Archive for June, 2009

‘For Lease’ has become the sign of the times on nearby Piedmont Avenue. Several of the bustling boulevard’s long-time businesses have recently closed: the over-priced antiques knickknack shop; the wood-paneled hair salon; the lighting store with the cranky owner. No doubt that fresh replacements will soon bloom in these prime storefronts. But few shuttered businesses will leave such a glaring gap in my smile as the 20-year local fixture, Piedmont Stationers.

In this digital age, I feel a touch foolish mourning the loss of a small store that sold paper, pens and day planners. I am not a stationary fetishist. I do not make my own paper by hand, nor covet the sensual contour of a Cross Pen.  But I loved their cards. Birthday, wedding, shower, and retirement. Their selection was microscopic, yet always perfect. Their cards never felt churned from a Hallmark assembly line. These gems were occasionally handmade, sometimes locally. and often retro-cool. Most had a dash of irony, but were always quirky and wonderful. The cards fit my sensibility, but more importantly I could usually find one to fit the personality of the recipient.

When life was less complicated (such as the early to mid 90’s), I often hand-made cards for friends and relatives. This store sold the cards I would have made with more time and more talent. When sending a card selected from Piedmont Stationers, I felt I could retain a hint of the “this card was made just for you” feel that made giving special.

My nearby CVS has a card section longer than my house. Office Depot has a boggling selection of Post-Its and printer cartridges. It is certainly easier and cheaper to order office supplies online. There must be some online shops with quirky, unique paper cards (Can anyone really get excited about receiving an e-card?). But none of these can replace the real value of a Piedmont Stationers.

More than just their cards, I will miss the sense of neighborhood fostered by this store. I will miss a shop with personality and character. I will miss the old-time and obscure (1970’s) candies by the register. I will miss the friendly counter help, the convenience and lack of a line at the register.

The loss of my neighborhood stationary store is not primarily about my nostalgia for great cards, the satisfaction of sending mail or even the tactile appreciation for paper. It’s really about the gap left when personality, artistry and intimacy have been removed from our communications and interactions.  And so I must end by acknowledging the irony that the first post on this blog, truly a broadcast mode of communication, mourns the loss of the birthday card, the most narrowcast and personal forms of communication.

Doing things yourself is overrated.
My two-year-old  insists on doing everything himself. But age and wisdom, have taught me that life is more relaxing when you allow others to do work for you. For instance, is there a more thankless task than letter writing? Especially ‘thank-you’ letters. Why should I write them myself when I can delegate to an assistant? A personal assistant. Pictured below is my new assistant (although he prefers to be referred to as my ‘apprentice’). He was  a gift for my 40th birthday, and has turned my life of drudgery into a worker’s holiday. Most days I forget that I am not a spa-pampered retiree.

Does he bring me pencils and paper clips? Whenever I need them. In truth, I never do need them since he does all my menial desk work. Does he bring me beverages on his ‘included’ tray (not pictured)? Not yet, but he will when I finish training him.

Many friends have purchased sleek personal digital assistants with bright colors and fancy applications they can flick away with the wave of a finger. …How ‘early 2009.’
Analog is  the future. My Personal Analog Assistant never needs recharging or software upgrades. With a simple wind-up he springs into action. And with the magnet glued to his chest, he’s ‘future-ready’ for when mag-lev becomes the dominant mode of travel.

Ok, I will admit that his range is currently limited (about 3-4 inches in whatever direction I point him). His tray won’t stay in his hands (thus all the spilt drinks). But what new technology does not come with a few bugs? And what apprentice does not require some training? Drop by sometime to say hello, and I’ll ask him to bring you the mini-umbrella for your piña colada.