Hey everyone. My deepest apologies for not writing anything substantial these past couple of weeks. My “real” job needed some tending to and thus I’ve been unfortunately busy. Hopefully the flow of urgent work has been staved for a while and I can focus more on writing for this blog.

So…we know what I had in my pack at the beginning of this wild adventure, but if you’ve been looking closely at the photos I’ve been posting, you’ll have realized that certain items have been switched out, some have been removed, and a few (eek) have been added.

As my “what’s in my pack” post has been the most popular on this blog by almost 90% (meaning that post alone has brought in nearly all of my traffic), I figured those of you readers who might be about ready to unsubscribe to my feed would probably be ready for another injection of geeky travel gear tips.

Without wasting any more time…here’s the new, changed, and trashed list:

The above photo is an updated version of what is in my pack(s). The most major addition is the first on the list:

DISCLAIMER: All links to items are referral links. I get 4% of your purchase if you click my link and buy the item. If you feel like helping me out, this is a good way to do it. We both win. 

1. Eagle Creek Black Vagabonding bag
   Perfect for carrying my laptop, notebook, camera, and more wherever I go, this is my journalism “utility belt”. Each day before I leave the place I am staying, I strap my crucial electronics/supplies in, and leave the backpack behind.
2. Trader Bay Fleece Sweater
   This fleece is quite bulky, and I hadn’t decided I was going to keep it until the last minute before leaving. I have used it a VERY small amount on freezing, foggy San Francisco mornings, but mostly it is waiting for the winter days in Germany and Italy.
3. Sea to Summit Silk Mummy Sleeping Bag Liner
   The sleeping bag I had purchased ended up being too warm for my high-heat producing body, so I sold it to a bunk-mate in San Diego and purchased this blissfully small silk sleeping bag liner. I have used it many times already, and have washed it…erm…considerably less times. Feels great, packs great, is great.
4. Moleskine Squared Reporters Notebook
   I am a huge notebook fan, but this one and its ruled cousin are the coolest model I’ve come accross yet. I love flipping it open in a green-grassed park and jotting down the thoughts tumbling around in my head. I am sending them “home” to my parents so they may act as souvenirs of my journeys.
5. Targus Combination Laptop Lock
   This was recommended to me en-mass before I lef, but I wanted to see if I would get real-world use out of it before I filled up my bag with another needless item. I found it on sale at best buy and have been amazed at the amount I have used it. Coffee (the main course at internet cafes) is conducive to bladder relief and it seems to always come to my attention just when I am in the middle of a web-meeting or large project. It is a great luxury to be able to lock up the laptop and walk away for a moment - without losing my place at the table…or my laptop.
6. Lenovo Thinkpad X61
   I purchased this machine right after I posted the last article. It was purchased on a recommendation from Tynan of Life Nomadic, and I have been unexpectedly impressed with both Linux compatibility and durability. I accidentally poured water across the keyboard while reaching for a loose-lid water bottle and the machine didn’t lose a beat. Perfect for the “travel-warrior”.
7. 8oz Jar of Dr. Bronners Soap
   I’ve always loved Dr. Bronners, but this orange liquid soap really comes into its own when used at an airport shower between flights. With enough rubbing, this stuff will cleanse the body of any and all foreign bodies in no time.
8. Office Depot Coupon Book
   Technically, its a business card holder, but works perfectly as a small little coupon book. Since I have been on the road, I have discovered countless deals to be had by using coupons. When I first visit a new city, I will visit the more residtial neighborhoods and look for the “local rag” (a technique inspired by my friend Richard Cray), these are usually coupon feasts, and I clip and use every one of them.
9. Vibram Five Finger Shoes
   I’m not gonna lie, I went with the trend on these and got the exorbitantly priced Vibram Five Finger shoes. When staying at a hostel, I tend to use them alot as they work as a good fungus shield (as well as a conversation point for curious onlookers).
10. Logitech VX Nano Cordless Mouse
    I’ve had cordless mice before, and I’ve hated them all for one singular reason: The USB dongle that hangs off the side of the laptop like a broken pinky-toe and gets lost the second you remove it. This mouse solves that problem. Still using the shortwave radio technology of standard cordless mice, while avoiding the power-draining requirements of Bluetooth, the USB dongle is about an inch long and sticks just a half-inch out of the side of the laptop. I have left it in since I got it and never had a problem. Whenever I want to use the mouse, I take it out and turn it on. Easy as that. Comes with a slick, minimalist carrying case as well.

That’s pretty much all the new stuff! There are little things I may have missed, but that is the gist.

Now for the stuff that didn’t make the lightning round, here’s a photo to remind you of what I USED to have:

Here’s the difference:

1. Speedstick half-size deoderant
   This stuff sucked. It was liquid, and needlessly so. I fell for the gimmick, and ended up with a LOOONG shirtless wait for the stuff to dry. I’ve got a big boy gel stick now.
2. Chinook 16 oz. compressed mummy sleeping bag
   Too hot for me, and too bulky. Many hostels won’t let you in with a sleeping bag so what’s the point?
3. Emergency Checkbook
   Having this with me freaked me out. If identity theft is bad in the US, I wonder how it is in Eastern Europe…?
4. Linksys USB wireless receiver
   My laptop’s reception is fine. This was a pointless device.
   
5. Belkin Mini-Wifi detector
   Also pointless. Both my phone and laptop pick up wifi signals instantly (my phone doesn’t even need to boot up) and when searching for a cafe with free wifi, the usual best bet is a sign saying “Free Wifi” in the window.
6. Nokia cellphone/PC cable to use phone as backup modem
   Nope. Not useful enough to be of service. Starbucks is every few blocks in any metropolitan city (or suburban sprawl for that matter) of America, and in Europe I wouldn’t have cell-phone reception anyways.
7. Everex Stepnote 13.1″ (laptop) with Ubuntu 8.04
   Sold it to my father. It wasn’t a bad machine at all, but I needed something a little more robust with a little better Linux support. Replaced by the X61 tablet.

So that’s that! Hope you enjoyed this edition of TravelGeeks Magazine