Purse dilemma

I am at a crossroads. I need a purse.

I usually don't carry purses, mostly because I think I'll leave them somewhere stupid, like the bathroom at the mall, or on a dog or something. That, and they're bulky and I've never had the need to carry one before. I'm more of a messenger bag-type person; I can carry my knitting around more easily.

I need one because my mom, Noona, Wonka, Stink Pants #5 and I are going to Las Vegas for a couple days. Las Vegas doesn't strike me as a knitting/messenger bag kind of place. I need a way to carry my keys, wallet, camera and cell phone(!) easily in a casino though, without having a giant bag hanging off me like a papoose. (I got a cell phone. It's kind of neat, and kind of useless, because I don't really have anyone to call other than Stink Pants #5.)

Mom and I went shopping the other day. I prefer to have a purse with a strap that goes across my body (it's that paranoid "it might get stolen/lost if it's not strapped to me" idea). For some reason, the style nowadays is to not have a shoulder strap that's that long. So I scoured the department stores for nothing but trendy little shoulder bags and giant messenger bags. Argh!

There was a sales lady who was helping Mom look at bags. Apparently if you don't have a purse, then you're 12 years old or something.


Lady: Would you like some help?

Mom: Would you get me that purse there?

Lady: Of course. Now that bag...(endless and boring facts about the purse and it's maker. The lady sees purse-less Laura.) Would you like to see a purse also?

Laura: No thanks.

Mom: She doesn't have a purse.

Lady: YOU DON'T HAVE A PURSE?!

Laura: I don't have a purse.

Lady: How old are you?

Laura: I'm twenty-three.

Lady: And you don't have a purse?!

Laura: Nope.

Lady: You look like you're sixteen.

Laura: (frowning) Uh, thanks.

Lady: It doesn't sound like a compliment now, but when you're thirty, you'll appreciate it. (Laura smiles and nods.) So where do you keep your driver's license and everything? (Laura points to the keys hanging out of her back pocket, which are attached to a small wallet) I should have known. That's the way they always are, if they don't have purses. (Laura smiles and nods again.)

Laura: Yeah.


Luckily...Hello Kitty to the rescue! I don't usually need a reason to buy anything that's Hello Kitty, but having a reason helps considerably. I've been looking for a bag that I want. Haven't decided on one yet, but if I get one, I'll show you a picture of it :-)