inspired and inspiring. considering that i'll be moving very soon, it's comforting to here soemone else say that it was (relatively) easy to throw things away. i have tremendous difficulty tossing things aside. i assign sentimental value to almost everyhing i own and in doing so make it nearly impossible to put anything in the trash for fear of somehow destroying the memory that spawned the sentimentality. all bullshit, of course.
There were a few tapes I couldn't possibly part with, those made for me by one J.M.Q. of course. I still have a little sentimentality in me. but there were literally dozens that I realized were never going to be listened to again, their time had passed and it felt good to let them and that part of the past go.
I found myself asking the questions: "What is so great about nostalgia? Why would I ever want to sit around and dwell in feelings of the past triggered by various objects? If that is the only reason I keep these objects then why do I?" It started to sound kind of sad and sick to me, and even if I do become melancholy in the future, I don't think I want to be comforted by the past, I want to be comforted by what's current and maybe what is new.
btw, I thought of you as I was watching Pan's Labyrinth yesterday. Go see it! And don't read anything about it if you can help it. Better to have no expectations, it will certainly surprise you.
conquer loss by having lessdaisygrlJanuary 10 2007, 21:08:33 UTC
I saved this to read when I had time. Wonderful thoughts. Sounds a lot like Buddhism. throwing away the tapes....man, I hear you. I have hours and hours, literally hundreds of tapes from my old radio shows. I am embarrassed to listen to any of them and yet I am also embarrassed about throwing them away (someone finds them and they end up on Found or this American Life) and destroying them seems so wasteful of tapes that could be reused. What to do?
You are right, those hours are gone and used well and you probably listened to those tapes plenty. A friend of mine went through this and got rid of so much! She even threw away childhood and wedding photos, high school trophies and childhood things. She said I don't need these to remember that this happenned.
I also fantasize about my place burning down. I would miss a large armful of things, the clean slate thing, however is appealing.
Really nice entry. I would love to hear more about this....and you. Happy New Year.
Comments 11
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
considering that i'll be moving very soon, it's comforting to here soemone else say that it was (relatively) easy to throw things away. i have tremendous difficulty tossing things aside. i assign sentimental value to almost everyhing i own and in doing so make it nearly impossible to put anything in the trash for fear of somehow destroying the memory that spawned the sentimentality. all bullshit, of course.
i like this. i will remember it.
happy new year.
Reply
I found myself asking the questions: "What is so great about nostalgia? Why would I ever want to sit around and dwell in feelings of the past triggered by various objects? If that is the only reason I keep these objects then why do I?" It started to sound kind of sad and sick to me, and even if I do become melancholy in the future, I don't think I want to be comforted by the past, I want to be comforted by what's current and maybe what is new.
btw, I thought of you as I was watching Pan's Labyrinth yesterday. Go see it! And don't read anything about it if you can help it. Better to have no expectations, it will certainly surprise you.
XOXO
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
You are right, those hours are gone and used well and you probably listened to those tapes plenty. A friend of mine went through this and got rid of so much! She even threw away childhood and wedding photos, high school trophies and childhood things. She said I don't need these to remember that this happenned.
I also fantasize about my place burning down. I would miss a large armful of things, the clean slate thing, however is appealing.
Really nice entry. I would love to hear more about this....and you. Happy New Year.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment