Storage Unit

I went to rent a storage unit today so that I can start moving stuff as soon as possible. As we were signing the lease, the guy was going through all the terms... like you can't keep illegal things in there, you can't keep pets in there, you pay your lease late and eventually they'll auction your stuff, and then he came to the part where you can't "live out of the storage unit". He said this laughing, but I had to clarify what he meant. Luckily, he said it meant sleeping in the storage unit...

I have way too much stuff...

So today I took the day off of work, so I decided to use the afternoon to start putting together a pile of things that I'm going to give away to Good Will.. the pile just kept growing and growing. It's amazing how much stuff I have and don't even need or want.

This is what's in the pile so far:
• 6 bags of clothes
• 18 pairs of shoes
• couch
• coffee table
• 2 silk plants
• A TV stand
• 2 lamps
• pillows
• 2 DVD players
• 3 sets of curtains
• 2 rugs
• 2 bookshelves
• Curtains
• 16 books
• clothes steamer (sorry family! this family heirloom is being passed on)
• Roomba
• TV
• Picture Frames

The beginning of a new adventure

I am dedicating this blog to my journey to becoming a nomad. Nomad, Vagabond, Hobo, Homeless, you can call it whatever you want, but as of June 1, 2010, I will not be tied down to any one location. The lease on my apartment is up and I’ve decided not to renew my lease or sign a new one someplace else. Truthfully, I’m not sure if it’s actually going to work or if it’s going to fail miserably. But like everything else, I won’t know until I actually try.

Ok, if the initial shock has finally worn off, you probably have several questions of how and why. So here are a few FAQ:

1. Why are you doing this? There are two reasons: First, it’s financially a good decision (See table below for evaluation of last 6 months). Second, it’s no secret that I hate Connecticut; so there is no reason that I’d like to have something making me feel obligated to spend time there. I love the notion of being completely free.








2. Where are you going to keep your stuff? Have you seen Up in the Air? I’m literally emptying my backpack. I’m giving away a lot of stuff to Good Will, and for those items that I’m having a hard time parting with (ie my new couch), I’ll get a storage unit. The things that I need on a daily basis will be kept in the trunk of my car. Thanks to the Green Carpet apartment, I learned about every kind of space saver and organizer that ever existed.

3. Where are you going to stay? Wherever I want.

4. How are you going to get mail? I will have a PO Box located at the post office near our office. If anything requires a real address, I will use my parents.

5. Aren’t you going to get tried of eating restaurant food? Yes, but there are plenty of Residence Inn’s around. Cooking items like Olive Oil and a few spices will be kept in my trunk. Frankly, it’s not any less than what is currently in my kitchen.

6. Where are you going to do laundry? Many hotels have coin operated laundry or overnight laundry service. Chances are if I come to visit you in the near future, I’ll be bringing a load of dirty laundry.

7. Why don’t you buy an RV? I investigated buying an RV, but they are fairly expensive. Also, an RV creates some limits because there are fewer places that are drivable for weekend adventures. And I’m not sure anyone would appreciate me camping out in the parking lot at work. However, buying a tent is still an option.

I know this sounds like another one of my crazy ideas, but it is actually very carefully planned out. It’s about one more month before my plan gets put into action, so stay tuned…