Making a Magic Bag of Tricks

I've written on my stance regarding magic: it's real, just boring. But how can we leverage this in the real world? One of the things I did was create a purse that is extremely versatile for most situations people come across (and some weird ones too). Here is what you will find in my purse, ranked from boring to interesting, as well as the unorthodox uses many of these items have. Perhaps this can inspire some items for your own purse. In addition, everything (except for one item) are TSA compliant, ensuring you can take it wherever you go.

I've attempted to rank the items on a scale of boring to interesting. Because, you know, reader engagement and whatnot. I've also left out a few items for privacy or because they were too boring (everyone knows that you can carry a wallet, tide pen, regular pen, permanent marker, tissues, etc.).

Pictured: If you don't carry a purse, having a grab bag like this is acceptable for all genders!

Feminine Hygiene Products

As a trans woman, I have no immediate need for these. However, I keep a stash in my purse for two reasons:

First, if someone else needs one, it is good to be able to help.

Secondly, they are far more versatile than people give them credit for. They are made for stopping up medium quantities of blood. Pads can be used as makeshift bandages that a normal band-aid won't cover. Tampons can be shoved into a stab or bullet wound to stop up bleeding while you get to the hospital.

A Straw

Yes, the kind of straw you get at Wendy's or something for free (I believe mine originated from Starbucks). This can be handy for reaching items and using suction to lift them out when the opening is too small. You can also use these to take fluid samples and then crimp each side which reduces contact.

Facemasks

I keep a package of several facemasks in my bag. Not only are they handy when an establishment somehow still requires them, but there are other uses. For example, if you ever have chemical fumes in your apartment (like paint thinner), this makes it more bearable to breathe. This isn't foolproof (and please don't go around testing this), but it's a better than just leaving your lungs exposed.

But this is not all they can be used for. If you are in a situation where you need to filter a liquid (like water), you can use the fine filters that are a part of the mask to do so. Again, not foolproof, but way better than nothing.

A Fan

On a hot day, you can have difficulty staying cool. That's where having a fan comes in handy!

Pictured: This kind of fan. Not one that hangs from the ceiling or someone that loves Taylor Swift.

But this is not the only use for a fan. You can use it to create wind currents to blow away fumes (including certain gasses that originate in the GI tract if you catch my drift). It also looks super classy; nothing says "I'm prepared" so much as whipping out a fan and staying comfortable.

A Deck of Playing Cards

While not directly used to assist, having a deck of cards is extremely useful to stave off boredom. In situations where you are alone, you can always play solitaire to pass the time. I also enjoy card-based illusions, so I can also practice my card mechanics to keep me from being extremely bored.

In a social setting, a deck of cards is even more useful. I was at a wedding not too long ago where pictures were running hours late. The other guests and I were stuck waiting for quite some time before we could go into where the ceremony was. I was able to whip out the deck of cards and it was easy to assemble a group to play Go Fish. Almost everyone knows at least one game with a standard deck.

A Bag of Your Favorite Tea

Are you ever having a day where things just aren't going your way? Sometimes having something we control helps to center and calm us down. For me, that is a nice hot cup of Earl Gray tea. But it is sometimes harder to find that than finding hot water in general. But I can rest knowing that a cup of my favorite tea is not far away if I need it.

A Food-Safe Funnel

Ever need to pour something into something else and you don't want it to dribble? It happens more often than you think. Having a funnel on hand helps you do so! Also, when used in conjunction with the face-masks, you can set up a pretty good MacGyver-ed filtration system.

Bandages, Alcohol Wipes, and Other Basic Medical Supplies

Pretty self explanatory, no? While I don't keep major stuff in my bag, I have enough to get things patched up enough to go to someone more qualified to deal with this stuff.

Also, there are a few items you may not initially think of. For example, I keep a small piece of tape and a popsicle stick to use as a makeshift splint if needed.

An Industrial Thermometer

This is probably the scariest looking thing I have in my purse. But it has come in handy a number of times.

Pictured: The type of thermometer I am talking about.

Being able to tell temperature at a distance is extremely helpful. Is that plate too hot to pick up? Is that tea/coffee still at the temperature I'll burn my mouth on? Is the water fine to jump in? My thermometer (which is a relatively standard/no-frills one) has a range of -58°F to 1022°F (-50°C to 550°C for those who don't use freedom units), so it can be used in a variety of situations.

It also doubles as a laser pointer, which can also come in handy on its own.

Matches

I told you one of the items wasn't TSA compliant! But I have a small glass bottle with a handful of matches with a striker on the bottom of the bottle. You never know when one of these may be handy, from lighting a candle in a dark room or starting a fire in the wilderness.

Plus, there's a part of us with caveman-brain that just loves fire.

Linux Based OS on a Thumb Drive

Sometimes, you need to quickly get online and make sure your privacy is protected. There are several flash drives available with various Linux flavors. I picked one that focuses on privacy, but there are a number of others with different focuses.

This is also helpful when repairing a computer because you can run the operating system directly from the thumb drive, allowing you access to the main hard drives in ways most operating systems will not let you touch (partially because some files are in use!).

A Sonic Grenade

This is more of a self-defense measure for use in populated areas. What I have is a small grey sphere that fits in a certain pocket in the purse. It has a pin that, once pulled, causes the device to emanate a loud, piercing beep. This can help alert others to your plight and (hopefully) dissolve the issue that made you use it in the first place.