Is it just me or are the only laptop bags available for women absolutely huge, or covered in silly retina-burning patterns? (I’ve found the same thing with iPhone cases as well). Last year when I was on the hunt for a new bag to suit my MacBook it took me ages to find something that was a) small b) light c) not “briefcasey”.
I ended up in the purse department of Hbc downtown with a cute little over-the-shoulder purse that perfectly fit my 13 inch MacBook. I’ve found that since then, purses have made the best options – especially since I use a neoprene sleeve for water protection/padding. The only drawback is that they’re not the most durable, especially for carrying such a consistent weight all the time.
I was recently sent a link on Delicious to a Macworld article about ladies laptop cases, “There’s no shortage of durable laptop bags—backpacks, messenger bags, briefcases, you name it—on the market. Unfortunately they’re not always, well, pretty.” They link to the Pocket Full of Puter (which is really cute however still to “briefcasey” for me) as does Kate, who highlighted a bunch of cases back in 2005:
Melissa Beth Designs is a Toronto designer who has her bags in Canadian and American boutiques. She designs laptop bags as well as iPod cases. One of my favourites is her “Pocket Full of Puter” bag (shown here). The article also showcases Acme Made who is the original designer of the Veer bag, Casuri Cases, and Case Closed – a New York bag designer. I must admit, my affections have moved from the Acme Made bag to Case Closed. [My Name is Kate]
Kate also links to her post on Squidoo, which features a plethora of ladies laptop cases, as well as this one about sleeves. She is definitely a trusted source on the matter.
Yesterday I picked up a Nine West shopper tote bag ($18.00 at Bellis Fair, yay America!) and although I underestimated the tapering at the top, it still fit my MacBook. I’m just not sure how long it will last.
I’m really hoping that stores around here start carrying more of these styles that can double as purses so that when I’m walking around with one of my most-prized/most-needed possessions (and main tool for work) I’m not actually advertising, “Hey, I have a computer in here!”
I completely forgot about a special event this morning that my niece and nephews probably would have loved to attend, luckily – it was just a preview of what the Vancouver Aquarium has in store for this Halloween season so there will be many more chances to check it out.
World of the Weird at the Vancouver Aquarium – This month, if you want to experience the creepy, slimy, ghoulish and VERY weird… there’s only one place to be: the Vancouver Aquarium.
Haunted Hallway
Dare to explore the famous Haunted Hallway, where you’ll come face to face with nature’s nightmares, spook-tacular sights, and our own mad marine scientist! Check out the frightfully fascinating Bat Exhibit, and then embark on our Howl-o-ween Scavenger Hunt, with a chance to win a Sea Otter Trainer Tour for two!
October 16–19, 23–26, 30–31
Haunted Hallway tours run from 11am – 4pm
Ideas on Tap, an evening of networking that celebrates business n’ beer, saw five people from five seperate companies have one minute to pitch ideas and speak to the crowd. Presenters last night were:
After all of the speakers were done, the audience (in excess of 200 people) voted on the best speech. Andre came in first place (with an awesome talk about phonegap) and I took second – which I didn’t mind at all because my prize was a pair of Canucks tickets.
It was a lot of fun to mingle with a different crowd than I’m used to at many of the social media meetups around town. These were professionals from all types of business (shout out to Boating in Beautiful British Columbia, Omar from Cossette and Tony from David Aplin) and I was able to meet so many new people – some I’ve only known so far through Twitter.
Video in which John Chow calls me “the face of social media in Vancouver”.
The next Ideas on Tap will probably take place in January, and while I hope they can find a venue that may be a little less crowded (and hot), I think it’s a great event and kudos to Chris and his team for pulling this off – and for taking on the liveblog.
If you hang out around downtown you can probably spot me at a meetup, an event, a party, in Stanley Park, at a coffee shop or out for a stroll. However, you can now spot my face driving around the city, even though I may not actually be in the area.
After writing about this city for so long (and being a life-long Canucks fan) I think this is pretty darn cool. It’s as much fun as seeing JJ, Alanah, John and DaveO‘s smiling faces out and about at Skytrain stations as well (and just yesterday John and I were riding on a “JJ bus”).
Ever since the days of 21 Jump Street, I knew that shows were filmed and produced in Vancouver. In my more formative years, the X-Files was represented the pinnacle of Vancouver television production and after I ran into Arnold at TGIFriday’s on Robson and Burrard (that is now Red Robin) I finally understood that the film industry in Vancouver is a big deal.
In all honesty, running into the future Governator at a casual dining restaurant didn’t really cause any sort of epiphany, but it was symbolic at any rate.
The X-Files then went South, our Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood shutdown, and Vancouver returned to its role as a backdrop city (and New Westminster became the Bronx). Sure, I knew folks that worked in the industry – location scouts, production assistants, actors, etc. but it wasn’t until this year – when I became a guest author on a hyper mega global entertainment blog, that I truly had my eyes opened.
No matter the ups and downs, financial or otherwise, Vancouver has such a strong legacy of film and television and the future is only looking brighter. I’ve been exposed to industry galas, behind the scenes events, meet and greets, personal interviews, and with each experience my appreciation for the hard work of each individual involved just continues to grow.
Last night I went to the reception for the Western nominees for the 2008 Gemini Awards (for you Americans, think the Canadian Emmy’s). As like every other event I’ve attended recently, there was camaraderie, a wonderful sense of humour, and encouragement along with a a deep respect for peers.
I have also become very aware of Canadian independent film and television; the hard-working people behind it, those with a vision, and those that can create brilliant works that make you think, feel, learn, appreciate cultures, and sob uncontrollably – sometimes all on a small budget with which you couldn’t even purchase a brand new vehicle.
I’m certainly an outsider looking in, I fully admit that, but I suppose what I’m saying is that I’ve been grateful for my chance to explore this world a little deeper – all thanks to a blogging gig (and other bloggers), really.
Melissa Beth Designs is a Toronto designer who has her bags in Canadian and American boutiques. She designs laptop bags as well as iPod cases. One of my favourites is her “Pocket Full of Puter” bag (shown here). The article also showcases Acme Made who is the original designer of the Veer bag, Casuri Cases, and Case Closed – a New York bag designer. I must admit, my affections have moved from the Acme Made bag to Case Closed. [My Name is Kate]
