THE PACK

How can an inanimate object take over one's life? THE PACK has taken over my room – stuff everywhere. It has become to me evil incarnate. It speaks to me during the day – (you have more room) and then again at night (are you nuts you can't carry all of that stuff). I have been obsessing about this pack for a month. When everything weighs something – what do you really, really, really need to bring? I never really thought of myself as particularly materialistic, but when it comes to 17-19 pound of items (including pack and water) the choices become very limited. Do I really need eye cream? What about body lotion? I have my basics down pat- clothing minimal, sleeping bag, crocks, journal, and guidebook. So it's the damn toilet articles. They seem to really weight the most and for some reason the hardest to part with. I don't mind to smell (well ok smell-ish) and my hair is way way short so easy there. How can I do without my lotions and potions?? I have packed, stood on the scale. Unpacked, stood on the scale. Unpacked more stood on the scale. Why do I get heavier as I take things out? Crap! With the packing now at a fevered pace, I am still unsure what I will bring and leave behind. Wait THE PACK is calling me… gotta run