Saturday, March 10, 2012

Utilitarian

Usually the way I work the blog is to choose a photo and let it dictate what I write. Not always, but usually.

I don't know what these meters measure--water or power use, I'm pretty sure. I can't think what else it could be. But they inspire me to write about purses.

I carry a purse because I must have my stuff with me at all times, in case of, uh...in case. It's easy to grab and take the whole shebang wherever I go. But I don't like purses--aesthetically, I mean. To me they're unattractive objects.

This may be one of those times when I need to think outside the box (or the purse) and find a stand-in. Not a water meter, but--I don't know, a shoe bag? Do you have any ideas? Do you carry a purse?

30 comments:

Latino Heritage said...

I generally carry a small purse that could pass for a saddlebag. I embrace my inner Girl Scout. Keys, wallet, reusable shopping bags, one black mesh pencil bag holder for practical items, one blue mesh pencil bag holder for make up and such. Those that carry littles can mock all they want, up until they need the knife that has min-scissors.

Linda said...

They do indeed look like mini purses.
I'm a rucksack girl, since I walk 90 minutes round trip a day to and from work. I had to do the journey to work with just a handbag one day last week and was driven to distraction by the lopsided effect.

TheChieftess said...

The bigger the better...I can relate to Latino Heritage's inner Girl Scout!!! Be prepared!!! I try to downsize when I travel, but generally end up carrying a big carry all to compensate!!!

Speedway said...

I generally have a plastic-coated tote. In it are my glasses, a book, a magazine, a notebook, a sketchbook, and lately, my new Kindle with several old history books on it.
I also have a cosmetic bag and an umbrella. My wallet, camera, and keys I carry in my coat or jeans pocket. I own one purse , a small Coach bag I bought years ago for its simple, unadorned lines. It will hold a lipstick, a comb my wallet and, maybe, my camera,

Denise said...

Nope, everything goes in the pockets (phone, keys, wallet, pen, knife, hankie). I do have special bags for certain activities, for example my sailing bag, my work bag, and if I have to sit in a waiting room for any reason, I have a special bag for that with things to keep myself entertained and out of trouble for an indefinite period of time. Oh, my goodness, I've become a bag lady!

Sid G. said...

They measure how much gas is used and take money from your purse.

From an old gas man.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

how about a small messenger bag? with that you can have it strapped across your body and have your hands free.

Katie said...

I have a purse almost the shape of these meters! Weird that the numbers aren't in sequence; reminds me of an annoying SAT question asking for the next 3 numbers in the series. I'm a bit of a purse addict (but only the kind that I can wear cross-body so my hands are free) ane I'm always looking for the perfect one, especially for travel. I recently saw an interesting tool bag in a hardware store window that I thought would make a cool purse; could that be a solution for you?

Petrea Burchard said...

I love all your answers! (Including a 90 minute walk round trip to work, I think I would like that and might try to figure out my route over the hills.) I would also love to go hands-free and just use my pockets. For travel I found a cross-body bag that worked, but I don't like it for everyday. Messenger bag or tool bag...hm...

Bellis said...

I was hoping women's lib would lead to deman for more pockets so we're not burdened by purses when we go out. Richard always has all his documents on his body, and I'm always fumbling away for my passport or boarding card in my overstuffed purse. (note to our English readers - a purse is a handbag). And what about the formal dinners when we have to have an evening bag attached to us the whole time, just the right size for hanging over your chair and then leaving it there accidentally.

No, I want to start a women want pocket equality with men movement.

Bellis said...

Sorry about the typos. I upgraded the iPad this morning and now there are glitches with making comments on Blogspot. It doesn't let me edit what I've typed. Anyone else have this?

Petrea Burchard said...

It's not the iPad, Bellis, it's Blogger. Blogger has three different comment format choices: full page, pop-up window or embedded. Since they've made recent changes only the embedded format allows commenters to follow the conversation. Although I don't like this format and prefer the full page, I've changed to embedded because I like to follow the conversation when I comment and I want to make it easier for readers to do so as well.

I've put in requests to Blogger to fix this and so have many others. They are unresponsive. I don't know if they plan to fix it or not. But there are many other blog formats that offer a lot of incentive to move!

Deb said...

Not carried a purse (handbag over here) in years. Very liberating but do tend to wear jackets with lots of pockets for phone, money, cards, keys, work ID badge, tissues, USB stick, shopping lists, comb etc etc...... heck maybe it would just be easier to have it all in one bag!

Anonymous said...

How funny. I was just telling Bellis the other day that anything (not just blogs, though, but anything) I write starts out as a series of pictures in my mind. Then I just describe what I see. Been working on a post about that very subject.

Petrea Burchard said...

Deb, I do love pockets and most certainly use them (and no handbag) when I'm out taking photos. I also like a small backpack (like Linda's rucksack) if I need to carry things.

Here's my story of how British English is not the same language as American English: imagine the nasty look I received from the prim lady behind the counter at the Oxford shop where I asked for a fanny pack!

Anonymous said...

Too funny, my first thought while waiting for the image to load from CDP was purses hanging on a fence... but now I see their are natural gas meters, love it! Will you consider entering it in my 'Weekly Top Shot' meme? We're on Week #21 and I'd love to see you share with me and my readers! Here's this weeks' link: http://www.theviewfromrighthere.com/blog/?p=6603

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Ok - to be the contrarian here. I like purses. BIG purses. My car is my favorite tote

Shell Sherree said...

They remind me of handbags, too! I love a nice handbag. But being on the petite side, I keep it fairly small and try to stick to the basics, otherwise it's too heavy and swamps me. And I can imagine that if one's big on walking as you are, and usually toting a camera as well, a handbag can be cumbersome. Something that keeps you balanced with your hands free sounds like the go. The messenger bag sounds like a good possibility.

Margaret said...

Oh, Petrea, I'm not a big shopper, but I don't believe you for one minute. You can appreciate the aeshetics in just about all you see.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hiker, I do that same thing. I picture something, then try to describe what I see.

Thank you, Madge. It's nice to be asked. I'll figure it out!

A car is excellent, PA, and I do have a lot of things in mine. It's a bit heavy for some things, perfect for others.

You know what I really want, Shell? A bag I can put my camera in. With compartments. You may be right about the messenger bag.

I'll keep at it, Margaret. So far I haven't seen or owned a purse I actually like. They're a necessary evil. If I ever see it, I'll buy it.

Petrea Burchard said...

But that was a nice thing to say.

John Sandel said...

Brilliant.

Ms M said...

I'm a little late for the discussion, but I like your photos. It could have been a Zen Monday photo.
As for purses/handbags, I like small ones. And if I'm going to be shooting photos or outdoor activities, I use a "fanny pack" with just the essentials in it so my hands are free.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ms. M, just be sure and say "bum bag" when you're in Europe.

Susan Campisi said...

I grew up calling them pocketbooks, no matter how large. I must learn to travel lighter. Mine is always bulging.

I like the color of these faux purses. It's what I have in mind for my bedroom walls. Someday.

Petrea Burchard said...

It's not going anywhere, Susan. That's what a homeowner has to keep telling herself. There's time.

Zenserly said...

I do that too, writing what comes to mind after uploading a photo...I carry a lot of things with me always...those look like purses yah, and they were gorgeously shot...

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, kulasa. I hope you carry a camera with you. It's a joy to be inspired by what you see.

GinnieMae said...

Doesn't anyone else see sporrans? Ultra manly man sporrans?

Petrea Burchard said...

Absolutely, GinnieMae, I'm so glad you said it!