Eight

Eight. What is the significance of the number eight? What does it mean to you? How does your context differ from the context of this post?

Eight could seem like a small number if you are thinking on a scale of millions, billions, or even larger. It could also seem like a really large number, for example if it were the number of times you could die and be resurrected in your lifetime. (Or would it count as eight lifetimes?) The significance of eight in this context lies somewhere near the middle of those two extremes, but is perhaps leaning on the side of seeming large.

In this context eight is the number of pairs of jeans that I own. Just given that information you may or may not think that is significant. Perhaps you do not even own eight pairs of pants, let alone specifically of the jeans variety. Or perhaps you own twelve pairs of jeans, eight pairs of khakis, nine pairs of dress pants, four cargo pants, and two pairs of patent leather pants (one black, one red). Whatever your current pant count, and your ideal pant count, I think you will shortly agree that eight, in this context, is on the larger side.

I say that eight is a significant number in this context because two years ago I did not own a single pair of jeans. In fact, I do not think I had owned a pair of jeans for 10 years. Some claim that I stated I would never own a pair of jeans, which I contest. In the last 6-12 months of jean-free living I knew that I wanted to buy a pair but it was not an easy task for an inexperienced jean owner as I was. I had great help in buying my first (two) pairs.

I still have the first pairs that I bought. One pair in particular was warn quite a bit and has some natural aged look to it (for example, the permanent wallet outline). They are still perfectly wearable and occasionally get called into duty. Some other pairs I have bought are used less frequently but still are enlisted for active service. I think this is the way of the world for wardrobe pieces–everyone has their favourites, and likewise their maybe-I-should-get-rid-of-thats.

And even with eight pairs of jeans, and with living in Germany, I am happy to report one trend that I have cautiously avoided altogether: the black jeans. I will not say never but…I really cannot imagine it.