I just went to Japan for a week and a half with a carry-on and it was just fine. In fact, I could have left behind two of the long-sleeved shirts I brought.
Really, up to a point – which for me is 3 days underwear, socks & undershirts and two outfits to go over them – the less you bring the better a vacation you'll have.
Next time you're at the airport just watch the people claiming their luggage. I sure hope some of those people are actually moving to the country they're arriving at because you shouldn't need a bag the size and weight of a coffee table to get you through a vacation. Who looks oppressed and in pain? The Giant Bag People. Who looks excited and adventurous? The ones walking past baggage claim on their way to the exit because they have all their stuff.
(Oh, and that War On Moisture, don't bring any liquids or gels thing? Just get some travel size toiletries when you get there. You can squeeze the first dose of toothpaste into your brush so you don't even have to worry about it the night you arrive. Just go out in the morning to explore a little & shop and then come back for your shower.)
Discardia 
Glad you’re back! I’ve missed the daily tips and ideas. I agree about packing light. I traveled for a month in Greece and Macedonia with just a carry on and, like you, came home realizing I still took more than I really needed. Since then I’ve been ruthless when traveling about packing light.
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I have to travel with medical equipment – a little breathing machine for sleep apnea – so I usually check my bag so I’m not trying to schlep that and the breathing thing on board. But I agree that less is definitely better, even if you check through what you’re taking. Welcome back, you were missed!
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If you forget something you can always buy it at your destination. Plus it is kind of fun to come home with new stuff and brag about where you got it. Most important-remember your cash, passport and hairbrush!
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So do you mean a day pack? A Timbuk2? A duffel bag? Or is it some full-on REI back-country gear? So glad you’re back and posting again!
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Thanks for the welcome, everyone!
Dennis, I took a Timbuk2 Blogger bag and a small zippered bag of about equal size, but horizontally oriented & with just one big zippered pocket as the body & a little flat outer pocket on the side.
Laptop & daily needs in the Blogger and spare clothes in the other bag.
Oh, you can see that bag here next to Joe’s green backpack: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegratz/230441662/
And here’s the Blogger bag modeled by Joe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegratz/233268756/
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I recently bought a Rick Steves’ Convertible Carry-On ( http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139 ) and have been looking forward to trying it out. Instead of having wheels, it has backpack straps, which take up less space and mass. I’ll report on how it performs in use soon.
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My backpack got ruined (grr) so I dug out an old smaller bag that I used to carry with me in college. It still works just fine, carries everything I need it to carry but doesn’t have room for extra-bulky extra things, and thus weighs less than what I used to carry.
Total investment in this improvement, $0.
Besides, no one else in the world is carrying around aged Cordura – black fades to a very lovely chocolate brown over time.
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