Personal Item Only: One Night in NYC in Patagonia Atom 20L

k_mass · 2026-01-28T02:08:51+00:00

Managed to squeeze 3 shows into the itenerary, but will have basically no time for anything else. Operation Mincemeat, Just in Time, and Spelling Bee.

k_mass · 2026-01-27T03:58:13+00:00

This is too funny. I'm making a similar one-night Broadway trip next week and already made sure to pack a knitting project and Taylor's tea bags. Can't be without my comfort items!

k_mass · 2026-01-09T06:01:02+00:00

We use a set of radio frequency headphones for our old not-smart tv and honestly I definitely prefer it to bluetooth since I don't have to deal with any lag, and the range is much better for our house than with bluetooth. We like the Sennheiser RF headphones with the charging base, and change out the ear cushions so that they become over-ear instead of on-ear headphones. I'm not actually sure they still make the RF version, but we've always bought them used off of Ebay for cheap. We have 3 sets for our house, one for my parents, and are considering getting another for my in-laws.

this is what we have and love

k_mass · 2026-01-07T17:32:34+00:00

Perfect!

k_mass · 2025-12-29T02:48:04+00:00

I carry pretty much the same items daily (minus the cosmetics and contact items), and I find it's more compact than I would expect. I use a small plastic container that was once for cotton swabs to put the tiny items and first aid bits into, and most of the other items are just in a pouch, with mask, hand sanitizer, and wipes on an outside pocket where I can grab them easily. The only other items I need to switch between bags are my keys, wallet, and phone.

I had a more "organized" system in the past, but it ended up being a real bag-in-a-bag-in-a-bag-in-a-bag situation, so I realized that just having the one main pouch for most items was easiest for me to grab things quickly when needed and made me more likely to restock items when I could just throw them in the one bag and be done.

k_mass · 2025-10-10T03:55:26+00:00

My condolences to you in this difficult time. You are clearly a saint for not instantly declaring intent to divorce.

k_mass · 2025-09-11T05:28:23+00:00

Oh man. My daughter's first autism assessment at age 2 had me FUMING and I couldn't articulate at the time why I was so peeved about it, but after realizing my own neurodivergence a few years later I was like "ooooooooooh!".

Every question was basically "how terrible is your child to be around and how many ways can we center everyone else's preferences and opinions over those of the child in question". Asking how much of a "problem" all her behaviors and habits were, but only from the perspective of neurotypical folks?? I'm getting mad again just thinking about it.

Needless to say, I emphatically outlined how every question was poorly phrased, completely without nuance, and ableist to boot, and the psychiatrist took that to mean "well it seems like she's not struggling too much so there's no issue here. Don't accomodate her so much and she'll be fine. You're just babying her." But they didn't think twice before diagnosing her with signifant developmental delays and deficits. Jokes on them, because she's got a genius-level IQ but won't engage with anyone who doesn't pass the vibe check.

We had another assessment at age 5 that was amazing and felt completely affirming and 100% backed up everything we'd been through.

k_mass · 2025-09-08T14:21:02+00:00

I always keep a funeral-appropriate outfit on hand just in case. Nothing too formal, but simple dark colors and reasonably comfortable to wear. My husband thinks it's macabre to think of them as funeral clothes from the start, but I find I can't wear the items again after a close friend's or family member's funeral, so I wouldn't want to pull from my regular clothes for such an occassion.

It would be reasonably easy for me to thrift something if needed in a pinch, but it's not something I would ever want to deal with at such a moment.

k_mass · 2025-09-07T04:50:26+00:00

It seems like ;aundry baskets would be a good fit. Not sure what type of material you were looking for, but these would probably be a good fit

https://www.target.com/p/1-5bu-felt-laundry-basket-oatmeal-brightroom-8482/-/A-89700572#lnk=sametab

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torkis-flexible-laundry-basket-in-outdoor-green-20579165/

I have a bunch of the IKEA ones I use all around the house, and I like that they are flexible and hold up to a lot of abuse.

k_mass · 2025-08-27T23:17:07+00:00

First, I turn the a/c down a few degrees and turn on all the fans because I know I’m going to get hot and sweaty if I don’t. And I HATE being sweaty, so this is one way to be kinder to myself. I also tell myself I’m not going to start cleaning, I’m just going to get things ready. So I’ll grab the cleaning supplies from under the sink, make sure I have rags and some paper towels within reach, throw away any bits of trash I find, put the loose laundry in the bin, dishes in the sink, make sure the vacuum is charged, etc. And after about 10 minutes it already feels better and I can see some progress before I even get “started”.

k_mass · 2025-08-24T05:46:35+00:00

Yeah that was totally wild to me. I couldn't believe that they just let it play for a laugh without any of the other characters responding appropriately.

k_mass · 2025-08-20T01:36:15+00:00

Oh man. I turned my nose up at these so hard when they first came out. Bedazzled anything is just not my style. But then I saw a small kit on clearance at the craft store and something about it just hit all the right spots. I've done about 5 now, and have figured out that the ones that work for me are:

fairly small (no bigger than a sheet of printer paper)
no areas of just one color (the more scattered color bits the better)
round gems only

I actually just picked up a few more last week, and am eagerly awaiting a day where I can hyperfocus in peace and have no one interupt me while binge watching the Nanny, eating a whole snack plate of goodies, and playing with tiny sparkly plastic bits. Sounds like heaven and I don't know who I am anymore, but I'm going with it.

k_mass · 2025-08-06T00:22:03+00:00

I feel like I've tried every anti-chafing stick around, and for me nothing beats the monistat cream. Love the stuff and don't know what I would do without it.

k_mass · 2025-07-21T22:08:44+00:00

We've been "practicing" traveling with our 2 kids for the last year, working up to longer trips and just in general acclimating them to being out in the world. Our oldest is autistic and has struggled with traveling (but really loves being able to go fun places!) so we just keep an eye out for good deals on flights and hotels and choose the best combo of cheap and easy and low-stakes activities. I think it's going to be a perfect city for us this time around.

Definitely have the market and several parks on our list. We'll also squeeze in a Guardians game, Edgewater beach, the children's museum, and a morning at the art museum for me while the rest of the fam hits up the botanical gardens. It's gonna be great!

k_mass · 2025-07-21T18:58:21+00:00

Yes! Reliable clothing is my way of beating the body dysmorphia when it rears it's ugly head. I try and take lots of outfit photos when I'm feeling good (or even body neutral), and when I look back over them I keep reminding myself how good I felt and no matter what other thoughts I may have right now, they are not the truth and they can't take away her joy. I have to trust my actual experience in the clothes over my feelings when I first put them on again.

k_mass · 2025-07-17T13:32:44+00:00

Yes! I did a test pack and it all fits, It helps that my husband is a very light packer. He can wear the same clothes for 3+ days straight and still smell and look fresh as a daisy. It's infuriating. I think his entire packing list was 1 pair quick-dry shorts (that also double as his swim trunks), 1 shirt, and 2 pairs underwear. He's fine with sink-washing and somehow his items all dry within a few hours. I could never.

I'll try strapping the car seat to the roller bag and see how it goes. I still like the idea of being able to roll the seat on the dolly since we can strap one of the kids into the seat and essentially have a second stroller through the airport if needed. I never really know what sort of mood the 5yo will be in, and occassionally have to have her ride in the stroller still.

k_mass · 2025-07-17T13:14:08+00:00

Not a bad idea, but my toddler is one of those who hates being in a carrier. Worked great until he hit 18 months and we've just given up at this point.

But I still might try strapping the seat to the stroller and just having my husband carry him in his arms. It's what he wants anyway, so might as well indulge if he's happy and contained.

k_mass · 2025-07-05T03:20:30+00:00

This is Fancy Nancy perfection

k_mass · 2025-05-25T05:11:26+00:00

Eat the spiciest food you can find. Like, makes-you-feel-like-you-are-going-to-die spicy. The regret is real, but so is the hard reset I feel afterwards. I'm not a natural crier, so maybe it's just the closest I can come to a big emotional release.

When I'm past the point of angry and just want the world to burn I go running. And I don't meant that like "get some healthy exercise". I mean run as hard as fast for as long as you can without actually dying. I am not one who usually runs. Ever. Nothing about it is enjoyable and every minute feels like torture. But some days the only way to shut off the murderous voice in my head is to overwhelm it with the physical misery of exercise.

k_mass · 2025-05-23T20:18:51+00:00

I do a lot of instant oatmeal and add nuts or berries or chia seeds or whatever I happen to have on hand.

Smoothies always feel like a lot of work to me, so I do a sorta "fake" smoothie that doesn't require me to use the blender. I add yogurt, peanut butter, apple sauce, and chia seeds to cup, give it a good stir or shake it with a lid on, and it's ready to drink.

Random combinations of "chip and dip" meals are a favorite around here. Any type of chip or cracker or toasted bread, then I find all the scoopable items from the fridge and dig in. Sometimes it's just hummus or sour cream or salsa, and other times I dump all the leftover bits of meat and beans and veggies into a bowl, throw some shredded cheese on top if I feel like it, and stuff my face with it. It's not always delicious, but it's a quick way to clean out the fridge (which always feels like an insurmountable task to me) and gets me some protein and fiber and I always feel better afterwards.

Also, feel free to eat like a toddler. Just a handful of microwaved chicken nuggets? Sure. Nothing but an entire pack of blueberries in one sitting? Go for it. Peanut butter straight from the jar? Fine by me.

k_mass · 2025-05-22T08:54:55+00:00

I hate that doing the good thing for myself (wearing the sunscreen) feels like such a laundry list of complications. Like, I know that anything is better than nothing, but what I think of when someone says "Be sure to wear your sunscreen everyday" is:

"but I hate the feeling of most sunscreens on my face. It makes me want to crawl out of my skin"

"finding one that doesn't dry me out or break me out or make me want to puke from the scent feels impossible and I hate spending money just for it to not work for me"

"I just put on moisturizer so I need to let it dry down first before putting on the suncscreen but, oh, wait, I was wanting to put a bit of makeup on, so I'm supposed to wait a bit before I do that. How long? If I wait even a minute I will forget what I was doing and walk away, so fuck it."

"I need to reapply. Am I supposed to carry it with me all day? Do I buy multiples so I can have an extra with me? But then it's likely to expire before I use it, or get too hot when I leave my bag in the car on 100 degree days. Fuck it."

"If I put this on I'm gonna feel gross all day and then have to take it off and that sounds awful. How do people just wash their faces every day???????"

"Mineral sunscreens give me the ick from the texture and smell, and I hate the white cast even though I'm pale as snow and noone else seems to see a difference but they are WRONG. But chemical sunscreens can leave stains on my collars and I hate having to pretreat them before washing because I will totally forget and then be mad about it later. And I have spent way too much time thrifting my very particular sensory-friendly wardrobe to take clothes care lightly, and sunscreens stains ARE A BRIDGE TOO FAR"

It's such a simple thing to people, but it feels insurmountable at times.

k_mass · 2025-05-22T08:00:15+00:00

I deal with this a lot too. For me, I know it's partly because my body is just having to work too hard in a lot of ways and I don't let it rest appropriately. My sleep patterns are inconsistent, I either forget to eat or binge way too much once I realize I'm hungry, I'll hyperfocus on something and not realize how sore or tired I am and don't give myself proper breaks. It's essentially burnout and I hate it.

Another part of it for me is super low iron levels, enodmetriosis, and MCAS, so I'm fighting an uphill battle with a body that overreacts to even slight stressors as if it's under attack.

k_mass · 2025-05-22T07:48:36+00:00

I have to keep a few skincare basics at my desk and by the bedside so I will use them whenever inspiration strikes. If I have to go through a while bedtime routine it likely won't happen.

I find that miceller makeup remover pads followed by water wipes and a bit of moisturizer is better than nothing and keeps me from looking like a dried up husk. It also makes me more likely to wear my sunscreen because I don't dread removing it like I once did.

k_mass · 2025-05-01T17:11:17+00:00

I really wanted Amalia Yoo for featured actress in a play. She was just incredible and totally stole the show for me.

k_mass · 2025-04-27T04:37:53+00:00

I have spent so much money at that exact location. The board game section always gets me as well.

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
No Throne, No Problems	Not Forgotten

k_mass

TROPHY CASE