Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hair Today, Gone Today (Waaah!)

What: Hair Clip, broken and bearing a bit of dirt from the Shawagunks.
Origin: Hair hygiene.
How long kept: In it's broken state, about 5 minutes.
Why kept: See Confession.
Destination: Trash.

Confession: This is one casualty of today's ice climbing trip.  I tried to capture the dirt in the photo, but you can't really see it -- I was also covered in it.   Ice climbing seemed like it would be such a clean sport!   (Although I'm in one piece, we'll see how I bear up tomorrow.)  The confession part? I actually thought, "What if King's has stopped carrying them?" and actually thought about rinsing the dirt off and saving it  (i.e. I Might Fix It, sticky) until I could get to King's for a replacement.  For about 30 seconds.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Help I've been mugged


Help I've been mugged
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
What: a high school favor from prom. Yes it's a beer stein! The other was a wine glass!! (I got rid of that a long time ago.) The prom theme was "in the air tonight"
Origin: the late 80s prom
Why kept: Nostalgia, storage boxes are evil (it held the broken/dead pens
Last used: it was holding pens (mostly inoperable) for years
Destination: Freecycle free4all in a few weeks
This is my Saturday post. I forgot to post but I really did have this put in my give away pile.

Don't Let The Sun Come Up On Me

What: Old Sunblock.
Origin: Vanity.
How Long Kept: Hmmm. The Kiehls is probably only almost 2 years old, it actually was swag from a benefit. The Banana Boat is of a significantly earlier vintage.
Why kept: I Might Need Them.  I was looking for sunblock to pack into my backpack for tomorrow's ice climbing class, I thought, eew.
Destination: Sorry, earth, these are also going into our landfill.

Grumbly Observation: Why do so many of these things -- not to mention condiments -- come in such large containers? I feel almost as guilty about wasting the (probably yucky) sunblock as I do about not being able to recycle the containers.

Guest Post: Silly stuff


Silly stuff
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"S," reporting from icy Beacon:

"This is the kind of stuff I save. A wooden toy ladybug off a depleted pen. An glove form. A plastic bracelet from a carnival. All have endured 3 years of "potential creative project" limbo. And all are now deleted from that purgatory that I submit oh-so-many things to. It's torture, and I am the sadist and masochist both, tempting them (and myself) with the possibility of an even better life after their initial reason to exist. A Joseph Cornell heaven. And resulting in clutter and broken promises. I repent, hallelujah! Garbage and recycling. And I reclaim a little pocket of sanity."

Friday, January 29, 2010

No longer holding up my junk

What: black leather belt.
Last used: pre 2005.
Origin: I lost a ton of weight in the late 90s. It held up many pants for me.
Why kept: I might wear it again, out of sight.

Destination: freecycle free for all pile.

Sorry I don't mean to be short, it has been a few crazy days here during the Wolf Moon.

Don't Light My Fire


Don't Light My Fire
Originally uploaded by 365 Things
What: Cheap lighters that don't work.
Origin/How Long kept: Hiking trips in the late 90s and early 00s. (The green one, actually empty, didn't cost $30, but probably 30 yuan or rupees on some trip.)
Why kept: Found them in my backpack, which I pulled down in advance of an ice-climbing class I'm taking on Sunday. They Might Be Useful (if they had only worked), Broken, and Out of Sight Out of Mind.
Destination: I'm going to ask one of the guys who works in my building to dispose of them safely. Flammable stuff shouldn't go down the compacter chute!

Confession: There's all kinds of stuff in the backpack to "blog". The elastic bands in 3 sportsbras I forgot I had are crunchy. Note to self: elastic doesn't last forever. Those will go into the pile for next trip to the textile recycling folks up at Union Square.

Bonus: Everything smells like citronella.

Hmmm. I wonder if citronella ever expires.

Portlight.org


Portlight.org
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
I forgot to post yesterday but I had this planned all day. When I was pregnant, I had gestational diabetes. I tested my blood glucose levels 4+ times a day. Once the baby was born it went away.

Destination: Haiti. The Hubby started a collection box @ our local municipality for portlight.org. They collect medical equipment for disaster areas. He is going to take all that was collected to his sister who is actively involved

Tattoo Anyone But Me


Tattoo Anyone But Me
Originally uploaded by 365 Things
What: 3 Temporary Tattoos
Origin: Middle-aged goth fantasy? I'm not really sure that I recall.
Usage: Not at all.
How long kept: Probably since 2001?
Why kept: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Destination: Mail call -- I'll send these in little notes to my 3 nephews, at least one of whom is old enough to love to get mail. Their moms have approved.

Confession: As you can see, I'm posting late. I took these with me on a trip to a conference intending to send them today (i.e. Thursday), but I didn't have stamps...I have a bunch of 42 cent stamps, and need more 2 cents stamps so that they're usable. These will have to go out Friday, along with Friday's other bounty.

Bonus: A notable quote I heard in today's conference: "I can't get an A in everything." Exactly.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Ma Maison...not!


Ma Maison...not!
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"Books used for reference for a children's book I illustrated called "Emily Goes Wild" - about a monkey who wears Chanel (you heard right) and lives with her Francophile adoptive mom in New Orleans and, well, many outfits and shenanigans later, joins the lions and tigers and bears at the zoo, oh, my. Post 9/11 & pre-Katrina...that "special" time in my life when all I did was draw tassles and pillows with fringe and a monkey who changed clothes 3X a day. Time to donate these to the library and if I ever need reference to draw a fleur de lys again, I'll just look in my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, Toto, then I guess I really don't need it. Or something."

"S", there's no place like your (actual) home...Xo and thanks!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hairly motivated!


Hairly motivated!
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
Thanks "S" for the hair raising motivation!!
What: hair clips and pony tail holders
Last used: um way long time ago some never. I searched my Freecycle group for my post. The last time I culled the hair holder herd was June of 2007. I've been keeping my hair shorter so these won't work for me
Why kept: out of sight, out of my hair. I might wear them again
Destination: since the hair clips are clean and I've never used the holders, I am putting them in the give away pile. They will probably go to the free-4-all
Confession: I kept some regular elastic pony hail holders. I'll try to remember to look at them in 6 month. After that they should be history, yes?
Update: A friend of mine has little girls that can use the ponytail holders. I will share them with her on Sunday :-)

Toothless in Beacon


Toothless in Beacon
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"M" Here... Thanks "S". You are proving once again that we do have the same stuff. I think I'll go try to find mine to post . "A" already posted her hair clips.

"Hair clips that used to serve the purpose of maintaining that casual ponytail, that "tousled upsweep" have just lost too many teeth to do the job effectively anymore. The butterfly clip is easily a decade old. Yesterday a tooth broke off in my hair and I still kept it in all day (loose tooth, too. For the hair clip tooth fairy). Hasn't anyone invented something similar but better for us--we who care but can't be bothered? Into the garbage, and I am sitting here feeling scrungy, refusing to wear a scrungi... "

Kiss My, Um, Face

What:  Bar of Health Food-y Olive Oil Soap.
Origin:  Cleanliness is next to...
Usage:  Not much.
How long kept:  I'm going to say well over a year.   Long enough that it started to turn weird colors.   Like it was going bad.  (And when I say "well over a year", don't think that I mean 13 months.   I mean, eew.)
Why kept:  Despite the fact that this soap actually dried my skin badly, I Might Need It; It Might Be Useful.   I moved it from the bath to the kitchen -- because it my dry out my hands less profoundly after I had done the dishes?  
Destination:  Trash.   Maybe you could compost this stuff?  

Bonus:  It might be cruelty free in terms of animal testing, and that's a good thing, based on what it did to my hands.   Hopefully it won't harm the earth in the good old NYC landfill.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sharing the Om


Sharing the Om
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
What: a gently used yoga mat that I just happened across last week. I was thinking that I'd put it up on Freecycle
Origin: From "A" in 2005ish
Why kept: it might be useful, it was a gift from "A".
Last used: probably a year ago (see confession)
Destination: my friend. I was having lunch with one of my best buds and she said, "I have to go buy a yoga mat." I told her not to because I have three!
Confession: I should practice more!!
I used to double up this mat with my other one until The Hubby got me a really cool one that has "chocolate" printed all over it :) it always makes me smile.

I don't have guilt for giving this away because I know "A" would approve on *so* many levels. Yoga is the answer to so many things :)
Namaste!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Low Hanging Fruit, Juiced


Low Hanging Fruit, Juiced
Originally uploaded by 365 Things
What: Sample sized earthy organic beauty products.
Origin: SWAG from a yoga benefit.
Usage: Until this morning, not at all. Unless gathering dust counts as usage.
Why kept: They Might Be Useful.  I probably could have given them to someone else who attended and would have enjoyed them more.  (I Should Have Said No.)   They're lovely, but now it feels like a job to use them up.
How Long Kept: 4 months.
Destination: Contents, being used. Containers, trash.

Bonus: I also threw out some expired lip gloss that I loved, but seemed too old. And a single tooth whitening tray that expired in August. (Again, does peroxide actually expire?) The pine and sage scent from the first package of shower gel, yummy. Remaining packets being used in the next day or so...perfect for an overnight business trip I'll be on tomorrow.

Bonus, cont: I'll use these up before they go bad. As earthy as they are, they probably don't contain preservatives.

Confession: I'm starting to run out of the easy items to shed -- low hanging fruit, as the consultants would say.

The good news is that I'm noticing stuff like this and getting it gone quickly.  (#5 Plastic takeout containers from Sunday dinner -- already dropped off at the recycling bin at the market, rather than saved because They Might Be Useful.)  And I've got a folder with a list of things to get rid of, so definitely no dearth of items.

The bad news is that some of other stuff feels very graduate level and intimidating. As we say here at 365 Things, "sticky."

I just have to keep on taking that next step! How did I learn to balance on one leg? I kept asking myself, "Can I stand here for one more breath?"   One more breath.

Bonus, update:  I totally heart the  Pangea Organics Turkish Rose & White Tea Eye Cream For all Skin Types and might need to order some right now. Coming in second, Pangea Organics Canadian Pine with White Sage Shower Gelwhich smells like the clean woods of northern Minnesota. (I'm not big fan of shower gel, in general, though. I may not get that one.)

Monday, January 25, 2010

Ice scraper


Ice scraper
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: ice scraper
Origin: from a gift exchange in 2007 or 2008
Last used: never
Why Kept: See confession and Out of Sight
Destination: amvets pile / Free-4-All pile (Our Freecycle group is having an event in February)

Confession: we always planned to give it back @ the next exchange since we feel we were totally "ripped off".

I don't get it, "M" -- how were you ripped off? Did you put a diamond tiara in the gift exchange and get this in return?

We gave a nice bottle of booze. And I decided not to feel Ripped off any more and just get it out of the house.

"A" says, good idea.  Isn't it great to let go of something that gives you even a teensy bit of "yuck" when you look at it?  (Or should we add a new Reason for keeping stuff, "Revenge"?)   And I think that this might prompt a suggestion for gift exchanges:   consumable stuff only?   Confession:  Several of my unread books are from Book Club Christmas gift exchanges.   Glad you kept your tiara, Princess.  

Guest Post from "S": "That stinking feeling..."


That stinking feeling...
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"I bought these bulbs as holiday gifts for friends and neighbors, and kept a few for myself. Everyone raved about the fragrance--everyone but me. I didn't know I was going to have such an adverse reaction to paper whites, but more telling, I didn't know how willing I was to put up with it. Like...all month! As if one day I would decide that I was in fact wrong, and that they were delightful. I actually let them fall over and start to dry out before I yanked them and gave them the official heave ho, a few minutes ago."

You go, girl. Thanks for stopping in!

Four Books and Four-figures Lighter

What: Miscellaneous Books
Origin: Mostly Book Club, although David Sedaris' Barrel Fever came from a book swap shelf we had at my last corporate gig.
Usage: Book Club items, read once; Sedaris book, unread (by me,
How Long Kept: Longest is probably 2.5 years.
Why Kept: This goes back to that NYT story about why we hang onto books. Mostly, once I get a book it becomes part of the furniture. Even though it is in plain view, it is close to Out of Sight, Out of Mind. (And, maybe I'll read them, thus I Might Need Them.)
Destination: my local NYPL branch, for their book sale.

Bonus: It was raining buckets. I have been having some involved dental dealings. The NYPL branch is extremely close to the dentist, so one call could do it all.

Confession: I'm eating an ice cream bar, a gustatory exhibit of something close to self-pity -- but it is a faux self-pity, with a bit of a wink.

Bonus, part deux:  I can now chew on both sides of my mouth.

Guest Post: "voodoo"


voodoo
Originally uploaded by dumpin.it
Aha, a new guest-poster! Welcome.

"What: Office voodoo kit (gift)

Origin:When I left a company under less than ideal circumstances in 1996, some friends brought me gag gifts rather than the company watch.

Why kept: I hate throwing out gifts.

Why getting rid: While this was funny at first, 13 years later, still in its shrink wrap, it's simply clutter."

Thanks, DI, for joining forces with us! And kudos to you for never actually using this gift.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

OoPsIe


OoPsIe
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: OPI little purse that had nail polish in it
Last used: never. Received as a gift in 2009. I used the polish but not the bag
Why kept: out of sight and it was a gift for my birthday
Destination: the AMVETs pile. We will schedule a pick up soon

Update: A friend saw this here and thought her little girl would like it. It is now in a little girls treasure box. I would have loved this as a kid!!! Enjoy lil "M"

Guest Post: "Kiss & MAC-up?"


Kiss & MAC-up?
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"This is a 99.95% depleted foundation from MAC, which is (I blush, or blanche to admit) over 12 years old. Reason bought--it matched my skin tone so well. Reason tossed--other than the bacteria factor, I haven't worn foundation in 10 years. Reason kept? Same as reason bought. Plus over the years the shade # wore off so if I ever wanted to replace it, I'd have to bring it along and do a match-test at the MAC counter. And Life is too short (plus my Vanity's shelf life has almost expired, and my vanity shelf has been downsized to a hanging basket next to the shower."

"S", have a great week...and thanks for the post.

Gotta Stop Swapping

What:  Cute, but not for me, sweater/jacket.
Origin:  Clothing swap party my girlfriends have 2-3 times a year.
How long kept:  About a year.
Why kept:   When I got it home and washed it, I noticed that one of the seams was coming undone.   I set it aside to fix it in a basket that stores items to be mended...deep in the closet.  (Broken, I Might Fix It; Out of Sight, Out Of Mind.   There's also an Aargh, see confession.)
Usage:  Not at all.  Unless you count washing and mending it as "usage" -- I did fix it.   Last evening.
Destination:   To the girlfriend who really wanted it at the swap.

Confession:  My girlfriends call these events "Bitch & Swaps".   People bring clothes, really an embarrassing abundance of items.   (And sometimes there are 30 people there.)

The supposed ground rules:   you get to select whatever you want.   If two women want the same thing, after the catfight of course, we're supposed to each try it on.   Everyone will then vote on who looks better in it; the victor takes the item.   (And the clothes that aren't claimed at the end of the night are taken to Housing Works.)

The reality:   everyone who attends is so nice that when two people want the same thing, the conversation is more like:
Woman One: "Oh, you take it.
Woman Two: "No, you take it."
Woman One: "No, I didn't really want it, I was just thinking about it."
Woman Two: "But it looks cuter on you!"
and so on...
I sometimes use the swaps as a clothing lab, testing out clothes I wouldn't buy.   If I don't like them, they get donated -- or come back to the next swap.   This was one such item.  (And the friend who really wanted it has asked me about it several times during the intervening year.   "Have you worn it yet?"  so it was actually stressing me out.)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Land(fill) of misfit ornaments

What: broken ornaments.
Origin: Almost every year I would make little ornaments for my coworkers. These were ornaments that broke in transit. They were in a box to be repaired
Last used: 2007/8
Why kept: I might fix them
Destination: garbage

Confession: I have others that aren't broken

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Hey, Hey Paula


Hey, Hey Paula
Originally uploaded by 365 Things
Please make the Sunday Freecycle pickup you requested -- no Freecycle Drama, please!

The (Putatively) Successful Freecycle Post:

"OFFER:Sewing Machine or Paperweight, You Be The Judge

White Brand Sewing Machine, Model 222, Serial number 88117492, a gift from Mom in the 80s: broken, possibly fixable.

Used periodically in the 90s and seldom in the 00s, I started to use it a bit recently. I was adjusting the (manual) tension knob when the entire knob assembly came off.

Mechanical skills are not my long suit, and -- try as I might -- I couldn't figure out how to correctly replace the elements (all of which came off quite slowly in my hand – none are missing).

I found a blog post that said that the machine itself was worthless, except as a paperweight. In terms of how much paper it will hold down, weight is probably 10-12 pounds (I used to carry it around town with me on the train in a canvas bag).

If you're game to see if it's fixable, I'd love for you to have it, along with its manual. White was apparently somehow related to Husquavarna – they gave me no joy when I requested a copy of the schematic drawing of the tension knob, snippily telling me that it was too old.

I bought a new machine. It was not a Husquavarna. Snap.

I've got probably all of the stuff that came with it. Different presser feet, darning plate so that you can free motion stitch, bobbin cases, etc. And the pieces of the tension knob are in a baby food jar.

I can put it all in a paper shopping bag, or you can take it in another (bulkier) sewing machine box.

It was a good little machine, if it can be fixed, it would be good for a beginner. I don't guarantee it can be fixed...."

You don't have to pick it up until Sunday, but it's going downstairs to the doorman today. It's not coming back into my apartment!  (Update:   Paula, you rock.   You came out on what was arguably one of the worst weather days of the last year to pick up this sewing machine.   I hope you can fix it.)

How long kept: About 6 weeks (broken)...before that it was not clutter!
Why kept: I popped it into the box for my new machine back before the holidays, intending to Freecyle it at some point.   So, reasons are a little bit of many: Broken, Maybe I can Fix it, and Out of Sight Out of Mind/Storage Boxes are Evil. But I also had bigger fish to fry.)

Bonus:   Thanks, Mom.   I loved this machine.
Bonus, part deux:  I'm getting rid of the sewing machine box and styrofoam packing materials from my new machine.

Big brother is not watching here

What: video baby monitor
Origin: hand me down in 2005
Last used: never....
Why kept: when we received it, we planned on using it, but we placed it on a blanket that hung over the Wonderdog's crate. Said dog chewed on the blanket, thus chewing through the cord. Thankfully, it wasn't plugged in!! So we tried to fix it with another power supply quickly but that didn't work. We put it on a shelf and....forgot about it. We planned on fixing but we never really needed it. We could always peek in the room quietly enough if we needed to.
Destination: freecycle!!!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Friday, January 22, 2010

Stuff-Savers; Life, Not So Much

What: Roll of Lifesavers.
Origin: I believe that this was part of a roadside emergency kit that "M" gave to me for Christmas.   Quite some time ago.
Usage: Not at all.  Unless moving them around in my kitchen cabinet counts.
How Long Kept: "M", when did I have that Honda in Chicagoland? 1999?
Why kept: I might eat them and thus They Might Be Useful.
Destination: Trash.

Confession: These should have gone when I tossed the licorice -- like Betadine, I would have assumed that Lifesavers never expired (well, I'm exaggerating slightly. Today, I opened them and found that the candy on the end of the pack (either lemon or pineapple) had red spots embedded deep within.

Um, eew. (Do we have a category for "eew"?)  Aaargh.

Guest Post, From "A Land Before Sponge Bob...."

"These are tiny little dinosaurs that came in plastic capsules that you soak: they expand and the plastic dissolves and voila! Yes, I still fall prey to this kind of stuff at the Dollar Store. I think these go back to Halloween 2008 when I was trying to have a candy-free trick-or-treat thing, but realized that throwing some capsules into pillowcases was probably only going to get my windows soaped. So I followed thru on my own and put them in this little dish and let it hang around my art room (where it fit right in, decor-wise) for a year. I am happy to say that they are now extinct in this house. The blue dish is recyclable (it is tiny too--a stingy single portion from the local ice cream shop), but I decided to keep that after I shot the pic. It's a container. I can use it. Just not for foam dinosaurs."

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Even this is asking me why


Even this is asking me why
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: a hook from a broken shower caddy
Origin & Last used: when the caddy fell from the shower head for the last time. It was probably back in mid-2009.
Why why why: we recycled the caddy right away. I have no idea why this ended up on a shelf on the other shower caddy. I can't even mark it down to nostalgia as I have another caddy just like it. I'll go with out of sight because I knew we'd never fix it. And it wouldn't be useful for much of anything. It leaves me with the question "Why" punctuated with my blog item question mark
Destination: I just put it in the trash.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Princess, you could also code this one as an "aargh"!

QED: Calendar Boys Prove That We're All Calendar Girls


QED
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What: 2008 Firefighter Calendar, featuring firefighters from another metro area.
Origin: A friend from this other metro area.
Usage: Not at all. First off, I'm not a wall calendar kind of girl. Second of all, I didn't like the objectification of the men in the calendar. (And I'm not kidding.)
How long kept: Since late 2007.
Why kept: It was a Gift from X, and Out of Sight Out of Mind.
Destination: Recycling.

Confession: I felt queasy when I looked at this; this was actually my original reaction when I received it. Why did I put it on a shelf to store? (And how odd, and kind of awful, is it that I knew exactly where to find it after seeing posts from "M" and "S".)

Bonus: Proof Positive that we all *do* have the same stuff.

Guest Post: "Days gone bye-bye"


Days gone bye-bye
Originally uploaded by heywattsky

"Wow, I used to have great calendars (put out by Graphique de France)! So great that I saved them--2006 & 2007. But it's the dawning of an new era, and so I ripped out the pages I just couldn't bear to recycle (who knows--framed as prints for my niece's first dorm room?) or, that catch-all excuse for an artist--potential visual reference!"

"S", thanks for this affirmation that we all have the same "stuff". I think that I finally recycled a firefighter calendar that a yoga friend gave to me. I'd better check. If not, that should go, maybe today! Have a good one.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Plastic Soul


Plastic Soul
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What: My college roommate (and still good friend) gave me some awesome candies for Christmas. This is the plastic liner of the candy tin (upside down; the rightside up side is gold).
Usage: I've contemplated it quite a bit.
How long kept: Since January 6, 2010.
Why Kept: This is so stunningly odd, and kind of cool, I thought that something could be done with it. (It Might Be Useful?)
Destination: Garbage.

Confession: "M" was right. Though my last post was very clearing, it wasn't actual stuff.
Confession, cont.: I still have the gorgeous candy tin that contained the candy, and this bizarre object. Hey, It Might Be Useful!
(Good Job "A"!)

Nunsense


Nunsense
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: a 2007 calendar of "Nuns Having Fun"
Why: I think we bought this as a gift that we never gave -- I am my mother's daughter. It was out of sight out of mind
Last used: never. It's still in the shrink wrap!
Destination: recycle bin

I'll add the photo of the back cover, where you will see Twister Sister! I wish we would have used this. It's way funny!!

Confession: I pulled this out of the recycle bin to photograph it. The Hubby was doing some cleaning and it was too funny not to blog!!!

GTD, and I Mean It


GTD, and I Mean It
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What: A large number of already read emails.
How long kept: Some since January 1, 2008 (my laptop's "birthday").
Usage: Sometimes, see "confession", below.
Why kept: They Might Be Useful; I Might Need Them.  But of course.
Destination: Some went into digital trash. Others are now subject to some new sorting mechanisms: some manual, others digital.

Confession: I save all emails. Ok, not Google Alerts, which I have for topical matters, and also my own name.  Everyone should set up a google alert on themselves, to see what they or their online doppelgangers are up to in the eyes of parents, partners, high school classmates, prospective employers and clients.

But I digress. If you wrote me an email in February, 2008 that said "LOL", chances are I have it. And I've been rewarded on enough occasions to keep it up -- I've been able to avoid duplicating work, found evidence of conversations, etc. needed in a business context.

It's not good, though, to have most of it mashed in one email box. (David Allen, of GTD fame, talks about the psychological cost of having an overflowing email in box. He's right.) I've set up a new process for getting, handling and archiving emails, and I'm committed to it.

Confession part 2: I found at least 3 emails in my in-box that I should have answered, one from late last year. D'oh. They got buried by other mails. I don't expect my new process to be perfect, but it will be better.

Breaking Away...


Breaking Away...
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"S", thank you.

"My old biker helmet is perfectly fine on the outside, but all the foam padding is disintegrating on the inside (see black spreckles on the table). I am going to go to the Giro site and see if they reclaim them for refurbishment. (It looks like it wouldn't be hard, and I considered DIY-ing it, but I'd probably get glue gun dribbles hanging off it and stuck in my hair. The RIH racing cap came into my life about 8 years ago? I think someone gave it to me--why would I buy such a thing? I had a 3-speed bike and upright handlebars and a basket that was only missing Toto. Now it's dawning on me--I think it was a GAG gift....Hmmm...well, I am regifting to my high school friend who really does do bike-athons and raises lots of $$$ for charity. It's already in the envelope. Both hitting the road, out of my life."

Guest Post: "Up for adoption"


Up for adoption
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
"This is an ascot-scarf, hand-knit (acrylic yarn) by someone (not me or anyone I know)--I think I got it at a thrift shop (not including the critter I call "Minky") because it reminded me of scarves that my Mammaw used to knit me when I was a kid. The "Minky" pin I added (from my childhood jewelry box) to make it the perfect holiday (or Valentine's Day) accessory for many years. I think I have finally come to a parting of the ways with the scarf and "Minky." He's molting a bit, and so am I. (Tho I fluffed him up a bit for his close-up). No longer a good match. Off to No-kill Goodwill."

Thanks, "S"! I'm sure they'll find him a good home.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Soapy good deliciousness


Soapy good deliciousness
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: really nice smelling grapefruit soap. It was also very pretty. It was glycerin soap with a grapefruit shape in the middle. It was so pretty that I didn't use it. Why did I buy this soap if I'm not going to use it!?! So I did and it fell apart into pieces.
Origin: Canada trip with a girlfriend in the early part of this century
Why kept: at first too pretty to use and then after use, it might be useful or somehow I can fix it
Why getting rid of it? I'm worried about the small pieces going down the drain and clogging up the works
Destination: garbage

"A", have you noticed that we are trying to take cool photos to keep up with "S"?? She is really classing up the joint :)

I've made a new deal with myself, I'm going to use up all my soaps before buying any new soap. I think I stated this promise to myself before, but I feel the need to say it again.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The Universe Speaks, And Speaks

What: Christmas card from a former colleague.
How Long kept: Christmas, 1995.
Usage: Sitting in a photo box, probably since 1995 or early 1996.
Why kept: Until a couple of years ago, I never used to be able to toss a Christmas card. (Nostalgia)  Prior to this developmental change in behavior, this one went into one of a (short) tower of archival photo boxes (see confession), and were thus Out Of Sight, Of Mind.
Destination: Shredder, then recycling.

Confession: This floated to the surface when I was looking for a picture of a graduate school classmate.

In early 1996, I resigned from the company I had been at for most of my career until that date.  It was political, there was drama, which I did not engage.   (And it was a good move for me.)

This card's sender had been a mentor, and was one of a handful of people with whom I had hoped to continue a professional relationship. I did not hear from her, nor did she respond my overtures. Later on, I received a call from a trusted friend, who worked for the same company, telling me that the card's author had been passing incorrect information about the circumstances of my resignation.

Unbelieveably, I remember sending her a Christmas card the next year. (When I thought about it recently, the words "Stockholm Syndrome" occurred to me.) I didn't hear from her...

...until about 3 weeks ago, when she actually pinged me on Linked In. (And since we haven't been in touch in almost 14 years, I'm pretty sure that she wouldn't have my current email address in her book for a "friend finder" kind of invite.)

I let her Linked In invitation go, without responding.  And now I'm letting go of her Christmas card.

Confession, part deux: The photos in those boxes are a graduate level release...for future posts!

Under-Utilized Guest Post: "Under-utilized Utensils"


Under-utilized Utensils
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
Ack, the gals at 365 Things missed this one from "S", baking in Beacon. Thank you, "S"

"I got a new set of really nice measuring spoons recently, and while you can't have too many of those things when you bake like me (frenetically), I decided it was time to toss the plastic. So I perused my utility drawer. Also under-utilized and not earning its keep: the clay disk (to soften brown sugar?) The melon-baller (pre-dates Martha). And the nutcracker that lost its grip. And a treasure I didn't know I had--a Mr. Peanut measuring spoon. He goes to ebay, plastic to garbage, metal to bin, and the disk could conceivably go to compost, but I am not convinced that Chinese toxic plastic resin isn't baked into it. So--tossed into a Goodwill bag, a staple in my car trunk."

Monday, January 18, 2010

Guest Post: "my memoir--only marge beat me to it"

We're catty, but nice, today here at 365 Things. Thanks, "S"!

"I bought this last spring at a church bazaar, and just finished it last evening. While I do make it a (new) habit to no longer buy, collect and/or hoard books, and use my library instead, this was only a buck and I couldn't resist the title. I am now passing it along to Beacon Reads, the local used book store in town. And I do recommend it! (both the book, and the gerund!)"

Litter by litter


Litter by litter
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
I'm reclaiming space little by little

What: litter champ refills for a cat litter garbage can. It was awesome when we needed it
Last used: December of 2005 when beloved Dick the cat passed on
Why kept: out of sight and they might be useful. We thought about using the Champ for a diaper pail but cleaning it was going to be too much of a challenge
Destination: my friend who introduced me to the litter champ. She is grateful for the liner refills (this is here doorstep where I dumped my liners)

Confession: watch to the litterChamp to grace this blog

Also, I added regifting to the blog.

Days of Whine and Woeses


Days of Whine and Woeses
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

Ok, someone stop me with the funny. I'll never get any work done today!

What: Two rubber bracelets from www.acomplaintfreeworld.org.
Origin: Grassroots morale effort at the office.
How long kept: Hmmm, I guess mid-year 2007.
Usage: I participated in the project, which was started by our office manager.
Why kept: Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Trash.

Confession: This was a good project, well intentioned, but it fell on many deaf ears. The office was populated with mostly good people, incentivized to offer average performance, in a highly political and extremely large organization that no longer exists.

While the group's output was definitely an example of mean reversion in the workplace, we were a Center of Excellence for a number of things, including complaining. The point of the project is to wear the bracelet (one, not two, see last paragraph of this "confession") and to take notice when you complain, with a one day at a time sort of ethos.

Just like 365 Things.   When you start to notice something, you can transform it!

Some people wouldn't participate. (Hence I had two bracelets thrust on me. I couldn't say no. Sigh.)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Bear Down


Bear Down
Originally uploaded by DeClutter
What: a Chicago Bears pen that has a little light that projects the logo -- well it used to!
Origin: LTD catalog a few years ago. We let The Boy play with it. Now the logo is missing, the light doesn't light and they pen is not working
Why kept: I'm a die hard Bears Fan but after this season, I can let go of the broken pen. I'll never repair it.
Destination: garbage can

Confession: I have another one ... Somewhere.

Guest Post: "Non-rechargeable lemons!"


Non-rechargeable lemons!
Originally uploaded by heywattsky

"These rechargeable batteries have been non-functional for about 2 years --they never worked, and yet still I try. If it's technical, I always think I'm the one doing something wrong. Ya know--this time I think I just bought crap batteries. And since I have been documenting my junk, my Energizer AA useage has probably quadrupled in the last three weeks. So it's time to give these the boot--and while it looks like I am releasing them into "lost in space" here, I will do it responsibly. So into the tech box they go for either 23rd St.Tek Serve (thanks "A") next trip into the city, or a place that is to be researched here in Dutchess County. Not quite out of the house, but out of the wall socket. Of course, I need to buy new rechargeables. But I'm keeping the receipt."

Sometimes, you just have to admit that not all lemons make good lemonade! Thanks, "S".

Alternate University


Alternate University
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What:  Contents of a "volunteer" binder.
Origin:  Fund-raising training run by my graduate school.
How long kept: Since March, 2005.
Why kept: It was in a binder, which is a variation on Storage Boxes Are Evil. Also a bit Out of Sight, Out of Mind. (Though it was actually fairly visible on my bookshelf, just goes to show me how I look at stuff every day without actually seeing it.)
Destination: I filed a few possibly useful pages into a folder in my business files. A few pages are on beautiful heavy paper stock, and are going into my scrap files for my next Mary Ann Moss journal.   The bulk will be recycled by the NYC Department of Sanitation.

Confession:  This training had been marketed as some kind of leadership gathering, and turned into an expectation that I phone or write notes to my classmates to ask them for money.   I was invited to another "leadership" conference this March:  anyone want to bet about whether binders will be distributed?

Bonus: I found a tablet filled with notes from a course I took in 2004. Shred-arama, revisited.

Confession (cont.): Stay tuned for a future release of a number of empty binders, also located on my bookshelf. (Sheesh, I thought I had gotten rid of all of these long before the 365 Things project was even a gleam in my eye!)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Happy Shred-iversary to you


What: Guest lists, contracts and invitations for an anniversary party for our parents
Origin: Planning the gala event
Last used: Fall of 2008

Why kept: out of sight, might need it, nostalgia

Destination: the shredding bag, ultimately a shred event (call 1-877-60-Shred or visit Shred-It.com) and the folder that held the stuff was repurposed to hold tax documents for 2009

Confessions: The invitations are a photo invitation, so I filed them with my photos.

While I know it's supposed to leave the house, I'm treating this like an AMVETs pick up. About quarterly they have a Shred Event in our area. During a specific time, you may bring banker boxes, bag and miscellany to these giant trucks. They suck up documents that are to be destroyed into these huge trucks that are outfitted with shredders. Then they recycle it. I find it much easier to bring all my documents to this instead of shredding them myself. Plus it's much quieter in our home without shredding here since I'd have to do it during naptime as we don't leave the shredder plugged in.

E-Waste And My Granola Morning

What: 2 CPUs, software, keyboards, mice, and a range of cordage...as well as 2 phones that no longer worked (broken, unfixable) and a few other bits of electronic flotsam.
Origin: The computers were from a business that closed in 2004. (Ack.) Other stuff, general household stuff.
Last Used:  At least a couple of years for real usage...but I did pull some data off of one of the computers almost a year ago.
Why Kept: Inertia and Out of Sight, Out of Mind, as well as I Might Need Them.
Destination: Lower East Side Ecology Center's E-Waste Recycling at TekServe on 23rd Street.   The volunteers were incredibly helpful with moving the stuff out of the cab.   Thanks!

Confession: One of the phones was also an answering machine, and there was a funny message on it that I wanted "M" to hear. (I figured out how to record it using one of my phone apps, and can email it.  Nostalgia.)
Bonus: A friend helped me load this stuff into a cab ($11), and was curious about composting and textile recycling.  We took a field trip over to the Union Square Greenmarket, where I dropped a pair of incredibly unflattering jeans (Might Need Them, if hell were to freeze over) and a recently replaced mattress pad.

We then had breakfast at City Bakery.  All in all, a crunchy start to the day.