Dykes on Dykes: The First Interactive Dyke-Cartoon

Dykes on Dykes: The First Interactive Dyke-Cartoon by Katrin Kremmler and coproduced with Indina Beuche
1998
Weight: 14 oz
Method of Disposal: Recycling

It really pains me to throw this one out.  That is why I have kept it so long despite the fact that it was used as a chew toy by some foster dog and whole mouth fulls have been torn out.  I will never forget that it was sent to me by my brother soon after he was married.  It was so lesbian and so something I would have been drawn to on my own.  I was more stunned than I probably should have been that my brother bought me something lesbian.  That he thought to do that. 

It is not that it would be difficult to know this about me--that I will watch or read all things lesbian/bisexual/queer/trans/etc.  That I crave it.  It is just not one of my fascinations that the family generally pays attention to when they are gift giving.  I cannot do my feelings and thoughts of that day justice.  Just know, that it meant a lot to me and I fully intending on keeping this book until the end of me, had my other passion (pups) not have interfered with that plan.
 

Georgia: A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure

Georgia: A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure by Jeff Samsel
1999
Weight: 14 oz
Method of Disposal: Recycling

Another book that just needs to say goodbye to this planet and stop taking up space in anyone's home.  I am sad that this one is no longer valuable.  It is a guide from 16 years ago even if I have never got over the fact that the nineties are actually that far away.  It was just yesterday, man!  Why do 60% of my books predate the year 2000?  Is the information they contain still accurate?  Should I just stick to fiction from here on out?
 

The Science of Self-Realization

The Science of Self-Realization by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada

1997

Weight: 8 oz

Method of Disposal: Tossing

 

 

This one has been chewed on by critters, and so I do not think it is safe to sell, donate, or give away.  It isn't in great shape but, even if it was, I am not sure I would know what to do with it. 

When I was in high school I worked at a smoothie shop in the mall.  I met all sorts of people while I was working there and a lot of them were up to no good.  There was an overwhelming number of adult men and women who were interested in sleeping with a kid like me.  And I do not mean sleeping in the adorable, sweet sense.  I really believe I had more adults interested in me then than I have in all the years combined that I have actually been an adult.  It is disturbing.

If I was not ducking and dodging those creeps, I was trying to get free stuff from the Truth kids on my cigarette breaks or chatting it up with the folks handing out books like The Science of Self-Realization for a small donation.  My mother always warned me, "don't let them brain wash you."  "Don't trust those people."  And I never did, but a free book was a free book and, no matter what the topic was, I wanted to read it.  And I did, though clearly it did not have the impact on me it should have because I have completely forgotten it all these years later.  I have, however, never forgotten that mall and the people who hung out there.

Just this week I was sitting at my desk at work when one of the women who felt like we "connected," insisting "age did not really matter" all those years ago walked in the building wearing a FedEx outfit and had me sign for a package.  I guess I am too old for her now.  She didn't think twice about it or try to charm me in any way.  She had absolutely no idea who I was or that I knew her secret.  If I got her name now and made a phone call would it do anything for anyone?

 

1987-88 Information Moscow: Western Edition

1987-88 Information Moscow: Western Edition
Romaine Fielding Enterprises, Inc.
1987
Weight: 2 lbs
Method of Disposal: Throwing Out

We are preparing for another move AND we are incredibly (and depressingly) broke so I am going through all my old books again and trying to thin out the herd.  I am grasping for financial straws and hoping that if I put some of them up for sale online that another random soul who likes to read actual books will scoop them up.  Keep your fingers crossed.

While doing this, I came upon the Moscow book.  I typed the ISBN in multiple times, never even paying attention to what the ISBN belonged to.  I grew increasingly frustrated every time the search would uncover nothing.  Finally, I paid attention to what I was doing.  Can you believe I moved a 2 lb information guide from when I was two years old with me in the last move?!?!  If you know me then you are probably not surprised.  Well, it is not happening again.  Tonight is the last night me and that book are spending together!
 

American Nature: Our Intriguing Land and Wildlife

1997

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Method of Disposal: Donating

I feel another big change about to happen and so it seems important to cut off some more weight and as quickly as possible.  I never imagined that this project would take me so long, but I have a lot of books and very little spare time when I get home from the animal shelter.  I do not know how so many people are able to balance their work and home lives.  It seems to be something I am incapable of.  Work is all-consuming.  I think it is challenging when you work with living animals and each move you make effects them in some kind of way.  It is hard to stop, knowing there are so many out there needing help and attention.

This book came to me through one of the foster parents at the shelter.  She gave it to me along with many other wonderful gifts.  Unfortunately, she has moved now and, though we still text, we are not able to talk as often as before.  It was nice to look through it one more time before disbanding it, but I know the gift giver would understand.  It was when she was trying to decrease the amount of stuff she had that it came to me.  It is also possible that she is more of a free spirit than I will ever be,