Lately there’s just too much heavy stuff around—in books, movies, in life and on my blog. I decided I need to lighten up.
The answer blew in with Hurricane Irene– which flooded my friend Amy’s home on Long Island and inspired her to clear out her office, listing on her blog a few amazing treasures she discovered in her horde.
I don’t use the “H” word referring to myself. Clutter sounds so much more benign.
Still I’m in the same situation as Amy. No flood; Irene didn’t make it to California—but it does look as if a hurricane made a direct hit.
On my desk.
If this sounds familiar it’s not just due to Amy.
I did the same thing. A few years ago.
I wrote a post to embarrass myself into cleaning off my desk.
Obviously it worked—none of the stuff from 3 years ago is still on my desk.
I have no idea what I did with it–and no idea how all the new stuff got here. But it’s here—so I’m making a partial list of what I actually found on my desk TODAY. (Of course this doesn’t include the things found on everyone’s desk: i.e. papers, CD’s, photos, office supplies, candy wrappers)
In the spirit of organization, I thought about organizing the list chronologically. But I couldn’t decide if that would mean how old the item is or when it landed on my desk. (And I don’t know the answers either way.)
So here, in no particular order, is my Wall of Shame:
A plastic bag filled with business cards I collected at BlogHer ’11
A plastic bag filled with business cards I collected at BlogHer ’09
2 brushes: A cat brush and a toothbrush
3 balls—a golf ball (I blame V for that since I don’t play golf) ; a rubber ball, and an “8” ball (if it worked, which it doesn’t, the message would probably read: It’s hopeless )
A book I wrote about and promised to send to someone a few months ago
A graduation tassel (Both my kids graduated college this year—but this is from MY my high school graduation)
A “Daniel Bar”–one of the huge chocolate bars that were the party favors at Daniel’s bar mitzvah
3 different balls of yarn
A checkbook I lost 3 weeks ago (and insisted V was the one who lost it)
A watch I bought for $5 at a flea market in Moscow. (Very unlikely it works since it’s almost 20 years since the trip; also unlikely it worked when I bought it.)
So here I am—left with all this stuff and one important question: After 10 years, can I still eat the Daniel Bar?
You read my mind. Not totally unusual for you. I was thinking I cannot believe that she has a chocolate bar for 10 years and hasn’t eaten it yet in a late night choco-frenzy. Even though there is a nostalgic, historical, family-warmth element to it, you certainly could keep the empty wrapper as a keepsake. On second thought, I think you should probably put it in the fridge and when Daniel comes home to clean out and organize your fridge (as he is wont to do), he will get a big kick out of it. Then the two of you can share the chocolate and reminisce while keeping the commemorative wrapper. Enjoy!
Dear Darryle,
Okay, now I am convinced that you and I are sisters from different mothers.
I could so relate to your plastic bags with business cards (although mine are not in bags.)
It’s shocking that I could be such an aesthetically-oriented person and have such disarray.
Thank you for helping me feel not so alone in my chaos.
Love,
Wendi
I needed this post! Thanks for the link love. Some thoughts:
1. I also have a magic 8 ball on my desk. It kind of works
2. I also have those biz cards along with some others
3. You can ABSOLUTELY eat that chocolate bar.
Very funny–but you read MY mind. Believe me if the chocolate bar had been on my desk all this time, all that would be left is the wrapper. Can’t believe you remember that Daniel cleans and organizes the refrigerator! PS His labels are still there!
Why am I not surprised? I always think creative artistically inclined people are more inclined to be surrounded by disarray—at least it comforts me to think that –even more to know you’re one of us.
PS This is the first year I’ve put business cards in a plastic bag BEFORE finding them scattered all over my desk.
Thank you Wendi, still look forward to meeting you and now I know I’ll feel right at home.
Thanks, Amy, funny to hear about # 1 and #2 but I’m most interested in #3—you REALLY think I can/should eat a 10-year old chocolate bar?
I’m sure that Daniel is due again for his “dewey decimal” reorg of your fridge. It’s been a while. And….it’s about time to eat the “Daniel Bar” mitzvah handout.