Smaller closets and two questions

In preparation for my move on Saturday, I have gone through virtually everything I own and gotten rid of everything that I decided I didn't need. Given that I live in a one bedroom apartment, I generated a surprising amount of stuff for the give away pile. I Freecycled my little butt off, been to Goodwill enough that I think they recognize me now, and sold books to a used bookstore, and am rather proud that I have added very little to our nation's landfills.

My standard for throwing things away was "Have I used/worn/read this since I moved to LA?" If the answer was no, into the pile it went. I tend to think of myself as travelling fairly light in the stuff department, but it was a little disturbing how many things I lugged 2,000 miles across the country for no apparent reason. Americans would probably be better people if we had smaller closets.

I am obsessively pre-occupied with boxes and how clean my apartment has to be in order to get my security deposit back and wondering if they will be done laying the new carpet in time for me to move, so I have nothing profound to say. I have been struck by the whole Freecycle thing of telling the internet what you want or have and creating a community where nothing is wasted, so in that spirit I will throw two things out there:

1. If you live in LA, have free time during the day, and are looking for a volunteer opportunity - hey, I need volunteers! I'm on the planning committee for the Giants of Justice fundraising luncheon for Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, and we need more volunteers for the day of Tuesday, May 22nd. If you're a student or have flexible hours, and would be available from 9 am until 12:30 pm that day, shoot me an e-mail. Great opportunity to meet and hear from some great people involved with immigrant rights and economic justice issues.

2. For a blogger, I am surprisingly technologically inept and utterly lacking in any kind of web design skills. I could learn, I suppose, but I find my life works better if I learn new technology on a strictly need-to-know basis. So, if any of you have any web design skills and want to put together a web page for my new freelance grant writing gig and you are willing to work cheap or willing to barter, send me an e-mail, and we'll work something out.

I'll be back when I've unpacked all my boxes.

Comments

[Ellen]

I'm willing to do some web design for you, for real cheap... Though, it might have to wait until after my big move to TX in June.

[Kristin]

Just wanted to check in to say I hope your move goes well, and I'm so happy to imagine you all tucked into your new place. The part of me that loves fresh, de-cluttered starts is vicariously experiencing this one with you. :)

[Heidi Renee]

I love (and miss) freecycle! I know you use google for your email - did you know about "google pages"? Very quick, easy web pages - as easy as blogging - and totally free.

Click on "my services" above the Gmail icon and it will take you to a list of things Google does for free - click on "Page creator" and you can see your options - just fill in the blanks, pick a template, add your links and you are done.

The best thing about google is that it favors it's own pages in searches - blogs too.

[Jenn]

I guess I was feeling dutiful or something; I have memed you. Do with it what you will--but I thought I should let you know.