I love my backpack. I rarely use it anymore, but I always know where it is, and what is in it. Right now it is in my closet with nothing in it. It has been used as a book bag, a carry-on, a gym bag and even a diaper bag. I love this backpack. My sister got it for me when I was going off to college, so I've had it for 12 years.
I carried it everyday during college, the first day I carried it on only one shoulder I so desperately wanted to be cool. The books were too heavy, so everyday after that I wore it on both shoulders, and was decidedly NOT COOL. Of course, I have never been cool, and I don't think the backpack had anything to do with it.
My ears stick out a little bit, more than average anyway. So I got a nickname early on in primary school that stuck with me all the way through high school. They called me "Fievel" he is the little mouse from the animated movie "An American Tail". I really hated this. I hate to admit that I would still be upset now if someone called me that (no one tell my step-son). Later when my hair was longer I always wore it down to cover my ears. While the name was not used often in high school I was uncool for other reasons. Normal reasons, that teenagers are teased for: having above average grades, living on a farm, not being from a wealthy family. (incidentally, these are all the same things that I am proud of today)
I was not, however, lacking the self-confidence, that so many of my peers did. So why then did I care so much about being cool when I started college, why did I wear my backpack on only one shoulder that day? Who knows? But, I do love that backpack!
