  I carry this case around campus this year -- it's two toned, orange and tan and was probably produced in 1955 or thereabouts. It effectively functions as my "briefcase" (a term / idea / object that doesn't really "turn my crank" -- I swore I'd never carry one)...which is great because it's much larger than any "briefcase" i've ever seen...so i can replicate the chaos/hope/&possibility with which my desk is replete -- (or... "it's messy inside my briefcase like it is on my desk.
") But what's interesting to me is that I get all these comments about it from other faculty. "You got a record player in there? " "Bringing your trumpet to class? " "Mmmm. " (with a shaking head -- Julia eventually told me that her dad carried an identical case when he travelled -- and filled it with his hard liquor) "You look like some kind of salesman.
" "What *is* that? " I love the idea that the objects and relations of a person's everyday self could act as a sort of stimuli for questions.... My mom always said that I was confused about the point of clothes; that I was under the impression that clothes were costumes. Well, she was at least right about the second part. I certainly think that clothes are costumes. For everybody, though, I think they are. I just happen to think the character I'm playing should probably be a little more quirky than the rest of the cast... peace~ 
