astro city. in my quest to construct the perfect utility belt (to replace my murse -- manpurse), i wandered onto this: a superhero supply store. the brooklyn superhero supply company sells grappling hooks, capes, masks, utility belts and anything that a modern day superhero needs. "if we don't have it, a superhero doesn't need it." i've got to get to brooklyn. how cool is this store? beyond that, the store is actually a non-profit writing center for kids aged six to eighteen. behind a secret bookshelf entrance lies the drop-in tutoring center. is this a great idea or what? combining the fun of gadgets with the education of future superheroes. of course, i'm really more interested in the utility belts (and maybe the capes) but that's just because i'm shallow and would prefer to become my own superhero instead of helping kids learn to write.

to further my "always be prepared" goal, i've been looking at pouches and accessories for my utility belt and i must say, i've never spent so much time browsing through police supply web sites, hunter and gun owner web sites, ninja equipment web sites, etc. apparently, woodland camouflage is to wildlife hunters as tartan is to scots. who knew?

so i'm looking at knife pouches, handcuff pouches, flashlight loops, shotgun shell pouches and thinking "hum, will this fit my chapstick? or would it be better to put my hand sanitizer here? is this pouch big enough for a contact case? which hand should i be drawing out my gum with?" i was also looking into underarm holsters, but i decided i probably shouldn't risk getting shot while reaching for my supply of kleenex or something.

in some not really related news, scientists have found a previously thought to be extinct woodpecker. finding a living specimen of the ivory-billed woodpecker has been compared to finding the famously extinct dodo bird -- or akin to finding a living, breathing, eating elvis.

i'm off to explore more pouches and essential belt items -- like belt keepers. remember, pouches aren't just for marsupials anymore, and camo could be the new black. now you know.