Weekend stuff and other stuff

[greatbear]

I've finally started getting serious about disposing the many years of accumulated crap that's been clogging the basement. Two full truckloads of mostly old electronic gear and computers, an old dryer, TV sets, old cabinets, blown speakers, monitors and household nonsense got taken for a one-way ride. I had several televisions, all with minor trouble that I had hoped to make use of, either repaired and put to use, or used for parts. Before I hauled a lot of these things off, I stripped them of minor bits like speakers, line cords and hardware. One set, needing only a flyback transformer, had a similar chassis to another set (a Sony) that Mom had in her bedroom. Figuring that I would not really need anything from this set to support the one in use, I pulled the speaker out and recycled the rest. Saturday afternoon I dumped all the cruft at the Howard County landfill/recycling center. They have a very well run facility there, with areas for every imaginable recyclable item, and several dumpsters for those things that cannot be recycled or otherwise removed from the waste stream. It takes less than ten minutes to place things in their respective areas and scoot on out of there. And the basement is starting to open up again. That's a much awaited good thing.

That evening, the Sony set with the chassis similar to the discarded set decided to give up the ghost. Hell, that did not take even a day to happen. All those free parts? Gone. Oh well, now there is one more television that will most likely make the trip. A shame, really, because that set kept Mom company for about 24 years. I guess it's just another small part connecting me to the past that has vanished in recent years.

This coming weekend is our final camping trip to Hillside for the year. We usually try to make the last one a big group affair, inviting several friends to stay with us to make the last one the best. But, as has been increasingly the case, trying to get people to commit to the weekend is damn near impossible.I did find out that one buddy (you know who you are) and his partner are unable to make it due to him being stuck on call that weekend. The rest have yet to respond, and we have to make plans for food and space. It's frustrating. We've been hesitant to plan any sort of get-togethers of any kind because what begins as enthusiasm for throwing whatever bash at the start becomes disinterest, avoidance and last-minute cancellations at the approach of the event. We and up being stuck with a lot of expensive food and other wasted items. I would say this is a big problem in the gay community with the so-called legendary fear of commitment, but it happens to everyone at one point or another. Unless it's some sort of A-list who's who gathering of see-and-be-seens or the weekly bridge club that never misses out, it's never a sure thing. And, sadly, it's part of what is making me a bit more antisocial than I want to be as I get older.

It used to be a lot easier.

I hope to get a lot more outdoor work done during the first part of the week when I come home from work. I'm fed up with the place looking half abandoned from the outside. It's truly soul sapping at times.Jeff and I joke about bringing in a housecub to help out. These days it seems to be less of a joke, unless it's on us.

Any volunteers?

Comments

[baeritone.livejournal.com]

I know it's late. But are you awake?

I need you. :(

If you are, call me. 614-754-9601. Or call me and I'll call you back to save whatever charges you may incur. No need to screen, I don't care who sees the number. That's how much.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I've been known to do what you did, pull minor things like speakers from stuff, but when I got rid of the 22 YO Mitsu, I didn't even to that, just took it to the recyclers and paid whatever the fee was, I think it was $15-20 or some such and it was gone.

Once I put in a "better" speaker in an inexpensive Soundesign clock radio with tape player that I got for my birthday in the early 90's so it would be clearer and somewhat improved sounding. I still have that damned clock radio, but the tape transport is on the slow side and I don't use it anymore. The radio still works pretty well tho.

planning events

[dougoros.livejournal.com]

I'm with ya on the loss of enthusiasm when you're planning a do.We like to have big bbq/pool parties and I've stoped inviting a few people over the past couple of years because they go from a firm yes to a no or no show....and we don't do potluck dinners.....or bbq burgs and dogs.The rule now is, a firm yes the week before or we "might" feed you when you get or here...Rich leans to making them sit off to the side til the yes group is finished LOL.
I find it surprising tho that you'd have that trouble with a weekend invite to Hillside....

[http://users.livejournal.com/_angry_alan/]

As for Hillside, you and Jeff are free to join us at Site 60 at any time. We'll be putzing around having fun all weekend.

When do you guys get in?

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Organising? Yeah gave up on that years ago - esp. with straight friends, over 30 and everyone is making nests and ignoring their friends, but the gay friends - who don't have that excuse seem to fill their lives with junk* to do which means you have to plan months in advance. I generally don't bother then unless a very special occasion.

* Most of it's not even important stuff, families, friends or hobbies, or something. It just seems to be chores and watching films/TV or going to the pub or other such stuff I found was too much of a timesink years ago, or could be done during the week. Or is it a washing my hair excuse? I dunno. All I know is I try and spend time with people, thinking friend time = important time and I get blown out for some cleaning or episodes of TV serials which could be watched anytime. (??!?!)

And housecub? Shame I don't do gardening, LOL.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Another reason for my pitch-fest is that I'm afraid that what is currently free when it comes to recycling/disposing of electronics might become a fee-based setup that more and more places are enacting. I'd be shelling out serious coin to get rid of all that stuff, and being that the recycling is a good cause, it would force a lot of people (including me) to consider 'dumping' the stuff rather than doing the right thing. After all, there is profit to be made from recycling and even reusing the items, and double-dipping to make money on it from both ends puts a lot of people off on the idea.

Some stuff was going out intact. I have enough junkbox parts for many things, and most of what I am discarding would hardly ever become valuable or desirable in the future. I'm holding onto the few things I think will be.

Re: planning events

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

It gets worse with every year. Maybe our shindigs arent all that. Who knows. It's not like we dont try.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I will be rolling in about noon on Friday. We'll be situated to the right of the sign that says "Village Circle". Stop by whenever you want.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I used to volunteer for many things, and when I ended up bearing the brunt of the activities, I stopped. These were things that needed a lot of manpower and all too often the staffing of the events would be far less than needed, with the no-shows in the area just enjoying themselves or bailing out early. Nope, no more.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Are you sure Gene wouldnt mind? I guess you'd have to pack him in your suitcase as well. ;)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Agreed. While some have legitimate excuses, some just dont bother to show at the last minute, and it will often come out that they were just not in the mood for whatever event it was. C'mon, already, at least give me a 'no' and I can plan accordingly. I hate having wasted food and making provisions for extra folk.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

You do have a point there, I can see for some things charging a fee, such as for electronics due to the costs of recovering the hard metals and other hazardous materials, but up to a point though.

And I agree that businesses need to rethink their profit driven models and realize that some things like free drop off is crucial to get people to recycle large items such as old TV's etc.

I will be donating my old CRT monitor to a used PC place before long so it's out of my bedroom closet when these days, I can buy an inexpensive widescreen LCD monitor for not a whole lot if and when I go dual monitor.

But the good of it all is you'll feel so much better once all that excess cruft/junk is out of your life. Too many people hold onto stuff like that and it's a wonder so many think they need a larger and larger house, cause it's easier to shuffle stuff to the new place than it is to get rid of it in the first place. LOL.

Re: planning events

[dougoros.livejournal.com]

I sort of think it's just circumstances, people have too many options this time of year.

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

OK well we WILL see you on Friday! BIG HUG