What: Wonderful book on mindfulness meditation.
Origin: Desire for satori, samadhi, or at least the ability to not swear and make faces at the "rude and annoying" strangers one might encounter on the street.
How long kept: 10, 11 years.
Usage: Fairly frequently, and fairly recently.
Why Kept: I Might Need It if I want to read it or use it in a class; It Might Be Useful. See confession.
Destination: I made a gift of this book to two students.
Confession: This book, on the ability to wake up and be aware of -- at a minimum -- one's surroundings, entered my life in around 1994. I bought it at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, while on a business trip to speak at a client conference.
I started to read it. And think I left it in my seat back pocket on the return flight. Or somewhere. I wasn't paying attention.
This was before the day when Oprah was interviewing Buddhist leaders on her show. No yoga was being practiced at the White House Easter Egg Roll. You couldn't pick this book up just anywhere.
I forgot about it, until I started to practice meditation in the late 90s. Then I started to look for the book. In pretty much every bookstore I went into. I finally found it in the Borders Bookstore in the World Trade Center.
Confession, part deux: Most people don't realize that the WTC contained a bit of a village center. There were businesses like a locksmith, a sushi place, and various clothing stores. If you lived nearby, you bought stuff there. Some items I use every day hailed from that marketplace. I have a sticky attachment to some of them.
Confession, cont: For my students, It Will Be Useful. But I really do use this book, and will probably buy another copy down the road. But I'm guessing it won't be quite as sticky.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Guest Post: Been there, done that, or at least tried to
"Miscellaneous books that illuminated my path in the 1990s. I hope my LED batteries soaked up enough light to shine on the rest of my life, cause I am more or less tired of reading and just want to get on with the living. These are in the Good Will bag, in the car, ready for their next reincarnation."
Goodwill on you, "S"!
Goodwill on you, "S"!
Nuke This
What: Several old cookbooks.
Origin: Various, at least one came with the microwave. Others were Gifts From Mom.
How long kept/Last Used: Well north of 25 years. And some were last used, um, never. Others, in the 80s. See confession.
Why kept: Because I might make that revolting stuffed pork roll thing. In my microwave. If only I weren't a wanna-be vegan, I Might Need It!
Destination: Housing Works and recycling. See confession.
Confession: There's one cookbook in here that I loved, which Mom definitely gave to me, a Bon Appetit cookbook, Quick and Easy Meals. There's a calzone recipe torn from the Sunday Chicago Tribune dated August 18, 1985. My guess is that this is around the date I would have last used this one.
Aargh.
While the books off to Housing Works are truly gone (I dropped them on my way to get lunch), this one, which is falling apart beyond any notion of repair, is still sitting on the credenza in my front hall, waiting to be recycled. Sticky.
Origin: Various, at least one came with the microwave. Others were Gifts From Mom.
How long kept/Last Used: Well north of 25 years. And some were last used, um, never. Others, in the 80s. See confession.
Why kept: Because I might make that revolting stuffed pork roll thing. In my microwave. If only I weren't a wanna-be vegan, I Might Need It!
Destination: Housing Works and recycling. See confession.
Confession: There's one cookbook in here that I loved, which Mom definitely gave to me, a Bon Appetit cookbook, Quick and Easy Meals. There's a calzone recipe torn from the Sunday Chicago Tribune dated August 18, 1985. My guess is that this is around the date I would have last used this one.
Aargh.
While the books off to Housing Works are truly gone (I dropped them on my way to get lunch), this one, which is falling apart beyond any notion of repair, is still sitting on the credenza in my front hall, waiting to be recycled. Sticky.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Candle in the wind
Part of the great bathroom purge
What: a minty fresh yankee candle.
Why kept: I love this flavor but it got so sooty. I might need it, and out of sight under my sink taking up considerable real estate
Last used: probably a year or two
Destination: free4all
Thoughts I'm having: I haven't moved in almost 20 years! "A" helped me about 10 years ago with a MAJOR purge. That was awesome! I think I'm going to start looking at things differently. If I would have to pay a mover to pack and move an item... Is it worth it? I see things that are a big NO without even turning my head!!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
What: a minty fresh yankee candle.
Why kept: I love this flavor but it got so sooty. I might need it, and out of sight under my sink taking up considerable real estate
Last used: probably a year or two
Destination: free4all
Thoughts I'm having: I haven't moved in almost 20 years! "A" helped me about 10 years ago with a MAJOR purge. That was awesome! I think I'm going to start looking at things differently. If I would have to pay a mover to pack and move an item... Is it worth it? I see things that are a big NO without even turning my head!!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
The great bathroom purge continues
What: make up bag - empty. Found under the bathroom sink
Why kept: it was a gift from a coworker that retired over 5+ years ago and out of sight
Last used: it had some stuff in it that I previously blogged but I don't know why I kept it. Might be useful?
Destination: free 4 all
Confession: I have two other little cases that I use for different makeup purposes
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Why kept: it was a gift from a coworker that retired over 5+ years ago and out of sight
Last used: it had some stuff in it that I previously blogged but I don't know why I kept it. Might be useful?
Destination: free 4 all
Confession: I have two other little cases that I use for different makeup purposes
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Case Closed (Karmically)
What: Cute little bags, could be used as cosmetic cases, or containers for other stuff you might stash in a gigantic purse.
Origin: Desire to help a friend, see confession.
How long kept: Since August, 2004.
Usage: Not at all.
Why kept: Both the friend, and the bags, were Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Back to my friend.
Confession: My friend bought these bags in India from Tibetan craftspeople when she was experimenting with an import business; she had them left over from the holiday season. I offered to see if we could sell them in the business I helped to run.
When we closed the business the 2004, a bunch of the stuff came to my house. Over the years, I've gotten rid of everything. Or so I (usually) thought...a bag of these little unsold bags floated to the top every so often.
Around the time we closed the business, my friend and I fell out of touch -- she turned up again earlier this year, and we've been in sporadic touch.
These bags were in a now-empty storage box. (Storage Boxes are Evil.) They turned up during my recent urge to purge the closet...and surprise, I was scheduled to meet with my friend this week!
Confession, cont: Aaargh, we hadn't paid her for the bags we had sold. I also brought a check! (And while I offered to buy the bags that surfaced, she seemed pleased to take them back.)
Confession, part trois: We had to estimate what I should pay her. I had dug around on my computer for a spreadsheet I put together back in the day...it was probably on the computer I blogged!
Origin: Desire to help a friend, see confession.
How long kept: Since August, 2004.
Usage: Not at all.
Why kept: Both the friend, and the bags, were Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Back to my friend.
Confession: My friend bought these bags in India from Tibetan craftspeople when she was experimenting with an import business; she had them left over from the holiday season. I offered to see if we could sell them in the business I helped to run.
When we closed the business the 2004, a bunch of the stuff came to my house. Over the years, I've gotten rid of everything. Or so I (usually) thought...a bag of these little unsold bags floated to the top every so often.
Around the time we closed the business, my friend and I fell out of touch -- she turned up again earlier this year, and we've been in sporadic touch.
These bags were in a now-empty storage box. (Storage Boxes are Evil.) They turned up during my recent urge to purge the closet...and surprise, I was scheduled to meet with my friend this week!
Confession, cont: Aaargh, we hadn't paid her for the bags we had sold. I also brought a check! (And while I offered to buy the bags that surfaced, she seemed pleased to take them back.)
Confession, part trois: We had to estimate what I should pay her. I had dug around on my computer for a spreadsheet I put together back in the day...it was probably on the computer I blogged!
Guest Post: Adios, Amigo!
"This is a Mexican tote bag that I got in Nogales in 1980 (when travel to a border town only came with the fear of purchasing too many cheap souvenirs). This held all of them, and much, much more over the next three decades. It finally split at the seams, and is heading for textile recycling. I hope they take vinyl! That will be the last haul por mi amigo."
Thanks for dropping by, "S."
Thanks for dropping by, "S."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Here goes Peter Cottontail
I'm on fire tonight!
What: premade cookies -- a weak moment grocery shopping with the Boy. I don't shop often but apparently I did during Easter time. It was a 2fer dealy
How long kept: well, since Easter.
Why kept: I might make them.
Destination: I was afraid to open them so they went to the trash. I was afraid they would look like I could still cook them. I was also afraid they were green and fuzzy. I couldn't decided which option I'd wish for! :)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
What: premade cookies -- a weak moment grocery shopping with the Boy. I don't shop often but apparently I did during Easter time. It was a 2fer dealy
How long kept: well, since Easter.
Why kept: I might make them.
Destination: I was afraid to open them so they went to the trash. I was afraid they would look like I could still cook them. I was also afraid they were green and fuzzy. I couldn't decided which option I'd wish for! :)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Different drawer but similar situation
What: a "small" swim diaper. This will not fit The Kid
Why kept: it would have been useful a few months ago but, it was out of sight
Origin: from The Boy so almost half a decade ago!
Destination: free for all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Why kept: it would have been useful a few months ago but, it was out of sight
Origin: from The Boy so almost half a decade ago!
Destination: free for all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
The bottomless drawer
I think things are multiplying in my bathroom!!
Here's another corn remover thing that has been in there sing who-knows-when. Its in the trash now
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Here's another corn remover thing that has been in there sing who-knows-when. Its in the trash now
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Work It. Elsewhere.
What: A mound of no-longer-worn work clothing.
Origin: Various.
How long kept/usage: The oldest item was a suit last worn in the mid-90s. The newest items were purchased circa 2005/2006, most of them last worn in 2007. See confession.
Why kept: I might wear them again, and thus They Might Be Useful. They were in my closet -- Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. The 90s suit, in particular, Nostalgia, I loved that suit! See confession.
Destination: Housing Works. In almost the last shopping bag.
Confession: There were several pairs of black work pants, two of them too large, and the other unflattering. All were out of style (mostly pant legs too wide). Yes, maybe a tailor could have either made them fit or narrowed the pant legs...but best they find someone who likes them as they are.
Rumination: Last weekend, I visited one of my oldest friends. After some quality conversation about age-appropriate business-appropriate clothing, and how much of our old stuff we were holding onto, I was galvanized to empty my closet of clothing that no longer serves me. (Stay tuned for more, as well as more rumination on the topic on why Storage Boxes Are Evil.)
I have two other 90s era suits that I hung onto, mostly Sticky, Nostalgia. With the help of a good tailor, I do think that one of the jackets can be re-purposed and worn over a sheath dress. (Stay tuned to see whether I'll actually do that.)
Recently, I found and got very charged up about The Uniform Project. Since I work with many different clients, and don't go into the same office every day, I really don't need to own a closet full of work clothes! Left to my own devices, I would be tempted to wear the same thing every day. (Like Harriet the Spy!)
The young women in The Uniform Project wear the same versatile dresses every day for a period of time, dressed up or down with accessories or by using design features that alter the appearance of the dress. These dresses are darling -- my quest is for an age appropriate version of their "little black dress."
Origin: Various.
How long kept/usage: The oldest item was a suit last worn in the mid-90s. The newest items were purchased circa 2005/2006, most of them last worn in 2007. See confession.
Why kept: I might wear them again, and thus They Might Be Useful. They were in my closet -- Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. The 90s suit, in particular, Nostalgia, I loved that suit! See confession.
Destination: Housing Works. In almost the last shopping bag.
Confession: There were several pairs of black work pants, two of them too large, and the other unflattering. All were out of style (mostly pant legs too wide). Yes, maybe a tailor could have either made them fit or narrowed the pant legs...but best they find someone who likes them as they are.
Rumination: Last weekend, I visited one of my oldest friends. After some quality conversation about age-appropriate business-appropriate clothing, and how much of our old stuff we were holding onto, I was galvanized to empty my closet of clothing that no longer serves me. (Stay tuned for more, as well as more rumination on the topic on why Storage Boxes Are Evil.)
I have two other 90s era suits that I hung onto, mostly Sticky, Nostalgia. With the help of a good tailor, I do think that one of the jackets can be re-purposed and worn over a sheath dress. (Stay tuned to see whether I'll actually do that.)
Recently, I found and got very charged up about The Uniform Project. Since I work with many different clients, and don't go into the same office every day, I really don't need to own a closet full of work clothes! Left to my own devices, I would be tempted to wear the same thing every day. (Like Harriet the Spy!)
The young women in The Uniform Project wear the same versatile dresses every day for a period of time, dressed up or down with accessories or by using design features that alter the appearance of the dress. These dresses are darling -- my quest is for an age appropriate version of their "little black dress."
Guest Post: Pruning my stuff
"This was "artfully" adorning my living room shelf (the one with candles, a little buddha, etc.) But it really has no sentimental value (other than a friend was clearing it out of HIS house, and it comes from Dennings Point, a local Hudson River beach-combing area). I've had it maybe 4 years, but now it is in the back yard for further decomposting."
Hey, good word, "S," decomposting!
Hey, good word, "S," decomposting!
Monday, August 2, 2010
I'm Spry...But You Wouldn't Call Me Wiry
What: 14 Wire Hangers
Origin: Various
How long kept: Judging from the logos, some hail from before the turn of the century.
Usage: Some of them.
Why Kept: They Might Be Useful. Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Recycled, via my local dry cleaner.
Origin: Various
How long kept: Judging from the logos, some hail from before the turn of the century.
Usage: Some of them.
Why Kept: They Might Be Useful. Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Recycled, via my local dry cleaner.
Guest Post: A tale of two ditties...
"Old roughs for a children's book class I took in the 1980s...something to do with animals in the human world. Letting go of this concept, at least in this version. There is still a story of a turtle and a sweater that I am poking around."
Thanks, "S".
Thanks, "S".
Sunday, August 1, 2010
What: Instant Read Thermometer.
Origin: Dreams of homemade yogurt.
How long kept: 3.5 months. See confession.
Why kept: I Might Need It. See confession.
Destination: Return to Bed, Bath &BigBox.
Confession: I so desperately wanted to make homemade yogurt that I bought an instant read thermometer, only to realize that I already owned one. Luckily before I made the yogurt. BB and BB was pretty awesome about the return, no drama, no request for my ID, DNA sample or a mug shot.
While I have extremely mixed feelings about BBB, it was a pleasure to not feel like I criminal for returning something.
Confession, cont: I didn't return it sooner because the receipt didn't surface until I started to compile my package for my bookkeeper, and went through receipts for the past quarter. Sigh.
Guest Post: Gere is more from the swipe files - Pt. 2
"This is the men's file...that is Richard Gere in a fashion spread after The Cotton Club came out. I used to draw a lot of men. Also gone-gone...Recycling just swung by an hour ago."
We salute you, "S".
We salute you, "S".
Guest Post: Sticky, heavy swipes
"My "swipe file" of magazine reference from when I first started illustrating fashion. This is some vintage stuff, and took way too long to go through today. I ended up with a lot more than this (& Roxy Music would be the appropriate soundtrack!) Easily 10 lbs went down to the curb for recycling. Some I truly had trouble parting with--favorite models, photo shoots, hair cut references, clothing memories. It reminded me of when I was much more passionate about fashion, and those days are gone-gone."
"S," way to unstick yourself. Brava!
"S," way to unstick yourself. Brava!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Scarf This Up
What: Contents of a Ziploc bag of scarves.
Origin: Desire to add color to a corporate wardrobe, circa 1995.
How long kept: Various, late 80's and early 90's.
Last Used: 1996? 1998?
Why kept: I Might Need Them. They Might Be Useful. Nostalgia.
Destination: Housing Works.
Confession: I'm not really home and blogging, and neither is "M".
We're each away on weekends.
This stuff is really gone, yet my smartphone is too dumb to let me
upload some posts from "S", who looks to be hard at work in Beacon.
Stay tuned for some high quality evidence of her ability to detach!
Origin: Desire to add color to a corporate wardrobe, circa 1995.
How long kept: Various, late 80's and early 90's.
Last Used: 1996? 1998?
Why kept: I Might Need Them. They Might Be Useful. Nostalgia.
Destination: Housing Works.
Confession: I'm not really home and blogging, and neither is "M".
We're each away on weekends.
This stuff is really gone, yet my smartphone is too dumb to let me
upload some posts from "S", who looks to be hard at work in Beacon.
Stay tuned for some high quality evidence of her ability to detach!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Out of Time
What: Clock.
Origin: College dorm room.
Usage: Not since the early 80's.
How long kept: Ditto.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful; Nostalgia; Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Housing Works.
Origin: College dorm room.
Usage: Not since the early 80's.
How long kept: Ditto.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful; Nostalgia; Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Housing Works.
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