30 October 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 91

My first thoughts today are with our friends and readers in North East USA who at the time that this post goes live will be in the middle of the big storm. I'm sure you will all join me in hoping that everyone and their friends and families will be safe and unharmed.

But as usual Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

108 comments:

  1. Just for some perspective...I'm in Michigan, 750 miles away from relatives in Rhode Island who are experiencing storm surge but not as bad as New York and New Jersey. At 750 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, we in Michigan are experiencing very high winds, power outages, rain and up to 25 foot waves on the Great Lakes. (I'm an hour from a Great Lake so no flooding here). Earlier today people were surfing in 12-15 ft waves on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie (a sport usually reserved for the ocean, not fresh water lakes!).

    As Steve mentioned, our thoughts are with those on the Eastern Seaboard...3,000,000 people are without power in and around NY, lives have already been lost and flooding/damage is incredible and the worst is yet to come over the next few hours.

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    1. I hope Emergency Services are able to cope quickly & bring comfort to those effected Cheryl....I can't imagine how awful this must be....!

      Cheers from 'Down Under',
      Tamarah

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    2. I'm following the news and thinking of friends in the US. Don't take any chances and stay safe!

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    3. Cheryl, where in MI? I am from the thumb area, but live in SE MI now...

      Having lived thru a couple of category 2 hurricanes while living in FL, I know how much it sucks right now, waiting for the howling wind to stop, waiting to assess the damage, waiting to hear how friends and loved ones have weathered the storm. Hurricanes don't end when the winds die down and the rain stops. My thoughts are with our friends in the path of the storm.

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    4. Remembering "the big storm" here over 20 years ago now, I can imagine how scary and devestating this must all be for the folks in the Eastern USA. Our storm was nothing like as bad and awful as this one, but I remember part of my roof blowing off and after the hurricane had died down, standing in the street seeing a flapping roof and a huge hole!!! It was, luckily soon put right.... but the shock of seeing it was just so awful and I've never forgotten it!! So I really, really do feel for you all, even though my damage was small in comparison to what is happening in the US. The only good to come out of the bad is the true holding to the preciousness of life itself and the preciousness of our friends and loved ones. It is still mightily harsh to live through though and to deal with. I send you all my love and prayers today and over the coming weeks. xxx

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    5. Ro - I'm in Romeo, Michigan (northern Macomb county). North of Utica/Shelby; east of Rochester. So glad to hear of others from MI!

      They are saying this is the worst storm they have ever scene on the East coast. Flooding, power outages, thousands of people displaced from their homes. The boardwalk in NJ swept out to sea. Two feet of snow in West Virginia. 30 homes on fire in Queens, NY. Millions without power. The good news: limited loss of lives, very few actually! Thankfully they had plenty of warning and evacuated thousands of people. Of course, there are those that chose to stay and wait it out and are being rescued now. Long recovery ahead. Still having high winds in MI...no power outages where I live though. Our washing machine flooded part of our basement last night and I was put out at the inconvenience until I put things in perspective and realized what others are going through.

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  2. Is anyone out there who uses a filofax for doing NaNoWriMo?
    I´m really excited and looking forward to it, and I would love to use one of my Filofaxes for, I don´t know, planning, note taking?
    Currently I am lacking ideas, so I would love to read from other nanoists or filofax owners who take part in NaNoWriMo.

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    1. I'd love to hear some ideas. I'd love to use a filo for Nano. I'd need to buy a new filo then probably... ;-)

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    2. Me! I'm using one :) I have general and character notes, plans and outlines, a calendar to track my word-counts, and if I get any chance to work away from a computer, there just might be some NaNoing in there too :)

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    3. Ooh! What size? And what model, pen?

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    4. Well, I have two in planning, an original fiction which was to be my NaNo but which I have decided will have to wait until Camp, since it needs lots more planning, and a fanfic which I will be writing.

      The original fic is at the moment in an A5 red chameleon, but if I can find an A5 ochre malden without ring issues at a decent price, it would be utterly perfect for the story. The pen for that is an Amber TWSBI 540, EF nib, with Diamine Ancient Copper ink.

      The fanfic is being planned in an A5 Aqua Finsbury, which I love for its fun vibe. At the moment it doesn't have a dedicated pen and ink combination that matches the story as the original fic does, but it might well do, and in the meantime, it's definitely a Black TWSBI 540 EF with Noodler's Heart Of Darkness.

      And yes, I do have a *huge* love of TWSBI 540s, and yes, I *do* have one in each of the 5 colours :D

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    5. Right, I had resigned myself to putting the Pocket amber Metropol I bought on a whim earlier in the year onto the ebay pile, but I shall use it keep Nano notes in.

      If I 'win' NaNoWriMo I shall reward myself with a new filofax. Now there's an incentive!

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    6. @ Shadow Wolf: great, I own an A5 Finsbury, aqua, too :)) I love the idea to choose the filo matching to the plot. I just decided to do the word count in the filofax, too, and I think I will also keep nano-notes in it.

      @ industrious housewife: now I have a great excuse to buy a new filofax, as a reward :)) (orange osterley? purple malden? *sigh*)

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    7. It's my 4th NaNo, but my first using a FF for planning - and why didn't I think of it before?!? Year one, I just had some notes and an outline, year two I used a bound book, which was better but I didn't like having to make sure everything would be in the right place, and only used it after I had a set outline, not for thoughts and notes. Year three, I went back to notes alongside that same bound book, because those three years were taken up writing a trilogy. The story I'm planning in the Chameleon certainly needs a filofax of its own, even if I have abandoned it as this years NaNo project. Usually I'm not a very tactile or visual person, but my MC is, and it's making me more aware of what he would use or notice around him - and the ochre malden would fit but the chameleon doesn't. Fortunately the fanfic is a lot less fussy or I'd soon be bankrupt, but the Finsbury has the right cheerfulness (I love the colour - it's like the Mystery Machine :) )

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    8. haha, you are so right, regarding the bankruptcy :) ... the aqua color is great for creating inspiration, isn´t it?
      It´s my 3rd NaNo, and until now I didn´t make any plans for the novel. I hit the wordcount but the "novels" are weird texts I try not to look at again. That is the reason why I decided to plan beforehand, I am really curious if this has any effect on the quality of my novel.
      Good luck for NaNo and much fun, I can hardly wait to get it started (just a few hours left) :)

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    9. I would really love to know how that works for you! Due to changing what I intend to do at the last minute I only have vague ideas this year, but I'm hoping with fanfic that won't really matter too much, and any knowledge I'm missing should be only a web-search away. Good luck to you on your novel, and if you'd like a buddy over there, you'll find me known as Scylax over there :)

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    10. And now it's underway, here anyway! One hour in, following the notes I've made in my FF, and 2500 words down before bed. Hope it goes well for anyone here taking part!

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  3. Is the Stormageddon also affecting SE Canada?

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  4. I am back in the UK for 24 hours next month and will have around 4 hours to kill in London. I was going to use this time to go to one of the Filofax Shops and compare some binders. In order to maximise my time, is any one of the shops better than the other?

    Having used a combination of Pocket and A5 for the past few years, I am finding the pocket diary just a little bit too small. I am therefore looking at the compact, which according to the specs on the FIlofax website, is no fatter than a pocket, just taller. I would prefer to see them 'in the flesh' first however.

    Thanks

    Marcus

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    1. Marcus
      We highly recommend a visit to City Organiser in Bow Lane near to St Paul's they carry the full range, don't be deceived by what you see in the shop because they have a huge stock room in the basement!

      Steve

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    2. Thanks Steve, I will look them up. I take it they are better than the Filofax shops?

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    3. Certainly more knowledgeable, they have been in business over 25 years, they will also be cheaper than the only Filofax shop there is now in London in Conduit Street, the Neal Street store closed some months ago, but it's still listed on the Filofax Website....

      There are other retailers as well, but I don't have first hand experience of those.....

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    4. I agree about City Organiser. I visited them a couple of weeks ago and bought a Malden A5 ochre (enabled by Steve!). When I got it back home, however, I found that the first ring was faulty - it did not close tightly and the inserts were getting snagged on this. I was SO disappointed. I phoned them up and they were very sympathetic. I live a way out of London so it was a major trip to get back with the faulty Malden but I managed to get there last Tuesday. The customer service I received was superb. After I decided to hand back the Malden and replace it with a Holborn A5 zipped, the man serving me went out of his way to check that the rings were fine. He brought up the entire stock of them (about 7) up from the basement and checked each one using a magnifying glass! We found the best one which I then purchased. I also bought an A5 hole puncher. After a big disappointment I sailed home with my beautiful Holborn A5 zipped (wine) and am going to set it up now to finally finish my PhD!

      I will always use City Organiser from now on: can't recommend them enough.

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    5. Now that's customer service! It makes me wonder why on Earth CO closed, with their amazing staff, good prices, and loyal client base.

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  5. I have developed a sudden and acute desire for a red congo personal mulberry ... apart from ebay are there any other good places to look. I know that there is a for sale and wanted section here which I shall stalk :)
    Gillie

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  6. Anyone know if one could fit a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 into the A5 Malden Zip? I know it is made for Ipad and the dimensions are slightly different but I keep wondering if it could fit....

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  7. Has anyone made a cover/case to keep their filofax in e.g. for when they are out and about, to protect it? I remember a blog post about one, but I can't find it. I am going to make one out of felt and neoprene (from a laptop sleeve), and I will use this to carry my filofax in when it's raining and I'm out, because I want to carry my filo in my hand, but I need to protect it from the rain!

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    1. I thought I had the perfect solution for you a Netbook neoprene case, but for an A5 it's long enough but not wide enough. This is for a 10" Netbook. I'm sure if you can find a 12/13" notebook one that will fit and will save your fingers because stitching that sort of material is hard work!

      Let me know what you manage to find because this is of interest to me too....

      Steve

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    2. Thanks Steve, I've thought of a netbook cover already, and keeping the stitching together instead of pulling it apart is a really good idea, thanks! It's for a personal sized filo, so I reckon a 10 inch one might be ok- although I'd need to check. I'll do a blog post once I've made the case :)

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    3. Thomas has made a cover out of felt which he had his personal Hamilton in at the meet up.

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    4. A 10 inch cover fits a personal with lots of space around it. There are some 8 inch netbooks (EEPC) so if you can find a sleeve for one of those that might work better.

      http://tinyurl.com/8chax4q

      And yes Thomas's cover is really good. http://tommes-s.net/?p=801

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    5. Sorry a better link for Amazon

      http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A8+inch+neoprene+sleeve&keywords=8+inch+neoprene+sleeve&ie=UTF8&qid=1351596221

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    6. Steve and Anita- Thanks SO much for the link to Thomas' blog! This is exactly the one I was thinking of, but couldn't find!! And there's a manual to make it! You guys are awesome! :D

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    7. I have got a "Built" netbook and DVD Portfolio, bought in TK Maxx. It has carry handles and a strap...and a very handy front pocket for pens etc. Fits well into my briefcase, as not thick.The material is in a stretchy Lycra and so easily fits my Cuban A5 with smaller rings.... it also fitted my larger ringer Finsbury, but that was tighter. Lovely bright colours available too!!

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    8. Hi Butanben, I use a Built NY netbook bag for my A5 too!! They are brilliant!

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    9. PS- I have just looked on Amazon and they have got a brown polka dot one... also E. Bay has the same one I've got, in maritime blue..... matches my ink A5 Cuban perfectly. Bonus is that it will take A5 or personal size, so lovely when I feel like a planner changeabout. Think it may be just a tad too tight a fit for an A5 zipped Filofax though for those folks who have those. xx

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    10. Yes.... I am finding mine rather brilliant!!! I love the fact that you have made the same useful discovery Kate!!

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    11. Jane - an 'ink' coloured A5 sounds really lush! I love Navy Blue!

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    12. I use Muji's bag organiser in B5 size as a protector for my A5 FF.

      http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=5&Sub=21&PID=4528

      It can hold a selection of colour pens and a post it pad or two!

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    13. Oh great resources! Love that Muji bag and the Built DVD bag with the strap and front pocket. Glad payday is Nov. 1st!!!

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    14. I've been stalking this blog for weeks, and I'm glad to have made a contribution!

      I also prefer Muji's erasable gel pens over the other brands as I think Muji is cuter and cheaper.

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  8. What are people's thoughts on the canvas covered binders?

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    1. I find the designs cheerful and cute (Swift, Songbird) but am always afraid it'd get grimy over time. I had a Sport and it did get very dirty and was hard to clean. I don't know about the insides though - if they're made of suede or fabric. I'm guessing fabric.

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    2. Yes, I've been lusting after a Swift since I first saw one, but the older canvas binders that come up on ebay that have been used, like the Eden, always look grubby.
      Not sure how long they take to get like that if you see what I mean. If it was a stay home binder for something or other, it might not get too grubby?

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  9. Does anyone know if felt made from recycled plastic bottles is waterproof? That would be brilliant for making my filofax case!

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    1. They make a surprisingly alot out of plastic bottles including insulation.. I have made covers for my filos but not neccesarily to make them waterproof, but I do suggest velcro as a good closure sytem..

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    2. Nikwax sell lots of waterproofing and cleaning products that might do the job.

      It was a local company to me when I lived in UK, I've used their products a lot for keeping Goretex jackets and clothing waterproof. The best bit is you just put it in to your washing machine!

      http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/productselector/productselectorV2.php

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    3. I can't see it would be much different from any other synthetic felt. I'm surprised the synthetic felt *is* waterproof, if Thomas has found it to be so.
      Wool is very water resistant, it's used to make cloth nappy covers instead of plastic/PUL pants.
      You could knit a filo cover and then felt it. :-)

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    4. Or buy a charity shop woollen sweater, deliberately felt it and then just cut and seam. It won't ravel so a simple stitch would do the trick.

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  10. I have just noticed the bottom rivet of the ring mechanism in my wine Holborn is not fixed properly! I am going to send a picture to Filofax... this is getting ridiculous now!! I would accept a replacement, but I can't guarantee that it is going to be good quality! I wish I could get to a Filofax shop, but I won't be going to London any time soon... :(

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    1. I was just thinking about ordering a black or brown Holborn but I keep hearing about ring issues. It seems when I hear of ring issues it has to do with either the wine Holborn or the zipped wine Holborn. Does anyone know if the ring problems are with ALL Holborns or just the wine ones for whatever reason?

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    2. I ordered a personal Malden in August. I haven't used it much and it has ring issues. It started with one and now it's three. I emailed FilofaxUSA yesterday and they said to call them on Wednesday (closed Tuesday because of the hurricane) and they would explain options. Really disappointed.

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    3. My zipped wine Holborn A5 is fine (touch wood) but we went through a number of them at the City Organiser shop to find a perfect one! It was my Malden A5 that had a faulty top ring. The man at City Organiser said he /would/ complain to Filofax - he cannot afford to spend ages with each customer painstakingly checking the rings for faults on what should be a high quality item.

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  11. I always use my Filofaxes for planning and consider myself well-organised. However, almost everyone I meet says they don't need a paper diary because they keep their diaries on their phones.
    Last weekend was blighted by some of these same people - my Saturday plans were changed without notice because the arrangement had been forgotten, and my Sunday plans were cancelled at short notice by another. Which raises the question, why be organised if everyone else around you is disorganised?

    Apart from the fact that I just couldn't be that disorganised (or discourteous), I am amazed at how oblivious these people are to the chaos and distress they cause.

    Does anyone else have this problem? Are you the one who remembers everyone's birthdays, remind people of events that are coming up, plan holidays, turn up at meetings at work to find they have been cancelled and no-one bothered to informa anyone....? Is it my imagination or are people more accepting of other people's lack of organisation these days - people turning up late or not at all for work, for meetings, for appointments, etc?

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    1. This is so frustrating, and I understand where you are coming from.

      On the work front I have now taken to emailing or calling to confirm meetings / appointments.

      On the personal front we have certain family members who continually forget birthdays, then say 'well it doesn't really matter does it?' - we actually yes it does! I don't mind not getting a present (especially as times are tough at the moment) but a birthday card means a lot (or even a text to say we are being thought about). Unfortunately I am unable to purposely 'forget' theirs in return.

      Anyhow - I think we are what we are and if we like to be organised there is no way we can operate any other way.

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    2. It can be incredibly frustrating and I know exactly where you're coming from. On a personal basis my partner can be a bit like that - even though I send meeting requests for joint things, there are still occasions where I am ready to go and my other half is still faffing... which I find incredibly stressful.

      At work, we have a name for persistent lateness to meetings: 'Acorn time' - as in 'I see we're having this technical review on Acorn time again?'. So named because one project - called Acorn - seems to regard respect for others' time as completely optional. One very senior guy who shall remain nameless frequently requests urgent meetings at 30 mins notice, reshuffles things at the last minute and regularly arrives for meetings 15 minutes late - and then nitpicks such that the meeting overruns by 50% of its allotted time for no good reason. All of this has huge knock-on effects on other people's productivity but it's very difficult to tell someone so senior to stop wasting everyone's time!

      In an ideal world the motto 'Your lack of organisation does not create an emergency for me' should apply, but sadly the world is rarely ideal...

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    3. I try my best not to find this frustrating, especially if people may fun of me for having a filo but they're always late or keep forgetting things. It does bug me a bit when some one says that I should have reminded them!

      I've also started texting customers to remind them of their appointments. My dentist does this service as well now & I think it's more common for some kind of reminder call these days.

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    4. Paul-you just reiterated my favorite all time quote! Worked with people in the past just like that. Frustrating! We referred to one as a 'seagull' who swept in (at the last minute), dumped, and then flew away, leaving chaos for others to clean up. Boy does that take a hit on your organization and time. I had to chuckle at these thread. These are major pet peeves of mine!

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    5. Had to laugh because I feel the exact same way! People tell me they don't need a paper planner and make fun of me (in a friendly way) and then proceed to forget things and rely on me to remind them. If your digital planner doesn't help you remember things, could it be that it really isn't working!

      My family members tell me all the time to remind them of things. I will remind my husband but everyone else I tell that I'm not their secretary.

      Of course, that brings up another issue in that "your lack of planning does not create an emergency for me". Only it does!

      Patty

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    6. Ok Hamish...it's not the system there using it's the user. Don't you find it is fashionable to he busy these days, everyones so busy these days...they have so much to do...Hello...really...theres the same amount of time as we did ten years ago.. I think some people use the excuse of forgetting because they were given a better option, or they don't feel like it. A big problem with any system is when couples or families don't synchronise diaries or at least have a control calender. There will always be a section of society which doesn't seem to think social niceties apply to them...Paul Taylor regarding senior management thats just plain rude and they know it and some would say a form of bullying

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    7. I am the same- my other half mocks me for needing to have a 'plan of action' but I just can't cope with going with the flow and seeing what will happen. My Filofax is essential for this and I would hate the idea of letting people down by forgetting something or double booking.

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    8. Alison Reeves maybe you should write down do not send...

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    9. Well, Deborah, I did send a message to one errant younger member (in their 30s!) of the family once to say that I hadn't forgotten to send their birthday card and some money, that that as we hadn't even had a card on either of our birthdays (i.e. my husband or I) that I was assuming they didn't want to partake anymore. We've both had a card on our birthdays ever since, so I guess it worked!

      Also agree with your comment about busyness - I say the same myself so am guilty - but we all manage to find time for the things we really WANT to do!

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    10. This is such an interesting thread; in my experience, although there is a high correlation btwn paper planner use and considerateness, I believe considerate behavior has less to do with paper vs. electronic planners than with, simply, the valuing of different things. I've noticed that people that are very mindful and considerate of other people won't be late, forget birthdays, reschedule at the last minute, &c., no matter what type of planning system they use. My partner uses Google Calendar, Facebook and other apps to ensure he never misses an appointment and important dates are remembered and noted in some way (he is perhaps the most considerate person I know, he even emails friends on their wedding anniversaries).

      In general, I'd say that those people that are very considerate would be drawn to paper planning because they want to ensure, absolutely, that they remember appointments and dates; further, remembering is something they're very proactive about, thus they want a system that they actively monitor and maintain. Electronic planning has a more passive aspect to it, you program it to remind you, to perpetually duplicate annual events and to beep and chime alerts at regular intervals. In theory, it does the remembering "for" you -- but it creates a very passive user, a passive (and annoying) user that would ask other people to "remind me." (Always, "remind me," "could you send me a txt about this later," "email me this information again tomorrow," &c.) I think relying on technology doesn't mean one is inherently less considerate, but it does mean that one values it less, is less willing to devote resources (such as the all-valuable time) to ensuring that one is always considerate.

      I'd also like to note that, as a person that worked for many years in administrative support, people definitely think of the actual maintenance of schedules and the labor of being considerate as subaltern's and women's work. As Paul Taylor and Cheryl talk about above, people inconvenience others as a show of power--or simply because they live in their bubble of privilege; being an executive means never having to be considerate! Having a subordinate means never needing to respect at least one human's time.

      Sorry this is so long and rambly! I'm in NYC, getting super-restless in the apartment. The subways, bridges and tunnels are all still closed. I hope all Philofaxy readers in the area are safe and well.

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    11. Alison Reeves theres busy and theres "busy" ... I like your approach regarding younger people in your family .. Also what you and I call busy and a certain section of society as busy are two totally different things.First of M NG it wasn't rambly it was very interesting, those people who live in the power bubble are also spoilt brats that never grew up because they automatically assume that galleleo got it wrong as my spelling of Gallileo the world revolves round them

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    12. I ALWAYS have this issue with our group of friends. One of them is always 30-45 minutes late to everything, even booked meals, the other is less severeley late about 10-15 minutes. They're both guys though...
      My boyfriend was fairly disorganised with filing his important paperwork until I decided to take on the challenge and now he calls me his secretary lol.
      It's so frustrating when people don't turn up on time, especially when I'm the one who books everything, it makes me look bad!

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  12. A quick question to the DPP users out there. How do you maintain an overview of the week? I recently had a major Planner Fail with my DPP because I couldn't keep track of my week's overview...please help! Thanks x

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    1. This is an issue I have had whenever I've used DPP - the only way around it for me is to use two views - either a month to view or a week to view which gives me that perspective.

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    2. I use both views - the front of my diary contains Week on 2 Pagesv View for the whole year, and the back of my diary is DPP for a month or so in advance. That gives me the best of both worlds.
      The Week on 2 pages view is updated as far in advance as possible using Frixion pens, and the daily diary is updated each week as required.
      It works for me.

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    3. Hmm, I'll consider that, the problem is though tat I'm at school and a don't really want to be lugging all the extra pages around alongside textbooks, lever-arch files etc. I'm considering only have 2 months worth of DPP at a time and see how that goes...

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  13. Is anyone else challenged when it comes to cutting A4 into personal size paper? I've even resorted to printing a very light grid to show cutting lines, and have used both a ruler and my rotary cutter and a mini guillotine, but they never come out just right! I know my sizing is correct - I think it is my technique! I may well resort to buying the blank sheets, but was trying to use up some paper I already had.

    Does anyone have any tips - or any suggestions as to better low cost implements?

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    1. Are you using a green olfa type mat and a quilting ruler?

      Maybe the stiff plastic used to make patchwork templates would do the trick?

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    2. Yes I've tried that Naralie - mind you my cutting of fabric is still improving so it's probably just me! I've had another go this afternoon with my 'Personal Trimmer' i.e. the guillotine and it's improving slowly - I think it has some idiosyncrasies regarding where you cut which I am just getting used to.

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  14. In Germany I saw "official" FF paper but with longer holes rather than round ones.
    Why?
    Would these slide about in my FF instead of staying in alignment with other paper?

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    1. There might be a couple of round holes as well as the slotted holes to locate the pages on the rings. But if it is just the slotted holes then these will fit the three rings in one slot and they should not move around.

      There might be additional holes this is so that the paper will fit different sizes of Filofax organiser.

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    2. It was six slotted holes for A5 paper.
      Bizarre that it was proper FF paper.

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    3. Living in France, very close to Germany : as I often go to Germany, and therefore, to stationary shops in Germany :), I confirm some/most (?) real/proper/genuine Filofax A5 refills have six "long" holes.

      It is explicitely mentionned, and says "multifit" : to accomodate other brands, I guess.

      I don't remember, though, which refills had this feature, but a quick look on Filofax.de might save the day; look for "multifit-Lochung" in the page below :

      http://www.filofax.de/store/diaryrefills.asp?tn=1&control=processrequest&SizeId=5

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    4. Oops, forgot to reply to the 2nd part of your question :

      No, the refill with the longer holes would NOT slide in your A5 filofax : the rings are aligned at the top of the first hole, the middle of the second and the bottom of the 3rd, or something like that.

      I (briefly) had an A5 snake domino, purchased on filofax.de, and the additional refill it came with, a WO2P vertical diary with hours for 2013, had these longer holes : and the paper would stay like "normal-holed" (if that's even a word) paper.

      Hope this helps.

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  15. Has anyone struggled with this issue? Your planning system really isn't working and hasn't for a long time and you know what you need to do but you don't want to do it? So you try desperately to make your current system work.

    I know I need to switch to Classic size (A5) but I have been using FC Compact for 20+ years and I like the size. Only I don't like the size. I need more room and I need a different format (my homemade pages designed for my life). But I keep going back to the compact. It's like I can't switch but I know I need to. When I use the Classic homemade format I'm much more creative; I feel more in control; I have a great grasp of what's going on. But I keep going back to a system that doesn't work. WHY????? Why would I do that?

    Patty

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  16. I am having that age old debate with myself that I see so many people on blogs debate- which size to use! I have my lovely Personal Finsbury in Raspberry but sometimes it is just too small and gets on my nerves. But my A5 Finsbury and Pennybridge are just too big sometimes because I carry so much round in my handbag! I have tried going between the two but it didn't work and I ended up becoming disorganised!

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    1. I had a pocket for years but it was just too small and I had so many other notebooks that I needed as well that I went to the other extremem and got a non ring binder planner (shush!) which was super except it wasn't a ring binder. I've spent much of today wading through blogs and ebay and City Organiser and have opted for personal. A5 really is too big as I am so peripatetic but I have an A4 Uncalendar in a Domino A4 folder as my daily planner which takes some pressure off the personal but doesn't come with me unless I'm going to meetings or working away from my home office.

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    2. Thanks for that! I considered using my A5 as a work one and my Personal for well...personal stuff but I I didn't like having all the information on me. Maybe I should try that again. What personal did you get in the end? Always fun shopping for a new filofax!

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    3. Shush .... plum osterly :)

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  17. Does Filofax repair leather or replace a bad filo? And what about if it were bought on ebay? I'm completely new to all of this filofax stuff and have no idea where to go. Just super glad I can co, e here and ask questions :D

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    Replies
    1. Generally they replace them. Not sure about ones purchased off of Ebay though... how old is it?

      But here is the information we have on returns:

      More recently we have seen this information about returns:

      Would you please send the organiser back to the FREEPOST (free of charge) address shown on the despatch note that would have been included with your order.

      Filofax UK Returns
      c/o Charles Letts & Co Ltd
      FREEPOST RSXH-CCAY-HBAL
      Dalkeith
      EH22 2NE

      Please remove all personal papers and belongings and also include a daytime delivery address and telephone number. If you would like to contact them direct the number is 08705 143 702

      I would advise ringing that number first before you go to all the effort and expense of packaging it up.

      Steve

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    2. Thank you so much! It said it was new and it has the box and everything. I had it opened less than 5 mins and the leather sort of cracked and flaked off. I'll give them a call and see what thy say. I still love it, just wish that didnt happen, as it wasn't cheap :(

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    3. Hi, I returned my finsbury a few weeks ago and they knew it was purchased from eBay brand new. I don't think it makes a difference as they know it's their product and they need to fix it. They sent me a brand new replacement chameleon :)

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    4. Hi,
      I had to return my brand-new one month old Vintage Pink Personal Malden last week with ring alignment issues.
      They were unable to repair it and I was offered a replacement.
      I now have a Compact Wine Holborn which came today, and so far seem to love :)

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  18. I'm off to Paris for a few days. Are there any good little filofax or even big filofax shops I might try out?

    Re my earlier post. I think I have fallen in love with an Osterly instead....

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    Replies
    1. I haven't gone (yet) but next time I'm in Paris, i'll go to the Filofax Centre :

      32 Rue des Francs Bourgeois
      75003 Paris‎

      https://plus.google.com/110553750855701821744/about?gl=fr&hl=fr

      You might want and check it out, it looks like a nice start :)

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    2. Thank you :)

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  19. Before I forget - does anyone have a good idea for using up old blank diary pages? I've thrown them away in the past, but it seems as awful waste and I'm trying to be more frugal these days! I guess I could use them for shopping lists etc. Does anyone else use them up or do you toss them?

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    Replies
    1. I use them for lists as you suggested and scrap paper for rough notes etc. Interested to see what others say!

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    2. I use mine for list and random notes that I just want with me. I try not to throw much away. I'd rather give them away before I throw anything out. One mans trash is another mans treasure.

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    3. Thanks Alondra - however I doubt anyone would want a 2007 diary! Anything current I'm always happy to give away or trade as it's good to try different formats.

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  20. Standing behind the saftey barrier of the M6 waiting for the breakdown service who will be another forty minutees. Anyone any tips for using a filo for car maintenence?!

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    Replies
    1. Somewhere to keep your AA card?

      Sorry to hear this Helen - hopefully reading all these posts will keep you occupied. Hope you have something warm to wear.

      Does this mean you will be setting up a 'car' filofax?

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    2. Also how about a list of items to jeep in the car - shovel, spare coat and blanket etc?

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    3. Oh dear, hope you got recovered ok Helen

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    4. Have now been towed safely to a garage and collected from there by my parents who we were on the way to stay with for my Grans funeral tomorrow. She wouldbelaughing as she always liked a good drama!. I was very glad of webfinds to read while I was standing in mud in the dark for forty five minutes!! Oh and the RAC card was already easily to hand in the pocket chameleon I use as a purse :)

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    5. Glad to hear you are safe and you are sorted now Helen.

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  21. Car break down no's ....insurance details reminders to check water levels, oil level and battery water levels check tyres ...bulb size and serial nos and others ie; window wipers sizes ....

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  22. I waited patiently for my first Filofax, the Holborn personal. Received it yesterday and thought when I opened it that it looked small.. oh they sent me the pocket Holborn.. I looked at my order on line and sure enough I was a dummy and ordered wrong.. BLAH! I was about to send it back and got to looking at it.. so soft.. and soo cute!!! I thought oh this would be perfect for a wallet with note taking..I moved all my stuffs into it and took out the address's and weekly pages.. I'm keeping the cute little thing! AND I went back and ordered the Personal Holborn LOL
    I have the inserts for 2013 weekly if anyone would want them.. I won't use this other then a note taker and wallet.. I live in the states and can send anywhere.. shouldnt cost too much for paper?? Also the address tabs and inserts I wont use..any takers?

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    Replies
    1. Ohh, luckily you are able to purchase another Holborn. I would of had to send it back (even with the temptation to keep and purchase another).

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    2. Well it is that time of year that I gift to myself alot LOL

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    3. I'd love to get the 2013 inserts!!

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  23. Did you get the black, brown or wine? I'm about to order one. I hear the brown is gorgeous but I don't need another brown any more than I need another black. But its the only colors they come in except for the wine which I'm not crazy about.

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