The really important part of packing
The stuff that needs to go to Finland with me this week is piled up on the bed right now. (Now comes the process of removing the stuff that doesn't really need to go. In some ways this is a little like editing a novel.)
But now comes a vitally important part of traveling with these bags (and something that—due to various weird health issues that some of you have heard more than enough about—hasn't happened in three years):
Refreshing the luggage stickers.
A company called Laughing Elephant, which started out as Green Tiger Press, back in the day—purveyors of wonderful prints and stationery featuring illustrations from children's books—makes these stickers. They're repros of actual airline, rail and steamship luggage stickers from years past.
Adorning your luggage with these serves three important purposes (and maybe more):
They help you positively ID your baggage at reclaim.
They serve to distract and entertain people (particularly small children) who're otherwise bored out of their minds while waiting in line / queued up behind you at airports or train stations or wherever. We've gotten into fabulous conversations with lots of people about these over time, and made some great Travel Acquaintances.
And possibly most useful of all:
They routinely provoke enough interest among the baggage handlers who're dealing with your checked baggage that they refrain from flinging it around the joint like the gorilla in the old American Tourister commercial. (When seated in the right spot in the plane, both @petermorwood and I have seen this happening both as the luggage is getting on and as it's getting off. A pause to examine, to discuss, and then the bag gets put on the cart with visibly more care.)
This can only be a good thing.
So: time to freshen this one up a little. Before...
...after.
...Ideally the entire visible surface will eventually be covered. But "house rules" insist that the application of new labels can only happen at actual travel time. So we'll see how the next few years go...
ETA: These are where The Great Artificer got the idea for the Discworld baggage labels. We ran into Bernard when making our way across the internal plaza at the hotel hosting the Discworld convention in Tempe AZ in ... 2009, I think it was? -- and Bernard looked at our bags and said "We could do those!" ...As a result, we have a double set of the Discworld baggage labels, but as they are no longer being produced and are incredibly rare, we don't add them to our mundane baggage: they're too precious.
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Hey!
Some trans men/trans mascs can do, and will:
-Treat their packers like prosthetics
-treat their packers as an extension of their own body
-Buy packers in crazy colors because who doesn't want a blue dick I MEAN C'MON
-See their packers as a sometimes thing for special occasions
-wear them every day
-Buy a packer that is as realistic as possible
-buy a massive packer because why the hell not
Basically what I'm getting at with this is:
Packing is such an under-acknowledged part of trans masc culture and I think that's really sad because it's actually really heartwarming to see all the tutorials and stories and tips and tricks and different attitudes surrounding packing. I dunno I'm just spitballing but I love it and I think it deserves more attention
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DIY Packing boxers
If you’re like me, there’s no way you’re buying a fancy packer strap. So here’s a super simple tutorial on how I sewed some of my boxers to fit my packer!
Pls excuse my shitty illustrations I drew them with a sharpie and I’m sleepy rn.
Step 1. Get a pair of boxers with an open fly. The open fly is important because it gives you two layers of fabric to sew a pocket.
Step 2. Sew a little pocket for your packer to sit in. Make sure you position/plan it correctly before sewing so your packer sits in a natural place in your pants.
Step 3. (Inside view yolo) Cut a little hole on the top through the first layer of cloth on the inside only. This is so you can slip your packer inside the little pocket you have just sewn.
That’s it! Im no professional seamstress but I’m a punk, and DIY till I die. Packing is for everyone!!
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I’m usually pretty quiet here, but I’m here to announce that I am trying to launch a program that benefits Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Non-conforming individuals that live within the Central Valley in California. My program is called the Gender Affirming Garment Program, which will provide individuals with gender affirming garments such as binders, packers, breast forms, and tucking underwear for free or at a significantly reduced cost. This program is provided through the San Joaquin Pride Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve the diverse LGBT+ community within San Joaquin County and surrounding areas. We provide services as far out as Fresno county.
Applications for the program are OPEN for individuals to be put on our waitlist. Gender-affirming garments are sometimes lifesaving, as they can help quiet dysphoria and promote gender euphoria by potentially aligning a TGNC person's body with their gender identity and expression.
You are eligible to apply if you live within or near the Central Valley California* AND if any of the following applies to you:
You are 13 years old or younger and have a parent or guardian to apply for you, AND live within or near the Central Valley, California
You are 14-18 years old, AND live within or near the Central Valley, California
You are over 18 years old, experience financial hardship, cannot afford the cost of a garment, or cannot otherwise obtain a garment yourself, AND live within or near the Central Valley, California
*The Central Valley includes the following counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Kern. Applicants that live outside of these counties but are still able to access transportation to the San Joaquin Pride Center are encouraged to apply.
Even if you do not think you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, it is still recommended that you complete an application anyways. The Pride Center is always willing to be flexible and work with you.
Apply to get on the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/Ta36FxA3Dtq4DUPT7
In order for us to officially launch our program to provide these affirming garments to transgender folks in need, we need sponsors and donors.
We hope to reach our goal of raising $2,000 to officially launch our Affirming Garment Program by Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31st.
As many of you know, countless anti-transgender bills are sweeping across the nation, attacking transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals rights to affirming healthcare, the ability to dress in a gender-affirming way, and even the right to exist. This makes this year's Transgender Day of Visibility that much more important. This year, we must do all that we can to empower, uplift, and support our transgender community members.
Here's how you can help:
We accept donations in any amount via cash, check, or through paypal at paypal.me/sjpridecenter , you can purchase something from our TRANSform Amazon Wishlist* at https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/5QS40UZNYE5Y/guest-view , OR you can become a sponsor by donating a specific amount.
*Please Note: All purchases from the Amazon wish list will be mailed to Manteca California due to our mail getting stolen from the center constantly :^)
Sponsor an affirming garment: $50
Sponsor an applicant: $100
Sponsors will be given a special shoutout in our newsletter, and our sponsored applicants will be notified of who is sponsoring their garments. If you make a donation or want to be a sponsor, please email James (me) at
[email protected] with the following info:
-Name
-Phone Number
-Email
-Sponsorship Level, Donation Amount, or Amazon Purchase
-Proof of your completed donation (such as a screenshot, receipt, etc)
-(optional) A special message to give to the individual your donation will be sponsoring
We need the help of our community and our allies to be able to provide these crucial services to our transgender community. Please donate if you can, and help spread the word!
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