I’m working on the project of going bagless. See, I joined the bag brigade years ago, starting with a clutch bag to hold my Filofax and pipe/tobacco. Over the years the amount of stuff I need to carry around has increased until, when we lived in Lincolnshire, it embraced two cameras, a full-size sketch-book, three different sizes of notebook, a pencil box, a travelling water-colour sketch kit…
And it’s all become too heavy altogether, weighing down my shoulder and holding me down to earth with far too great an emphasis.
I am of an age now where I need to reduce the weight of my anchors, the better to be able to float off when the time comes. I no longer need an ox-cart.
So, I’m working on the project of acquiring a lightweight jacket with pockets and a new Filofax to house diary, notebook, sketch-book, addresses… you know the kind of thing.
Other than that, sitting contentedly in the sun, thinking of days long past and wondering if the heroes of my childhood are happy in their respective valhallas. If any of them are still alive then I feel for them. Deeply. No-one should get that old.
Perhaps an electronic filofax for addresses and Diary? Blackberry?
I switched all my memory needs to web pages and access them through my iphone. Now I carry one thing instead of 8.
heh, now you understand women and purses! Thanks to my friend Sasha I use a ‘passport’ purse most of the time around here.
I know just what its like John, with the bags and junk, like a snack wherever I go. What kind of filofax do you have? Mine is the Lincoln size–just a little bigger than for a pocket at about 3 x 4 inches and now about 16 years old itself!
John, I would think a lightweight vest… like the kind photographers or travelers use … with all the pockets would work.
That’s a great idea that Rian has!
But when I first was reading – I thought – “Oh”! my goodness – I would feel almost naked and not know what to do without my bag of tricks that I carry around! lol. On work days – I just leave it in the car instead of schlepping it in the house, every evening.
I used to get very confused in winter — trousers (4 pockets), suit jacket or sports jacket (at least 2 pockets), top coat (at least two pockets), dress shirt (one pocket) — net result, I had a lot of pockets to check to find my car keys (or anything else).
I’m okay if all I’m carrying are my keys and my wallet. Oh, wait, what about my cell phone. And I frequently like to bring my point-and-shoot digital camera. Oh, and sometimes my Flip video camera. And….
Hmmm, I’m fine when I travel (by car, train, or airplane) because I usually have a backpack along to hold all that stuff plus water bottles and books and notebooks and pens and granola bars, etc.
I guess I just need to wait until we can interface with the Internet via mental telepathy or something…
So sorry you are missing Graham dear you.
I regularly lighten my load while reducing my bag size. Now I wear a small backpack with room for a camera, a small sketch book…….oh you know……LOL I must need to empty it again.
I use a converted fishing vest to carry my odds ‘n’ ends when photographing. Might just work for you, too. And cheaper than a photographer’s vest by far!
Sometimes it just feels good to put everything down.
Janet