u/vdimaggio

Friends,
Forgive me if this has basically been asked, by myself or otherwise.

My situation is a bit weird/unique. I am a physician and work both inpatient and outpatient for both adults and kids. Meaning, on any given week I could be working in the children’s hospital, the adult hospital, in clinic, or at home doing telehealth. I have a work Dell that is massive. I have a personal MacBook Air that’s very difficult to use at work (they openly detest Apple products — too secure, hysterically). I’ve also started writing a lot down because it’s so hard to juggle all the things, especially tough work along with parenting (now 3) children.

I used the Troubadour Apex for a while. Fantastic organization and aesthetic. Once I got the big laptop, the bag got too heavy to use all day around the hospital and clinic.

The GR1 was a dad bag at Disney a year ago, the envy of everyone at the park. BUT, the look is a little rough for a physician. The lack of organization built in leaves a lot to be desired.

The Aer CPP2 is really nice, but seems overpriced and has a weird structure to it. Though I’ve only used it for a few days.

I keep bouncing back to Peak Design because I love the look and functionality. Said, it’s definitely a camera bag first and a big challenging for EDC of notebooks and chargers.

But, I don’t know. It’s a first world, contrived problem. Still, I’d love any advice/guidance/input in general.

Many thanks!

Anyone ever just get some many things rambling around in the ole noggin’ they just need a space to unload? Me too! (Maybe this is best for an ADHD or Stress subreddit…) anyway, wondering if you have experience doing this, too, and what format notebook you use? Thanks!

Anyone ever give them a try? Forefoot seems awesome for width and toe splay, but I worry about the strap around the heel. Seems narrow. Are they flexible? Thanks!

Longtime lurker, first poster.
I’m like a nomad. Work in medicine, go between three locations (at least) pretty regularly. Need to carry a laptop, some notebooks, some work gear. Would love to fit a water bottle.

Troubadour Apex 4.0: super organized interior, but a little small. And, for some reason, shoulder straps got uncomfortable lately.

Timbuk2 Authority: laptop compartment sucks and the bottle holder looks terrible and doesn’t really much.

Go Ruck GR1: lacks any bottle holder, no interior organization, and the look is a little much for professional healthcare setting.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack: I tried it once, the shelves are weird.

Just saw the Aer City Pack Pro 2 and looks interesting.

I carry a laptop and tablet, a couple thick A5 notebooks, documents, and a bunch of chargers. I like 30oz+ bottles. Is there a Goldilocks bag out there?

Thanks so much!

Longtime Lurker, seldom poster.
Became an Apple Fanboy over the years, especially with the vows to protect privacy in this crazy world. DEEP in the ecosystem, so don't feel like I can leave. BUT, get a bit tired of all the tech and notifications coming at us all the time.

That aside, I still went in for iPhone 17 Pro Max because they get me with "improved photos and videos" while showing families and kids. I use it all the time for my own. Also, I gave my wife my barely-old, duped-into-buying by AT&T iPhone 16 Pro because the battery was awful. She loves it.

Said, I dropped the iPhone 16 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 14 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XS Max, X, 7 Plus, 6 Plus, and 5 a BUNCH without ever denting the body. NOT like how easy it is on this phone. My kid, all of 3 ft tall, dropped this thing from chest height while inside an Apple case and there's a dent on the body. I'm particularly sensitive to this because I have already replaced the phone once after going case-less, breaking the screening with a protector on, and discovering I had to replace the whole chassis and glass (wound up doing an Express Replacement because the Genius Bar was actually criminal about this) because the dent was such that "even a new front glass would crack again immediately on closure due to the angle of the body damage."

Is anyone else having these experiences? I know the Aluminum is softer than the beautiful titanium we lost, but this is a little ridiculous. I don't recall any of the other aluminum phones doing this.

Appreciate you all!

Anyone have any luck with something in the style of Chaco or Bedrock Sandals? I’m normally a 13EE, so Chacos are too small. I put probably a hundred thousand steps in Bedrock Sandals at Disney in the fall, and suddenly today they are bothering me and really rubbing on the heels. Appreciate any help or advice!

Have an eero system at home. Main hub is a 7 Pro connected to the FiOS input. There are 4 6E nodes in the home. Have a small good run not too long ago, but lately the video is super choppy and I often disconnect. The PS5 is hard lined into one of the node. Thanks!

I wrote the post about massive hands. I love the Retro-51 Tornados and the BiD Ti Click EDC. And have them. Help me not overspend and buy the Arto EDC too! Many thanks!!!

Friends. I’m going down the proverbial rabbit holes. In 2026, REALLY into handwriting. I’m a big dude with big hands. I also am a heavy handed writer. The hand pain/cramping is getting worse by the day. I have tried Jetstream Alpha Gel, Dr. Grip Gel and CoG, TWSBI Eco fountain pen, Retro-51 Tornado and Big Shots, Zento Signature, BigiDesign Click EDC, Uniball One P, Sharpie S-Gel Metal Body, Pilot G2 Metal, Uniball 207 Premier… It’s been a LOT.

I have an ACME heavy roller ball someone gave me. That and the Retro-51 Big Shots seem to be the most comfortable, but still far from perfect and cause some pain. THe Dr. Grip Gel is probably actually best, but the ink fills are a nightmare (everything seems too long). I think the Zento and Schmidt EasyFlow are the best overall, too.

Any suggestions on a sweet spot? I guess a thicker, heavier pen with a decent grip, solid body, and that’s fairly long? Accepts either of those ink refills?

Many many thanks to this wonderful community!

Wife and I are older. Currently have two under 5yrs old. We tried for a third, didn’t have much luck. As insane as it may sound, visited my folks for Thanksgiving in 2025, got the bigger piece of the wishbone, and wish granted — following week we conceived our third.

Would love to pay homage to this fortune. Trying to find a name reflective of “wish granted” or “good fortune” or “lucky surprise” or something. Wife and I can’t find one we like. I’m first gen with parents from Italy/Sicily. My wife is Italian American and more of many generations and likes French sounding names.

Don’t know what we’re having and very open to insight/suggestions for both boy and girl names. Thanks so much!

HUGE fan of the iMac. 27in 5K model was my dream computer. Finally able to get it in 2017. I have done everything to keep this baby going, including booting from external SSD and recent fresh install of macOS. In truth, it runs beautifully!

Unfortunately, it doesn't run Citrix Workspace, which I need for my job. It's frankly the primary bit of software I am in all day long. I've tried using Luna Display to make this an external display for my MacBook Air and it is INCREDIBLY buggy.

I brought this device like 1-2 years ago to trade in to Apple, and they convinced me not to because of how great the condition of it is and how beautiful the screen is. I agree -- it's STILL the nicest display I have ever used.

Any advice or ideas as to what I can/should do with it? I had to just pitch it or trade it in, but I am getting frustrated with the Citrix issue and Luna, and know I otherwise just won't use it any more as a result... (Notably, I did call LOTS of IT support, and the damn thing is just outdated, nothing else to possibly fix).

Many, many thanks!

I have been writing in small notebooks for my kids -- memories, impressions, advice, whatever. Short entries. Over a few years, about ¼ way thru an A5, so may take some time. Also have two little Field Notes for them.

I am hoping these things last the test of time. Aside from Ballpoint, oil-based ink, are there others out there which will stand the test of time? I'm fearful water-based Gel inks or Fountain Pen ink will fade and not sure where/how to check on this. Thanks so much!