{"id":374,"date":"2011-11-11T22:31:37","date_gmt":"2011-11-12T03:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/?p=374"},"modified":"2020-10-28T19:56:17","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T23:56:17","slug":"on-being-prepared-a-product-review-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/on-being-prepared-a-product-review-series\/","title":{"rendered":"On Being Prepared \u2013 A Product Review Series"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m a believer in being prepared. Go ahead&#8230;call me <a title=\"MacGyver\" href=\"http:\/\/macgyver.wikia.com\/wiki\/MacGyver\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MacGyver<\/a>, but&nbsp;I carry several items around with me at all times and I use nearly all of them every day. A buddy recently asked me about the flashlight I carry, so I thought I&#8217;d do a review on it \u2013 it&#8217;s the BEST one for the money&#8230;I checked, over the past 30 years. While I was at it, I thought I&#8217;d do a mini review on <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">each<\/span> item that I carry. (OK, OK! So I&#8217;m also tinkering with my website content to see how different content affects site traffic and it&#8217;s &#8220;product review&#8221; content&#8217;s turn&#8230;still&#8230;)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A ridiculously large <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Victorinox-Swiss-Champ-Pocket-Knife\/dp\/B0001GS19U\/ref=pd_sim_sg_7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Champ Swiss Army Knife<\/a>&#8230;NOT&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Wenger-16999-Giant-Swiss-Knife\/dp\/B001DZTJRQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this one<\/a>. But I do carry a smaller <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Victorinox-Swiss-Midnite-Minichamp-Sapphire\/dp\/B001V2E1F6\/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&amp;keywords=swiss%2Barmy%2Bknife%2Bwith%2Bflashlight&amp;qid=1603929275&amp;sr=8-10&amp;th=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Midnite Mini Champ<\/a> as a backup.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"Fisher Space Pen Bullet\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fisher-Space-Pen-Bullet-400\/dp\/B000095K9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bullet Fisher Space Pen<\/a>&nbsp;for an emergency pen that won&#8217;t leak in my pocket.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"SanDisk 8 GB Flash Drive\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B001T9CTRS\/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&amp;pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&amp;pf_rd_t=201&amp;pf_rd_i=B001T9EYFI&amp;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_r=0D52E4JXXA4XDB4PXAK2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SanDisk 8 GB Flash Drive<\/a>&nbsp;for moving files to and from client computers.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"Zippo Pocket Tape Measure\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kyledesigns.com\/product\/TMTAPE\/Brushed-Chrome-Tape-Measures.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zippo&nbsp;6-foot pocket tape measure<\/a> that I got at a trade show about 20 years ago.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"Buy it at your local Lowe's for about $1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sharpie-Permanent-Markers-Keychain-Clips\/dp\/B07342ZTT4\/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&amp;keywords=mini+black+sharpie&amp;qid=1603926551&amp;sr=8-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mini Black Sharpie<\/a>, usually for writing kids&#8217; names on cups at <a href=\"http:\/\/moes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moe&#8217;s<\/a> on Kids-Eat-Free-Nights.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"$3 at your local Walmart\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ronsonusa.com\/JetLite.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronson Jetlite Windproof Lighter<\/a>&#8230; you know, for making fire whenever I want to.<\/li>\n<li>A half-ounce bottle of <a title=\"Purell Hand Sanitizer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Purell-Advanced-Hand-Sanitizer-Travel\/dp\/B00ECKG0TY\/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2LBK3VVKX4C7G&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=small+purell+hand+sanitizer+travel&amp;qid=1603927919&amp;sprefix=small+purell%2Caps%2C191&amp;sr=8-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Purell Hand Sanitizer<\/a>, for wiping kids&#8217; hands <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">after<\/span> Moe&#8217;s&#8230;<\/li>\n<li>A compressed 12&#8243; x 24&#8243; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Lightload-Towels-Three-12x24-Survival\/dp\/B000UGVI4G\/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321062098&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lightload Towel<\/a>, for mopping up messes, wiping noses, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Dunlop-Jazz-Black-Stiffo-1-38mm\/dp\/B0002D0CL2\/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321062202&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dunlop Jazz III Guitar Pick<\/a>&#8230;because I can never find one when I need it.<\/li>\n<li>A pair of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/OPTX%25221920-20-3PK-175-ClassicReader\/dp\/B00305GWQS\/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321062457&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">+1.75 reading glasses<\/a>. I buy 4 pairs at a time at the Dollar Tree.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"Streamlight MicroStream LED Flashlight\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Streamlight-66318-MicroStream-LED-Flashlight\/dp\/B00143JZ08\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Streamlight MicroStream LED Flashlight<\/a>, the absolute best flashlight for the money. Ever.<\/li>\n<li>I also carry a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Streamlight-73001-Miniature-Keychain-Flashlight\/dp\/B0011UIPIW\/ref=pd_sim_hi_2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Streamlight Nano LED Flashlight<\/a>&nbsp;as a backup, clipped either to my keychain or my jacket zipper pull.<\/li>\n<li>About <a title=\"How to make a travel size duct tape roll\" href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dkqTH4-11wk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">24&#8243; of duct tape<\/a> wrapped around my Blockbuster Video card. I use it all the time&#8230;the tape, I mean.<\/li>\n<li>About 8 feet of black parachute cord as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Paracord-Chain-Black-Perpetual-Revolution\/dp\/B004RC116Y\/ref=pd_sim_misc_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">4&#8243; Key Fob<\/a> for tying stuff down, fixing broken stuff, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A <a title=\"Timex Expedition Watch\" href=\"http:\/\/www.timex.com\/Timex-Adventure-Tech-Digital-Compass\/dp\/B000SZNSWY?ie=UTF8&amp;prevPageletDesc=DP%3AAccessories&amp;suggestedItem=B000SZKGX8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Timex Expedition Watch<\/a>, including digital compass, alarms, timer for letting me know when the water for tea is boiling.<\/li>\n<li>And last, but not least, my beloved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Buxton-Mens-Blocking-Passport-Wallet\/dp\/B01MDJ8OZT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buxton passport size wallet<\/a> with a <a title=\"Moleskine Ruled Cahier Journal Black Pocket: set of 3 Ruled Journals\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Moleskine-Ruled-Cahier-Journal-Pocket\/dp\/8883704894\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321066941&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">small Moleskine softcover notebook<\/a>&nbsp;in the middle + business cards, Bandaids, BC powder, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7F4EN2lFP24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">origami iPhone stand<\/a>, a place where money is supposed to go, credit card slots, receipt storage, etc. The one I have now is 7 years old.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>In addition to the stuff I carry in my pockets, I am never far from&#8230;<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>My&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.apple.com\/iphone\/iphone-3gs\/specs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">iPhone 3Gs<\/a>&#8230;phone, camera, video camera, <a title=\"JotNot Pro\" href=\"http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/jotnot-scanner-pro\/id307868751?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">document scanner<\/a>, email, internet, <a title=\"Square - Free Hardware and App!\" href=\"https:\/\/squareup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">credit card processor<\/a>, <a title=\"DropBox\" href=\"http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/dropbox\/id327630330?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">filing system<\/a>, Bible, music and movie player, gaming system, weather radar, alarm clock&#8230; (BTW, the &#8220;s&#8221; does not stand for Siri. If you would like to contribute to my iPhone upgrade fund, please <a href=\"mailto:john@johnlocklair.com\">email me<\/a>.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, that is my <a title=\"Every Day Carry\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Everyday_carry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EDC (Every Day Carry)<\/a> list, as it&#8217;s called in society these days. I&#8217;ll get going on the reviews soon.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/usaf-coin.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[374]\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-405\" title=\"USAF\" src=\"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/usaf-coin-125x125.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/usaf-coin-125x125.jpg 125w, http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/usaf-coin-52x52.jpg 52w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/a>P.S. \u2013 Today is Veteran&#8217;s Day and I am reminded that I also carry a USAF coin from my friend <a href=\"http:\/\/plaidzebras.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan&#8217;s<\/a> squadron. I promised him that I would carry it every day until he returned home, to remind me to pray for him while he is stationed overseas for an extended tour, and indeed for all of our military personnel and their families. Jonathan, I am keeping that promise every day and I thank you for all that you sacrifice for our freedoms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m a believer in being prepared. Go ahead&#8230;call me MacGyver, but&nbsp;I carry several items around with me at all times and I use nearly all of them every day. A buddy recently asked me about the flashlight I carry, so I thought I&#8217;d do a review on it \u2013 it&#8217;s the BEST one for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[23,10],"tags":[25],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1339,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions\/1339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/johnlocklair.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}