EP_66; Totes the Most

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss preferred qualities in a travel tote. But first! Gail and Piper answer a sensitive listener question with honest recommendations, frank discussion, and travel whammy stories. Note: This episode has been rescued from the limbo of episodes lost in unexpected hiatus and was recorded over a year ago, possibly two. Piper's Tote Ultra slim laptop backpack with a section with a grid of elastic bands for organization Gail's Tote A rigid sided, small tote that fits under any underseat space for US or EU travel Gadgets! Piper's Recommedation: Period panties Gail's Recommendation: Heavy flow pads for delicate skin such as U by Kotex Shoutouts! Gail's Shoutouts: Old Fashioned Cupcake by by Sagan, Sagan Piper's Shoutouts: Love Destiny (บุพเพสันนิวาส) – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss the massive life challenges that drove us into unintended hiatus before diving enthusiastically into discussing our top 5 foods on the go, specifically foods we either pack to go on adventure or foods we immediately look for upon arrival at our destination. Gail's Top 5 Hard Boiled Egg Chocolate Soy Milk Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats (in and out of stock) Cheetos (or Chex Mix) Onigiri Piper's Top 5 Hard Boiled Egg Protein Powder - shoutout to Boba Tea Protein  Tofu  Tinned Fish Yokult Drinkable Yogurt Gadgets! (or coping mechanisms) Perfume - Gail's been exploring scents that bring her joy. Piper now plans to introduce Gail to a Thai based perfumes: Butterfly Thai Perfumes Lipcare - Piper's been exploring lip glosses and lip balms from Korean, Japanese, and Thai beauty brands.  Gail loves lip oils, recommending brands like Versed. – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake briefly check back in regarding their unplanned hiatus to assure listeners of their (imminent) return. – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake chose chaos a couple of months ago, going off script with no structure to discuss trip planning for Thailand! Note: at the time this episodes airs, Gail and Piper will already be in Thailand, so check their social media for live updates of their trip or stand by for future episodes recorded in Thailand! It's happening, dear listeners. Brace yourselves. The approach: have a home base in Bangkok, working and writing during the week and taking day trips or venturing beyond Bangkok for weekend jaunts. The objective: work anywhere. Piper will also be working day job! On US time! Thus practicing a biphasic sleep schedule.  The philosophy: we're enjoying the lifestyle, the digital nomad experience, and we're very likely to be back. Coordination and Planning shared Google doc for asynchronous notes on our travel destination and questions Travel Buddies - it's a trio of friends with a combination of shared interests and contrasts packing prep Researching desired foods to seek out and try, making lists! Key Questions We Asked Each Other what kinds of things do you want to do? what kinds of sight seeing do you enjoy? what travel vaccines do we need? – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss things that just don't make it into the suitcase or carry on, things we often forget to bring along on travel. But first! Where have Gail & Piper been? Piper did a stay-cation in Seattle, hosting Piper Mommy and her brother with his wife: Chihuli Garden and Glass, conveyer belt sushi, ASEAN Street, and more... Gail Often Forgets: Socks Bathing Attire incl. swim cap, goggles, bathing suit Update all apps/download entertainment media Refrigerated items Piper Often Forgets: Swimsuit Second pair of pants Alternate shoes: casual flats Jewelry Gadgets: Gail's gadget: tested the Flight Flap Piper's gadget: in search of a new hair styling device more compact than the T3 curling iron Shoutouts: From Piper: Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai From Gail: Unconquerable Sun by Kate Eliott – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss their coping methods when there are travel delays long and short, but especially long. But first! Where have Gail & Piper been? Gail & Piper had a writing retreat together in Honolulu (February 2023) and Gail experienced major travel whammy! Piper's Coping Mechanisms: Have the airline app on my phone, so I can get boarding updates without having to hear the announcements Find the quiet spots in the airport, such as a gate that does NOT have a flight boarding any time soon Find a restaurant with power outlets for food and power Pack a tennis ball for physical therapy   Gail's Coping Mechanisms: Looking for a nicer sit down restaurant Chair massage or nail salon Do some shopping - duty free or otherwise Migrating sleep kit to carry on Gadgets: Gail's gadget: back up battery charger with key chords with all the adapter ends Piper's gadget: selection of ear buds (Apple Air Pods) for noise cancelling Shoutouts: Gail's Tinkered Starsong series  Piper's Wings Once Cursed & Bound – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss dressing for flights and travel. But first! Where have Gail & Piper been? Gail has a new car. Piper went on a food quest. Gail's Fashion Choices for Flight: A lot of cashmere Warm hoodies with good pockets (usually men's) Sweat pants / joggers with pockets (usually men's) High waisted, wide leg vintage pant WITH POCKETS Coat (dictated by weather forecast at destination) Additional layers: cashmere hat, gloves, scarf (sometimes silk) Piper's  Fashion Choices for Flight: Lots of layers Wearing the heaviest shoes of the trip Compression socks - knee high in flight, thigh high at the hotel Compression camisol Tech fabric: moisture wicking, breathable High waisted jeans Additional layers: super light, but warm shawl. Alpaca poncho. Gadgets: Piper's gadget: compression socks Gail's gadget: warm, fuzzy socks Shoutouts: Piper's Patreon for monthly short stories, bonus scenes, epilogues. Gail's website for the travel section. – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss how they plan and enjoy both work and fun on location. But first! Where have Gail & Piper been? Murder cabin, on a lake. Mystery dog. Heat resistant frogs in the hot tub, and some not so heat resistant. Much writing was accomplished - either in communal area, or privately when dictating. Then to a nice hotel in Spokane. Bull dog regular at the hotel bar. Piper's Plans: Changing up the writing retreat dynamic with 2 pro authors and 2 pre-published authors. Going for the fun and productive balance. Writing. High priority! Lots of walking: on the beach or through a park, or along Waikiki streets Food! Looking for those fusion dishes Speech patterns and local dialects Gail's Plans: Writing. Priority #1 Swimming, either in the ocean or in the pool High hopes for health benefits in water: ocean, pool, hot tub Food! Fresh fruit, in particular Increased creativity and productivity Gadgets: Piper's swimwear: tankini designed for curvy girls - sized by bra size with underwire support, also a sarong/towel Gail's swimwear: tankini or one piece, retro design. Travels with goggles & swim cap. Waffle towel. Both: Sunscreen! Shoutouts: The Red Scholar's Wake by Aliette de Bodard, also mentioned The Tea Master and the Detective – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss their plans for 2023 and related travel plans. But first! Where has Piper been? Piper was a guest author at Dragonsteel MiniCon in Salt Lake City. She chats with Gail about the pros and cons of managing an author table in an Exhibitor Hall or Dealer's Room solo. Gail's Hopes and Plans: Discussing the state of the travel industry and avoiding holiday travel Scheduled for 4 to 5 events in the beginning of 2023 and anticipate 1 or 2 more by end of the year Would like to schedule at least 1 teaching workshop Potentially a joint book signing with Piper - TBD Piper's Hopes and Plans: Only 2 cons booked for 2023 at the time of recording: ApollyCon and Dragonsteel MiniCon 1 writing retreat scheduled, would like to schedule 2 or 3 more through 2023 (small, just a few authors) Book Launch events for WINGS ONCE CURSED & BOUND scheduled at several bookstores in the Seattle area as well as a few larger Comic Cons - TBD Potentially a joint book signing with Gail - TBD Piper is picking back up day job activities, her parallel career. Travel related to day job is also TBD. Gadgets: Gail's gadget pick is a 22 inch rolling, "spin-ny" 4 wheeled suitcase Piper's gadget is a Zojirushi Travel Mug with Tea Leaf Filter Shout-outs: Gail is sharing more insight in her newsletter Piper is sharing behind-the-book and bonus content in her newsletter – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss how they are updating their author business strategies moving forward and how that impacts travel. But first! Where has Gail been? Gail went to Wild Wild West con this past year. She was reminded that the desert can get quite cold, depending on time of day/year. She had to take the risk and pack a large checked-bag. One of the delights of a steampunk event - really fun masks! Gail's Business Considerations: split between cons with high costume packing needs versus teaching engagements / writing retreats packing the backup outfit in your carry-on the value of including a QR code on your swag/merchandise always have a physical newsletter sign up page with pen,  and include the QR code to newsletter sign up on the physical sign up sheet for those who like to sign up digitally Piper's Business Considerations: Redoing all the travel kits to accommodate must-bring technology: a travel blood pressure device and wearing an Oura ring to monitor heart rate, plus increased daily medications New vertical banner design. Compact, but adds weight, which means checked luggage. Planning packed luggage weight for economy class (about 50lbs) versus the frequent flyer status privileges (First Class about 70lbs) Signage with QR code to purchase books digitally Piper will be using a signature stamp from now on for all book signings and events, due to her medical challenges. Piper is considering investing in event-exclusive signature stamps. Gadgets: Piper's gadget is a 7 day / 3x a day medication storage Gail's gadget pick is a Ziploc Twist N Loc Food Storage container Shout-outs: Brandon Sanderson and Intentionally Blank Piper's upcoming release Wings Once Cursed & Bound – – –  Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode! Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks!  – – –  Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast