After I got married, one of the first things we discussed was splitting.
Splitting the space in the cupboard.
Initially, we took the democratic outlook. There were two of us and one cupboard, so we split it down the middle (this not being possible literally, we allocated the space equally). It worked for me. I could see all of my clothes. Agreed, there was some stacking required, but I understood that the days when each bit of clothing could stake out it's own territory were past. The system was a nice one, functional, cosy, ideal for a new couple - even our clothes stuck together. She would suggest clothes I should wear when we went out - while it played havoc with my last-in-first-out system that ensured all clothes were worn cyclically, I didn't mind it at all since now I did not need to decide.
After a few weeks we realized over dinner that the divide space equally system, while having merits, was not the ideal system. We moved over from "One vote one person" to "From each according to his capability to each according to his need". We decided, unanimously, that space division equally, was bourgeois, and that we needed to change with the times. Me and my comrade decided that now we would have space divided equitably, according to need.
This system was a definite improvement. It made for a good deal of consolidation among my clothes. The number of stacks my clothes were in reduced, thus making it easier for me to find stuff. Instead of looking in three or four different stacks, I just had to look at two now. The stacks were higher and more colourful - making the cupboard aesthetically pleasing. In fact I got into the habit of opening the cupboard door and staring inside transfixed. My wife just thought I took inordinately long to find clothes to wear.
During this system I got pretty good at flicking out shirts without upsetting the pile (Flick! "You can't wear that! You wore it last week. Wear something nice." Re-Flick!!). While it was a nifty trick - it impressed friends and nephews - it left the wife distinctly unimpressed. She didn't realize that you can only get someone to realize how hard it is if you get them to try it - which results in an avalanche of clothes unfortunately.
This system lasted longer than the last one.
The politburo in its wisdom had scheduled regular reviews of the prevailing system to see if it could be made better for the masses. At the next session a motion was passed unanimously that taller people should use the higher shelves that were currently under-utilized and free up more space downtown for use for the greater social good.
My trousers went up there, where with the help of a stool, I could easily reach them. Plus the exercise would do me good as well.
Time went by.
Once again, over dinner we realized that there was a stack of five drawers in the cupboard that we had divided amongst us. Two of these aforementioned drawers contained odds-and-ends. Specifically my odds-and-ends socks, underclothes and such. We also discussed in detail the merits of keeping all such items of clothing together, in one place. There was no point in separating them, for after all, one can easily tell half a pair of socks and a pair undershorts apart, even in darkness. This would of course free up a drawer where we could keep some other clothes that were useful but had not been unpacked yet. It was of course a necessity since keeping these clothes packed precluded them from being worn. It was a step in the right direction.
A few days later, we were getting ready to go out on a Friday evening when my wife said she couldn't find a few of her clothes ("Where's the blue dress you bought me the night before I went to A's baby shower?"). We needed a reorganization since a lot of her clothes were in the closet in the spare bedroom.
That weekend, we moved my shirts to the cabinet under the TV in the bedroom, next to the DVDs and moved the rest of her dresses in the cupboard (re-christened the wardrobe now) or as many as could come in.
This is undoubtedly the best system thus far. I am in good shape. I do step-ons using the stool to take out trousers and then do back stretches to take out the underclothes. I follow up with squats for the shirts and am all warmed up by the time I leave home, ready for the rat race of life.
8 comments:
How are you managing books and magazines? If you have any best practices for splitting space for that, do advise. My marriage may fall apart if I don't rationalize my magazine collection. But I kinda like my wife too. Whatodo?
Sumo, as I said in a previous post, in my opinion, 'reading' has the same status as 'loitering' in a marriage. Best to keep books and magazines under the bed or in the loo. Make sure you lock the door when in the loo.
Aps , well written again!
Lot of tips and how to go about things :) , I am sure if i keep reading your posts I will be an expert in managing around by the time i get married.
Brilliant one again. And look at the bright side - in Singapore you don't need to cycle between summer and winter clothes :-)
By the way, wish me luck - I am bravely going forth where no man has gone before... trying to organize my wife's cupboard while she's away!
Whaaat ?
well written.It almost looks like a slice of screenplay of one of the merchant ivory films- the householder.Good work; your writings have a striking semblance to Ruth Jhabvala(screenplaywriter).
I remember a story told to me many moons ago about some Abdul character dealing with a camel. I think the story ended with Abdul outside the tent or something like that.
And what's your progress on the kitchen front? Have you managed to find a cupboard dedicated to snacks and still able to reach for it without having to jump on to the countertop? How long do you take finding those wooden spatulas required for making pancakes, as opposed to the ones that are used for making pavbhaji?
By the way, brilliant! The lady who splits space with me directed me here, looking forward to many more of these sketches!
Post a Comment