Extra Baggage
Does this bag make me look crazy? I wondered when I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror of [CVZ Contemporary]. I was there for the opening of Configurations, the solo exhibit of New York urban artist [Patrick Smith](http://www.blendfilms.com/), and having spent the last 15 minutes pushing through the crowded room with my day bag slung over my shoulder, Im sure everyone in the room was wondering, What the hell is he carrying around?
It started out simply, as it usually does every morning: my iPod, my day planner, a notebook, my cell phone charger and, the next thing you know, Im lugging 12 pounds of magazines and spare pairs of shoes around the city all day long. I dont realize how inconvenient the whole thing is until Im trying to order a drink at the busy gallery bar or continually maneuvering around a giant swiveling flat screen that slowly weaves in and out of a chatting, mob of relatively bag-less art scenesters.
I tell myself that if all those second-rate Midtown businesswomen with those obnoxious rolling briefcases can persevere, so can I, and I try to put it in the back of my mind. Standing there, however, cigarette in one hand and white wine in the other, the straps begin to dig into my shoulder muscle and I tell myself that Im never going to do this again. For a moment, I actually believe ituntil I realize that I said the same thing the night before while walking home from Naima, who hosted the afterparty for the opening production of [The Rockae]. The musical, a rock opera version of the greek tale of Dionysus, was a pleasant surprise, full of power ballads and flashy costumes. But the trip home was one of shoulder cramps and upper back pain.
Why am I even carrying all this shit around? Did I really think I was going to read the latest issue LOfficiel Hommes? Its in French for gods sake! And why did I bring a sketchbook? Two changes of shirt? Batteries?? I mean, it was one thing while posing for pictures at the gallery, when Id let it dangle from my hand carelessly as if it were light as a feather, but when forced into a tiny spots, like an elevator of a packed subway car it was nothing but a fabulous liability. I promised myself never again, and since Ive seen two great shows already this early in the week, I have no reason to pack like I wont be making it home for the next few days. At least, not one I can think of right now, well see how I feel in the morning.