I’ve always thought men should carry purses. After all, we are the ones who need to carry around lots of really important gear. In my hippy days, I had the regulation USN gas mask pouch, complete with nifty fouled anchor logo, to carry all my personal tackle. My present old fart uniform of gym shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops is desperately short of pocket space.

But even though I am not a slave to fashion, and certainly secure in my masculinity, I draw the line at the yuppie man-purse, even if it is tastely finished in Gucci leather and pewter accents. I need something a bit more MANLY.

My wife picked up an OD canvas purse in Spartan military style, with webbing straps and Parkerized buckles and zippers for her Nook and accessories, and now that it is starting to acquire a bit too much character for her refined taste, she donated it to me.

I now have a utilitarian bag with dedicated and quickly accessible and secure compartments for my wallet, keys and cellphone. In addition, it sports a main hold for cargo.

I now have the capability of packing with me everything I am likely to need during my busy day, including—shades, comb, granny-snap change purse, penlight, Swiss Army knife (corkscrew model), Bic lighter, pocket compass, durag biker bandanna, ballpoint, address book, pill caddy, checkbook, and moustache grooming kit–with enough room left over for a couple of spare .45 ACP magazines and my passport, should the revolution come on my watch.

Ready Eddy.