And all too familiar. I got a notice a couple of weeks ago that the building where we have a 10′ x 20′ storage space (which contains at least half of our stuff) is being switched to a non-climate controlled space. So I can either pay the reduced rate, or move my stuff to a unit in a climate controlled building. Ugh. I started last weekend and will finish up this weekend. Double-plus ungood.
Which is to say I feel (part) of your pain. At least I don’t have to unpack anything but the bookcases.
I hope you avoid my usual approach. Which is to say, I hope that After does not include a half dozen boxes in the corner in Permanently Unopend status. (Hey, it’s only been a decade and a half since the last move. I might want some of that stuff at some point….)
Yup. After the fire that forced us to move to a different building in fall 2009, I think it was, the boxes stayed in a corner for the better part of a year. I just had an exchange with my editor-in-chief about “concealed” and “unconcealed” boxes. I just concealed a couple myself, in the form of a nice window seat for cats and people. We’ll see whether all the contents of all the boxes can be distributed into the meager supply of shelves. The smart thing would be to build more shelves (my predecessor in this apartment had done so, but my subtenant opted for space and ripped them all out).
Which is to say, I hope that After does not include a half dozen boxes in the corner in Permanently Unopend status.
Look at the upside to this approach – if you unpacked everything it would be thatmuch more clutter and more things to clooect dust. By keeping them in the boxes you keep your living space open, clear, clean, and thus elegant.*
I’ve still got “desks” made of unpacked boxes, ten years later… and vertical stacks of books
that I unpacked but still haven’t made shelves for. They look kind of decorative but
transitory.
Ice, I love it! I wonder if I can convince my wife that it makes sense…?
Of course, she just got around to opening (and getting rid of) a couple of boxes of HER 30 year old college textbooks. So she may not be quite so sympathetic as one might wish.
Of course, she just got around to opening (and getting rid of) a couple of boxes of HER 30 year old college textbooks. So she may not be quite so sympathetic as one might wish.
Well, given that the boxes you mentioned ealier have only been there ~15 years, I think you’ve got 15 years before you need to worry about.
Ambiance
Icepick said,
May 25, 2011 at 11:51 pm
It’s a horror show!
And all too familiar. I got a notice a couple of weeks ago that the building where we have a 10′ x 20′ storage space (which contains at least half of our stuff) is being switched to a non-climate controlled space. So I can either pay the reduced rate, or move my stuff to a unit in a climate controlled building. Ugh. I started last weekend and will finish up this weekend. Double-plus ungood.
Which is to say I feel (part) of your pain. At least I don’t have to unpack anything but the bookcases.
amba12 said,
May 25, 2011 at 11:56 pm
I know, what a non-climate controlled space will do to your books shouldn’t even happen to a pamphlet.
Ron said,
May 26, 2011 at 12:58 am
Yay! Stuff’s Here!
And Now…The Sortation Begins!
mockturtle said,
May 26, 2011 at 9:23 am
I’ll bet your cats just LOVE that mountain!
Melinda said,
May 26, 2011 at 9:59 am
Love the fireplace!
(Notice how the New Yorker focuses on the apartment.)
chickelit said,
May 26, 2011 at 11:19 am
You have a fireplace to burn the boxes to keep warm in the winter… Win-Win!
amba12 said,
May 26, 2011 at 11:30 am
If only it were still a working fireplace. But the chimneys have not been maintained for decades. They are ornamental only.
wj said,
May 26, 2011 at 11:37 am
I hope you avoid my usual approach. Which is to say, I hope that After does not include a half dozen boxes in the corner in Permanently Unopend status. (Hey, it’s only been a decade and a half since the last move. I might want some of that stuff at some point….)
amba12 said,
May 26, 2011 at 11:43 am
Yup. After the fire that forced us to move to a different building in fall 2009, I think it was, the boxes stayed in a corner for the better part of a year. I just had an exchange with my editor-in-chief about “concealed” and “unconcealed” boxes. I just concealed a couple myself, in the form of a nice window seat for cats and people. We’ll see whether all the contents of all the boxes can be distributed into the meager supply of shelves. The smart thing would be to build more shelves (my predecessor in this apartment had done so, but my subtenant opted for space and ripped them all out).
amba12 said,
May 26, 2011 at 11:44 am
But moving has left me absolutely, though temporarily, destitute.
Icepick said,
May 26, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Which is to say, I hope that After does not include a half dozen boxes in the corner in Permanently Unopend status.
Look at the upside to this approach – if you unpacked everything it would be thatmuch more clutter and more things to clooect dust. By keeping them in the boxes you keep your living space open, clear, clean, and thus elegant.*
* That’s my rationalization, anyway.
A said,
May 26, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I’ve still got “desks” made of unpacked boxes, ten years later… and vertical stacks of books
that I unpacked but still haven’t made shelves for. They look kind of decorative but
transitory.
A said,
May 26, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I meant to add, the space looks really wonderful; looking forward to After
wj said,
May 27, 2011 at 10:21 am
Ice, I love it! I wonder if I can convince my wife that it makes sense…?
Of course, she just got around to opening (and getting rid of) a couple of boxes of HER 30 year old college textbooks. So she may not be quite so sympathetic as one might wish.
Icepick said,
May 29, 2011 at 9:34 am
Of course, she just got around to opening (and getting rid of) a couple of boxes of HER 30 year old college textbooks. So she may not be quite so sympathetic as one might wish.
Well, given that the boxes you mentioned ealier have only been there ~15 years, I think you’ve got 15 years before you need to worry about.
reader_iam said,
May 30, 2011 at 1:24 pm
As you know, we are contemplating the mother of all possessions-purges. Makes me feel faint, frankly, but seeing this is encouraging.
amba12 said,
May 30, 2011 at 4:36 pm
You mean, because it could be worse? Yes, it could!!