My EDC

Thanks to the smartphone app "Stumbleupon"  I now know all about "Every Day Carry", or as the cool kids call it, EDC.  

There is even a website dedicated to what people carry with them on an every day basis.  Who knew?  Most of those who post are super geeks who pack gobs of electronic things with them where ever they go, usually filling up a small suitcase in the process.  Personally I've always subscribed to "travel light, freeze at night".  If it wouldn't fit in my pants pockets, I wouldn't carry it.

Up until now, this ^ is what I carried on a daily basis:  a cap (technically "worn"), because my dermatologist said it was either wear one or slather up with sun block (ewww)....a watch, this one a simple, cheap plastic Casio that is solar powered and updated by an atomic clock, which means it should never (theoretically) need maintenance....residence keys and garage gate and car key FOBs....a small pill holder, 'cause my doc says I must now take 'em or I'll seize up....my wallet....a pocket knife....and an iPhone.  Oh, and usually something that many would consider un-PC, which will therefore remain unnamed and unseen.

But according to the EDC folks, there are times and circumstances when it might be wise to have a few more simple necessities at hand than I had previously considered.  Times such as when earthquakes hit the west coast, hurricanes blast the east and gulf coasts, blizzards bury the northeast, and tornadoes (and now floods) overwhelm us here in the south and midwest.

After several minutes of thoughtful consideration I have given in and put together a few more "essentials", at least enough to keep me going until they send a helicopter to fetch me from my tree:

For starters, a Gerber multi-tool (pliers, screwdriver tips, bottle opener, etc)....several carabiners that I found in a drawer and thought they looked cool....one of those pens that will write upside down in a vacuum, 'cause you never know when you'll find yourself upside down in a vacuum....another (redundant) screwdriver....some of those pre-loaded toothbrushes....some deodorant, 'cause trust me, you do NOT want me walking around stinking up the place!....some bug repellant....Tylenol, Tums, and Imodium, since sometimes gas station sushi can bite....an LED flashlight....a tiny "space blanket", because K said, "here, put this space blanket in there"....my iPad, so I can keep up with the news and call for HELP in a blood curdling bold font, along with a spare charger....an Israeli Defense Forces emergency knife....and a spare magazine (oops, spoiler alert), 'cause not everyone appreciates my humorous sarcasm.  ;)   

On further reflection I'm thinking I might should throw in some band aids and some beer. 

All this new stuff can be packed into a small bag the size of a kids lunchbox and kept in the back of my car.  I'm still not going to physically carry it with me as....well....I'm lazy, but at least it will be close at hand.

So, enough stuff?  Too much stuff?  Outside of those of you living in the frozen north who commonly carry blizzard kits, does anyone else do this?  Talk to me.  :)

S