Here's one for the ladies: What's in your handbag right now?
Submitted by Kadeeae.
My "handbag" is in fact the lovely chocolate coloured shoulder bag that has taken me from work to concerts and just about most places that aren't casual since 2003. Not a handbag exactly, but not a satchel or a briefcase either. (Looks a little like the Arielle.) Perfect.
The techie stuff: mobile phone, PDA, iPod and in-ear monitors, flash drive
The prepared for all occasions stuff: folding umbrella; tissues; crystal nail file; tiny purse that manages to hold chapstick, travel toothbrush with mini toothpaste, lipgloss, earplugs, eyedrops, toothpick, tampon, panty liner, glasses cleaning cloth, bandaids, nurofen, lip and eyebrow pencils, and an aromatherapy roll-on.
The writing implements: Rotring Freeway ballpoint pen, Lamy fountain pen, Staedtler clutch pencil
The "access" stuff: keys, work pass
The CDs (at the moment): a recording of Celibidache conducting Ravel; a recording of an interview that I have to edit
In a simple Lantern Paper zipped fabric "stationery satchel" (which, incidentally, sort of matches the aforementioned folding umbrella): Moleskine Cahier medium lined notebook for research notes, a fundraising brochure for an orchestra I don't work for, some health insurance documents that I need to act on, and something I found on the printer at work that horrified me at first and now just makes me laugh.
The paper stuff: business cards in an embossed aluminium case, Remo General Store 2008 Pocket Planner, Moleskine grid pocket notebook, Moleskine volant lined notebook (for library/catalogue searches), Moleskine red weekly pocket diary (which I actually leave at work during the week but take home on weekends to plan), homemade Circa hipster PDA (modelled on the Levenger variety) that I'm experimenting with, and in a slim plastic file various work papers that I really need to weed big time!
And finally: my wallet with money, cards, public transport tickets, etc.
Conclusion? I probably carry more than I really need to, especially on the accumulated paper and notebooks front. I'm a Moleskine tragic, it goes with saying, and I believe in using good pens – always.