The Velvet's Getting Plushier (Odd Socks #19)
The Velvet's Getting Plushier (Odd Socks #19)
Despite knowing better, a new stationery bag/folio/kit arrived... Odd Socks status/update... and more
Welcome to Odd Socks Issue #19
I write about stuff that interests me, puts a smile on my face, or could use some clarity amidst the noise. Each issue includes two original articles plus bonus sections. Enjoy!
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I Fell Down the Rabbit Hole… Again
Sometimes the velvety smooth linings of a rabbit hole go long periods lonely for something to ruffle things. Other times, bordering on obsession, certain things slide down often enough to crush a path in that velvet.
My long history with Rickshaw Bags over countless canvas and plush-inside goodies makes that last statement an easy claim.
I love their minimalist aesthetic, and well-crafted merchandise that seems to last forever. Over the years, I’ve usually put something up for adoption to offset a new one coming from them into the “family.” Often my rethinking on how to carry different things has me wandering their website for inspiration.
Now we come to now.
I knew Rickshaw was soon unveiling a new zippered small folio, perhaps inspired by Lochby’s Pocket Journal. And I’ve been thinking about carrying some custom graphics Rickshaw goodies in the store and for pen show tables, and thought new folio (whatever it is) would probably work well. At the D.C. pen show, I talked to Mark Dwight, Rickshaw Bags’ owner, about such a collaboration and learned it would debut at the San Fransisco Pen Show.
Once the pix of the new Fillmore popped up in my Instagram feed, I immediately ordered one as a company write off (product R&D, of course…). And of course, it had to have a fun design so when I spotted their graphic reminding me of my quasi-hippie days of youth I thought, much like the iconic meme of Philip J. Fry from Futurama, “Shut up and take my money!” Sigh.
When it arrived and I opened the package, I was a bit disappointed. You know that feeling when your mind is expecting one thing and a different thing shows up? Throws one for a loop, at least initially. I had expected this new form to be pocket-notebook size overall. Thus, my first impression was a “Whaaa…” as this A6ish lovely little thang emerged from the shipping envelope with a smile and a knowing wink at me.
The “Whaaa...” passed quickly as I explored the folio inside and out, realizing in a light bulb moment that while there are many pocket notebook covers/folios, fewer exist for A6s. Brilliant size choice.
I’ve evolved my EDC journaling down from an A5 to an A6, so this was, after all, a perfect fit for me.
Bottom line: I love it! Now at least I know why, for the last day or so, those 60s rock songs have been playing in my head. Groovy.
Odd Socks Update
To paraphrase Yoda, “Write often I have not.”
I can blame the summer, but more likely the intense, distractive effort to get my Notegeist Bindery (handcrafted notebooks) to a deep-stock starting point.
Despite all that, the itch to write is back!
So… from this issue forward, I’ll strive to write more often. To help enable that, I’ll write just one article in each newsletter plus my fave Insights/Laughs shares. Hopefully, the frequency of posting will increase from this new, lighter form.
Odd Socks: a free, periodic newsletter written by Gary Varner. Subscribe for fresh, emailed new releases. Product links (when they appear) are affiliates, but don’t affect your purchase price yet help support Odd Socks.
Need some cool stationery stuff, like Blackwing pencils, Field Notes? Then stop reading this and visit my shop: Notegeist.