Uncle Traveling Matt: First Steps

September 18, 2006

First Steps

Well in the first steps of my move, also known as Operation Goat, (why on earth is it called operation goat?! well, originally i was planning on moving to a place where there was lots pastures, shepherds, and um, goats. However, I've since decided that was a very silly idea, and I'm not going anywhere near there... so anyway), and put everything I've had in storage up for auction on TradeMe. Now, if you live outside of New Zealand, you'll probably never have heard of TradeMe (think eBay, but with nicer graphics), but it's big here, in fact it accounts for 60% of the entire country of New Zealand's Internet traffic and is banned/blocked in many workplaces.

My friend Stoo happens to work for TradeMe and on his advice I've put everything up on $1 reserve (€0.50). The logic behind this is people are more likely to bid on $1 reserve auctions, and once you've bid on something there's more commitment to try to win the auction. This hopefully will mean, if there's two or more bidders the price will escalate quite quickly. Of course, this is just the theory and I'm waiting with bated breath to see the final result.

The reason for the clean out, apart from my eventual move, is my mum is moving house at the end of the year and she is cleaning out the cupboards/spare room/basement beforehand. All of us have to go through our junk and either throw it out or move it before then. Granted that most the stuff I'm selling I've haven't looked at in years, so it's not really of great concern what the auctions close for—though more money is always better, lol.

Physiologically though, the sorting through everything—old school/university stuff and other clutter that seems to accumulate over the years—and throwing the bulk of it out, was kind of like putting the past behind me and moving on so to speak. I'm looking forward to a fresh start and the new challenges of the coming year, and this was a good step in that direction.

Posted by Matt at September 18, 2006 11:21 AM

Fraggle Chitter Chatter

Hi, I have just been following through your Australia posts and admiring the pictures. I run a travel site and in light of the quality of your posts and their interest level to the casual browser I was wondering if you would consider g-mailing us something that we could put up. I am especially fond of your posts on Fitzroy Island, Green Island, and Cape tribulation. We would also link to you as soon as we have sorted that function out. Mick

Posted by: Mick Gordon at September 18, 2006 2:22 PM

Thanks for your offer of 'virtual help'! And for the compliments...It's really quite easy. Spend 6 hours a day working in a posh boutique, where lots of people are scared to go in....make sure there is internet access, and start writing! I loved your skateboard video..do more! I just bought a pair of Heeleys, but don't think that they would be appreciated in the hospital ward..even if it is temptingly flat and smooth!!

Posted by: Nicki at September 20, 2006 9:19 AM

Hehe, yes they seem to frown upon using the wheelchairs for races in the wards too... not that I would know, lol. I'm hoping to make a surf film at some stage (hence the underwater housing, which is good to 3m), however I might need enlist some help in filming that--I don't think the camera on a coat hanger trick will cut it! lol

Posted by: Matt at September 20, 2006 12:11 PM