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I am sometimes reluctant to throw things out because I think, "I might need that later and if I throw it out then I'll have to spend money to buy another one," I can't bear to part with my art history books -- I have all my notebooks from college (I still use them as reference). I rent instead of own so I know in the back of my mind I'll move again so I am always wanting to save boxes. But for now I definitely not one. I am worried enough about being one (especially after seeing that show) that it makes me not save stuff even when I want to! 
This story has been updated.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — "This ain't your usual eviction," said one of the women gathered on the corner of 11th and Otis streets NW. She was right.
In a city with 9.9 percent unemployment, there are many tales of job loss, extended unemployment and homelessness. But for Eliosa Diaz, the evidence of her destitution and apparent compulsion to collect was spread out for all to see in Columbia Heights last night.
And spread it did.
The contents of her former residence were piled 4 or 5-feet high, stretching north, south and east, taking up both sides of the blocks.
The items almost seemed random: a computer monitor, health and beauty aids, 1970s or 80s stereo components, assorted furniture — just about anything you could fit in a house, or 10 houses.
"Feels terrible to see one person with all this. It's more than 10 houses [worth], the way it looks," said Frederick Akinbolajo, who lives in the neighborhood.
Dupree Davenport was walking by when he saw the clutter: "It's just unbelievable" that it came from one house, he said.
Diaz said she came to the United States 22 years ago from Venezuela. The thousands of things now guarded by D.C. police officers were charitable donations she had collected, she claimed.
"I collect things to donate to any country in Latin America," she said. "The reason I'm going through this situation is because I collected too many things to help, and for charity."
It's unclear how long she had been keeping the items she said she intended to donate, or whether she had ever sent anything.
"Seeing who the owner is, and where she's from, it just makes me think about people who are not used to having, so they come and they hoard, and it's a sad state of affairs," Dupree Davenport said. "Maybe she intended to send some back to her people elsewhere."
Diaz said she was unemployed and couldn't pay her landlord.
"They put me out because I don't have no job, no money to pay the landlord," she said. "I am not a bum. I need a job to pay my bills."
She says she called several D.C. agencies, including the mayor's office, trying to get financial assistance or help finding work.
"I've been calling for a year to many agencies and they won't help me," Diaz claimed.
Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, who arrived at the scene Tuesday night, said he had no records of her contacting his office for help. Graham called Diaz a hoarder and said he requested social workers to help her last night.
He also arranged for two trucks to come out and clear away Diaz's most valuable possessions. He said that under D.C. law, Diaz has 72 hours to move her belongings. After that, the city will likely have to send a dump truck to collect them.
"If she can identify the things that have value to her, we have a truck, we have a place to take it right now. We can store it on a temporary basis," said Graham.
Diaz said she was also evicted from her apartment on Rock Creek Church Road a year ago. She abandoned her belongings there.
And she said she accumulated all of the stuff that was pulled from her Northwest home within the past year. She says she's been evicted many times before, but the latest is "the most historic." She hasn't worked full-time in 2.5 years, but has done odd jobs. She is currently three months behind on her rent, she said.
Diaz said it was actually a relief for her, and it's also a relief to her neighbors, who say this set-up isn't good for anyone.
"We're trying to build, to build up this community and to see something like this is unbelievable," said neighbor Rhonda Carter.
Police officers were keeping an eye on the process throughout the night. They were still on the scene this morning, guarding the rest of her belongings.
http://www.tbd.com/articl...13180.html
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