list 8: yeah, i always carry this. much. shit. in my bag…

Remember that scene from Breakfast Club when Allison (the basket case of the group) dumps the contents of her bag on the couch and says: “Yeah, I always carry this. much. shit. in my bag… You never know when you may have to jam.” Well… that’s me. I don’t intend to run away any time soon but you never know when you might have broccoli stuck between your teeth or a nose that leaks or dried lips or garlic breath when you are just about to kiss someone. Nobody wants that.  I’m just saying that one must be prepared for all eventualities.  Keep in mind that I often travel with a backpack because I generally walk the hour to work.  When I’m out on the town, the list is narrowed down to wallet, cell phone, gum, chap stick, keys and bus pass. That’s what I call living on the edge.

Following in Hula and Kristen’s footsteps, these are the contents of my bag, dumped onto my table and neatly arranged for your viewing pleasure:

1. Kleenex. I do believe I have told you about my booger paranoia.
2. Keys. They’re pretty important.
3. Magnetic card for work. The only way in or out.
4. Notebook. You never know when inspiration might strike. Don’t leave home without it.
5. iPod. Also known as that thing that feeds my music addiction. Currently on repeat Broken Bells & Mimicking Birds
6. USB key. For when I might have to download super secret spy information.
7. Cell phone. I never use it to actually call anyone. It is my alarm clock and otherwise sits at the bottom of the bag waiting for the jolly ding of a faraway message.
8. Smith’s Rosebud Salve. Given to me by a friend. No wonder it’s a cult favorite, this stuff is the bomb.
9. Holga camera. A christmas gift from the English boy. My new toy (the camera, not the boy… well…) There’s nothing worse than seeing a photo opportunity and not being able to capture it. For this reason, there is often a camera of some sort in my bag.
10. Roll of 120 film. Waiting to be developed.
11. Deodorant. Do I really need to explain this one?
12. Skin’s Shangri La moisturizer by LUSH. For the sad dry patch on my forehead. Plus it smells really good.
13. Burt’s Bee’s Lip Shimmer in Cocoa. Same tingly goodness as the lip balm with an added hint of cocoa color.
14. Xylichew spearmint chewing gum. When you are a coffee drinker, gum becomes a staple. And this gum is the breath freshiest.
15. Ginger bread man lip gloss by Philosophy. Can you tell I like lip products? How many lip balms, salves, sticks does a girl need? The real question is… is there ever really enough?
16. OPUS bus & subway pass.  It’s how I ride, yo! Gets me around.
17. Auric blends patchouli oil. This ain’t your typical hippie patchouli. Deep, earthy, spicy, intoxicating goodness. For when I want to smell good or travel back in time to Paris, where I wore it every single day.
18. A wallet full of receipts and no money.
19. Elastic hair bands and bobby pins. For when the mane needs to be tamed!
20. Klean Kanteen water bottle. It’s important to hydrate.
21. Dental floss. Because I cannot stand having stuff stuck in my teeth. It’s pure torture.
22. Advil. Just in case.
23. Emergency tampon. Because you never know when you or one of your girlfriends may be stuck in a situation.
24. Address book. For when I want to send presents.
25. Recently purchased Mumford & Sons CD and concert tickets. (OMG! They are so good)
26. Cocoa camino chili & spice dark chocolate. I like having a snack in my bag at all times. I mean, what if the subway stops running or your meeting runs late? Better to have a snack in the purse than suffer the wrath of the hungry woman.
27. A pastille. Leftover from the bronchitis.
28. Millenium ZIG 0.8 pen. I am pen picky. Don’t want too thick, too thin, too scratchy, too liquid, too much, too little. This one glides on the page and makes my handwriting look good.

I bet you MacGyver would have a field day with the contents of my bag. Imagine the possibilities. He could diffuse a bomb, stop a nose bleed, jury rig a weapon or break free from his captives.  You might laugh but next time you have low blood sugar or a headache, you’ll be happy to have me around.

What random things do you carry in your bag, other than the obvious staples?