Fun With Packing

We've begun sorting through the stuff we have acquired these past two years as well as the stuff we brought with us from New York and never used.

• Pile 1: Throw out
• Pile 2: Give away or sell
• Pile 3: Bring back home to sort in another few years

So I tipped over one of the wine boxes we used for storage and out spilled enough Allen keys, spare Christmas light bulbs and rubber bands to keeps a dozen elven MacGyvers entertained for years. Of course I saved dozens of cables I've never used, like USB extensions, mini to USB cables and cables I don't know how to use... because I'll never know when I may need them so I can't throw them out.

The most interesting curiosity was a little baggie from Ikea. It contained a small screw, two washers and a fabric strap. In Ikean style, there was no name for his device, but an illustration confirmed that I had all the parts needed, I should not cut the strap and that I should not set the strap on fire. The instructions told me, in 18 languages, how to thread the screw through the washers and piece of fabric. I have no use for this thing, but now I can tell someone how to thread a small screw through the washers and fabric in Casky, Magyar and Suomi! I didn't throw it out. Instead I cut it while setting it on fire. I feel stronger for it.

There were a few other gems in those boxes, like a little box of staples that was empty except for a single tack. Dana said, "Only you would do that!" But I pointed out that I found this tack well-preserved and without impaling myself. Several years ago, when I packed that tack in the empty staple box, this is exactly the outcome I hoped for. If I could reach back three years, I would pat myself on the back and say, "Well done, three-years-younger Denis." I would also probably tell myself to bet a lot of money on the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

I also found a sheet of paper with step-by-step instructions for the Spider-Man Dance. Sadly, I still have not learned the moves. I'll bring it will us on our trip and practice in the streets of Rome, Florence, Nice and Lyons. This way I'll have it down perfect for the German bier halls. Oh how they will applaud me!