Denizens

[talktooloose]

The renovation makes me realize how much more personal space people take up (at least in the developed world) than they used to. Our second floor contained bedrooms for what was probably a family of five or more when it was built in 1924. It had three bedrooms and a small bathroom. I wonder if the bathtub was even in the bathroom... probably, but I can't say for sure.

In any case, the closets were spectacularly small -- too shallow to even have a modern hanger rack. I assume that the few sets of clothes hung on hooks at the back of the closet. There may too have been a wardrobe somewhere but that takes up even more room.

In the rebuild, there will be only two bedrooms and a larger bathroom plus two BIG closets. I know that if they are not filled with clothes and junk right away, they will be within a few years. Today, we are all little planets orbited by great asteroid fields of junk and we need space, space.

And that space must be bright, bright, bright! In place of the single dim overhead hall light, three separate sconces will all flash on simultaneously, evenly lighting your way up the stairs and down the hall to the dens of junk of space. At each bedroom entrance, a confusing array of switches will light overhead lights or reading sconces in the bed with equivalent switch sets conveniently located beside the bed.

Three power receptacles will be available in each bedroom, plus one in the hall and one in the bathroom so that you may use any necessary device without worry or extension cords.

If the house is still standing in another 84 years, will it house only one deeply wired person, like a paranoid denizen of Asimov's Caves of Steel, or will it house 2 families, warming themselves feebly by a single, costly electric fireplace?

Comments

[painglass.livejournal.com]

I often contemplate the room we take up today, us humans in this modern world. I think of how the first time I moved out at 18, I was living with my boyfriend at the time with a clothes basket of clothes and a single box of goods that belonged to me. Today, I easily fill my half of the large two bedroom apartment I share with my roommate.

What is all thsi space but a place to store the things we accumulate, like memories, through time? A lot of the things I own are the physical representations of memories and emotions.

[ringthebells]

A lot of the things I own are the physical representations of memories and emotions.

I've noticed that. When I get rid of odd little things that are taking up space (as I have to, once in a while, since I've moved seven times in the past decade), I often realize: I never remember that moment unless I'm looking at this thing. When I get rid of this thing, I'll probably never think of that moment again.

Sometimes it makes me sad. Sometimes I'm content to remember one last time and let it go. And trust that the really important memories will stick with me regardless.

[painglass.livejournal.com]

Only 7 times in a decade? Goodness, three years ago i moved 7 time in 12 months! Two of those times across 2,000 miles and international boarders! Now, I try to only move every 12 months or so.

I often realize: I never remember that moment unless I'm looking at this thing. When I get rid of this thing, I'll probably never think of that moment again.
Same here. Its the little things that trig memories. I like to keep the things that make me smile around, though once in a while I'll keep something that makes me sad, just because.

Its the letting go most people need to work on.

[briseur.livejournal.com]

If the house is still standing in another 84 years, will it house only one deeply wired person, like a paranoid denizen of Asimov's Caves of Steel, or will it house 2 families, warming themselves feebly by a single, costly electric fireplace?

Depends on the economy

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Milton Keynes.

Hey, I had dinner with manny_script last night and it was such a pleasure to see him. We realized we haven't laid eyes on each other in at least a year, despite the fact that I was actually sitting on his bed with you in February.

Is there gonna be a December gathering in VT?

[briseur.livejournal.com]

I think maybe. Sam is the one to ask.