Now when we were going through our things in March back in Melbourne we did get rid of a lot of things. But clearly not enough. And the main problem then was that we a) had limited time to sort through things, b) were sick of sorting through things over and over and over again (which is probably the most important point here). To illustrate the full absurdity of the kinds of things we packed (for reasons refer to point B of the previous sentence):
- empty half broken CD cases
- tiny ripped bits of fabric that I kept from my good old sewing days at school when I cherished (hoarded) anything and everything I had following the whole Soviet experience
- cups with IBM logos on them
- old floor towels
- an assortment of shoe polish brushes
But none of these demonstrates this absurdity more than the following conversation that we've had back in March and the result thereof.
Jack (as we're packing these said boxes): "You're not seriously going to take this stone with you?" (pointing at a big stone that I used as paperweight on my desk)
me: "Well... containers go by volume, not weight, right? So why not - I like this stone."
Jack: "Fine! Then I'm taking my stone, too!!!" (he also has a big stone that he used as a paperweight).
Yes - we shipped these two stones from Australia! At least Jack can remember the significance of his and where he found it. Mine? I think it might be from the Grampians but really - it's just a big grey stone... and now overnight they have become a lot more famous and valuable for travelling across the globe. Now these stones are trying to find a respectable place in the PILE of stuff that is our current flat and I am glad I want to become a psychologist, because the human psyche is one deep, dark, absurd abyss!!!
Clive Says: Ohmigod. I thought we had space and clutter issues. You guys...you guys...need...help. Like, Professional Help. Waste Disposal Help. Frankly, Clinical help.
ReplyDeleteI know! Maybe you can drop one item per day off the balcony? Then around about 2020 you'll be back to where you started.
Anyway, I thank you deeply. I feel a whole lot better about my own home now, and the ability of us as a family unit to make generally sound decisions. ;-P
Clive
OMG your post is so funny! I do remember you being totally over sorting staff when you were here... I guess when you establish a life in two locations it's not easy to make culling decisions. Maybe it was easier for parents - shipping was not an option, so they had to choose 20kg per person from their previous life to take. It's just a pity that my parents chose to take a lifetime's supply of soviet era towels and linen which we have never used.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an impressive pile! As a professional hoarder myself, I am very very impressed :-)
ReplyDelete