Nope. We weren't staying at Hilton. And Nope, the food was gila terrible at Hilton Kuching, Chinese Fine-Dining Restaurant. Do not go there, I am so warning you.
And, please don't envy us because of the photo. There are plenty of story behind each photo. Like I thought to myself recently, Life is made up of 10% Absolute Happiness, while 90% is made of many emotions and moments - be it positive and negative. They could be #lifechanging too.
I want to mark this moment because it would be an interesting moment, for many years to come.
Another About Daylight Briefcase, after 1 Year of Using as Work EDC
Top: Featured at Tom Bihn Official Facebook Page.
The Review was originally posted at Tom Bihn’s Official Forums Community. Click here for the direct link. However, I feel I should document my review at my own space for future reference - whenever I wish to have a look of what I did before. Hence, I am re-writing some parts of the review, as there were additional add-on after the initial Review was posted, so it is more easier to read, understand and also make it more mainstream.
Hey everyone,
This review is not about the color choice, material, neither quality or what fit and what's not. I want to show my Everyday Routine, how I used the Bag and what I carried in and how I carried them as well. There is no doubt that Tom Bihn quality exceeded much everyone’s expectation. Also, the care into the design being functional and so on. I do not think my review need to touch on that point again.
This review came about - even I myself, personally find most surprising. It is my most used Tom Bihn Bag and it’s been using over a year since I traded it over from a great member at Ralvery. I want to share this experience, my growing experience.
How I used the Bag
The Daylight Briefcase (DLBC) is primarily my Work Everyday Carry (EDC), 6 days a week and up to 10 hours daily. I carried it mostly Shoulder Style with Absolute Shoulder Strap when on the move from my Car to Home/On-Premise/Site and vice versa. I don't commute in Public Transportation. My job required me to assist Customers - their order, delivery, special need regarding our products, following up Customer’s feedback and many others. I also have to assist my colleague in the Daily Operational Task, ensuring this and that. Even to an extend of planning ahead but within Company Operation. A briefcase with no flap is ideal for me. Easy to pick/grab the related Folders concerning the matter on hand. The briefcase’s hand grab handle also greatly enhance the experience of quick grabbing and go, plus moving the Bag in a tight environment such as moving the Bag in the Car from back seat to the front seat.
The Product - Daylight Briefcase (DLBC)
Ultralight minimalist briefcase that fits 13″ Laptops.
Photos in GIF are from Tombihn.com
Product Description: Link here
Only available at TomBihn.com for USD80
Some bits of history and the opinionated me
My first impression of the Bag when it was released was "Nah... I don't think I will like it or need it". Of course, it wouldn't be a life or death situation with or without it. But over time using it, I have grown accustomed to it. It has slim profile and clean design, yet its functionality is surprisingly not limited. As I re-think Now, if my DLBC somehow lost, it still wouldn't be life or death situation but I will miss it a lot and I may purchase another DLBC. The DLBC taught me really well, getting myself understand what I really want in Work Bag - assisting me in my every Work Routine.
Main Compartment:
•A Dell Latitude E7240 13" Ultrabook in Cache 13" MBA Retina Pro
•4-5 KCK A4 8-Pockets Folio
•1 KCK A5 Play 10+1 Pocket Folio with 1 Bulk Storage Zip Pocket
•3 Others brand of A4 Pockets Folio (Slightly shorter height)
I usually carry the Bag with its Main Compartment’s Zip open wide.
Back Pocket:
•A5 Lined Double-Coiled Notebook
•Freudian Slip: Small Café Bag size
◦Pens, Highlighter, My Lumia 1020 (My Personal Phone)
◦Lower Zipped Compartment holds a few USB Thumb drives
Front Pockets:
•Dell Companion and Logitech Mouse on the Top Opening Front Pockets
•Skookum Dog Mesh Ballistic Pouch on the Side Pocket
What I hope to see in the future
Near future, please don't let this be a long wait.
I had learnt greatly that Briefcase with Top Zipper Opening is what I need for my Work Routine. Other bag like Messenger Style with Flap to the Main Compartment would also work but it would hamper my Routine. Since I do not need to be overly concern with the weather, the Flap is not required. One of the reason I am still hesitate with Maker's Bag as my Work EDC replacement.
I am also overly excited with the near future of Tom Bihn. I am looking forward to see a 13" Max Business Briefcase "Empire Builder". Or at least, an expandable Daylight Briefcase for a deeper up to 4.5" from current 3.3". I find my current carry is quite pack and tight. A deeper Briefcase is appreciated.
Conclusion
I love the functionality of the Bag very much. Like I said, its slim profile and clean look - complement greatly with my Casual-Neat Work Environment. Nothing flashy that would raise colleague's or client's eyebrow whether it is positive envy or negatively. The common office/human politics. I prefer a healthy relationship, and I believe Daylight Briefcase go along very well and I hope it would continue to do so until "the near future".
Hope you enjoy my posts and contents.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Here’s the first installment of “thebagdossier dialogues” where I get to ask Patrick from Greenroom136 a few questions. Patrick hails from Malaysia and is the bagsmith responsible for Greenroom136’s bag offerings. Enjoy!
Q. A quick introduction of yourself and how you started GreenRoom136.
Name is Patrick Lim; business and marketing trained with a passion for entrepreneurship. GR136 started at my little space tucked in the bowels of my humble abode. In the early days, it was always about researching into entrepreneurship as a hobby and at that time, the blog was called Greenroom at back of 136. A little later, someone pointed me to bags and I got curious. So, I started to research into the many brands of the world and into the process of making bags. Invested on an old Singer desktop sewing machine, self-learned how to use it and began making stuff. The very first thing I made was an ugly portable hard disk wallet. And after many crappy bags, the very first incarnation of the would-be Junkmonkey Heretic was born. After that, it got all crazy. Wanted to get someone to contract build the bag but failed to find anyone that would do an honest job. Ended up taking the plunge and built 30 bags by myself; working through the nights for a few months to complete the task just so I can test the market and answer some doubts. It got even crazier after that.
Q. What do you love most about bags?
The many inspirational stories of the people that carries them. Hence the podcast, ConcreteJungle. The film maker that is working hard to change the tides of a traditional rigid industry. The musician that embrace the power of modern technology to teach music not only to the people around him but the people throughout the world. The young entrepreneur that is hustling his way to building a little empire for a better work life balance. Or the corporate man that jet sets around the globe in search for fame, glory and market dominance for the hive. They all carry bags unique only to themselves. It’s a joy to see their passion and enthusiasm when choosing their bag as they see it not as just a bag but rather an extension of their lifestyle.
Q. What are you carrying at the moment?
A Bootstrap Genesis. Used to love my Junkmonkey Heretic in wax brown but ever since I had on the Genesis backpack - which incidentally was the prototype I was testing before production commenced - it refused to get off my back. Am not complaining.
Q. Describe the biggest challenge being in the bag industry at the moment?
Market sentiments; political, trust, zero brand equity at startup, trolls. Every market is unique and Malaysia is infant when it comes to independent bag making. Thus, its all about building trust and differentiating us from the norm. And many many begging sessions… 8)
Doom and gloom aside. What I didn’t expect from starting Greenroom was a fan base; I’d like to call Super Fans. These are hardcore believers to the brand. They would come back to check on us, on how we are doing and if they can offer any form of assistance. They know you by name and your story as well as you do. They come from many parts of the world; with the internet it’s possible to have that now. And they do this fired by passion and trust. Academically, we’re taught to serve customers. Today, we have to up the ante and learn to serve super fans because the energy and experience you get from making these people delighted is far fulfilling. I do believe the customers of yesteryears are the same people as to the super fans of today; just different in intensity.
Q. 1 piece of advice for those looking for a bag would be…
Always buy a size larger and know your maker.
Q. If your house was burning down and you could only grab 1 bag, which bag would that be?
BAG?! It’s baggage first; kids, wife and mom. But if it’s a zombie holocaust, then it would be the Heretic. Long haul comfort and quick access to blunt melee weapons while on the run; in Malaysia, guns and grenades are harder to come by. Now, imagine rummaging thru your backpack for a gun or grenade… *chink… what’s… this ring? Hey, what do I know… I’m just another helpless civilian.
Q. Who/What inspires your purchases/designs?
Don’t know… I design based on function before form. And form can come with inspirations from many avenues/brand. I’ll take multiple things from what I’ve seen to make them work around the needed functions of the bag. But, my earlier inspirations come from Timbuk2 (for the startup story and innovation), Chrome (for the kick ass-ery), Crumpler (for the startup story) and Rickshaw Bagworks (Mark Dwight’s business philosophies are awe inspiring).
Q. Who else is making the bag world a better place?
I see everyone playing equal part, rather than one person or group that drives the entire space. We are all symbiotic; feeding off each other’s success and failures. That I feel, breathes innovation and progression of the market.
A huge thank you to Patrick for taking the time to speak with me! I’m looking forward to working on a ‘lil something with Greenroom136 in the near future. In the meantime, do check out Greenroom136’s site or FB for more pics, videos, and nuggets!
It is great to see the positive side of Malaysian's heartful and spirit to help the needys and to see Big Company like UNIQLO clearing up the hazy (both weather and political landscape) Malaysia's Atmosphere, letting the beautiful sunshine touch upon us - the Resident/Rakyat.
(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1MjrYMfnLM and @FB)
Undoubtedly, it has been a long long while since my last post.
This afternoon, I suddenly thought why not I update my Tumblr with my crave for Bags especially Tom Bihn and also others brand like Mission Workshop and Tenba. So, let this post be the start of new era of my Tumblr. In coming days, I will post whatever thoughts I have about Bags, plus also discussion that I had or found useful or interesting from Bags Forum like Tom Bihn Forums.
areudirty
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
dededos
