Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin...

Contrary to popular belief, I actually do not like to move. However, since beginning college, multiple circumstances have caused me to pack up, find a truck, and move my stuff into new digs. My most recent change in housing last week is my ninth full move in eight years- not counting the semester abroad or the semester I stayed with my uncle. Which, if you do the math, or trust the math I’ve done here (although my math is always questionable at best), means I move an average of once every ten or eleven months.

Twenty-somethings, like me, seem to be a particularly transient population, from choosing a college to landing that first job to ditching that first job for an upgrade. Of course, the easiest way to move is to hire someone else to do it for you, but unfortunately most of us do not have that luxury. Whether you have a boxful or a truckload, here are some of my tricks to moving efficiently and cheaply.

1. Cull thy stuff. First of all, moving is a perfect opportunity to sort through possessions to see what is necessary and what is not. If it’s broken, hasn’t been used lately, or won’t be used in the new place, pitch it or give it away. This step is hardest for me, since I’m a natural packrat, but I’ve realized that there is no point in going through the hassle of moving things I don’t truly want. In with the new.

2. Sort thy stuff. Take a few minutes to think about your packing plan of action. What things will you not need right away (decorative, seasonal items, rarely used kitchenware, etc.)? What things will you need until the second you leave (toothbrush, laptop, medication, etc.)? Packing in order of necessity will help preserve that remaining little bit of sanity while in transition. Also, and this sounds obvious, keep like things together. Keep kitchen with kitchen, bedroom with bedroom, ad infinitum.

3. Gather thy packing resources. When it comes to the actual packing of the precious items, there are a few necessities: boxes, packing tape, permanent markers, garbage bags, packing material.

Boxes. Yes, one can go to a store and buy good quality boxes, but they are expensive. In all of my moves, I have never paid for boxes, so obviously there are other resources. (Although after moving so often, I have developed a great appreciation for good boxes and generally keep a few around for the next round. I understand this is normal behavior.) One great box resource is the local recycling center, because if there are separate bins for materials such as aluminum, glass, cardboard, etc., there are a ton of clean boxes available. If Dumpster diving in this fashion is too unsavory, or no cardboard-only bins can be found, the next step is the grocery store. Many stores are happy to give away empty boxes from their loading docks, which are often very sturdy and available in various sizes. (I do adore a good banana box.) This round I was lucky enough to have some friends give me a ton of their used boxes from their move, which they purchased. Score!

Packing tape and a permanent marker. Buy packing tape. There’s no way around this, but the fancy dispenser isn’t necessary if you have scissors (although it is kind of fun to use). There’s no need to go crazy with it, but make sure the boxes are secure. A marker is also necessary: generally one dark color for boxes, and one of the new silver-colored ones for marking black garbage bags (more on this later). Label everything. Unless you only have one box, you will forget which ones have which items, so save yourself the trouble and write the room where it belongs and a short description to remind yourself what’s in it later. For example, “kitchen-glasses” works just fine (and reminds anyone carrying it to be careful).

Garbage bags. Sophisticated luggage? No. Cheap and efficient? Yes. Big, cheap garbage bags are great for packing textiles (blankets, rugs, towels, stuffed animals, clothes) or larger items that aren’t particularly fragile (like plastic bowls and pitchers). They also work well for protecting larger items, like pictures, or as temporary garment bags for clothes on hangers (secure the hangers together with a rubber band and slip through a hole in the bag, then tie the bag at the bottom.)

Packing material. What to wrap those fragile items in once you have secured the necessary boxes? A popular choice is newspaper, which most people have lying around (or I easily gather by grabbing up a few of the free college editions.) However, newspapers leave their ink on items, which therefore will probably have to be washed when they’re unpacked. One alternative is plastic shopping bags. I always have way too many of these (due to the packrat tendencies), and they are great for wrapping around glassware or squishing into spaces in boxes without getting newsprint on Grandma’s china. For dishes, I also use kitchen and bath towels, folding them between the layers – one less box or bag of towels, and my dishes are cleanly protected.

4. Pack thy goods. Once you have a plan and the necessary materials are assembled, it’s time to let the fun begin. Basically, the farther the stuff has to travel, the more securely it will need to be packed. Another word of advice: the heavier the item, the smaller the box. During my second move I realized I could, in fact, fit all of my books into one box. Unfortunately, I couldn’t actually lift this box, which made it useless. Now I pack my books, or some of them anyway, into my suitcases which I can then roll to the new destination.

5. Move thyself. Once the items have been transferred to the new abode, don’t forget to transfer your identity! Make arrangements to transfer your mail, set up the new utilities, shut off the old, and change the address on all accounts (banks, student loans, insurance, credit cards, etc.) Most of these changes can easily be made online, including mail forwarding!

6. Throw thyself a housewarming party. Once successfully moved, celebrate the new place with friends and family.

After a whole week of moving, I’m covered in bruises and scrapes, but finished. It is hard work, but with some foresight and a few tricks, a completely manageable task. Now that I’ve unpacked, I look forward to rejoicing another victorious move at my housewarming luau this Saturday. Let the decorating begin…

The Feud Continues...

This past weekend I went to Cleveland for a baseball game. In case any of you aren't aware of the wide world of sports, Cleveland was THE place to be if you are either a Cleveland fan or a Detroit fan, because as luck would have it, not only were the Tigers playing the Indians there, but the Cavaliers were also hosting the Pistons in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals (that's basketball, by the way.) I'm not sure how often something like this occurs, but it can't be too often. Approximately 70,000 people were expected to be in downtown Cleveland Saturday night, and since Detroit is roughly a four hour drive away, I'd estimate half of those people were in Tigers/Pistons gear. It was a pretty divided crowd.

The dynamic was interesting to say the least. I've never really attended too many away sporting events, so I didn't know what to expect, but I've attended my fair share of games, and for the most part, I'd say I ignored the opposing team's fans. My first clue that this would not be this case was on my drive in, where little unexpecting me in my Old English D hat was accosted by incredibly lewd gestures by a car full of men in Indians gear on the turnpike. I thought about saluting them appropriately in return, but decided to handle myself with some class and just gave them an evil glare and continued on my merry way.

I would like to say that our reception in Cleveland was warm, but things turned decidedly worse. From the time we got on the bus to get to the stadium until we hailed a cab to leave, people were yelling every form of "Detroit sucks" that one could possibly conceive. Some Detroit fans got angry and yelled back (probably drunk), some completely provoked the behavior (almost definitely drunk), and some, like moi, smiled or ignored it. I think at one particularly cuss-filled onslaught directed at me I replied with a wide grin and "don't be hatin'!" That one doesn't leave a lot of room for rebuttal.

For the most part, I was amused- especially by all of the anti-Detroit t-shirts people bothered to make. I am all for supporting your team with apparel, but what a waste of time and money that was. I mean, how useful are those now in San Antonio? Dumb.

I can take the yelling, and even the stupid shirts, but there were some instances that crossed the line for me from semi-friendly bantering to borderline rioting. The most disgusting example: my friend's coworker was actually spit on by a Cleveland fan. Luckily she was trailing a bit behind her group, or an all-out brawl might have broken out over that one. What ever happened to good sportsmanship? And yeah, we won the baseball game, but hello, you guys won the basketball game! That was the important one you were worried about, anyway, wasn't it? Why kick us while we're down?

So, overall, I was not impressed with Cleveland, as it reaffirms my distaste with Ohio in general. There are probably some cool bars, and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is definitely worth a visit, but I'm not sure I'd return after seeing the kind of host city it is. Apparently they're still upset over the bum deal they got trading for the Upper Peninsula and continue to express their jealously through sports rivalries.