Prized Possessions Interviews
Holy Cats, Friends! We put out the call, you spread the word and we’ve now got over 30 confirmed interview all around the States and Canada! I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it.
I’m so pleased that people have really pondered the question and are taking it seriously before submitting. Some of the stories are so tender and sweet that they’ve made me weepy. Weepy!
Our ‘practice’ travel week here in Santa Cruz has gone well, if you don’t count the scary carpet with small nuggets of things I’m sure I don’t want to know more about. Also – I packed way too much stuff. I always have a few extra shirts and jackets in case I need them. And then a few more in case the other ones don’t work out. Lesson – pack less and lighter. It’s not really that fun to drag heavy suitcases in and out of motels every day. I’m trying to find the happy balance of wearing everything twice before washing but not smelling like really stale cigarette smoke that seems to be so usual and pungent in cheap motels.
My big issue? And, you’re going to laugh, but please do it quietly where I can’t see you. My big issue is that I am a pillow person. Like, really a pillow person. So, where some people (like JOE) can just have one and they don’t mind that it’s the one that has been sitting on the bed for a thousand heads to touch, I have to bring my own from home. And not just my own, my ownS. Yes, I need a minimum of 5 pillows to sleep at night (although 7 is better, but I’m making due here, people) and my own blanket.
Imagine if you will, the largest duffel bag ever made. Now, insert 5-7 pillows, really scrunching them down. Next, take your jean quilt that you sleep with every night, fold it into 8ths, and cram it down on top, REALLY pushing it in and down or your NEVER going to get that zipper closed. Now, all you have to do is drag it out the door, down two flights of stairs, across the parking lot and shove it into the trunk. Repeat every day for the next 6 months. See what I’m saying? How does one learn to ‘rough it’ as they say? How can I downsize my pillows and blanket?? Because even I admit – this is ridiculous. But, ew. Germs and other people’s sweat and hair and skin dust.
Also – we need a new cooler with a lid that works.
leahpeah » Blog Archive » Pack Less
October 30, 2009
11:01 am
[...] I’ve learned so far – Pack Less! I put an exclamation there because I really mean it, [...]
susan m
October 30, 2009
11:16 am
hey I’m totally with you on the pillow thing. I can only fall asleep if I have MY pillow wrapped around my head JUST SO. It could be my prized possession
SmileyGirl
October 30, 2009
1:04 pm
What about a body pillow and one pillow for your head. That way you would only have to keep a hold of 2 pillows and a jean quilt. And then maybe you could find large duffle bag with wheels (try Ross, etc.). Just a thought or two. Anxious to hear more about your upcoming trip and when you are off!
CatherineJay
October 30, 2009
2:49 pm
Would bringing you own pillowslip help assuage your concerns about other people’s head germs?
leah
October 31, 2009
10:32 pm
i wonder if you should get that shrinking thing that you attach to a vacuum cleaner (or something like that)? it sucks all the air out so you can have more room. i’ve never tried one but i’ve always wanted to.
you are right to be afraid, very afraid of “road-tels”.
Rgate
November 1, 2009
6:34 am
I saw a cooler with a lid in the middle of the freeway two days ago between Gillette and Casper Wyoming – you can pick it up when you pass there….
Jen @ follow my bliss
November 1, 2009
11:52 pm
Hilarious about the pillows.
Marisa
November 2, 2009
7:52 pm
Spacebags. Fo sho. They have ones that you roll the air out of, instead of having to use a vacuum cleaner hose.
Miriam
November 5, 2009
10:57 am
I am 100% with you on the pillows and the whole germy-germ thing. I travel yearly to my great-aunts VERY VERY old motel in downeast Maine with my husband, 2 kids, dad, dad’s partner and their required 2 foolishly named dogs. The motel is 8 billion years old, well past its hey-day and used mostly by people I try not to meet in the parking lot. But I love my aunt and she is also 8 billion years old so we go and bring Purell. I always bring a super squishy down pillow because they can be both fluffy and compact, 2-3 extra pillow cases, & 1 medium weight quilt. Upon arrival we immediately ask for 2 extra flat sheets for each bed so that we can sandwich the motel blankets in them or ourselves if their bottom sheet is scary. I can use my pillow cases to recover the motel’s creepy pillows- even put 2 in 1- or stuff them with our clothes to make extras. It has worked for years not just at my great-aunts but many a motel and hotel. I have more ideas I’ll pass along as they come up. HTH-Good luck!!!!!
Andrea
November 19, 2009
1:16 pm
We’re not traveling but have a boat. And way too many linens just in case. The vacuum bag thing works and helps keeps moisture down which is always a problem on a boat. And you can get a pump (12v so it works from the car battery) that both puts air in (for flat tires) and sucks air out (for pillows).