castle tour & "minimalism" discussion :>
Last July, I made a "webpage" to show off my CASTLE which I was extremely proud of, as it was the first time in years I'd had my own space to do unto which as I pleased. A lot of people, wonderfully, were receptive to it which is an honor of course but now it is March and some things have changed about my outlook. It is a very vulnerable thing to show your Inner Chamber on the internet. Sometimes I look at this and wonder, "what is this all for?". Well who knows.
Ok so basically I got rid of maybe 80% of my belongings - 'got rid' is doing heavy work, here, because I haven't gotten around to actually donating anything, most of it is just in the basement AT PRESENT. If you want to talk about Vulnerability, walking across town with bags of my clothing and toys to an anonymous audience of vehicles fits the definition. Excuses, excuses. Why did I do this? Well the process began in December. I think it was the old saltine tin that set it off ("why do I have this?") death by 1,000 cuts.
Psychology of collecting - "normal people have lots of stuff so I should do the same"
Well to detail each and every move during that week and a half would be terribly tedious but there are 11 plastic crates, all in all, each of which followed me up and down the narrow steps, Maybe a stray skull struck in the low basement doorway once or twice or never. And I held each one of my babies that is so loathsome to drag back and forth, held them to the light and cast them aside. All except for the best. My family, who you shall soon meet.
So this "minimalist" thing, which is a word I don't like, by the way, but the result is more acute. I say, if I'm to live and be true to myself, why can't I decorate my place like the 17th century (or a 21st century facsimile.) Of course in the grand scale none of this matters at all but it's literally what I am writing about. So without further ado here it is.
1. My giant heavy castle door. Rajiv says that it is historically accurate to paint them black which is heartening but whoever painted this room did a horrible job. Not that I'm complaining, of course, Gankitude is very important to me. Also, I love a blank wall. It's true. Terrible beige lightswitch, 2 pairs of shoes (It's incredibly easy to decide - is there snow or no snow?) my favorite scarf ever.
2. The Kingdom ... Well there are all sorts of things up here on my shelf, mostly paintings and dolls and records. The one in front is DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED by The Moody Blues which is very good.
3. This is where most of the magic happens. Well my "Beautiful Chest" functions as a table or desk sometimes but at this moment is a podium for which to show off this well-loved copy of WIND AND WUTHERING by GENESIS. And some library books and my man bag. This shelving unit is another pride and joy. 1st floor - Cds and Cd accessories, my beloved player named "FALSE FRISBEE". and the best little mirror in the world. 2nd floor - reading material, horse, all manner of things that smell or taste good. 3rd floor - Cd player, journals, The Bible, The Bible. 4th floor - Water well moves through here, it is so classy to pour water from my pitcher into the cup. The Buddha and Temperance Ring both from Toronto. Well I just realized everything on it is a gift from my mommy, a veritable "mom shrine". The picture of Peter Gabriel on the wall is to keep me in line. "Do it for him"
4. The thing about having less stuff is that I have a story for each individual thing, there are maybe 10 things in this picture and each one I could yammer on about. Redheads both, Anne and Arnold, for comfort. My crazy picnic quilt with the dead bat. etc.
5. This is where the cohesion really ends, though it is worth noting that everyday when the sun glimmers on Raphael's doll body it is very beautiful. I didn't photograph it but my chest of drawers are like this: empty, sewing fabric, arts and crafts, miscellany, paperwork. I own 14 pieces of clothing that can be hung up. That's about it. Maybe next time it will be a museum-archive style catalogue of every item photographed and color corrected and whatnot. "Just kidding probably".