I got up early this morning to take out my own trash, and took a stroll up and down the alley. The nice house that’s always full of shitty tenants had an enormous pile of trash in the parking area, and it turned out to be a gold mine. A dozen bath towels, several throw blankets, a comforter, a set of orange sheets, and loads of white t-shirts (which make the best paining and printmaking rags). I also walked away with a couple dozen sample jars of house paint, and had I been willing to dig I suspect I could have turned up more; I swear the landlords must have sampled every dark grayed-brown and off-white Sherwin-Williams offers. I can always find a use for it.

Further up the alley, I got more towels, another small dog bed, and an assortment pack of nail polish–not all of it wearable colors, but I’m sure I’ll find a craft use for it.

Oh, and I did find one book–an accounting textbook. But that is the one and lonely-only book for this year.

I hadn’t planned on taking a stroll in the neighborhood, but got my handcart and bungee cords and went out anyway. I scored more bath towels, a couple of throw blankets, and another pair of cushions off the back of a couch (this time in a tan cotton twill I can live with).

So the Humane Society will be making out like bandits this year. Once I’d dumped everything out on the basement floor and saw how much I’ve dragged home all in one spot, I had a real “Holy shit!” moment.

There may be a few stray bits put out tonight, but Student Moveout 2015 has effectively come to an end. Now it’s time to get all of this stuff dried, bagged, and taken to where it can do the most good.