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I am geting closer to leaving my Idaho citizenship behind and becoming a Nevadan….....Nevadin….....Nevadain…..........uh a resident of Nevada. We have found a house in Carlin and events are marching forward inexorably to that fatal date know as “The Closing”. Now comes the fun part; sorting through the 30-year accumulation of two “savers”. We are home for a few days for UltraDad’s long break, and the other day we decided to tackle the movies. “Sherry Lewis-Have Fun With your Kids”, John reads. He tosses it impersonally into the “give away” pile. “Wait,” I cry, snatching it back. “The kids used to love this video. What if we have Grandkids some day?” He has no answer for this; how could he? He-Man & Skeletor and Mighty Mouse Cartoons follow a similiar rescue procedure.
“Rambo, Rocky, old black & white John Wayne,” I query? “Keep, of course,” UDad’s shocked voice exclaims. Many of the movies are Johnny’s and some belong to brother Chuck. Still we did manage to fill a box with agreed upon rejects.
I sorted a bookcase, and Udad did the table and area around his bed (big job!) and then stuff happened.
We decided we needed a trip to town to get more boxes. We got a dinner invite, which would be rude to refuse. Murphy the poodle acted like he had more foxtails in his ears and UDad’s foot was acting up, so trip to vet and Dr. I had to meet my friends to clean out the Weight Watcher closet (our Arco meetings are finally ending) and for dinner. Gotta water and mow the lawn. Take a bike ride; go for a walk…So, we have one more day before we head back to Nevada. I’m REALLY gonna hit it tomorrow. Or maybe next trip out…............
UltraMom
I was just thinking today, and I often think about this kind of stuff, abotu the differfences in perception of the same event in different cultures. Specifically I was thinking of the trucks that drive around neighborhoods with loudspeakers blaring out ads advertising laundry hanging poles, flavored tofu (is this just in the neighborhood where my office is? I’ve never heard this one anywhere else), electronic device disposal services, sweet potatos, and a wide variety of other things. The same kind of thing happens around election season with all of the candidates sending cars up and down the road blaring requests for people’s votes.
I’ve heard many foreigners complain about this noise pollution, and I have thought through many methods, most of them way too drastic, of making it all stop. Japanese people on the other hand, don’t seem to give it a second thought. I have never heard a Japanese person complain about these trucks, and they look at me like I’m nuts when I complain about it. I’ve often contemplated calling the police to complain about these noise polluters, but with the response I’ve gotten from the Japanese people around me, I rather think is would be a very frustrating exercise in futility.
At any rate, expanded out on a much wider scale, I’m sure there are phenomenon like this all over the place. What things have seemed absolutely outrageous to you that the natives of an area were completely ok with, or what did visitors to your area find unbelievable?
I think visitors to my area were probably the most surprised by the way I often punch or kick them for no reason. But then again people tend to seem surprised by that nearly everywhere I go. I do find people quite intolerant of my habits though, so I guess I would say that the world around seems VERY close-minded. Oh, also people find it unbelievable that I retrieve and horde their morning newspapers (information is power after-all) but then again those aren’t really visitors so much as my neighbors… Hmmm. Guess I really can’t think of anything that applies strictly to visitors in my area, but good show I found this post insightful and compelling. “3 Thumbs up raves James McGruder of Wetyourwhistle.net The dynamicduo (trio?) regains it rightful position as the finest blog to be found at dynamicduo.info!”
Very interesting! Yeah, I know customs are different in different places. I’ve heard that is some coutries it is considered very impolite to ask for a “doggie bag” in a restaurant.
James has an interesting take on your question:)
I’ll tell you what is driving me nuts right now: how come “fat free” products (mayo, sour cream, cottage cheese) are only sold in large sizes? I’ll bet that often there are only one or two in a family who want to eat that way, while everyone else refuses to touch their “diet” foods on taste and general principle grounds. I can NEVER use up a big container of fat free sour cream all by myself before it goes bad (I know, I know, with sour cream how do you tell?)
And why don’t any grocery stores in Nevada carry fat free/sugar free ice cream? Fat free, yes. Sugar free, yes. Both together? Forget it.
UltraMom
I’ve moved too often and have learned to be utterly ruthless about discarding things. Although I’ve made a few poor choices (maybe tossing the high school yearbooks was imprudent, for example) I generally do very well with a 1/3 rule. I count the number of items in a category--videos in your case--then allow myself to keep 1/3 of them. In the case of essentials like dishes or towels where my stock is already pretty lean, I toss 1/3 and keep 2/3rds. Setting a target forces me to prioritise what is needed and used, what is a nice bonus, and what should have been ditched long ago. Show no mercy!
Thanks, Kristen. You have given me new resolve. But what do I do with all the books I have on Organizing your Home, and Doing Away with Clutter?
UltraMom
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May God bless and keep you well on your new adjustments in life. I hope that Nevada turns into something more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.