Rainbow, I think that last example kind of proves Omni’s point.
The IQ of a group is equal to the IQ of the dumbest member divided by the number of people in the group.
I have never carried a purse, and I think this is a result of my Mom having carried a 25# purse everywhere she went. When one emptied it out, there was always at least one lipstick at the bottom without a lid, and lipstick (usually some unbearably embarrassing 70’s shade) smeared all over everything in the bottom of the purse.
“Here, have a chewable pepto if you don’t feel well…” covered in lipstick? No thanks.
I always carried an ID sized wallet, and I always wore clothing with pockets. If my pants or whatever had none, I added a jacket that did.
Now that I have a baby, I carry a black Carter’s baby bag which is about 9x 7.5 x6".
This has a zipper section for my wallet and check book, and a large center section for other needs. In this large section, I carry diapers, wipes, ziplocks for dirty dipes, hand sanitizer,(travel size) desitin, a change of clothes for the wee one, a small toy or two, infant tylenol, a thermometer and my Colt .45. The last item makes the bag a bit heavy, but I like the feeling of security, knowing that if anyone decides to mess with me, I’m packin’ lead in the diaper bag.
“Sorry, I’m just not myself today… Maybe I’m you.”
Chrome Toaster
I carry a tiny backback purse that BeLogical decided had a portable hole hiding in it on my last trip to DC. Cost of backpack: 10 bucks.
Inside: (like Falcon) My inhalers and other emergency medications. I’ve had enough ER trips to know better than to leave home without them.
Diaper and portable diaper wipe pack (I have a very small child, that purse is also a diaper bag)
Checkbook and keys. Sunglasses and PEZ. Eyedrops for my contacts, lipgloss with sunscreen. My Keeper (see the ole feminine product thread – NOT a pocket item).
My Gerber. Never leave home without your handy bomb-making tool. Really freaks out airport security.
All of Lance’s shit that he can’t carry in his wallet, like his cellphone, and keys, and etc.
Yeah, pal, YOU try to carry diapers and all that sticking out of your pants pockets. We’ll stand in line to laugh our asses off at you.
If you don’t mind me asking, what methods do you take to secure the gun from your child[ren] without affecting it’s quick availability?
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against guns when they’re carried by responsible, law-abiding people. In fact, I own a few and occasionally carry (if necessary) myself. But it is quite disturbing to think of a loaded & unsecured gun being toted around in a diaper bag. At the very least, I would hope that you don’t keep a round chambered.
I have to carry a purse, because my husband is always asking for Kleenex, Blistex, lotion, extra car keys, calendar “When was that dentist’s appointment?”, change, comb, pocket knife, etc., etc., etc. He also asks me to carry his wallet because he has about 50 different cards he needs to carry and doesn’t like looking like he has a tumor on his butt.
A moderate sized purse is very efficient. You always have your basic stuff in one place. It’s big enough to carry things like prescription glasses, address books, etc. I don’t have one of those purses that looks like an overnight bag.
Won’t hold my purse? Okay, just don’t ask for any Kleenex if you don’t have a receipt to wipe your nose on or a loan because you put your ATM card through the dryer or left it in your other pants.
i carry
cell phone
wallet
asprin
sanitary napkin
checkbook
keys
and tooth brush and paste
hairbrush
pen and note pad
lipstick
a book
a voice recorder
at least one toy of some sort
when my kids were little i also had
a diaper
a bottle
and a baggie with some baby wipes
not to mention, whatever my husband doesn’t feel like dragging around
I’m pink therefore I’m Spam
i’d like to know what on that list you don’t think is necessary?
i realize you don’t think we need tooth brushes or hair brushes,
but those of us who still have all of our hair and teeth like to keep groomed
I’m pink therefore I’m Spam
If you can find anything in my purse that I don’t need, I will stop carrying it. Deal?
Front Pocket:
Wallet (ID, social security card, college id, check card, two short poems that inspire me, my mom’s business card, doctor’s business card, gym card, health insurance card, business card for the $2.99 haircut place, good friend’s email address, and my student advantage card. also $5 in cash.)
my ren purse in which i keep eyedrops for my contacts, extra contact case, keys (one for the main door of my drom, and one for my room) on ONE keychain, nailclippers (i am contsantly breaking a nail, and i need to cut it rather than tear it and hurt myself), chapstick, my watch (i hate wearing things on my wrist), and about $20 in change (my granparents gave me half-dollars for Christmas.)
sunglasses
matches
candy
one tampon
Middle Pocket:
two more tampons
a small notepad
a pen and a pencil (somebody always needs pen & paper, and i need the pencil for school)
handlotion (i have very dry skin)
pills (as in THE pill, I carry it around so that if I forget to take it at home, I have it to take when I get to class or the cafeteria or wherever. Remembering that I forgot to take it does no good if it’s at home and I’m not.)
a small photo album with pictures of my fiancé (most of my family hasn’t met him yet, so I have pictures)
a hairbrush (my hair gets tangled easily. People actually TELL me that I need to brush my hair. Also, Carl uses it, since he can’t fit a brush in his pocket.)
Back Pocket:
My datebook
My Journal
Sometimes a book
Not counted is all of the stuff that Carl asks me to put in my purse for him (glasses, wallet, keys, etc.) I assure you that nearly every item in my pusre (with the possible exception of those business cards) gets used everyday. If not by me, than by someone who asks to borrow it. I’ve had guys ask to use my nailfile; people always borrow pens and paper, my hairbrush, my tampons, matches (which is why I even carry them – I don’t smoke), my lip balm, my eyedrops; they eat my candy and read my watch. Sorry if you think I carry around too much crap, but I guess you never borrow any of these items from a girl. And you damn well better not ask her to carry anything of yours. You’ve got pockets.
Cessandra
It’s frightening how many crazies think that world is going to end in a few days. All of us smart people know that it’s not ending until next year.
Omni, I think the “tit cream” you refer to is Rube’s Boob Lube.
JMcC, San Francisco, JJM’s page from the Bay
If I were beaned with a fastball, fling my limp, lifeless body to first, cause, dammit, I earned it!
Omni, I think the “tit cream” you refer to is Rube’s Boob Lube.
JMcC, San Francisco, JJM’s page from the Bay
If I were beaned with a fastball, fling my limp, lifeless body to first, cause, dammit, I earned it!
I’m with Omni. I figured out early on that there was no law requiring women to carry a purse, and I therefore don’t use one. I have a simple men’s leather billfold-style wallet that I can easily carry with me in either a coat pocket or in my hand. It has everything I need, with the exception of tampons. Those go in the glove compartment of my car.
I admit, I had a little bit of a scare when I started dating again, and realized I wasn’t going to be sleeping at my house every night. That required me to carry my birth control pills with me at all times. My pills come on a card - with a little bit of trimming, this card fits in my wallet much like a business card. Solution found.
As far as carrying things of absolutely no use to me in case some random friend or stranger suddenly needs it (see “matches” example above) - are you bloody crazy?!? Why in the world would someone do such a thing?!? If someone is in dire need of matches/pen and paper/nail file/etc. let them carry 'em around themselves! I’m not a walking general store.
And PS - yes, women’s clothing have fewer pockets than men’s clothing. I actually own a parka that the sole difference between the “women’s” style and the “men’s” style was that the men’s had an inside pocket. I bought the men’s style. Nevertheless, with the exception of some very formal dresses, I’ve never been completely without a pocket.
hmmm well since you asked, i had a look
5 lottery tickets, unchecked
2 tampons
cell phone
extra cell battery
vaseline (for my lips… already)
cheque book
8 pens
2 lighters
work keys
extra set of car keys
small pack of wet ones
a mini nerf ball
two dinky toys
pack of crackers
various bills…all paid
cigarettes
ooh here’s one for you guys… a piece of paper with moosie’s phone number… highest bidder wins
package of stamps
toothbrush and paste
and in the two front pockets (my purse is like a mini knap sack) credit cards, bank cards, video store cards, gas cards, etc. etc.
and a partridge in a pear treeeeee
A true friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out…there are Angels among us
I carry either a purse or a briefcase unless I’m just running somewhere quick, but as people have said already, pockets are a rare commodity in my clothing. I wear dresses and skirts almost exclusively, and when I don’t it’s sweatpants. The ONLY clothing I have with pockets is the odd tee shirt and my coat.
That said:
Purse:
dayplanner (which serves as a wallet as well)
various medication (yes I use them frequently)
toys for placating a cranky child
big bottle of TUMS
sunglasses
digital camera
Briefcase: most of the above but also pads of paper and pens and stuff.
–
Teeming Millions: http://fathom.org/teemingmillions
“Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
You broads have made my point for me. “I need to carry bullshit in case someone needs to borrow it”, what kind of enabling bullshit is that. The weaker sex I guess.
To all the tampon Nazis, you know when you need it, carry it for those 5 days and be done with it, stick it in the glove box, and the dest at work and cope.
Toothbrush obsessives, stick it in your car or desk, do you really need it THIS INSTANT, or can it wait until you get from lunch back to the office.
Candy is a necessity huh?
Mel, do you really want to know what you don’t need? Toy, voice recorder (do you have Alzheimers), checkbook, asprin, sanitary napkin, checkbook, tooth brush and paste, hairbrush, pen and note pad, lipstick, book. If you gotta have this stuff it can at least keep it in the desk or car, it not neccesary IMMEDIATELY.
Oh yeah ladies, your bf requires you to carry a purse for his needs, right. Now if you gonna fuck with it, sure he’ll take advantage of you, but don’t pretend that the main cause of your obsession.
You people are high, except you ladies packin’ heat, yes ma’am, anything you say ma’am.
Omni… as a tampon nazi, I’m pleased to award you with your very own tampon and box of midol… I think you are pmsing here. 
A true friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out…there are Angels among us
For the record, I have NO idea when my period is coming, who the fuck are you to say I do? Mine comes once every few months, occassionally more often, completely at random, and has ever since I had my son.
I’ve never asked anyone to hold my purse so why the hell do you care? I carry the things I want with me. BECAUSE I WANT THEM WITH ME. My purse doesn’t weigh a ton and it doesn’t hurt you so shut the fuck up already. Sheesh. I suppose in OmniWorld I’d just carry a bag of money on a string or something? Or should I change my entire wardrobe to clothing I don’t like but that has pockets so I don’t offend you by having a purse?
–
Teeming Millions: http://fathom.org/teemingmillions
“Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
Omni,if it bothers you so much why don’t you just forget about it and stay at the gay bars?
My purse is actually small, but here are the contents.
My wallet (absolutly no pictures in it except my driver’s license) that is a little bigger than a check book – has my checks in it.
My glasses case with sunglasses (most essential in seeing things)
chapstick (no makeup)
Cigarettes and lighter (yes I am smoker)
Gum (no need to breath dragon breath on my clients)
A pen (but I think it’s in the back seat of the car now)
Extra tampon for emergencies
One panti-liner in case I forgot to replace the tampon
3 spermicidal inserts, condoms suck and I like to be prepared…the boyfriend is a horndog (take that back…only 2 are in there now hehe)
Other than that I don’t think that’s too much to carry around.
On the weekends when I know I am staying at my boyfriend’s house, I do bring my brush – no need to look like Medusa and I am very particular about what brush I use
Oh, I forgot to mention that my purse cost around $15 and my briefcase was $35 so bite me.
–
Teeming Millions: http://fathom.org/teemingmillions
“Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
BTW
Since I wear jeans almost exclusively, the pager and the cell phone are connected to my belt. My job basically requires that I have access to communication 24-7 so the phone rarely goes in the purse unless I am at the boyfriend’s house, then they end up in the purse. Makes it easier to find the next day 
HEY…for any man who feels the need to put us women down for carrying purses, we do have more “needs” then you men with what we carry with us.
As for us women that carry tampons with us, well not all of us are regular, to the day. I would much rather have an extra tampon with me (my brand, not some shit out of a vending machine) than end up walking out of an office or bar backwards with my jacket tied around my waist because I was unprepared…also, I don’t think that a woman would much like carrying a tampon sticking out of her back pocket…for good hygiene a woman needs to have an extra two when she leaves for work and is gone for 10 hours. This doesn’t apply to me, but this gets my point across.