For want of a tote bag.

meri 2014.07.17

TL;DR: meri babbling about a bag that doesn’t exist. 

Now, I’m not saying that I don’t have tote bags. Far from it. I have lots of them. But somehow, none of them are quite right. They’re either too big (only one or two; I like me a mighty bag), too small, don’t have enough pockets, not deep enough, the wrong shape, have too much structure, don’t have enough structure, or (and this is a huge problem) the straps don’t really fit over my shoulder.

Yes, I’m picky. You knew this.

I’ve been dreaming about finding the perfect tote bag. This mythical bag is able to hold the following:

• Knitting notebook (8.5 x 11)
• Daily agenda (8.5 x 5.5)
• Pen case
• Glasses case
• 1-2 knitting projects
• Knitting tool kit
• Makeup case
• Wallet
• Keys
• Thermos
• iPad mini
• Kindle

It should be able to do this without making me look like I’ve developed a monstrous tumor underneath one arm. It should have pockets for things like lip gloss. Its straps should be such that I can attach my carabiner keychain to it without a hassle. It should zip across the top, to protect contents from weather and pets. If it’s really bucking for best tote bag ever, it should fit my (13″) laptop.

Clearly, what I really need is a bag of holding. (If you never played D&D, it’s a D&D reference. Just smile and nod.) I think I even have the ThinkGeek girly version of one (because tote bag). I have numerous Kipling bags. I was quite the Baggallini devotee for quite a while. And I adore Tom Bihn.

I’ve tried messenger bags from High Sierra, Tumi, Jansport, Levenger, Timbuk2, and others. I have come to the conclusion that that much weight hanging that low on my body is just not good for my back or the way I walk. Also, the flap of (leather|canvas|plastic|whatever) that comes over the top of the bag just feels like a waste of weight and gets in the way.

I think the solution is clear. I need to lower my expectations. I need to not feel like I have to be prepared to fend off boredom at a moment’s notice. Perhaps I only need to carry around one knitting project at a time, and maybe that could be one that doesn’t need a pattern (thus making my knitting notebook unnecessary). Maybe the iPad and the Kindle is a bit redundant. And why in the hell do I even carry a makeup case? (I don’t wear makeup, see.)

Yes. That is what I shall do. I will pare down. I will think thin. I will travel light!

… Or maybe I’ll look into backpacks…