Thursday, August 10, 2006

Clutter

or
Rules Schmools


The Sweetie is in the midst of downsizing his life: more cycling, less driving, looking to simplify -- time to sell the big house and find something smaller and more urban. He's painting and cleaning, and is now facing the de-cluttering recommended by his realtor.

As someone who thrives on the high she gets from every bag of stuff she sets curbside for the local ARC, Disabled American Vets or Lupus Foundation, I had tons of suggestions I can make someone's head spin. Admittedly, whether or not one lives for this type of activity, one still needs to find the time to get after it.

For me, the get after it times happen during the slow parts of the year: good, rainy weekends during the spring and fall transitions between cycling and skiing (well after the school year has geared-up, and again in the spring well before it gears-up ONCE MORE), as well as during a chunk of my summer vacation when I have the time to do all things domestic...like now.

I explained some of the criteria I use. The tiny kitchen in my new, old house is woefully small compared to the kitchen in my old, new townhouse. When I moved-in things just had to go. So, coffee mugs for example. My favorites stayed. Those not used so often went into a box stored in the basement until I realized I didn't miss them and they could go out to the curb. Clothing not worn in two three?? years meets the same fate...except for certain things like the dress I wore to my 20th class reunion -- a fine piece...for 1999 anyway.

From there, the discussion moved-on to the garage which I'd just sorted-through...I recycled boxes, sorted drawers and tools, moved non-working and giveaway items over to one side, then took the leaf-blower to the floor.

My work there was done.

What about the bicycles? he says.

THE WHAT?!? I says.

The bicycles, he says.

I USE THEM...ALL SEVEN...EIGHT OF THEM. I says. EXCEPT FOR THE-

So... you've ridden the track within the last two years? he says

-FOR THE TRACK BIKE...AND OK, MARILYN...AND ALRIGHT NOT THE OLD MOUNTAIN BIKE...THE TRACK FRAME IS a work of art and it's either going on the wall or I'm turning it into a street fixie but I just haven't had the time and Marilyn doesn't GET ridden her sole purpose is to sit there and look all pretty with her magenta frame and handlebar streamers and remind me of my childhood and the day I first laid eyes on her sitting in the driveway on my 9th birthday as I got out of the truck and the old mountain bike is going to be a singlespeed and has components I'm going to transfer to my Frankenbike when I get around to getting some old frame to make a Frankenbike with and don't even get started on the drawer full of parts because they're all going to be used...

eventually


...SO OK, I'LL THROW OUT...UM...THOSE FIVE OLD PUNCTURED TUBES HANGING FROM THE RAFTERS BUT YOU KNOW THEY CAN BE USED FOR OTHER THINGS BESIDES on wheels like for loops to keep the garage door from blowing shut in the wind...and stuff....

- OB gettin' huffy

15 comments:

Sascha said...

So does someone want to buy a bungalow in the city? Because I've got one to sell ;)

X Bunny said...

do you save old bike shorts that are completely worn out and can't be worn?

do you save cracked helmets?

do you save components (like 6 speed or something) that aren't compatible with anything current?

come 'on over to our house....

The Old Bag said...

Sascha -- I'll keep that in mind! It might take him awhile to sell his (it's an acreage on the outskirts of town) but if you're not in a hurry....

xB -- just tossed 4 pair of threadbare shorts only suitable for basement trainer use, cracked helmets = yes (I'm a teacher, ya know), got a bike with 7 speed on it still (got any cassettes??)....

X Bunny said...

you are scaring me

and i'm sure we do....

Sascha said...

seriously, if you've been over to my place and read the blog, I'll be ready to sell in the next 12-18 months and move to Boulder!

The Old Bag said...

Sascha -- yup, I saw! Colorado is a wonderful place to be (just behind Minnesota :-] ).

xB -- ...and a headset...it needs a headset (an old hybrid -- wonder what the head tube diameter is....).

PAB(a.k.a.CID) said...

yes, there are 7 speed cassettes out there--and probably six, and possibly even a 5 speed freewheel...

And I imagine I could scare up a french threaded headset, some french threaded pedals, etc, etc, etc....

It's all wayyyy tooo good to throw away!

Ptelea said...

I thought HE was the one de-cluttering!! I've read your blog long enough to know that your bikes (besides for RIDING) are not clutter they are art, memories and projects waiting for the right time! Maybe it is time for some more bike shui!

Nathan said...

He thought you needed to get rid of the bikes? I think we all know what really needs to be kicked to the curb but I bet the ARC won't take 'im!

The Old Bag said...

PAB -- Indeed! I'll have to take a look at mine and see how it's faring.

Ptelea -- You know me too well.... :-]

Nathan -- Yeah, my guess is ARC wouldn't be able to get any $$ out of him. Don't worry, I'd send him to the curb before I'd send any of my rides!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful clutter.

From the pics your clutter looks surprisingly tidy…but he as much as touches Marilyn and he’s dog food!

Brandon said...

Speak'n of clutter you should check out "The Bike Room" over at Track Daddy. Mind you I live in a two bedroom apt with my wife, my two year old, a 100lbs yellow lab, an orange Tabby cat, and my bikes. I was lucky to have a small walk in closet to store them away from weather's harm. Not to mention all of the parts, wheels, tires, clothes, and accesories. I pictures of "The Bike Room" up on Track Daddy. http://trackdaddy.blogspot.com/

PS TOB We loved Lincoln City, OR unfortunately the weather was really mild and windy, but we had fun.

The Old Bag said...

Alberto -- got that right!

Brandon -- I'm hugely impressed!

Glad you enjoyed Lincoln City!

PAB(a.k.a.CID) said...

TOB--if you really want any of this stuff
(like a cassette), just tell me where to send it.

i like finding good homes for usable, if slightly outdated, bikie stuff.

gwadzilla said...

I need some spring cleaning as well...

I managed to throw out (well, donate actually) five grocery bags of children's toys this week

gave away a road frame last night

now i need to get really into it and lose some of that stuff I trip over and never use

cassette tapes!
cd cases?

maybe get the info off those old Mac Computers and send them off as well