Shredded ... to the PAIN!!

[texchan]

You know how, in Princess Bride, the whole thing was not "to the death" but "to the pain"? Like when Wesley and Prince Bad-Guy-Whose-Name-I-Can-Never-Remember (even though I've seen the movie umpteen times >.O) fight, and Princie tells Wesley they will fight "to the death", but Wesley says no, he wants to fight "to the pain".

Yeah well, my saga 'o' shredding has turned out to be something like that.



I've been shredding for two (or is it three?) days now. Something I probably shouldn't admit out loud. I'm kind of embarrassed to say I haven't cleaned out my files or shredded anything since around 2005. At the same time, I'm rather perversely proud of it in that little-kid way. You know: "Wow! No shredding for 4 years! I'm so freaking COOL!! Can I have some ice cream?" I know, it makes no sense, but what can I say? I am an enigma wrapped up in a whole pile of insecurities.

This morning, my reliable little shredder gave up the ghost. *insert moment of silence to mourn its passing* I couldn't let the impact of this properly sink in at the time, because all I could think was: "Fucking sonuvabitch! How am I going to finish all this damn shredding now?" I'm not ashamed to say this was said in a tone caught somewhere between a snarl and a whine. Because I've been shredding for days. And I'm beginning to think I'll never finish. Ever. EVER.

So I packed up my kiddo and the mom-unit and headed to Office Depot -- a stop-off made all the more convenient because it was on the way to my kiddo's afternoon playdate. Of course, they no longer carry "my" shredder, which is probably just as well. I think it was too light-weight for what I needed it to do -- much as I loved it for its compact size, which made for easy storage. I didn't have too long to shop, as I still had to feed my kid before dropping her off at her friend's house. (Hello, Mickey D's!) Plus, it's not easy to compare shredder sizes and features with a five-year-old "helping" you. Still, I managed it. Found a medium-sized shredder that's suitable for heavy home use: cross-cut ... shreds all the stuff I want: paper clips, staples, CDs, credit cards ... has a larger drum (4.5 gallon) ... but still has a rather sleek-looking design, overall. Plus, it was rather mid-priced. Not the cheapest, but definitely not the most expensive, either. I purchase it, toss it in the car, swing by Mickey D's, and then off to the playdate, where we arrive right on time. I felt pulled-together (a rare feeling for me). Invincible. Powerful.

I am WOMAN!! Hear me ROAR!!

I head home, quite satisfied with myself, and call the hubster to relate my day's adventures to him.

Hubby laughs at the fact that I've managed to burn out a shredder. This doesn't bother me, but I think he shares at least half the blame; he could shred every so often, 'ya know? Then, he tells me he's worried the shredder I bought was too big. And too expensive. And that he has a coupon. So I shouldn't open it; when he comes home tonight, we'll return it so that we can get this discount.

This is all well and good. Saving money is great, especially in these days and times. But, now, I have come full circle. From Invincible, I-CAN-Do-This, right back to whining (under my breath): "Fucking sonuvabitch! How am I EVER going to finish all this damn shredding?"

How the mighty have fallen. >.O

Comments

[angelicajones-a.livejournal.com]

The Evil Prince Humperdink (I have no idea how to spell it--I just remember it because he and/or it is so awful--and then there is the singer: Engelbert Humperdink--I don't know if he is awful, my parents used to have one of his LPs)...

The new shredder that you found sounds awesome! I hope that your husband lets you keep it (sounds like you found a stray puppy...) ^_^. Just remind him that it's sometimes cheaper to buy something pricey for excellent quality than to buy something cheaper and the motor burn out after only 1000 pages... Then you'll have to buy another... and another... and soon you've spent twice as much money as you would have if you'd purchased the good one in the first place.

Good luck with the rest of your shredding and cleaning/organizing. One of these days, I too am going to have to knuckle-down and get organized. I still have papers and receipts from when I was in high school (You and I are nearly the same age, so you can probably guess what my house looks like--lol...lol...choke...choke...splat!)

Anywho, take care >^^

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Humperdink!! YES!! You have no idea how relieved I feel now that you've reminded me of his name. *whew* I've been sitting here trying to think of it and falling short. (Of course, I could have just stuck the movie into my DVD player to see, but ... no. Arg.)

The new shredder worked out pretty well. I finished up the last of my shredding this morning, and I feel a new-found sense of FREEDOM!! *sings*

I feel your pain on the whole "gotta get organized" thing. It's painful. Really, really painful. *hugs*

[ronin-art.livejournal.com]

So. . . this is where you tell your hubby that if he's going to take it back to save a few bucks he has to finish the shredding himself. Of course, since I'm in such a far off time zone he's probably done it already. You can still tell him he owns the rest of the shredding. :P

I love that movie too! XD

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Well, we took it back, but the coupon didn't work. Then hubby went to another office store to see if they had cheaper shredders there. They did have some that were somewhat cheaper, but not as heavy-duty as the one I had purchased. So, basically, I just kept the one I had already bought at Office Depot.

Hubby doing the shredding. Heh. Even the thought of that makes me laugh. It would so never happen. *sigh* >.O

Luckily, the shredding was done today. Yay!

[swirly-ayuri.livejournal.com]

I don't think I have ever shredded anything. *looks on in awe*

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

You've never shredded? zOMG! I think you're my new hero! *_*

I wish I could say I've never shredded anything. *sigh* It's such a pain in the tooshie. >.O

[metallijedi1.livejournal.com]

*sighs*
I remember when I moved back to the parents afte my
saty in Cuautla... I shredded 3 of the biggest
trash bags you can think off.

It´s sad that the old trusty died on you, but it seem that
the new one is great.

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

*belated HUGS* to you for the shredding nightmare you had to endure. I totally understand that pain. And it is SUCH a pain. (In the back, particularly, from bending over. >.O)

The new shredder is great. I think I'm going to like it a lot.

*GLOMS*