The Kerbside Collection

Those who know me (and maybe some others who are a bit cluey about these things) may know I'm a bit of a hoarder.  Actually, thinking about that label, I object.  (Oh haha.. sorry for that).  I really do like a clean, uncluttered environment.  I'm just not good at throwing out stuff.  So my garage has a lot of stuff in it.  My attic has a lot of stuff in it.  My room... well, you get the idea.  My mum, however, is not a hoarder.  Every time we moved house when I was growing up, stuff would 'get lost in the move'.  (This is, I've discovered, a standard line for clergy families).  So, the state of my garage is a bit of a horror for her.  Whenever she's here and there's junk on the footpaths she'll get all excited.  "The council's doing a pickup!  You should clean out your garage!"  And, being a passive sort of person, I'd do absolutely nothing. 

On Friday though, I found a note from the council: kerbside collection this coming week for items left out this weekend.  I'm in that sort of 'doing stuff' mood.  My parents are coming to stay this week (is it that I can see the future?  will my mum really mention the kerbside collection again?).  I've also been getting rid of things given to me by people I no longer want to have hanging around.  Unfortunately the item I had pegged for collection from that particular person is on the x list from the council as it has glass... But there were several items in my garage that have been gathering dust for some time, unused by me, never actually owned by me in some cases, and I decided now was the time.  On the To Go list: vacuum cleaner (still works, power cord doesn't actually come out very far though, not great sucking power); old computer (never mine); a whole heap of cords; old dud of a modem; tv stand from when we were kids (so it's more than 20 years old...); and an old printer.

In the neighbouring few streets, there are several sofas and lounge suites.  It's like they're having a Sofa and Lounge Suite Big Day Out.  You can just see the next lot of sofas (and extras) in this photo.  Due to restrictions in size, there are a few items remaining in my garage - I'll call someone like Vinnies or the Red Cross soon.  I felt a little weird taking my unwanted items outside - I'm not surprised people do this during the dark hours.  Now, I know that some people do kerbside crawls - ooh that sounds wrong - looking for usable items.  As I was leaving for my run, there were 2 guys walking up the street and I heard one of them talking vacuum cleaners.  When I returned from my run, my pile was somewhat smaller.  I smiled.

The Concerned Resident

Recently, there was a major change to my environment.  It was almost worthy of a blog post, but I figured it was a change over which I had no control, and besides, other things kept happening.  The change was to traffic conditions and a bus stop - now, instead of jaywalking down the hill, I have to stay on the same side of the road, and either cross at the new lights, or turn left (not right) to go further outbound.  It took me a few weeks to remember to stay on the same side of the road, and I still have to say to myself at the roundabout, Stay on this side.  I think I've got it sorted now.

The only problem now is that there is still a bit missing a footpath.  And it's permanently mud.

When the council people took off and obviously had no plans to put in a footpath, I was a little peeved.  I would have to choose between walking through mud (these photos were taken after we've had a few rain-free days, and it's still slooshy), or walking on the road.  Neither option is great for heels.  More concerning (first world problems here) would be the temptation for other people to walk on the road.  This leads up to a school area, and a lot of kids are dropped in this street and then walk across to the school - so now there are many more pedestrians on the road.  Plus, as it's in a bend in the road, it's always a little scary when you step off onto the road and are not sure if a car is going to come speeding around the corner.

I kept thinking I should call the council and see if we would in fact be getting a footpath.  But, honestly, I don't like making phone calls.  Yesterday, though, there was a visually impaired man trying to make his way along this stretch of path.  By the tapping of his cane and the sudden way he stopped, it looked like he was thinking, I'm sure there was a path here before.... Where did it go?  Which is fair enough, as there isn't even a set of those raised ridges/dots they put along paths and at intersections.  So I advised him to walk on the road, and told him when there was a path again.

Today, then, I actually rang the council and asked for a footpath.  Travis was very nice, but while he was checking if there was a work order, he put me on hold with horrendous music.  Truly horrible, synthesised flute and percussion assault on my ears.  Shudder.  Thankfully I wasn't on hold for long.  I had to give my name, address, and phone number, but there should be someone 'inspecting' the area within a week.  Fingers crossed for my shoes!  Oh, and the safety of everyone who uses that bit of road, of course...