Stupid title – I know. But I was going for acronyms to describe the topic today. But first a quick story that explains things a little bit.

Once upon a time, at work, I had a boss who in good fun made fun of me. The reason he made fun of me was because when my kids were little I could literally heal their wounds and bumps and boo-boos with a kiss and a band-aid. So I always carried a bandaid in my wallet, maybe two. A co-worker had a minor little paper cut and I quickly pulled out a few bandaids, found the small one to suit the small wound … handed it to her and carried on. My boss says – “Really? you carry a band-aid in your wallet?” And was kind of chuckling as he walked away.

And yes. Yes I do. I do carry a bandaid … and maybe a little more. Ask my kids. They make fun of me too … since I am totally prepared to solve all woes at anytime including minor surgery if needed.

In fact … there is another quick story. My girls were roller blading and I was riding my bike. We both jumped out of my jeep and headed on the same path, made plans to both turn around at the same time and meet back at the jeep. When we get back to the jeep, one of my girls had wiped out on her roller blades and skinned her elbow or knee or something. I had everything we needed … and I could have done surgery if that was needed, but she needed only first aid. Talk about being torn as a prepared dad. I am ready to do surgery – she just needs some antiseptic wipes and spray to clean things up, antibiotic ointment and some bandages. Let down … and totally relieved all in one emotion.

So … back to the point here. EDC. those were the letters that meant the most important thing. (EZ was short for Easy … and PDQ was short for Pretty Darn Quick). EDC stands for Every Day Carry. You have to ask yourself, ‘What do you Carry Every Day?’ and ‘Why do you carry it?’. Well, I carry bandaids and other first aid items just to make sure little things don’t stop me or someone close to me during the day. The list includes my wallet (including credit cards, ID, $$), keys, phone, first aid kit (but that is usually in my workbag) … and also in my workbag, that I move to my jacket or coat if I depart from my bag is my little Altoids can. It’s kind of new since I became an empty nester, however all the stuff in it I usually had in different places in my various pockets all the time. That’s not my complete list of EDC items, but it’s enough to see where there Altoid can stuff fits in.

I would encourage you to make a list of things you carry and answer the question ‘Why?’ to see if you have everything you need for all the reasons you would need it. And then, have fun figuring out a systematic cool way to carry all of them as a habit.

Remember the Tent in Harry Potter that looked like a pup tent on the outside, and inside it was a multi-room/level living space for 3? Here is what is in my Altoids can:

• In the Office, what I have and Why:
• Encrypted 8 gig micro memory card … with plenty of stuff I would want at a moments notice on my computer/phone if I had to access it.
• 2 stamps … just in case I need to mail something during the course of my day
• 2 diffferent sized paperclips … I may need them to bend into something or actually use them to clip papers together of sort during the day
• A converter for my iPhone … I may need to charge it and the cable I can borrow from some one will always work no matter the brand/type
• Small multi tool … it’s not TSA compliant, so I have to remember that. In fact I am looking for another one that is … but it’s a multi tool. I could need it for multi uses all day long. Come on.
• Names and numbers … of key people I may need to call from some other phone if mine is broken (and I don’t remember their numbers)

• In the Pharmacy, what I have and why
• A couple headache pills each of several brands and types since some folks can only have one kind vs. another, I will likely be able to offer something they can use
• Upset stomach meds … Just in case.

• Moving on to some personal comfort Items:
• Toothpick/floss tool … you know why
• Tweezer … A good one that can be used for lots of reasons … but also used to grab little things tucked away in the altoid can.
• Salt and pepper packets and crushed pepper packet and a small Cholula hot sauce pack … These are necessities if you eat food on a plane.
• Personal hand wipes, a couple sizes
• Hand sanitizer gel
• Micro Fiber cloth … to clean various screens I deal with all day long.
• Ear plugs … I like to use them sometimes in loud places and I prefer them over earphones that cancel sound.

All that in a normal Altoids can. Here’s a picture of all the stuff in the can

Here is a picture of the can … which is not modified, but does have some taped in dividers separating the office and pharmacy apart from the main room :-). And I did super clue some magnets in key spots to hold the multi tool and the tweezer exactly where I want them.

And here is a picture of it all packed up, ready to use:

EDC … “Every Day Carry”. If this is a new term for you, BEFORE YOU Google it, think about the stuff you would carry every day if you could think of a clever way to carry it all. Then Google it … you will see that this is a giant industry with lots of different kits and configurations to inspire you … and maybe freak you out as well looking at what people carry as must haves. I’m not judging.

Enjoy ~ Dom

One last thing … I am also prepared for the “Emergency Pull Off The Road Date With My Lovely Bride Kit” too:

And where is the bandaid you may ask? Well, two answers … I have a first aid kit separate from all this, I may share those secrets later sometime, but here is where I keep three handy hidden different sized bandaids … and yes … some cheaters for reading all the tiny print on a phone.