Faith and Web

I was upgrading my favorite browser (Firefox) the other day, when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a glorious Firefox messenger bag – the one pictured on this very page to be precise. Those clever Mozilla developers had used the upgrading process as an opportunity to tantalize people like me.

And tantalize it did. My theory is bag-buying is in my DNA. My mother adores bags, as do both of my daughters and I. Mother calls us bag ladies, but I like to think we’re bag connoisseurs.

Of course I bought one, and now have tested it. It turns out it’s a customized Ogio Hip Hop Messenger Bag that’s $15 less than the normal price. Here’s what I love about it (in priority order):

• It fits my very large Mac laptop. I have one of those luscious, but huge, 17” numbers.
• For being as large as it is, it’s quite sleek.
• And for carrying as much it does (laptop, purse, a book or two, and sundry other items), it distributes the weight on my aging shoulders nicely.
• The price is decent ($60) and presumably supports the good people at Mozilla, who “believe that openness, innovation, and opportunity are key to the continued health of the Internet.” (Amen to that.)
• It has the perfect pocket for airplane tickets right on the front.
• It sports a glowing embroidery of the handsome fiery fox.
• The laptop compartment is padded.
• There is adequate space for my purse and books.
• It has a tidy compartment for papers.
• There is the usual wealth of little pockets for cell phones, water bottles, etc., etc. It even has a place for one’s iPod, complete with “headphone exit port.”

There are only two minor flaws:

• The ring that holds the shoulder strap bunches up in front.
• It doesn’t match my glasses.

Up until now, I’ve had to carry my laptop in a backpack. I looked, at best, like Josh Lyman, without the swagger. I’m sure I would have been worthy of PeaceBang’s frump hall of fame, but mercifully I’m not a minister – merely a geek. And now I’m a very happy geek who’s ready to hit the road.

No Comments »