33. It only occurred to me somewhat recently that this habit of mine might be considered a bit, emmm, unusual after reading the Crazy Prepared trope on the TV Tropes Web page. Warning! For those who have not visited that page, it can turn into a tremendous time sink!

My lovely wife should have gotten the clue about me when she remarked one day when I was in my first year at college that I’d missed a spot shaving that morning…and I reached into my book bag, pulled out my electric razor, and headed off to the bathroom for an outlet and a touch-up on my chin.

Fast-forward to today, when I take my computer case to work with me. It has, of course, my computer, as well as about a dozen or so cables and adapters and some tools – that sort of stands to reason, given my job.

It also has (reciting from memory) my planner journal, my separate engineering journal, napkins, my map case (with maps of several major cities on the East Coast and at least one on the West, bus schedules, Metro, commuter rail and Amtrak schedules, plus pre-purchased tickets to multiple common destinations, just in case), a first aid kit (containing band-aids, antibiotic cream, ibuprofen and other analgesics, antacids, gauze, dental floss picks, vitamins, cold sore cream, medical tape…), a nail care kit (with tweezers, clippers, nail scissors and a file), business card case, brochures for my company, book of New York Times crossword puzzles and/or what paperback I’m reading at the time, USB flash drive, collapsible umbrella, a second wallet (mostly with store-specific discount and membership cards), blank CD-ROMs, pens, flashlight, key fob, bottle opener, stapler, small book of mathematical and measurement conversion factors, mp3 player with an earphone case, moisturizing cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, checkbook, facial tissues, lighter (I don’t smoke), pocketknife, a few dollars in change for emergency parking meter feedage, and a shot of Scotch in a small flask. I think that’s it. (My cel phone is at my belt, my work ID is around my neck, and my keys are in my pocket.)

I purchased a foldable luggage trolley to roll it all around with.

(Shucks, now that I think of it, I used to carry a packet of peanuts or trail mix and a bottle of water with me in there as well. I need to start doing that again.)