Tag: Valentine’s

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My Everyday Carry

Preface: Every year I get a Valentine’s gift for that special someone. Unfortunately, that “special someone” has always been me. Or perhaps fortunately…? One year it was luggage (travel.) Another year it was golf clubs. And another year it was a longboard skateboard. It’s become an annual tradition.

This year, I got myself a Filson Original Briefcase. For work I prefer a briefcase over a backpack. It makes me feel more professional. I had a classic leather briefcase for over 10 years. Really liked it, but the hardware (clasp, internal zipper, strap clips, etc.) couldn’t stand up to the abuse. Decided to go with a more durable option: rugged twill + bridle leather, “beefy” brass clips, and a YKK zipper. Looks gorilla-proof. I wanted to be a little more minimal and intentional in all that I do.

So here’s what I carry…

13″ MacBook Pro. School issued. Indispensable for my job in EdTech. An absolute workhorse. With it comes a bevy of electronics:

  • Laptop charging brick + cable.
  • USB-C forces you to use adaptors. One dongle for presentations and a 2nd dongle for media (SD cards, HDMI, etc.)
  • USB clicker for forwarding slides in presentations.
  • Apple Earbuds for video conferencing.
  • Extra iPhone charging cable.

To organize this mess, I have a Delfonics Utility Pouch. Pockets inside-and-out to keep everything from tangling.

iPhone 7. Would love to upgrade to X, but can’t afford to at the moment. Still, happy with the 7. It takes video in 4K and has 128GB storage. I do not use a phone case. My iPhone has everything I need (time, weather, socials, music, alarm clock, camera, and even a bible app.)

My wallet is a Bellroy Note Sleeve. It has RFID protection (although not necessary.) There were just better color options in this model. It’s slim & sleek, but still able to carry business cards and fit foreign currency.

Got a carabiner valet keychain. Really minimal. Separates my truck key/fob from my apartment key/fob. I live in a walkable neighborhood, so I don’t always carry around car keys.

Everyone needs at least one good pen. I have the Montblanc Starwalker. My everyday pen is either a Pilot or a “freebie.”

For paper I use Field Notes, because it’s pocket-sized. I have a soft cover Moleskine Notebook for journaling & doodling, but it’s not an everyday carry.

Cole Haan leather card case. Business cards are extremely important! Can’t stress enough…

Hydro Flask. I keep one at school, so I don’t need to carry one in my bag.

Ray-Ban Wayfarers. I have the black frames w/ the “Coke bottle” green lens. Super durable. If I lost these, I would definitely purchase another pair.

Burberry compact umbrella. I really hate the rain. Comes with a cover. Fits into the stow pocket of the briefcase.

Baby Altoids. Cuz my breath’s not bad enough for the regular size. LOL.

KS ID badge + lanyard. (The lanyard is the M.O. in the education world.)

Finally, I keep my school keys on a key ring to go either into my pocket or onto the lanyard.

What you have in your bag is important, because it’s your mobile, portable, office-on-the-go. But more importantly, what you carry everyday is an expression of who you are.

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My Funny Valentine

Every year I get a Valentine’s gift for that special someone. Unfortunately, that special someone has always been me. Or perhaps fortunately…?

One year it was luggage (travel.) Another year it was golf clubs. And another year it was a longboard skateboard. Last year it was a regift. It’s become an annual tradition.

This year it’s a tea kettle. Yup, yup!

Blessed to have received an Amazon Gift Card from TED-Ed for collaborating on a TED-Ed lesson on Polynesian Wayfinding.

Let me tell you that it wasn’t so easy to spend this “free money.” I learned that I have pretty much everything that I need. It would be wasteful to upgrade on something that I already have (that isn’t “broke.”)

I decided on a tea kettle. I could use it for Yamamotoyama Green Tea or a Cup O’ Noodles. Maybe even some Starbucks VIA. And it also makes me look competent in the kitchen.

Chee! Can’t wait to see what I get (for that special someone) next year…

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“My Funny Valentine”

Every year I get a Valentine’s gift for that special someone. Unfortunately, that special someone has always been me. (Or perhaps fortunately…?) One year it was luggage, another year it was a longboard skateboard. It’s become a tradition. This year, money is tight. So that’s why I’m re-gifting something to myself.

This is my 1970 Martin D-28. I’ve been playing guitar on and off (mostly off) for the past bunch of years. I did have a gig in 2015, but that’s the only time I’ve picked it up since moving to town in 2009.

This spring, I’m blessed to be traveling with the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus to New Zealand as a chaperone. I will also be accompanying them on guitar. I will do my absolute best.

And now I’m beginning to rediscover the passion that I once had. Pretty good gift if I say so myself…

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New Camera….

Just picked up a new camera. It’s called the iPhone 6. Hehe….

I’ve had the iPhone 4S for a while now. I wanted to upgrade before my trip to Osaka in April. I also wanted to get it in time for next weekend’s Chinese New Year’s Parade in Chinatown and the POW! WOW! Hawai’i Finale at the Honolulu Night Market in Kaka’ako. (I also treat myself every Valentine’s Day.)

Unfortunately, my first pic was this….

I experienced my first “real” fire at 909 Kapiolani today. Fortunately, the blaze was contained to a single unit.

And fortunately, this was my second post….

Friends from Surfing The Nations joined our Revive homeless outreach ministry at the Smith-Beretania Urban Park.

Looking forward to taking lots of cool pics on the new phone.

Story:
I taught the Media Class this past Friday at our Kamehameha-Hawai’i campus. I took out my phone to check out a text message. One of the students said, “Wow Mr. T. You still got the iPhone 4?”

I would like to say that that had absolutely nothing to do with this decision.

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“My Funny Valentine….”

Every year I get a Valentine’s gift for that special someone. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) that someone has always been me. Last year it was a longboard skateboard.

This year it’s a beanie from OBEY. I’ll be rocking it on my spring trip to Paris.
Even though I’m single, Valentine’s is becoming one of my favorite days. I can hardly wait ’til next year….

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8