Day 111 and Counting
Fun, contests July 11th, 2008Greetings from Bag Land! Some of you have been wondering how our beloved plastic bag is doing stuck in the tree outside my building. Here you go!
There has been little movement since it first landed there 111 days ago. I do check on it every day, despite having moved to a new office in my building. I’m only one floor away from my old office, so don’t worry, I can still see it whenever I’m curious.
About a month ago, I had two opportunities to try and get the bag out. Once when window washers were cleaning windows, using a vehicle that had an expandable ladder that might have reached the bag. Then later, some workmen were putting up outdoor tents for an event. The machine they used would have easily reached the top of this tree.
I declined to ask the men for assistance for three reasons: 1) I didn’t want to be known as the crazy lady who cares about a stupid bag, 2) They had more important work to do, and 3) A couple people whose opinions I sought said I should let the bag come out naturally, especially since there is a contest involved.
New readers may want to catch up on the bag story. This is where it made its first appearance. Here’s the story about how the bag got there. And this post was an update that includes video.
Among those who entered my little contest, 14 of you are still in the running. However, many guessed dates this summer, so your chances of winning are growing slimmer and slimmer.
Let me ask everyone now: If I get another opportunity to get the bag out, should I take it?
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July 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I would gladly sacrifice my potential winnings to see the bag set free. It just looks so sad. Fly free, plastic bag! Oh, I do need a life…
JD’s last blog post..I Am Quotable so you don’t have to be
July 11th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
As I lost miserably, by guessing sometime way back when. I say set it free. But…..as it’s become part of the landscape now, I expect you’ll miss it when it’s gone.
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Our living nightmare!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I believe in recycling. Is the bag still somewhat intact? Could you train the squirrel from the aforementioned post to carry his excess nuts in it? That would be a great digital video, a “bad Lady” squirrel. Good thing it’s not a shopping cart in a tree. Then the squirrel would need to wear 5 or 6 layers of fur all summer!
Chris’s last blog post..The Naked Blogger Bares All: Chapter 2
July 11th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I meant “bag lady” squirrel. Blog commenting rule # 145: never attempt to type a comment when not wearing your glasses.
Chris’s last blog post..The Naked Blogger Bares All: Chapter 2
July 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
JD — I really would like to see it out of the tree. I’ll get an overall opinion from the group to see if I should take my next chance if there is one. If I can get it down, I’ll have it mounted in my new stupid office.
Babs — You know it. There are times when I wonder how I’ll react if I don’t see it there. You can bet I’ll be running down the stairs to see if I can find it. We’ve gotten close these last three months.
Chris — The bag is fully intact. If I could train a squirrel to do anything besides climb up my leg, it would be to get him to fetch that thing for me. We have considered trying to shoot it down with a water gun, but I have doubts about that working. Oh, and sorry I don’t have editing capabilities. Will work on that!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Just let it come out naturally. I have a feeling the gods are smiling on me for this one, and my guess is looking better and better!!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Kathy, I’m going into the attic to get my shot gun. That bag is now driving me crazy. Call the fire department and tell them there’s a cat stuck in the tree and when they realize there is no cat, say: Well can you get that plastic bag then.
I know when the bag will come out of the tree: In the Fall.
Natural’s last blog post..Brain Damaged
July 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Ok, now how do you know the bag WANTS to come down? Is it like a cat, who climbs up, then is afraid to come back down? Was it trying to fly, and got caught by a bag eating tree, a la Charlie Brown? Perhaps it is in denial, ashamed of it’s origins in oil, and in need to therapy to accept it’s true plastic-nature. Or is it clinging to the tree to avoid the secondary use of all grocery bags, a repository for dog poo?
I think you should think about the motivations of the bag, before deciding to rescue, because really, shouldn’t it rescue itself?
Shadowsrider’s last blog post..Some of you will understand this..
July 11th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Oh man, this cracks me up!
But you can’t mess with mother nature, you gotta let it all unfold naturally. We’re counting on you.
DrowseyMonkey’s last blog post..Flower Power
July 11th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
The hell with the contest! Remove the eyesore. And let’s all try to do without those damned plastic bags.
mizmell’s last blog post..Things Are Shaping Up
July 11th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Absolutely NOT!!! Let the bag be………it’s destiny left to the elements
KFJ’s last blog post..’80’s Fix Wednesday
July 11th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Thanks for the update.
I think you should let nature take its course. As with all things…this, too, will come to pass.
Rattln Along’s last blog post..Happy Fourth Of July
July 11th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
OMG, too funny!! I’ll definitely be checking back on the status of this bag. I could be there for YEARS, we all know plastic stays around forever. Your looking for what to do with it?? Maybe sell it on ebay or offer it on freecycle!!
Irish Mom’s last blog post..Green Friday #4 (anditsmybirthday!!)
July 12th, 2008 at 2:36 am
If the bag is meant to remain in the tree, it will. If it suddenly frees itself and floats off into the atmosphere, then that is its destiny. If it…oh, heck, send a ten-year-old kid up there to grab it and bring it back alive! You have a great blog!
peace,
mike
livelife365
Mike Foster’s last blog post..Turn Bad Habits Into Good Ones
July 12th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Lee — Ah, look! You guessed almost exactly a year from today. Someone guessed into 2010. Would you believe I think they stand a better chance? You never know, though!
Natural — Something tells me even gun fire wouldn’t get it out. All it would do is put holes in it and get me arrested. I know it’s killing you. I’m sorry, but at least you don’t have to see it every day.
Shadowsrider — Ah! Someone who asks the same questions I do. I have an unhealthy relationship with this bag, you know. I’m going with the supposition that it doesn’t want to be a container for poo. Poor poo bags!
DrowseyMonkey — I don’t know. Looking like opinion is running 50/50 here. On another note, love your Voci! I swear I’ll create one today.
mizmell — That assumes someone will come by again who can get it out. I may have lost all my opportunities!
KFJ — I was hoping some storms we’ve had would have knocked it out, but it keeps on keepin’ on. Maybe winter.
Rattln Along — I don’t know. Wait until the leaves drop in the fall and I post another picture. It’s going to look very sad up there all alone. Maybe you’ll change your mind?
Irish Mom — You’re right. In the beginning, I told everyone they should guess much longer than a few months. When/if it comes down, I’ll definitely keep it. Maybe frame it as a statement.
Mike Foster — Thanks for dropping by! It’s very stuck. I believe it’s caught by both of its handles, which will make it extremely difficult to float away. I think it needs an intervention of some kind. We shall see!
July 12th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Well now, I didn’t know it was a competition! I believe in my original answer I vaguely said, “That bag is holding tight.” But I never gave an actual date of when I thought it would set itself free.
Am I still in the running with that vague answer, or did I have to state an actual date?
cardiogirl’s last blog post..The book of questions, Volume II
July 12th, 2008 at 8:13 am
No, the bag should come down naturally. Resist the urge to de-bag that tree, Kathy! Just say ‘no’ to de-bagging! Let nature take its course in the whole bag-removal area.
I believe I am out of the running in the whole bag contest thing, too, so know that my opinion here is completely unbiased and pro-proper-bag-handlng.
Jenn’s last blog post..How William Shatner Ruined Road Safety
July 12th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Kathy:
Yes. Put it out of our misery.
Happy trails.
Swubird’s last blog post..HER NAME WAS IMPALA
July 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
This is my first experience with your bag saga, and I love it! Please don’t liberate the bag yet - now I’m fascinated by the thing too. The only thing more entertaining is the comments of the other bag watchers. Excellent!
July 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I don’t know if you should say something or not. On one hand it is an eyesore, but on the other hand there is a contest and I’m still in the running.
In the tree behind my house there is also a plastic bag. But it looks like there is something actually in the bag, like crackers or something. I know my neighbor didn’t do it, because I would have seen him climb that tree. I’m thinking it came from a possum. But when I first saw it a month ago, I couldn’t help but think of this blog entry.
Stephanie C.’s last blog post..if you heart joss whedon…
July 12th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Eeny Meeny Miny Mo, Is it yes or is it no? Will it stay or will go? Eeny Meeny Miny Mo.
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Our living nightmare!
July 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I’m not in the contest, darn. I say leave it and lets see just how long it takes for it to decompose. I have had my eye on one close by to where I live, it’s within arms reach and I can’t believe the owners of the store, where it resides, don’t remove it.
I suspect in our life time they will become a thing of the past. I just read an article on how much fuel it take to produce this awful unsightly hazards of nature, unbelievable.
janeywan’s last blog post..Does this bring back memories for anyone?
July 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
If you love it, set it free…I don’t know how the rest of the poem goes, but I’m sure it ends with…then just toss it in the recycling.
Joe’s last blog post..Happy Birthday
July 12th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
That is just tooooo funnie….and I even watched the video…
We have to give that bag a name now……remember Tom Hank’s volleyball got a name in that movie “Cast Away”
hmm poor little bag…….not even given a name yet
Alan’s last blog post..The Silver Foxes and Can a woman be one ?
July 12th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Kathy - don’t you know that once Walmart moves in, they never move out.
July 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
If there wasn’t a contest, I’d say set it free. Now you have to wait it out. (Unless by chance an opportunity to remove it presents itself on my date, Oct 31…)
I like that you are afraid that asking workers to remove it might make you seem crazy, but taking multiple pictures of it, including video, and checking in on it on a regular basis, doesn’t.
Susan’s last blog post..Too Much of a Good Thing?
July 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Now I’m curious as to how long it will stay there. I say you start a pool - put me down for it floating or flying away next Tuesday… :))
Lori’s last blog post..The Absence of Copy Editors
July 12th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
cardiogirl — You should state an actual date, but seriously, nobody’s gonna get it, except for maybe Kev who said “never.” By then, I expect I’ll be dead, along with this blog.
Jenn — I can’t decide what to do. If someone can easily get it out, I might go for it. For the record, you guessed May 15, so you’re out!
Swubird — I think if another bag-freeing opportunity presents itself, I’m going for it. Or not. I’m so conflicted!
Karen — Geesh. Such a dilemma. I don’t know which way to go! You’ll always find entertaining comments in the Junk Drawer. It’s half the fun!
StephanieC — Possums eat crackers? Sometimes it looks like our bag has something in it. I suspect it’s water after a rain. But that means the bag is in excellent shape and it’ll probably never get out unless I intervene.
Babs — Cute! Eeny Meeny Miny Mo, the answer is I still don’t know!
janeywan — I agree with you that in years to come, we won’t be using nearly as many bags, nor will as many become eyesores for years. There is hope.
Joe — Oh, no. I’m keeping that sucker. I’ve been looking at it for months. I shall cherish it always. And, yes, that makes me Crazy Bag Lady but I’m OK with it.
Alan — Yes, I remember. Its name was Wilson. What shall we name our little baggy friend? Hmmm, maybe we need another contest!
Mrs. Chris — Ugh. I know. My sister absolutely hates Walmart and refuses to shop there. I do my best to not shop there, but sometimes I relapse.
Susan — I’ve come to accept that I am indeed crazy. I do worry a little whenever I’m seen taking pictures of it, especially the ones I take while standing on the roof. I’m afraid someone will think I’m trying to jump. My job’s been a little stressful lately.
Lori — Don’t count on it. Now if you said “Tuesday, this time next year,” you might stand a chance.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Kathy, Don’t you have WIND where you work? How bizzare that it is still there.
Lauren’s last blog post..Why I Am Not A True Conservative…Even Though My Friend Brian Thinks I Am
July 13th, 2008 at 7:28 am
LOL! We used to have office pools similar to this one when I lived in St. Louis. When it snowed, the plows would leave these big piles of brown slush and we would bet on which day the last of it would melt. Great fun for a girl from Texas!
July 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hmm… take the bag out when I said it would come out - the last day of August.
July 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Lauren — I know! What’s the deal? There have been several pretty wicked storms and that thing just keeps hanging on for dear life. Crazy.
K-mom — Oh, that’s cool! I’d be totally into that pool. My kind of challenge!
Regan — That’s assuming I could get it out. Hey, you’re tiny and I bet you have some tree climbing experience. Hmmmm….
July 13th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Your bag vigil reminds me of something that happened to me in my second year of law school that nearly ruined my GPA. There was a woman who came to class every day the first semester of our second year wearing one of two dresses. These weren’t your typical law student charcoal gray suits or sensible office dresses. I still remember them vividly: one was a flowy chiffony thing with large dusty burgundy and green flowers and leaves; the other was a cotton shift dress in pastels, mostly lavender but with pink and green and yellow ribbon trim on the seams and hems. She wore these dresses EVERY DAY; she tried to change the look with a shawl one day, a blazer the next, maybe a pair of boots or a sweater, but they were THE. SAME. TWO. DRESSES.
Well, my ADD-addled brain couldn’t take it — I stared at her nonstop through every class we had together, not paying attention to what was going on in class, examining every thread and wrinkle of those dresses trying to figure out if maybe there was some subtle difference I wasn’t noticing and perhaps there were more than two, but it was always the same two dresses. I became so obsessed that I could barely concentrate on anything else, and I began to consider whether it might be a good idea to slip some money into her school folder anonymously with a note begging her to go shopping, since I suspected that she stuck with these two dresses because she couldn’t afford anything else.
I survived the semester relatively unscathed, and was immensely relieved at the beginning of the next semester when Cinderella, who appeared to have lost some weight over the break, showed up with a whole new wardrobe and I never saw those dresses again.
feefifoto’s last blog post..Remember, I’m Giving Away Three Books In The Next Three Weeks
July 13th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Her name is Windy….?
hmm, not sure why I think it’s a her????……..ahhhh……..yup …….I’m referring to the bag
Well we did have a Wilson(tks Kathy)already in “Cast Away”
Alan Bamboo’s last blog post..The Silver Foxes and Can a woman be one ?
July 13th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Alan Bamboo — Funny. Why do I think it’s a he? Really, why? I could totally understand Tom Hanks’ character getting attached to a soccer ball. When I glance out at the bag, I feel something for it. It looks so helpless and lonely. I know, I’m weird, but we all know this by now.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
well take it out when window washers come again
July 13th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I tried to climb a tree. I failed and got a splinter.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:49 am
brooke — I don’t think they’re coming back anytime soon. I’ve worked in my building for 8 years and that was the first time I saw them clean. Might be another 8 years.
Regan — Ouch!
July 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
It’s totally a he. And he’s just refusing to ask for directions.
sue’s last blog post..Bathtub Gangsta Does the Hamptons
July 14th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I am out of the running for the bag derby. That plastic bag has more ‘hutspa’ than I thought, but you should leave it up there. it might be their for ages….and we all wanna know when ‘it’ deceides to move on.
Bruce’s last blog post..My New Car
July 14th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
sue — And I’m guessing no amount of screaming at “him” will help, eh?
Bruce — Totally! It’s because it’s hanging on by both handles. I’m sure if it was caught by only one, it would have wiggled its way out. But as it stands, that thing ain’t moving an inch.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I need to go look at if I missed my window with my guess!
I definitely do NOT think you should play with nature. I mean, that bag is in the tree for a reason and if you meddle with fate some very disastrous things could happen. Just be a little green Kathy and let nature be.
*tongue in cheek*
Lori’s last blog post..The Birds
July 15th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Lori — You’re still in! You guessed Sept 15, 2008. I think I shall leave the bag where it is. I do not need disastrous things happening to me. I have enough problems, wouldn’t you say?
July 16th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Let me guess - Tuesday came and went and the bag is still there, isn’t it?
Okay, let’s say August 16th, 4 p.m. ;))
Lori’s last blog post..The Sexy Side of Technical Writing
July 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
That is hysterical!
July 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Lori — It looks no different than it did on Day 1, so I’m doubting it. But I won’t totally crush your dreams. One can hope.
mimzie — I bet you never imagined someone would actually blog about a bag FOREVER, did you?
July 18th, 2008 at 8:29 am
You don’t think they would cut the tree down to remove the bag, do you?
Chris’s last blog post..The Naked Blogger Bares All: Chapter 8
July 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Chris — Only if it was diseased. Hmmm, don’t give me any ideas.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I made a little photos video, anyways I had to put my favorite in it….WINDY.
I think that is the funniest story I’ve heard in a long time.
Alan Bamboo’s last blog post..My Entrecard Mix + Picks ( Part 1 )
July 24th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Alan Bamboo — Your video is awesome! Very well done and neat to watch. Thank you for including the tree bag. I’m sure people wondered what the heck it was, though. Not something you notice every day. Nice job.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
its the 150 day anniversery