Experience
Sometimes it feels like I'm carrying my entire life experience on my back, like a human snail...it's somewhat heavy but comforting too.
Feeling rather burdened with too much stuff accumulated over 10 years, today I cleaned out the closet and managed to create a large pile of clothes and shoes that have not seen sunlight for at least half a decade. There is a place near the university that will buy used clothes and sell it to hipster kids at nominally marked up prices. Brilliant idea, I thought.
I hauled 5 huge bags filled to the brim to the store. However, as I scooted out of the taxi, two of my bags broke. This caused a bit of a traffic jam due to spillage of several pairs of my shoes, a gaudy top from the early nineties and a lacy and thoroughly uncomfortable camisole (the only piece of sexy lingerie I have ever owned --- too bad for my husband).
As I struggled to gather the items, I realized that the taxi driver had dropped me off across the street from the store. And as I pondered this and collected the last of the stray shoes, a tall young man approached me and asked "Hey man, you need some help?" I suddenly felt like an old bag lady but the relief was overwhelming. I quickly handed him three bulging bags and we crossed the street while I thanked him non-stop. "No sweat, man. Peace out." My faith in today's youth was restored.
Total worth of some 60 items of clothing and 20 pairs of shoes? $13. Apparently my clothes weren't hip enough to cater to the savvy used-clothes consumers. I looked through the color coordinated racks and was surprised to see that they were well-stocked with clothes that looked like they came straight out of Vogue. The November 2005 issue. I was a bit saddened by the thirteen dollars scornfully handed to me as the taxi fare cost more than that. Conveniently, they have a bin for rejected items which they donate to the Salvation Army -- I was grateful for the trip saved but it seemed suspect to me, to be quite honest. The venture was a wash, yes, but I'm happy to report that my closet is much more spacious now.
