Comments on: Welcome to the bardak that is my apartment http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/ Made in the USSR. Assembled in the USA. Spraypainted in Israel. Stuck in Philly. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:20:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Jane http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1604 Jane Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:44 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1604 I have boxes and boxes of books. In an effort to save some money, I haven't bought books in more than 2 years. And I've sold some of the ones that I only read when there really isn't anything else to read. And even The Good Earth is available in the library. I have boxes and boxes of books. In an effort to save some money, I haven’t bought books in more than 2 years. And I’ve sold some of the ones that I only read when there really isn’t anything else to read. And even The Good Earth is available in the library.

]]> By: Matt http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1603 Matt Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:25:55 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1603 Speaking as someone who has moved way too often, the good thing about books is that they at least pack easily into nice neat boxes, unlike clothes which get crammed haphazardly into suitcases. And if I find out you got rid of your oversize Hitchhiker's Guide, I will never *ever* forgive you. That's even more unforgivable than dissing Casablanca. Speaking as someone who has moved way too often, the good thing about books is that they at least pack easily into nice neat boxes, unlike clothes which get crammed haphazardly into suitcases. And if I find out you got rid of your oversize Hitchhiker’s Guide, I will never *ever* forgive you. That’s even more unforgivable than dissing Casablanca.

]]> By: froylein http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1600 froylein Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:48:26 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1600 I wouldn't give away books unless they're accidental doubles (e.g. through a gift). There's a reason why Heine said, "Where they burn books they'll also burn people." Books that you've read or keep as reference works are bits that shaped who you are much more than an electric hotplate. Also don't underestimate the value of books in cutting heating costs. Loaded bookshelves on the outside walls will save you many a pretty penny. I'm aware some people like to claim you can always re-buy a book, but how many people really blow considerable amounts of money (new books aren't cheap, and if they're rare-to-find reference works, we're talking three-digit prices) that way? [When I was living in Britain, I really adored those huge 19th century villas that had private library rooms with bookshelves that grew over the decades - those rooms had so much "character", it was simply stunning.] An added positive side effect is that studies have shown that the availability of books in the home positively corresponds to children's academic output. As for the other stuff, if it carries sentimental value but no actual use, snap a pic of it and document the memories. I suggest you do keep a few items though that you associate most with certain phases in your life even if they aren't practical. Objects that bring back fond memories have got huge therapeutical value when times are tough. If you are bold enough, glue everything you want to throw out together in large chunks and donate the "installations" to various museums. :) I wouldn’t give away books unless they’re accidental doubles (e.g. through a gift). There’s a reason why Heine said, “Where they burn books they’ll also burn people.” Books that you’ve read or keep as reference works are bits that shaped who you are much more than an electric hotplate. Also don’t underestimate the value of books in cutting heating costs. Loaded bookshelves on the outside walls will save you many a pretty penny. I’m aware some people like to claim you can always re-buy a book, but how many people really blow considerable amounts of money (new books aren’t cheap, and if they’re rare-to-find reference works, we’re talking three-digit prices) that way?
[When I was living in Britain, I really adored those huge 19th century villas that had private library rooms with bookshelves that grew over the decades - those rooms had so much "character", it was simply stunning.]
An added positive side effect is that studies have shown that the availability of books in the home positively corresponds to children’s academic output.

As for the other stuff, if it carries sentimental value but no actual use, snap a pic of it and document the memories. I suggest you do keep a few items though that you associate most with certain phases in your life even if they aren’t practical. Objects that bring back fond memories have got huge therapeutical value when times are tough.

If you are bold enough, glue everything you want to throw out together in large chunks and donate the “installations” to various museums. :)

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1599 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:25:36 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1599 Walla. That's even worse. You only have to purge if you're moving, though, that's the bright side. I think once we buy a house we will go to all sorts of hell. Walla. That’s even worse. You only have to purge if you’re moving, though, that’s the bright side. I think once we buy a house we will go to all sorts of hell.

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1598 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:24:46 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1598 The clothes will be easier, but still. I haven't worn those jeans in 3 years, but I can definitely fit into them now! I mean...I'll keep them. The clothes will be easier, but still. I haven’t worn those jeans in 3 years, but I can definitely fit into them now! I mean…I’ll keep them.

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1597 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:21:32 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1597 Both of those are really cool ideas. I'll have to check it out. But I hate not owning books. It's my big thing. As much as I declutter, I just can't get rid of my oversize Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy or my Odessy, which I haven't picked up in years. Both of those are really cool ideas. I’ll have to check it out. But I hate not owning books. It’s my big thing. As much as I declutter, I just can’t get rid of my oversize Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or my Odessy, which I haven’t picked up in years.

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1596 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:20:26 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1596 Now that is the craziest part of it all. Now that is the craziest part of it all.

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1595 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:20:01 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1595 Sigh. Sigh.

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1594 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:19:51 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1594 That's so cool, where are you moving to? I always admire people who can get rid of books, even though I know it's hard for you to also part with them :) That’s so cool, where are you moving to? I always admire people who can get rid of books, even though I know it’s hard for you to also part with them :)

]]> By: Vicki http://blog.vickiboykis.com/2010/04/14/welcome-to-the-bardak-that-is-my-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-1593 Vicki Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:19:13 +0000 http://blog.vickiboykis.com/?p=2750#comment-1593 Oh, I completely agree with you! Anything that we've been given for a wedding present that we don't use or is broken, it's physically impossible to throw out. For instance, we have this towel warmer that we requested and it doesn't work. But Mr. B's aunt bought it for us, so how can we possibly let it go? It's in the trash now, but it was very hard to do. Oh, I completely agree with you! Anything that we’ve been given for a wedding present that we don’t use or is broken, it’s physically impossible to throw out. For instance, we have this towel warmer that we requested and it doesn’t work. But Mr. B’s aunt bought it for us, so how can we possibly let it go? It’s in the trash now, but it was very hard to do.

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