41–50 of 67 posts
- a keychain sized measuring tape I got as conference swag years ago
- a geologists’ hand lens. I’m not a geologist but it is useful on rare occasions when you need to see really small things. Though to be honest the phone camera magnification mode probably obsoletes it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Where do you go to need a knife, a pistol, a glass breaker and a fire starter?
If you live an unusual life, you may need unusual tools. Also, there's probably more than a little low-key play acting, like when a normie wears "aviator" sunglasses. When I was a young kid, maybe 8, and home alone, I walked around the house in a terry cloth robe and a 8" chef knife in one of the pockets. Same thing.
Sure thing. I freely acknowledge that the probability of me needing to use a ferro-rod "in anger" to start a fire in a survival situation is relatively low. Carrying it is more just a part of my identity that anything probably at this point.
That said... I've been caught out in flash "pop up" thunderstorms before, gotten rained on, and found myself feeling cold, while quite a distance from my vehicle or anything, while out fishing or doing similar things. At least once I was caught out in a storm and was on the verge of hunkering down under a bridge embankment and starting a fire, right when the rain let up. So it's not purely an affectation or prop or whatever.
Most of the time I only leave home with clothes, shoes, wallet, and sometimes a watch.
If I am at a conference or on a business trip I sometimes carry a small leg bag with a 10" laptop and charger, and a handheld radio to coordinate with a group.
I can trust myself to always improvise when required, so I rarely have much with me.
My motorcycle saddle bags have a tent and other stuff in them, but the logic is small stuff I rarely use except it's like magic when you have them handy.
Plackers, little cloth case with small tools and nail/tooth items, usb cables of all kinds, ipod nano, tylenol, decongestant, antacid, hydrocortisone, n95 masks, microfiber cloth, lots of spare glasses, little multimeter, lumix 8X zoom camera (smaller than a phone!) and a small jar of oregano, because Whole Foods doesn’t put any out with the pizzas. Lightning and audio jack earphones and all sorts of adapters (plus lightning and usb-c SD card readers). Pepper spray when I feel paranoid. The bear spray is at home (in the woods). Ipad Pro for music scores and my best photos. Moleskine clone notebook. Hair brush. When I expect some interesting weather to happen, venerable Nikon Coolpix P510 (24-1000mm compact camera).
Shoulder bag has cards and phone. Three sets of keys plus one spare home key. One set has a Radio Shack (RIP) leatherman multi-tool with 12-20 wire stripper.
Laptop, iPad, notebook & pens, headphones & AirPods, usb-c charger & cables, usb-c battery pack. External keyboard & apple trackpad (so I don’t get a sore neck while working). Gaff tape, tissues, hand san & face masks, travel sunscreen, zip lock bags, ear plugs, eye mask, travel pillow. Small Bluetooth speaker (insanely useful while travelling).
More unusual items:
- A white contact juggling ball (my hands need something while I think).
- A small tin of lego, again for thinking with.
- A portable, foldable piano. (Carry-on 88 key touch) and a couple books of sheet music.
- airtag
- medicines i.e. ibuprofen, plaster
- glue for small wounds
- nail file and cutter
- small plastic spoon
- lenses in case my glasses are broken
- short charger cables
- USB-C USB-C adapter
- USB thumb drive
- hair comb
Additionally, if I go by bike I have a bike bag with multitool, repair kit, cleaner brush
Small hardcover notebook, pen, smartphone;
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Scotchtape, lockpicks, screwdriver w/ common bits, utility knife, Nd magnet, insulated wires, jumpers, torch, extra li battery, butane lighter, tissues, superglue, zipties...
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Extra usb adapter, several cables, pendrives, sd cards, sims etc etc...
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Antihistamines, nsaids/painkillers, sedatives, topical lidocaine, ors, several syringes, tape bandages, iodine, IPA, toothbrush, condoms, energy-dense foods, instant coffee (for withdrawls), mosquito rep etc
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Nitrile gloves, ep tubes, falcons, some filters, a good amount of parafilm, swabs, ziplock bags
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