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My Bag

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On Mondays and Wednesdays - my two Judo days, I carry my Judo gear bag with me to work. Of course on the way in and out I look like a pack mule - With an overnight bag slung over one sholder and my Backpack - with my laptop, work stuff, and lunch - on the other. Although it isn't a problem to find a seat and ample space for my gear on the commuter train I take from my suburban home to NY's Grand Central Station, it becomes a huge hassle on the two subway trains I take between GCT and my office.

For those who haven't lived in New York City, you need to understand that carrying these two oversized bags through some of the most crowded subway stations (Grand Central, Times Square) is a hassle in of itself, even there wasn't the stigma associated with large bag carriers. You see, given the crowds at rush hour, the bigger the bag, the more hated you are - and I have two, so I am one Notch above the Devil, Osama Bin Laden, and whoever is currently living in the Mayor's Mansion.

When I first returned to Judo, I simply found a small square duffel in the house that my wife had gotten from work - it has both the logo of a Golf Company and a Financial Services Company on it - it was big enough to hold two gis and my other assorted gear. Part of me wishes that I had a Mizuno bag or one that Said Judo on it, so people would part like the sea for me. But on the other hand, such a bag might also cause them to take more umbrage with me. I can just picture some pissed-off guy saying something like 'Hit me with that bag again Karate Man, and I will introduce you to old-fashioned whoopass'.

Of course some of the guys at my dojo leave their 'washable' gear at the laundromat next to the Dojo. But they charge $5 to wash a gi/towel/underwear that I would put in the bag. While it may not seem like much - $5 twice a week is about $500/year, which is a lot of Judo classes and tournament entry fees. (Although I recently started keeping a spare gi in the office, in case I forget my bag, which I do once in a blue moon).

I think for now, I can deal with being 'that guy' on the subway for two days a week.

What is in my bag you might ask? Well, if you are that curious:

  • My Gi and Belt

  • A Towel

  • A Change of Underwear

  • Various Braces - Wrist, Knee

  • Deodorant

  • Hand cream - don't make fun!!!

  • Instant Heat Patches



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