Welcome to Connect! Unite! Act!
A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us at Daily Kos every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward. |
What Sorts of Things Do You Carry Around, and How Do you Carry Them?
I’ve always been a minimalist about what I carry and managed to not carry a purse at all until I was in my 30’s. I kept my driver’s license, a $20 bill, one house key and one car key in a spare flat velcro wallet that easily slid into a jacket or jeans pocket.
Then when I became a “professional” I needed to tote a bag to work….something to carry the large office appointment book, the big key chain (now with multiple office, home, mailbox and car keys), reading glasses and my laptop in. I put a small shoulder-strap walking wallet inside that I could squeeze my keys into, and could lock the large bag in the trunk when I went into stores. I really hate lugging a bag around when I don’t need to.
Now it seems I can downsize again, as my laptop has been replaced with a smart phone while I’m out and about, and the reading glasses have been replaced with contacts. For the past year I’ve been observing how people settle in to our treatment room or in public spaces. And what they invariably do is, first of all to get comfortable, they set down their smart/cell phone, which is always in front of them. Then they set down their keys and wallet and sometimes small change. When I walk into a restaurant or coffee house it’s always the same: The smart phone (in a case or not) plunked down in front of them, as if WWIII is about to break out at any moment and they don’t want to miss recording the opening salvos. But now a part of me is starting to ‘get’ it, though my motives are far more subversive that checking in with Facebook (gah) or the Twitter.
Because of my experience two days after the election of witnessing public harassment I decided it was time to join the Real World and carry a live, turned-on phone at all times to be able to quickly document and respond to these times we find ourselves in. I moved up from a pay-as-you-go phone at 10 cents a minute for talk and text to a fully online data-enabled phone through Consumer Cellular, who is not only cheaper than the big plans but doesn’t require you to buy a contract. (If I were to go with a contract it would be Credo). I’m starting out with the minimal $20 a month plan, but if you exceed your limits for the month you get bumped up to the next plan that covers you...for just that month.
I also uploaded the ACLU’s Mobile Justice recording app, so that if your phone gets smashed your video has already gone straight to them. I’m serious about preparing for next time.
I’ve also been looking at inexpensive wrist-strap wallets that carry your driver’s license, some cash, a credit card or two and your phone all in one case. I’m liking what I see. The bigger catch-all purse can be left behind or locked in the truck and the wrist-strap phone/wallet can go everywhere else. I can even slip the flat Valet key for my car in there, and use the hidden house key at home.
In my car I carry flares and disposable vinyl gloves in case I’m first on the scene of an accident. Come to think of it, having a live smart phone would be handy for that circumstance as well. I also carry a seat-belted dog crate in the back seat and small plastic trash bags for clean-up. So far Cayden isn’t taking to the car the way I hoped he would. For awhile it was all fun and adventure and let’s go! but now he suddenly hates the car, despite numerous treats and being taken to fun places like the park. I’ve got two weeks before his (ahem) neutering appointment to make the car more fun again. I’d love to carry Cayden more places with me, but being sociable does not seem to be part of his nature. It’s no fun seeing him freaked out.
Guys have it easy— they always have pockets! If you’re a guy, what all do you carry? And if a gal, do you carry a purse? Do you always have your cell phone accessible?
What do you want to talk about today?
As always, this is Open Thread!
LET'S BUILD IN-REAL-LIFE COMMUNITIES!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events. We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in. If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one. |
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Nationwide: January 21, 2017
Find your march here and start a group effort to march together, it will be listed here in CUA.
Women’s March on America, inspired by the Women’s March on Washington, calls on all Americans across the political spectrum to hold marches on the same day, at the same times, in communities across the country.
Together, we will send a message to our leaders and the world that the United States of America stands for values of human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination.
Our vision is that on January 21, 2017, the day after the Inauguration, Americans will unite in towns, cities, and schools across the nation to march in solidarity with communities affected by hate, intolerance, and acts of violence.
Many of us will not be able to make it to the march in Washington, DC. But we can come together in our local communities to march for our shared values.
The New York City & New Jersey Kos groups are joining in on the already massive Women’s March on NYC on Saturday, January 21, 2017 and marching together with the Daily Kos banner, shown just above. They’ll likely meet afterward for food & drink, stay tuned for those details. NYC March details here.
RSVPS
1. joanbrooker and film students
2. kathny
3. belinda ridgewood
4. gchaucer2
5. ericlewis0
6. FreeBeer
7. grannycarol
8. kishik
MAYBEES:
sidnora
karma5230
Alastriona
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The SFKossacks are meeting to march together with our Daily Kos banner on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 4 PM. There’s a chance we’ll meet for lunch before and definitely drinks afterward. Stay tuned for times and locations.
RSVPS
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. citisven
4. liberating spaces
5. Lorikeet
6. kimoconnor
7. dsb
8. sfpcnik
9. sfpcnik’s husband
10. boatsie
MAYBEES:
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RSVPS
1. Radiowalla
2. smileycreek
3.
MAYBEES :
mimi2three
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RSVPS
1. no way lack of brain
2. Elisa Batista & Eli
3.
MAYBEES :
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RSVPS
1. jck
2. maggiejean
3.
MAYBEES :
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RSVPS
1. 714day
2. gmats
3. susans
4.
MAYBEES :
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NEW GROUPS FORMING:
Placeholder for West Virginia Kos currently being organized by arper.