01 September 2008

Moving House

To all my 3 loyal and regular readers. I am moving house and this is the reason for my lack of postings. It is not writers block or boredom or anything else, such as pure unadulterated laziness.

So, it has been a hectic couple of days. It is funny to see how quickly the new place has filled up. In fact it seems to be smaller than the place we have just moved from. I should know by now that an empty house always looks much bigger than it really is. This said my problem is that I am a bit of an accumulator of stuff, especially books. I must have a personal library of a couple of thousand books. I have bookcases full all over the house and still have 4 more removal boxes full of books. I am out of bookcase space. I also have half a dozen storage boxes of accumulated articles and other goodies collected over time.

I am a voracious reader and this accounts for my collection. I am attached to most of the books that I own and never seem to get rid of any once I buy them. I own a few novels but most of the "stuff" that I read is academic. This is also the reason I have such an extensive general knowledge and the reason I am always good for a comment on any topic.

The better half is probably dreading a serious move, say to Australia, as she knows that parting with my library is going to be a big call. I must admit that of late I have been thinking of donating them to a worthy cause, such as an under-funded library somewhere. This probably would have to be at the university level as the majority of the collection would not really fit into the junior / senior high school scene. Then again, I could try and sell them to a second-hand bookstore.

Time flies when you're moving. I need to get some work done. Later!

24 comments:

Katadia said...

Selamat atas rumah barunya. How's the nursery prep going? Have you started shopping for baby junks yet? ;) I bought a lot of useless stuff. I also do good stroller/pram review.

My 'worse' half (pardon the Indonesian sense of humour) is also a voracious reader. He buys books, I buy the diapers. He reads my blog though. That's a big compliment.

tere616.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations to your new house and the lil one :-D

I have the same issue with you before, precisely not only me, but myself and my two daughters, we love to read, watch dvd and listen to music, so everywhere in our house, in every corner (except the kitchen) in my house there's a bunch of book, cd and dvd. Also in my car. Can't leave without my book.

When we live in a smaller house, I have the sam problem like you. Then I renovate, have a bigger room and huge library, but its ended with the same issue, don't have the space.

So, if you are thinking to donate (and I believe its difficult to chose the book), I think its better to donate to the university or orphanage. Sell the book ? Hm....nice thought.

Take care yourself, enjoy the new house, hope you can write soon.

Anonymous said...

Katadia, tere616 and me. That's 3 ;-)

Donate to library!!! I too am a voracious reader (particularly novels), but have stopped buying the physical item in favour of audible books from audible.com. I still miss the physical thing though...

Anonymous said...

Congrats for the new home. Home sweet home. :)

Unknown said...

dude, always happy to provide a house for them stuff. I like books for decor, makes me look smarter.

let me know if you need to stash them boxes somewhere.

I'll keep them for a fee and/or sexual favors.

(not from you, obviously, i'm sure you could find a suitable associate to complete the transaction. hamsters will do these days, apparently).

and yeah, congrats, and waiting for the housewarming party invite.

Unknown said...

Rob, you should tee up Ace with a wombat, that should be the ultimate "wild down under sex"

lastlifeinmyuniverse said...

are you plannin' on throwin' a housewarming party? if so, say no mo' coz i'm inviting myself!

:>

Unknown said...

deb, he lives on the wrong edge of town.

duh, now i'm gonna have to come...

rob, pile up on Storm.

Anonymous said...

Hope the moving is done soon and you're back blogging! I am addicted to internet, both as a blogger and a blog reader :D

Rob Baiton said...

KD...

Thanks! Nursery? Ahhh, I believe that the better half is intending to keep the youngster close at hand (or nipple).

We have been out looking at cots, strollers, and the like. So, any recommendations are always welcome :D

Tere...

I will probably donate most of my books to a library and perhaps one with a greater need for them. This means that places like UI and UPH are off the preliminary list.

Brett...

See above :D

Jen...

Thanks! A roof over one's head is always something to be thankful for!

Tree...

Sexual favours? I thought you would never ask! And I wonder why you did as having read your blog you seem to have the sexual favours front pretty well covered :D

GJ...

A wombat! Nice thought! Perhaps Tree could just pretend that it is a really big hamster.

Last Life...

Had not thought about it. But a BBQ and beers and wine might be fun!

Writer One...

Be back soon! You Internet junkie you!

Dear All...

I will keep you posted on a belated house warming party (assuming you are serious about coming along to my humble little abode)...my folks are in town next weekend.

Also you need to read the post that follows this one to determine whether you want to come to a BBQ where the next door neighbour is one psycho dickhead!

Unknown said...

i dont do wombats. the claws are scary.

let me know when the party is, the chicklist seems interesting enough :D

rob, you could never get enough. never. particularly in the age of squirrels.

Rob Baiton said...

I am glad you find the chicklist interesting enough to give some thought to attending the house warming! :D

I would have figured you would have been coming for the stimulating political discussions!

Unknown said...

that is a very SEXIST statement, SHAME ON YOU ROB!!!!

I find it perfectly plausible to hold political discussions with hot chicks.

Just because we're so easily distracted says nothing about their ability to hold a smart discussion!!!

Shame on ROB!!!

Rob Baiton said...

I am not sure that there is anything sexist in what I said. I did not presuppose that the political conversations would be with men, you did that :D

Matter of interpretation of what I wrote, I guess!

Time for bed as I must be too tired to think and write straight...

Anonymous said...

Do not through away your books. if i were you i will never do that. I am also fond of books and I remember when I was moving, I kept all my books with me. I hired professional mover Box specially because of my books. Anyway best of luck for your move

Unknown said...

Rob, Selamat menempati rumah baru. Count me in for the housewarming party ya.

Rob Baiton said...

Harmon...

Not thinking of throwing them away but rather deciding whether or not to donate them or keep them.

Moving them is going to be expensive as there are hundreds of kilos of the buggers.

Ecky...

Should a house warming party come to fruition then the invite will be posted :D

Anonymous said...

Rob,

Congrats on the move. When't the housewarming?

On books you may want to get rid of: the Bunderan HI bloggers are mounting a campaign call Gerakan 1,000 Buku to raise money for charity in keeping with the Pesta blogger '08 theme of "Blogging for Society."

Why not donate to them? You can contact them through Ndoro Kakung or see them friday nights ngongkrong-ing at Bunderahan HI.

Rob Baiton said...

Unspun...

House warming (if I can get my lazy arse into gear) would be after Eid.

I will probably end up donating books so I wll drop a line to the person you suggest.

Enjoy the / your weekend.

Unknown said...

PARTY.......what party, why am I just finding out now????

Bloody hell I'm up for it, scotch and red wine.............

LET'S PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob Baiton said...

And stimulating conversation as well!

Anonymous said...

Well if you have decided to donate the books then donate them in a place where many people can benefit form them.

Rob Baiton said...

Harmon...

That is the plan!

Max Champion said...

I'm also a bookworm. I love everything about books. The last time we moved, my book collection was my first priority. I had to make certain they were kept in a safe and secure storage all the way. Hehe. =)