Diary of a Can Collector

     It was another cold day today in New York.  I was glad I wore my lucky wool hat and thick hooded jumper.  I could have done with eating a hot breakfast but my budget is stretched too far already so cereal and a glass of juice had to do.

     I slept in this morning so I had to walk a few blocks to the nearest bar to begin my day.  Rosie, the waitress greeted me with her usual cheery, “Hey, Bob, got many cans today yet?” 

     I shot the breeze with her and then went out back to collect my first sack of aluminium treasure of the day.  Rosie always has a good selection of cans for me.  I think I may take her out as a thank you when I’m finished this project.

     I made the most of the relatively empty streets and hit every dumpster I could find.  The morning wasn’t without incident though as a group of photography students on a field trip laughed at me when I tied up the last sack – something to which I am getting used to.

     I think one of them even took a picture of me as I made my way to the studio.  I didn’t mind.  They have their art and I have mine.

     I have to admit that it was a fairly productive day but I’m definitely looking forward to the end of this project though as I’m sure this effort will finally result in a commission.

     I phoned my mother last night to tell her this and she told me that I am wasting my life with this obsession.

     We argued for a while and then I told her that I loved her – as I always do – and that I’ll phone her again soon.

     Tomorrow is sports night at Rosie’s bar so hopefully I’ll have some really good cans the next morning.  I may even stop by for a beer or two; I’ll need to count the shrapnel in my pennies jar first though.

     My hot water still isn’t working.  I phoned the landlord and he told me that the plumber would be round in the next couple of days.  He also reminded me that my rent is overdue.

     I hope the cheque that my brother promised to send comes soon.

Tomas Bird - Coaltown 2014