An interesting conversation I overheard earlier this evening when I was packing my bag

A: Let's-keep-it-might-come-in-handy-later angel/demon
B: What-on-earth-do-you-need-that-for angel/demon

B: Why on Earth does she carry all those books with her?!

A: Ah, it's to serve the habit of reading every evening before she goes to bed. And a bit in the morning. And preferably a couple of hundred pages in between. It's a 23 tear old habit, it's very difficult to break. Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

B: Yes, but they are so bulky! And heavy! No person in it's right mind... and this one, this one doesn't even look interesting!

A: Oh, but it is! Who wouldn't be interested in the history of Chile? I mean, there is some brutal stuff there. Lots of action.

B: Well, I'm not a history buff. Does it go to the leave-it-behind or ship-it-home pile?

A: Ouch, that's putting me between a rock and a hard place! Where's the back-in-the bag pile?

B: That's reserved for practical things only. Sunscreen and underwear. And this book... it only has blank pages! What's the use of that?!

A: Ah, you see, it's a notebook. It's to write down interesting things she comes across, information and websites and stuff. And witty remarks told by the voices in her head. And look, it even has a few addresses in it.

B: Yeeees? And why aren't they saved on her email account instead? And addresses for what? Do remind me, when was the last time she sent a postcard, huh? Yeah, excactly. Thought so.

A: We're still keeping it, might come in handy later, when an idea for a novel pops up, or some groundbreaking idea or another. And it hardly takes any space. OK, listen, these two books can be left behind, but this one she hasn't read yet and we're taking this one with us, it's good for those nice second hand bookstores.

B: (mumbling) Never understood how you can run a business like that. Swapping torn old books for other tarnished old books. An if you insist on bringing the books along we have to cut down on the clothes section.

A: But clothes hardly take up any space! Look, they're even in a compressor bag, can be strapped down to the size of a fist! They get a bit wrinkled, I admit, but it's so neat.

B: What about these trousers... they look crap. Got ruined in the laundry weeks ago, they are creased beyond repair.

A: But it's the only respectable looking item of clothing she's got! Without them she'll always look like a scruffy backpacker!

B: Well, she is! And these trousers wouldn't fool a blind man. Chuck 'em?

A: Is there a donate-to-charity pile?

B: Not yet... guess there could be.

And so it went on and on. Sacrifices and peaceoffering were made. And now my bag weighs next to nothing and everybody's happy. The end.