I think one of the first things I came across in the blogosphere was a "what's in your bag?" meme. As a packing enthusiast (I dream about it, have lists, have blogged about it), this was right up my alley, but as I didn't have a blog yet I couldn't participate. Now I am inspired by the same type of meme at Lifehacker to finally reveal to the world the contents of what I call my Urban Survival Kit.
From top to bottom, left to right:
- MEC "Travel All" — just enough pockets and compartments to keep things civilized
- Nalgene water bottle (with a spigot so I can drink easily while driving; at the moment it is half ice to counter the warm weather)
- map of designated disabled parking spaces downtown (though I rarely go there)
- disabled parking permit (rarely used but a real life saver on bad days)
- insurance papers (so if my car gets stolen the bad guys won't get my personal information)
- spare car key (yes, I have used it, once)
- wallet (with as few cards as possible)
- Creative Zen Xtra 30GB mp3 player (hooks into my car stereo)
- Moleskine Volant notebook (discontinued)
- Sennheiser earbuds
- Staedtler Silver Ball 404 pen (i.e. a cheap pen I don't mind losing)
- Missalette (daily scripture readings for the Mass) with church bulletin (if I ever need the last rites they'll know which priest to call!)
- plastic shopping bag (I'm trying to cut back on how many of those things I bring home)
- label for a Spanish lavender variety that I want to get more of
- library card (kept in an outer pocket so I don't have to fish through my wallet for it)
- Gerber pocket knife (very light but hard to close without putting fingers in harm's way)
- band-aid (haven't had to use it yet, but see above)
- mini tape measure (very handy)
- paper clip (for rebooting my Zen if it crashes, which isn't often)
- handkerchief (am I the only person who still uses them?)
- Pepto Bismol caplets (for when my intestines do their diva act)
- lip balm
- mint oil (to wake up my brain; kind of important while on the road)
- not shown (oops): Elev8Me energy bar (not too sweet, made of real food)
I should probably get some kind of teeny flashlight but I haven't bothered yet. The whole arrangement weighs about 3.5 pounds, and there is just enough room left over for a pocketbook, my car stereo faceplate (if I'm parked in a less-than-genteel neighbourhood), or other small items.
Only one question remains: What's in your bag?
