Yes, yes, also known as a "murse." I don't consider myself normal, and yet even I don't easily flaunt entrenched cultural norms. I've flirted with the idea before. This latest urge may push me over the edge. Not that's it's a far drop: in more pedestrian cities, "messenger bags" are accepted, and only a step from handbags and the dreaded "murse." Wait, stop. We need a motivation. Let's see what's in my pockets.
- Wallet
- Keys
- Phone
That is literally all that will fit before my pockets bulge unattractively, as though filled with severed fingers. I don't want that. You don't want that. The above are the essentials, right? What more could a semi-masculine guy desire? Ooh, ooh, me! Choose me!
- Camera
- MP3 player
- Sunglasses
- Notebook
- Pen
- Book
- Kitchen sink
Those are just the items I find myself missing every day, actually. I am in the process of finding something that'll work and not look totally ridiculous. It's a trick, but here's the secret: nylon. I am certain to get flak, even if I choose a bag with huge spikes and chains covering its surface. I can deal with that. I'll whip my camera out of my handbag and shout, "Yeah? I'll take a photo of you right now, motherfucker!"
That'll show 'em.
I was going to... twitter?... this at you the other day but forgot, have you seen Timbuk2's bags? don't know if they are your style but I've seen guys carrying these and heard a lot of good comments on them.
Posted by kc on 30 Jan 2008, 7:40 PM
Very cool, thanks! I love the customize feature. Hm! :)
Posted by gilrain on 30 Jan 2008, 9:06 PM
I'm pretty sure Julie (the-gadgeteer.com) reviewed a couple timbuk2 bags and liked them. Go here: http://the-gadgeteer.com/category/gear and scroll down to "Bags (Shoulder bag)"
It's quite normal for a guy to carry a cool messenger bag type thing. I don't think you'll get too much flak :)
Posted by Kara on 31 Jan 2008, 3:12 PM
Or make your own:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/06/make_a_messenger_bag_out_1.html
Posted by kara on 31 Jan 2008, 3:13 PM
Oh, cool -- she has lots of bag reviews! I'm browsing through them now, thanks!
Posted by gilrain on 31 Jan 2008, 6:36 PM
OK, wake up and smell the coffee (or the Coke Zero in your case). Pockets and belts remain a huge benefit of manhood in an ever shrinking pool of what defines us as the privileged sex.
I love my method. Phone on the belt (left side). Small set of essential keys in the right front pocket. Large set of keys (needed at work only) clipped on the right side. Wallet in the back right, handkerchief in the back left (back when I had hair I kept a comb in there with the handkerchief). If I had truly embraced my new KY home I would also carry a knife in my front left pocket. As it stands, it remains empty as a tribute to my CA roots, or on standby (every time I've tried to carry a knife I loose it in a matter of hours anyway). Left front can also serve as home for my pipe lighter and pipe tool, or the MP3 player when in use. I've also got the writing tools covered (along with a small filing system) by using the front shirt pocket. Possibilities are endless with a jacket or coat. If it were always cool enough to ware one I'd have no problems at all!
I'm most worried about the phone in your purse. A huge benefit to wearing the phone is it can be left on vibrate, and I am never contributing to the blight of ringing cell phones. You leave that thing in your purse and you will have it ringing, likely with some foul ring tone that only you think is cool, and the rest of us hate. Evil! Don't do it! Resist!
The camera, sunglasses, MP3 player, and you don't even mention smokables in your list of essentials, or desirables. Pipe, lighter, cigars, maybe a cutter. Any large change of locations involves loading up the brief case with these. It's not like you're constantly needing them....
Another excellent option is a companion. A good strong, yet attractive and intelligent person who carries a sizable bag that can accommodate anything that does not fit conveniently in your pockets. If you've sworn off companions for the present, you might as well go with the travel vest. Those are assume! I've greatly admired them at pipe shows. I've seen entire pipe and tobacco collections with all the needed accessories, phones, cameras, and everything else you've mentioned and more, much more, poring out of them, and you still get to ware it all!
That's it then, either the companion, or a travel vest are going to be your best options.
Posted by sethile on 01 Feb 2008, 8:06 AM
Hm, some good points, and allow me to address them!
Firstly, and no offense: things clipped to a belt look pretty dorky, at least in my age group. Your method, then, isn't an option, and with it eliminated your abundance of pocket-space disappears.I agree that if one can wear a coat, one needs no bag. I live in San Diego, though. I don't get to use a coat very often.
Also, you need not worry about my phone. It'll stay in my pocket, as always. I actually wouldn't change my pocket arrangement at all -- the bag would just be for extras, as listed in the post. You may have the wrong idea about the style, too. This bag is the one I am strongly leaning towards.
A travel vest? You really think a travel vest would look better than a tasteful gear bag? I would look like a photojournalist or a fly fisher.
And as for a companion, I imagine that one such would appreciate not having to carry all of my stuff around. :P
No, I am set on the bag.
Posted by gilrain on 01 Feb 2008, 8:38 AM
Oh, say, that Tom Bihn Cafe Bag does look like a good option, and I I think I can refrain from referring to it as your purse, and I'm very glad to hear about your phone. That is a huge relief!
Some companions really enjoy being helpful. Take this Companion, for instance.
Posted by sethile on 01 Feb 2008, 1:32 PM
Darn HTML tag didn't work. OK, let's try this one:
Posted by sethile on 01 Feb 2008, 1:35 PM
Rats! Are you sure html is allowed? How about this link then:
http://www.discountramps.com/petImages/dog-backpack-3.jpg
Posted by sethile on 01 Feb 2008, 1:37 PM
Yep, (some) HTML is allowed, including the 'a' tag. In the first instance, you left out the space between 'a' and 'href'. I don't think 'img' is allowed, thus the problem with the second. ;)
Nice dogpack, though. You should get one for Amber and take her to your pipe conventions.
Posted by gilrain on 01 Feb 2008, 2:23 PM