20 Minute Delay

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

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss their technology upgrades, respectively, and how they impact their travels

But first! Where has Piper been?

Piper compares and contrasts a trip to Salt Lake City last year with a planned trip to Salt Lake City this year.

Last year involved gaming and cooking, immediately followed by a trip to Orlando for Piper Dad.

This year, Piper is again gaming and cooking and a guest author at Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel Mini-Con. Then she's heading to the East Coast for family gathering over Thanksgiving.

Gail's Technology Upgrades:

• Scrivener
• mini iPad & bluetooth keyboard
• Macbook Pro & wired keyboard & wired mouse

Piper's Technology Upgrades:

• iPad Pro & bluetooth keyboard
• MacBook Air
• Maingear Custom Gaming PC & wired keyboard & wired mouse

Gadgets:

• Gail's gadget is a Soundcore Libtery 3 ear buds
• Piper's gadget is Samsung Galaxy Buds

Shout-outs:

• Brandon Sanderson
• Dan Wells
• Intentionally Blank

– – – 

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 each of them hoard when they travel.

But first! Where has Gail been?

Impromptu reunion and abbreviated writing retreat to the Boston area.

Reasons for traveling carry-on only whenever possible. Piper is mildly concerned regarding Gail's shoe choices for this trip.

Piper's Hoard-able Items:

• Clean napkins and tissues
• Hotel disposable (not cloth) laundry bags
• Hard boiled eggs
• Condiments (tiny jams and tiny ketchups) - especially ones Piper hasn't encountered before
• Shoe polish, because steampunk-y boots
• Hotel toiletries, if they are nifty and high quality

Gail's Road Trip thoughts:

• Baggies (including hotel laundry bags, shopping bags, etc.)
• Snacks to go from ... a buffet
• Condiments (especially mayonnaise, hot sauce, tiny jams, etc.)
• Hotel toiletries, if they are nifty and high quality
• Pain killer packets

Gadgets:

• Gail's gadget is a large plastic bag to use as a poncho for luggage
• Piper's gadget is space saver or compression bags

– – – 

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 travel by car as an option to get to where one is attempting to go.

But first! Where have Gail and Piper been?

Both Gail and Piper were in North Carolina, BUT they were not in North Carolina at the same time.

Piper shares a few tips for handy things to have in case one becomes ill while traveling and Gail adds her thoughts for a medical kit.

Piper's Road Trip Thoughts:

• Summer of 2022 air travel issues resulted in a lot of travel vloggers recommending the road trip option, whenever possible
• Enjoys a road trip with at least one other person, and loves the option to include Corbin the Corgi in the trip.
• Make frequent stops and keep circulation going.
• A brief admiration of people living the "van life" but wouldn't want to try it for too long of an extended trip.

Gail's Road Trip thoughts:

• Can sit a 6 to 8 hour flight with no problem but finds a few hours in a car to be quite boring.
• Would not opt to embark on a lone road trip.
• Memories of experiencing New Zealand via "van life"

Gadgets:

• Gail's gadget is a portable charger, ultra slim
• Piper's gadget is a solar rechargeable power bank

– – – 

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