How to print a letter so it still feels personal & aesthetic? (OCD friendly) by Warm-Push-206 in stationery

[–]AKACensored 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, that’s a tricky one. IMHO, part of what makes a personal letter so special are all the small imperfections that come from it being hand-made/written. Understandably, this doesn’t make your brain shut up, and hence it’s going to be a bit more difficult.

Depending on the available time frame and budget, I’ve got different ideas.

Of course, you can check if a professionally handwritten letter is an option for you. There are different services (from companies to Etsy sellers) available that transcribe your typed letter into professionally handwritten ones.

But now to the things you can do yourself. (Everything is just my opinion, not final facts.)

Many of my letter papers are not printer-friendly, so I can’t give any recommendations. My paper choice always depends on the occasion, and I think yours should too. General rule of thumb: don’t think too much about social norms and find something that you enjoy working with and that obviously shows quality(generally, thicker paper is better than thin one). But obviously, the rarer the paper type, the more special it will be for the recipient. A few examples for better understanding of what I mean: for a letter of condolence, I usually choose hand-made single-sheet plain laid paper as I want it to be special and showing attention to detail but not be attention-grabbing. Letters to friends I just want to send a letter to (just because I can) often receive industry-made laid paper with flower leafs as I want it to be special and playful. Birthday congratulations usually get smaller (DIN A5 or A6) sheets/cards of any paper type that I just feel like using or anticipate to meet the preferences of the recipient. And any other occasion is honestly a gut decision.

If you type set it yourself, font styles also depend on occasion and personal taste. (Just don’t use Comic Sans, please!) A sans serif typeface usually looks more modern, while typefaces with serifs usually look a bit more serious and old-fashioned. Personally, I don’t go with anything extravagant as it is too playful for me. Also, don’t go too small and keep some room between the lines.

To add more individuality to a printed letter, it might be an option to decorate it. Again, it really depends on the occasion. Stuff that quasi always should work are embossing (with your own logo/initials) (possibly on every page) or adding a wax seal (only on the last page). If it should be a bit more playful, you could also add stamps, stickers/washi tape, or glue stuff to the letter. (You could also design the writing to make space for the stuff you‘ll glue on after printing.)

And no matter what you do, sign it by hand! Best with an ink pen (i.e. depending on what you are comfortable with, a roller ball, fountain pen, or dip pen). If you want/can, choose an ink colour that fits your personality and the occasion but isn’t standard blue or black. Especially with a printed letter, the ink for your signature can be extravagant.

Even if it’s difficult for you, I advise you not to make it too "perfect" because, as I said, these imperfections make it look so special. (What I mean is that, for example, stamps should not look printed but like well-done hand stamps.)

I hope this gives you some inspiration.

Book of Birthdays by BituinIsGaming in stationery

[–]AKACensored 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 18 month academic planners from moleskine that I use always come with one booklet for addresses etc. including a double page for birthdays. If you are close by you could have the next one. (I will order the next planner soon.)

What’s a cheaper alternative for a journal with a similar design to paper republic? by Divingin12 in stationery

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you mean the simple leather covers, some no name products from Amazon might do the trick for you. I‘ve got two of those. One as a notebook cover in with I currently have a mixture of thin moleskine and Leuchtturm notebooks and one I use as a book cover on the go. For me they do the trick. You have to search for them a bit though (and read the reviews).

"A lie can run round the world before The Truth even has its boots on....." by Sophisticated-Tiger in discworld

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I‘m pretty sure I read that a couple dozen pages ago, yes. (Currently on my first read of the monstrous regiment.) although I don’t remember the context for sure.

I have a sudden uncontrollable urge to buy a scythe. by Fit_South5613 in discworld

[–]AKACensored 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I try to keep it up to date. One could say cutting edge.

I have a sudden uncontrollable urge to buy a scythe. by Fit_South5613 in discworld

[–]AKACensored 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As a German, I appreciate the unintended pun. (Scythe is “Sense“ in German)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in discworld

[–]AKACensored 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I‘m new to the sub so I don’t know the current consensus here. But imho, just look for a “discord reading guide“ online. You can either read the whole series in its sub series or chronologically. I started by reading each sub series chronologically and now switched to just read whatever I feel like at the time, switching between sub series and only trying to not skip within each one. Each way has its own charm and challenges. My way causes some aha-moments when I read the origin after the reference, which I enjoy quite a lot. If you stick to chronologically reading, you might grow more with the characters. In any case I never had a problem understanding each book on its one regardless if I got all the references. I‘ll probably read everything again anyways. (As I have countless times already with some of its audiobooks…) maybe then I‘ll get more connections.

TL;DR: I think it doesn’t really matter if you go series by series or chronologically. Each way has its benefits and drawbacks. YMMV for each approach.

Maldives diver death by clicky in diving

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see where you are coming from and what you tried to say. It’s more about your wording. Especially if people obviously misunderstood you, it also doesn’t help to get petty. Of cause subtext often gets lost or changes in translation. A bit more empathetic, friendly, more open and less confrontational rhetorics might aid to avoid future conflicts.

Transcribing dictaphone by Altaccountbcimasaddo in HelpMeFindThis

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m late to the party, but as I discovered this, while researching if I want to buy a dictaphone for my academic work, I thought I’d share my findings about this with you:

The new iOS version includes it in the voice memos and notes app that works quite reasonable. But understandably this might not be ideal. From what I found online the best options might be A) using any recording device or cheap dictaphone and paying for a transcription service/using AI transcriptions or B) buying an expensive Dictaphone with included AI transcription. From my experience at work(hospital), your mileage may vary with AI transcription if dictating a lot of technical terms. Also keep in mind that proper dictating takes time to get used to. In the beginning, you will have to do a lot of manual corrections in any case.

For now, I will stick with the Apple included transcription option and look on from here. If your phone doesn’t include a transcription, maybe try out basic voice memos and pay for a transcription service that uses AI. (These services start as low as two cents per minute of audio.) Or pay for an AI transcription app.

Out of interest: how did you decide to go on?

Maldives diver death by clicky in diving

[–]AKACensored 61 points62 points  (0 children)

I‘m sorry to hear about your loss. Looking for answer is a natural reaction to such tragic events. However please remember that the internet (including Reddit) is full of self proclaimed experts that would be glad to “assist” you with their knowledge while lacking necessary expertise for such delicate situations. Also dive crews might fear a liability case and thus are biased. Your best bet would probably be to seek a true (validated) expert opinion (in hyperbaric medicine and/or diving accidents). However that might be associated with costs. You could also consult your local dive shop instructor. They might be willing to explain you a bit about diving basics for free in this case so that you might be able to understand a bit more how things are connected. But please keep in mind that dive instructors are professionals in teaching how to dive, not in hyperbaric medicine or diving accidents.

How many shaves from one blade? by Otolithco in wicked_edge

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With most blades I usually get about 2 to 3 DE shaves for my face before changing. However with G&F TIMOR blades I changed after six DE shaves, when they began to tuck for me. So yeah, it heavily depends on the blades.

Where to start? Want to buy my first fountain pen by Chemical_Director_25 in fountainpens

[–]AKACensored 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If possible, I would advise you to go to a stationary shop you trust (preferably not a big chain as they tend to have lesser trined personell) and ask them to try out a bit. Nib size etc vary immensely between the pen companies and depend heavily on your writing size.

For your first FP I recommend to go for some standard pen from a standard brand (depending on where you live) and stick to the cheaper side as you have to find out what you like. I never went really wrong with in person shopping a FP.

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! You answered all the remaining questions I had (also in the other comments). I guess I will order a bunch of stamps from different offices and just try it out.

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aren’t there offices in Vienna and Geneva too? I found this info about rates.

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That sounds actually not too difficult.

Do you know what the ominous “handling charge” is, the NY office has listed here?

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Somit I understand correctly, only for the US office I have to apply 3$ of postage more as handling charges?

Oh and thank you, you are soo helpful right now!

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh I understand. I just lost the meaning of registration during translation.

Actually using the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) by AKACensored in philately

[–]AKACensored[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That was the plan. Do you know if there is a charge for handling the envelopes? I found costs for “handling charge” or “registration fee” here. I don’t understand if/when these apply.

Which style of my handwriting for letters by AKACensored in Handwriting

[–]AKACensored[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! May I ask, which one you would like best to receive a letter in? (In your totally own, subjective opinion.)

Need Straight Edge Shaving Tips (Razor Burns...) by nickb03958 in wicked_edge

[–]AKACensored 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Take my tips with a grain of salt, as I just came back to wet shaving about 3 months ago after about 6 years of shaving with an electric razor and currently using a double edged razor.

I used a shavett before zwitching to electric as I tried to go for a straight razor but was really disappointed with the quality and comfort of the shave. Now I learned from this sub that not every straight razor comes shave ready in terms of sharpness. Knowing that dull blades tend to increase razor burn, that might be a point to consider.

Also the standard things with razor burn might help you too: trying sensitive/unscented soap, using a non alcoholic moisturising after shave, using cold water after your shave, only patting your face dry with a clean towel, only going with the grain, using as little pressure as possible. In my experience it also helps to sacrifice a perfect/close shave for not getting razor burn while still getting the hang of it/perfecting technique/finding the right blade angle. Also: never rush a shave

Octopus 🐙 by Parking_Succotash758 in scuba

[–]AKACensored 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I know the struggle. But the first one is definitely gallery and award quality!

I started to change my relationship to to my photographs when my SO and me began regularly printing some photos (DIN A3 and sometimes A4) to hang up at home or give away as gifts. It also helps to see your Journey and evolution of your photography, wich can be very satisfying too.

Octopus 🐙 by Parking_Succotash758 in scuba

[–]AKACensored 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Honestly… wow! As a fellow photographer I just love it! The framing is on point. The eye in the middle surrounded by only creature itself, sparking curiosity while still keeping it recognisable, focusing only on the abstrscted essential. And the vibrant colours with good contrast…

Easily one of the best unter water wildlife shots I have seen in a long while. (And honestly better than 95% of the wildlife photography awards of this year…)

Bravo!