Bag Lady (What's In Your Bag?)

Member Name: skittle

Product:	What's In Your Bag?
Date:	08/11/07 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: loads of useful stuff

Disadvantages: not much room in there

What’s in my bag is, I’m afraid, actually pretty disappointing right now, as it’s absolutely nothing. In fact, my bag is currently out on the washing line swaying a little in the breeze as it dries, having been used as a toilet by one of my oh-so-loveable dogs in the not so distant past. I love my dogs, I really do, but sometimes… Anyway, what I usually carry in my bag, when it’s not covered in wee, is some or all of the following:

The most obvious things are my keys and purse, though sometimes I take them out of my bag and put them in my pockets if I’m in a dodgy area and I’m worried about thieving hands in my bag. This never used to worry me until I watched one of those real-life TV programmes where they showed gangs of girl pick pockets stealing purses from bags in London with the owner of the bag none the wiser. So I’m now a tad paranoid in busy areas and watch my purse and keys like a hawk.

The next most essential item in my bag is my mobile phone, not because I particularly like them, I don’t, but I like the idea of being trapped in a broken down car somewhere on my own even less. So the phone is with me for emergency use, just in case. And speaking of emergencies…

I always carry a selection of ‘emergency’ products too, for those occasions that you’re never expecting but should always anticipate, just in case. My emergency kit is made up of painkillers, for those headaches that can threaten to incapacitate you. Plasters for accidents with the stapler, or more likely in my case, blisters from the rubbing of new shoes. Sweets like polos or tic-tacs, or a packet of chewing gum for those meetings after I’ve just had garlic and onions for lunch. A packet of wet wipes, for when my hands or face feel sticky or dirty (like after eating something naughty and gooey) or for when I’ve spilt something on my clothes. I’ll admit that this does happen a lot, I am particularly clumsy. I also carry a tiny emergency can of deodorant that’s essential for summer days, especially if I’m feeling less than fresh. Proplus, for those meetings when the eyelids just don’t want to stay open are a must. Finally, I carry a spare pair of knee-highs, as they take up less space than a pair of tights but are just as useful if I happen to snag my tights and get a ladder (I only wear long skirts, anyway).

Something else that I always try to have in my bag, but which isn’t really for emergencies, is a book of stamps, or a book each of first and second class if I’m really prepared. These come in very handy for those occasions when I’ve forgotten a birthday and have to buy and post a birthday card at the last minute.

Generally there’s a notepad in my bag and several pens floating around at the bottom somewhere, in case of inspiration when I’m not at home. These notepads are generally full of story ideas, random phrases that made me smile or frown mixed in with little notes to myself like ‘remember to buy more milk and make dentist appointment’. But they’re lifesavers and I make sure I always have at least one little notepad with me at all times.

If I’m working then you’ll generally find a packed lunch in my bag, usually sandwiches, admittedly, though the odd salad finds its way into my bag too occasionally. If I’m just out and about you will still generally find food in my bag in addition to the emergency minty-stuff for fresh breath needs. I hate finding myself somewhere without access to food when I’m absolutely starving, and as this only normally happens when I’m not going to get a chance to eat for hours and hours, I’ve started to carry a cereal bar or two around with me for those ‘I need to eat right now’ times. They don’t come up often, but when they do am I glad for that admittedly pretty squished and probably out of date cereal goodness? You bet I am.

You’re probably wondering how on earth I manage to squeeze all of this into one little bag (hint, it’s not a little bag) but the next thing that’s always present in my bag is a novel of some description. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself stuck waiting somewhere for whatever reason with nothing to do other than stare at a wall, so I always make sure I’ve got a book with me to fill the time, and I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been thankful for it.

There are usually a whole selection of random receipts, leaflets and scraps of paper floating around the bottom of my bag too, that I’ve been meaning to remove but just not gotten around to doing it yet. They’re generally fighting for space with a couple of tampons or other sanitary protection (sorry boys, did that one embarrass you?) Unfortunately, that’s about as exciting as the contents of my bag gets.

So, that’s what I usually carry in my bag, when it hasn’t been used as a doggy urinal. Sorry it’s not very exciting, no ribbed-ticklers or embarrassing medication in there. I’d be very interested to read about what you’ve got in yours, especially you blokes with your briefcases – is it really just a copy of the Metro and your packed lunch?

Summary: dash, I forgot the crumbs, there are always crumbs in the bottom of my bag