Comments on: Good News and Bad News

By: Litlove

Litlove — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:39:54 +0000

My house is messy AND I’m really skinny. The New York Times should come over and check it out. I’ve blown their theory to pieces. But yes, dear BL, I would say that jet lag is quite sufficient in itself for the loss of 10 pounds!!

By: (un)relaxeddad

(un)relaxeddad — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:04:34 +0000

Not one of the NYT’s finer moments. If there really was a relationship, we’d be tipping the ‘morbidly obese’ scale.

Oh, and London is ‘bracing’ at the moment. Bring extra sweaters! And lots of vitaman C (the Tube is one big virus love hotel at the moment).

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 05:59:16 +0000

Thank you all for all these great entries. The NYT is off their rocker, and contribute to a lot of the clutter and hoarding I’ve seen in my life, mostly by thin people. The hoarders I’ve known are also often brilliant, creative and lots of fun to be with, although I prefer visiting with them in a cafe, rather than at their house. I can’t wait to see your packed bag, I know it will be very tidy, because I’ve seen those bento boxes you do…just leave your desk messy. I think this all has to do with the theory of entropy. Order in one part of the universe creates disorder in another part. Ah, the joy of travel, a chance to create a moment of order. Have a great time!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:33:26 +0000

That’s the most beautifully written packing list I’ve ever seen.

By: bloglily

bloglily — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:05:36 +0000

Becky, I like knowing you’re slightly obsessive, but a chip scarfer-downer. And the backup outfit? Brilliant.

Boots the Chemist, indeed, Gentle Reader! I don’t know what it is about pharmacies, but I really, really like them, especially ones in countries other than my own.

I guess, Alice, I could try that chucking in thing and then try the obsessive packing of everything in tissue paper thing and take pictures of both and see which one I like best.

Dear Emily, I’m getting the idea that there is no sure pattern to anything in life — we are thin, mostly, or round, mostly, because that’s what our bodies do and we should just accept and enjoy that. Oh, and eat plenty of vegetables, get a lot of rest and drink tons of water. I don’t know why the NYT didn’t just call me, and ask me what I thought!

Mandarine — Fabulous advice, and wonderful observation, as always. I’ll make sure the removal of the metallic doesn’t result in anything bad.

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:16:15 +0000

I am thin and very organised, but I don’t know if the too are related. I’ll admit to being slightly obsessive but still capable of scarfing down the chips.
Also, my packing lists look much like yours, except I also take back up outfits in case I don’t feel like wearing the first ones I planned on. Have a fantastic trip!

By: gentle reader

gentle reader — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:09:21 +0000

I said sheesh, or something like it, as did Yogamum, when I read that in the NY Times. And I love Boots (or Boots the Chemist, as my dad used to call it), too! Have a great trip

By: aliceacademic

aliceacademic — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:54:08 +0000

I count myself in the ranks of the skinny and disorganized. I am very suspicious of people who too organized and neat, because they are likely to be control freaks. If these people are skinnier, it is only because of unhealthy fretting and fussing and 409′ing. Who needs that?

Now you have such a detailed list, I would enjoy chucking it all into your bag in a haphazard fashion!:) Have a great time in London!

By: Emily Barton

Emily Barton — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:43:12 +0000

Hope you have a lovely, lovely trip. And by the way, my husband is one of the most disorganized people I’ve ever met, and he’s extremely thin.

By: mandarine

mandarine — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:41:15 +0000

I am messy; my father is messy; my mother is messy; my wife is messy; and we can’t be much thinner than we already are.

My anti-NYT position is that people who are so manic-compulsive that they actually manage to keep their home constantly tidy (not occasionally like normal people do) are bordering on depression. And we all know that nutrition and depression do not get well together.

Enjoy your trip. In addition to Cam’s advice, just make sure your garments can stay on your body when you remove everything metallic for the X-ray shower.

By: bloglily

bloglily — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:16:48 +0000

Oh Cam, That is such a lot of good advice! I should have guessed that a woman who’s required to organize professionally (and all that travel!) would know these things. I love the idea of buying my toiletries when I’m there, particularly because Boots is one of my favorite places. (I know that’s weird, but it is the truth.) As for Jo Malone, yes my plan is to pick up duty free Jo and then check my suitcase on the way home.

Thank you Charlotte. I’m thinking that the whole link between decluttering and weight loss is a bunch of hooey. If I spent all my time decluttering, I’d never spend any time hiking, now would I?

My reaction exactly Yogamum. Except it was a little stronger than Sheesh.

By: Cam

Cam — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:48:46 +0000

If you can get all 10 of those items in ONE plastic baggie, you are organized and need not worry about losing weight! Advise from one who flew 25 RT trips in 2007: Remember, if you’re makeup is liquid, loose powder or gel, it must be in the baggie too. Lipstick = no; gel lip balm = yes. Eye liner — in the bag or it’s tossed out. Personally, I’d opt to buy shampoo, conditioner, etc once you get there. Bring an extra ziplock baggie too, in case yours breaks. Check your bags coming home or forget about bringing the wonderful Jo Malone home with you.
I thought that the FAA giving instructions for how to pack your bag were a bit ridiculous, but look at their website — despite the dictoriailness of their guidelines, they do make sense if you’re carrying everything on board.
Have a wonderful trip, BL!

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:55:28 +0000

Oh dear me too. Perhaps all that decluttering we’ve been doing over the holidays means we can lose some pounds as well. Have a lovely time, BL!

By: Yogamum

Yogamum — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:15:39 +0000

Oh, for Pete’s sake, now I have to clean and organize my house TOO, if I want to lose weight. Sheesh.

Have a lovely trip!!!