No hidden meaning here, seriously what’s in your trunk?  Not the ‘Junk in your Trunk,’ not your ‘Lady Lumps.’  The trunk of your car.  What’s in it and why?

Here’s why I ask.  First off, know that I adore my car.  It was a dream car I never thought I’d get, however after busting my hind-region for many years, the dream car became a reality.  I’m not telling you this to brag, but only to inform that because it was a dream come true, I strived very hard to always keep this car spotless, clean and empty.

As such, my trunk was handled the same way.  Always completely empty.  There was never anything in it unless I was returning from Costco or picking up a friend at the Airport.

Sadly looking back, I was extremely proud of that too.  My nice, empty, sparse car and trunk.  Even more sad is the realization that, in many ways, it resembled my life at the time.  Packaged in a spotless, beautiful dream, but completely empty on the inside.

In early 2009 that changed.  At the age of 29, I decided I needed to start blazing trails by actually going after and doing stuff that interested me and made me happy.  I had lived in Vegas for almost 4 years, and really hadn’t explored much other than bars, clubs and casinos.  I wanted to get out there, but doing so meant I was going to be more mobile, and needed more things on hand.

As I found new avenues for my time and entertainment, my trunk gradually started gathering items evident of this new lifestyle.  As I redesigned my life, my Dream Car became a Dream Cargo ship.  Here’s proof.

CERT Bag

This is the bag I was given after completing the “Community Emergency Response Team” program.  I wanted to learn how to help people in times of need, and be more skilled with things like medical / first-aid and light search and rescue.

The CERT course is offered for free, paid for by tax payers and donations.  (Thank you America.)  In this bag you’ll find bandages, flashlights, tools and a hard hat.  The CERT website states – “Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.”  This backpack gives me the items I’d need to do that, until professional help arrives.

Additionally, it also gives me a full supply of medical products should I be out somewhere and need them for myself or an acquaintance.

Example Items

• Bandages / Wraps / Gauze
• Medical and Duct Tape
• Gas / Water Valve shutoff tools
• Pry Bar
• Hard Hat / Leather Work Gloves
• Rubber Gloves
• Knee Pads
• Flashlight
• N95 Breathing Mask / Goggles
• Glow Sticks

CERT is a wonderful program I recommend everyone experience.   Find more CERT info here .

GHB = “Get Home Bag”

This is my “zombie” fighting bag.  Just kidding, sort of…  As I forayed into survival training, prep’ing,  and general escape and evasion techniques, this bag contains things that could easily get me home from anywhere in Las Vegas, in any situation.  Especially if I had to ditch my car.  Likewise, this bag also contains items that could sustain me if I were out somewhere lost and my car broke down.  It’s basically the bag that contains things to keep me alive or get me somewhere if my car couldn’t.

Some examples of items contained in this bag:

• Non Persishable food + extra water
• 100ft Paracord
• Emergency poncho / blanket & extra clothing
• Flares / Matches / Fire Material
• 6’ x 8’ Tarp
• Calling Card (You never know…)
• Hand Crank Radio + USB Charger.
• Mini crowbar.
• Binoculars
• Multi Tool
• Maps

Trekking Poles / Shemagh / Hat / Boots

I recently started hiking.  Usually I plan my hiking trips, so not entirely sure why these have found a place in my car.  Apparently my subconscious thinks that I’m going to have some instant hiking trips soon.  Regardless, the shemagh and boots would come in handy for both CERT and GHB scenarios mentioned above.

Hockey Sticks

I grew up playing hockey and absolutely adore it.  When I started my career in 2002, I stopped playing.  I’m very happy that in early 2009 I started playing again.  I’ve met some very cool new people, and have fallen back in love with the sport.  I play 2 times a week, and keep my sticks in the trunk.  That way I just have to go home, grab my bag and go.  And yet again – having hockey sticks would come in handy for the above mentioned CERT / GHB scenarios.

“James Bond Car Kit”

This will be the subject of an upcoming blog post and is my ‘secret weapon’ to supporting a constantly unpredictable busy life.  It’s essentially a modern man’s ‘Dopp Kit’ with a few extras.

Car Care Kit

Various cleaning supplies / micro-fiber towels for cleaning my car.  Mostly used for cleaning up spills nowadays.

You’re Turn!!

What are some things you’d like to have in your trunk?  Either for hobbies or preparedness?  What elements of your life would you like to rekindle or grow?  It only takes a second, and in this case “out of sight” doesn’t mean “out of mind.”