spring cleaning
I have a strangely clear memory when it comes to my clothes. Take for example, this rather uncharacteristic (for my wardrobe) er, half-sweatshirt? Basically a gray velour, v-necked pullover sweatshirt with coiled pink cord, central banded in gray, twisted about like a alpha protein helix. A shrunken length, suitable for my body type (all legs, no waist, gives a general impression of HIPS everywhere when not fitted with well-tailored clothing). Mom picked it up randomly at Walmart or something, on one of her impulse sales buys. It’s nothing special, in fact, it’s pretty ugly, but when I picked it up a memory came rushing at me.
I’ve worn this thing like three times, twice during a finals/midterms cramming haze. And I remember running into 30B, and slipping into the middle of the frontish row in a seat next to J. Sol and Wes were directly in front, L was close by. J.C. sat somewhere in the back with a Stephen and a bunch of Asian chicks. So were people who would eventually become familiar figures in my life and um, in engineering gossip circles. Sadly I don’t remember were Ed was - but knowing him, probably passed out around the corner, not too far away.
Now, if my memory was actually useful, I’d be able to tell you what the hell Chatterjee was lecturing about. Or-BYE-tals, and such, probably. But I don’t remember that, beyond passing out promptly in the first ten minutes of class. I do remember, however, class ending a little bit earlier. I remember us loitering for a bit, in that central area, J and Sol and Wes and some other dude (sadly, I can’t remember who, beyond Asian. Squishy?). I remember everyone commenting on the appearance of this new article of clothing. I remember L. passing by to say hi, Wes joking about pulling on the cords, Sol commenting that they looked like noodles..and promptly yanking on them. Hard. J. laughing in her way at this all. I just remember useless shit like that. Comforting useless shit.
Today I also found my prom dress (simple, white, $15 at Ross), my sister’s prom dress (dramatically long, icy blue, lace up back. She tore up her photos afterward), and the dress I wore to my 8th grade promotion (paisley, in a wonderful cerulean. Would wear it if I ever got close to 100lbs again). But yeah, is this a deconstruction of my clothes-hording tendencies or something? Whatever you’re all going to Salvation tomorrow. I desperately need the closet space.
