paul

I rented a bedroom in a house from a guy I had gotten to know on a friendly basis. He was an A/V technician who had grown up fascinated by the Bell & Howell 16mm film projectors used at his schools and had later purchased some of them as an adult. His interest had led him to pursue a career in the field. I met him at his business and chatted with him occasionally over the period of a few years. At one point he invited me over to see his large screen TV & stereo set-up & movie projection components in his basement. This led to occasional visits watching classic movies and TV shows with him; and occasionally a 16mm movie he checked out at the public library, which we viewed on his ceiling-mounted pull-down movie screen.

So after my dad died and my mom sold our house and remarried, we knew each other well-enough that he rented me his spare bedroom.

He had inherited a couple Electrolux Model XXXs from his family members and purchased a Electrolux model 1363 heavy-duty upright from a door-to-door salesman, which is what introduced me to the company. Prior to that I had never heard of 'Electrolux'.
I did use the upright a few times, but the tanks were left in his bedroom closet as occasional conversation pieces for whomever he thought might be interested. His prime interest in them was nostalgic.

Growing up, all I knew about vacuum cleaners was that my family and my aunt and uncle's family had Kirbys. I also recall when the Kirby received a new bag after being refurbished at the company when I was a teen. We had no-wax linoleum which negated the need of using the Kirby Floor Polisher, and my mom rented a Rinse 'N' Vac to extract the carpeting rather than use the Kirby Renovator. I really wasn't all that interested in vacuum cleaners or floor polisher-carpet shampooers at that point; just vintage items in general.

Fast forward to when I purchased a house, and the owners left some of their items behind, including two Electrolux tanks—a Model R for the main level and a light bronze Model G for the sub level. The latter had a cracked wand that I wanted to replace (likely why it was relegated to basement use), so I searched online and "landed" at Vacuumland. The discussions I had with some friendly and knowledgable posters—along with watching a former YT channel of a guy who collected Electroluxes and vintage fans—increased my interest in more mid-century Electrolux models over time, and eventually to other brands such as Eureka and Hoover. And, yes, I did end up getting a replacement wand for the G on eBay.

In high school I developed a hobby of collecting and organizing superficial data of people and places such as my church's leaders and schools and their staffs where I had attended. So, I have naturally added floor and surface care cleaners to my research. I have an eye and appreciation for details as well as a desire to uncover local history that has been lost to time.

One time while eating at a Chinese buffet, I overheard a guy ask his parents (or whomever they were to him) what store had occupied the place where the current one was; which resonated with me. I have a curiosity of knowing who and what once was and how they're related or interconnected. Yep, data and details - dig?

Other interests in junior high and high school and beyond include running as part of the track team, being on stage production tech crews (plays and dance), camping, kayaking, and bicycling.

Personally, I am happy and single. I live a simple life on a modest budget. I do my best to take good care of myself by reading my Bible, praying and attending church services; eating relatively healthy; regularly exercising (albeit returning to weight training is a goal I have yet to achieve); and getting daily doses of fresh air and daylight and/or nightlight. I also like to help others in whatever way I am able. My church, family and neighbors are my social outlet. Two of my neighbors have cats, who provide calm, cuteness, comfort and comedy.

As a Christian, I try to be grateful in each moment for who and what I have; including an inner peace of knowing my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier is always providing for my needs and will one day welcome me to my eternal home because of His perfection, grace, and mercy. I am far from perfect; those in my life are imperfect; our nation lacks perfection, and the world is less than perfect; but my eternal future will be perfect, because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for me ... and you. It's a free gift—far better than receiving a favorite model of anything the world has to offer.

Thank you for your interest.

Be well.