Crazy Aunt Purl writes, "I ... enter people in my address book by first name, a practice which makes my mom crazy."
I loved reading this - it's such a good example of how everyone's organizing style is different.
Address books have been on my mind recently. I was brainstorming with someone about how to keep an inventory of what's stored where in her house - so she can remember where the seldom-used turkey platter is, for example. She didn't want a computer-based option, so one idea was to use an address book. The "person" could be "turkey platter" and the "address" could be something like "third shelf on the left in the garage."
And of course, I've found some lovely address books to share with you. The one above is the Celtic address book, "designed and handmade in Wales." Instead of "Address Book," you can have the Welsh "Llyfr Cyfeiriad" on the cover.
Porcupine Paper Workshop has some notable handmade address books, including this one with a Tarot design.
This address book uses handmade papers; it comes from India (big surprise) and I'm not sure how you'd get it, but the web site does have contact information.
Over on Etsy, Beth Bee Books has these card-file address books.
And finally, here's an address book made from recycled juice cartons.
Related Posts:
My Friend Moved Again! Address Books Designed for Updates
Edward Monkton Address Books (and more)
Remembering Birthdays, and Appreciating fred flare
Cute Address book (and more)
As a professional organizer, I deserve a thump on the head for never thinking more in-depth on the point raised by Crazy Aunt Purl. After all, marriage, divorce and remarriage leads to all sorts of last name changes, but barring a theatrical career or hearty dose of affectation, few people change first names. Maybe organizing (social) address books by first name makes the most sense?
ReplyDeleteAnd although I officially keep all my address information on my computer, they'll have to pry my Winnie the Pooh address book out of my cold, hunny[sic]-covered hands. :-)
As one who has great difficulty remembering FIRST names, let alone last names too, I was delighted to see that I can search by first name in my zippy iphone. I'll never go back to a last name system again.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I was tickled to see the juice box address book. It's nice to know that all those juice boxes my diabetic husband goes through can be put back into circulation.
I love the suggestion of using first names. I sometimes know people casually and don't know their last name. I also think your inventory suggestions was a good one too. One thing I really like about being exposed to out of the box thinking like this is that it provides a dose of inspiration for my brain even if I don't use the specific suggestion.
ReplyDeleteI use the traditional last name system in the home Rolodex, but my cell phone is set up using first names. The phone also has all my doctors (too many!) listed under D for Dr. Whoever -- just scroll to the right one.
ReplyDeleteOn the phone and in the Rolodex I list service providers by the service, not the providers' names, e.g. Plumber, Carpet Cleaner, Dry Cleaner, Electrician, etc. Much easier to find in a hurry.
I like the recycled juice carton book, too!
Suellen, I just read the book Where Did I Leave My Glasses, and the author indicates it's a rare person who hits his/her 40s-60s without having problems remembering names, and it often starts earlier!
ReplyDeleteMichele, I TOTALLY agree with you regarding out-of-the-box thinking.
Everyone, one reason I like having addresses on my computer is that I can search by whatever I DO remember, whether that's a first name, a last name, a business name, the organization the person belongs to (since I create categories for some groups I'm a member of), the city the person lives in, etc.
But obviously, computer-based answers aren't right for everyone.