Sep 07 2009
Labor Day, Recycling Day
Audrey supervises
Well, I spent my Labor Day laboring. I went through my boxes of books yet again and ruthlessly culled the herd. I emptied no fewer than eight boxes, though there are still plenty left. Now I just have to decide what to do with the rejects.
The problem is that book stores have become much more selective about what books they’ll buy these days, and they give you hardly anything for them. The worst part is enduring their disdain for the books they don’t want. They make you feel like you have absolutely no taste in literature, and that you have offended their delicate sensibilities by exposing them to your tastelessness.
I’d probably get $20 for all of them, not to mention the gas to go to Berkeley, where they keep all the used book stores, and the cost of parking. I think I’ll just give them to the library and be done with it.
I did make a couple of fabulous discoveries, though. One was my maternal grandparents’ wedding announcement, and the other was my maternal grandfather’s drill handbook from World War I.
I also brought six garbage bags of clothing to the Goodwill box at the nearest of the three gas stations. You know how girls look in their closet and say, “I have nothing to wear!” and their guys roll their eyes and point out the dozens of garments right in front of them? Guys, here’s what girls mean when they say this:
- That doesn’t fit now, but I’m hoping to lose five pounds so it will.
- That’s too big, but I like it too much to throw it out.
- It might come back into style.
- My grandmother gave it to me.
- A guy in a bar once said I was beautiful when I was wearing that.
- It looked good in the store – it might look good again.
- It just needs hemming/alteration/repairs. I’ll do it/bring it to the tailor’s soon Not today, though.
- It doesn’t make me feel cute when I wear it now, but it might one of these days.
- I hate that color.
- Too dressy.
- Not dressy enough.
Once you eliminate all these things, you have nothing to wear.
When I was in college, some girlfriends and I used to get together from time to time with all our clothes from the above categories, and swap them. Suddenly, you had a whole new wardrobe! I’m hoping whoever gets mine feels the same way.