Overburdened

[ellarien]

I'm quite accustomed to shopping by foot and public transport, using a hand-basket in the store to ensure I don't acquire more than I can hand-carry home. Occasionally, I overdo it a bit. Today, for instance, I went to an office supply store and bought:

4 dozen file folders (in three packs)
8 hanging file pockets (in two packs)
2 boxes of hanging file folders
3 pairs of metal bookends
1 computer lap desk, wrapped in slippery plastic film.

They packed this for me in two flimsy carrier bags, leaving the lap desk to its own devices. I then went next door to the electronics store and bought a couple of other things, fairly light. As I was coming out of there, one of the carrier bags lost a handle. I made it back to the bus station juggling the two bulky -- and heavy -- boxes of folders in the remains of the bag, while also carrying everything else, pausing a couple of times to regroup. Fortunately, it was a nice cool (90 degree) afternoon. Once on the bus, I managed to reconfigure things a bit, putting the boxes in the electronics-store bag, and that held until I got home. My hands and arms are literally quivering with fatigue at this point, and I'll probably be stiff tomorrow, but at least I have the wherewithal to organize the study.

It did cross my mind that this kind of errand would be easier if I had a car -- but first I'd have to learn to drive. Also, it seems a little unnecessary to pay to move around a ton of metal and plastic just to transport me and a load I can carry by myself, if only barely.

Now for a nice cup of tea!

Comments

[del-c.livejournal.com]

My first thought was "bicycle", but, as you were using the bus, I shouldn't presume you live within easy cycling distance of the shops. But if you do, a pair of pannier bags can take an amazing volume of stuff. I came home today with two carrier bags of groceries in each pannier, and a fifth and sixth carrier bag looped around the rack lying each on top of one pannier where it wouldn't fall between the spokes.

If you think the store might be being a bit optimistic that you'll get home with just one flimsy plastic bag, don't forget to ask them to put one bag inside another.

[ellarien]

It's walking distance -- about 1.5 miles -- in cool weather if I don't have too much to carry, and there's even a nice riverside bike path. The snag is, I never learned to ride a bike either! My dad (another non-driver) did use his bike to bring the bulkier groceries home on occasion. Other times, we resorted to an old pram, or even a sledge in snowy conditions.

I should have thought to ask for double-bagging. One of the grocery store cashiers does it for me without asking, having figured out at some stage that I didn't actually have a car outside.