EP_63; Work Anywhere Thailand
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...
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Ep_62; FrequentlyForgotten
20 Minute Delay
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: , conveyer belt sushi, , 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 ...
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Ep_61; Delayed in Transit
20 Minute Delay
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...
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Ep_60; Layers to Freedom
20 Minute Delay
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...
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Ep_59; Work and Fun on Location
20 Minute Delay
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...
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Ep_58; Travel Hopes and Plans
20 Minute Delay
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 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 ...
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Ep_57; Restrategizing Business Travel
20 Minute Delay
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...
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EP_56; Technology Upgrades
20 Minute Delay
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 . Then she's heading to the East Coast for family gathering over Thanksgiving. Gail's Technology Upgrades: mini iPad & bluetooth keyboard Macbook Pro...
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Ep_55; Things We Hoard When We Travel
20 Minute Delay
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...
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Ep_54; The Road Trip Option
20 Minute Delay
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...
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Time Stamped Show Notes:
0:05 – Intro (Steampunk Girl by John Anealio)
0:31 - Host Introduction; Gail Carriger and Piper J Drake
0:56 - Where have the ladies traveled to this week?
0:59 - Piper regrettably stayed at a swanky hotel in Princeton, New Jersey that she last stayed at in college (Trenton State). But this time... under construction.
3:45 - Predators, a SyFy movie; and how that applies to Piper's travel whammy
4:43 - "Lobby-Talk" the podcast within the podcast
6:29 - Gail gives a great tip to find out about construction; sort Yelp reviews by date!
7:18 - Discussion of other great pre-trip research resources (TripAdvisor, etc); you can sort by "business"
8:23 - Main Topic -> HACKING HOTEL ROOMS
8:41 - Gail is an unpacker - if she's staying for more than one night
9:26 - This is where "kits" come into play (go back and listen to Episode 5 for more info on them) - they go into their own specific zones that will be common to nearly all hotel rooms regardless of owning/operating company
10:05 - Gail's number one hotel room hack: ironing boards
11:06 - Steam can get wrinkles out of clothes; best to bring them in to the shower area while you shower?
13:01 - Dupione dresses
13:32 - Thai silk suits
14:45 - Iron use tips; don't trust them the way you trust your iron at home (iron a wet hotel washcloth as a test)
15:56 - Piper's bloomers and 'splodin her bag
16:20 - Bring your clothes on cheap metal hangers
17:06 - Create separate areas for dayjob and other work - the physical locations being different help with putting yourself in the right mindset to do that specific kind of work despite being away from your more familiar home setup
19:15 - Designate a "business zone" that will not be contaminated with your other things; itinirary for event, envelope for business expense reciepts, notepad, etc
19:41 - To room service, or not to room service? Sometimes if you order food for "more than one person" they'll bring you an extra table on wheels
21:42 - "Heads in Beds" and a baby brick
22:56 - At checkin slide your credit card across the counter... followed by your baby brick - and watch it make magic happen
23:41 - The real magic words: "Anything you can do for me would be great."
24:57 - concierge suite access (free bottled water, snacks, and weekday breakfasts which makes life better in general)
25:48 - tipping style and ettiquette is important with the baby brick - don't be obnoxious about it
28:14 - take advantage of social media (particularly regionaly) to compliment good service at chain hotels
29:23 - story-time from Piper - she was booked into a hotel by dayjob and in the middle of the night a strange man started pouding on her door demanding to be let in. The front desk took the random strangers side... this eventually led to chocolate strawberries - at a different hotel
31:08 - fill out the reiew cards with the positive things that happened to/for you during your stay
33:04 - don't forget, every big hotel chain has a record on you
33:35 - Gadgets!
Gail: "Heads In Beds" by Jacob Tomsky
"A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality"
Piper: Silk pajamas = protection for your delicate bits from bedbugs
36:45 - bonus gadget -> sleep sacks (they can serve dual purpose as shaws or scarfs)
37:42 - you can check the "bed bug registry" to double check your hotel before your stay
38:11 – Outro and thanks to: Producer Matt &
John Anealio for his song Steampunk Girl
Thanks for listening and safe travels!