The Envelope(s), Please

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™

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

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

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

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?

The pressure, the pressure!!

It would seem that even given my explanation of why my eBay™ items are coming from many rooms, there still exist those members of my support system who feel it necessary to urge, wheedle, coax, and otherwise press me into a decision as to which one room I will focus my efforts upon. It helps that I love them. Considerably. Granted, the whole purpose of the project is to tackle one room at a time, but seriously folks, it ain't that easy. To help illustrate this problem, I have decided to take a course of action that brings me a bit of fear, raising certain paranoia alarms in my head. I have narrowed my decision down to one of three rooms, let the world see them, and give those who read this blog the final vote. [shudder] So, before I change my mind, let's take the mini-tour.

Basement Girl's Room A

This is actually the second bedroom of two that I added to the basement of our house, but there is a smaller space behind it where the utility meters are located which requires monthly availability. Some of what you see in the photo was actually stored in that space at one point, but I moved it out because I have a couple of homeowner issues to deal with in that small space which required relocation of everything in the space. The inventory of the room currently includes camping items, tools, computer stuff, home electronics, fishing gear, and other stray things of relative importance. Not everything will be available, and some of it is heavy, but I am willing to focus on this room if chosen.


Basement Girl's Room B

The first room I built in the basement, it is the one of the three that is the most cluttered at present. I would say that 90% of the stuff is computer related, but I know there is some clothing and miscellaneous household items hiding in there. The orange chair, however, is NOT available until I die. Again, not everything seen will be available, and some of it is heavy, but I am willing to focus on this room if chosen.




Attic Storage

Perhaps the most organized of the clutter, but lots of clutter non-the-less. In fact, this is the location of much of the yard sale leftovers. Found in the space is just about everything, including my magazines that I will get read at some point. Right. I will remove the dust from anything and everything that comes out of this room, but like the other two, not everything is available.




OK, so there it is. Now I have to release the choice into the hands of those who read this blog. Scary. Since it came to my attention that one must have a Blogger/Google account to post to this site, I have made available an email address to gather the thoughts of others, which I might actually post at some future point (given proper permissions). You can contact me at 1rat@cox.net to voice your choice, or make other comments. I will tally the votes Saturday, 30 Dec 2006 and make the plans to focus on that ONE room by the start of the new year. One vote per supporter, please. That way the Mrs. can't flood me out with her choice.

All The World's a Staging Area

During dinner with the Mrs. the other night, the conversation turned to the project. She brought up the stated purpose of One Room At A Time being just that, one room, and that everything I have done to this point (in terms of listing on eBay™) originated from many rooms. I agreed, but clarified that one room was the goal, while many rooms was the necessary path at the moment. I followed with an explanation, which I now share with you.

I am a clutterer. This is different from a collector, in that there really isn't any specific organizational structure to what is kept. No filing system, no albums, nothing that defines a collection. It is also different from a "pack rat," which involves pretty much keeping every physical item with which one comes into contact. My mother, sad to say, was a prime example of the latter. When we cleaned the house she had lived in for just over a quarter century, we found things that the vast majority of humanity would call trash. OK, so maybe just the Mrs. was calling it trash, but the point is that even I had to shake my head in disgust as I threw away junk mail from the '80s and coupons that expired a decade ago and things broken beyond any conceivable repair. I then came home to my clutter and realized that I was frighteningly close to the same status. Still, there was a distinct difference. Nearly all of the things that filled the various rooms of my house had some value, just not exactly value to any person living in my house other than me. Boxes of magazines that "will be read some day." Stacks upon stacks of computer items (in a previous life I was a Computer Dude). Camping supplies, tools, clothing, home repair and maintenance items. Stuff. MY stuff. Somewhere in that psycho-alphabet soup they've put in my file is the label OCD, and most who know me would say it fits. Dang it.

So, anyhoots, the problem with being a clutterer is that clutter migrates more than vanishes. In my meager defense, I will throw things away when they have lost value, although it might take an epic passage of time before I come across them again. If my chaos called a brain senses even the slightest potential use, then an item retains value and must be stored somewhere. Granted, it would be nice if I could put, say, that open package of safety door latches (which holds three of the original seven) in a specific location designed for Household Hardware Needed in the Future, then things wouldn't be so...cluttered. This, of course, depends upon actually having a specific location designed for Household Hardware Needed in the Future, which is not the case at the moment. Why? Well, because that location now holds other items. Aha! Now we come to the crux of the problem!! In order to focus specifically on ONE room, there must be a place in a different room to hold the items that are truly worthy of keeping. If the determination is made that Household Hardware Needed in the Future will go in the place that currently holds The Computer Undead, then The Computer Undead must go somewhere. If it is determined that The Computer Undead needs to go where the Inherited Train Stuff now sits, then the Inherited Train Stuff must go somewhere. And so on, and so on, and so on. That is why I am selecting items from many rooms at present rather than just one room. I have to find the space, or as I am apt to say, the staging area, to put the things that will be released into the hands of others who will cherish and find value in those things. I will call this space The Staging Area For Items of Value Destined For New Owners. Yeah.

I'm gettin' there...

Doing the Math - Week Two

Today's lesson: Do your homework!

Part A - Read the directions carefully. For example, comprehend that "starting at" means something different than "costs." Thus, noting that USPS Global Priority mail "starts at" $4.25 will tell you that $4.25 is the MINIMUM you will pay, but not the maximum. Very important.

Part B - Do not skip any steps. For example, when your brain actually processes that "starting at" means "it could cost more," take the time to actually weigh and measure your item to be mailed. Visit a website that can give you a closer estimate of the true cost. Use that information wisely. Very, very important.

Part C - Learn from past mistakes. For example, charging $12 for shipping and paying $14 for shipping results in losing a bit of income (see Week One). Recognizing this and recalling it when determining shipping costs helps to avoid future blunders of a similar nature. Very, very, very important.

Doing your homework therefore keeps the following from happening -

Item sale price: 0.99
Shipping charged: 7.00
Total payment: 7.99

Listing fee: 0.40
Final value fee: 0.05
PayPal fee: 0.61
USPS Global Priority to Japan: 9.50
Total costs: 10.56

Something about that looks wrong. Wonder if I will figure it out in time?

Out of One, Many

When it rains, it pours, even deluges. One match can burn down an entire forest. Nothing is as easy as it looks. The clichés are endless. Sometimes I think the same of this project, although it really is to be expected, given the nature of the project. Interestingly enough, it wasn't something directly related to the project that set me off recently. It began as a simple request for a simple item. Somehow it turned into half a dozen little tasks:

"Do we have it?"
"Why, yes, I do believe we have it...somewhere. I shall go look."
[scurries about]
"Did you find it?"
"Uhm, yes, I did find it, as well as that. I shall now deal with it, and that, so I can find it, and that, in the future."
[additional scurrying]
"Goodness, dear, what are you doing?"
"I am attending to organizing it, and that, and that, and that, and that."
"Oh."
[long passage of time filled with scurrying about, milling about, wandering about, plodding about, and the occasional stomping about]
"Dear, do we have...?"
"I HAVE NO FREAKING IDEA!!!!"

Yes, there is great relevance and even greater pertinence to some clichés.

Takin' Care of Bid-ness

To the best of my recollection, the last time I sold something on eBay™ was back in 2003. By that time I had been using the site to buy and sell for a few years, and had settled into the style of selling that I now use. I call it the "Here ya go" style, but I think it probably goes by the more proper name of "Soft sell" (or maybe in my case "Soggy sell"). It's not all that new, nor is it all that unique. John used a similar style with the AMLFS event, and there are others that use it. Still, I find it amazing how much I am bombarded with all the tools that will aid me in selling things. Auction tools, merchandising tools, marketing tools. Designed to get my product, my offering, into the hands of the drooling consumer.

Now, I suppose that if my true purpose was to build up my retirement fund, the availability of these tools would be invaluable. If my livelihood were dependent upon selling (rather than having the blessing of family to feed, clothe, and shelter me), and selling more than the other person, then I am sure that these tools would be helpful. Fortunately, the success of my project isn't dependent upon selling. Wait...OK, maybe not wholly dependent. I suppose I could just give it all away [shudder]. My true measure of success will come from an inner sense of accomplishment and a cleaner house. Even if that were not the case, however, I truly doubt that I would use the tools. I rarely used them before. Why? That wonderful yardstick of the free enterprise system - profit margin. These tools ain't all that cheap, folks. Yet, there are free tools available to help make a sale, and still I find that I do not utilize them all. Why? That wonderful yardstick of the human personality - lazy margin. I'll admit it. Part of why I don't do all of the things I could do to improve my sales is that I do have a tendency to be lazy. Well, that and the whole "why bother?" factor, but there are wonderful medications for that. It is this tendency that contributed to creating the need for this project. It is this tendency that contributes to why I don't always have the whole, drawn out description for every item that I list on eBay™. Well, that and my sense of humor and desire to have some fun.

I find that I am butting heads with this tendency lately, as a result of this project. That is why this project is so important. Every component of it forces me to flip the internal switch from lazy to active. Knowing this, I take a further risk. I am going to do something that will push the lazy/active switch to its limits. I am going to announce [drum roll]:

oneroomatatime.net

It's under construction at the moment, but soon, very soon, it will become a joyful addition to the 1rat family. Fills one with anticipation, does it not?

Delusions Of

Mix pharmaceutically restrained dysfunction with neural synaptic misfires and a wickedly warped sense of humor, toss in a bit of environmental chaos, and you get quite an interesting way of looking at things. At times, a VERY interesting way of looking at things, as well as dealing with things. For example, take the generally mundane task of cleaning up the house. Most people would fill up the trash containers with "worthless" items, fill up the car with things to be donated, haul out the cleaning supplies, and take care of business. It is, after all, yet another of those chores that fill up the lives of average homeowners. For some of us, however, it does become more of a production, even if that production only plays out in our heads. I suppose this project is my way of moving that production onto the stage, letting the global internet community become my audience.

Wow, that IS almost grandiose, isn't it?

I will acknowledge that this project may have some detractors (even within my circle of family and friends), but I surmise that it may also have some defenders. I also have the feeling that this might serve as a motivation for others, a feeling that comes from an item that I encountered as I was looking in a room for something to release to a new home. In a future post I will share the story of that item, but for now I will just say that it renewed my dedication to this project. Dedication that involves doing it just the way that I am doing it, as doing it this way serves a greater purpose than just cleaning up the house.

Besides, everyone needs a little self-importance at times, right? And on that note, I shall take my exit cue and go find something to sell.

Doing the Math - Week One

Items listed: 7
Items sold: 1

OK, perhaps not the most glorious of results, but it could be worse. Silver lining is that there is one less thing taking up space in the house.

Final bid for sold item: $12.50
S/H charged: 12.00
Total Item sold income: 24.50

Insertion fee: .35
Final value fee: .66
PayPal fee: 1.01
Shipping actual: 14.10 (messed that up a bit I did)
Total Item sold costs: 16.12
Adjusted Item sold income: $8.38

Not so bad, all things considered. I mean, the Mrs. and I could probably get a meal at Wendy's for that. But wait, there's more!

Insertion fees Not sold items: 3.20 (one of them had a reserve price)
Adjusted week's income: $5.18

Uhm, yeah. Maybe that meal is not an option. Good thing this is just a project and not a career. Actually, let's look at that possibility.

Week's income: $5.18
Standard work week: 40 hours
Hourly wage: $0.1295
State's cut: 0.259
Fed's cut: 1.295
Other fed's cut: 0.3885
Take home: $3.24

It seems I need to ask for a raise...

Singularities

One of the debates I enjoy being party to revolves around whether or not a single effect is the result of a single cause. It is my humble opinion that most effects stem from multiple causes that blend to create the perfect environment for the singular effect. I am who and what I am due to numerous contributions of genetics, environments, intentional thoughts and behaviors, and a slew of random chaotic events. I can drop a bowling ball from the roof of my house and it WILL fall, but it will be influenced by a number of factors on the way down. If there is a person standing on the ground and that person is hit by the ball, the resulting pain is more than just the effect of my dropping the ball. Perhaps I told that person to stand there, evil one that I am, rather than them just happening to be there. Perhaps my intent was just to scare them, as they were trespassing in my yard, but wind speed and temperature and the ever so slight spin I gave the ball blended to deviate the downward course of the ball, thus resulting in the impact upon that person's cranium. I could go on, but I choose instead to go...on.

"One Room At a Time" is more than just a project to get rid of things and get the house cleaned up. There also exists an ulterior motive. You see, I have been known to be awake when the 'Tonight Show' airs, and I have seen the segments where Jay Leno discusses things that he and his staff found on eBay™. He has shown all manner of, uhm, interesting things, and while the intent was to make the audience laugh, one result was to make a new goal for some audience members. Like me, for example:

I currently have about 9 minutes and 37 seconds (plus or minus) of fame remaining, and would love to spend it being part of the 'Tonight Show' segment, or as a guest to explain and promote my project.

Visit stuff currently for sale on eBay™ and you can see part of my efforts to achieve this goal.

Original Sticker Shock

I sold something on eBay™ today. Something newish, or at least nearly new. Something that still had the original box, with the original price sticker attached to it. The original price sticker that was nearly three times greater than the price it obtained when it sold on eBay™. Not that I am complaining all that much, as something did sell and will no longer take up space in my house, and it was something that did not originate from any personal funding source. Still, being human, I have this emo-voice that whines in my head about how bloody sad it is that a new thing didn't get a price closer to new.

OK, we have all heard the stories of things being sold on eBay™ for large amounts of money. Used things, unusual things, just released things. Yet, for all the 'Surprise, it is rare!' or 'Face of...' or 'NextGenGameToy' things that we hear of bringing in large amounts of money, there are exponentially more things that don't. It is, in fact, one of the conundrum factors of the site. How do you get just the right item to the right person for a price that makes everyone happy? I mean, while finding "It" is simple enough, finding the balance between "What I Want For It" and "What I Will Pay For It" can almost take a degree in Marketing. Almost.

Does this mean that I am absolutely bummed about the amount of money I just received? Not really. In fact, there is also this emo-voice in my head that is shouting about how cool it is that someone got a great price for something, and maybe I'll be next. Wonder if I can get world peace for $5?

Rules of Engagement

After a discussion with one of my loved ones, it became fairly clear to me that I needed to give some kind of assurance that my project did not involve relieving those who share and shared the house of all their worldly possessions. It also made me realize that I need to make clear the guidelines and goals for the project. OK, the goals are fairly straightforward. Sell stuff and get the house all nice looking. It's the guidelines I have set that might be raising eyebrows, so here they are:

• List at least 7 items per week, which averages out to one per day.
• Initiate all aspects of the project.
• Once an item is declared a sale item, it remains a sale item. (No hiding it in the attic or basement...again).
• Follow through on all sides of the selling process, whether it be organizing and labeling for yard sales or getting things shipped out during promised time frame.
• Do not sell anything that does not "belong" to me unless it has been given to me to sell.
• Do not get frustrated and lose interest in the project if things do not sell.
• Follow through on the cleaning/remodeling/redecorating sides.

I only want to add a couple of more things, and they are for those family and friends who might find something they gave me listed on eBay™ or set out at a yard sale:

• Don't take it personal. A gift is a gift, but I LOVE you with or without it.
• Spread the word.

Floorplan

The humble abode the Mrs. and I share has an attic, a main floor, and a basement. All told, there are twelve areas, rooms as you will, that hold treasures awaiting a new home. That doesn't even include the garage, porches, and storage areas. I would love to post a big panoramic photo, but the paranoia (and you thought depression was the only issue I am blessed with?) is a healthy one at this point, so you will have to use your imagination as to how things look at the moment. Suffice to say, clutter and chaos may well be the first thing to come to mind in some of the rooms. Others, to my credit, have been worked on lately to the point they are almost... normal looking. Shoot, we are nearly ready to entertain.

Anyhoots, this is my project design for how I choose what will be listed, at least for now. I walk into a room, look around, find something. Chaos, being a concept that rules my brain, obviously rules my decisions, as well. Things for sale will be listed on eBay™ or put out on a yard sale until they have a new owner. It is my hope to evolve the process to the point where I select ONE room, sort and organize as I clean it out, remodel and redecorate as needed, and bring joy into my life for having accomplished a positive goal. Might even get a hug from the Mrs. in the process. Truth be told, I have one room/area that is the model for what CAN be done when I apply my efforts (and get some help), but given my entryway is hardly bigger than a closet, believe me when I say I have far to go before this project ends.

Why Blother?

Or is it why blogther? Or, for those who prefer correct spelling, why bother? In any case, it is a good question. Why should I invest considerable amounts of time and energy engaged in a project of this nature, let alone keep a public record of it? The reasons are numerous, but we all agree that doing so is a good sign for me. We, of course, being Me, Myself, I and a miscellany of mental health types. Heck, even the Mrs. supports the project, as long as it doesn't keep me up at the keyboard all night long or when she wants to check her email. Sure, the money generated is a nice feature, given my ongoing lack of employment (and bigger lack of prospects). But it is not really about the money. It is more about the purpose.

Without going into a great amount of detail, we (see list above) have come to the conclusion that I have been depressed for the greater share of my life, some of that time severely so. I was given the benefit of a dysfunctional, near pathological, childhood to build a foundation for my adulthood, and managed to create enough of a mess during my early adult years, and been given my share of challenges, to depress a small town's worth of people. More than one professional has told me that it is amazing that I have functioned, and survived, this long. Nature versus nurture versus divine intervention, I say. Nor am I complaining, to be honest. I mean, I am following through on a plan, I am doing something positive, I am disclosing...

OMG, I've become an emo!

OK, condensed version: 1RAT is a decent therapy for me. Might even make enough via eBay™ to pay the co-pay for my other therapy.

Prologue-ish

Not long, long ago, in a cybergalaxy not far, far away, an event of individually epic proportions was begun. Granted, it did not change the course of human history per se, or at least not from what I know, but it did spark the smallest of flames in my brain. OK, I was mostly jealous at first, given that I did not think of doing it, but I did find myself involved. Even published. Yes, I am in there somewhere.

"All My Life For Sale" was a project, an event as it were, conceived by John D. Freyer in late 2000 as a means to reduce his personal belongings to the barest of minimums. The website still exists (www.allmylifeforsale.com), and there is a book published that describes and chronicles his project. John, if you are listening, bless you. Following the weekly course of the project, actually buying something (which I still own!), and meeting John personally is something I still cherish to this day. In fact, it was during this time that I began to formulate the concept for the project in which I now find myself entrenched.

Selling off all one's worldly possessions is nothing new. Motivations for such actions are myriad. Accomplishing such an act is easier now, more than ever, with the contact that can be obtained via the glorious global garage sales as can be found on that thing we call the internet. I have been selling (and buying) on eBay™ for some time, with mixed success, but like John before me, have decided that this is the best sales vehicle for my project. Oh, by the way, if you have not determined it by now, the project name is "One Room At a Time" or 1RAT. Explanation will follow. I do hold yard sales, useful for gaining a buck or two and feeling that special feeling I get when some child goes through the 'Free Stuff' basket and finds something to claim for their very own, but not everything is yard sale worthy. There are just some things that a person doesn't want pawed by dozens of strangers. 1RAT is my global yard sale, but with a special purpose. Even more explanation will follow.

Until such time as I get things just so, I invite you, special blog visitor, to go to eBay™ and check out the progress of 1RAT. I think all you have to do is search for my screen name...let me check...yes, it is easy enough. Hmmm, maybe this will work. Fuzzybear61

I'll end this for now, just so I can check things out. Look for more in coming hours and days.

A pause in the action

Boring. Totally and completely boring. That is the sad state of affairs for this blog, but soon I shall change that. Yeah...as soon as I figure out how all this stuff works.

The way things work

In an attempt to be tech-savvy, I have decided to create a blog to archive the efforts of this latest project. I do so hope I can make things easy for folks to follow as I track the progress of the project, and I also hope that I can create just the smallest amount of enthusiasm for my efforts. We shall see...