PSN-L Email List Message

Subject: Packrat humor in a garage clean out endeavor...
From: meredith lamb psnseismograph52@..........
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 15:43:29 -0600


Hi all,

I've been trying to clean up my garage for awhile; in the course
of this trauma, humor springs forth, and I thought you might
need this inspiration, from my brother and sister.....

"Joan R." wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> Can hardly believe it's July 1 already.  Or, as the saying goes, "Time
> flies like an arrow and fruit flies like bananas."
>
> There are rules to successful trashing, Meredith.  The basic rule is, if
> you've had stuff stored for 10 years, and you haven't gotten around to
> using it, then odds are you never will, so pitch it.  Trashing is best when
> you're really angry about something or at someone.  If you're relaxed and
> feeling all sentimental, you tend to want to hang onto stuff or
> optimistically think there's still a use for or a way to fix that broken
> appliance or furniture.  Pressure helps.  Like, if you're expecting a fire
> hazard inspector.   It's helpful if you have one or more do-it-yourselfer
> friends.  They always can see possibilities in your junk, covet it, and are
> thrilled when you give it to them.  It helps if you make them think you're
> doing it out of the goodness of your heart.  Don't build shelves or buy
> storage bins or cabinets.  That just encourages clutter, because true trash
> collectors never get around to sorting and putting stuff away.  If you sort
> stuff and put them away, you'll never be able to find something when or if
> you actually want it, and you'll wind up buying more stuff.  Don't quit
> when you get tired.  You throw out more when you get too tired to think if
> you really want to keep it.

>From Bob Lamb;

"Hi Joan & Meredtih...will the trashing ever stop?  Actually I
do believe and follow your philosofee (ha) Joan, and do OK up
to a certain point.... the targeted trash object can be in my hand
ready to be tossed out... but I freeze up, can't let go of it...fingers
holding tight!!!      (and)      Now I'am curious..have you tossed
something out, but then changed your mind and retrieved it??"

Perhaps the most traumatizing potential Rule 1 is:  Throw out the
top 10 most coveted piles....then the rest will come much easier.
Trouble is....the best isn't the usual humdrum homey type stuff,
if you're a typical experimenter....but, if nobody else knows
that; you maybe looked upon as being courageous is you do trash out
the homey stuff....first.  I think I'll be courageous.

Meredith Lamb


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Larry Cochrane <cochrane@..............>