Free Stuff is Scary

I recently decided to have a free yard sale. I had a basement full of stuff that wasn't being used that was just taking up lots of space. I hat tagging things and deciding if something is worth a dime, a quarter, or (gasp) a dollar. Having a free yard sale seemed like a great idea. Other people need stuff that I no longer need. Awesome.

I thought over the whole thing and decided a donation box would be appropriate. Perhaps some people would feel uncomfortable taking things for free. In fact, people have been caught completely off guard with the word "free."

Yard Sale Patron: "How much is this?"

I suppose this does look suspicious.

Me: "It's free. Everything is free"

Yard Sale Patron: "And this?"

Me: "Free."

Yard Sale Patron: "You mean this sheet with a hole in it is free?"

Me: "Yes, ma'am, it is."

Yard Sale Patron: "Oh, but I should give you something."

Me: "No, no, it's free. I hope you get some use out of it."

Yard Sale Patron: "I will. Here's a dollar."

This has been how most of the conversations have gone. I accept the money, of course, but I find it so interesting that people are unwilling to take free things. Are people leery of the word "Free" even if it doesn't involve any real commitment?

Many people have taken a couple of bags of stuff and decided they should give me a dollar or two. One old lady even gave my son a dollar for helping me with the yard sale.

People just don't know what to make of it.

Free stuff: please take. Please. But who in their right mind would get rid of a Beavis and Butt head CD for free?!

Update: I now have $21  and a de-cluttered basement from my free yard sale!

Drafted

Upon realizing I had not posted my blog for yesterday, I also realized I have not posted a few other blogs. Posting them now seems silly as the anniversary of moving into our house has passed and the post about whether or not I should grieve about the death of my husband's not-so-close brother is no longer relevant. (The answer: I should, but I didn't). I realized I have various states of blogging. I have blogs in my mind that only need typing, I have ideas that are evolving, but not yet complete or ready to be explored verbally, and apparently I have other that, though finished, are unfit for the internet to see. I don't decide this. Perhaps my computer does.

Ideas and words are such weird things. I pretend to have control over them, but I don't. Clearly.

It is, however, also clear that I need to learn to control them in order to maintain my sanity.

Book Thursday: Cleansing the Mental Palate

(oops...this should have been posted yesterday. Alas.)

Normally, for Thursdays,  I would like to write about a specific book, reflecting upon the book itself and attempting to fit this book into some sort of larger picture. I have been doing a lot of reading these past few weeks and, although I did read some amazing books, I encountered a problem with reading that I found much more interesting.

After finishing Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, I found it incredibly difficult to do much of anything else much less read any other books. The book crippled me mentally. In a good way, of course. I felt trapped in London Below and, although I enjoyed it there, I wanted to leave before reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or The Things They Carried. HeLa cells and the Vietnam War are far from the sewers of London and the need to detach was obvious. I needed a mental cleanse. I enjoyed this book very much, but it wasn't my favorite book. I am not sure what it was about this book that struck me this way.

I tried reading children's books, writing down my thoughts, napping, but nothing could get me away from Neverwhere. Finally I had to just dig into my book. The thing is, though, that I didn't want to erase my thoughts and memories of Neverwhere completely. I am not sure how I hid them away in order to function normally, but I did. I suppose this is a good time to come up with an emergency plan: a way to cleanse my mental palatte after reading the next especially powerful book.

Here are a few images from the book. Have you read this book? Perhaps now you will. Please, tell me how you managed to escape from London Below (or Above!).

Mortal Syntax

As an English major I am expected to speak correctly at all times, write correctly at all times, and to know all things grammar-related. (I am also expected to have read every book known to man, but that is another topic). I am the worst grammarian primarily because it interests me. I read into everything and confuse myself. I enjoy trying to learn, but the end, I am dumber than when first started. The search for someone or something that can guide me down the rocky path that is understanding the English language is important. Thankfully, I stumbled upon this book.

Mortal Syntax by June Casagrande, (author of Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies) has been my recent pre-sleep reading. The book is simple and clear and funny. She describes why certain things are wrong, but more importantly, when it's okay to break the rules. I have actually learned a few things. Also, a few things have been clarified for me (subjunctive tense).

I suggest this book for anyone interested in learning a little about grammar or for anyone who needs a refresher course. The book is also a great tool with which to arm yourself. Inevitably, some jerk will decide to confront you about your imperfect grammar. He will have no idea you are ready to clobber him with wit and knowledge. This book will prepare you for just such a battle.

Ugh

I am trying to write my Honor's thesis. Since I was able to choose, I assumed my uber-interesting topic would make things easier for me. Indeed, it has not. My unorganized way of writing is not conducive to such a lengthy paper and I am starting to hate myself for it. Like, really hate myself.