We must take inventory. There are many items that we need in order to survive the long, dry stretch of months. I won’t make the same mistake this summer as I have in previous summers. That mistake being my absentmindedness of having key “things” that make summer all the more enjoyable and efficient. So before I lose my relevance, I will just “dive” in. Ha, get it? Like diving into a pool, which is something you do in the summer.

No? Whatever, I don’t need to impress you.

Pair Of Schnazzy Sunglasses

Unless you live under a hermit shell, you would know that a pair of suave-looking sunglasses is crucial in order to have a killer summer. How can you wear a pair of Chubbies without some slick Ray Bans? Well, the answer to that question is simple. You don’t wear Chubbies because TFM is the anti- Christ. But I digress. Get a pair of sharp sunglasses, and you will be off to a good start.

Nice Water Bottle

Water is the oil of the 21^st century aside from oil being the oil of the 21^st century. You might as well stock up on your water intake while it still remains accessible. But in order to do so effectively in the summer months, I suggest getting a good water carrying object, otherwise known as a water bottle. You can bedazzle, you can sticker them, or do whatever you want to make them unique and individual to yourself. Let’s crack down on throwing away plastic water bottles, you guys. Save the planet, save your soul.

Spotify Account

Alright, all you technical Nancies. Spotify is not exactly an item per se, but regardless, it is something that everyone should have. It is probably 4.87 times better than Pandora and I just found out about it. I just always figured it was another ploy for Facebook to get access to my social security number. But now I realize it is just simply the best thing since the cold underside of a warm pillow.

Running Shoes

We can’t wear boat shoes all the time, can we? By my count, Spring Break ’14 is only 11 months away. You can’t let summer get the best of you like it did for me last year. I’m still working off Portillo’s from last summer. Had I been smart enough to purchase a pair of running shoes, my obliques wouldn’t be punishing me to this very day. Get active, get fit, and get after it.

Silly Putty

I feel like I need not say anything, but I will for those of you who forgot how heavenly Silly Putty is. Say you are on the train going into the city for your job and you are bored out of your face. Sure, you could be sophisticated and read the Wall Street Journal with your legs crossed. Or, you could make a Silly Putty dinosaur and have the best start to your morning ever. You got the power. You decide.

Fedora

I don’t know, you guys. I feel like Jason Mraz really started something here. Sure, it’s been off to a slow start. But you can’t tell me you can’t see fedoras on the heads of everyone everywhere in the next one to 10 years. I suggest buying one now so you can be on the ground level when this thing takes off.

There are plenty more items that are necessary in order to have an ideal summer. I feel like I have laid down a pretty decent frame of what I suspect being some of the more important items. The main idea here is to be proactive. Your summer is only as good as you make it and if you follow my advice, I guarantee it won’t be unfulfilling.