In response to several earlier posts on the carriage of EDC items, here is a rather verbose description of the Cool-at-the-Office-Incognito-EDC Daytimer I carry. With pictures, no less (Thanks, Rob!).

THE FOUNDATION
As I said in my earlier post, the base zippered case is a "Travel Organizer" By Eagle Creek. Amazing bit of kit, this is. Unfortunately, it is one that is no longer made. It was supplanted by, I believe, the "E-Ticket Organizer". I do not know if the latter has all of the pockets and nooks of the "Travel Organizer", so I can't make any judgements on it's suitability as an office EDC platform.

THE INNER WORKINGS

As you can see, when you unzip and open the organizer, what you see is what you would expect from your standard office daytimer/organizer. If left open on the desk (as mine often is), it raises no questions. On the left, in the zippered mesh pocket is a small architectural scale, small template (tools of the trade…) and several pens I use frequently. Comb goes in there, too, to deal with what remains of my hair. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> On the right, the orange book is my date book, journal, and sketchbook. In actuality, it is a Surveyor's fieldbook (hence, the lovely orange color. Besides it's size, I chose it because it's is rugged and uses water-resistant paper. Below my date book is my address list, several sketches of designs I am working on, and my checkbook. So far, nothing out of the ordinary.

Now, for the fun stuff…

Turn over the left zippered pocket and you will begin to see my EDC goodies. On the flip side of that first pocket are several business cards I need (including my own), Underneath the business cards is a pocket where I keep a $5.00 bill, 2 large Band-Aids (Ditchfield: translate "plasters"), and about 6 or seven smaller Band-Aids - I have two kids, and these are used almost as much as my datebook! OK, moving right, I have a calculator and a pack of tissues (tinder, small child sniffles). Below that is my real PSK. In the zippered mesh pocket is a Leatherman Kf4, surgical glove pack wrapped in elastic gauze, Bic lighter, small compass, pill bottle (aspirin, three days of personal meds), and my Altoids tin (the usual items) wrapped with a bit of inner tube. A Frensel lens lives under the Altoids tin. Under the left side is another pocket which holds 12+ feet (about 4 meters) of paracord, a bandana, a small face towel (again, a kid maintenance item) and about 2 square feet of heavy aluminum foil, folded flat. I did not remove these things for the image because it took me a loooong time to get them in there, dead flat. On the other side underneath my journal and sketches is another pocket, mirror of the one with the cord and towel, that holds two heavy plastic trash bags, two large and two small zip-loc bags, and about three feet of duck tape folded flat. Again, you must trust me that it's there, as it took some time to get all of that in there without any creases or lumps.

IN SITU

As you can see in the final image, the case, when zippered shut is not bulky (thanks to all that careful placement and folding). In situ (my desk), it looks absolutely ordinary. (No comments on the condition or tidiness of the "situ", please…) Also note that I added split rings to the ends of the carry handle, so that I can attach a shoulder strap. This comes in handy when climbing ladders to inspect a roof.

Well I hope I haven't bored or insulted y'all with my ramblings (except for "Peanut", that weird animal doctor who sometimes lurks round here…) and I hope that someone out there may find this useful. Any suggestions (other than desk cleaning variety <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />) would be most welcome.

…..CLIFF

Neat-o indeed! Thanks for sharing this...

Cliff, it's great to see the text descriptions of the pictures that I got a sneak peek at. I really like this idea for an "office-friendly" system, and I'm going to investigate the eTicket Organizer you mentioned to see if it is comparable. Another option for your discontinued organizer might be the Eagle Creek Fast Track Organizer (http://www.letravelstore.com/UO40186.htm)

Possible names for this system:

NSK [Notebook Survival Kit]
BOB [Bug Out Binder]

When you go out for dinner, or shopping around, do you take it in the restaurant/store with you? I assume so. The shoulder strap would facilitate carrying it for a walk around the department store or hardware store.

Rob:

It depends on the situation as to taking my NSK (like the acronym!) with me into a store or restaurant. Often, if the car is in close proximity, I will leave it there (discreetly out of view, of course). Remember, I still have several items (LED light, small multi-tool, lighter, whistle) in my pockets.

I have never used shoulder strap carry except on jobsites when I require my hands free for climbing of taking pictures. Too purse-like. (And speaking of what to call my NSK, my kids already refer to it as "Daddy's Purse". <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I tell them that it can't be a purse - it doesn't match my shoes. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

I know some of you are wondering what I do when I have to carry more than just my NSK for business use. Well, I have an Eagle Creek 'Convert-a-brief' shoulder bag, and my NSK (man, I like that term!!) rides in the front pocket. I like the 'Convert-a-brief' because it can be made into a daypack if necessary (hence the "Convert-a" part of the briefcase.). I do keep other items in the briefcase, like a 30' tape measure, AA flashlight, large architect's scale, folding umbrella (a rather underrated emergency item, IMHO) and, oh yes, my beloved Wave.

.....CLIFF

Great idea for an office setting. Low profile, yet well prepared.

Thanks for the photo’s and description. That’s a great setup and has my gears spinning now. I found this available on line, but I’m looking for something a little bit smaller. But I sure appreciate your paving the way.

http://www.domsoutdoor.com/cgi-bin/cgiitmls?l=2&p=9.022440

uw89:

You're welcome! I just found another one (last one, in fact) at a local outdoors store. Good thing, too - the zipper on my first one gave out! Word to the wise - don't try to overpack the thing. Like waistlines, one's EDC can expand only so much before the seams give out! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

All the best, and let us know what you come up with.

.....CLIFF

"Watch out for STOBOR."

I surfed the web all day at lunch w/o any luck. I really like the fold over flap and the small pockets. All the smaller ones I saw on-line leave that out and only add extra credit card holders. I let everyone know if I find anyting even close.

All day at lunch......

I like that, kind of like the other night I was drunk for a week sort of thing.. LOL!

"All day at lunch" is not an oxymoron, and neither is "...the other night I was drunk for a week..."
You've obviously never been to New Orleans. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF