Packing light
I’m headed to Seattle tonight for a quick screening of The Nines. I’m packing almost nothing: my iPhone, my Kindle, toiletries and a change of undies. Over the past year, I’ve found I am packing less and less, to the point that it’s become a sport to see how little I can get by with. It’s like urban survivalism.
It even has its own subcultures: I’ve become an adherent of bundle wrapping.
Part of my packing-light buzz is probably a reaction to having a child, because particularly with infants, there’s just so much crap you have to carry with you. When you leave them at home, you’re eager to ditch the luggage as well.
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July 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Hi John - I bought The Nines the other day. Strangely enough Blockbuster had it on for $9.99. I absolutely loved it. Very clever and a refreshing change from the usual fare. Thanks.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Where/when is the screening in Seattle? Can I come?
July 25th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Is this a public screening? If so, where is it?
July 25th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
@Joe: It’s a class thing, as far as I can tell. I’m just showing up and hoping someone meets me at the airport.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Hi John. I’m watching The Nines as we speak, I went out and bought a copy. I love the different looks and formats you’ve shot with. Very cool. The super 16 stuff is my fav. Melissa is also fantastic to watch. How long have you guys been friends?
July 26th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I completely understand your desire to pack light after having children. I didn’t used to have any check-in luggage until my first was born. Now, no matter how light we pack, you still have to check-in their car seats.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
i have a dream that i’ll someday be able to travel with only the clothes on back, a passport, and a credit card. stuff is a drag.
July 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
John, I just got back from a 2 month cross-country trip, which has redefined the concept of “packing light” for me. I was living out of a VW van with my girlfriend and beagle puppy, which doesn’t leave room for much more than a change of clothes and a toothbrush. Our biggest indulgence was a battery-powered fan to get us through the South. Love the blog, love you work. Hope to be sharing a multiplex with the likes of Big Fish someday soon.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Enjoyed the Screening of The Nines and the discussion afterwards, thanks.
I’ll never look at KBs the same way ever again :)
July 27th, 2008 at 12:45 am
John -
Thank you for the very informative Q&A after the screening of The Nines. The information you provided was incredibly helpful and very entertaining. I also enjoyed learning you play video games and remember the types of cell phones people use, which means that you are a true “geek” in the most admirable sense of the word. Thank you again for a wonderful afternoon.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:27 am
John,
Your talk in Seattle was generous and helpful. Thank you. I was curious, since you speak openly about your life, and your writing influences and choices, but in other cases, couldn’t talk as freely due to being on camera, if you have a view on what is kept private in your own life? What are you transparent about, and what do you insist is kept private as a writer? And too, are there events and people in your life that you will not write about (such as family) to protect your relationships?
P.S. - We lived in the Canadian Rockies when our kids were little, and what could be shoved in a small backpack became our standard for travel, and we still use it today as much as we can. Deciding what books to pack is still the trickiest decision!
July 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
John,
It was great to meet you in Seattle. Glad I could alleviate any “getting picked up at the airport” worries!
July 28th, 2008 at 5:11 am
John, I’m right there with you on the packing light thing, and the bundle idea looks pretty savvy. However, I think a helpful addition would be to tie up the bundle onto the end of a stick and show up at the luggage counter, carrying it over your shoulder like a hobo. (Painted-on five o’clock shadow optional)
July 28th, 2008 at 8:23 am
This works for me:
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/sportspacebag_standard.html