Chemo Day #8

and The Great Purge of Villa DeCay

It would have been a non-event except that, after the blood draw, it took 3 sticks to hit a gusher and start the chemo. I hope that it was just a coincidence, and not a sign of things to come. Since my "policy change," I don't have to sit for an hour or more with an unplugged IV, so I'm a happy, happy camper. I need to make more of an effort to control what I can, and make decisions accordingly. I don't mean to be a crank, really; it's just a matter of finding the right formula to keep me happy! Small action = large impact (SALI #1)

Although the economy, the real estate market, and probably my health, could not be worse, I've listed Villa DeCay for sale. (Of course, I should have done it two years ago at the peak of the market, but bad timing is kind of the hallmark of my life.) But I've decided that whatever time I have left, I should not spend it being miserable and angry. Although my neighborhood is wonderful, my next door neighbors have made my life hell for the last two years, so it's time to get outta Dodge. I will actually try to buy something in the same neighborhood, just a few blocks away from Frat Row.

Getting ready to show has convinced me that everyone should be required to move every five years. With the help of friends and neighbors, I've hauled truckloads of stuff away and will probably continue to do so. In fact, I have days where I'm very tempted to just pack a suitcase, walk away, and call an auction house to clear the place out.

In a way, though, the decrapification has been very liberating. I subscribe to the theory that you don't own stuff, stuff owns you, and so the more stuff you have, the more likely you are to feel oppressed and depressed. Just ask some of those compulsive hoarder-types. It seems to me that Europeans have much less of a problem with this. Maybe because they live in smaller spaces, maybe because there's a greater appreciation for the streamlined, modern aesthetic. At any rate, my place has never looked better and the challenge will be to keep it this way, as I need to be ready to show the house, probably with an hour's notice. It will be a far, far cry from my former (borderline slothful) lifestyle, but I'm actually looking forward to it.

I promise if you commit to a personal spring cleaning, your soul will be unburdened with every box full of crap that leaves your space. You'll think, "What was I keeping that for?" and then you'll move ahead, lighter and happier. SALI #2: Funny that purging your space does so much for your spirit.