Declutter Declutter Declutter

Still working through the clutter.  There's something obsessive about decluttering, almost as insane as the packrat mentality that had you collecting the stuff in the first place.  Some of you might remember with the advent of the Kindle, that I pledged to get out of the paper-book-collecting hobby, and, for the most part, we've stopped adding tons of paper books (and even got rid of 3-4 crates full), but we do still have several around and my nightstand has scarcely improved (mostly because I am buying new books on the Kindle and reading them and not working my way through books I've already purchased - oh well).

The latest foray has been to rid ourselves of DVDs and Blu-Rays that we have collected for years and watched once, maybe twice.  While there are definitely a handful of shows (Veronica Mars, West Wing) and movies (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) that we have watched tons and are worthwhile to keep around, along with children's DVDs (Finding Nemo, Lady and The Tramp) that will get some use in the future, we had plenty (Gosford Park, Dude, Where's my Car?, Punch Drunk Love) that were just taking up space.  So away they go, to the world's garage sale - eBay.

They say you should remove a third or more of the junk from your house before you try to sell it.  It supposedly makes it look larger than it is (ah, those mental tricks).  And while it may be a little while before we sell our house, I'm wondering if shooting for half of the junk is too ambitious. Cheers and have a nice week!

Super Bowl Sunday

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and that means that two teams that I have very little interest in are playing a football game with excellent commercials.  And it means appetizers.  Yum appetizers.

Now, you should know I like football.  Just not necessarily pro football (except for when I'm a fair-weather Cowboys fan, so not this year).  So I'll bide my time and wait for Labor Day weekend, the start of football with the hopes of exciting gridiron action to come.

Or I'll go read some of Scott Sigler's GFL series.  Which, by the way, released the MVP (the fourth book) pre-sales yesterday, so if you didn't go get one, you should (if there are any left).

Oh, and don't expect something daily over here, but I am trying to get a little more frequent all around.  Part of some sort of secret goal I have.  Talking to the void, and whatnot.  Hey, you're still reading.

Cheers!

Just a note of thanks

So, recently, I have started sending small notes of thanks to random podcasts, authors, and others who have either influenced me or provided me with entertainment.  Podcasters, specifically, put tons of hours into shows that I get to listen to for free, and really they seek very little in return (if anything).  So if there's a show or blog or book or other item that interests you and keeps you entertained, and you have a few minutes (like five or less), drop an email or comment to them and just say thanks, or provide some insight on their latest episode or some topic they have been talking about.  I've found most of them reply, and they're honestly happy to have heard from me.

In case you're wondering, this is not a plea for comments or emails from you guys reading this - send them elsewhere.  It's just a note saying that I have found this somewhat entertaining of late to engage content producers in an interactive conversation, and I recommend you do, too.

Oh, and there's a good chance that you see more quick, short blasts from me.  We will see whether that's a true prediction or not.  Either way, hope all is well.  Cheers!

Friday Happy Hour - Dry Rob Roy

Really easy - 1.5 tsp dry vermouth, 2.5 ounces of Scotch.  Stir or shake with ice, and strain into a martini glass.  Not the worse Scotch cocktail that I've ever made.  I might even try this one again.  Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day, kids!  Despite Punxsatawney Phil's early morning shadow-dodging antics and a prediction of 6 more weeks of winter, we enjoyed a day of upper 60s and maybe low 70s temps and overall sunny and pleasant conditions.  In no way did we need top hats or winter coats.

But that's why it's Texas.

Groundhog Day also is a reminder to me that winter WILL end.  Even though it has not been particularly bad this year (global climate change?), I still crave the sunny spring days.  Maybe there will even be a round of golf thrown in there this year.

Enough of my musings for a Tuesday.  Here's hoping to add some more text to this here site one day soon.