the lines of "good lord, look at all my shit cluttering up the place." Yeah, me telling me that. So, today I shall begin anew to make money for eBay, and perhaps remove some of the less important material items from my existence.

You Only Thought I Was Done

2008-09-08T14:10:00.000-06:00

I'd like to say that I removed all the clutter in the last few weeks since I last posted. I'd like to say it, but it would not be true. I have removed some via the trash collection service, and I am preparing to remove other clutter via the online adoption service ( known by most as eBay). There have been some serious modifications to the living quarters, soon to be discussed. I was selected to participate in the advancement of medical knowledge. Oh, yeah, and I have a job.

Heh.

Think I will just leave with that last little bit of news taunting everyone...

Just a moment

2008-06-18T12:56:00.004-06:00

Well, I have to say that there are moments, and then there are moments. Like most human beings, I attach a value to moments, defining some as good and others as less than good. Take, for example, that moment while watching the AFI 10 Top 10 and realized I had ALL ten of the animation films, and patted myself on my back for my good taste in film. Or the moment that I looked at the table my son refinished and felt great pride in what he accomplished. After just a little guidance and a few tips from me, he worked diligently and transformed an old, stained second-hand cast off into a beautiful piece of furniture that deserves to be given a place of honor in any room. Or take, for another example, the moment I watched the backyard bunnies run around the garden, happy in the knowledge that the fence I put up was keeping them out. At least, keeping out the larger ones. I have to make some adjustments yet, as I noticed that baby bunny was able sneak in and dine on some of the garden growth. I guess that gave me a moment of frustration, but not a long one. I'll be "huntin' wabbit" soon enough.

Then there was another moment, also in the realm of frustration, that occurred recently. It had to do with the project. Way back when, early on in the project, I decided to add to the clutter, if only for a short time, and for the purpose of raising some money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. One might recall (or can reread from the archived posts) that I bought a large lot of fast food toys. I sorted them, found a number of complete sets, a number of incomplete, and a few strays. The complete sets I listed, some of which sold, and made a few cents for the NMSS. The incomplete sets are still sitting...there. The strays, however, I put in a big, white garbage bag, so as to slowly ration them out into the 'Free Stuff' basket we use at our GaYaPo sales. Now, somewhere between the last sale and this moment I managed to, well, create a situation. During that situation, several bags of "garbage" went out to the local landfill. Fast forward to the current month, where I decided to sell items to raise money this time for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Ready for the frustration? I searched and searched again for the complete sets that had not sold, all to no avail. A thought entered the chaos called my brain, and I searched for the big bag of near 100 stray toys. Not finding it, a new thought entered my chaos, and that moment flowered into further frustration. Yep.

Oh, well. Now the frustration has turned toward that fact that NOT ONE of the things I have listed for MSAA has sold, and I await a moment of joy to replace it. In the meantime, I continue on with the guest room...

Because of a cause

2008-06-02T06:29:00.002-06:00

I was a bit distracted in late February and early March, the details of which I will leave undiscussed at this time. The distraction did cause me to lose track of the project, as I have mentioned earlier, and it also caused me to miss an event that is generally important to me. Just because I missed it, however, does not mean that I still can't observe it. In fact, I have even more reason to observe it now. Therefore, I am making June my own Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month.

Some explanation is in order. First, I have MS. Had it for some time now. Second, the disease has brought some health care procedures into my life that, well, are not cheap. The medicine I inject every day costs my insurance company nearly $2000 a month. While I don't have to pay that much for it, they manage to reclaim some of the cost by allowing me to pay a large portion of my annual MRI expenses. Some years our portion of the expense becomes quite a challenge for the Mrs. and me, but this year I am blessed. An agency known as the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is paying for my portion of the cost. I am blessed.

In light of this, I am going to list some items on eBay during June and give 80% of the proceeds to MSAA. Kind of my way of giving back, since lack of employment makes it difficult to do anything else. I invite anyone reading this to check out what is available and pass along the word to others. Just look for "MSAA" in the title of my list of items for sale, and feel free to bid, bid, bid!!

Vacancy

2008-05-22T21:11:00.001-06:00

Since I last wrote, I have put a fair amount of energy into the project. Probably more than I have in quite some time. Granted, I can make no claim that any ONE room has been completed, yet I have managed to remove a few items from the clutter. We also had a guest using the guest room for a few days, which made a bit challenging to do anything in the room, except perhaps take naps. Cats do love naps. Nearly as much as I do.

Yes, our guest was a cat. Not just any cat, not some stray we found sitting by the garage, which in truth we did. Beautiful little thing, too. Timid yet tame. Obviously a cat that has made some human happy. Yet, there was no room in our inn for that cat, as I was reminded, and so I told the cute feline to find the way back home. Then I went in and assured our guest he still had the room to himself. Mostly. Our youngest feline made a visit or two, or three. Or more. Sure, I allowed him in for most of the visits, but his longest visit was when he snuck in. When our guest left, our little guy had to follow and say goodbye.

So, time for me to get back to preparing our guest room for the next set of guests, who show up next month. Thankfully, I won't need to keep a food dish, water dish, and litter box in the room with them. Sadly, I doubt I'll be allowed to snuggle up and take a nap them.

Re-something

2008-05-04T13:21:00.002-06:00

I was not sure how to title this post. I thought of 'resurrection' for a bit, but given that the word generally connotes something died, I opted out. Nothing died. Not me, not the project, not the intent and purpose of the project. All is still present. Me, the project, the clutter. Granted, there is a bit less of the clutter than the last time I put energy into it, but that only goes to prove the adage "a woman scorned" more than anything. Long story.

I thought of 'revival' for a bit, but that seemed more fitting for medical or religious topics, and while they both have some merit in the grand scheme of recent time, it still did not feel an accurate description for the project. Again, long story.

Recycle, reenlistment, reappearance. Nope, just not right. I admit that these words also work to describe the effort, and the life, but not the project. Once again, long story.

So I will just title this post as best I can, and pass the message along to anyone who reads this that there is stuff listed on SwapSimple, half.com, and eBay for the taking. Buying, rather. Please feel free to do so, and I will avoid the long story.

For those that care, and some that don't

2008-03-19T16:02:00.002-06:00

Barring the other day, I had not posted much for some time. There are a number of reasons for this, as was stated back in January, but the biggest absence came from being unable to access a computer for a few weeks. It is amazing how having the ability to use a computer, a decent one, can bring the smallest bit of light into an otherwise dark existence.

If at first

2008-03-16T16:50:00.002-06:00

For all intents and purposes, this project has stalled. Perhaps even failed. No one to blame but me. The bright spot: the clutter is being...decluttered. Just not by me. More later I suppose...

Same old, different day

2008-01-24T12:32:00.000-06:00

I can find plenty of reasons to kick myself, and the progress on this project is one. I am not sure what is contributing to the slowdown. Distractions, disagreements, disappointments. People with no clutter can't understand what happens to the cluttered mind of a clutterer, especially this one. Perhaps it's the reduction of meds, perhaps it is an undertow of depression. Perhaps it is looking at the Mrs. work her ass off, while I look at employment prospects and immediately negate myself. Ho, hum.

I have to go off and grovel for fundage at a local financial institution, mostly because I screwed up the whole Mom-in-a-nursing-home thing, and the Medicaid coverage didn't go back far enough. Wonder if I can give the home my clutter...or my soul?

Time flies and crashes around me

2008-01-18T10:39:00.000-06:00

Confessing that I've done little to nothing with the project is easy. Explaining is another thing. Figured I could at least keep up with the blog a bit. And now I have, so time to go clean.

Like I needed it

2008-01-09T12:16:00.000-06:00

Seeing as I want to keep this blog as relevant to the project as possible, I have signed up with a certain writing site, under the familiar moniker. In this way, I can give my tangents an arena more fitting, and even more visited. As soon as I can figure the means, I will add a link for you to go visit as you choose.

Keeping it honest

2008-01-08T20:16:00.000-06:00

I thought about it, but decided against it. It just did not seem right, although it would have provided a superficial positive. Right now I have Mom's "collections" spread out on the bed, a couple of TV trays, and half the floor. I realized today that this was not the time to attempt organizing, and thought I would move it out to a different room so I could take a picture of the 'finished' room, then put it all back into the room. That would be wrong, however. So I did not do it. Instead, I decided I will clean up the guest room for keeps, then take the picture. Not sure what I will do with the "collections," but I am sure I will get them some day. Might even be worth more by then.

None shall pass

2008-01-04T10:33:00.000-06:00

This is why I don't have a hobby: OCD w/depression.

Now, for decades I have known about the depression component and the way it screws with my existence, and in the last few years I've come to acknowledge the contribution that OCD has provided to making my life pleasant, but explaining 'how it works' to the non-crazy person is not always the easiest, and explaining it to the Mrs. is damn near impossible. Oh, for the joy of being raised on the set of "Make Room For Daddy" in rural white bread America. Not that TV is all that bad. Believe it or not, Ripley, the best explanation for a greater share of my behavior (especially the bad) came out as dialog on a TV show last night. Can't recall precisely which show, probably 'CSI.' They were talking about one of the victims and how she was OCD w/depression, and they proceeded to give one of the best explanations I have heard as to why she behaved the way she did. Even beat out what my last therapist said. Even made sense to the Mrs., who is a very intelligent individual who has often struggled with making sense of me.

That sounds worse than I thought it would.

Anyhoots, the concept that some thought gets mired in the chaotic bog and becomes "The Thought" (hence "The Behavior") is why I have some of the problems in my life that most people don't experience. It also explains why I don't really have a hobby, in the generally acceptable sense. Focusing entirely upon one thing to the neglect of all others is not a good practice, as a rule. Too bad, though. My hobby would probably be a great example of hobby-ness, as I suspect I would spend hours and hours and days and weeks and months...

Hey, wait a minute. How long have I worked on One Room? So much for that theory.

Here we are again

2007-12-30T16:44:00.000-06:00

It is nearly time to throw away those reminders of what was and when they needed to be. Naturally, I would not want to keep old calendars, now would I? I'll just bet, however, that somewhere in the clutter is at least one, if not more, calendar from some year past. It was probably kept for some reason, like the pretty pictures or some significant date of importance. Actually, I think I know of one day-planner style calendar sitting somewhere gathering dust that is... 2008 minus 1988...twenty years due for trashing. I think I keep it as some kind of personal punishment. It is that kind of pathology that makes this project such an overwhelming undertaking that the general public will never really understand. Still, I trudge ever forward one room at a time (mostly), hoping that errors of the past will fade away.

Bullshit. There are some things that are so tough for me to throw away that it takes years before I am able to do so. There are some errors of the past that will never fade away, as they are frequently brought back out, shined up, and used to beat people like me over the head.

Thankfully, the Mrs. has kept from tossing me away for years, and in light of that, I make greater effort to remove stuff that I don't REALLY need to have around. Lately I have been going through Mom's stuff, and the remnants of Dad's stuff, and surprising myself with the ease of getting it out of the house. Coming across antiquated things can be fun, and while I'll be dead before I get rid of the early 1900's Apothecary Cabinet, sealed cans of tennis balls from the 1940/50's and old books are far easier to remove. Well, that is if someone buys them.

If Only

2007-12-18T13:17:00.000-06:00

Reading is fun, writing is funner.

[pause for effect]

Especially when it comes to listing things on eBay. I know that I spoke of this earlier, but I always take such joy when it comes to writing up listings for the clutter I am attempting to sell off. Personally, even if the stuff doesn't sell, I would love it if people would just read the things, and then tell their friends, who would in turn read and tell. Sure it's an ego trip, but who that writes does not pack the ego bags up for a voyage when people are reading, and enjoying, the literary creations that flow from the voices in the head to the keyboard to the universe? Obviously I do, and obviously I have been busy of late, what with the 30+ things I have listed. Go check 'em out!!

One more thing. Time for me to select the next room. I'm thinking 'closet,' but doubt the Mrs. will let me get away with that. Offer suggestions.

It Doesn't, You Can't, So Stop Trying

2007-12-09T16:43:00.000-06:00

Sadly, I live in the town that gained some national attention these past few days, due to the actions of one individual. I put off making any comment on the event, not so much because it has little to do with the project (more peripheral than direct), but because my views may be seen as controversial or heartless. In all honesty, I am not even sure I want to express my views. I have learned, however, that it is best for me to express rather than suppress. Yeah, like that has been a positive thing in that past. Still, for all the crap I've piled upon myself by opening my mouth and speaking my mind, I still manage to feel the slightest positive reward when disclosing my views. Again, some of my opinions are controversial, so prepare thyself.

First, shut up. Or, more bluntly, shut the HELL up. I really don't want to hear or read about what happened at that mall anymore. I suppose a large contribution to this feeling is my tendency toward denial. In this case, however, I think it is less denial and more disgust. It bothers me greatly that the ultimate goal of this individual was achieved, that being the 'fame' he garnered for his action. It occurs to me that making such a spectacle of this tragedy serves more to reinforce the sick notion that any one of us can become 'famous' via a traumatic act than it does to deter any future acts. Need I remind anyone that the goal of terrorism is to strike fear into the minds of society and disrupt the status quo?

Second, nobody will ever know what this person was thinking or why he did what he did. We can speculate for eternity, but I can assure you that NO ONE will ever know. From experience, I can tell you that swimming in the 'whys' are just as bad as treading in the 'woulda, shoulda, coulda' waters. Ultimately you will drown, unless you find the shoreline. What I am really saying is that if anyone truly wants to get close to the mindset of this individual, you better prepare yourself for discovering some real ugliness inside. Not him, but yourself. I worry that saying something like that will make a few feel that I am heartless. I assure you that I am not. The contrary is what makes this event traumatic for me. It is probably some evolved positive empathy that keeps me from being the next news headline or top story, as I can very easily step into this individual's thinking process, but that same empathy can put me into his shoes when I close my eyes, recognizing the same potential for insane action. Make me one heck of a FBI profiler, huh?

Finally, the worst component of this event is not the loss of lives. Granted, I feel such pain for those who were present, for those who were wounded, for the families of those who were killed in such brutal fashion. No, the worst part of this tragedy will be glossed over, briefly mentioned, casually tossed into the mix as the media and society continues its exploration. Failure. In that sad, sick, twisted sort of way, this is about how things failed. Without specifics, I can tell you that similar elements of life gone wrong have played out in my existence. Troubled childhood issues, broken relationships, loss of employment, irrational views that the fault is external rather than internal. Yep, been there, seen that. Failure. Not of the individual as much of the 'system.' For all of our supposed progression as a society, we still can't handle the truth of the mental health system's failure to fight it out with the idiots in control, or the reality that our society does more to perpetuate mental health problems than reduce them. It didn't come as a surprise to me when I was told that the office employing my therapist was closing because it was not making enough money for the hospital administering it. It came as no surprise to hear that the shooter of late had mental health issues that seemed to receive little resolution since his first interaction with the system as a child. Time and money, money and time. A lack of either or both in the mental health realm results in a lack of, well, results. A lack of results, more often than not, ends in pain or tragedy.

So, I rant no further, and I put this out there for the globe to consider, and I move beyond this traumatic event much as I have others in my life. Then I go back to my corner of the universe and do my thing, which mostly means finding more boxes of stuff to empty out, and maybe listing some stuff on eBay.

Something

2007-11-30T15:39:00.000-06:00

You only thought I gave up on this whole thing. Truth is, I've been busy. Doing something. Now I have to do something else.

Did I recall something?

2007-10-24T17:40:00.000-06:00

I managed to let one of those scary thoughts enter my brain at some point during the last few days. One of those thoughts that I have spent years and dollars working to remove, recognizing that thoughts of this sort propel me down the dark alley of depression and negativity. Reeking of futility, these thoughts muddy up the reflection and cloud the perspective. The good part is that I know now how to handle these thoughts, but that doesn't make them easier to accept. The thought, in particular, is that I just as well forget about One Room given that it has been nearly a year and I've yet to finish one room.

As I look around me, I see that I've not come very far in my project. I can count on one hand the reasons for this, with the quickest to surface being the laziness factor. Follow that with obsessions (and compulsions) of various natures, and the joy of MS-related fatigue, and not much time is left in the day to accomplish any task, let alone making progress with One Room. I have to make some change in myself, again, if I want to see success. Change, however, brings fear. No, not because of any LCMS affiliation issue, but more for the general fear of change that comes with the human wiring. In my case, it is high voltage wiring.

Change stomps upon comfort. Lack of comfort brings out lack of control. Lack of control brings out futility, which contributes to depression. Hence, the entire scope supporting the One Room project is inherently depressing. Medications are helpful, but there is no "clean up my mess" medication. Hmmm. There's a money-making idea. A pill to remove the clutter. Riiiight. I know better. So, lacking the magic pill, I have to do it the hard way, which is harder than most would think. And recognizing that talking about the problem is the first step to combating the problem, I will take a deep breath, take another look around me, and see the potential for success rather than the overwhelming lack of progress.

Did I forget something?

2007-10-15T05:02:00.000-06:00

Age, a disease that eat brain cells, replacement addictions, non-replacement mental health issues, new household distractions. I suppose I can up with any number of justifications for my lack of posting. I can even say that I was just plain lazy. That hardly gives people anything to read, however. Did I mention that I've been tired lately? Or that people keep wanting to overeat out and all that food makes me lethargic? Maybe I can use the monthly milestone as a springboard for motivation and get some serious stuff done. Or I can go back to bed.

A round hole

2007-09-30T19:25:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I found an example of just how muddled the efforts of a clutterer can turn, when said clutterer wants to create a justification for keeping something. It came about after I decided to spend a little time clearing clutter away from the exterior of the garage, given that the weather was fairly decent for doing such things, and since I was tired of looking at that particular clutter, but mostly because I found the ground ivy was attempting to take over the lawn…again. The origin of attack was the area just under the clutter that didn't cover the ground, thus the focus of extermination had to be that same area. You see, I don't much care for ground ivy. When I smoked, I would go out and pull ground ivy up by hand on a daily basis, but I haven't been out for some time, and the ivy knew it. And once ground ivy gets a mind to take over a lawn, it gets the job done. Thus, I needed to get busy before it did.

I faced a choice I similar to ones I faced in the past. Where do I put this clutter I've kept whilst I terminate the growth of the ivy? I thought about putting it inside the garage, but given how long this clutter had been outside, I wasn't sure I wanted the accumulated bugs and slugs to join the accumulated interior garage clutter. I thought about moving it around to the other side of the garage, but the new grass managed to establish well on that side, so I didn't want to kill it off by cluttercation, a most deadly form of clutter suffocation. I thought about the spot on the other side of the shed, but the fencing awaiting a more proper location (for example, around the yard) is stored there. I finally came up with the novel idea of figuring out why I had collected the clutter and then actually tend to that 'why.'

Right.

Some of it was obvious. Screens kept from window spaces that had new combination windows, giving the screens new futures as screeny things. Therefore, screens were to be disassembled and the screen material rolled up nicely and stored. Glass kept from the same window spaces, primarily because it was old glass, the wavy, bubbly kind that comes with older houses, and just so happens to match the glass in the built-in cabinet doors. Therefore, glass windows were to be carefully deconstructed, the glass cleaned and carefully stored. Those were easy enough. More challenging were the long pieces of 2x2 that came from some deconstruction project of days past. Long past. So long, in fact, that the pieces of 2x2 barely resembled pieces of 2x2 and were more like 1.5x1.7x1.88x2 instead. And full of holes, those little kind of holes which explain why old wood is so light, the kind of holes that generally come with little piles of chewed up wood. As I looked at these pieces of wood, I realized that they had long passed the point of reusability, and there had to be some other reason I kept them. It might have been hardware related, as I had other items amongst the clutter that were the keepers of hinges and handles holding out hope for new homes. As I reflected upon this possibility, it hit me that 'hardware' was close, if you consider that nails and bolts and such are also considered hardware. Indeed, I had kept these 2x2 boards because of a discovery of a certain kind of hardware, a square head nail.

OK, so it is more rectangular-headed than square-headed, and it resembles a miniature railroad spike more than a common nail, but I was (at one point) fairly certain that it was old. Maybe even worth something. And where there is one old nail there has to be more. Thus, I kept all of these 2x2 boards until such time that I could cut them to a reasonable size and check them all for nails of a similar style. I obviously found one in the past, which explains why I kept the old wood. I have no idea where it is at this point, but I must have found one, and that is precisely what I found yesterday in that large pile of cluttered used-to-be 2x2 pieces of wood prior to tossing them into the trash bin. All of them, or at least nearly all of them, all saved for one purpose, all becoming clutter for one reason.

One old square nail.

Yet another

2007-09-27T07:34:00.000-06:00

Motivation is a wicked thing, especially when it seems to only run in streaks and is easily distracted. Lately, my motivation has been distracted by creatures of a furry nature. In fact, as I type this I find myself attending more to the little four-month-old feline attempting to type for me than I do planning out my efforts to get the guest room finished off. Some who know the situation know that Chester is a rebound kitten, with Noodles fast becoming a memory. The whole story is addressed elsewhere (and I will attempt to get the URL up for people to go read), so I won't spend any more time on it here. Having observed the little guy interact and acclimate to his new surroundings, I am quite certain we ended up better off with this little orange tabby. Could do without the nose chewing and sneezing in my face, but he is still very adorable. Might even get a picture up…as soon as I get my camera back.

OK, so Loki, Smudge, Mickey and now Chester are all waiting for a new place to nap, so I reckon I'll need to get working on that room. That is, if I can find the motivation.

Thwarted by constraints

2007-09-17T16:47:00.000-06:00

Now I know why there are so many three-quarter-dollar stores on half.com, and I will state on record that it seems conspiratorial. It seems there is a lower pricing limit of seventy-five cents. Thus, I am now one of those hundreds of virtual street corner vendors competing for attention with the lowest possible price I can place on my items. Yep, time for a different means of getting the attention of the many out there who have no knowledge of One Room.

Life is a cheap paperback novel

2007-09-16T07:52:00.000-06:00

The Mrs. has held for some time now that used books don't sell. I would have to grant that used books don't sell fast, but I think they do sell in the right markets. Sadly, I haven't found THE right market. I mean, there has to be more than a handful of people who actually know how to read the printed page, or that paper is used for some purpose other than wiping various orifices. When questioned why I was even bothering listing books on sites like Swap Simple or half.com, I reminded the question poser that books were part of the clutter. I have books, the Mrs. has books, there are books left about the house that prove we blended our genetic material a few times. I even have the blessing of inherited books from Dad and technically inherited books from Mom. [chuckle] Don't even get me started on the Stephen King novels, all hardbound, all in new condition, and probably never read, but MUST be kept. Where's that train?

So, anyhoots, where was I? That's right, books.

I listed a number of bound paper gems on Swap Simple, and have even swapped at least one away, which was the subject of a previous post here at One Room central. I have listed a number of old fashioned communication tomes on half.com and actually needed to send a few to new owners. I know there are people out there who want the tactile feel that only a book can provide, or have some space on their bookshelf that needs filled. I know there are people out there who want the books I can provide to them. Finding these people, however, can be a challenge. I have embraced this challenge. Well, that and decided to tackle the lowballers.

You know them. The street corner sellers who price things cheaper than the stores. Those folks who help make the great american way what it is, a vicious economic wrestling match to get the almighty dollar. The almighty dollar that will never make it into Heaven, I will remind you. The same almighty dollar that has storefront operations named after it, where you can find all manner of cheaper things at cheaper prices. On a certain half-sized web site, there is an equivalent of the dollar store, or rather MANY dollar stores. Technically, seventy-five cent stores, but what's a quarter? I reckon the main objective is to make the elusive profit via volume. Not that this is a horrible thing, as I am a consumer who loves bargains like anyone else. I am also a clutterer who needs to get things out of his house. And, in some regards, I am much like the street corner vendor competing against the storefront operations. Thus, I have resorted to a temporary tactic to move things and bring in browsers. I have taken on those other street corner vendors and will see just what they do in response.

You hear it here first, folks. I dropped the price on a great number of books I have listed on half.com, some at half dollar prices. The reasoning? Uhm, have you not been reading? I just wonder how long before I just have to mail the books to random people. Hmmm, that gives me an idea...

Subliminal messages abound

2007-09-11T17:14:00.000-06:00

Having the smallest measure of paranoia is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it is downright essential. Granted, my measure is not the smallest, and I do hold membership with the local chapter of conspiracy theorists, yet this does not keep me constantly checking over my shoulder. Beyond the fact that my neck would begin to hurt too much for my taste, I recognize that it is not all that necessary to constantly worry about things. The Mrs. would love it, in fact, if I would worry just a bit more about some things. Like the month of November looming on the horizon. Yes, that month the guest room will be required. It will get done. I will have it done in time, no worries. And I will do it my way, and...

[subliminal message follows]

If you put it out, they will touch

2007-09-03T04:38:00.000-06:00

What will perhaps be the last GaYaPo of this year goes into its final day today, the conclusion of a three day event (as advertised, even). I am happy to say that we sold enough items to cover our costs, and feed us, and best of all, to make a visual dent in the clutter. I will most likely continue to place stuff out today, as is my style, developed over the years by the factors of procrastination and wanting to provide nifty stuff for the end of the GaYaPo crowd, who get there after the selection has been gleaned of best buys and secret valuables. Another bonus of the delayed setting-out is having stuff to fill up the bundle offers, those uniques opportunities to set many items free at the same time to the same buyer, although generally at sub-prime prices. Still, when the ultimate goal is the clearing of clutter, then the latter is not all that bad of a thing. Even my neurosis stemming from the childhood trauma of having a $50 item sold for $5 (technically, a $100 item sold for $5) is not as strong as it used to be, as people assisting with this event attempt to sneak those discounted sales under the "he'll never know" radar and I just shrug. Am I happy? No. Can I do anything? No. Is the item taking up space in our house? Uhm, no. So the cute puppy gets a cheap carry kennel in which to lounge, and the Wolf stares down upon its new owner, an owner who paid $5 less than the sticker price for the framed print. Which , by the way, I don't know anything about. Hehheh.

Yes, this will be the final day of what might be the final GaYaPo of the year, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. Of course, this doesn't mean I'm ready to sell that $700 chair or $1200 trumpet for $5. Not yet, anyhoots.

One last little note. It is being discussed by those who discuss such things whether or not to edit the name of our outdoor sales events, calling them GaYoPoSi sales or some derivative, as there may be the need to reflect the inclusion of our sidewalk usage. I suspect there will be more discussion today.

You might be wondering

2007-08-25T07:37:00.000-06:00

The faithful five or so who follow this public record of things private understand by now that certain components of my personality not only drove the creation of this project, but also interfere with the project's progress. As the one I love most in this world is prone to say, if I "would only obsess as much on the project as I do on the games and movies, I'd have the whole house done." Sadly, this is most certainly true. Yes, I could achieve wonders. For that matter, I still can. I have switched the brain circuitry into GaYaPo mode, and have been exploring the calendar for possible dates, consulting with the weather wizard to make sure that it is a decent weekend. You know, no rain and not so hot I have symptoms for a week.

Right.

Now you know why the 2007 GaYaPo II has been delayed, as it has been too hot or too wet of late. Not to fear, it is upcoming, and I plan to hype and hooplah and use a free ad coupon. I have a few boxes of things all ready to go, priced from previous efforts. I have added new items, mostly stuff that didn't sell via eBay or half.com or get swapped away via SwapSimple. And quite honestly, I am ready to have things moved to new homes. So, as the Mrs. goes back to the grind of educating the precious and precocious and dealing with the parental denials, I go back to focusing my attention on something other than killing off Ordinators or watching foreign films. Granted, I have a church thing to finish off, and I need to throw Momma from the train, and I need to tend to pet issues. The lawn needs mowed... again. The vehicles need to be cleaned up and winterized. Meal preparation is an important distraction, as is personal hygiene. And then there are the bills.

So, if you were wondering what was up lately, now you know. Thanks for caring.

Don't stay in one spot too long

2007-08-20T16:03:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to preparing some of the "unusual" things I plan to list on eBay. I might even revisit some of the previous items, but without the taunt to Mr. Leno. There is quite a variety of "different" stuff, and while I would love to tell you all about them, I'd rather tease you (oh, loyal reader) into checking out what's currently listed on eBay. OK, just to whet the curiosity appetite, I will tell you about one of the "odd" items that will be up soon. I came about it in a way that requires explanation, which I shall proceed to do now. Granted, it may well become the same explanation I include with the listing, so don't get all bored when you check the listing on eBay. Just sit back and chuckle along with me and the two or three others who will take the time to read the description for the "Bag of Smudge."

Some back story is in order. In fact, I will even use visual aides!! You see, the "Smudge" to which I refer is not what one might automatically think. It might be easy to believe I've gone and done something with the remains of my smoking habit, which I might actually do, but such would not be the case. No, the "Smudge" to which I refer is a lovable, adorable habit I've recently adopted. Et violà:
Is he not the most adorable furball one has seen? This is Smudge, so named because, when we rescued him, the Mrs. thought his pudgy face was sooo cute, and I loved his coloration, but didn't want to use some passé moniker like "Smoky," so I came up with "Smudge." The Mrs. liked it, he had no comment, and the name stuck. Heck, he even answers to it now. Take that, silly mutts of the world. What you can't see from this photo is how he looked when he arrived in our house. He had been living the low life at some rural abode, and had obviously been out in the elements. Obviously stemming not so much from any physical ailments or maladies, but rather from the fact that his fur was so matted that he had the equivalent of a shell instead of a coat. I thought I had a photo of his first arrival, but failed to find it. I must rely, therefore, upon the following exhibit as proof:

Yes, that is all from him, collected gently over the course of days and weeks, small portions at a time carefully removed. Why not shave him all at once, you might ask aloud to your monitor? Hmmm. It was winter. It costs money to shear. I owned several scissors. Mostly though, I had a plan. A devious plan. It came from hearing a story on the Today Show about some lady who made a sweater from yarn made from her cat. Hence, one of my new listings for eBay... "A Bag of Smudge."

Like, you know, it was, like, all like, you know, then I was like

2007-08-14T17:37:00.000-06:00

The English language is such a marvel, when you really get down to it. We who speak Americanized English have so many words to use to describe so many things, yet we also have this marvelous tendency to use a single word to represent a wide and varied array of items and concepts. As a native American English speaker, I even enjoy the sound of some of the words available to me and others who share my vocabulary base. I have come to the point, however, that the sound of certain word grates upon my ears, and nearly causes me physical pain, especially if it is used in rapid succession within the same sentence. Sad to say, I just don't like "like." While this has no particular relevance to the project or any successful completion of any phase of it, I just felt the need to share my opinion. Since it is my opinion, you need not agree with it.

Nor, for that matter, even like it.

Feel free to not share your thoughts on the matter. You could better spend that time visiting the blog of my oldest chromosomal contribution at her new blogspot, litwitreviews.blogspot.com

It comes as no surprise

2007-08-11T13:23:00.000-06:00

I did not write much lately, as I did not do much lately. This is changing, however, as the summer draws near an end and 'things' need to be done. Not so much my things, but the effect bleeds over. I've begun to relist on eBay with a bit more earnest, and I am preparing for an early fall GaYaPo sale. I might even get the guest room done before it is needed.

Then again…

You gotta do what you gotta do

2007-08-01T08:35:00.000-06:00

Just finished planting some new flowers for the yard. I saw some last year, forgot about them, then saw them again this year and took the initiative to find out what they were and get me some. Hibiscus...hybuscis...hubbysicsic...tall plants with really big blossoms!! And I mean tall plants, if you want them tall. Up to six foot tall. I got the shorter variety, two red and one white with red eye. A few years from now I will have to post a picture of them, once they take off. Someone remind me.

Anyhoots, it is now August. My quasi-vacation is over, as I secretly gave myself July off just in case I needed it, due to the change of lifestyle thing with the not smoking. Having made it this far, I reckon I can deal with the associated stress of removing my clutter and dealing with Mom. Yep, plenty to do, but for now I am going to watch the Today Show discuss why we have sex...

Can I get an "ah, man!"?

2007-07-25T05:57:00.000-06:00

Took the last of the little blues Sunday, and in celebration, I consumed volumes of celebratory liquid and smoked a pack of my favorite menthols.

Made you think it, didn't I? Hehheh. Not to worry, there has been no relapse, and it would seem I can now become one of those militant ex-types any time. Go about making others feel guilty, restricting where they can engage in the behavior, urging my legislation to raise the per pack taxes to extortionate levels, making funky faces whenever someone lights up around me. You know the type, the ones that come off as a bit holier than the rest of us, but are probably sneaking a smoke behind their pulpits, and hoping that NBC's Dateline doesn't decide to start producing "To Catch a Smoker."

Or perhaps I can just take a deep breath, not cough, and figure out why my newest addiction has to be so problematic that it could make a weaker person say "wtf" and return to the old addiction, just out of spite. I say this for many reasons, not the least being that the void left by the extinction of one addiction is much like a vacuum, and you know what nature thinks of that. Well, you do if you are learned, and if not, think physics. Mommy Nature has nothing on Mum Psyche. A behavioral vacuum gets filled before the old way even has it's butt smacked by the door.

Yes, I can take joy in the success of the Chantix and my brain working together to remove the decades-old habit, but I really need to figure out how to equate staying up late to the evils of smoking. If I find a way, I can then begin research on a little blue pill for that, and I'll dust off my pulpit to prepare for the crusade which will follow. I can begin work on the "Awake Tax" legislation, and compile a list of those who don't care. I can build a web site to warn others of the destruction the behavior can create. I can develop curriculum for self-help groups to use to "cure" the new illness and make room for the next new illness.

Yeah, I could do that. Or I could go accomplish something related to the project.

Kiss another joy goodbye

2007-07-20T09:20:00.000-06:00

Everyone is happy with the Chantix-related actions of late, barring certain free market institutions and taxation entities. Well, everyone except the one person who is taking the drug. It really has little to do with the cessation of smoking and more to do with the side effect of the side effect. The Mrs. and I determined this quite by accident the other day, and after the last few days, I may have proven the theory correct.

Which, by the way, really bites it big time.

See, we have determined that the cause of a good share of the gastric disturbances may well be blamed in part to an interaction of Chantix and alcohol. Actually, both of us have a slight recollection of hearing some report on the same, yet we aren't sure where. I guess I could look it up, but I would rather look forward to the end of the Chantix. Giving up smokes is one thing, but giving up booze makes me sad. Next thing you know, I'll have to give up hoarding.

Wait…

My Casa is not Your Casa

2007-07-14T09:29:00.000-06:00

Funny how the smallest things can influence the course of history, whether on a global scale or some more personal arena. Having someone over to potentially purchase the glorified recliner that Mom insisted we buy for her, an item she basically used as a nest in which to sit and watch TV all day, rarely using the expensive lift component (or the recline for that matter), I was struck with the tiniest bit of shame over the present state of clutter in the 'public' parts of the abode. While it did rekindle motivation to work on the project, it also rekindled a feeling from the past which is primarily responsible for the clutter in the first place. "It's my house, damn it."

Granted, I am not a hermit, and thus the feelings of the Mrs. must be taken into consideration, meaning that the philosophy of my parents needs to go out the door (along with Mom's chair). You know the one. "It's my house, damn it, and if you don't like it, don't visit." Still, I think everyone has that feeling at some point, although with slight variations. I guess that is why I developed this project, as my feeling is important, but so is the feeling of 'it's my house' that the Mrs. nurtures. "It's my house, and I would love for you to come over." While I can sweep out the personal shame of clutter with the broom of ownership, that same broom is hardly useful to mop up the shame the Mrs. harbors when people do come over to the house. And while I can perch myself upon my owner's throne and Xbox my life away, I have to remember that the Mrs. has thrown her owner's feelings into the cellar for far too long and the true motivation for this project stems from her feelings more than mine. Damn it.

So, here it is, another day, and while I would love to go exploring the virtual world, I need to attend to the…real…world. Finances are a bitch when you ain't got finances…

Butt For the Grace of God

2007-07-09T14:22:00.000-06:00

It's been over a week, and lest I become an unreimbursed spokesperson for Chantix, I must say that it ain't been perfect. The ongoing gastric issues are tolerable, but the withdrawal symptoms are still there and make things tough. Granted, the "other little blue pill" seems to be making it easier to get through those moments when my body becomes flush with chemical desire and my habit-center pitches fits, but I can not say that the effort has been smooth. You try having nic fit at 2am or while you are driving and some dorf who thinks he is more important cuts you off. Yeah, that's how I roll of late.

Still, I managed to get a few more things related to the project accomplished, though not nearly as much as I could. Perhaps I will do better this week.

A low growl

2007-07-04T09:03:00.000-06:00

While this whole quitting business is not as difficult as it could be, I still sense some of the withdrawal, most notably when I get the "sweats." I also notice that I am a little easier to anger than usual, but some of that may be related to dealing with other issues, such as my choice of replacement habits. That discussion would cause tremendous stress, so I suppose I will let it go.

What news of the project? Hmm. Well, the books I listed last week barely got a peek, let alone any bids, so I reckon I will need to relist them after I post some items a bit more popular. I would love to get the guest room finished soon, if not for benefit of the project, but also to be able to point out that I can get something finished. Not that it would matter, as there is always something unfinished waiting to be pointed out. Still, I do feel it would be nice to get something done, even if it is only this post.

Day Eight, or a new Day One

2007-07-01T13:55:00.000-06:00

Two little blue pills, one for AM and one for PM. Hehheh. If only. Anyhoots, for anyone who reads this and doesn't finally have the last week of posts figured out, last Sunday I started a new approach to getting rid of this decades old habit of mine. No, not that one. Smoking. I have quit twice before, but still managed to jump off the wagon, so I am hoping that this third time will be the charm. To be honest, I am not 100% resolved, but it is the closest I've ever been. Because of other factors relating to the nicotine addiction, I decided to try Chantix [now I'm an advertisement for them], as it does not use nicotine to control the problem. Nope, instead it screws around with my brain cells. Like that's something new. Seems to be working so far, although I have felt some withdrawal effects today, and I worry that the Mrs. will tire of my smoking substitutes of sleeping and Xboxing. I keep telling myself that all I need to do is fight the urge for, uhm, four days and things will be a bit easier.

Right.

OK, so I think I'll go exploring for a bit, then do some other things a bit more productive, all in the hopes that I can distract my brain from this topic.

Day Seven

2007-06-30T09:47:00.000-06:00

Still two little white pills, but I must be adjusting somewhat, as I have not noticed many side effects of late. In fact, most of the nine I had yesterday (and the one so far today) where conscious decisions to engage and not some "feeling" that I needed to engage in the habit. Truth be told, I was doing fine today until I was passively reminded of all the things being ignored as I explored Morrowind. Yep, it was fun to walk my character into the river, let him drown, and go out and light one up. Not sure what I'll do starting tomorrow.

Well, in the interest of appearing that I've accomplished things, I think I will take pictures of stuff, list stuff, move stuff, pay for stuff, and hide stuff today. This evening I will "Roll With the Changes," even if not in an official capacity. Couldn't justify the $35 cost to sit on the grass, let alone the $45 cost to make a mad dash for an unreserved seat. As long as I can hear the tunes, I'll sit in the free zone until it is "Time For Me to Fly."

Day Six

2007-06-29T14:50:00.000-06:00

Two pills, little white ones, soon to be two little blue ones. Yesterday I kept it at nine. Maybe today at eight? It really matters not, as zero is fast approaching.

Finally started listing things again, so I'm in that mode. Not sure if a GaYaPo sale is in the near future, as we wanted to advertise, which means (for us) having a rain date. Too many busy weekends until, oh, September. I guess I'll see what I can do. Tonight, however, I get to enjoy my era music. LRB and KC on the same night? Hoohoo!!

Day Five

2007-06-28T14:27:00.000-06:00

Two pills, and if belching and the vomit taste are the worst of it, I suppose I can deal. Kept it at ten yesterday, though I could have done less if I'd have gone to bed earlier. I just had to get to the end of the game, and I was so close!

I surprised myself by remembering how I did the HTML for my eBay listings, so I'm off to get some more things posted.

Day Four

2007-06-27T11:17:00.000-06:00

One pill in the AM, one for the PM. Now I understand the side-effects business, given this nasty taste in the back of my throat, and the overwhelming desire to belch at all times. Should have anticipated it it more, given what I know about brain chemistry meds. The first clue should have been the ramping up technique used, as today I start taking two half dose pills, but by Sunday I'll be on two full dose pills. Can't wait. No worries, though, as I suppose the final outcome will be far better than any mild side-effects. Decided to force myself to stop at ten no matter what, so I went to bed about two hours early last night. Didn't sleep, but went to bed.

More tree branches this AM, but also working at some interior stuff. Ever retro-fit door knobs? Fun stuff, I can tell you. Using the bathroom door as a starter, but the guest room is the goal, as it is the current room for the project. I'll get there.

Day Three

2007-06-26T15:33:00.000-06:00

One pill, same non-effects. I wanted to cut back to nine yesterday, but managed to increase by one, ending the day with twelve. [sigh] Oh, well. Just means I get to work harder on it today.

I suspect that by some definition, the yard can be considered part of the project. I spent a bit of energy cutting out branches and limbs and piling them up, so I am going to count it as work toward the project. Granted, the Mrs. would love it more if I just finished something in the interior areas. I suppose I shall need to do something about that soon. Maybe now…

Day Two

2007-06-25T08:48:00.000-06:00

One pill. Still no noticeable side effects. Lit up eleven yesterday, three of which I'd say were "what the heck" motivated. Shooting for nine today.

Might even get some more stuff listed, and other stuff thrown away.

Day One

2007-06-24T15:31:00.000-06:00

One pill. No side effects of any severity. I suppose this can work.

But I like games!

2007-06-19T07:38:00.000-06:00

I reckon it was the traumatic childhood, or for that matter the traumatic adulthood. Either way, it seems I have a natural affinity for playing games. Must be human, huh? Nope, can't say that it is a human condition, as I know at least one other human who doesn't have a natural affinity for playing games (name withheld to protect the not so innocent). It really doesn't matter the type of game, although I do have to admit that I tend to avoid the more physical ones, as I am not so much into pain as I used to be. Nope, anymore I like the ones I can play on my computer, or my newest gift, the Xbox. Of course, it helps to know a little bit about the game before you attempt to play it.

See, before I knew I was getting the Xbox, I swapped for a computer game on SwapSimple. To their credit, my children attempted to talk me out of it, not so much because they were worried about the tension it would cause on the homefront, but because they were sure that the only way to play it was online, via a subscription service. No way, I argued.

Way.

So, now I get to attempt to relist it for swap, or sell it via eBay and hope to get my investment in shipping costs back. In the future, I will stick with the Xbox games I have. Ought to last me a good month, the way I figure.

I'm not a librarian

2007-06-18T11:10:00.000-06:00

Books. A great many books have I. Various topics, various genres, various ages. Most are on the shelf in something that loosely qualifies as a system, if "whatever I can fit there" is a system. My apologies, Mr. Dewey, but your hard work never really stuck, even though I worked in a Media Center for a bit. Sadly, some of the books are in boxes, in the attic, most likely providing an abundant harvest for the silverfish (or firebrats, to be more accurate). I have a near entire set of some pulp fiction series, a vast assortment of thrillers from the likes of King, Coyne, Saul, Koontz, and others. I have some classics. I have some old books in languages that I never could read, or could read but forgot what the words meant. Yes, a great many books.

Recently, I cluttered things up a bit more by bringing home a box of books from Mom's storage unit. I've listed some on SwapSimple, will put others on half.com, and might give a go at selling the older ones on eBay. One thing I do know is I probably won't do is read any of them. I can't remember the last non-technical book I read. Heck, I can't remember the last magazine I read in full, and there is a stack of newspapers that attest to my lack of reading in that realm. I suppose that one of these days…

Hmm. I think I've said this many times before. Guess I'd better get to reading something or getting rid of something. Maybe I will start with the Owner's guide to the Xbox game I just received.

Shameless self promo

2007-06-13T07:37:00.000-06:00

So, I'm driving home this AM, and on the local radio station I nearly always have on the dial (check out www.104star.com), they started discussing packrats. Sound familiar? I jumped out, ran to the phone, sat on hold a bit, and then talked with the morning air personalities about my perspective on the issue. I even promoted the project. It was fun to listen to our conversation when they played it back, but it occurred to me that now I would definitely need to get busy.

So much for my AM nap, eh?

But wait, there's more!

2007-06-12T06:02:00.000-06:00

Between house-sitting and sitting in Doctor's offices, I've almost forgotten lately what my house looks like. Oh, that's right, it's cluttered. And today we've someone coming over in an attempt to sell us new windows, at least in their mind. We're in it just for the estimates. Before the sales effort arrives, however, I have been mandated to make things look.... less cluttered?

Furry clutter

2007-06-06T08:30:00.000-06:00

Having just cleaned the litter boxes for today, it occurred to me that some of my clutter will never leave, yet I'd better work harder to get it organized. The way I figure it, it was either the new purring addition to the family, or it was the son searching for something, but whatever the cause, I noticed a few things out of place. Out of place in the sense of scattered about. Granted, the fact that my med renewal managed to get delayed, so the order I placed before my visit to Chicago which I expected to be here when I got back home wasn't here, which means I've been out of the "keep an even keel" pills for a few days and have found myself obsessing on the smallest of things, like a piece of paper in a place it wasn't before or a piece of technoclutter on a pile that it wasn't before, or moving the three month's worth of unread newspapers from the couch to the floor to the couch to the floor, or spending an extra long amount of time waiting to get the perfect head shot with my sniper rifle in Halo, or typing excruciatingly long sentences before I get to the end of them. You get the idea.

Where was I? Oh, that's right, the new motivation. Her name is Mickey, she's a tortie, she's loud and loving, and she is really into exploring her new domain. Sadly, there a few places she goes that even the other two cats know to ignore. Thus, I suspect I will keep finding things where they weren't and missing things where they ought to be. I can't wait to see what she does when I open up the guest room to begin the final stages of cleaning it up...

Tilting to one side

2007-06-03T07:56:00.000-06:00

For years I've chuckled about the mess the English language can create, given that a single word can take on so many meanings. I'm not the only one either, and some have made a decent living off the phenomenon. My experience with non-English languages is limited, so I don't know that it is all that unique to my native tongue, but I suspect that there is less confusion with languages where one word means one thing and not five other things. What is really fun is to find those instances where one meaning of a word makes the other meaning or meanings near comical, but at the same time very fitting.

For example, when I follow the strong urgings of the Mrs. to take pen to paper and create a series of tasks to be accomplished, and compare it to her series of tasks to be accomplished, the image of knights jousting is not the first thing that comes to mind, but there does seem to be a subtle significance to that image. A joust, after all, was a competition where the terminal objective was to knock someone off their high horse, so to speak. To me, calling the area where the joust occurred a list gives a new feel to creating a series of tasks that need to be completed. Ultimately someone wins and someone loses. Ultimately some task is knocked out and some task is left sitting. Problem is when too few are knocked out and too many are left sitting. Worse, when the group of knights from the next marsh over show up and challenge those left sitting, the place gets a little crowded. You know the feeling. Cross off one task and five others replace it. Yep, 'list' seems to be the right word.

Try this image on for size. Have so many knights around who want to challenge, and then load them up on a boat, and build the battle arena on the port side of the boat, thus giving a new perspective to the meaning of lists, especially when the starboard side of the boat is barely skimming the surface of the water from all the weight on the port side. Too much tilting to one side can cause a serious problem, even sink the boat, a catastrophic event from any perspective. Aye, mate, it be a shame to have the boat list from the lists. Thus we have my view that lists are bad things. Very, very bad. After all, I don't want my boat to sink, or the project for that matter.

Ah, the subtle psychological twists are endless, aren't they?

Home is where the clutter is

2007-05-31T20:32:00.000-06:00

OK, so it has been a few days since I last posted anything, but I have a legitimate excuse. The Mrs. and I were exercising the parental option of visiting the adult children. Given that the second born lives far enough away to qualify for the extended visit as opposed to the short visit, it might be more accurate to say that we went to live with her and hubby for a while. Being away from the home means nothing is done on the project, but coming back home is a strong reminder that there is much work to do before it can be called a success. Since we don't have firm traveling plans for the rest of the summer, let alone the year, I reckon I have little barrier to getting most of that work done. I might even see fit to post more frequently.

A Model World

2007-05-16T12:59:00.000-06:00

Timing, as someone once said, is everything. Comedy, opportunity, food expiration. The best of these things are highly dependent upon the right timing. Recently, I discovered another thing that benefits from timing, that being listing items upon eBay™. Some explanation is in order.

This month is one of those transitional, do things other than the project months. Clothing had to shift from the dang-is-it-cold to the dang-it-is-hot wardrobe. School ends this month, which means that daily routines will change. Hehheh. This month, the outdoor tasks begin to take priority over the indoor tasks, and new things like watering the garden have to be remembered. This year, the beginning and end of this month are taken up by traveling and preparing for said traveling. This year, this month means the oldest offspring and spouse are transitioning to that stage of marriage known as Real Estate Indebtedness, with the required moving of things that suddenly don't look all that nice. This year, this month also brought the change from a generous supply of household freezer space to a generous supply of "ohmygoditisallthawed" food that had to be eaten (or tossed) and the associated task of figuring out what to do with the freezerbeast if it's broke.

In light of all this, it was decided to postpone the next GaYaPo sale until June, and I avoided listing things on eBay™ that would have to be shipped off to new homes. Granted, there are still the things on SwapSimple and halfdotcom that could suddenly become must have items during my absence, but given past history...well, I am not too concerned that anything will suddenly come into demand. Still, I did decide that there was a brief point in the middle of the month where I could list something on eBay™ and have the transaction complete before I had to travel. I figured that I would take one group of things that I had not listed before, and based upon how many GaYaPo sales they have sat through, I didn't figure that I would be required to wait for too many payments and have to ship off too many packages. Right. This is where that timing thing comes into play.

See, one of the things of which the project suffers is lack of exposure. When things are on eBay™, it is an opportunity to obtain some exposure. The more things that I list, the more potential exposure, especially if the things are popular. Dad's trains were popular, pulling in great numbers of views. Other things, not so popular. Who knew that model car kits would pull in the number of views, especially since they were hardly looked at during sales? In fact, who knew that I would have, of this writing, six of the nine items sold with another day to go? Who knew that I would have, of this writing, some of the biggest viewing hits of anything I've ever listed? Of course, I won't be listing anything else before the end of the month.

Timing is everything, and once again, my timing is a bit off.

Ever-expanding universe

2007-05-08T07:29:00.000-06:00

While the project efforts seem to plod along in the slow traffic lane as real-life demands zip by in the commuter lane, I do manage to catch a bit of news now and again that gives a feeling of hope. Not that this has happened lately, but it does happen at times. I nearly have all the painting complete in the guest room, and some of the larger clutter in that room will soon be taking up space in another home, so I can see just the smallest bit of success on the horizon. As I was reflecting upon this piece of happy, I heard a news item regarding the discovery of some planet in some other galaxy that fit some scientific criteria for being like Earth.

Personally, I think this is cool, and not just because it opens up yet another potential market for my clutter. I think it is cool because there exists the possibility that some other planet is populated by living things. Should they be advanced enough, there exists the possibility they are aware of us. Should they be aware of us, there exists the possibility they would desire to come visit. Should they come visit, there exists the possibility that my favorite personal giggle could come true.

Yep, I would love to walk out of church on Sunday morning to find a spacecraft in the parking lot.

GaYaPo Sale

2007-04-29T19:02:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again. The time when the imaginations of youth call them from the other side of school windows, the imaginations of teens call them into the gutter, and the imaginations of deluded clutterers call them from the garages, yards, and porches of strangers. Yes, that glorious time when I once again set my worldly possessions out to be pawed and fondled by all manner of people. When my concept of value is challenged by those who offer give half of whatever price is on the tag, or less. When my ownership nerves are frazzled by watching my "favorite" item get loaded into the car of someone who can't ever love it as much as I did. This time, this particular sale, the first of this season, was a bit different in that I was more willing to sell things. Even the eldest daughter made some spending money selling off things to which she and her hubbie no longer felt attached.

And since I am tired from all the effort, I will end this now, perhaps to revisit the topic in the near future.

Dummie or Complete Idiot?

2007-04-23T14:51:00.000-06:00

You know how you just know some things? Not just knowledge things, but all manner of things in general. For example, the other day I am out engaging in my vile, filthy, deadly habit and I just knew that the guy walking up the sidewalk was going to ask for a smoke. From half a block away I knew it. I suppose he has asked in the past, which is why I just knew he would ask again, and despite my best efforts to become invisible, there he was offering up a quarter and asking away. Another example. I just know the Mrs. will ask what I did today, which is more apt to become a focus upon what I didn't do. Again, it is probably the number of years of exposure to the Mrs. and her way, yet I just know she will do it. Another example, to which you might relate better. When driving, you just know which individuals are going to run the lights and stop signs, you just know that when you are in a hurry the slowest drivers will be in front of you, and you just know that when you need the wipers is when you will remember you didn't change them. Still, all these examples pale to that intuitive, hunchy-type knowing that borders upon paranormal. Not that I have any specific examples of that kind of knowing, but I am certain I have had those moments at various points in my life. I just, well…know it.

Still, I encountered another of those "I just know it" (or in this case, "knew it") moments this morning when I checked my email. See, over there (to the left) is a link to a site called SwapSimple. Interesting site it is, based upon a style of barter, and chock full of books, DVDs, and video games. Formed in part as an alternative to getting screwed by the campus bookstores and the used book buyers, the site invites people to join up and meet other swappers who might have what you need or need what you have, as relates to college texts and college distractions. Being farther removed from college than I may want to admit, I joined to appease a certain member of the genetic distribution, and have listed a few things from the clutter. I won't say how long ago I joined, but I will say that an item I listed yesterday became the first one of the many items I have listed that I need to ship out because someone else wants it. Funny thing, I just knew it would be snatched up in a very short time. It was the knowing that made me hesitate for weeks even listing it. It was the knowing that made the decision to list it yet another decision process, that being whether to yard sale it, eBay™ it, halfdotcom it, or SwapSimple it. It was the knowing that brought back memories of American Colonial History, and the slightly disgraceful sociological event that made Salem a common name, and I don't mean the cigarette (although there is some warped significance to an item that is ignited and burns and smokes being associated with the name 'Salem').

Again, a reminder: overwhelmingly college-aged member base SwapSimple has.

What did I list? Hehheh. After considerable internal dialog of a moral vein, along the lines of fighting a temptation to keep it and read it versus fighting an urge to incinerate it versus fighting the desire to visit Pastor and let someone else make the decision, I listed a book upon the SwapSimple site. It came from Mom's stuff. It is called The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft.

Yet another rousing post of nothingness

2007-04-21T08:47:00.000-06:00

Quite honestly, I've not done much at all in terms of the project. I suspect that it is because, quite honestly, I've not done much at all in terms of life. Post taxes stress disorder, I suppose. Today is a new day, however, so I am prepared to do battle with the clutter yet again, and tackle the required tasks needed to finish up with the guest room. Of course, the considerable wind whipping up today whipped up, in just the last few seconds, a new chore, that being the repair of my garage door. The fun never ends.

It's

2007-04-15T06:57:00.000-06:00

And now for something completely different, a man who has just finished filling out his tax returns.

We can see by his head resting upon the table, this is a very tiring and trying process, but one which enjoys an annual invasion into the lives of most, excluding those with money who can afford the means to not pay taxes, let alone not fill out and file the returns. We know this because it is common knowledge. As the tax deadline is looming, it would not behoove the man to rest quite yet, but all attempts to arouse him have bordered on the obscene and have not managed to succeed to this point. In the spirit of community, it may be good of us to assist the man with the filing, as long as the filling has been finalized, so let's just take a peek, eh? We'll just move his arm, like so, and the pistol, like such, and carefully avoiding the pool of blood we find that he has indeed completed the form, and properly signed it. Finding no check for the $4600 in taxes owed, however, we must assume that he fell asleep prior to cutting the check, although it seems his wrist was more readily available than the checkbook. Not to worry, we'll just include the Form 666z-BM, the standard "Monthly Installments of Turnip Blood and Pig Wings" form, with the "will pay in full when soul is sold on eBay™" box checked.

In related news, George 7, Democracy 0.

Also to be noted, a rather large Yard Sale will be held weekend after next, barring unforeseen circumstances of apathy and drizzle.

A final note: God exists by two falls to a submission.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program, already in progress.

Keeping the day job

2007-04-09T09:26:00.000-06:00

I amaze myself at times with the number of distractions I can create to keep me from working on the project. Granted, I have listed a few new things on eBay™ in addition to the relists in order to reduce some of the new clutter, but it seems hardly enough to give a glowing report of things accomplished. A few of the distractions of late could be deemed legitimate, such as finding the required documentation for the caseworker who will hopefully present some financial assistance to pay off the HUGE debt accumulating with Mom's care. Or gathering up the items needed to complete the joyful task known as Tax Return Filing. I really don't mind filling out the forms, I just have this aversion to seeing how much I owe. This is probably why I have so many distractions for the distractions. One of my recent efforts to avoid battling the Tax Return Filing Beast, as well as to reduce the amount of sleep I receive, involved following through on one of those things that could be found on a "things to do before I die" checklist, if I had such a thing. Understand that this goes beyond the more common "things I ought to be doing," such as going to the Fitness Center and working out. The change of seasons allows me a bit more time outdoors, which tends to be less expensive than the Fitness Center, so I've been taking longer walks, generally on a daily basis. PT Lori might take comfort in that, especially if she discovers that I haven't been to the Fitness Center for a few weeks. In a way, "I ought to be working out" is being accomplished, just in less of trackable fashion. No, the recent effort to which I refer was definitely a "before I die" kind of thing.

It began with a sleepless night. I am not sure why it happens, but there are times when my brain decides to go into hyperactive mode just about five minutes after I go to bed. I have adopted the '30 minute rule,' which basically means that if I am still awake 30 minutes after I go to bed, I get up and do something. Usually the something is turning on some late night show or putting in a movie or following random links on the internet. This particular departure from the bed, however, I sat down at the computer and typed out the chaos that kept me from sleeping. The end result was an effort at creating [drum roll] a stand-up comedy routine. Hehheh. For years I have harbored this desire to determine if I could actually do such a thing, given my involvement in theatre, but self-censorship and self-doubt interfered with ever engaging in the activity. This time, however, I decided that the only way I would know if I could do it was to, well, do it. I took a small piece of what I wrote, found a local open microphone opportunity and sullied forth to discover that I was funnier five minutes after going to bed than I was hours before going to bed. Granted, the venue was not exactly the best for doing stand-up, so I might attempt once more to get up on stage and make perfect strangers laugh, but I will have to let the recent experience fade into the scary recesses of my brain that hold such things as auditioning for The Full Monty and taking the Jeopardy contestant test. In the meantime, I have a cluttered room calling out to me, and it isn't full of people wondering why the heck I'm there.

Nothing, really

2007-04-02T08:26:00.000-06:00

It's not so much that I haven't been working at the project, it's just that I really had nothing to say about it, so I didn't sit down to write anything. I mean, I suppose I could go on about the little details of how I finished vanilla-ing the south wall of the guest room, or how I finally got Mom's previous bed assembled and immediately piled with things, or how I brought in one of those metal shelf units and can now keep the listed eBay™ items in one place other than the couch or love seat. Heck, I even managed to take some pictures of stuff to list, which I will be doing shortly after I post this. No, the absence of new posts is not directly related to any failure of the project, just not anything interesting to share. Well, not anything interesting that is directly project related.

I have had other topics of interest that I could have typed up and posted. For example, when I realized at some point a few days back that it was rather amusing how ALL of my prescribed meds barring the injections state "May Cause Drowsiness" as the first side effect. It is amusing because fatigue is one of the most prevalent problems that MS has tossed into my life. Fatigue, meet drowsiness, drowsiness meet fatigue, time for a nap. Or I could have written about how I have this not-so-secret ambition to show others the influence people like Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, George Carlin, Robin Williams, and Richard Pryor have had on me. Mix that with Benny Hill, Monty Python, a healthy portion of Lewis & Martin, Abbot & Costello, and the Marx Brothers, and it explains a bit about my sense of…perspective. Perspective that caused me to suddenly think of putting up a post entitled "Read this and get ten bucks" with "buck, buck, buck, buck, buck, buck, buck, buck, buck, buck" as the body. I might have done it, too, had I not suddenly thought of it at 12:04 this morning. Just would not have had the same effect.

Nope, there really isn't anything for me to post, as regards the project, which is what this blog is all about. Perhaps some inspiration or event will occur, but in the meantime, I suspect I better get to working with those pictures and listing stuff. Fun, fun, fun.

So…How Much Is Postage?

2007-03-22T09:03:00.000-06:00

I am fairly certain that I previously discussed the difference between a collection and clutter, but it bears worth repeating at this time. Clutter, loosely defined, is a jumble of items. A vast disorder of things, just a notch above the total chaos of the nest of a pack rat. A collection, again loosely defined, is an accumulation of items, generally with some common connection. Unless it is Sunday, then a collection is an accumulation of cash, but that is hardly relevant to this discussion. Well, sort of. More on that later. The common connotation associated with a collection is one of order. Granted, the order is not always clear upon first glance, but generally a collector has some structure, some way that individual items fit within the collection. Shelves lined with Beanies, grouped by family or year of release. Cabinets of curious curios, matched by size or style or origin. Walls filled with art, bookcases filled with books, racks filled with CDs. And albums of, well, stuff that one puts into albums. Like stamps or coins.

As I go through Mom's worldly possessions which she can not have with her at the skilled nursing facility, and which is taking up a considerable amount of space in my house because the unskilled storage facility is full, I have found her "stamp and coin collections." Ahem. The woman has stamps. Hundreds if not thousands of stamps. She also has a few albums. Funny thing is that most of the albums are empty or nearly so. Hear me laugh. Why laugh, you might be asking? Mostly because of another key difference between clutter and collection. The latter, organized in some attractive fashion, has value. The former, while having inherent value, is functionally worthless. Want to guess what an old envelope full of stamps is worth? Not much. Want to guess what those same stamps are worth in an organized album? A lot more. The same goes for coins. Mom has a serious number of coins, most of which qualifies as pocket change, but a few of them may actually be valuable. Hard to tell, though, when they are all jumbled up together in a margarine tub. I attempted to tell Mom that an old pill bottle of coins was closer to a church collection than a coin collection, but the concept was lost in the paranoia that I was going to do something with her "collections." Gee, maybe I will do something. Perhaps something like organize them.

Of course, for the moment, that organization is pretty much going to be along the lines of "this box is stamps" and "this box is coins."

Old Habits

2007-03-16T08:11:00.000-06:00

The chat with the Geriatric Psych dude who met with Mom yesterday, and subsequent reflection upon said chat, brought about that battered phrase regarding learned behaviors and the difficulty of removing them. Not just Mom's. I've my own box of habits, as most humans do, and not all of them the greatest things. The One Room project stems from the habit of keeping. There's the habit of putting things off, which explains why I miss bill deadlines or sticking that dang needle into the zone of the day or not posting as frequently as I could. Lori (the PT), the MS clinic, and Dr. Mike are all in line behind the family in urging me to lose the tobacco habit. These habits are among those I have that I am willing to work at removing. This time of year, however, brings out another habit which I enjoy, although it does tend to get the mood swings going. Let's just sad that "Madness" is appropriate in some cases.

Yep, it's time for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

For as long as I can recall, I've loved basketball and loved to pick the tourney. Even the Mrs. gets into things this time of year, although for her it is mostly the watching and rooting. I average about 75-80% correct picks, which explains why bets don't enter the picture for me. Granted, I have participated in a few "office pools" with little return on my investment, but I think sports is too volatile a thing to risk reducing available funds. For me, it's about the bragging rights and verifying the coach instincts. In fact, one thing I miss the most is coaching, which explains just a bit of the sadness that hangs in the air. Still, the fun of watching the underdog win at the last second, even if I picked the higher seed, pushes away most of the negative emotions. Anyone who picked Duke this year knows what I mean. Wait, I picked Duke.

Oh, well.

As of this writing, I am 10 of 16, which pretty much means I blew it this year, although only one of my Sweet 16 is gone. Also as of this writing, I am only relisting things on eBay, and slowly making space in the house for the things that are cluttering up the guest room. I expect that come Monday I will be locking myself in the guest room with the goal of taking pictures of stuff to sell and getting things back to working order before the next round of basketball. By the way, for those who care, I look forward to watching Coach Roy take on his old program in the finals.

In Duh Moment

2007-03-10T13:42:00.000-06:00

When I began the One Room project, it was my intent to develop a website in conjunction with my efforts, designed both to describe the project itself and provide links to relevant stuff (like this blog). Unfortunately, my hardcode html skills have long since vacated the neural storage areas, so I was hoping to find a certain piece of software I just knew I had…somewhere. For weeks I hoped to come across it, but sadly the software made no appearance. I didn't want to delay the oneroomatatime.net announcement too long, so I redirected the site to the blog. I figured that at some point I was either going to have to relearn all the html skills or learn some new freeware to build the site as I wanted it.

Until yesterday.

Yes, I found my software of choice, the one I knew I had somewhere. Little did I realize that the somewhere was right over my shoulder, on the bookshelf, next to the software I used in a previous existence. When my eyes actually decoded the visual cues, my mouth expelled the sound "duh." So, after a quick refresher and other issues of a technical nature, I will soon be constructing the One Room web site in all its deserved glory. Mostly.

On a 1RAT related note, Mom's stuff is really in the way. I haven't even been able to work on the guest room since we moved her stuff into the house, but I did manage to reclaim the entryway and get the love seat cleared off. Spring, however, is just around the corner, which means YARD SALES!!!

This week is that week

2007-03-06T06:51:00.000-06:00

Almost forgot to remind folks:

National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
March 5 - 11, 2007

In honor of such, the toys are back on eBay™.

Playtoys for kitties

2007-03-03T10:07:00.000-06:00

Things are progressing slowly, yet are progressing. I actually have a path through the living room, and my entryway is clutter-free once more. I actually began to relist items on eBay™, so feel free to check them out. More things will be listed in the future, although not as quickly as perhaps needed. I still want to get the guest room finished.

In the meantime, I will keep kicking the rubber ball to watch the cats chase it and laughing at them as they jump into the newly emptied boxes.

Obstacle course

2007-03-01T10:20:00.000-06:00

I know…there is…a computer…here…somewhere. Aha! Found it!!

Having completed the removal of Mom's things from her independent living apartment, I now enter the next phase of things clutterish: dealing with her stuff, stuff that has turned my house into a sadly familiar environment. Moving from A to B once again involves lifting skirts and stepping lightly, and that is just so the cats don't get squished as they check out the myriad new exploration opportunities. Knocking piles over has once again becoming a daily routine, as has moving piles from here to there. Thank goodness for the assist from the eldest daughter, because I am not sure where we would have put the things that DID sell. Unfortunately, I still have way to many things left, and not just furniture. It was actually the Mrs. who declared it what I now use as title for this post. Yep, seems fitting. My other title option was "Omigodwheretheheckismy?"

Well, I expect that I will once again enter the eBay fray, more out of necessity than desire. That is, if I can find the packing supplies in all this…clutter.

Things that make me go "Mom!!!"

2007-02-22T20:14:00.000-06:00

You know the drill. Mom goes to the skilled nursing facility, but her stuff doesn't. It must go somewhere. The oldest tax-deduction-of-the-past, otherwise known as the eldest daughter, is making effort to help in relocating things so that Mom's clutter doesn't compound my clutter and make the project implode. To make those efforts easier, I went to take photos to post. It would have been nice if I had checked the battery before I got to Mom's apartment, thus avoiding the second trip to it, thus avoiding the haste that brought about blurry pictures. Sorry. In addition, I didn't take Mom's clutter off, so it is just the furniture that is available for new homes, not the clutter in/on it. No secret where I get some of my dysfunction, eh? Here are photos:

Bookcase w/doors
59"h X 24"w X 9"d
Doors are 14"h
Sold!!

Bookcase (matches above)
39"h X 24"w X 11"d
Sold!!

Dresser
32"h X 50"w X 16"d
Mirror is 40"h X 32"w

Desk
31"h X 40"w X 18"d
Sold!!

Lift chair
42"h X 34"w X 36"d
All features work

Lamp
67"h

Glider/rocker & ottoman (2 of these)
41"h X 29"w X 32"d
ottoman is 14"h X 19"w X 16"d
SOLD!!

Entertainment/display center
76"h X 48"w X 18"d
comes in two pieces; mirror and top glass case are lighted

Dining table w/leaf; 4 chairs
table is 29"h X 42"diameter; leaf is 10"
Reclaimed

Doing the Math - Week Twelve

2007-02-19T08:35:00.001-06:00

Due to the break, there is no math homework.

I always wanted to say that…

Mmmmm, vanilla

2007-02-16T12:36:00.000-06:00

Working on the guest room is a nice change of pace from stirring up the frozen dust in the attic, but I still find the need for the space heater. Cheaper to run that than pay ANOTHER overpriced gas bill (the bills for last two months have extorted over $170 from us). Some of the chill comes from broken windows, which I will have to add to the list of things to do to fix the room. No big deal. OK, maybe a slightly larger deal than I let on, but I know that it will get fixed. In the meantime, the cleaning and painting is moving along nicely. Even managed to get a chuckle out of things yesterday.

See, when we went to get new paint for the room, we took along one of the curtains, as they were going to remain in the room. As stated before, I did that manly thing of holding it up against the color swatches for the Mrs. to approve choices for the room, and we picked ones that matched elements in the curtains. Who would have thunk that we would pick a color for the walls that is nearly identical to the existing color? Yeppers. I get things taped and begin to paint and discover that something didn't change. I mean, come on, this was to give things a new look, not be all same looking. Granted, it is nice to have a fresh coat of paint to cover up the evidence of little human fingers smearing God-knows-what on the walls, as well as to cover up the spackling spots where various holes were filled. But the same color? After my initial distress, I started to chuckle at the situation. Why? Because you know that if we had gone in to match the paint, we would never have accomplished it.

Still, there is one great difference that stands out. Actually, it kind of wafts out. No, not the smell of fresh paint, although the waftage did have something to do with the paint. See, as we were shopping for paint, we came across this POS display promoting a paint additive called "Paint Pourri." Keep in mind that recent olfactory memory of this room involved the combination of teenage male, pissing dogs, nasty rabbit habits, and a bit of mildew. Not pleasant. It would come as no surprise that the Mrs. and I both gave this product a closer look. Essentially, adding this to the paint made it become a "long lasting air freshener." Cool. Had all manner of smells to choose from, each with a little scratch-n-sniff spot. We chose a smell that we both could live with, one that was a favorite of the Mrs. and could be tolerate by me (allergies can be so problematic when it comes to aromas). Of course, I suppose our food bill will go up now. Want to guess the smell?

Now you see it

2007-02-15T10:16:00.000-06:00

I figured I would give you a peek at the room of interest, so that your interest could be retained. As I stated before, we actually began to work on the second bedroom…uhm, guest room, when the last little bird was pushed over the edge of the nest. All of the carpet was yanked out, exposing some truly nasty nastiness underneath. While the "No More Dogs" proclamation might be rescinded in the future, I am quite certain the "No More Rabbits" and "No More Teenagers" proclamations will stand indefinitely.

As you can see, no room is safe from clutter, although this clutter is more worthy of existence than most around the house. Some of it is Mom's stuff which is slowly invading the place (and had better invade quicker as it has to be out of her apartment by the end of the month), and some of it is packing/shipping related, stuff that tends to relocate every time I need to send out an item that was sold. The problem is, I don't really have a different spot to put most of the stuff, so it has been necessary for me to move it to one side of the room as I work on the other. Must love dropclothes, which I'll have you know are old shower curtains. Hah! And the Mrs. thought they should be thrown away.

From this angle we see the secret closet. OK, so it's not all that secret, but it has a secret. No, not the "hiding spot for things Mom and Dad would be pissed to find" secret. The "guess where the door is" secret. If you go back and look at the attic pictures, you'll find it. Yes, I used it to separate the attic storage from the attic (un)finished. More on that later, I reckon, when I get to that room. As for the closet, I am not quite sure how it will change when all is said and done. We might be nice and let someone store things in it.

I included this picture, not so much because it shows anything truly different than the other two, but because it has a better view of what was used as the foundation for redecoration decisions. See the curtain? OK, squint hard and you might find the color scheme for the final phase. And if you think that is funny, now imagine me walking about the hardware superstore with a curtain in my hand, putting it up against the color swatches in the paint section. Required some serious chest hair ripping that day...

Executive decision

2007-02-12T09:42:00.000-06:00

I think it's a Sheryl Crow song that says it best. "A change would do you good." After reflecting upon my bout of negativity last week, I decided to change course a bit. The causes, as usual, were numerous:

1) The whole debacle with the returning trains. It wasn't so much that they ended up returning to the clutter, but that they returned because I didn't take the time to check them out (and in the case of one of them, failed to pack things as securely as I usually do). The cost of their return also brought about poopiness, as I had spent some of the funds and had to scramble to replace it. Realizing that I had become caught up in the money, I decided to ease off the selling aspect of the project. I'll still put an item or two up as I come across them, but the effort to do so will be minimum or I won't obsess on it.

2) The attic is cold. Even a portable heater isn't all that helpful, and given that there really isn't room downstairs for all the sorting space required, I didn't feel much like hanging around shivering while I decided if anyone would benefit from my "collection" of magazines, or as I determined just how much that antique doll is worth.

3) The attic is dusty. Between the meds that dry me out, the dry winter air that aggravates the situation, and my nasty tobacco habit, my sinuses are a wreck. Just five minutes in the dust gives me a headache.

4) Mom. And her stuff.

I'm sure there are a few other factors that contributed to the sad state of mental affairs last week, but just these causes alone could drive even the most stable of people a bit off the track. So, as I stated earlier, I decided to make a change in the project direction. I decided I needed a little positive success energy, sort of like the energy derived from finishing off the entryway. Thus, the one room of One Room is no longer the attic, although I might stop up there on occasion to grab a box. No, the one room is now…the second, or 'guest' as the Mrs. has taken to calling it, bedroom.

Seemed a logical choice, actually. We had already moved out the previous resident to a college setting, and pulled up the nasty twenty-plus year old carpet. We had already discussed what we wanted to do with the room and bought the paint to redecorate. We, mostly me, just found many other things to do rather than finish up the changes to the room. Well, not any more. In fact, as I type this I have half a ceiling awaiting my paintbrush. I'm even feeling a little excitement at the thought of taking the 'after' picture to post for you (with the requisite 'before' picture) once things are finished. Almost giddy.

How's that for positive publishing?

Doing the Math - Week Eleven

2007-02-09T08:38:00.000-06:00

A green engine with five connected train cars leaves the station from the Midwest headed for Florida. Days later, a yellow engine with three connected train cars leaves the same station headed for California. If the Florida bound train travels 1330 miles at an average speed of 55 mph, while the California bound train travels 1720 miles at an average speed of 70 mph, how much does it cost for them to return to the Midwest?

$80.

Told you the project was about the process, not the profit.

A New Day

2007-02-07T08:20:00.000-06:00

OK, so yesterday was an example of a down day, a bad day as it were. Today is a new day, and as such, I am working on a new appreciation of what I have accomplished rather than what has gone wrong. In fact, I have the seed of a plan germinating in the fertile chaos field known as my brain. Stay tuned…

That Old Feeling…Again

2007-02-06T11:28:00.000-06:00

If fighting the clutter weren't enough, events of the last few days have brought about the sad situation I now find myself facing. Without getting too detailed, I will share that this is one of those times when the meds aren't enough to stave off the mental demon of depression. My traditional coping behaviors (generally consisting of naps, excessive smoking, and other less attractive options), have slipped back into the daily routine. Talk about draining energy and ambition.

OK, maybe a few details.

First, the experiment of sharing our home with Mom was a disaster. The Mrs. is a saint, but even her patience was strained to the breaking point by having to deal with an uncooperative, obese retiree who is severely Passive-Aggressive. We concluded that it was best for all to have Mom move into a setting that was designed to provide the kind of care she requires. Of course, now I get to deal with explaining to her that she will not be leaving any time soon to return to her Independent Living apartment. Actually, it is more like not returning, seeing as we gave notice of her moving out. Sadly, there is a vast difference between paying the rent for an apartment and paying for 24/7 care, and there was no way to pay for both. Unfortunately, our last visit to Mom presented a challenge, in that we discovered that our expectations of quality of care and the home's provision of care don't quite match. Thanks to the small amount of time she lived with us, that option has lost any appeal whatsoever. In addition to of all of this, I also have the added responsibility of moving Mom's worldly possessions once again (which also involves figuring out where to put it all), and discovering that her pack rat skills have not decreased one bit. Two dozen used paper napkins? Oh, my goodness.

Combined with this is the sadness of recently having to issue TWO refunds for items sold on eBay™ due to damage, both issues unknown to me and one compounded by failure to anticipate the degree of torture a package can go through to get to its destination. It is difficult to explain just how much anguish it causes to recognize one's failings and how much self-anger can be accumulated in such a short time from events like this. Best fuel for depression I know. Best way to stifle motivation.

So, I'm going to go puff one off, then take a nap. Maybe when I wake up I will discover a strong supply of energy to tackle the project, and other responsibilities, with the same positive level of purpose I had when I initiated the project. I mean, anything is better than hanging out with that old feeling…again. Right?

Doing the Math - Week Ten

2007-02-01T12:24:00.000-06:00

Although Psychology was never my first choice of majors, it was ultimately my final choice. I was one of the many who chose the field of study in order to fix myself rather than others, and to a greater extent it has been helpful. I mean, at least I can identify my faults if I still can't fix them. While Abnormal Psych was fun, and Behavioral Stats met some inner math addiction, I really enjoyed Social Psych the most out of all the coursework required for the major. It may have been the background in Theater or the recognition that I was not alone in the universe that contributed to this enjoyment, but whatever the source, I discovered that Social Psychology tickled my fancy in a way that almost made me seriously consider going into the field. Go figure.

A prime contribution to this strange twist of thinking was my exposure to the work of Stanley Milgram. You know, the we-do-what-we-are-told guy. The person who showed the world that if one put on a lab coat, carried a clipboard, and had an air of authority, one could make others do things they would not normally do. A rather, ahem, shocking disclosure, and one that our global society still has yet to fully fathom. Just look at current events and you'll see continued proof of this concept. Milgram also worked on another social phenomenon known as the Small World Phenomenon, perhaps more known by a popular moniker, Six Degrees of Separation. People in theater circles may recognize this as John Guare's play, or as that game involving Kevin Bacon. People in mathematical circles may associate Paul Erdös and collaborative distance with the concept. In any case, the idea is that the entire world is just a few people away. What does this have to do with doing the math? It's simple, Pinky; this is yet another plan I have for taking over the world. OK, maybe not taking it over, as that is just too complicated, but becoming exposed to the world is closer to the true goal of my devious plot.

Here is how it works. I have a nuclear family, an immediate family, an extended family, a modicum of friends, and a vast number of acquaintances. All told, a healthy number of first level contacts. A numerical breakdown would follow:

Nuclear = 4 (spouse, children)
Immediate = 10 (parents, in-law parents, siblings, in-law siblings, in-law offspring)
Extended = X (nuclear and immediate of above)
Friends = Y (varies by day, event, and liquid assets)
Acquaintances = Z (varies by day, event, and mood)

Obviously, the last three categories involve messy numbers, and since I don't feel like messing with messy numbers at the moment, I'll just use the first two more finite categories. That leaves me with 14 primary first level contacts, or "hugables" as I shall call them. If each of my hugables were to tell one other person who is not in the primary set (that is, get your own damn hugable, don't use one of mine) about the One Room project of which I have so enthusiastically informed them, then I would have 28 points of exposure, right?

14+(14*1) = 28

Let's say that all of my hugables are highly motivated and tell, say, three other unique members of the global population. The potential audience doubles:

14+(14*3) = 56

Now, if each of those new followers of the One Room project were to share this discovery with three other unique members, things get interesting:

14+(3*(14*3)) = 140

Becoming overwhelmingly impressed, these new converts then tell three others:

14+(3*(3*(14*3))) = 392

Word spreads like wildfire, and three others are told by each member of this group:

14+(3*(3*(3*(14*3)))) = 1148

This continues on in simplistic fashion for one week:

14+(3*(3*(3*(3*(3*(14*3)))))) = 10220

It would seem that I could make a small dent in the daily conscious dealings of the global society, with only the slightest of effort. Sadly, mathematics and reality part from each other at times, as might be the case with the popularity of this project when one considers how many people view this blog with any frequency. There seems to be a great difference between 10220 and 4. Yes, I said 4. That is how many hits the blog had yesterday, and one of them was me.

So, Pinky, we go back to the drawing board and do what we do every night…

Don't Trust A Dead Man

2007-01-31T20:11:00.000-06:00

For those who read this and don't know it, my late father was a model train guy. It was one of his interests, and like most things in which he developed an interest, he spent a good deal of money on developing it. Upon his death, and Mom's moving, I inherited the train stuff. Mind you, I like model trains, but not to the extent that I would ever give my house over to it, even if I did have the approval of the Mrs. to set everything up in any available space. This is why I have been selling off the G-scale items on eBay™ recently. With only one or two mistakes of identifying things, I have had no problems with finding new homes for it, as Dad did pass on a few explanations of what he had accumulated. In fact, I generally accepted that his stuff was what it was, and ignored my ignorance of the hobby.

That was fine until today.

I was checking the eBay™ account as I usually do at least fifty times a day, and I found I had a message. A message from a buyer. A buyer of one of Dad's trains, one that had been shipped last week. It seems there was damage to the train, damage of which I was not aware. Damage which devalues things a bit. Damage which might require a full refund. This is a sad situation. I can't sell something as new or nearly new if I have to open it, but I can't sell something as new if it is damaged, even if the damage is hidden.

I have a rule when I sell things on eBay™ or at yard sales. If it doesn't work, I say so and sell it cheap. If it does work, I say so and ask a fair price. The only things I have ever sold that I neglected to mention the possibility of malfunctions are a few automobiles I have traded in to get different cars in the past. I suppose this is karma.

Thanks, Earl, and thanks, Dad.

1000 Words +/-

2007-01-28T20:19:00.000-06:00

Total donation to NMSS = $28.90

Doing the Math(ish) - Week Nine

2007-01-26T14:49:00.000-06:00

In less than twelve hours the auctions for the toys will start to conclude. Hrrmmpph. At present, there is only ONE bid for any of the auctions. Only ONE, and it is the last one to conclude, about 30 hours from the time I write this. Am I complaining? You bet. Do I feel bad for complaining? A little. Can I break my complaint down into mathematical elements? Uhmmmmm, that might be a challenge.

Actually, my complaint is mired in a small amount of jealousy. You see, this past week there has been frequent mention of a certain eBay™ item. A certain item that, as of my writing this, now has a bid of $15,700. Nice. Even nicer is that it still has over six days left until it concludes, at which point 100% of the proceeds are going to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. On one level I celebrate this, yet on another level it brings up feelings I don't really want to deal with at the moment. On one level I applaud The Today Show and Meredith Vieira's efforts (as well as Meredith's husband, Richard) on increasing the awareness of MS. On another level it really bites that I am not celebrity enough to garner the attention of enough people to get ten things under ten bucks a piece sold, in order to raise a measly $40 to $50 for my local chapter of NMSS. Let's see, that'd be in the neighborhood of .3% of what The Today Show can give the home office if their auction concluded within the same time frame at its current bid. Gosh, that makes my efforts seem a pittance.

I know what it is. They are giving 100% of proceeds, while I am being a selfish little person and only giving 75% of proceeds, mostly because I don't have a multi-million dollar budget behind me to promote my stuff, and would appreciate being able to keep some costs down in order to do nice things. So that 25% difference is what makes only 10% of my items sell? No. It's more like they have one item and I have ten, but it made for interesting math, which is the purpose of these posts, mostly. If I can raise that percentage of items sold to at least 25%, then I might not feel the bad feelings.

As bad.

When all else fails

2007-01-24T17:32:00.000-06:00

Between losing time and losing talent, I am ready to shrug my shoulders and rely solely upon the blog to host the entire online antics of the project. OK, I also seem to have lost some tenacity. Might be a result of the ongoing interruptions of a maternal nature during the last couple of weeks. The inability to focus upon the challenge has made it easy to not attempt finding the solutions. Hence, my current decision to use the blog for a portion of what I really want to see on an independent site, one that keeps the cold hard facts from the warm fuzzy discussions. Something like that, anyhoots. So, here we go…

One Room At A Time: The Attic Storage

One of those rooms with which I have a love/hate relationship, the attic. My favorite genre of literature and film contributes to why the little hairs raise up on the back of my neck each time I go into an attic space. Anyone's, not just mine. At the same time, the attic is a place of glorious treasure, as it tends to be THE place for storing stuff. As can be seen in these pictures, my attic storage space is full of glorious treasure, as well. Let's take a tour and see what we can find.

Boxes are the staple of attic storage. As you can see, no shortage here. Heck, some of these boxes may well be older than me. I have been known to keep the original boxes from things long after those things have disappeared from my house. However, it isn't the boxes (full and waiting to be filled) that make this a revealing picture of the current state of the attic, nor is it the child's rocker with one broken leg or the shelves we didn't use with the kitchen sink cabinetry. Nope, it's that patch of white just under the christmas tree. It's not snow, or loose insulation. It's drywall. Odd sized cuts of drywall from the various "improvement" projects I've tackled in the past, some of which I actually completed. Wonder if that would sell?

A better view of the drywall pieces. Want to guess what is in the IBM box? Yep, even smaller pieces. Besides more boxes, there's a bannister rail (which I salvaged from a home demolition) that will eventually go up for the attic stairs, and the door to what now serves as my clothes closet in my bedroom. My initial exploration of the boxes found some potentially valuable things, fragile in nature, of which I will be interested how valuable.

Way in the back is where I have put Dad's G-scale train stuff until I can find people who will appreciate them more than I ever will. Not so much because they were Dad's (that's a long story), but because G-scale is really big, and requires a bit more space than I would ever be able to provide for it. In the foreground is the yard sale storage. Yes, that is an old school skateboard. Want it? Send me an email, I will post it on eBay™ in a flash. In fact, see anything in these photos that you want, send me an email.

Finally, a different angle on the attic, with a different view of the yard sale items. That blue basket? That's the infamous 'Free Stuff' basket I set out at the yard sales. It still has stuff in it. Go figure. That pile of boxes in front, well, they are empty. The other boxes are full, especially the ones way in the back. Not only full, but heavy. Probably full of magazines that "I am going to read some day." Yeah.

So, there is a tour of the first official room for One Room, the one the throngs of people voted upon. I'll update the pictures as I progress along, and after I get it finished off the way I see it in my chaotic brain. Might even get that silly web site up and running before I finish the room.

DtM - W8 Bonus

2007-01-20T10:54:00.000-06:00

How does that phrase go? Too many fingers in the pie? Something like that. Anyhoots, my point for this little addendum to the Week Eight math is that I didn't realize yet another cost factor involved in the re-listing of the toys. It seems that there is a minimum donation charge for any item being sold to benefit a non-profit organization if it is not being sold by the non-profit organization.

Even my eyes glazed over at that last sentence.

So, in essence, when you visit the eBay offerings for One Room, you will see that the opening bid for the toy sets is a bit higher than anticipated, but not out of line with market price. Again, this is not designed to provide me with any more funds than would help offset what I paid for the lot. Rather, it is designed to give my local NMSS chapter some unsolicited funds, which is a nice thing, since the MS clinic I frequent is affiliated with the organization. The math bonus, therefore, goes like this (in glorious algebraic fashion)-

Where B=Base cost(minimum sale); E=eBay fees; P=PayPal fees; S=Shipping cost;
M=Minimum donation; and L=List price:

E=(B*0.0525)+0.35
P=(0.029(B+S))+0.3
M=5

therefore

L=B+E+P+M

We still loves math. We doesn't loves finger pie.

Doing the Math - Week Eight

2007-01-19T14:23:00.000-06:00

After spending an hour working to get Mom to move a huge distance of four feet from the bed to the toilet, I am more than ready to do something else. What better thing to do than focus on a math task. Well, a math task more enjoyable than realizing that four feet in one hour equals one foot every fifteen minutes, which is about one inch every minute, which is very, very slow. Unbelievably slow. Unbearably slow. Grrrrrrrrrrr. Let's see, a math task. An enjoyable math task. I know! What is more enjoyable than toys? I think I will revisit a previous post, and once again do the math. This time, however, I have some more finite numbers, and a new twist.

You might remember the lot of fast food toys I bought on eBay™ some time back. It was ultimately shipped to me in three boxes, the first arriving Tuesday of last week. That was box 2 of 3. Box 1 of 3 arrived the next day. Box 3 of 3 did not arrive until two days ago. The anticipation of its arrival was offset by the stress of the recent life situation that took front and center and drained a good share of my energy, but the arrival of the last box brought a joy that was greatly needed at that time. I have to admit it was an OCD dream to sort the toys, count the toys, re-sort the toys, re-count the toys, so on and so forth. In the process, I found a whole bunch of numbers with which to play. So, without further ado, we play.

First, raw numbers. The lot ended up consisting of 222 items. I paid $29 for the lot, $18.05 for the initial installment of shipping cost, and $21 to complete the shipping cost, (which BTW, the Mrs. doesn't know so don't tell her) bringing a total of $39.05 to ship the three boxes, making my investment a grand total of $68.05 for those 222 items, or $0.3065315 each. I determined that 76 of those could be grouped into complete sets of toys, resulting in 15 complete sets. Now, lazy math holds this to mean that each set is worth $4.54 [rounded]. Lazy math is OK, but not as much fun. You see, some of those sets involved "collect all 4!" while others involved "collect all 5!" In truth, I found I now have complete sets of 4, 5, 6, and 8. Sadly, the sets of 12 are not complete, and the sets of 57 are nearly non-existent. No worries, though, because I still have those 15 full sets, and I can carry on with the math. Rounding the per item cost to 31¢ gives me a nice array of numbers, as I share now:

Complete 8 = $2.48 investment
Complete 6 = $1.86
Complete 5 = $1.55
Complete 4 = $1.24

If I were to sell each complete set for the above prices, I would recover my investment, thus feeling even greater joy when I place the bulk of the remaining 146 toys in the yard sale Free Stuff basket. At the moment, it is too cold to hold a yard sale, so the best means to sell these complete sets is via eBay™. Of course, that changes some numbers, due to the fact that selling anything on eBay carries additional costs. Insertion costs, final value costs, and if people use PayPal, seller costs. I'll use a complete set of 8 to illustrate:

Current cost = $2.48
Insertion cost = 0.35 (based upon listing at $2.48 opening bid)
Final value = 0.13 (based upon selling at $2.48)
Total w/ fees = 2.96

Granted, this number would change if the opening bid is adjusted to help recover the costs, but for now I will ignore that fact. Should the buyer use PayPal to pay for the auction, there are more charges, which I can not ignore. Since these charges are based upon the total amount of money received, I have to adjust the total to account for the S/H cost the buyer pays. A box of 8 items would take about $7 to mail via USPS domestic Priority Mail depending upon destination, thus making $9.48 the amount for PayPal to use to charge its 2.9% fee, which equals a charge of 27¢, plus a flat transaction fee of 30¢, bringing a total of 57¢ in PayPal costs. This means that the complete set of 8 items would end up costing me $3.53. Using this model, the various complete sets would have the following costs:

Complete 8 = $3.53 investment
Complete 6 = $2.87
Complete 5 = $2.53
Complete 4 = $2.20

Remember the lazy math from above? It brought a per set cost/value that was more than any of these, making the fun math a more realistic expectation for what needs to be obtained for each set of toys, should I manage to get someone to buy each complete set at the minimum price. Naturally, I would love nothing more than to sell these complete sets and recover my investment in each of them, but there sits a minor issue that has been cropping up in the background since I made the project a public, even GLOBAL, one. It seems that some souls out frequenting cyberspace think this project is about the money, hence the "opportunities" that are sent my way to make more. Let me restate something I stated in the past, in case anyone missed it. While obtaining some financial improvements in the process of seeing this project out to its conclusion is a nice thing, the TRUE improvement will be in me, and in the Mrs.'s house. It's not about the money, although the money has helped pay some bills. It's about making a positive change. As this reminder is bouncing about in your neuron capsule, I now offer up the "new twist" of which I spoke earlier.

As I was searching for one bit of information on eBay™, I happened upon another. One eyebrow rose, then the other. A thought formulated. A decision was made. You see, the world's biggest auction site has a program they call eBay Giving Works. One of the non-profit organizations that benefits from this program is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Given my opportunity to live with this disease for the last 7 years, one might understand my affinity for this organization. One might even further understand why I would be willing to do something like, oh, I don't know, maybe donate proceeds from the sale of the complete toy sets to the local chapter of this organization. How's that for a twist?

Therefore, in the next 24 hours I will be listing 10 of the 15 complete sets on eBay™, donating a percentage of the proceeds to the National MS Society. I challenge everyone who reads this to spread the word of this event to everyone they know, and let us all see what can be accomplished beyond just making money for me.

Doing the Math - Week Seven

2007-01-18T23:57:00.000-06:00

Anything multiplied by zero equals zero. Stated another way, if I don't do math for week seven, you don't get math for week seven. That makes us both sad, I reckon.

What Happened?

2007-01-18T23:36:00.000-06:00

Mom.

Enough said.

Interference

2007-01-13T17:16:00.000-06:00

No, not the fuzzy sound or picture stuff. Nor the first-down-at-the-spot-of-the-foul kind. Not even the meddling-about-in-things-you-ought-to-keep-your-nose-out-of type. No, none of that. That would be too easy. The interference of mention is the hardest to clear up, as it tends to overwhelm all things. Sadly, we have all faced it at one time or another.

I really don't like it when life interferes with…life.

Doing the Math - Week Six

2007-01-10T09:29:00.000-06:00

I think it's time to view the status of how things have gone in the eBay™ arena -

Items listed as of 12/31/2006: 58
Items sold: 14

The comfort in the above is that at least some things are in new homes. Additionally, 8 of those sold items actually came from the One Room first official one room, the attic storage area. Not too bad.

Total items sold income: $368.04

Decent enough, as that averages out to about $26.29 per item. Of course, averages are tricky mathematical beasts that do not have chaotic minds of their own. They can be wrestled down and manipulated, which makes the previously stated average a bit misleading, given that 6 of the sold items had only one bid, the lowest of which was 99¢. Of the multiple-bid items, the lowest was $2.25. We likes multiple bids, we does. Take away the high-ticket items that sold and things look gloomier. For now, I will stick with this manipulated average to do some math.

Insertion fees: $6.30
Final value fees: 10.70
PayPal fees: 13.33
Shipping actual costs: 101.00
Total items sold costs: 131.33
Adjusted items sold income: $236.71

The retirement fund is building!

Insertion fees Not sold items: 18.00
Adjusted income: $218.71

No worries. Even if it did cut the average price per item down to $15.62, that is still respectable. I mean, if that average retained across, let's say, a thousand more items, it would mean that I would be sitting on an average nest egg of... $15620. Nifty. Sadly, I'm more apt to get more 99¢ things sold than anything else, but even a thousand 99¢ items would bring in $990. At least I could pay for this year's MRI.

But It Sells

2007-01-07T20:29:00.000-06:00

I don't like it, not one bit. Yet, in some ways I could be accused of resorting to it. I expect to feel worse than I do, too, especially after what I just did. I expect to feel like a hypocrite, because anyone who knows me knows how I feel about the general usage of it. It was something I was willing to avoid last night, but suddenly tonight I was willing to engage in it. Follow along.

Mom released her vast collection of VHS movies into my control, given that she hasn't watched a single one of them since Dad died, even after we bought her that new VHS/DVD combo unit (for which she owns no DVDs, and now no videos). The Mrs. and I went through the lot, checked against our collection, sorted out the "no ways" from the "maybe" and "definitely" videos, and agreed that what we didn't keep would be removed in one fashion or another. She and I watched one of the "maybe" tapes last night, thought it was decent but not a keepsake, and I listed it with the project stuff on eBay™. I recall chuckling a bit when I listed it, as the average listing price was something like $9 and average sale $20. I went to bed thinking there was no way that was a $20 movie.

When I woke up and looked at how things were selling this AM, I was amazed to see my 99¢ movie had a bid. It is hard enough to get $1 for a VHS at a yard sale (or two or three successive ones), so seeing it was sold after so few hours prompted that bit of info I noticed last night to pop back to the front of the thinking row. I researched, shrugged, said "hmmmm." I took a picture of the video and added it to the listing. I wasn't all that keen on doing it, but I did. If it helps sales shall remain to be seen.

You see, the video was called "The Legend of Walks Far Woman." According to IMDB, a 1982 TV movie made in 1979. Starring Raquel Welch. Mostly tame stuff for one of the famous sex symbols of the modern age, but I doubt it was her performance or her name that makes this video so popular on eBay™. I suspect it is the pictures that are generally attached to this listing, pictures of the cover art that are not available in stock. Cover art that sells, even if it does not reflect ANY part of the actual movie. I would think that I would remember this. I did tell you that the Mrs. and I watched the movie together, right? OK. So, what's the big deal? Welllllllll.......

I rest my case.

Die Namen

2007-01-06T11:15:00.001-06:00

“ “Must a name mean something?” Alice asked doubtfully. “Of course it must,” Humpty Dumpty said with a short laugh…”

- Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass, ch. VI, Macmillan (1872)

I like names. People names, place names, thing names. Names can be fun. I also tend to fall on the side with Humpty and agree that a name must mean something. My screen names mean something. The one I use for eBay™ and this site, 'fuzzybear,' has a direct correlation to the fact that I am fuzzy and give great bear hugs. OK, fine, the Mrs. gave the nickname to me because I did a decent Fozzy Bear impersonation (or was it because I am hairy and have the temperament of a bear?), and I used it for a screen name. Still, it means something, as most nicknames do. In a moment of random, chaotic thought I reflected upon the name of this project. "One Room At A Time." By definition, the name is fairly straightforward. I have discussed the intent of the project in other posts, so I won't bore everyone with redundant information. The origin of the name, however, is interesting.

It is not like I came up with something original. The whole "One [fill in the blank] At A Time" is a familiar convention. There is "One Day At A Time," a phrase useful for therapeutic environs and friends of Bill W. We have the name "One Thing At A Time" for people who are multitask challenged, or for those individuals who have interesting eating habits. "One Person At A Time" is a name given to a useful management tool for teachers. Just with these three examples, it is easy to see how "One Room At A Time" befits a personal therapy process for an addictive obsessive/compulsive personality type. Ahem. Then there is the nickname for the project. "1RAT."

Think about it. There is the whole " I am just one person in the rat-race called life." Or "just another one of those pack-rats." Or "you, for one, are a vicious little rat." Or "first, if you don't take care of this stuff, we'll get rats."

You know, I think I now know why I have taken to calling the project "One Room" for short.

Broccoli salad

2007-01-03T15:30:00.000-06:00

There is a quote about 'intentions' out there somewhere in the literary world that applies to the issues met so far this fine day. I reckon I could use some search engine and find it. Of course, that would mean yet another distraction from the non-project task of the day: make Broccoli Salad. Here it is approaching the dinner hour, and I have yet to make it. Ugh. Not the salad, mind you (as I like it), but the mere fact that I have yet to do it. Wait, that means that this is a distraction. Dang it.

[fast forward in time]

There, that's done.

[fast forward in time]

And it was tasty.

[fast forward in time]

So, I can finally get back to this post. What was I saying? That's right, intentions. Too bad I forgot what I wanted to say about them. Probably something witty, and sarcastic. Probably something about how I thought distractions of family would be over with the end of Christmas break. Probably something about how 1RAT needs to be a focus, but not a distraction from important daily tasks like preparing for meals or paying bills. Something like that. Probably.

Doing the Math - Week Five

2007-01-02T10:39:00.000-06:00

I have a confession. Before my ardent supporters become concerned, however, I assure everyone that it has nothing to do with a premature conclusion to the project, nor does it involve any nefarious acts. In fact, the Mrs. had full knowledge of what I did prior to my doing it, giving me permission as it were.

I bought something on eBay™.

Yes, even within the throes of keeping the project moving forward, I managed to add to the clutter. I had my reasoning, however, which I shared with the Mrs. then and now share with you. It involves that wonderful capitalistic concept that drives the free enterprise system. Mostly. There is another method behind my madness, which I will share after I do the math.

You see, I bought a 'lot' of toys. In the range of 250-400 toys. The ones that come in kid's meals from a variety of fast food joints. As I was researching one of my items prior to listing, I came across the sale of this collection, and the notion popped into my brain that if I bought it, there was great potential in recovering my investment, at minimum, as well as bringing joy into the lives of others. The shipment has not arrived yet, so I will use the low end of the quoted range of items for illustration purposes.

Auction closing bid: $29.00
Shipping: 18.05
Total purchase costs: $47.05

Using the low end of the range provided by the seller, that works out to about $0.19 per toy. Granted, a little pricey for something that comes free with a hamburger, fries, and drink in a fun little box, but bear with me. Let's say that somewhere in that mix is an entire set of toys, perhaps something like the "Land Before Time" set of 6 dinosaur toys. A recent auction sold a similar (unbagged) set for $6.95, which works out to about $1.16 each. If I am fortunate to sell at the same price, it could be something like this -

Cost for set: $1.14
Sale price: 6.95
Gross: 5.81

That's not too bad, all things considered. Another example would be the "Pocahontas" set of 8 (bagged) that sold for $4.99, which works out to about $0.62 each -

Cost for set: $1.52
Sale price: 4.99
Gross: 3.47

Again, not too bad, all things considered. How about a "Hunchback of Notre Dame" set of 5 (bagged) for $3.99?

Cost for set: $0.95
Sale price: 3.99
Gross: 3.04

"Mr. Potato Head" set of 5 (bagged) for $7.75?

Cost for set: $0.95
Sale Price: 7.75
Gross: 6.80

Now, having gone through all of that, and shown the world the math, there exists the great possibility that I won't recover my investment. I did point this out to the Mrs. when I brought up the purchase in the first place, but added the extra little rationale that helped us both decide to bid on the auction. It may well be this rationale which, while incurring a loss, makes it all worthwhile. You see, I decided that whatever I could not resell would be put out at our yard sales.

In the 'Free Stuff' basket for the kids.

The Envelope(s), Please

2006-12-31T16:20:00.000-06:00

It is time to announce the highly anticipated results of the voting for One Room's one room. The task was a challenge, but I did manage to get through the huge volume of votes and can now tell you that... [drum roll]

Interesting...[drum roll continues]

Well, folks, you are not going to believe this...[drum continues, laboriously]

Perhaps we need a recount...[drum sputters and stalls]

We have a tie. [cymbal crash]

Let's see. Two votes definitely for the attic. One vote for the "attic," but clearly a coerced vote as determined by the hand-scrawled "I was forced to say it; I really vote for room A." One vote for...[raises eyebrow]

Well, according to our hanging chad expert, it is a vote for Room A, although it does seem that the voter attempted to vote for every room. [looks at the Mrs.] Seeing as all the other votes were obviously misplaced, that means we have a tie. That means the tie must be broken. The tie must be broken by me. By me who put it to a vote in the first place.

It's a conspiracy, I tell you!

Fine. Be that way. I'll make the final decision then. I decide to start with...

Bless you (Curse you) eBay™

2006-12-28T07:01:00.000-06:00

A generous offering it was. The powers that be at eBay™ decided to reduce the listing fee for one day, yesterday, making nearly every fee only 15¢. Fifteen cents! I'm not complaining, mind you. OK, maybe I am complaining just a little, given that I had just finished listing some things when the announcement came out regarding the special day. And I am complaining just a little, given that I did not have anything ready to list for the special day. And I am complaining a little because it sure made for a stressful experience while I looked for things to add before the special day expired. And I am complaining a little because I have an entire house full of stuff that could be listed in one day if I only had the project moving along a little better.

Curse you, eBay™.

Then again, it did help in some regards to have that special day. You see, even with all the stuff that I ingest and inject on a daily basis (medically prescribed, I'll have you know), none of it helps all that much with motivation. The other issue that slowed me down last week was the fact that I became a bit overwhelmed by the scope of the project, and began to slowly question why I was even attempting to take on such a chore. I suppose to some extent the lack of focus on a specific room played a part in the feelings of futility. [note: I do have a few votes, and am looking forward to the tally day. Oh, and I did not publish your vote, Mir, because I did not want to sway the opinions of others] The lack of sales on eBay™ played a part because it is sad to spend the money to list things and not sell them, but that is minor. I mean, heck, I sit out all day long for a yard sale and don't sell everything, so not selling is not anything new. Perhaps the biggest problem I had last week was the one thing that makes this project so important. I was having problems letting go of stuff. MY stuff. In the future I will present my position on all the declutter experts, but suffice to say there is one thing they really need to understand. In some ways, decluttering is like losing weight. If you don't look at the root causes, it will come back. There is a "possession factor" with clutter that goes beyond just getting rid of a few pounds of stuff. In future days I will discuss this issue more, but for now I will just say that between that factor, and all the holiday meals, I still have some weight to lose. I will also say that the special listing fee day did help renew some motivation.

Bless you eBay™.

Doing the Math - Week Four

2006-12-26T13:28:00.000-06:00

Between the family home for Christmas, with associated distractions, and waiting for people to vote on one of the three rooms (hint, hint), the project was not a primary focus last week. Well, there was another reason, but I will leave that for another post. Still, I did manage to select items to pass along to new owners, one of which has an interesting story attached to it, and if you check out the current listings you will learn of that story. Today, however, is math day, and I think I shall make it a extraordinarily fun one, and I will dedicate it to Mirinda.

Part of my clutter is something that can be found in many homes, or so I gather from a variety of sources. Not unlike many people, I often toss my loose change into a jar, or more accurately, a pile on my dresser which ultimately becomes so large that the coins get transferred into a jar. A recent news story (about the relative value of smaller coins and the new legislation regarding that value) made me reflect upon this pile of metal. This reflection led to a non-felonious idea that made me chuckle, and made the Mrs. roll her eyes. You see, I have decided to use that pile/jar of change to create a special listing for eBay™. The fact that it makes a cool math problem is a bonus.

OK, the concept is simple. I take an equal number of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies and put them into a bag. Let's say 25 of each. That means the face value is as follows:

25 Quarters = 25 x .25 = $6.25
25 Dimes = 25 x .10 = 2.50
25 Nickels = 25 x .05 = 1.25
25 Pennies = 25 x .01 = 0.25
Total = $10.25

If you put this into an ordinary paper lunch sack, it weighs between 13 and 14 ounces. Now, reaching into the sack and stirring it well, I take a handful of coins out. My cupped hand measures around 3 x 2 x 2 inches. In three random selections, I end up with the following:

Draw one (apx 6 ounces) -

14 Quarters (3.50)
13 Dimes (1.30)
8 Nickels (0.40)
11 Pennies (0.11)
Value = $5.31

Draw two (apx 6 ounces) -

13 Quarters (3.25)
7 Dimes (0.70)
11 Nickels (0.55)
8 Pennies (0.08)
Value = $4.58

Draw three (apx 6 ounces) -

10 Quarters (2.50)
6 Dimes (0.60)
11 Nickels (0.55)
15 Pennies (0.15)
Value = $3.80

Based upon this, the average of an approximate 6 ounce draw is worth around $4.56, or so it would seem. Just for giggles, let's take one more draw:

Draw four (apx 6 ounces) -

13 Quarters (3.25)
10 Dimes (1.00)
10 Nickels (0.50)
10 Pennies (0.10)
Value = $4.85

Now the face value of that 6 ounce average is about $4.63, a nice little increase. Of course, it could have very easily decreased. Based upon this little exercise, however, it would be interesting to see how much a Mystery Bag of Loose Change would go for on eBay™, don't you think? I mean, the notion is enticing, and I risk taking a loss, but it would be fun. Yes, I think I will do just that.

The Mrs. just rolled her eyes again and mumbled something about "silly."

Twoday is a Good Day

2006-12-20T10:29:00.000-06:00

Ignore everything you have heard about the key to life, success, joy, blah, blah, blah. Unless, of course, what you have heard is the same as what I am about to tell you, then you can revel in the knowledge that you finally got some decent advice. Being an expert on nothing, I am here to tell you that the key to all things good is compromise. Yes, that concept of concession, that midway point of opposing views, that idea which lays open resolution of problems; compromise is key. Look around at all the examples Nature provides of compromise at work. Granted, right now I can't come up with a single illustrative example, but why should that distract from my viewpoint? I mean, seriously folks, do you really think any of us would be here right now if it were not for some measure of compromise? Especially those of you who are married and/or have children. Oh, you KNOW what I mean.

Prior to the initiation of this project, I engaged in an act of compromise with the Mrs. regarding the condition of the house. A place to sleep, a place to eat, and a place to sit and watch television. And toilet access. These concessions were made in order to go through the daily routine of ignoring the piles of stuff about the place. I may be a tremendous sinner, but the woman is a saint. When the pharmaceuticals finally kicked in and most of the internal demons were locked away in the special mental closets reserved for them, I began to get disgusted with my clutter and chose not to ignore it myself. I shifted things about, cleared up the primary rooms to acceptable levels, and after some mildly animated discussion, we instituted the "two day" rule. Clearly stated, this rules holds that I will place no more in a designated area than can be cleared out within two days. Mind you, she was hoping for "would not sit in one place for more than two days," but the magic of compromise brought forth the current state of affairs. I would be lying if I said that all was happy, happy, joyful bliss, especially given that I am a charter member of GRUMP (Generally Resentful Union of Mean Pessimists). Still, having the "two day" rule does satiate the desire to toss things into, or dig things out of, the trash. Not that such a thing would ever happen. Ahem.

So you see, compromise brought forth the "two day" rule, which helped to ignite the pilot light for One Room At A Time. The project, upon successful completion, will bring forth joy, which will make life more...livable. And that is key, I would say. Spread the word.

Doing the Math - Week Three

2006-12-19T11:43:00.000-06:00

Flexibility is a good thing at times. Actually, I would have to say that flexibility is a good thing in general. This project lends itself to using a flexible approach. To illustrate, I submit the following.

Let's say I have twelve rooms. OK, I guess I have said it (not counting porches, garage, and storage), but stay with me on this. Twelves rooms matches twelve months very nicely, so it would be simple to say I will tackle one room a month, which then would lead to the conclusion that the project ought to come to a nice tidy end after a year. Simple to say, yet not so simple to achieve. Why? Again, an illustration. Take one room of moderate clutter that measures twelve foot by ten foot. Within a square foot of floor space sits ten items, leaving the possibility of 1200 items on the floor alone. Adjust for vertical clutter of say, four feet tall, and there exists the possibility of 4800 items within the room. Account for a marginal walking path and tweak the number for easier mental math, and it is quite possible that one room could contain a potential 3000 items. Using a standard month of thirty days, this means that one hundred items could be handled per day and require a decision. If only one is determined to be sold, ninety-nine items are left. Take one down, pass it around, and they fill up space in another area, making the math even harder. Additionally, this also means that it could potentially take 3000 days to clear out just one room. 3000 days or 8.219178082 years. Per room. So much for mental math. Ignore the three rooms that have the "2 day" rule (that discussion is for another day), and I am left with 9 rooms, which equates out to somewhere in the neighborhood of 73.97260274 years.

Obviously listing an average of one item per day needs to be re-evaluated. I think I will make it an average of two items per day. That's being flexible, right?