Fashion Victim Pt. 2

[prog]

Something I forgot to mention on my original list (no member of which I have yet acquired) is a messenger-style bag. Since becoming a mostly carless commuter in 2000 I've been wearing an O'Reilly Open Source Convention backpack, yelling that title in big white and red letters to everyone behind me. (It's been two different backpacks over this time period, jjohn having donated my current one. I haven't personally been to an OsCon since 2000.)

For a few years it buoyed me with Company Pride, even after said Company gave me the boot. More recently, however, this has faded into the feeling that the bag's form and message have been conspiring to saddle me with Dork Cred of the Bad Kind.

I'm not sure when the standard in comfy commuter totes became single-shoulder-strap bags that are basically sawed-off, laptop-aware versions of bicycle messengers' satchels, but I've been meaning to get one for some time. Last week I asked my boss where he got his, and today I wandered into REI to pick up what is probably the same model: a hundred-dollars-even black waterproof jobby from Timbuk2. Indeed, now that I'm aware of them I see them in use all around the Longwood area, and probably beyond. It seems to be a standard commuter implement throughout this burg.

Comments

[aspartaimee.livejournal.com]

i love my messenger bag, seen here. the only problem i find is that i now put lots o stuff in it, making it exceptionally heavy.

not waterproof though, and after stumbling home in torrential downpour last week, i am jealous of yours.

[aspartaimee.livejournal.com]

http://www.brooklynindustries.com/Medium-Messenger-P81C22.aspx

that should work. i am not sure my other link does.

i luv dem Timbuktu bags

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

I got one too, with the cell phone holster and padded strap. It's quite a relief not to have to hunt around for that damn phone (I don't like loading my pockets up.) They make iPod holsters as well, but that seems a bit much for me.

The only things I don;t like are that a) I can't load them up to death like my old knapsack, b) they feel heavier when you try to load them up to death like some damn knapsack, and c) that loud rrrrrripping sound the Velcro makes when you open the flap. Not fun at the liberry.

Re: i luv dem Timbuktu bags

[prog.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I was disappointed at its first trial which was, of course, walking home with my old backpack folded up and stuffed inside, along with my computer. I was happy that it was roomy enough to accommodate it, but I had to carry it in my hand or else my shoulder got sore quickly.

OTOH (literally): it's a nice form factor for carrying by hand, where my backpack isn't really.

Just now I walked from house to diesel without the backpack, and it was just fine. It will take some getting used to.