May17

How I handle the endless paper on a long trip

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This is not a paperless society yet. At least my life is not paper free. When we travel, I always have a huge stack of confirmations, tickets, directions, reminders, etc. The good news is I have found a system which really works for me; a Japanese folder system from Sedia called Sepal Out-In. I use Penco thin transparent folders to sub categorize hotel/car/ restaurants/ activities/ tickets/ misc. They aren’t designed to go with the Out-In Folder, but I find they work marvelously to keep me organized. The inside gets a clip with the flight itinerary and the back gets a printout of the master itinerary. As we finish adventures I toss applicable paper and it shrinks down. The empty sections become catchalls for ephemera.

IMG_6686 I pre-organize everything by date/location. Then I don’t have to sift through the paper piles en route, using paperclips to hold related pieces together (like a hotel confirmation and the directions). The papers get put in order by date and are arranged in the transparent folders, which then go into the Out-In Holder. The system has now been tested on multiple adventures with multiple car/hotel/restaurant reservations.

I highly recommend a trip to Maido in San Francisco; they carry both products but don’t sell them online. Similar folders are likely available at most Japanese stationary stores. The folders come in various sizes. I have them in A4 size which fits standard printer paper. I choose the transparent Penco folders in different patterns or colors (there’s some that maybe aren’t Penco but have beautiful designs on them – maybe made by Miyabi?). The different colors/patterns allow me to easily grab the “restaurant” sub-folder without having to think twice. The transparency of this system makes the papers I need easy to find. I can grab the hotel “subfolder” without having to pull out the whole Out-In binder. The plastic is super slippery, folders slide in and out very easily when you need them, but are kept in place by the design (so that papers don’t fall).

When I return home, I transfer the remaining papers into a travel file and then set up the folders for the next trip. They are very sturdy and I haven’t managed to damage one yet. They are expensive, but an investment which saves time and frustration. These folders would also work beautifully for a project.

Resources:

Maido SF

Midori (who make similar system folder)

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May12

One Hundred Words – the memory of the day ahead

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The air had the scent of summers past; when the morning was spent in anticipation of the day ahead. I remember the light breeze and coolness of the day that lifted my hair as I helped to pack the car for the trip to my aunt’s house. I could capture it for you; a mix of bird song the scent of flowers and the essence of sun starting to warm the day. A calm unfettered feeling with only the movement towards our arrival. I would see my cousins, drink lemonade, eat tiny egg salad sandwiches, and walk in the woods.

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Apr28

One Hundred Words – The Game – Sunday April 28, 2013

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IMG_6440“It’s your turn.” I say handing him the small white dice. They make a pleasant sound as he shakes them and land with a plunk on the table. ”Six!” He says with glee, obviously not understanding  that a low number is not that desirable. A few more pieces of colored paper move into his meager pile. His turn is played and the dice come to me. I hold them in hand testing their weight and roll them between my fingers thinking of tens and twelves. The roll is disappointing; only an eight. I buy some colored papers and move on.

Apr14

Through the gate – 100 words – One Hundred Words

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The sweet smell of lilac in full bloom hit me long before I touched the cold metal of the gate. The morning was chilly despite the sun’s warmth. A breeze lifted my hair and rustled the branches. I released the latch. The garden was still loved, but plainly far too much work for aging hands. The green burst of spring had consumed the bare spaces left by winter die-back. I put down my basket of tools and laid the blanket near the wildest part. Gathering my well-worn skirt to one side, I settled myself, surveying the smaller world.

Apr7

The Old Bones – 100 Words – Weekly Writing Challenge – Sunday April 7, 2013

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The bones were old, creamy beige with dark brown crevices. You could imagine my surprise to find them so neatly stacked behind the shed. They were gleaming, as if someone had washed and dried them. It was more likely that the rain and wind had done the thorough cleaning. Brushing stray leaves away, I lifted the top bone. It was lighter than I expected and still warm from the sun. I brought the flared lens of the bone analyzer close. There were no fractures in this one. It was long, tapering to a wide end point where it joined something.

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Mar31

100 Words – A Strange Dream in One Hundred Words – Sunday, March 31, 2013

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526523_10150971981357895_1354717364_nThe camp was deserted. We picked a random spot to pitch the tent. I head towards the car to get the last pole set and am  surprised that so many people have arrived. An acquaintance asks for help moving; a strange assortment of damaged sports equipment and battered musical instruments. I ask her to teach me guitar tuning. She asks where the next event is. I tell her that it’s over. She asks who won, but I don’t know. We scan the newspaper as we’re waiting for the pedestrian signal to change. Bicycles rush by on the rubble filled street.

Mar24

100 Words – Sunday March 24, 2013 – Weekly Writing Challenge

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My self-imposed Sunday Weekly Writing Challenge: To quickly write exactly one hundred words on whatever topic, theme or idea that wanders through my head that morning. Inspired by medium.com to give credit where it is due. Here’s this week’s 100 Words:

The call of “sweetie” over and over again, was creating an auto loop in my head even when the bird was silent. It was slowly driving me insane. I considered some sort of violent extermination and then reconsidered. It was spring after all, and the poor bird had only a few words with which to seduce and nest a mate. Pity consumed me. I should not be judging the evolution of this tiny creature. The solution was to turn up the music to run interference. The rasp of the singer’s voice soothed me and I forgot all about the bird.

Mar22

Interview: Getting to Know SF Etsyan Gillian Griffiths of Gold Adore

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Amazing Vintage Art Deco 14K White Gold Carved Jade, Diamond, and Sapphire Ring

Q. Who are you?

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Gillian Griffiths

My name is Gillian Griffiths, and I’m a Gemologist. I live in San Francisco with my husband Alex, my daughter Celia, and our Labrador Lucy!

Q. What is your Etsy store called and what do you sell there?

My store is Gold Adore, and I specialize in Vintage and Estate Fine Jewelry. Think antique engagement rings, diamonds, gold, and platinum!

Q. How did you get into Gemology?

I’ve always loved jewelry, and I’ve always loved estate sales. One day I was at an estate sale looking at a ‘diamond’ ring and I remember turning it over in my hand wondering if it was a real diamond. At the time I was selling my small business and considering a new career, so it was really like a light bulb going off in my head! I decided to go back to school and become the person who could tell the difference between real and fake.

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Lovely Lacey Vintage Onyx Pendant in 14K White Gold with Diamond and 16 inch chain

Q. When did you start collecting/selling vintage pieces?

Vintage has always been special to me. I think everything I ever wore in college was secondhand, and that was before ‘vintage’ was fashionable! Same with my college apartment. It really started as more of a financial necessity, but I loved it. When I moved to San Francisco, I was just in heaven with all the thrift stores! I didn’t start selling on my own until I opened my Etsy shop, but I had worked previously at Butterfields, a high-end auction house in SF.

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Stunning Antique 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Sapphire Wedding Band

Q. What was your first sale?

My first Etsy sale was a simple, Art Deco, Platinum, Diamond, Channel Set wedding band. I had just opened my store a few days prior with 5 items that I had meticulously hand picked. I was shocked to get a sale! I got the notification while playing in the backyard sandpit with my daughter, and we both did a happy dance. I knew that if I could make my store work, it really would be my dream come true.

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Beautiful British Antique 18K Yellow Gold/ Platinum Diamond Ring

Q. What was your greatest discovery/find – is there a story?

Maybe the Art Deco Tiffany Engagement Ring I found in a barn in West Virginia, covered in so much dirt I couldn’t even read the stamp until I cleaned it. Or maybe the plain wedding band I found with a simple inscription, A.G. to M.G., 10-27-29. Two days later was Black Tuesday, and I spent days thinking of how that one event must have affected A.G. and M.G., whoever they were. Every piece has a story. Every piece I hold was someone’s engagement ring, someone’s wedding band; someone’s most valuable, most sentimental object. I probably spend far too much imagining/ fantasizing about the people who owned my pieces previously. I really feel that it’s my responsibility to care for, treasure, and show others just how special vintage jewelry is.

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Beautiful Art Nouveau Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Sapphire Chandelier Earrings

Q. What inspires you?

What is your passion? My first inspiration is my family. They are amazing and special and unique and inspire me to be the best I can everyday. Then it’s the work. I absolutely LOVE what I do. I love Diamonds. I love Platinum, and gold and pearls, and rubies and sapphires. I love design, and seeing it and holding it and feeling it and trying it on! I love buying and I love selling. I love talking with people, hearing their stories, and why they might be buying one of my rings – be it love and marriage, a baby, a reward, or just a special treat! My husband usually has to pry me away from my laptop at night because I love it so much.

Q. If you could give other future Etsyians one tip, what would that be?

Be yourself, keep trying, and do what you love! I spent years trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and who I should be. I have held many, many different jobs, both before, and after, becoming a gemologist. I often tried to mesh my own instincts with other people’s expectations of me, mostly with mediocre results. It wasn’t until I really listened to myself, and stopped trying to meet other’s expectations, that I found true success.

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Vintage 24K Pure Gold Bracelet, Solid

More about Gillian:
Twitter
Facebook
Gold Adore Etsy Shop
Babies & Bling Blog

Mar20

Creative Writing Challenge: 2AM Photo – One New Message

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Image based on You Have One New Message by bixentro, I couldn’t resist thisCC-BY-2.0

I couldn’t resist this little writing challenge. Here’s my offering!

My phone buzzed, filling the room in an eerie white-blue LED light. I bolted upright and grabbed the Colt Python from under the pillow, scanning the room. I relaxed slightly and picked up the phone. It was 2am and there was nothing new but the phone message. The message was an oddity; there were no words, no explanation, just a photo. A city street scene with a store front and a red door that had the number 53 on it. Who the hell was it from? It rang familiar but I couldn’t place it.

2am and I was drunk with sleep. Crawling from the body-warm bed, I splashed cold water on my face from the tap. The resulting shiver didn’t feel good but made me more awake. I shouldn’t have slept so long. More than forty minutes of sleep at a time messed with me. I was strange that way. Sleep was like submission and something I actively avoided. Tonight had been the exception. The job I was on was wearing me down, making me constantly on edge. I’m pretty resilient but even I start to hallucinate after too many hours alert.

53, it seemed a familiar number. Now who would send me the photo and at the godforsaken hour of 2AM and then not sign the email? My mind wandered down roads it didn’t want to travel. I’ve been set up far too many times to not be cautious. But it couldn’t be related to this job – I mean who even knew I was watching?

Then it hit me. 53. The age of the mug I was tracking. In my line of work, there are no coincidences. I opened the laptop and zoomed the photo.

The door was definitely red, the exact color of his tie in the photo I’d been sent. I could just make out the bottom letters on the awning of the store front. OWED. Strange name for a fruit stand. The mangoes were Manila and the price sign said $1m.

As I said before, there are no coincidences. I could now wrack my brain for hours about who might have sent the photo but I knew that it would get me nowhere. Hitting reply would blow my timing. People with resources paid others well to hide them. The question remained if it was a warning or a threat. I was betting that the price on my target’s head had just gone up. I checked the tracker and cursed aloud.

It was dead. Hopefully my live tracker wasn’t. I had already hit the dial code.

“Lester?”

“Boss.”

“Do you have visual?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Is there a gun at your head?”

A pause. “No Boss, should there be?”

Good. It was a tagline. He was actually okay.

“Don’t lose him. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” I was already shrugging my holster on and grabbing my jacket.

Mar20

Creative Writing Challenge: 2AM Photo

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Reblogged from The Daily Post:

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For some of us, blogging is personal. Others are trying to educate or entertain; many more are hybrids. Yet we’re all storytellers. Creative Writing Challenges help you to push your writing boundaries, show off your blogging chops, and, hopefully, spark more post ideas.

To participate, tag your post with DPchallenge or leave a link to it in the comments. (It would also be great if you could link to this post to encourage people to take part – the more the merrier!)  Your post should be specifically written in response to this challenge.

Read more… 390 more words

Thinking of a story... Love this idea!