I already know what you're thinking... and yes. At the risk of shameless self promotion I just have to, of course, plug Martini World! Mondays at imbibe. But, I'll come back to that later.

I have just been so busy lately that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just stick with the recent past. It's a bit of a blur but I know I've had a good time. A real good time. Most of the time anyway. Some of you have been there with me too.

Road trips up north, Art Galleries, Parades, Parties, Club events, Networking events, Sushi. I need a rest already! OK, so maybe I should just get to what's hot and what's not. I'm sure every magazine in town does this.. but I don't care!

Let's start with "not".
Not. The Cooperage. Unless of course you are looking for a $9 martini in the smallest glass available by law... during HAPPY HOUR! Oh, with a bunch of blue hairs anxious to get their "Nawlens" on.

Not. Two Fools Tavern. Still can't get a "shot"! You can get a "glass" of whiskey but don't shoot it or you're out on your ass.

Not. NM Rail Runner on a Friday night. If you hop on right after work (downtown Abq 5:21 pm) you will have just enough time for a drink or two in Santa Fe before catching the last train back at 9:30! Without reservations you will have a 2-3 hour wait in the popular restaurants... unless you're me.

Not. Albuquerque Cab. If you want to wait an hour on your way out or your way home go for it. I had the rudest driver for a "safe ride" & when I called to complain all they did was defend him. I had only had 2 drinks & food, so it wasn't me. I have swapped out my speed dial to Yellow Cab 505-247-8888.

Aaaaannnnd HOT! What's hot lately? More than the "not" luckily. So many hots, so little time.

HOT. Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums. Voted “Best Upcoming Scottish Musical Group” in Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2008 Best of the City issue. Featured in an online exclusive at Alibi.com, "Not just pipe dreams" a few weeks ago. Starring in my backyard for the "Post St. Patty's Day Parade Party" recently. I love you guys.

HOT. NM Rail Runner on a Saturday. Crowded? Perhaps. Do you want to stand for 1.5 hours from Santa Fe? Perhaps not. But it does run later than Friday! You have all day to get there and the last train home leaves at 10 PM.

HOT. Cake Fetish. Cupcakes that are delicious works of art! And they have delivery too! “Cake Fetish is Albuquerque's first gourmet cupcake bakery.
Each cupcake is made from scratch in small batches by our highly creative
bakers using the freshest ingredients.” Uptown, downtown, and the west side.

HOT. Giovanni's Pizza. They recently delivered pies all the way to Central and Girard! And it is still the best authentic NY Style Pizza around.

HOT. Yellow Cab. Fast, friendly, no grief. NOT owned by the same company as Albuquerque Cab contrary to popular belief! 505-247-8888

HOT. Local IQ Magazine. For the "25 and over" crowd who appreciate the finer things in life. Read the column called "Fabü" by my long time friend Lisa Van Dyke!

HOT. Shogun. Still. I love to start the "boat note" and communicate with strangers on the other side of the sushi bar. The sushi is top notch. The people are friendly and the beer's cold. What else do you want? I swear these are the best Spider Rolls on earth! And try a Crispy Dragon Roll.

And last but not least HOT. Monday nights at imbibe. I saw that. Don't wince. I heard that! Just read on, and no, I am not an owner or investor. There are people of all ages here at all times it appears. And what the hell else is there to do on a Monday in Albuquerque?!
MartiniWorld.com Presents Martini World! Mondays...

So who wants to party like a rock star?
Weekends are for amateurs anyway!
Chicken?
Tired?
Too hip for you?

Wait. What about a relaxing happy hour? 4-7 I dare you to find a normal size premium martini for $5 in this town! There are pints of premium imports for $2 too! And I personally put together this ever changing playlist for 4-8 PM. Everything from Dean Martin to songs you recognize from every popular mob movie, even the newer ones.

Still not hooked? How about the cool movie I show at 6? Last week was the original Scarface (1932). This week will be On the Waterfront (1954), with Marlon Brando.
Come watch a movie after work. NCAA Final Four?
Have a drink.
Have a cigar.

This is Albuquerque's only legal smoking bar.
Don't like smoke?
There is a state of the art filtration system.
They open the garage doors for the warm weather too.
Next Monday 4/06/09 alleged to be 69 degrees, sunny, no wind.

There is also a rooftop patio with great views of Route 66.
And I have the handsome, talented, and single DJ Ryan (the Friday night DJ) at 8 on Mondays.

Hmmm... what else? It's cool. All your friends are doing it.
There'll be models, some promotion every week.
Did I mention surprises too? Like FREE stuff?

Recently featured in abqonthecheap.com! Hope to see you there. Ciao

Is this like "duck, duck, goose"?
This may be my shortest blog ever here.
I'm just here to bring your attention to a good cause... bagpiping!

Long story short I had written an article for a local magazine that had their freelance writer budget cut suddenly.
With not much time left I managed to have it published by the Alibi as an "Online Exclusive".
Thank you to the Alibi and Laura and any ghosts lurking behind the scenes.
It is a seasonal piece about my favorite bagpipers... Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums, AKA "MTS".

My 3rd re-write of this reads much like my the ahem "colorful" blogs you would ordinarily read right here.
So go check out "Not just pipe dreams", and VOTE on it, or the guys below might come lookin' for you!
Oh, then you'll get the reference to Sunday School too.
See you at the parade. And Happy Early St. Patrick's Day to ya'!

http://alibi.com/index.php?story=27086&scn=music

HEY! You still haven't subscribed to my new blog?! www.THEMartiniMike.blogspot.com

“Strange days have found us. Strange days have tracked us down” –The Doors.

I can often be overheard spewing forth such tidbits as my continued genuine surprise at not winning the Powerball. Well guess what… I didn’t win again! On the bright side- I was only off by 5 numbers. But I have seen such strange “signs” in my world lately that it could happen. That… or it’s the end of days. The signs are everywhere; you just have to watch for them. Oh, and try to decipher them!

With my allergies and all I got the little lady a 3rd long haired cat from the pound on Valentines. Pass the inhaler please. Three’s a charm? She is a little blonde Italian named Bella. (The cat, not my wife) Her owner had died and it was her first day in jail. (The cat, not the owner) Maybe I should get my polygamous cult off the ground?

Last Friday night we didn’t go out all night. I was up bright and early on Saturday prompting a spontaneous road trip. That’s another story in itself. Maybe I should travel more. Here’s a teaser from Cerrillos…

This past week I spotted the largest gaggle, flock, group, soiree of crows I have ever seen. They were invading Fairview Memorial Park. This caught my attention due to a number of things. My maternal grandparents are buried on the corner. Crows are believed by some to be messengers of the dead. Fairview was the first public cemetery in Albuquerque and has always been a place of interest to me. As a teenager we would come through the fence by some apartments on the next block, at night, to party and visit with the dead. Put all this together of course and I think it means I should throw a party soon and invite The Black Crows to play songs by dead people.

A Playboy Playmate is throwing her birthday party in Albuquerque. Miss August 2008 Kayla Collins. Why? She is not from here. She is also the second Playmate of Irish descent to visit Imbibe. Hmmm… maybe I should throw a St. Patrick’s Day party and an Easter party? Maybe I should just serve rabbit at a St. Patricks Day party.
Here is my new friend  from last Playboy event... Shallan Meiers.

I was forced to visit my area Wal-Mart yesterday. The one time I don’t have my camera bag with me. There are two pro football players there signing autographs. NFL stars. One is from the Dallas Cowboys and one from the Bucaneers? Side by side. Why? Who? I don’t know. I didn’t have a pen either. I should always have my camera and a pen.

* During this transition to my new blog space I will take mercy on you all and post simultaneously. But please visit & subscribe soon at themartinimike.blogspot.com

*Previously published at www.dukecityfix.com! http://www.dukecityfix.com/profiles/blogs/calling-dr-love-martini-mikes 

“They call me Dr. Love, I am the doctor of love, I’ve got the cure you’re thinking of.” – KISS, “Calling Dr. Love"! No, we’re not talking Penicillin here. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching I felt the obligation to dig deep down into my treasure trove of romantic gestures and share with you. Let’s just say I’ve “been around the block”. (hey, "practice makes perfect"!)You don’t get around the block without certain insights into the magical mystical feel good keys to romance. I’m actually writing a book about it so shut up, sit back and soak it all up.

With the horrific state of the economy not everyone can afford the finer things in life this Valentine’s, such as a bottle of Dom Perignon or a getaway to that fancy lodge.

Well guess what… romance does not mean material things! I will cover a few nice places to stop for a drink or a meal later on. I’ll also cover some inexpensive ways to show your love. But let’s “K.I.S.S.”… “Keep it Simple Stupid”, for now!
Here are a few things that will help your cause on such an auspicious occasion. Trim your toenails. Wax your back. Take out the trash. Get a job! No offense to those of you who are actually trying. Try being nice, in private and public. Whatever your partner or love interest wants, within reason, should be fair this day. Make a card yourself! There’s nothing like a crayon drawn card with glitter to hook that special someone. Cook dinner! Something elegant and simple? Almost anything will work with a little candlelight. You may not even get to the meal if all goes well, or with properly placed subliminal messages.

Drive to the crest and stare out onto that beautiful New Mexico sunset together. It's chilly, stay close. Cruise Central like when you were younger. Write a poem! Here’s one you can just fill in the blanks on… “Your eyes are like _____. Your lips like _____. I have been watching you, waiting, for now to _______.” Ha-ha. Watch a “chick flick” on TV… don’t forget the (single) blanket.

OK, so you wanna spend a little scratch do ya’? I was quite excited to hear that The Waffle House would offer white linen and candlelight with reser.... Unfortunately Albuquerque was not a participating region! A close second would be Taco Tote, where I have spied Mariachis from the street as I passed by on occasion! They were playing, not eating. Fun! Romantic? Eh. I will miss our tradition of a dark cushy booth in the corner of Martini Grill this year... with a serving of Wolfschmitz disguised as Ketel One. There are plenty of dark places with great service, drinks, and food around Burque but privacy is a commodity. So, here go my best picks across town with what we have to work with.
1. The lounge at Paul’s Monterey Inn for a martini at least. Maybe a delicious steak? Rat Pack music, so dark you will bump into something, cushy leather booth or two, great everything. What else could you want but some snuggling?!
2. Cellar Bar at Zinc. Again, for at least a drink if not some also delicious food. Try a “Red Wall”, I have been dreaming about them as I mentioned to Mixologist/bar God Abraham Juarez in a Facebook chat at midnight earlier this week!
3. Copper Lounge. True, it is no Jack’s (it’s former self) but it is still dark. There are big cushy booths, great service, reasonably priced drinks, and some delicious if not so fancy food. Maybe show your date how to shoot pool afterwards? Get real close & use some Binaca.
4. I am hesitantly typing the corporate entity known as The Melting Pot. O.K. They have “Love Martinis”. And Fondue. And it’s pretty dark in the little side rooms. Nothing say’s romance like dipping things in chocolate… or cheese?

5. The lounge at Cervantes! Muy dark. Fast friendly service. Spicy food for a spicy night. Margaritas that will send you home cuddling in a cab.
Damn. That’s all I’ve got.

Inexpensive romantic gifts you say? Take a trip over to your local lingerie or “other” store. How about Jubilation for some Vino or Champagna? (OR maybe just some "Champenoise" or beer!) Their helpful staff will never let you down. How about a kitten from Animal Humane or Animal Control? Better yet, an 11 year old Cattle Dog that shits in the house! (email me) Affordable art? Masks Y Mas, Chroma Studios, Mariposa Gallery, and a bevy of other galleries offer prints, vases, photographs, and many things short of a 6’ canvas. Flowers of course are always good. We are lucky enough to be surrounded by many fine flower shops. I personally use People’s on Central by where the runaway bride was found. I have also shopped at Tartaglia’s, and Mauldin’s among others. And last but not least, if it was good enough for the Mayans, chocolate! Visit The Candy Lady, Chocolate Café and Bakery, or Theobroma for all the chocolaty delights you can imagine.

Single people with no prospects? I have some things for you too. There are a few events going on downtown. Check out Sauce and Raw for instance. They are having a "Single to Mingle" Valentine's Party!

Let me leave you with things not to do this Valentine’s Day. No matter how many issues they already have, do not break up with someone this day. You will never forget it and they will possibly suffer a few extra years in therapy. Do not fart, burp, spit, or leave them with the bill unless you’re married. Do not be late because you went to the Strip Club. Do not overbook. Pick one special someone and stick with them. If it doesn’t work out there is no way you can’t meet another lonely sole this night sitting in a corner alone too. Remember there is somebody for everybody.

Do not drunk dial. Do not drunk dial me. Get off that computer and start making plans! Follow these simple tips and it will be smooooth sailing. Cheers!

*Martini Mike circa 1980? (I can't believe I'm sharing this picture!)

Each day near my beautiful home I pass a La Quinta where I once lived. I thank God for the brain capacity to have continually upgraded my living situation and lot in life. I speed towards my laptop to write. I think, “Gosh I’m smart”. (OK, I don’t really do that… but play along) I prepare myself mentally to deal with not so smart people throughout the day and night. I really have a low tolerance for idiots. Then I went to “Geeks Who Drink”!

One slice of Humble Pie please. (Great band fyi) Geeks Who Drink is an event that takes place at bars around the country. It combines the best of “trivia” and socializing in public. The drinking has nothing to do with the game or rewards. The thing is, as I learned from this particular answer, is it’s not just useless trivia! And maybe how much knowledge you absorbed in life, through school or other, means nothing when you enter this Vortex. If I recall it was “Sesquipedalophobia” … fear of long words! I was unable to verify this in a dictionary so maybe we heard it wrong. Hey, we’re just here for fun right? Actually at one point after hearing this answer we though he said "Sasquatchpedophilia"... you know, this of course is 8 foot hairy creatures that molest your children. Bastards.This is why they're hiding in the woods!

Some of my friends, and occasionally even my spouse, attend this Geekfest. This week we attended at Uptown Sports Bar in Albuquerque. I have never attended one as I don’t need no steenking game interrupting my drinking! But, well, since Kent the Quiz Master recently recruited me to be a Special Guest Quiz Master I thought I better get my arse over to one of these and see what all the hoopla is about! It was only a Wednesday night but surprisingly busy. A. I like Kent... we had matching spiked belts! B. It was fun. I may be hooked. Damn him.

I don’t play or necessarily even like board games. Heck, I don’t necessarily even like team sports or competitions! Well, this is just sitting around with your friends, more like a gang, trying to beat some other friends while drinking. Maybe it’s the drinking part that got me. Ha Ha. Teams can be no larger than 6 people at a table. There can be up to I don’t know how many teams… I heard mention of 12 possibly. 8 rounds. 8 questions each. Two hours long. I think there are prizes too. Anyway, one is a “visual round”… handouts. At least one is an “audio round”. This night the audio round included song lyrics performed by a robot. Not as easy as it sounds! Song title AND artist. When am I going to remember that “True” is SPANDAU BALLET not ABC?! And what true geek would know they were moving some football game from Honolulu to Miami next year? Oh well. We hung in there at second place for most of the time I think. We bit it at the end and came in like 4th or 6th or something I couldn't hear over the bad acoustics and jocks yelling at that point. Shut up. I was on the Swim Team. And the Putt Putt Team. Now I'm Captain of the Drinking Team.

I am really looking forward to guest hosting round 6 this Sunday at O’Niell’s Irish Pub in Albuquerque, NM. (NOT a Sports Bar!) 8 O’Clock PM. Be there and be square. Brush up on your Martini “knowledge” and/or trivia. Drink a martini with me. Say hi. I think it’s gonna be a blast! You can visit Geeks Who Drink at www.geekswhodrink.com , or at http://www.myspace.com/geekswhodrink. Don’t be scared, release your inner geek!
*Previously published in some form at www.dukecityfix.com

For those of you that can't read a calendar I thought I'd place this "event" here in a blog space! I will also add pretty pictures for those of you who can't read at all. You won't even know I'm talking shit about you unless someone reads it out loud to you. You will have to take that same person along for the ride to hunt me down as you would also not be able to read street names. This is awesome. LOL

OK. Back to business...

New Martini World! Event! Sunday Feb 8th! Be schooled by Martini Mike.

www.MartiniWorld.com in conjunction with "Geeks who Drink" present:
Special Guest Quiz Master Martini Mike!

Join Martini Mike as he throws one round at your face like a bad martini!

Sunday February 8th
8 PM
O'Niell's Pub
4310 Central Ave SE
(Central at Washington
in East Nob Hill) Albuquerque, NM
Bar: 505-255-6782
http://www.oniells.com/ONiellsPubEvents.html

Hosted By Quiz Master Kent from Geeks who Drink.

Brush up on your Martini related trivia and come party with the verbose host with the most.

-Martini Mike

It's already 2009 in Asia! (It's like 10 am MST here on NYE at this moment) Where did this year go?! I have been a bit of a slacker here in International Blog Land lately. So let me say Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Oh, and Happy Birthday, Happy Valentine's, Happy International Martini Day too! International Martini Day begins on June 19 and some begin "Martini Week" on this date, ending on Father's Day! Children of Winston Churchill? I know what you're thinking.
So I broke up with Britney this year and she went nuts like almost all my exes. Oh wait, that was just a dream. Um, must finish coffee. (that was in a Shatner) The worst thing that happened this year was that I lost my dog- Romeo. And I lost a substantial stock egg in FIG! What the heck did I do this year? I mean besides slaving for the man. Videos. Wrote a lot! Blogs and magazines and poetry and books. Travelled about. Reignited my photography fire. Quit smoking! 47 times.  Me me me.  I I I. Don't like it? Write your own blog!

I will quickly sum up a year at MartiniWorld! Vegas, L.A., Mexico, Movie Stars, TV Stars, TV Stars, Rock Stars, Playmates, cigars, bagpipes, parties, boats, trains, planes, fun. There's no place like home. The champagne is chilled for tonight.We are going to a party we can walk to!  My friends are circling. Let's get this thing done.

I've learned a few things this year. Most recently I learned to watch where I joke about abducting and killing prostitutes. I had no idea a transgendered prostitute was abducted and murdered by my house 3 years ago! We could get into this big unnecessary discussion about why I would joke about something like that. But, well, I have a strange sense of humor. I've learned that people are people. So why should it be, you and I should get along so awfully? This is why Dave Gahan killed himself. Oh wait, just another dream. Sorry. Have I lost a few of you? That's O.K.- survival of the fittest here in this intellectual bog. Hint: Depeche Mode vocalist.

As much as I just generally dislike people except in passing, online (sometimes), and certain social situations… I helped the homeless... again. At least they don't get all up in my bizness. That was a very successful event!  I wanted to help. I always want to help. Thank you to all the other people who helped! I am not trying to fix any Karma or feel good or any other BS. But to the confused out there… buying a wing of the church where you don't learn anything is not going to get you into heaven! And being a douche all year may not be your best use of energy. When you're done taking care of yourself try to help take care of someone else that needs it. Bam. ....

So there- what was starting to sound like one of those annoying Xeroxed Christmas card letters- turned on you didn't it? Haha. You just move on. What else can you do? Try to make each year a little better than the last. Keep watching for that light at the end of the tunnel. Work, live, eat, sleep, @$%, shit. Remember what you've learned. Don't waste. Take notes on who sucks and who doesn't.....

I wish I could think of a good mantra for 2009 but all I can think of is jumping in the hot tub. About this time each year I declare "no more Mr. Nice Guy!", which comes and goes on a case by case basis for a while. I'm watching you. Do what's right. God, I ate so much this month I may look a little like Santa Claus! He sees everything too! Coincidence? Weird. ....

I met a lot of great people this year and had a lot of fun. Twenty-O-Nine is going to be fantastic, as foretold in the prophecy, I can feel it. Join me now my minions. I will remind you all that I would like to tour with Judas Priest and create their "Cocktail Table Book". Also I would like to do one for The Rainbow. If anyone can give them a little push. Let's put our talents together and stand in awe of what we accomplished through, for lack of a better word, networking. I'm always amazed at what a small world it really is. And please send your non tax deductible gifts of cash to me. Thank You.....

Let me take this moment to thank God for having a roof over my head (in the house), and a convertible (in the driveway). Thanks for the results of my first physical in decades- healthy as a horse! Thanks for hot chile and cold Vodka. Thanks for no blatantly obvious shitty neighbors. Thanks for everything. Maybe you could fix the economy? Oh sorry, not to be ungrateful. Just thought I'd ask. And maybe I could become a writer full time this year? OK OK.

I've been sick in bed the better part of this week. I am deprived of nicotine and booze. I lounge here comfortably, in my bed, eating a bagel, with my wireless laptop, embarking on the possibilities before me. This may quite possibly be my last cigarette. I may quite possibly complete one of these books I'm writing. I may win the lottery. I may jam with Bo Diddley. I may get up, put the top down, and take a little ride around town, and say goodbye to 2008. Tonight I will dance on her grave.....

Last night I had the honor of hanging out with Emmy award winning actor Bryan Cranston along with the cast and crew of Breaking Bad. For those of you who live under a rock, Breaking Bad is a hit TV show (one of their only TV shows incidentally) on AMC. Yes, AMC… American Movie Classics… right?

*Previously published locally on www.DukeCityFix.com

Well kids, the inevitable is occurring... as foretold in the prophecy. I have been published in print! I mean an article, not poetry or other. Let me just clarify that. Check out this blurb about it. My first real magazine article all by my lonesome. It's about 1800 words, or 2 pages. You can pick it up at newstands now or order it from here. It is called "I'm With the Band" (see page 1 below!) and is actually about The Sleestaks. I was the 5th/invisible member... embedded if you will, for the writing of this article. Thank you Albuquerque the Magazine.

I was just approached last night to write an article for Cigar Aficianado too. I have several other magazine projects piling up at home. And I should really get around to finishing one of those books I'm writing! So forgive me for my lack of recent blogs here.

You can always read my local stuff at http://www.dukecityfix.com/profile/MartiniMike here in Burquewood. (DukeCityFix.com Voted No.2 local blog 2008!) Thanks for the love and support my minions. Ciao

Hosted By: Michael "Martini Mike" D'Arco
Verbose host of www.MartiniWorld.com

When: Tuesday Dec 23, 2008
at 6:00 PM
Where: IMBIBE
3101 Central Ave. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico|32 87106
United States
Description:Tinis, Tunes, Cigars!
Holiday Party/Help the Homeless!

As you recall we filled a truck with goods for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless in 2007.
I am going to step it up this time.

This time there will be entry for door prize/s of choice upon receipt of item/s off the
critical needs list by each guest.
Blankets
Gloves
Scarves
Hats
Socks
Just bring something. Please.
If you can't make the "event", feel free to drop something off before 12/24. (BOXES ARE THERE!)

Sponsors : Imbibe, Imperia Vodka

Door Prize Donors: Hair Addiction, Old World Imports, Zinc-Savoy-Seasons, Masks Y Mas, Que Chula, Revolver, Mariposa Gallery, Tim Tourville- Coldwell Banker, Joe S. Sausage, Chroma Studios and Gallery, Konii Carpenter (artist).

DJ music by KPJ

hors D'oeuvres by Nob Hill Bar & Grill

Imperia Vodka Drink Specials
Try a "Martini Mike"! Vodka Martini, dirty, extra dry, blue cheese stuffed olive!

*NEW!
"Teddy" the Tarot Card Reader
Bagpipes by Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums!

I am truly ecstatic over the outpouring of support for this last year and now.
As many of you know... I have been homeless from time to time in my youth..
Hell, 11 years ago I lived in a tent. (and somebody stole it!)
It's not always due to the reasons many of us think. Even if it is... they need help.
So, let's reach out, again this holiday season, and lend a hand to those in need.

I am looking forward to our creation of a mega giant holiday pile o' stuff for the homeless again.
Maybe we will need two trucks to deliver it all this time!
I know all my great friends, old & new, will come through.

So come say hi, have a cocktail and some food, and say you care.
Will Keep you all posted but for now MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Tell your friends!

CHEERS!

FULL CRITICAL NEEDS LIST:
Art supplies (all kinds and found objects)
Back packs
Blankets
Books for kids (English, Spanish and bi-lingual)
Bottled water
Children's craft supplies (glitter, glue, paper, etc.)
Coats (new or gently used)
Coloring books and crayons
Diapers (toddlers sizes)
Gloves (new or gently used)
Hats (new or gently used)
Lip balm
Medical & first aid supplies (Call first, authorization required)
Pillows (new)
Pots, pans, dishes & silverware (for people moving into housing)
Razors
Scarves (new or gently used)
Sheets
Sleeping bags
Socks (new)
Tickets for the movies, children's museum, etc.
Toiletries (regular or travel size from hotels)
Toothbrushes / toothpaste
Towels & linens (new)
Underwear (new)
Vitamins (new, unopened)
Water bottles