Unpacking The Rat
George Carlin does a funny routine on how we (people) are all about "stuff" ...how we accumulate stuff ...how our houses are merely places to store our stuff while we're off making money to buy more stuff.
I have a lot of stuff ...waaay too much. I've reached the point where in order to buy anything, first I'd have to dispose of something. I have no room for any new stuff. I have fabric left over from projects from over twenty years ago. I have silk screen supplies that have congealed or dried in the container. I have photographic chemicals that are so old, I'm sure they've mutated into something horribly dangerous.
Which brings to mind the episode of "Red Dwarf" where the photo developing chemicals had mutated and, when used, would produce a live animated image that you could enter and interact with the people in the picture. But I digress.
I have a lot of stuff ...waaay too much. I've reached the point where in order to buy anything, first I'd have to dispose of something. I have no room for any new stuff. I have fabric left over from projects from over twenty years ago. I have silk screen supplies that have congealed or dried in the container. I have photographic chemicals that are so old, I'm sure they've mutated into something horribly dangerous.
Which brings to mind the episode of "Red Dwarf" where the photo developing chemicals had mutated and, when used, would produce a live animated image that you could enter and interact with the people in the picture. But I digress.
 | I've saved the left-over lumber used for interior alterations. I have a vast assortment of glass from various picture framing and stained-glass projects. I have all kinds of paper and card stock. I have enough excess electrical wiring, sockets, plugs, resistors, and what-not to open a small hardware store. |
And don't get me started on computer stuff. I still have the first computer I ever bought. The original Macintosh (1984). It has absolutely not practical value, you can't run any current software, it's useless for connecting to the internet ...but it still works (with the antiquated software I still have from back then). I can't seem to part with it, so it sits up in the closet boxed up with the second Mac I bought (the SE30) which too has passed its prime and has no practical value ...but it still works.
I have three "active" computers (Mac G3 desktop, Pentium III desktop, Mac G4 notebook) currently in use ...I switch back and forth among them as each has its specific functions. As you can see, I like stuff. So if I want to buy more stuff, I really need to get rid of some of my old [useless] stuff.
Those 300, 1200, 2400, 14.4K, and 28.8K baud modems ...that 1-bit (black/white) scanner ...that 400K external floppy drive ...that 2X external CD drive, they're all obsolete and have absolutely no useful value. Although, I must admit, those old 256K memory chips do make nice key-ring oraments.
All my darkroom equipment is boxed up and I don't really ever plan to used it again ...not with the advent of digital cameras and Photoshop. Besides, the space that was the darkroom is now totally filled with stored stuff. However, some (most) of the pieces [of equipment] are things you can't get anymore. Some are still useful for other projects (e.g. dry mounting press). The enlarger is no longer needed for print processing but it is an integral tool I use in screen printing ...although, I haven't made a run of prints in over ten years. The printing frame, screens, and squeegees are all there in the back of the closet. I can't part with them. You see, I never know what form that next [creative] flash is going to take. What happens when I have that flash of inspiration and realized that I can't act on it because I've disposed of my stuff.
I have clothes that I bought and have never worn ...or wore only once. Hey, they're new clothes; you don't throw away new clothes. I have clothes I'll never wear again, like those size thirty jeans. Yeah, right! So why am I holding on to them. It's not nostalgia; it's the fabric. Who knows of what use it might be.
That seems to be the attitude about everything in my possession. Who knows to what use I might put this. It really pisses me off when I've held onto something for years, finally trash it, and the very next day, have a need for it. And of course, it'll be something that's no longer available. So therein lies the dilemma, stuff vs. space ...space to fill with more stuff.
I have three "active" computers (Mac G3 desktop, Pentium III desktop, Mac G4 notebook) currently in use ...I switch back and forth among them as each has its specific functions. As you can see, I like stuff. So if I want to buy more stuff, I really need to get rid of some of my old [useless] stuff.
Those 300, 1200, 2400, 14.4K, and 28.8K baud modems ...that 1-bit (black/white) scanner ...that 400K external floppy drive ...that 2X external CD drive, they're all obsolete and have absolutely no useful value. Although, I must admit, those old 256K memory chips do make nice key-ring oraments.
All my darkroom equipment is boxed up and I don't really ever plan to used it again ...not with the advent of digital cameras and Photoshop. Besides, the space that was the darkroom is now totally filled with stored stuff. However, some (most) of the pieces [of equipment] are things you can't get anymore. Some are still useful for other projects (e.g. dry mounting press). The enlarger is no longer needed for print processing but it is an integral tool I use in screen printing ...although, I haven't made a run of prints in over ten years. The printing frame, screens, and squeegees are all there in the back of the closet. I can't part with them. You see, I never know what form that next [creative] flash is going to take. What happens when I have that flash of inspiration and realized that I can't act on it because I've disposed of my stuff.
I have clothes that I bought and have never worn ...or wore only once. Hey, they're new clothes; you don't throw away new clothes. I have clothes I'll never wear again, like those size thirty jeans. Yeah, right! So why am I holding on to them. It's not nostalgia; it's the fabric. Who knows of what use it might be.
That seems to be the attitude about everything in my possession. Who knows to what use I might put this. It really pisses me off when I've held onto something for years, finally trash it, and the very next day, have a need for it. And of course, it'll be something that's no longer available. So therein lies the dilemma, stuff vs. space ...space to fill with more stuff.
Quote of the Week: "A man should always consider how much more he has than he needs, and how much more unhappy he might be than he is."
posted by gieau_sf (9:15:00 AM)
-- All non-relevant comments will be (have been) deleted!
5 Comment(s):
We've also got left over or never used photo developing stuff, old paints (acrylic and oil), beads, old jeans (good for something, I'm sure), old concert t's.....old computers, yarn, yarn, yarn,....let's just say we have a two car garage and our cars park outside.
I don't mind fedexing my junk to you though...you don't seem to have enough.
We should get together and have one huge yard ...excuse me... estate sales. :)
...or maybe we could just exchange stuff.
As I grew up, my dad's "work shed" grew bigger to fit all of the treasures he found at the dump or offered to take off of the hands of relatives and coworkers and sometimes perfect strangers. What started out as a small well shed no bigger than an apartment bathroom has now (over 30 years) expanded into a 3 car garage-sized plus attic cinderblock and wood tin-roofed building (which he built by himself) that stores all of his trash treasures plus all our belongs that were moved from the house when we were tired of them or they broke (and a few stray cats too). You're blog entry has inspired me to write something about it somewhere. :) p.s. I truly enjoy your websites and wish you the best for what it's worth.
Cyto girl,
So you know first hand how this pack-rat thing can get outta control. I'm sure yours would be an interesting story. By all means, do write it down.
And it is worth a great deal to get positive feedback and to hear that someone has found something of interest on my site(s). All the best to you, too.
had to close my eyes...suck in my breath and bear the pain...
had to finally let go of a lot of stuff..but I made sure that they went safely into somebody else's loving hands...
now, I can happily buy more stuff..
( d' ol' teddy stays though!)
loved what you wrote here!
Post a Comment
<< Home