As always, let’s get started with the numbers …

Media consumed # (remaining/total)
Physical Comics Read: 5 (7/399)
Digital Comics Read: 3 (498/539)
Trade Paperbacks/Graphic Novels Read: 2 (36/40)
Books Read: 3 (120/169)
Movies Watched: 7 (105/142)
TV Shows Completed: 1 (35/38)
Podcast Episodes Remaining: 128

I swear that I have only two comics in the “to read” pile and this is all some sort of misunderstanding or miscounting. In fact, I was going to save a “recount” for June because it will be six months in, but perhaps a “quarterly recount” is in order for 2021, especially since I found myself really lacking these past two months?

In fact, I found myself in a thrift store last week, looking through shortboxes of comics as well as books, records, and video games. I wound up buying an old NES golf game along with a couple of packs of trading cards that I’ll be talking about on my podcast, but it really does represent kind of a step back for me. The whole idea here has been for me to eliminate the amount of useless crap in my house, not add to. And yes, these are things that are pretty small and will get used in some way or another, but I worry about whatever compulsion I have to spend money on crap. It’s kind of the same compulsion I have to eat useless snacks. I don’t know if it’s an anxiety thing or what, to be honest, but I think it’s worth some research.

Also worth some research this month is going to be the whole idea of spring cleaning. I’ve got spring break this week and for the second year in a row, don’t have an extended trip planned. Now, last year’s trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 lockdown; this year, we’re probably doing some day trip type of stuff, but for the most part, are going to spend our time around the house getting some projects done and estimates for other things. And one of those projects will definitely be spring cleaning.

The research comes in becuase I think it might be fun to take a look at various spring cleaning videos you YouTube and see what tips, ideas, and instructions I think are useful to me. It’s been a while since I’ve really looked at the how of the Uncollecting, so it’ll be a little refreshing compared to some of the other stuff I tend to drone on about here.

Because while it’s an enormous cliche to say that spring is a time of renewal, it’s a cliche for a reason and I actually enjoy getting caught up in its energy. There’s so much more to life than being holed up with your stuff, and despite the state of the world, so much more out there.