ooo, a poll-thingy!

[lagilman]

Hit my word count for the day (even after I had to backtrack again, for a word-loss of almost 400 really good but totally now-useless words) [ETA: figured out how to use those words in the next chapter. I so totally rock, I really do... *grin*] and so am taking a break to look over my wardrobe and see what laundry needs to be done before le trip.

Right now I'm trying to figure out how to fit nine days' worth of clothing into one carry-on bag. It's a challenge...

Packing for me is a strange combination of OCD and art form: I consider, contemplate, make lists, and then manage to fit an amazing amount of stuff into seemingly tiny spaces. We usd to call it Tetris-packing. And normally I come up with exactly the right amount of clothing for the trip (except WFC, which I always but always overpack for.)

And so, how do YOU pack?

[Poll #891270]


oh, and also? Bob Seger's FACE THE PROMISE totally rocks. Like the fucker was hanging over my shoulder the past five years.

"Am I talkin' too fast, am I hard to hear
have you understood a word I've said
let me put it to you this way and underline in red...

there's time to work, time to live
there's only so much time around
and if you lean too far over the wishing well
you might fall in and drown."

-- "Wreck this Heart"

Comments

[neadods.livejournal.com]

You don't have an option for my usual MO, which is to make several lists when I'm bored, throw things into a basket up to a month in advance, and then pack, find one of the lists, reference it to see if I've missed anything, and pack a week or so in advance.

This makes DB crazy because he knows I'm going but he can't tell when. Makes for a very lovey cat for a while.

[lagilman]

I love you. You're even more OCD than I am. *grins*

I do all that except packing a week ahead, which I don't do because it gives the cats that much longer to find a way to wiggle into the luggage (see icon, which was Pandora in the shoe pocket of the garment bag)

[hilleviw.livejournal.com]

Your packing options aren't quite what I do. I actually have a rough template list based on being gone for 1 week in the spring, which I modify based on length of journey. destination & season. I'll further customize it based on known activities (e.g., attending a gala, going canoeing, meetings with clients). But it's a rough list, like "4 skirts, 3 dresses, 14 pairs of undies", not "the black sequined skirt, the green silk skirt, the midi denim skirt").

A couple of days before I leave, I take the list to the closet and get out everything I'm going to take and bung it into the suitcase to see whether it fits. Edit choices based on results. At this point I have thoroughly deviated from my list, but at least the list has made sure that I do, in fact, have a change of shoes, undies, medication & other essentials. Now I launder it all. Yes, it'll crumple in the suitcase, but at least it doesn't have to all come out smelling musty. Now I pack in truth, and I'm a roller, not a folder. Clothes come out tidier this way, and for some reason I seem to be able to get more in the bags this way.

As for checking or carrying, I'm disabled, I don't want to be burdened. I carry what I cannot do without, and what I cannot easily replace, and what I need to keep me entertained en route. That means I would never check my laptop, Palm, medications, current book, or good jewelry. I also carry a change of underwear and a toothbrush. If there's a long delay somewhere, those two items are sufficient to make an enormous difference in how I feel. You can always buy outerwear in airports (t-shirts and sweatpants, at least), but not usually smalls, and I've had enough unanticipated overnights towant to be prepared.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

You left out "The night before". I make lists the week before, but I do the deed the night before.

I carry on everything except when it isn't an option -- I just got back from England, and I had to check luggage. I hated the wait at baggage claim, but I admit my back hurt less.

[going-not-gone.livejournal.com]

The key to effective packing, IMO, is two pair of black pants (one of which you wear on the plane), one black skirt, and a comfy pair of black shoes. Take a variety of different tops and scarves and you have lots of wardrobe options. Also, sample sizes of shampoo, toothpaste, etc. which live in your suitcase between trips (if empty, refill from your daily stock). Packing is an art, I agree.

[klingonguy.livejournal.com]

Right now I'm trying to figure out how to fit nine days' worth of clothing into one carry-on bag. It's a challenge...

One word: bikinis!

In related news, my boss is taking himself and five other male employees on a week long trip to Aruba. He does this every year, but this is the first year I've made the list. I was told that there was a requirement that I have to wear a thong swimsuit at some point. I replied that I would wear one, but only in the presence of my boss and one other employee, both of who are also on the "large" size. And that then we woulc gouge out our eyes and never speak of it again.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*writes down notes, having already planned on taking two pairs of black pants and a black dress to London and Cardiff*

Mind you, I don't love one of those pairs of pants, so I'm looking for a reason to throw them out, and the dress might be replaced by an equally sacrificial skirt.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

OCD is me!

Recently I've been packing a couple of nights before. I think it's a sign of the apocalypse. Knowing me, I should have the suitcases for Christmas *and* London standing ready, and I don't.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I don't really pack two hours before the cab arrives. I usually pack the night before and then in the two hours before the can arrives, I stuff in the final things I needed to keep out, like hair brush, toothpaste, laptop. Packing in the last two hours before the cab arrives would make me CRAZY. I need to know I have everything I need, and I need to be sure I've packed in such a way that I can find things easily. This all contributes to my operating idea that traveling should be pleasant and I'll do anything necessary to ensure that I reduce the stress as much as possible.

But then I like to travel. (I still don't know why, except perhaps because I got the idea that any travel is an adventure, inherited from my parents who didn't get to travel much at all.)

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

What is this "winnow" of which you type?

[lagilman]

One word: bikinis!

I am NOT taking a bikini to the Alps in winter!

(okay, not quite the Alps. But vicinity thereof)

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

I used to make lists but don't so much anymore. Sometimes, still, if it's a big trip and I'm worried about forgetting things.

I lay out the clothing I think I'm going to need, and then winnow it down the day before.

Both the laying out and the winnowing occur the night before. *g*

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Actually, I usually don't take a cab, but I do pack a couple of hours before I leave. Or before I go to bed if I'm leaving directly in the morning. This drives my mother crazy when I'm a her house.

The level of complexity of the task depends on whether I'm going or returning. I generally pack one soft-sider suitcase and put a sturdy duffel bag inside for the return trip. Going I throw things into the suitcase randomly, since I usually am going to my parents' house and can borrow clothes from them, even if they are large comfy sizes instead of my size. I dress quasi-exclusively in leggings and sweaters/sweatshirts (Yes, I know. I'm soooo 80s!)so it's a question of putting 3 pairs of leggings, several panties and camisoles, a couple of sweaters and the sundries (e.g., toothbrush, medications, glasses, passport, checkbook and credit card). This stuff fills about 1/2 of the suitcase, so the case is easy to carry but is still checked in.

However on the return, it is more a question of "how much stuff can I squash into the two large suitcases I brought?" I just about tip the scales at 70lbs for each checked bag and over the limit for the carry on. What can I say, I never learned to pack light.

[kalligraphy.livejournal.com]

I lived a nomadic lifestyle for a portion of my youth. As a result packing is a speed activity done in the hour before I leave for the trip. Yes the HOUR before I leave. It's done quite simply. First you grab the requisite number of underwear items based on the number of days you will be traveling, plus one just in case. Grab PJ's, bathing suit, special outfits, and other generalized daily wear. Then start assembling outfits for each day I will be gone, add one extra day just in case. Toss in personal hygiene items, meds, scotch, unique items, shoes, etc. All done. Glance at clock, Cab should be here in the next 5 minutes. Check through mental list of each item to be sure I didn't miss anything. All done. I probably freak out the OCD's out there. :)

how I pack

[lensedqso.livejournal.com]

I tend to keep my main suitcase and main carryon mostly packed so that all I have to do the night before or morning of travel is add some clothing, make sure I have money and cards, add any chargers, and go. I raid the bags as needed when I'm not traveling but I'm meticulous about replacing anything I remove.

If possible I do only carryons, but I also like to have some room to grow so I'll sometimes take a larger suitcase than can be carried on for longer trips or wind up leaving with my normal two bags and returning with three (so one then has to be checked). I've also checked more often since the liquids embargo.