The Pat
It was a feeling of panic beyond any I had experienced in my life. It created an instantaneous cold sweat that quickly began collecting in the small of my back. My heart began racing and I could hear my blood pounding loudly as it passed my ears. It was a sensation that created an almost irresistible urge to curl up in a dark corner…I had lost my PDA.
Luckily, I found my beloved Dell Axim a few minutes later but not before I realized how dependant I had become. My Axim essentially contains my life for the next few weeks and I would have been completely lost without it.
As a result, I now have a methodical “pat” performed whenever I arrive at or leave a location. My particular pat goes counter-clockwise around my waist, moving from the right pocket where I check my cell-phone and keys to the left pocket which houses my PDA and all the way around to my back pockets which contain notes and my wallet.
What’s your pat like?
John Bedard
Nov 3, 10:13 AM
I’ve done "the pat" for many, many years (perhaps even decades). And since I generally move my wallet, keys and cellphone from my pants pockets to my leather jacket while riding my motorcycle, I have a secondary pat for that, but that pat has the added responsibility of insuring that my jacket pockets are zipped up before I leave, so I don’t lose anything while riding.
Thame
Nov 3, 04:30 PM
Ahh…A transitional Pat, sounds especially difficult. At least there’s that advantage of zipping up your jacket.
Tom
Nov 3, 04:58 PM
I’ve only acquired a pat within the last three years. It often goes from my midsection down, starting with my front pockets for my mp3 player and pen. I check for my watch hanging by a loop on my pants just in front of my left pocket, and my keys on my left side. My back pockets for my wallet and notes, and my left side pocket for pda (I wear cargo pants most of the time). If I have other things, I’ll include the remaining four pockets. And somehow, I still forget one or two things in the early morning.
Joe
Nov 4, 07:12 PM
I can’t tell you because this is a family site :)
Just kidding: I often check for the ol’ iPod nano, which is difficult due to it’s nano-like-size. I also check for money in my wallet, but sadly, i always come up empty.
Thame
Nov 4, 09:13 PM
I didn’t know this was a family site…maybe that’s a good thing because I really don’t want to know :)
Joe
Nov 5, 12:03 PM
really? You really should visit here more often ;)
Zeerus
Nov 5, 02:27 PM
My pat is generally simple. I’m a teen, so I leave the house with very little, but like others I routinely check my pockets.
I start by patting my left, pant-leg pocket for my cell phone, and then move on to my right side for my wallet. Hopefully I’ll be able to pat for a Nano one day. Nothing but a lint ball in my wallet now :(
Thame
Nov 5, 08:34 PM
Yes, sometimes it can be a pat of longing…okay this is getting a little weird.