entropy

I live with six other people, so our house can quickly fill with stuff, and our refrigerators and cabinets especially require constant vigilance. My constant vigilance.

While I am obsessed with moving things out the door, no one else seems particularly concerned with the flow of things into and out of the kitchen. It doesn't seem to bother my roommates if an empty cereal box sits on a shelf, taking up space. Or if there are six jars in the fridge with a half inch of salsa in each.

Luckily, I love throwing things away! In fact, I cannot stop throwing things away. Lately I've caught myself finishing someone's orange juice or mayonnaise or bread, just for the pleasure of subtracting one container from the premises. I also like to combine things, as I did this afternoon, when I made two pancake syrups into one. Sometimes I'll throw something away just because it's bothering me. Like a stray salad dressing that's overstayed its welcome.

I work in secret, because my roommates might not understand or appreciate my methods. But, I've come to think of myself as the Good Trash Fairy, performing necessary maintenance for the greater good.