Selling on Craigslist

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Sue In The City

There’s a free service in the US called Craigslist and I think it’s one of the most underrated services out there. (The term ‘Craigslist Killer’ does spring to mind, but let’s not focus on the negative for now, shall we?) With a couple of clicks of a mouse button you can find / buy / sell anything online without it costing you a cent. We found our apartment through this site and have bought a couple of things through there over the past couple of years too. Now, with the big move about to happen, it’s time to turn towards this site again…

John and I divvied up responsibilities and tasks to ensure that we get everything done in the three weeks that we have left before we leave and the selling of all furniture has fallen on my plate. And boy oh boy have I been selling! The full-length mirrors went first, then the modern bookcases and the comfy swivel chairs. Now there are a couple of things left, but I feel pretty confident that we’ll be able to get rid of all of these before our time is up.

Considering that we arrived in the US three years ago with a total of four suitcases and a smallish case, filled with boots, photo albums and some small trinkets, we really have come a long way! And it’s strange how detached we have both become in regard to these furniture pieces that we spent so much energy, money and time in collecting. That dining room table that we agonized over, rented a car to drive two hours and pick it up? Sell it. Same for the book cases that we trawled the net for, trying to find the ultimate best deal on. Sold. And it’s quite liberating in a way. We are leaving New York to start over. Start new. Fresh.

Now if only they sold the energy required to do all of this in small little sweet tablets. I’d definitely be first in line to get some for when the whole process of searching, agonizing, bargaining and shopping starts all over on British soil!

Leaving the city…

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Sue In The City

After exactly three years of Manhattan living, it is time for Sue to leave the city. And it feels like the worst breakup in the world. My heart is aching and my head is confused. New York is like the boy you love but know you have to leave for there is definitely another one out there that will treat you better. One who will have your best interest at heart.

For us this new love is London. John was offered a great position within his company’s office and we have to start this new affair in mid-February. While neither of us feel quite ready to leave New York (how can you ever feel ready?), I have to be honest an say that we are both excited about the prospect of living closer to family and friends – and even on the same time zone – and being back in a European culture.

See, I don’t think you can ever really ‘be done’ with New York. It’s like drug and it’s one I’m hooked on. Now every time I buy a latte from my coffee cart guy I think ‘Will I ever see this guy again?’ and when I side step a puddle of vomit on the sidewalk I do so with less disgust in my heart, because it is New York vomit, after all. The big apple will be hard to get over. But I’m opening my heart to whatever will come next.

At the moment I’m compiling a list of all the things that we still have to do before we go. And my list is long. It’s like dragging your ex to just one last supper, because the conversation is just so good. And if you will, I’ll drag you along on these final experiences so we can cry together over the loss of our mutual love, New York.

Invictus…

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Sue In The City

Yesterday we returned from three glorious sun-drenched weeks in Namibia and South Africa. In an effort to stay awake and combat the dreadful jetlag that a six-hour time difference and a 23-hour door-to-door journey leave you with, we decided to head to the movies and see Clint Eastwood’s Invictus, featuring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as the captain of the Springbok rugby team, Francois Pienaar.

As the camera panned the Cape Town scenes that I love and know so well, John whispered, “Do you think there’s anyone in the theater that saw Table Mountain in person more recently than us?”. No. There definitely couldn’t be. But most importantly, I felt pretty sure that no one in the packed theater was viewing this amazing film with as much love for that country as we did.

It was a strange experience, seeing what went on ‘behind the scenes’ during the run up to this momentous rugby match. I was a 15-year old girl living in Namibia at the time of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and all I remember of it is the immense pride with which we watched every game the Springboks played in, right up to that final kick by Joel Stransky that declared the Boks the winners. As a white teenager living in the relativele luxury of white suburbia, I really was oblivious to all the politics and drama that was happening on our doorstep. (Namibia became independent of South Africa in 1990 and has remained a politically stable country ever since.) What I do remember is the absolute passion with which I fell in love with Madiba. His humility and passion for his country was contagious and the way with which he embraced all races inspired me and everyone around me.

The camera panned a scene of the townships outside Cape Town and Johannesburg and John again said, “It’s shocking that it hasn’t changed much since 1995, right?” and I felt a surge of anger…and of shame. What are we doing to change that? Here is a country filled with so much hope, so much creativity, pride and an overriding belief that things can change, that everyone has a chance of being who they want to be. And yet the vast majority of people in this country still live in absolute poverty, with so little hope. And, not for the first time, I felt ashamed. And I decided that this year I will do something to change, for the better, the lives of at least one person living in my homeland. How I’ll do that I’m not yet sure. Perhaps we should each sponsor one child’s school fees for the year. Perhaps I will start a fund to help our domestic worker in Windhoek to send her kids to school. One thing is for sure – the problems in Southern Africa are not going to fix themselves. It is the responsibility of us all to help in whichever way we can.

The year ahead is filled with opportunity and change – for me and John and probably for you too. What will you do to help others?

Invictus – William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.