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August 11, 2005
Thinning It Out
It is open house time.
Behold, an estimated 1/8 of the books residing within my 550 sq. ft.
After dropping off my keys at the real estate office last evening, I raced home, determined to whip my apartment into the sort of sparseness I have only dreamt of. I started with the bookcase, whose wide berths usually hold at least three layers of books per shelf. Then I turned my attention to the bedroom closet, where I somehow managed to reveal the floor without the shelves bursting with crap. I removed all extraneous knickknacks—such as my hazmat action figures, George and Martha stuffed animals, and plush rabbi—from visible surfaces. I went a little cleaning crazy.
I have frequented open houses throughout my nearly ten years in New York but mine has never been the house that was open. For some reason, this makes me really nervous. Despite the realtor’s "Don’t worry about it, I have seen some messy apartments and this is not messy" attitude, I can’t help but feel self conscious about my stuff being out in the open, even if the visitors’ reasons for coming have absolutely nothing to do with my furniture or choice of framed photographs. It has been one of those weeks that I have wished I had more closets-- but then again, the closets need to be clean and organized, too!
Let's not even begin to ponder the concern over Irving's proneness to nervous regurgitation.
Posted by callalillie at August 11, 2005 7:27 AM | Home Improvement
the worst is that you have to keep it clean AT ALL TIMES! every freaking day!
Posted by: tien at August 11, 2005 10:05 AM
I know. Actually, I'm less worried about keeping it clutter free and more worried about litter scattered all over the floor. Damn messy cats.
Posted by: corie at August 11, 2005 10:13 AM
Posted by: breana at August 11, 2005 10:29 AM
do you have a favorite book?
Posted by: yp at August 11, 2005 1:37 PM
Out of all of them, or just that shelf?
:)
I think it would depend on the genre. Forever, by Pete Hamill, is up there (but not the ending-- I hated the ending), as is Bread and Jam for Frances.
Posted by: corie at August 11, 2005 2:56 PM
Maybe you can stash Mr. Irving in the bathtub during Open Houses? That way if he pukes, it'll be somewhere easy to clean. Or, you can take him and Miss Olive to The Other Apartment where Lex's roomie can watch them. And keep Madame Olga and Ms. Frieda from killing them.
Posted by: Divaah46 at August 11, 2005 4:56 PM
what'd you do with all the other books and little hazmat people?
Posted by: jenn a.k.a. j-yo at August 11, 2005 9:11 PM
I have the outlaw bible, too! mine is autographed because i got it at the release reading!
Posted by: Nancy at August 11, 2005 9:57 PM
j-yo, don't worry. i still have them. a lot of my stuff now resides in my underwear drawer, though....
Posted by: corie at August 12, 2005 7:47 AM
Not only do you have to keep it clean, you've got to be careful about times you let them show the place.
Once, I was in the shower and the realtor came in with a prospective buyer.
How she did not hear the shower is beyond me because I literally had to go out in a towel and soapy hair and kick them out.
Posted by: pantrygirl at August 13, 2005 6:00 AM
I love so much this photo!!!
Posted by: Sonia at August 13, 2005 3:23 PM
