overpackitis

Affliction common to those for whom Being Cold tops the list of Acute Discomforts That Don't Really Qualify As Suffering But Make You Miserable Anyway.

I'm always fearful of cold when I travel to winter zones. So here I am, for the umpteenth time, squashing too many clothes back into my suitcase for the next leg of the journey, while a sardonic voice in my head says:

"Four sets of thermals. Four thick turtlenecks. Two hooded sweatshirts and a big sweater. Four woolly hats, two scarves, two pairs of gloves. Two pairs of waterproof boots. Did you think you were going to Siberia? Did it occur to you that scarves and gloves and woolly hats can be bought on every street corner in New York if you lose yours?"

To which my memory retorts, defensively:

"What about that time at Moscow airport in 1995? When my flight was delayed 6 hours, and it was freezing cold, and I'd left my gloves on the plane, and one hat wasn't enough to keep my ears warm? And that other time in Ohio two years ago? And..."

It doesn't really matter who wins the debate. The real issue is getting the suitcase closed, and down 2 flights of stairs without injuring myself.