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True Love: A Man and His Bag
Dear Creator,
On a glorious day some eight years ago I stopped at my favorite bike shop in Edmonton (Red Bike) and purchased an El Ocho (medium) messenger bag. At the time I, in ignorance, thought it was purchased in a financially irresponsible whim. In reality it was an inspired act of brilliance. Since that fateful day the bag has not ceased its hugging of me. It has been with me on a year-long bike tour of Europe, on endless shorter trips, hiking, biking, driving, unicycling, climbing. It brings home my groceries and it carries my books - it is always with me and holds all that I ever need. It is my trunk, my pocket, my wallet, my security blanket; it is my home. It is well known amongst my friends as "the magic bag". I feel naked if I go anywhere without it, and my shoulders are now permanently unbalanced. I've used it as a pillow and a blanket and a chair and even as a friend. I thank you, creator, for creating it.
Last summer I took a corner a little too fast on my tired old single speed bike (the only material thing that I love as much as my messenger bag). My rim folded in half. I became like a bird, and then like a stone. I remember my face moving rapidly towards the pavement and then somehow the bag, the magic bag, my love, my life, it moved beneath me, it twisted me onto my back and placed itself under me, catching me in its embrace, giving of itself for me. I slid across the pavement on its padded form, miraculously receiving hardly a bruise or scrape.
Sincerely,
Dan Binnema
Calgary, Alberta, Canada