Last Tuesday, right in front of my house, my bike and I were suddenly not moving, and keeled over. Responding to one too many obstacles, including the rough pavement beneath me, and already clipped into my pedals, instead of achieving forward momentum, I broke my elbow.

I’m grateful that one of my housemates was home to respond with first aid and to take me to the hospital. It was my first experience ever in an emergency room, my second admittance to a hospital, and my third time under general anesthesia.

I had emergency surgery Tuesday night for a compound (open reduction internal fixation olecranon) fracture and spent Wednesday in the hospital recovering. The next stage of my recovery, including physical therapy, begins today, with a possibility of being back on my bike in six weeks.

I’m doing my best to care for myself and grateful for the support of wonderful housemates, community members, and clients. I’m also learning to become left-handed and becoming better acquainted with the amazing new voice control functions in my Apple devices, which I used to compose this message.

[When I’m not recovering from a major injury,] I carry a number of tools with me everywhere I go. These make up my mobile office and enable me to support my own needs and those of my clients along the way. Here are some of the items that enable me to uphold my values and be successful as I go about my day.

Wallet

For over 15 years, I have been carrying a wallet from WaterField Designs. Mine is most similar to the Micro Wallet currently offered. I love the simple design with a zipper on two sides, two pockets inside for bills and cards, and a space in between for loose change.

Among my card stack are payment cards, membership cards, and inactive transit cards. One more card that fits perfectly here is my Pocket Tripod, a clever little iPhone stand.

Keys

When I was in high school my dad gifted me a Buxton key wallet. I’ve long found this a very efficient way to carry keys: in my pocket, quietly, and in minimal space.

Very few of my keys are conventional. Among the seven of them, only one opens a door. Three are associated with my bicycle and two with electronics.

One of these is a portable Lightning cable for charging my iPhone and one is the USB flash drive and adapter I use on client computers to run utilities and install software.

Pants & Protection

I don’t know where I’d be without my cargo pants. I’m grateful REI still offers its Classic Sahara design, which I feel has the right number of pockets in the right places for good storage of my various fillings. [Update: This model is no longer offered, but I sometimes find my size for sale by previous owners on other websites.]

In one of them I have an EMF shield for my phone. I keep my phone protected between a side panel from a Tetra Pak Base Brik (e.g., almond milk box) and a piece of foam packing material.

This reduces both my body’s radiation exposure and the likelihood of device damage if I fall. I’m also incredibly disciplined about not holding my phone when I’m in motion or need my hand for another activity.

Tiny Tools

One of my doodads is a special tool I carry year-round but only actively use in the winter. iFixit sold me this oOpener as a gag gift for April Fools Day several years ago when it also published its Orange Teardown. Though they no longer sell the tool, the original creator still offers it. [Update: Joie no longer sells this and it’s hard to find. Here’s one source as of November 2023.]

Even when oranges aren’t in season, the tool remains in my pocket to keep upright the remote control for my helmet. [Update: Coros no longer sells this helmet; I stopped carrying the remote in my pocket; and I subsequently switched to a different helmet and separate audio system.]

Single- vs. Multi-Use

If we’ve connected at a networking event or any other gathering where people wear name tags, you’ve probably seen the laser cut wooden name tag on my chest. In another pocket, I carry this along with a stack of business cards.

Just like carrying reusable utensils and portable dishes to potluck events, I need not waste the resources used to make single-use name tags.

Interested in growing your small business? Ask me about my networking group. If you’re local, I just might send you an invitation to visit.

What tools do you carry with you? What resources enable you to do your best work?