The Year of the Half

[morsla]

We have finally finished moving out of North Melbourne, though it will be at least a few weeks before we make any real progress on unpacking in Somerville. Since spending a full day moving on Saturday, I've spent 6-10 hours every day cleaning, carrying boxes down stairs, loading and unloading the car. I'm now very, very tired.

Disgusted at the sheer volume of stuff I own, my new year's resolution is this:

By December 31st, 2009, I will find new homes for at least half of my possessions.

I've taken many boxes to the Red Cross donation bins over the last month, but haven't made a dent in the majority of things. Most of what I own is not essential. Too much of what I own has been retained out of habit or sentimentality. I'd like to break the former, and have no room left for the latter.

In order to make a start on things, here are a few categories:

• Models: In order to buy any new figures, I will sell two that I already have. I'm already limiting myself to only spending money raised from painting; now I'll actively reduce the number of figures as well.


• Roleplaying books: If a publisher won't sell PDF copies, I'm not interested in their products. I have bought my last paper RPG for the forseeable future.


• Music: I already only buy digital copies, unless I'm at a concert. This won't change. Many old CDs can also be given away.


• Paperbacks: Give away anything I won't re-read often. Join a library or three. I've bought my last novel for the year.


• Clothes: Keep only what I'll wear often. Give away all the rest. Sentimental clothes only stay if they are still being worn. I've aleady sent all my old shoes and boots to the Op Shop.


• Kitchen equipment: If one item can do the job of several, all the other items can go. I like cooking for people, but don't really need enough equipment to serve 20 people at once. The Op Shop will be getting a load of old cutlery, crockery, pots and pans once I unpack those boxes.

Unsurprisingly, this will be a year when I take Discardia far more seriously than I have in the past...

(PS: still using dialup this week - if anyone needs to contact me, call me instead as I won't be reading LJ or checking email often)

Comments

[jod999.livejournal.com]

I would like to buy a model or two. Not to play with, but as art objects in and of themselves.

To make this work for both you and me, lets limit ourselves to models you already have, rather than new commissions.

So, got anything you think I might be interested in?

[morsla.livejournal.com]

Almost certainly... though the majority of my figures are packed away in boxes unhelpfully labelled "misc." When I start going through them, I'll put aside anything that I think you might like.

[kikifu.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

I was right with you up until "bought my last novel".
Clearly, you need an e-reader or some other device that lets you read paper-free novels.

Don't get me wrong, I love my library as much as is humanly possible, but not buy books? *gasp*

But you've inspired me. I think I should also cull a lot of my rooms and reclaim some space. once the heat goes away...

[morsla.livejournal.com]

I meant paper novels, though I haven't picked up an e-reader yet (I'm still hoping that the Plastic Logic reader will be at least vaguely affordable, when it comes out later this year). I think that I bought my last paperback (Bill Bryson's Down Under) in 2007, while homesick in Edinburgh... since then, I just haven't been able to justify the $18-22 price tag on most new books.

It's a good time of year for culling possessions - the RSPCA and Salvation Army both desperately need clothes, sheets and blankets for the people and animals affected by the bushfires.

[kashiichan.livejournal.com]

Did you say "free books"? *ears prick up*

[morsla.livejournal.com]

My paperback collection is very out of date (see post above...) but I'll keep you in mind when I get around to unpacking those boxes...