The Bare Necessities

Working a 9 to 5 is no joke. I have been able to do very little after coming home because of how tired I am. Even if I am not that tired, knowing that I have to wake up at a certain time the next day really hurts the team.

I have been meaning to write an entry on what I consider The Bare Necessities. I have always had what I call "emergency items" in my backpack or gym bag but its a whole new ball game at the office. Some items are brand new, some are not. Either way, this is what all guys need to have handy. There are 5 things a working gentleman should forever keep in mind. Lets take it from the top, shall we?

1. Deodorant- This might be the most important thing on the list and that's why it is numero uno. Always carry a spare deodorant with you. Everyone sweats. It can get real bad when an exam is coming up, or you got problems with your spouse, or you just stank that day. I would personally go for the stick kind but if you are a spray on guy, go for it. Plus, if you get asked out by a girl or your buddies to go out for a drink or dinner, and don't have time to change, it can come in real handy.

2. Medicine- Now, this section might be a little different for me than it is for you. Okay, so I have asthma. Okay, I have allergies. Okay, I get migraines. Other than that I'm just your average Joe. But seriously, you don't want to be coughing and sneezing at the workplace and receive all those nasty looks from others. Ya know that look. The look like "I can't believe this fool is sick. I just KNOW he is going to get me sick. For peete's sake, get a goddamn tissue!" I mean asthma and allergies are usually associated with nerds right? You don't want to seem like you don't have you sh*t together and be sneezing and coughing all over the copy machine.You think James Dean was allergic to dust or had to walk around with an inhaler in his pocket? Gotta have some ibuprofen or Advil handy, too. Headaches are real common nowadays. Plus, if your cute co-worker ever is sneezing or has a headache, you can come to the rescue. BOOYAH!

3. Breath Goods- Essential. Keep a pack of gum, tic tacs, or altoids on you or at your work station. Personally, I go for the altoids. I keep them in my messenger bag and that way they are always with me. Whether I'm at my computer, on BART or wherever. I think if you are chewing gum you come up as a little rude or immature. You don't want to be smacking away as your boss or a P.Y.T. comes up to you. Let's be honest, tic tacs only sound good. They don't really last and they epitomize 8th graders who think they are too cool for school. (Glory days by the way). If you want to get really Spectacular with it, keep a travel size toothbrush and toothpaste with you. That trumps the other 3 by far. And your co-workers will be impressed when they see you coming out of the bathroom with it. "That guy means business."

4. Money- We are very credit card oriented these days and that is fine. Minimizes the wallet bulk (unless you are a rookie), puts the joke on the person who preforms the mugging and not the other way around, and just makes things easier when you just throw the plastic down and don't have to sit there counting the Washington's one by one. However, I will say that a true gentleman should have at least $50 handy. Sure, you can always "stop at the bank en route" but it looks better just pick up and go. You can go get drinks after work and don't have to worry about putting the tab on multiple cards. It'll be enough to cover yourself and likely enough to treat someone else to a few cosmo's as well.

5. The Backups- Of course it is ideal to have a whole outfit that you can keep at the office. If you have showers and lockers at your workplace-perfect But, for most of us, that is not the case. So, it comes down to 2 main things: an extra dress shirt and an extra pair of socks. If someone invites you out after work or you are going to meet up with your crush from college or high school, you want to be looking a little fresh. (Both in the street sense and the new, ripe sense) You don't want to roc the shirt you sweated through all day. And who knows, you might have spilled some cappuccino or red bull on it. As far as the socks, those guys are going to be stanky and a little damp. It always feels good to put on new, clean socks and this time it won't be any different. You don't want any stench to be seeping up from under the table or anything. If you can, a fresh pair of underwear and an undershirt would be great, too. But, don't get too greedy.

There you have it, ladies and gentleman. What one, especially a man, needs at the workplace. It may sound like a lot but it really isn't. Most of the the above can be stored at your work station and take up little to no room. I also suggest you carry a messenger bag or briefcase. Leave the backpack to the high schoolers. Show that you are now a professional and have graduated from the ol' b-packs. Plus, how can you be looking suave and charming with a backpack on? I mean honestly.

Take my advice. Follow the Spectacular 5 Step Plan. It'll change everything.

Trust me