Wacky Morning Shows

Sitting at my laptop, checking the news and email, and I get a call from some crazy morning crew in Chicago. I really hate these shows. Generally, they are not funny, they try too hard, and they are often mean. They asked for an interview. I hesitated. Couldn't say no at that point. Agreed. Proceeded to be treated as if I was an idiot and became more defensive than I would like. Moral: no spontaneous interviews. No local radio spots.
On top of the google news reports of the sale being a "flop" and my "failing" to sell everything on ebay. On top of the voracious feeding frenzy with the VT shooter. People and media glory in failings and the macabre. Nothing new, Don Henley's Dirty Laundry, right? It's just wild, how the story first was so popular because it connected with people's interest in the slightly odd and the feeling that possessions control people. Now it seems to be popular because it shows one can't escape possessions and who knows what. It certainly isn't personal. Not like people in India know me and think that justice has been served. So what is it?
I know that I would still have rather gone through the media carnivale and experienced it, worked it, known what it is like to be interviewed live and taped in video and audio, than never have done it. It's harder to push forward than it is to pull back. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

Things are flying out of the apt!

While the AP wire reports the auction problems...

Coffee table, Restoration Hardware patio chairs--both gone.

Bedframe, futon and desk--will likely be gone before the weekend.

Bidding is active on items on ebay, new items include:

1. More clothes added to the Professional Women's clothing
2. Breyer Horse Models
3. 8 Track tapes
4. 4 Botanical prints in great gold frames
5. tealight candleholders
6. mystery box of tschoshkes
7. refrigerator magnets from around the world~

Everything Perry Owns, now in bite-size!

On Craigslist Minneapolis:

• Bertoia diamond chair
• filing cabinet
• desk
• dresser
• overstuffed chair and ottoman

On ebay (look under rhetorica61):

• china collectibles
• Garrison Keillor poster
• Tonka toy!
• breadmaker
• women's professional clothing

Auction over, but the fun has just begun!

Monday morning quarterbacking can be pointless at times. Not when you are the coach. Things I learned relisting the auction on ebay: I should have gone to the media immediately and had a regular auction or posted on craigslist. Not happy with ebay at all.

So in order to put into practice what I learned, I am putting items on craigslist minneapolis and will probably put them here. No bidding, price fixe or make an offer. The Bertoia Diamond chair is already on Craigslist.

4 hours left

Woke up to a beautiful spring morning--singing birds, sunshine, smell of earth. Some of my favorite things. Which is fantastic! Especially since the auction ends today and, so far, the reserve has not been met.
Is it more troubling to think of the things not leaving or having to pack them up and actually bid them adieu?
I still plan on selling--so what would be another good way to do it if this doesn't go? Someone mentioned calling an auction house, who would then give a price they would pay for everything (and they would then resell). I thought of that earlier. Maybe that's the way to go. Or simply Craigslist. I am loathe to use ebay again. They ticked me off. And I am still angry about it, which is pointless since it won't change what happened. I would donate but it would be more final to sell rather than donate. More fitting, somehow.

1. listing separately on ebay or craigslist
2. calling auctioneer
3. garage sale

Ideas?

LA Times Article

What an incredible experience it is throwing myself into the moshpit of the media. Ok, maybe not a moshpit. Not even a sale at Filene's Basement. There's been some jostling.

LA Times reporter PJ Puffstutter interviewed me yesterday by phone. She was supposed to fly out--spring blizzard canceled that. The article hit the web last night and there have been a number of readers from CA who are asking me why I am doing this in the way I am.

1. I am not loco. A number of things came together this winter/spring that lead me to realize my possessions were keeping me where I was and preventing me from moving forward. A combination of Buddhist thought on attachment, reading The Pathfinder and having the idea of trading comfort for vitality, and Mama Gena's philosophy on not waiting. Because the things I had from a great and varied past kept me from being able to look forward into the future.
2. I am not suicidal. Certainly the giving away/disposing of one's property is a red flag that someone has suicidal ideation (and if that is the case I highly recommend anyone feeling that way to a number of resources, posted at the margin), however to do so on ebay would be the most twisted of cries for help.
3. My family does not think of me as crazy. Or at least not because of this decision. At least they haven't told me so nor has someone been appointed my guardian. Maybe they do, who knows? People who know me seem to fall onto either end of a spectrum: those who are completely unsurprised and then those who are stunned. If I was better at html and computer graphics I could make a nice little chart or something.
4. Money is one reason for doing this, but it is not the only thing. I started selling smaller lots, individual items that I felt could bring more money about 2 months ago. It was a long, tedious process with way too many trips to my fantastic neighborhood Post Offices (those guys truly rock!). I thought this would be easier although less financially rewarding. I have sold some things on craigslist, but decided for something of this scope having to respond to emails and set up times to show the items would also be inconvenient. Silly me, I am spending as much time doing this. But craigslist does kick booty.

Keep the buzz

I added the books from half.com onto the ebay auction. Some people have asked about the game system, I have left those on half.com. Also the cds.
Some great books, including a couple of signed copies.

Tired after a long night of process serving, driving in the slushy, icy snow and 2 national interviews.