I have a wealthy friend who is every bit as addicted to gadgets as I am, but when we visit him, I’m always blown away by the lack of stuff in his house. He loves reading, but when he reads a book he gives it away. After he watches a DVD, he gives it away. He has one large messy drawer filled with his latest collection of electronics, and he’s always winnowing through that to keep only what adds real value to his life. He tries everything, but keeps very little.
Our Big Trip, taking Geek Brief on the road for a couple years is, about a lot of things. It’s about meeting as many Geek Brief viewers as we can. It’s about visiting universities and companies where people are working on innovative research that will impact the way we live in the futures. It’s about crossing something big off our selfish list before we have a baby. It’s also about learning to live more simply with less clutter.
We’ve sold and given away tons of clothes, electronics and furniture, but there is still more to let go of. Our lease is up in a much too expensive and much too large apartment. We’re moving into a smaller place at about half the cost. We signed a three month lease because we think that is about the amount of time it will take us to find the Geek Brief Mobile and get rid the rest of our non-essentials.
Today is moving day. We should be setup and back with a new Brief by Thursday.
« GBTV #363 | GeekBrief.TV
Progress Report »
May 20th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Good luck with the move, Cali. Sounds like you guys have a very solid plan in place.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Hey you should put more stuff up on Ebay. Specially any gadgets, computers, camera equipment. You got tons of friends that need stuff.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:22 am
@ Cali, Good luck with the move, and bus/RV decision! I am looking forward to the next Brief. I hope I am a lucky viewer that can meet you on your BigTrip. I am living vicariously through you and Neal on your road adventures ;)
Hope Sydney and Zoe are adjusting well also :)
See ya on Twitter.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Good Luck in your transition. Hope the Best
May 20th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I have one suggestion for your new setup. The camera lights are much too cool. You need to make them warmer to go along with your sunny personality. You look much better in outdoor sunny shots and when visiting other studios where the color temperature is much lower than in your studio. You may want to have a studio professional look at the color temperature of your studio and they may suggest changing the color of the walls or lights a bit.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Good luck on moving. I just moved to new place (in my case bigger :)) and I know how much pain it is.
I am realy looking forward to see Brief during Big Trip.
Thumbs up Cali and Neal!
May 20th, 2008 at 7:33 am
You should have used ebay and sold everything as a lot…lol
May 20th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Almost done now … hang in there, you two! :) Don’t forget to include a good night’s sleep after the move and congratulations on the half-the-current-rent-you’re-paying apartment snag!
* I grew up with two “pack-rats” and to this day, I simply cannot stand to live in a cluttered space.
* I work in – and my favorite places are – libraries, so I’m never want for an interesting or entertaining book or other media with no need to buy a book, CD or DVD. ^-^~
May 20th, 2008 at 8:16 am
That’s great and all and I applaud you, but be sure to luxe out at least once every 7 days – that goes for the road too… mix in a night at a Westin or someplace with a good bed and a good showerhead.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Praying for you two. That the move will go well and you’ll be set up without much stress in a couple of days.
Thanks for the update. You guys are a huge part of my daily life and when you aren’t there I feel the loss!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Best of luck Cali. Hope you and Neal survive it! Moving can be a pain in the @$$ – just drink lots of cranberry juice!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Best wishes on the move, give us a fast motion “Geekbrief Moving Day in 60 seconds”.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
What else are you trying to get rid of?
May 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Isn’t it amazing what you can live without? I think simplicity is becoming the mantra of the 21st century, and for good reason. Used smartly, technology can greatly simplify and compactify our lives, and you two are going to be a prime example of this!
I look forward to seeing how the Cali & Neal story unfolds. Both of you are learning and are going to learn so much. Many people will learn from you both, and your effect will ripple outward in unpredictable ways.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I want to say all kinds of nasty stuff. Yet I don’t. Andy SHEEEESH
May 20th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
ChrisClark – how can moving into a temporary apartment be part of a “very solid plan”?? Sounds like if there is a plan, there is no schedule involved. At least not one they are keeping to.
As for the stuff – I think everyone will find this interesting – I did!
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
May 20th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
@Dan: Cali mentioned this part of the plan a while back so I think the move was definitely scheduled. But who knows, maybe it was more like “Whoops, we need a temporary apartment and FAST!”
The Story of Stuff sounds interesting. I’m downloading it now.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Good Luck with the move :)
May 20th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I hope that everything went well during the move. I can’t wait for the next brief so you can tell us about it. But remember to take time for yourselves and relax. Moving is difficult especially when it has to be done quickly.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:52 am
Good luck on the move you two!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
can’t tell you how excited i am about this trip thing. it’s been a blast watching y’all get ready to go.
on to this man that gives away dvd’s. how do i find a wealthy man to give me movies? ….i tried craigslist, but to no avail
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Cali! If you visit me, I can give you a tour of my University and the University Libraries and their IT staff. :)
June 4th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
That is so cool how you are downsizing….I hope to begin doing that as well…though not as grand. Enjoy your show…Keep filming.