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We’ve previously covered On My Desk, a blog which shows creative workspaces. Now there’s a Flickr group that takes the concept further — The Items We Carry features photos of what’s in members’ pockets (or in their pocketses, if you will). Here’s an example:
It’s a little odd how highly organized and well-annotated most of the photos are — people seem to want to organize their pocket-contents in the photos…though I did find one messy photo. It’s also fun to judge people based on their pocket contents: I believe that some people just carry way too much stuff. I only found one photo that looked like what I carry.
So…what do you carry?
(Via the always-excellent Daring Fireball.)
Comments (38)
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dude, you’re just showing off your iPhone. no one likes a show off.
posted by Chuck on 7-26-2007 at 2:05 pm
Dude, not my photo! My iPhone never sits on a color-coordinated notebook, on top of a lovely wood surface.
posted by Higgins on 7-26-2007 at 2:07 pm
dude, you’re just showing off your iPhone. no one likes a show off.
i carry my treo, wallet, pepper spray, swiss army knife, keys, pens, and a water in my swiss army sling bag… oh to have an ipod in there and loose the brick of a treo…
posted by Chuck on 7-26-2007 at 2:08 pm
^^whoops, i meant:
“oh to have an iphone in there…”
posted by Chuck on 7-26-2007 at 2:09 pm
If we are talking strictly pockets, I carry my cell phone and some Burt’s Bees chapstick in my left pocket, and my keys and perhaps a receipt or two in my right.
If we are taking into account that I am female and am likely to carry my belongings in a purse, then I would have to add my wallet (furry leopard print and oh so sexy), a “just in case bag” (holds fem. products, travel toothpaste, toothbrush, deoderant, bobby pins and some mascara), sunglasses, a pen, and gum.
posted by Roxanne on 7-26-2007 at 2:17 pm
Wallet, cell phone, keys, iPod, a bit of candy, pen/pencil, and possibly a book, most likely a Terry Pratchett paperback(yay, cargo pants!).
posted by Jen on 7-26-2007 at 2:33 pm
Wallet, cell phone, assorted chapsticks, Excedrin, calendar, pens, post its, hairbrush/compac, calculator
i love purses
posted by Lindsey on 7-26-2007 at 3:04 pm
sunglasses
regular glasses
phone ($35) – no show off I
wallet
swiss army knife
burt’s bees chapstick
gum (not sure its still good)
glass beads (I make beads for a living)
keys
iPod (video, in case I get bored)
posted by donner on 7-26-2007 at 3:07 pm
Man you guys have a lot of stuff… I carry a wallet, a set of keys and some lint.
posted by Scott on 7-26-2007 at 3:16 pm
LOL – reading the comments above makes me envision that you all must be walking around with these enormous pockets! I dont know about you but my pockets aren’t that big! I rarely carry more than my wallet and cell in them!
posted by JayMer on 7-26-2007 at 3:31 pm
Relating to an earlier post regarding brand names as generic terms, I love how two different responses so far say “Burt’s Bees chapstick”
I have Chapstick, wallet, dolla bills, Supra e-key to open lockboxes, change, debit card receipts, and my Secret-inspired rock of opportunity, which is a cool little glass marble I found.
posted by Johnny Cat on 7-26-2007 at 3:46 pm
I’m with Scott — I even had to stop carrying so many keys when my pants, er, shrunk a bit. Now I’m down to just a credit-card holder and one car key.
And lint.
posted by John on 7-26-2007 at 4:11 pm
I carry lots of stuff. Too much to list, but when I take it all out of my pockets, I am nearly 8 pounds lighter (and I don’t carry a cell phone).
The heaviest single item is my 4.5lb pocket tool kit that I never leave home without. I almost alway wear cargo pants to accommodate all the stuff.
On top of that, You will rarely see me without my laptop backpack, which always contains a copy of mental_floss.
posted by n2y2 on 7-26-2007 at 4:50 pm
Hang on, this is gonna be scary…..wallet, checkbook, remider postcard from vet for dog’s checkup, crackberry(work), keys, ‘deck’ of store club cards, credit card case, 2 checpsticks, emery board, hand-sanitizer, inhaler, pens, 4gb flash drive, emergency cell phone carger, cell phone, bluetooth, 40lbs of loose change, mail I keep forgetting to mail, mp3 player. My niece swears I have a snake-bite kit in there but I am declaring in public I do not!
My guess is I am a number of years older than most MentalFlossers so here is my question….what is the correlation between age and the amount of junk one carries around????
posted by JaneM on 7-26-2007 at 5:21 pm
There’s an LJ community (altons_fridge) where you can post pictures of the contents of your refrigerator.
Things in my purse: wallet, pens, sunglasses, keys, hair clip, work ID badge, mints, other keys, cell phone, pill case, hair ties, eyeglass cleaner doohickey, a band-aid, tissues, hairbrush, sunscreen stick, Burt’s Bees LIP BALM, mirror, granola bar, lip gloss, blotting papers, change purse thing I keep my excess discount/membership cards in.
And it’s not even a large purse.
posted by Sara on 7-26-2007 at 6:59 pm
I’m with Scott, my pockets are mostly empty. I have my wallet, keys, and cellphone on me most of the time.
It’s not even picture worthy. :)
posted by Eric on 7-26-2007 at 7:37 pm
This reminds me of Elise Engler’s paintings. She often paints everything in a particular woman’s purse, or everything she sees in a particular gallery (that one is titles “Everything They Let Me Draw”)etc. Very interesting paintings.
posted by Katie on 7-26-2007 at 7:57 pm
In my pocketses right now I have the following;
1. wallet*
2. comb**
3. pocket knife***
4. 68 cents in change
5. 3 small Lego pieces****
6. 2 screws and a metal bracket*****
7. cell phone (not actually in a pocket, but hanging from my belt, so I think it counts.)
8. Our Preciouosssssss******
* contains $40 cash, debit card, credit card, video card, library card, Starbucks card, SocSecurity card, insurance cards, Ace Helpful Hardware Club tag (it’s the place!), family photo, drivers license, and a few other miscellaneous things. It’s getting a little thick with receipts, so it must be time to update Quicken.
** never mind the increasing size of the bald spot; I live in SD where the wind always blows!
*** Kershaw Scallion; sweet little knife!
**** always picking up after my boys!
***** from the shades I’m trying to fix
****** just kidding.
posted by Dave on 7-26-2007 at 8:22 pm
I travel light: 4 Atomic Fireballs.
posted by Rich on 7-26-2007 at 10:56 pm
Usually only my phone is in my pocket. Sometimes a piece of paper, some change, or a receipt ends up in there, but usually just my phone. My purse on the other hand…
-wallet
-change purse
-lotion
-eyedrops
-bottle with Tylenol, ibuprofen, and Excedrin migraine in it
-minty lip gloss… mmm
-gum
-my work badges
-pen
-pad of paper
-various receipts
-a map of the London Underground (this is not typical)
-my phone (sometimes)
-keys (house, car, a copy room, and a locker at my former workplace
I have a relatively small purse, so not much goes in there. My mom has a massive purse that I don’t know how she carries around.
posted by Janel on 7-26-2007 at 10:58 pm
There is nothing in my pockets, but in my purse I have cash, checkbook, credit card, liscence, and other cards, ink pens, car key, phone, restaurant coupons, and mints. Sometimes, important mail.
posted by Miss Cellania on 7-26-2007 at 11:22 pm
@Rich: that’s so funny!!
In my purse:
*keys
*wallet
*burt’s Bees
*lotion
*hand sanitizer
posted by weeble warble on 7-27-2007 at 12:23 am
@Rich: that’s so funny!!
In my purse:
*keys
*wallet
*burt’s Bees
*lotion
*hand sanitizer
*phone
*Universal Studios id/nametag
*water
*camera
posted by weeble warble on 7-27-2007 at 12:24 am
Interesting topic – one of my many obsessions. The clutter and bulkiness of pocket clutter drives me more insane than the constant dust in my woodworking shop. I am down to a sliver of a wallet with a drivers license and one credit card, a RAZR, a tiny leather/magnetic money clip (empty, more likely than not) and my keys. I fantasize about walking to the airport with nothing more and leaving it all behind.
posted by Dante on 7-27-2007 at 3:11 am
In my pockets:
Cell phone
Subway pass
2 pens
1 very lonely dollar bill
Wallet
Small notebook
I tend to carry more stuff in my pockets in the winter, like keys, chapstick, etc. In the summer it’s just too hot to have extra stuff in there.
posted by Bill T. on 7-27-2007 at 3:53 am
I thought that was your iPhone too.
Anyway…
I’m currently wearing pants that have no pockets…which I hate, so I’m forced to carry the things I usually carry in my pockets in my purse. Which are: keys, wallet, chapstick.
That’s it.
However…ask me what’s in my bag/purse/backpack…that’s a different story.
posted by paperback writer on 7-27-2007 at 7:20 am
Well, during the workweek, I am wearing skirts….so no pockets at all. But in my purse right now:
Wallet
Pack of Camels
Bic Lighter
Blistex
Coupons
An empty ziploc baggy (not sure how that got in there…)
Blue Pen
Rubber band
Tissue
Black sharpie
Matches
Lipstick, lipliner, lipgloss, coverup, compact for face powder (empty)
Eye Drops
2 tampons
Birth control pill
A dime
Nail file
Eyeglass cleaning cloth
My boyfriend’s work ID from about 5 years ago
Ticket stubs: NHRA Supernationals & East Coast Oi-fest
A bank statement
Cellphone
Keys(with small flashlight & mini swiss army knife keychains)
Small pillbox containing a polka-dotted button
Change purse containing: 4 ibuprofen, 1 earing, 3 hairclips, a necklace, nail clippers,some post-it notes, and a cough drop.
I don’t usually travel so light, but i just cleaned my purse out a few days back.
posted by thirty7 on 7-27-2007 at 7:37 am
In my pockets:
Key rings (Car, Office, Home), Change, Pen, USB key, Work ID, Wallet.
On my belt:
Palm 700p
posted by Stew on 7-27-2007 at 8:57 am
I love this post. A few years ago I switched from being a pocket only girl to a purse only girl. I recently added a cute bag to the mix but I only use it on work days and I mostly carry art stuff and books in it. So here’s what I carry with me:
Purse – Wallet, date book, checkbook, mini notebook, small nail care kit (clippers and a file), key chain with two pocket knives, small hairbrush, work ID, pen, tampon, four types of lip balm, two lip glosses, and one lip tint.
I don’t know why I carry so much lip stuff
posted by Sally on 7-27-2007 at 9:07 am
lets see, whats in my pockets right now?
-wallet
-cell phone
-zippo
-camels
-trident
-pencil
-a certain smoking accessory
-the certain herb used in said accessory
-glasses case
-loose change
-keys
posted by steve on 7-27-2007 at 9:53 am
I’ll play!
In my pocket: my phone.
In my purse:
2 checkbooks
an envelope with receipts
Pens that co-habitate and reproduce overnight – like wire hangers in a closet.
2 wallets – one slim for bills and credit cards and one fat overstuffed with library, book store, membership, calling, video store, etc types of cards.
A Minnie Mouse change purse for coins only
small makeup purse
2 pocket knives (the small one has scissors, the big one does not)
small first aid kit (yes, actually, I AM a Girl Scout, thanks for asking)
a watch
keys
tissues
comb
sunglasses
I used to carry a much larger purse so I would have room for the current book I am reading. I ended up stuffing it full of everything else and still not having room for my book. I downsized.
posted by KJ on 7-27-2007 at 10:03 am
Wallet (actually a repurposed business card holder; I usually only carry my bank card, credit card, and various membership cards); keys; Burt’s Bees lip balm. (Not Chapstick :) )
posted by frumpiefox on 7-27-2007 at 11:00 am
Pockets:
iPod, cell phone, little tiny rubber ducky, keys, chapstick (not lip balm :) )
Purse:
The Drawing of the Three (Book two of the Dark Tower series by StePHen King!), wallet, a pen, some colored pencils, a small notebook, a calculator, a movie pass, some change, and sticky notes.
posted by Shannon on 7-27-2007 at 4:35 pm
AAAHH! I bought a pair of pants without pockets. What on earth was I thinking???
Anyhoo, my kid brother has earned the nickname “Pockets” because all of his pants have at least 8. In case you were wondering, the contents of his pockets weigh a minimum of 2 pounds. I’m still trying to get him to give up his plentiful pockets and buy a man-purse.
posted by Maggie on 7-27-2007 at 5:39 pm
I’ve got my wallet-purse-thing, gum, sunscreen (for the super rare sunny day), pen, mini notebook, chapstick, folding knife (for utilitarian uses. Stop looking at me like that.), and a oft-neede Tide pen. Oh! and a sewing kit I never use.
posted by heather on 7-30-2007 at 1:57 am
Sooo ready for what I carry.. sit back becauseeee its outta control. (im listing all the contents currently with me)
1.My sidekick
2. Sunglasses (complete with large case)
3. wallet
4. Backup money clip just in case i go to a club
5. little clutch in case i dont wanna carry the purse
6. my digital camera
7.Water bottle
8. Chap stick
9. Eye shadow
10. Eyeliner
11. mascara
12. lip gloss
13. gum
14. antibacterial lotion
15. antibacterial hang sanitizing gel
16. home fragrance oil
17. foundation
18. Instructions for my chi iron (im a packrat)
19. random recipets & wrappers
20. feminie products
21. small first aid kit.
22. ballpoint pen
23. permanent marker
24. hair clip
and more random pieces of makeup..YES i carry alotta crap!
posted by Julie K on 7-31-2007 at 1:04 pm
oh, why not…
notebook
pen
pouch for mp3 player
mp3 player (didn’t know how strict this game was)
hairband
Burts Bees lipbalm
listerine strips
I Am Loved button
wallet
lotion
keys (2 sets)
appointment book
tea tin
tissues
pads
whatever book I am reading this week
jasmine oil (perfume)
posted by hana on 8-3-2007 at 10:37 pm
Alright, I’m at work, but in my pockets right now:
*chapstick (blistex lip tone, to be fair)
*eyedrops
*cell phone
*pen
*3 naproxen pills wrapped in a tissue
*memo pad for work crap
*bobby pins
*next month’s work schedule
*football picks for this weekend
And yes, I’m female. I’m a purse despising female, though.
posted by Cassie on 11-26-2008 at 11:16 pm