My ex-wife got me an engraved Zippo I used to carry everywhere, now it’s mostly on my desk because I don’t want to lose it at work :/
Keychain fingernail clippers (Amazon)
I’ve had the same pair (different brand than linked) for many years and they have held up great. It’s crazy how often they come in handy, and my SO asks to borrow them all the time too. They are extremely small and nearly weightless. Highly recommended.
A tiny vial of peppermint clove oil. I struggle with sleepiness and lack of focus so after I’ve had an inadvisable amount of caffeine and am still not functional, I dab a bit right under my nostrils to help me wake up and focus a bit better
Also works as mosquito repellent on some species so if I forget bug spray I use some of this instead
That sounds really clever. Did you come up with that, or is there a link you can provide?
It’s this stuff:
My former boss’s wife is Thai and empathized with my hatred of mosquito bites, so she gifted it to me. Apparently it’s not uncommon to carry it in your purse over there. I live in the US and have seen it at Asian pharmacies.
Likely any strong herbal extract oil applied under the nose would have the same (I’m assuming mostly psychological) mild stimulating effect. Just make sure whatever it is, it’s safe to apply topically.
Probably not super unique but a glass breaker/seatbelt cutter. If I’m in an accident or I come upon one, I want that ability with me.
I have the wallet of an old German conductor out of München Gladbach, Arnold Queasten. I found it in a thrift store as it looked like a nice quality leather wallet.
In it are still some notes from Arnold, on two of his business cards. A note of someone here knew from the war, and another person from the flute section.
There was one pfennig, a German penny still in it. So I have Arnold’s last penny. I found his grave on findagrave, one day I’ll visit that.
I’m now terribly afraid of losing the wallet, though, because I’m unsure a casual finder would appreciate the beauty of such a piece.
This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen here.
Thnx! Such a great find
A crow-calling whistle and a small tin of peanuts.
Presumably the peanuts to lure squirrels, and the whistle to sic your black-feathered demon army on them, you sicko
I’m indifferent to squirrels… but my city has hired a falconer to scare the crows away with hawks, so now the crows symbolize the oppressed masses being persecuted by the state.
Out there is someone with a hawk-whistle and a jar of raisins. I pray that you too shall never meet.
I doubt the falconer would have any issue with me—I’m basically keeping them employed.
What!? Why scare the crows away?
while Baz insists he has nothing against crows, it’s the mess they leave behind that has people crying foul.
Can you clarify what you mean by “unique”?
Anything from an AA coin to a Zebra statue. Something other than your phone, keys, wallet.
Not necessarily unique, but I mostly always carry a small pouch containing a full D&D dice set.
I haven’t needed dice in… years, now that I think about it, but I carry them as a symbol of luck. Not good luck or bad luck, just luck, chance. Helps me keep things in perspective when everything goes sideways.
You never know when you’ll find yourself in a position where there are 20 choices and you just can’t decide.
Oh, no, that particular D20 is a drama queen. I’d rather take a guess than trust that die.
…but it’s the one you carry everywhere?
As I’ve said, a symbol of luck, not necessarily of good luck. A sort of Memento Mori, but for the fact that no matter how hard you try, sometimes it’s just not up to you.
But… You specifically choose one that is bad luck when you could be trying to get one you believe is good luck lol so you could be trying!
Ah, but you see, I’m not looking for a good luck thing! Having the one which always works against my best interests is a reminder that everything is about balance! Some are lucky, some are unlucky, and that’s just how life goes!
Good way to create 20 different timelines…
Made a 5" aluminum baseball bat in high school shop class learning how to use a lathe. It’s been on my keys ever since. Things is probably older than most folks reading this.
Nice bat!
Well now I want to see it!
My daily carry bag always includes my Kindle, my cribbage board, and dog treats.
Nail clippers. Got them originally to help with a bad habit of cuticle picking, but I’ve learned they’re weirdly useful. They can cut things in a pinch and no security check gives a shit about them unlike a pocket knife.
Shakes fist at TSA.
I used to have a 1/4" nut that missed the threading process. I had it on my keychain to remind me that even if something is done millions of times without error, sometimes mistakes can happen.
Lost it when my backpack was stolen.
I love material defects. Nothing else will give you confidence like knowing that jerk owes you a nickle
I’ve got a black joker card in my wallet. I was walking to the tram stop with someone once, when I saw this playing card face-down on the floor, so I said “bet you I can guess this card,” I knelt down, and I said “I think it’s a joker.” I was about to turn it over when my friend said “hold on, black or red?” I said black and turned it over, and now it lives in my wallet.
My fingerprints.
My first thought (you might even call it my gut reaction) was “my microbiome,” so it’s along similar lines to yours.
