ThisNext

I gave up on my DJ bag style bag. I loved how it looked but hated the back pain that resulted from me carrying too much stuff.

I also love my new backpack. I fill it up with heavy things and put it on my back and it feels like there's almost nothing in it. It has a pocket for my laptop and this pouch that fits my umbrella perfectly.

I know that adults carrying backpacks look goofy, but you know what, you look pretty goofy with the back pain.

Updated Nov 7, 2007

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Apple iPod

185 people recommended this item

Description

Can’t live without the tunes. Too bad I don’t have time to upload music anymore. I wind up listening to the same few hundred songs over and over…

Updated Jul 30, 2006

List that features this:

Very Necessary

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Apple MacBook

107 people recommended this item

Description

A cool MacBook would be the ULTIMATE gift this holiday. Way too cool for school.

Updated Nov 28, 2007

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

2008 At-a-Glance Weekly Professional Appointment Book

First to recommend

Description

I used these through college and graduate school to keep track of classes, assignments and appointments. They aren't beautiful, but they work quite well. They have adequate space to write out the assignment or appointment completely and are quite functional. They won't get shredded in your backpack or easily lost - they're essentially 8.5 x 11. They come in a couple of different non-exciting colours (black, red ... )

Updated Oct 25, 2007

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Etsy Seller: Bliss by Heather

First to recommend

Description

I'm in the market for a new messenger/backpack these days. On the train, I'm surrounded by the practical black bag, the ugly ballistic nylon messenger and the falling apart briefcase. I want something that is bright, that is comfortable and that I'll enjoy having in the sea of ugly functionality.

Bliss by Heather is almost there. I just want a good padded strap so the weight of the books and stuff is distributed on my shoulder. The colours are great, the designs are great ...

Updated Jul 30, 2007

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Chrome Sputnik bag

First to recommend

Description

I have the black version of this. It is fairly spacious even when I have the removable laptop insert in. It fastens with sturdy plastic clips that open and close without too much effort. It has two smaller pockets in the front, one is mesh. On the sides are smaller pouches - I use one to hold a tiny umbrella. The shininess also means that it is pretty waterproof even on a lengthy walk home in the pouring rain. I've had people with regular bags and backpacks comment on this on the street.

The only downside is that the strap is not padded in any way, but this is easily remedied as the strap is removable and can be replaced with a better one.

Updated Dec 18, 2006

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Jeremyville: sketchels

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

One of a kind bags from multiple artists. They are a little bit spendy for those of us living on limited salary, but there are so many and from so many talented artists, that you'll have a tough time choosing your favorite. They may also inspire you to want to make your own.

Updated Dec 13, 2006

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

NPR Map

First to recommend

12 people recommended this item

Description

ROAD TRIP! This map will help you locate NPR stations as you drive cross-country. Don't leave home without it!

Updated Dec 7, 2006

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Google Maps

4 people recommended this item

Description

I know that this is kind of obvious, but I still want to express my love for Google Maps. It gives pretty good directions, lets you look for businesses easily and hey, you can see my house from here.

Updated May 7, 2007

List that features this:

Resources

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

The Douche Card

15 people recommended this item

Description

With the exception of the absence of lightning, flowing robes, a staff and an encampment of Israelites waiting for me at the bottom of a mountain, I have a feeling that I had the same reaction when I first saw these cards as Moses did when handed the Ten Commandments.

"But of COURSE! Makes perfect sense!! Why didn't we think of these before? Would have avoided a lot of trouble...."

Or perhaps I'm wrong and he just thought, "Holy crap these tablets are heavy. How do I shlep 'em down the mountain?"

Well weight is not something you will have to worry about with these sassy and classy clever little cards. They are in my Top Ten List of Greatest Things EVER. Ever. Really. That's the extent to which I believe in their usefulness to humanity.

I could launch into my monologue about how depressing it is to see the lack of manners, kindness and just general "people being cool"-ness out there in the world today. But I'm sober. And need alcohol and an inappropriate social occasion to ignite that puppy it seems. At least that's the way it's come out in the past (picture yours truly delivering a 'Society SUCKS and NOBODY has dinner parties like in the 1950's anymore' slurred verbal spanking, with the drama of George C Scott in 'Patton', lacking the dramatic musical score of the aforementioned, at a wedding with an open bar, no food in my stomach and some guy making a dumb crack about how stupid he thinks fondue pots are.... You see, while they didn't crack into the highest echelon of my Top Ten contributions to civilization list, fondue pots made a great run at it, are another of my favorite things ever and apparently are something I will vigorously defend when sauced up on champagne, Jack and Coke and one single lettuce leaf (oh wait, pardon me, ENDIVE) filled with some kind of ham cream.)

But I digress. Back to the cards...Society needs a kick in the arse. Inconsiderate acts and people dignity-jacking (think I just invented a word there... ) one another is getting out of hand. As my Irish Catholic mother used to say, (brace yourself, you're about to bear witness to the only sex talk I ever got... it was more of a sex sentence actually) "Once you go down that road, you never go back to holding hands." I know. It's hard to know what the hell she was trying to say if you really think about that one. People who've had sex still hold hands. Think a re-wording would have helped. Something that left you realizing that once something has taken you to a new level, you can't erase that it happened and just go back to the way you were before. Every step we take farther away from a respectful living environment is one step farther away from the memory of what it was even like and increases the unliklihood we'll ever make it back to that place. Thus, douchebags must not go unchecked. For the sake of civilization.

Ok. Ignoring the fact that I did indeed begin the launch sequence of the Monologue WITHOUT alcohol, let me say that these cards are an elegant way to bring back a little coolness to life in general. In a society where the wrong look can get you punched or knifed, their calm, cool design allows them to slip into a hand and deliver an unexpected punch of their own with minimal threat to your physical safety. People are just too speechless to react.

Yes, I really do use them. Often. At times, for laughs when out with friends. But at other times, more seriously. Just last week when I was at Toys R Us with my girls I saw a couple with their daughter who was about ten. My oldest daughter's age. She was so quiet and just... good. She was a good girl. Who turned to her mom and said- like any kid would- "Is it ok if I get some gum?" as they stood behind us at the register. The mother turned and snarled, "Goddammit!! How many times do I have to tell you that if you want something bring your own damn money!!!" And I saw that awful sight that is becoming all too common- the subtle flash across a child's face when a little piece of dignity has been taken away from them. You can almost feel them getting smaller. I also mentally saw myself grabbing a shruiken and embedding it into the mother's head. But instead of reaching for ninja weapons, I calmly took out a Douche Card and handed it to her as I finished paying my bill. Then we walked away to the sound of total silence. Do I think that changed her at all? Nah. But maybe, just maybe, in saying "that's not ok. What you just did? Nope. Not cool." it changed for even just one minute the feeling that little girl had of being the one who was wrong.

Now if only I could have convinced the guy who hates fondue pots of how wrong HE was...

Explore

Search

Crazy commute - a list by sciencegeek

Options for This Page

About this list:

Qualifications:

For people who like:

This is:

Viewing 11-20 of 25 Items

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

List that features this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

For people who like:

This is:

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

For people who like:

This is:

Description

List that features this:

For people who like:

This is:

Description

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

This is:

Viewing 11-20 of 25 Items

ThisNext: Become a Member

Lists

Updated May 2, 2009

Updated May 4, 2009

Updated Jul 30, 2009

Updated May 28, 2009

Updated Dec 9, 2008

ThisNext Information