8/1/09: Data the stuffed dog, given to my nephew James
Last spring I went with several of my teaching colleagues to Virginia for an education conference. On our return trip, they presented me with a stuffed toy dog that they named Data. The dog was intended to quiet my constant whining about wanting a pet dog, and the name referred to the data analysis we seem constantly engaged in as educators these days. (To which, I must say, I am not opposed.) It was a funny gag gift and one which I appreciated for both its humor and thoughtfulness.
Cute little Data has resided ever since on the stereo speaker in our living room. (Honestly, he hasn't been much of a substitute for a real dog, although he's been really easy to care for.)
Doesn't this represent so many of the things we have around our homes? Trinkets, bobbles, knick-knacks that we acquire in odd little ways. Why do we keep them? I say it's 10% appreciation, 90% guilt: "I can't get rid of that! Surely the person who gave it to me would be crushed to the soul!"
If I'm going to downsize, I'm going to have to conquer the guilt.
I chose August 1st to begin this year-long challenge because I thought up the idea in mid-July and wanted to start at the beginning of a new month. The fact that my nephew James also turned 3 today was completely serendipitous. Hmm, what to give, what to give?
Of course, we had already purchased a Thomas the Train toy for James, so Data (now renamed Casey) was a bonus birthday gift. Even so, kicking off the downsizing challenge by giving a birthday gift to my only nephew seemed like a perfect beginning.
(Now I just hope that the teachers who gave Data me don't read this, because I know they'd be crushed to the soul...)
Thanks for choosing James to partake in your first day of the challenge! I'm now thinking of what challenge I can give my self for a year...let's see...right now all I strive for each day is more sleep! That doesn't seem very interesting so I'll keep thinking.
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