If anyone has ever moved from one place to another, they may have some idea on how stressful it can be and how much work it takes. I, have moved a lot in my life. And at 37, I'm about to do it one more time. This will be my 12th move, my 13th dwelling. Geez, in recounting my past, floods of memories both good and not-so-good ran through my mind. Which causes me to think, what, if anything, might this transient life say about me to someone who doesn't know who I am? I know one thing--after moving so much, I've learned how to pack.
My last move to my current apartment, the tool I employed most to pack up and go were plastic bags. Hefty, Glad, Thank You Come Again, Black-to-hide-the-porn, Dusty bodega bags were all part of the arsenal. It was cheap, it was easy, and I was abundantly overloaded with them.
Have you ever tried moving a 2 bedroom apartment into a 1 bedroom apartment across the city in the dead of winter?? It's not easy. Now add to the mix about 50+ bags with 10 funiture items, 1 truck and 3 Chinese guys (me not included), and watch the comedy unfold.
Hah! Nah, it wasn't that funny. I'd say, more embarrassing. One obvious thing about moving with plastic bags you must know (if common sense doesn't automatically lead you to deduce this info) is that plastic is a very thin material that separates what may be your precious, prized possessions and the cold, hard streets of the Bronx.
I learned this lesson well, especially when seeing pictures and clean underwear being inspected off of the ground by random neighborhood kids.
Another thing about plastic bags is that it is form-less. It's a bag. It has no real shape. For the most part it molds itself around the shape of the items placed inside. The difference can range from putting a box in it, to filling the bag with juice. Both may hold, but both contents change the function and performance of the bag itself.
Trouble ensued in my last move when, after moving the furniture and the few boxes that I used to pack my things, the Chinese movers I hired to transport my things tried stacking the slippery-by-design bags on their handcart, one on top of the other. I should have taken this as a sign.
It took a lot of trips back and forth to the truck to load the car. The problem I had was looking into the truck after the last sack was carried out, wherein I discovered that the back of the truck looked like Monday-Wednesday trash pick-up. Things, my things, were everywhere.
Another curious thing about plastic bags, is that they are very fragile.
Especially if filled with sharp things. Please be careful, the contents may puncture the thin, slippery, fragile exterior. CAUTION!
When was the last time you were embarrassed? Has it been awhile? Well if you ever feel the need to test your personal motives or examine the strength of your fortitude or pride, go and fill a plastic bag with things you hide under mattresses or in the bottom of drawers and throw in a sharp pencil. I bet you, the truth of who you are and how you wish to be perceived by others will rear its head. What is interesting to you may be offensive to others--especially older, judgemental, frigid women. Don't kill the messenger...I'm just saying.
So as I am about to get up out of bed now and get ready for Danie to come and pick me up to take me to Home Depot to buy boxes, I have learned that the only thing I will be using the plastic bags for is to line the trash can. Plastic bags are not meant for moving, but for recycling.
My last move to my current apartment, the tool I employed most to pack up and go were plastic bags. Hefty, Glad, Thank You Come Again, Black-to-hide-the-porn, Dusty bodega bags were all part of the arsenal. It was cheap, it was easy, and I was abundantly overloaded with them.
Have you ever tried moving a 2 bedroom apartment into a 1 bedroom apartment across the city in the dead of winter?? It's not easy. Now add to the mix about 50+ bags with 10 funiture items, 1 truck and 3 Chinese guys (me not included), and watch the comedy unfold.
Hah! Nah, it wasn't that funny. I'd say, more embarrassing. One obvious thing about moving with plastic bags you must know (if common sense doesn't automatically lead you to deduce this info) is that plastic is a very thin material that separates what may be your precious, prized possessions and the cold, hard streets of the Bronx.
I learned this lesson well, especially when seeing pictures and clean underwear being inspected off of the ground by random neighborhood kids.
Another thing about plastic bags is that it is form-less. It's a bag. It has no real shape. For the most part it molds itself around the shape of the items placed inside. The difference can range from putting a box in it, to filling the bag with juice. Both may hold, but both contents change the function and performance of the bag itself.
Trouble ensued in my last move when, after moving the furniture and the few boxes that I used to pack my things, the Chinese movers I hired to transport my things tried stacking the slippery-by-design bags on their handcart, one on top of the other. I should have taken this as a sign.
It took a lot of trips back and forth to the truck to load the car. The problem I had was looking into the truck after the last sack was carried out, wherein I discovered that the back of the truck looked like Monday-Wednesday trash pick-up. Things, my things, were everywhere.
Another curious thing about plastic bags, is that they are very fragile.
Especially if filled with sharp things. Please be careful, the contents may puncture the thin, slippery, fragile exterior. CAUTION!
When was the last time you were embarrassed? Has it been awhile? Well if you ever feel the need to test your personal motives or examine the strength of your fortitude or pride, go and fill a plastic bag with things you hide under mattresses or in the bottom of drawers and throw in a sharp pencil. I bet you, the truth of who you are and how you wish to be perceived by others will rear its head. What is interesting to you may be offensive to others--especially older, judgemental, frigid women. Don't kill the messenger...I'm just saying.
So as I am about to get up out of bed now and get ready for Danie to come and pick me up to take me to Home Depot to buy boxes, I have learned that the only thing I will be using the plastic bags for is to line the trash can. Plastic bags are not meant for moving, but for recycling.
2 comments:
Dude, you are the epitome of CHANG. Not only do you not get yourself some moving/storage boxes (which, btw, you can get for free by going to grocery stores and asking for produce boxes ya know!), but you also hire Chinese guys to help you move -- probably cuz they were cheap labor! OY!
p.s. As you know, I am part-Chinese and that means I can say whatever I want about the Chinese. :P I know YOU know that about me, but I can just see your readers going, " *gasp* What racist friends he has!!!" ~LOL~
Post a Comment