Boxes Piled High

— Photos by ML

I have too much stuff! Too much stuff for my small apartment. How did this happen? It didn't look like it was that much when I packed up my previous apartment. Yes, I am moved to a smaller place. This new place has "only" a bedroom, living room, and kitchen — it's not big by any measure, but it's more than enough for one person, and it's right in the middle of the city.

The building is old, so ceiling height is about 1 mile (maybe I'm exaggerating a little). The windows are as tall as doors, and the view is down to a busy street with restaurants and bars.

But back to the problem at hand: where do I put all this stuff? I have weeded out old clothes and probably get rid of a few more things. The big problem is all my kitchen stuff. I like to cook and I therefore have a bit more than just a pot to boil some water. And what about all the cups and plates and glasses (wine and beer and other). Then there is the wine rack. Where do I put it? Oh, and the other liquor bottles? I mean, some "stuff" one simply cannot live without.

Then there are things that one needs to keep around just in case. For example, boxes for computer screens, stereo, and TV — these are super bulky, but I'm sure glad I kept mine. Moving can get really expensive if you break some of this "stuff" and besides, as any geek knows, computers, stereo, and TV are the last items to be packed, and the first to be unpacked. After all, one cannot really stay off-line and/or live without music for too long.

And there are more bulky things: suitcases, laptop bags (plural — not sure why I have several), vacuum cleaner (why is this beast so big). It gets worse when you buy things in bulk at places like Costco — toilet paper and paper rolls are now hidden up in a corner in one closet. A year's worth of soap and toothpaste are now stashed away under the sink in the bathroom. All this was so much easier when I had a basement. At the same time, less space also makes me think twice if I really want/need a certain thing. All in all, though, I have to say that this is a good problem to have.

-martin.