Out of Sight - Out of my Mind

Many thanks to my sister for reminding me to share one of the most classic Hans stories of all time.

Hans is a computer guy. He is also a hoarder, messer, leave things all over the place-er.

When we lived in our first apartment, we would go many rounds about the cords, hard drives and memory sticks that covered every surface of our house. The kitchen table, the counter, the coffee table, the sofa- literally everything.

One day, I handed Hans some computer thing that had been sitting on the kitchen table for over a week. I didn't know what it was all I knew was that I had seen it enough and it needed to go someplace else. I handed it to him and said,

"Please go put this away, right now."

The Million Dollar Idea

I am neurotic. Not "pull my hair out over misplaced socks" neurotic, but certainly "put the toilet paper on the right way and change it if it's wrong" neurotic.

It all started when I first started living alone in college. (If you ask my mother - please don't - she'll tell you this began long before college and is a serious problem but to that I say "pshaaa!") That year, living in solitude, I came to appreciate the beauty of complete control over organization, form and [lack of] clutter. The years of throwing out unnecessary stuff began around age 19 and have continued ever since... roughly 6 times a year I will purge closets, drawers, cabinets, shelves; the only thing I find more satisfying is a visit to my chiropractor followed by a nice cool glass of pinot grigio.