You people don't even wanna know about my REI dividend.
I have a problem. I always thought I could stop any time I wanted. But I can't control it. I'm a hopeless gear addict.
I realized it was becoming a concern when suddenly there was virtually no room in my garage for my sport utility vehicle because of all my sport utilities filling the space. Sure, who doesn't need FIVE sleeping pads and FIVE backpacks? Or maybe it's six. I can't keep count.
Knowing I would be away from my house and my garage and my gear for at least six months, I decided to cut back and gave a spare pack and pad to a friend. She's hot. She climbs. I'm a sucker for the pretty ones. Go figure. Besides, I have, you know, four others.
Of course, today I promptly went out and bought a new pack and a new sleeping pad. It's REI! Those people love me! They give me dividends! The more you buy, the more you save!
And I swear I needed them! Honest! For the trip! To hold the laptop! Better than the laptop bag I already have. Here. In the room. Right next to me. And this pad is smaller! Lighter! A lot lighter. So I can, you know, take more gear with me. I needed it. I did! Really.
Oh, roll your eyes right back down, missy. How many pairs of black shoes do you own? How many? I rest my case.
Comments
This girl only has 2 pairs of black shoes. Ah, but I do own 4 rucksacks. Damn. I totally know where you're coming from! :-)
Posted by: Mad | December 17, 2004 03:50 AM
LOL, I'm still trying to stop my eyes in mid roll.
Posted by: Lynne | December 17, 2004 05:00 AM
Ah, yes -- gear addiction. I'm related to a gearhead, and I imagine that I can only troll SierraTradingPost.com and REI-outlet.com for so long before I, myself, become one.
Posted by: Nicole | December 17, 2004 07:18 AM
This is why God created Ebay people. I have a thing for Timbuk2 Messenger bags. Love them!!! So I buy and sell them on Ebay when I am through with them. I make some money, reduce my clutter and all is well. Sell your older packs on ebay and help make someone else's day!
Posted by: goodsnake | December 17, 2004 07:23 AM
It's not black shoes so much as black boots. A girl can never, never have too many pairs of black boots. I don't care they require their own box every time I move. As soon as my niece's feet get big enough for real shoes, she's getting black boots.
Backpacks? What? Oh. Sorry.
Posted by: CA | December 17, 2004 08:15 AM
Nobody, but nobody (!) can go without at least on pair of black, strappy heels. We all have our soft spots.
Posted by: Kimberley H. | December 17, 2004 10:18 AM
My great friend Jan hiked the Appalachian Trail, after spending his entire fireman's pension on gear at EMS (the east coast's version of REI). He ended up leaving 98% of said gear trailside because it weighed too much and he, uh, didn't need it.
But we do love you gearheads...
Posted by: rock grrrl | December 17, 2004 02:28 PM
i am REAL good at packing, but as i have to go from summer in the tropics to rain and misery in patagonia to icebergs and penguins in antarctica, i am gonna have to pack way, way more than i would like.
Posted by: the mighty jimbo | December 17, 2004 06:01 PM
If it makes you happy and you don't harm anyone - go for it I would say! Someone has to keep the economy going. :)
I'm keeping very silent about my shoes. The black ones and the brown ones. And I'm totally silent about the boots.
Posted by: Cleo | December 17, 2004 10:07 PM
i own 3 pairs of black shoes you sick consumer fuck.
Posted by: tassy | December 17, 2004 10:16 PM
Ditto here, Tassy.
But I would stop short at adding 'you sick consumer fuck'. You know Jimbo way better than I ever will.
I will add , TMJ, that I'm thrilled you're in motion towards this wonderful adventure. And if extra stuff will make you happier along the way, then go for it! You can always give it away on the road and make someone's day!
Posted by: Kath | December 17, 2004 10:42 PM
I own not a single pair of black shoes, so I have all of you fuckers beat. That is, unless, someone else posted that they, too, do not own any black shoes. It's not like I bother reading any of this shit anyways.
Posted by: melly | December 19, 2004 08:05 PM
It is not possible for me to go into REI without spending at least $100. I had the HUGEST dividend after buying gear to go to New Zealand.
Posted by: Robyn | December 20, 2004 05:53 PM
Um ... I have exactly 10 pair of black shoes.
But at least I can fit my car in my garage. :-P
Posted by: Jake | December 21, 2004 07:15 AM
About the gear: Donations accepted here. I may not be tax deductible but generally return good karma to anyone who donates gear. You know my number.
Posted by: TnInAz | December 21, 2004 11:09 AM