20 Minute Delay

Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake share books that give them a strong sense of place.

* new episode!

What do Gail and Piper think of as a book that gives them a sense of place?

Gail thought of books that make her want to travel somewhere and particularly thinks of the light of a place. 

Piper thought of not only books that made her want to travel to a place, but also books that created the perfect scene that pulled her into the book.

Gail and Piper discuss the writing craft aspect of how they think of books and a sense of place, what senses come into play, and how to research for setting. They also discuss ways to research a place when you can't actually go there.

Book Shout Outs! 

Gail recommended:

Lord of Two Lands by Judith Tarr

The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper

*Gail particularly referenced The Grey King, the book in this series that was set in Wales.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Piper recommended:

Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

*Piper struggled to remember the first short story that introduced her to this series. The title was “Stroke of Enticement” and was originally in The Magical Christmas Cat anthology.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Gadgets!

Piper currently reads with a mini iPad because it's closer to the size and weight of a paperback. 

Gail reads on a Kindle Oasis because it is e-Ink.

Special thanks to Kelly for editing this episode!

Thanks for listening. Travel smart. Pack the snacks! (or the books)

– – – 

Get your question featured on an episode by saying hi on social media:       Facebook.com/20minDelay      @20minDelay      @PiperJDrake      @GailCarriger

Use the hashtag: #20mindelaypodcast

Retrieved from the Repository: a lost episode has been recovered for our listeners in which Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discussed travel rewards programs and related credit cards.

*This episode was recorded in 2017, prior to the current travel advisories and restrictions.

Where have you been? 

Piper had traveled and returned from Chicago, but ORD is one of Piper's hellmouth airports.

Both Piper and Gail agree the food scene in Chicago is off the charts good.

They also agree that when traveling for pleasure and fun, the off-seasons are the times they prefer.

Main Topic: What's in your travel wallet? Rewards cards and programs

Gail's longest running credit card associated with an airline is with an American Airlines rewards program. But! American shut down their hub that was Gail's preferred home airport.

Piper has opinions about corporate cards. She prefers to put her day job business travel on her own credit card(s). For authorly expenses, she has a Chase Sapphire Preferred card and uses the reward points for experiences like a cooking class in New Orleans. For day job and personal travel, Piper is converting to American Airlines Executive Platinum for better miles per dollar value and access to business lounges - which is worth it to her when she travels for day job.

Gail has also cycled her use of her American card into a different part of her life. She has moved to a Southwest card, because Southwest is the hub nearest her and the airline with which she books the most flights. She also has the Chase Sapphire Preferred, like Piper.

Gadgets! Travel wallets

Gail – Trifold men's wallet. http://amzn.to/2yFPW8P

Piper – Taxi Wallet. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Taxi+wallet

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 share their most memorable flights to date.

* new episode!

Where have you been? Nowhere, because shelter at home.

But! Piper and her partner, Matthew, look forward to a new apartment (in the same building) with more space.

Gail and her SO explore their neighborhood.

Main Topic

Piper's most memorable flight - a positive memory of Piper's first experience of Business Class on an international flight (very different from domestic First Class/Business Class).

Gail's most memorable flight was very memorable, but not positive. And yet, it was quite the epic journey including a flight on a tiny "prop" plane.

Bonus runner up from Piper - tiny plane emergency evasive maneuvers!

Gadgets! 

Gail – Request to our listeners: the search for a perfect protein bar. What do you recommend?

Piper – Face masks, for many reasons.

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

Retrieved from the Repository: a lost episode has been recovered for our listeners in which Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake play "Iron Chef" Airport edition at the request of a listener.

*This episode was recorded more than a year prior to the current travel advisories and restrictions, and also prior to recent events involving the Romance Writers of America.

Where have you been? 

Piper was at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle and discussing the solutions hotel management implements to provide power outlets at the bedside.

Gail was at a vintage hotel for a writing retreat.

Question for listeners: Do you actually use the clock in a hotel room? Do you trust the clock alarm?

Main Topic

Challenge from a listener: "Iron Chef" Airport Bodega edition - you have 10 minutes and only an airport convenience store from which to select your entire meal. What do you select for dinner and how do you make it seem maximally palatable?

Piper did this at Phoenix Airport, at a convenience store in Terminal B and got lucky, so she also recalled a significantly smaller airport with a limited selection convenience store.

Gail goes for the smoothies and looks for SmartWater, then tries for hummus or string cheese and a salty snack of choice.

Gadgets! Another listener question: when you travel, is there a thing you collect as a memento of your travels?

Gail – silly, quirky shot glasses for her father, but mostly looks for consumables that are unique to the area for others and looks for jewelry or scarves for herself

Piper – used to collect shot glasses or challenge coins from military bases, also always on the lookout for souvenirs for friends and family

Shout out to fellow author, Myke Cole (https://mykecole.com/)

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 talk about rituals to remind you that you're home -- or home comforts.

* new episode!

Where have you been? Or rather, how has it been at home?

Piper and her partner rearranged their living room to sacrifice space for better sound buffering as they are each on separate videoconferencing as they work day jobs remotely. 

Gail and her partner rearranged their living room to open up more space, but need to set up curtain rods for videoconference background.

Main Topic

Rituals that remind Gail and Piper of home, that they're home, and what they enjoy now.

Gadgets!

Gail – Korean Milk Sheet Mask (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H76M36L)

Piper – Epsom salts (https://www.amazon.com/Teals-Epsom-Salt-Bundle-Items/dp/B00RM1ZGTK)

Shout out to Piper's singing rice cooker from Zojirushi (https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-NS-TSC10-Uncooked-Cooker-1-0-Liter/dp/B0074CDG6C/)

Shout out to Etude House's Sheet Masks (https://www.etude.com/int/en/index.php/pack-mask/mask-sheet.html)

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

Retrieved from the Repository: a lost episode has been recovered for our listeners in which Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss packing lists and favorite kits.

*This episode was recorded more than a year prior to the current travel advisories and restrictions, and also prior to recent events involving the Romance Writers of America.

Where have you been? Nowhere!

Piper was somewhere in Pennsylvania.

Gail was somewhere on the Gold Coast in California.

Main Topic

Lists of Kits! Packing lists, including kits and really, kits for all the things.

Gadgets!

Gail – File folders for printed lists, with a zippy top: http://amzn.to/2CgPyex. Apps: Evernote, Stylebook for outfits.

Piper – Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. MAC Rockin’ Rebel and Basic Bitch eyeshadow palettes may no longer be available for purchase. Apps: Google Keep, Asana, or Habitica for lists as things to remember come to mind.

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

Retrieved from the Repository: a lost episode has been recovered for our listeners in which Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss the best breakfast buffets they've experienced in their travels to date.

*This episode was recorded more than a year prior to the current travel advisories and restrictions.

Listener Question! Go-to toiletries

Piper packs her own shampoo and conditioner, at minimum. Longer trips require more supplies.

Gail packs her own facial wash and skin cream, etc.

They both pack dry shampoo for certain trips.

*Update: Piper now wears sunscreen.

Main Topic

Best Breakfast Buffets!

Gadgets!

Shh. Honest confessions of tucking a bit away for 2nd breakfast.

Gail - Ziploc baggie.

Piper - Hotel napkins.

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

Retrieved from the Repository: a lost episode has been recovered for our listeners in which Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake discuss seat choices and the angle of approach.

*This episode was recorded more than a year prior to the current travel advisories and restrictions.

Where have you been?

Piper had been through Orlando International airport and Gail discusses the deplorable lack of caffeine in the terminal she goes through at MCO.

Main Topic

Seat Preferences! Squatting the Aisle vs. Window

Gail is an Aisle only kinda girl.

Piper will take the aisle or the window, but prefers aisle for long trips.

Shout outs

SeatGuru

Gadgets!

Gail - Clear2Go Water Bottle

Piper - BlenderBottle

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

We're back! Gail Carriger and Piper J. Drake return after an unplanned hiatus due to a myriad of technical difficulties.

Main Topic: Turning your travel bag into a Go Bag

Gadgets!

Gail - Pajama-esque comfy pants and tees

Piper - EC30 Clean Body Wash

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

For bonus fun, check out the new YouTube channel for the unedited video of the podcast recording, including all the hand-waving and zany expressions from Gail and Piper.

20 Minute Delay Gail and Piper are Back! and with Video!

Subscribe to see any new videos as Gail and Piper record future episodes!

Been there, done that!  But you can't help but think that you could have done it better.  Tips and tricks for optimally re-visiting already trod travel-ground.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

0:24 – Intro (Steampunk Girl by John Anealio)    Host Introduction; Gail Carriger and Piper J Drake

1:06 - Gail visits Piper J in Seattle for a local signing

1:33 - PodCon!

2:17 - All the food. Place Pigalle, Storyville, and more!

3:48 - Dealing with TSA shutdowns

 - - - 

Main Topic - Returning

6:59 - Identifying "worthwhile returns"

7:19 - Piper => Thailand; Travel has changed significantly

9:20 - Intentionally packing "unmentionables" on top of checked bags as a deterrent

10:28 - Piper's things to do differently:

• pay to have laundry done
• bring a light jacket (for inside)
• carry on only (interchangeable clothes)
• seek out brand new experiences (Elephant Reserve)
• find and hoard old childhood favorites

17:58 - Gail's romanticized return destinations:

• don't be sick while there (Lake Como, Italy)
• for food! (Singapore)
• get a rialita (Hawaii)
• eat more localised comfort food, that aren't available elsewhere (Cusco, Peru <- Alpaca, Llama, etc)

In general, be more adventurous with food eating and focus on local tastes that are difficult to find back home - Experiment!

  – – – 

Gadgets!

30:26 - The ladies discuss dream gadgets they're still searching for

 Gail - Need the perfect: neck pillow & carry on computer tote

 Piper - Weekender bag

 - - - 

36:40 - Outro and thanks to: Producer Matt

Special thanks to Jordan for editing this episode!

Thanks for listening; Travel smart and 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