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 :/
Always wanted a zippo but I don't smoke and the fuel evaporates so quick
I switched my petrol insert out for a single burner gas one, but there are a lot of inserts, even from zippo itself.
Pink plastic heart and a marble in my pants' change pocket. My daughter gave them to me on two separate occassions when she was 2-3. She said "this is your heart" and "this is your sould" when she gave them to me and they've been in my change pocket almost every day for the last 5+ years.
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.
Edit: Found the exact brand I have. True Utility. Not sure if it’s worth the slightly higher price since it’s the only ones I’ve ever had – can’t compare. But again, they’ve held up great for many years.
A set of keys that will open most of the doors in a certain national park. Turns out “government use only. Do not duplicate” doesn’t mean a whole lot to a crooked locksmith. My plan is to go test and see if they still work when I’m an old man. I won’t be surprised if they do
No questions asked locksmiths are the best (if you're no thief)
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?
I have a keychain with four or five mini crochet hooks.
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 sounds like something I would do. So don't be too scared of losing it, there are others like you out there that would carry on just like you.
I must say though, the romantic in me sees this as a movie or book. Story of your life's struggles and ups and downs, but the wallet keeps you grounded. You finally make it to visit his grave and a woman walks up, daughter of Arnold. Ends up being the love of your life.
This is one of the coolest things I've seen here.
Thnx! Such a great find
The Key.
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.
A pack of nicotine gum.
I don't need or use it anymore, but I still carry it with me every day.
It's a reminder of how addicted I was and how I swore to never smoke another cigarette in my life.
I used to carry a universal TV remote control with me. It's simply staggering how often it was useful.
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
Earplugs and a Swiss pocket knife.
Small high power flashlight, about the size of a tube of m&ms. People laugh at it all the time, but it comes in handy weekly, sometimes daily.
Think of how many times you pull out your credit cell phone light. Now imagine being able to light up a room like daylight if need be. Very useful.
Those same people who laugh, eventually realize the value, and come asking for my light when we're together and it's needed
My fingerprints.
My first thought (you might even call it my gut reaction) was "my microbiome," so it's along similar lines to yours.
I keep ear plugs in my zip pouch wallet so I'm always ready for any concerts or random loud areas.
Same here, I got this from being in the military, where you were issued a pair when you arrived in the ship.
One pair in my travel stuff always. Habit from grad school when I lived next door to a frat house
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. Thing is probably older than most folks reading this.
Edit: pic as requested. :) https://i.imgur.com/jrxStc4.jpeg
Nice bat!
Multitool
What kind?
Cheap Chinese 28 in 1, surprisingly durable actually
...28?
Yes
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.
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