I know from experience that moving to a new place is always stressful, no matter how prepared you think you are. But our recent move was not only stressful and exhausting in the expected ways – on top of it all, we had to deal with a series of disastrous and totally unexpected crises that made the weekend into a true nightmare.
On October 31st, Christine and I planned to move into a new home together – a condo near Oak and 13th and the first home purchase for us both. As the big day approached, we thought we’d done a pretty good job of getting ready. We felt prepared.
Oh, how wrong we were.
By this time I’d established a daily routine of making a run to Safeway and the liquor store on Robson at Denman, and bringing home a mix of small and large boxes. Then I’d fill them up in the evening. I even had a colour-coded sticker system. As you can see, the place was looking pretty well packed up. But looks are deceiving – there were still closets full of clothes, office stuff, books, and odds and ends that hadn’t found their way into a box yet. Just one of the stress time-bombs awaiting us.
Saturday – moving day – I was still sifting through stuff and figuring out what I could toss – a slow process, but I didn’t want to bring anything to the new place that I could possibly do without. Christine, meanwhile, steadily brought boxes down to the lobby, and soon it was packed and stacked to capacity (our building manager graciously looked the other way). Meanwhile, the movers were due at 2 and there was still tons of stuff to sort and pack up.
As a notorious pack rat, I impressed Christine – and myself – with my uncharacteristic tossing away of things… including some items I’d held onto for a long, long time. Yes, some Beta tapes from the 80’s finally hit the dumpster, along with (sigh) my old Beta machine I bought in 1986. Now, don’t get the wrong idea – I still am the proud owner of a sizable Beta collection. But once I took them all down from the closet and actually looked at the notes on each label (I’m a stickler for detailed content listings), I saw a lot of material that had lost whatever interest or importance it once had – or was now easily obtainable by other means. The Internet, DVD’s, and other resources that didn’t exist when I made these tapes had rendered them irrelevant. So
Ren and Stimpy,
Sex and the City,
Fawlty Towers, and movies taped off of cable went OUT.
About half of my audiocassette collection also got condemned to oblivion.
But making these decisions took time – time we didn’t really have. Luckily the movers gave us a ring to say they’d picked up a small job that would cause them to arrive later – around 3pm. We were happy for the extra time. Unfortunately, their arrival would be the first of our true disasters.
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As a notorious pack rat, I impressed Christine – and myself – with my uncharacteristic tossing away of things… including some items I’d held onto for a long, long time. Yes, some Beta tapes from the 80’s finally hit the dumpster, along with (sigh) my old Beta machine I bought in 1986. Now, don’t get the wrong idea – I still am the proud owner of a sizable Beta collection. But once I took them all down from the closet and actually looked at the notes on each label (I’m a stickler for detailed content listings), I saw a lot of material that had lost whatever interest or importance it once had – or was now easily obtainable by other means. The Internet, DVD’s, and other resources that didn’t exist when I made these tapes had rendered them irrelevant. So Ren and Stimpy, Sex and the City, Fawlty Towers, and movies taped off of cable went OUT.
About half of my audiocassette collection also got condemned to oblivion.
But making these decisions took time – time we didn’t really have. Luckily the movers gave us a ring to say they’d picked up a small job that would cause them to arrive later – around 3pm. We were happy for the extra time. Unfortunately, their arrival would be the first of our true disasters.
Hey Love,
Mom and I just read this through. I had told them the story, but how nice it was to have it here with pics. (It almost makes up for the annoying picture taking you kept insisting on in the middle of the “Hell”!)
I’m going to send the link on to all my family and friends so they can have a quick read too. Great writing!
Dear Adam & Christine,
I cannot believe what you went through. I am pleased that it finally worked out well.
I have to ask you this question son…..Did I miss something when I was raising you?
I look forward to seeing you both at Xmas.
Lots of love to you both.
Momma Eileen
Dear Lord
You poor people. SO glad to hear that your heroes helped you out. God Bless friends and good Samaritans.
Enjoy your new place!
Hugs
H
And in the chaotic aftermath of all this your oblivious clients (like me) kept shoveling stuff at you through cyberspace, and you maintained a cheerful demeanour throughout. What a guy! What a pair! May fortune smile upon you both in your beautiful new home.
KDM
Wow!! Did you ever feel surreal, like you were acting in a sitcom and it wasn’t all really unfolding the way it did??! Because that is how I felt reading it! Very well written Adam!! I saw your Rambler that day being towed near Denman and Comox, and I just sent you guys a lot of positive energy!! I think it would actually make a really great short movie!! I do have questions, did the movers who lost their license end up taking anything of yours in the truck? And hows the rambler now? (Remember, I have a fondness for ramblers, as it was our family car when I was little!) And I wish you both many, many peaceful, harmonious and joyous moments in your new home!!
Hey, Adam. Congratulations on your wedding and your (finally) successful move into your new home. There is definitely a great accomplishment to purchasing a home. I moved to Brockville, Ontario, some years ago, as you know, and I am co-owner of income property with my family, and I definitely understand what you have been through. Best wishes to you all. I really enjoy your missives and newsletters. Great story! PS: I miss you all from the acting school days and hope to visit you all soon. Glad to see you are still doing some great gigs.
Adam, Chris! here we are in Las Vegas, we don’t gamble, it’s too cold to sun tan and eating is out because we are recovering from the stomach flu and the most marvelous entertainment comes. Your Moving Day!
Love Mom and Dad.
PS I kept saying ” Christine you needed your Dad” and when the stove needed cleaning, ” Christine and Adam, you needed your Mom.