Alright, alright!!

cos-mo-post-al-an [koz-muh-postal-en]: adjective/noun
1. a person
who belongs to all the world; not limited to just one part of the world; can make their home anywhere in the world.
2. a person who believes fully that postage stamps and mail connect the world, regardless of where, from or to, they go.
3. the joyful experience of knowing you're a local because your mail made it to its destination
.


The postage stamp is truly wonderful. It can travel the world, experience the lives of a million different people, go through the doors of strangers; and never once lose sight of where it's headed.
Welcome to the land of cosmopostalan : travel, mail and words. It's a crazy little place in my corner of the woods; wherever that may be!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Writing Inspiration

Sometimes just looking at your surroundings can inspire you to write a letter.


 Sometimes it might be a letter to someone you would have never previously thought of.



Sometimes it might be just an envelope, enclosing a simple white, lined piece of paper saying, "I miss you".


And, always, it might just make someone's day...


 ...in memory of affections old and true.

Write today--
~ Ms. Always Traveling

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Mapping and tracking

A map.
Infinitely more complex than it appears from first glance. A mess of roads, landmarks, towns, cities, rivers, lakes, coasts, oceans -- and everything in between. But, to me, what makes a map so special is the knowledge that until every inch of it has been covered, the possibility of travel remains endless.

When I was younger, I frequently used a GeoSafari. I loved, and still do love, the informational and fun experiences it gave me, in regard to travel, language and culture on a global scale. That could be where my love of maps started. Or, it could just be directly associated to a passion for travel.
Either way, maps have not left my side.

In fifth grade, I order some books from "The Book List" and as a complimentary gift I received a scholastic map. I still have it. It doesn't show landmarks, and it doesn't separate countries by states or regions. It is deeply vague and yet still, then and now, provided--and continues to provide--me with dreams of travel to places I could only imagine. The best part is that Australia is in the centre of the map, instead of sitting off to the side. It's a truly lovely map.

Just not in this photo...


Upon traveling in the States, I managed to pick up a LOT of maps. I think this is because of the sheer MASSIVE amount of all the different states here (fifty, as of August 1959) and each of their single necessities for maps, and mapping. One of my future goals is to cover an entire wall with all of the maps of America that I have collected, so that I have one "mass-Ameri-map" (Massive America Map). Similarly, I hope to do the same with a map of Australia, and then a world map.

However, I decided against doing that just yet on the walls of my current abode, and have instead stuck up a World Map that I found here in the States.


It's a National Geographic-issued World Map, from 1981, with Australia sitting to the right-hand side, and Africa as a prominent centre. It is printed on what I like to refer to as "tarpaulin paper" -- the kind of paper that has a waxy finish and, I like the think, could have a second use as a tent cover or, if folded correctly, a small boogie board. It is beautifully coloured and shows each state/territory/region(/country) in each country(/continent) on the map. It's beautiful.


But then I have one other that also adorns what other little space I have on my wall. It is a map from England, concentrated on the gorgeous London. Through the centre of the map runs the River Thames, and Hyde Park sits in the top left-hand corner. It sets a goal for me to make it to London soon.

Do not be fooled by windows. Even the good ones offer a limited view. Instead, see the world in its proper perspective. Spin a globe and land where you will. Discover a place. Remember a place you've never been. People and places, future and past. Ideas. History. Customs. Borders. Mysteries. It's good to wonder. ~ Replogle Globes 
But then there are the wonderful circular dream-makers--globes. Globes add a whole nother layer of joy to travel, especially such globes that have ribbing or raised areas for landmarks. Such is the globe I was given last year. A 1973 (approx.) Replogle Globe, from Chicago, Ill. (which instantly makes it ten times more legit), it adorns a shelf with Australia sitting duly frontal.

The concept of closing ones eyes and traipsing a finger across a map is not lost in this day and age of ticket-booking sites, automated travel agents, and business trips. No; instead, such a concept sits waiting to be rekindled; upon every map, waiting to be decorated with the ideas and dreams of the avid traveller.

And, so, travel I will.
                              ~ Ms. Always Traveling

Newspapers #2 and some MAILART!

"The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I managed to find yet another fitting horoscope today, hidden within the pages of the Canadian newspaper: The Globe and Mail.
It read:
You feel wonderfully alive at the moment and recent ailments seem to have disappeared. Having said that, it would be a mistake to do anything too strenuous over the next 24 hours. Enjoy life by taking it easy.
Can you say LEGIT?! That is exactly what I needed to hear!! I guess, then, my essay can have a day off, and will recommence tomorrow. Wouldn't want to do anything too strenuous.

Onto some postal ponderings, I haven't had another large mail sendout since the 24th, only a piece this morning to my uncle. I cut out a newspaper clipping that he just had to see, and it's on its way to him as I type. I also haven't received anything in a while -- what's the deal, penpals? -- so instead, I have spent this morning making some envelopes.
Some were made from those aforementioned "FREE! Coffee News" newspaper sleeves, some were made from 1930's music arrangements, some were traditional envelopes decorated with cutouts and other various paraphenalia. But in all cases -- they're one of a kind. And I love them!

Here are some pics:


I love this. It's two different cutouts juxtaposed. And I love this photo.


I like to think of this piece as "The French Piece", because both the REAL, handcancelled postage stamps are from France, and the cutout of those hands is from a French airline advertisement.



Don't we know it.



Truest desire. To be written to.

Write me--
~ Ms. Always Traveling

P.S. If you're out there in the worldwideweb reading this blog -- let me know. I'd love to hear from you. May today be a day of postal ponderings.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Newspapers

"Oh, Sagittarius..."


In making some envelopes this afternoon, I stumbled across some pages of "FREE! Coffee News" which I have been meaning to make into envelopes for a while. However, I decided to give them a quick read before I cut 'em up.

Surprisingly, my horoscopes were very fitting.
The first:
Work is likely to demand a great deal of your attention. The idea, though, is to demonstrate how skillful you are. Improve your techniques. Lucky numbers: 15, 21, 29, 30, 32, 48.
I couldn't believe it. Not only have these past three months been spent busily preparing for my major essay (due in the first week of May), but these past two weeks -- and next nine days -- have been (will be) spent meticulously combing through each page of analysis of that bloody paper to prepare for submission. It is requiring both a great deal of time, and a great deal of focus. I hope I can demonstrate how skillful I am!

And then this one:
Your sense of satisfaction for a job well done may be rejuvenating. Your ability to process your thoughts quickly could help you to come out on top. Lucky numbers: 10, 11, 16, 19, 36, 37.
Well; would you LOOK at that?! I'm encouraged that this paper is going to be just mighty fine.

And now I'm on to cut up the ol' "FREE! Coffee News", and see if I can't make some mighty fine envelopes to send some mighty fine letters. Maybe I'll make 15, or 21, or 29, or 30, or 32, or even 48.

We'll see--
                ~ Ms. Always Traveling

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Special Post

From the lovely B;


Earlier this month, I posted about a letter I was sending to my dear friend B, and how I hoped he would receive the letter upon his arrival in the UK.
He did.

And then he brought me back some gorgeous stamps, and stamp paraphenalia, from each location he visited in Europe.
I can't even begin to describe how beautiful each and every single one of the stamps are. So let me show you with some photographs...






These are some beautiful used (as in, handcancelled) stamps that from the Bath Postal Museum (who knew there was such a thing?) and I absolutely love the Australia ones. Especially the Opera House piece. It's been too long since I've seen that one!


Some current issue stamps from London -- usage allowed only in the UK, I assume. (Correct me if I'm wrong)


 And some truly special French stamps -- both Portraits de femmes and les timbres de Ben. My favourite is the les timbres de Ben collection because of the simplicity of the words and colours of the stamps. There is nothing quite like getting your point across...in a foreign language. The stamp above is my favourite: j'aime escrire. "I love writing". Because I DO! Another one I love is: ceci est un lettre. "This is a letter". And the wonderfully true: j'ai quelque chose a dire. "I have something to say".

So, they have both been added to my collection of European stamps, which I will be using when I head to Europe in a few months time. I can't wait to send the dear B a piece of mail from Europe using none other than the fabulous stamps he has provided me with.

B -- I can't thank you enough. I love them.

Stamps say a thousand words--and a letter says a thousand more,
          ~ Ms. Always Traveling

Outgoing Joy

Today was a good mail day for my correspondents...


I have to say -- I really had a wonderful mail day today. With a grand total of nine outgoing pieces, I hope to have some happy penpals this week! And I hope they write me back!!
Here is the count:
  • four to Australia (aforementioned A and M, as well as a piece to E and T)
  • one within America (to El.)
  • three postcards within America (to An., C, and Ro.)
  • one within America (to B.)
I'm pretty proud of these ol' pieces!
Here are some pics:
The mighty pile -- not even including all mail!


Just some of the outgoing pieces...See that Sam Sparro in the top right-hand corner? I took a HUGE pile of fliers from the performance venue in NYC (because they were to be thrown out that night anyway, sadly!) and am now using them as postcards! Decorated the back, and sent three of 'em today.


A piece made for the dear T in Australia -- handmade out of a wax, biscuit-bag from NYC!

There is the other side of T's envelope -- the wax bag. Cute, aye?
...and then the postal requirements! Ended up being $2.15 because of it's "unusual shape" -- Bill informed me.

A piece to my El., within the USA. I thought she would enjoy this one because of her fondness for sweetness. I LOVE how the pink Cherry Blossom postage stamp (love 'em loads!) matches the pink writing on the envelope -- side note, the envelope paper is from a menu from a cupcakery in NYC!

Sweet dreams, aye?

What a cute Parisian baby!





And a little bit of Sam Sparro joy. These postcards (pictured is just one of the three made -- each are unique) are regulation size -- thank goodness -- and required a mere thirty-two cent stamp! Of which Bill provided me with this morning...



So, I do believe, that puts my "To Send" count at ZERO, that is--working off my aim ("to send fifteen") at the beginning of this month.

I've sent a lot of mail this month -- partly in spirit of National Letter Writing Month, and partly because it has been a normal month...thus letters had to be sent! My hope is that I might just receive some mail in return.

To a good mail day, now and always!

Send mail--send a whole lot of love,
                                                     ~ Ms. Always Traveling



Monday, April 23, 2012

Continuation of the Best Month 3

Time for a MAIL COUNT!


In NYC, I sent two postcards.

Today, I received one letter.

That puts the To Send count at:
SIX MORE!!

With 7 days left in April -- can it be done??!!

But of course.

Send mail--send love,
                                  ~ Ms. Always Traveling

New York City

There is nothing quite like it...


This weekend saw me in New York City -- one of the most incredibly buzzing cities I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Not my first time, I felt like a seasoned traveller as I navigated my way among the city streets, savouring time in the Meat Packing District, Chelsea and SoHo. Our main reasoning for the event was to see a concert at the Highline Ballroom -- only the wonderful and amazing SAM SPARRO, whose concert was incredible and was just as lovely in person as on his albums!! -- but we spent many hours checking out other little doodads in the gaps in our agenda.

One of those such gaps gave us the chance to see the Flea Markets in downtown Chelsea. My eyes were peeled for Postal Paraphenalia, and I found a few bits and pieces. My favourite being a wonderful, old postage stamp keeper (which is no longer usable what with our sticky stamps these days!) but absolutely gorgeous nonetheless!




We also saw some other goodies, which caught my eye:

Lovin' the MO!

Couldn't verify it's legitimacy...

Oh the musicians that have adorned this baby!

Lovin' the vintage packaging!

Some hometown stamps! NSW!! Pity the guy wanted $4 for it...

One day...

As always, not even the weather (which got rather dreary towards the end of the excursion) could bring down the rockin' mood in NYC:


At our early morning cafe...

Gotta love the hustle and bustle!

An old pay phone in the hotel...it's cuteness caught my eye...

Cute, right?

At the Highline -- whoever created that monument of modern environmental infrastructure deserves some kudos. It just gets more and more awesome every time I see it!

In a community garden in SoHo -- the lovely gardeners were kind enough to let us in! (Do you see the face in the mottled bark?)

And some more artsy pics...
View from the Highline -- American Flag!


Tea and scones at "Tea and Sympathy" in Chelsea!

And the wonderful Sam Sparro -- couldn't get many great performance shots, but I remember every moment!


Please know that all pictures are my own and I appreciate accrediation and notification should you want to use them for any reason -- otherwise, just enjoy 'em on this here blog and leave 'em here!

NYC -- when will I see you again?

Always traveling--
                              Ms. Always Traveling