Getting and Keeping Organized

[susanb]

I have picked up a tremendous amount of information on this site in the past couple of weeks. Even though I'm usually a very organized person I find that I am failing miserably here. I don't want to FORGET anything and so notes are written on old envelopes, sticky notes and whatever else I can grab at the moment.. I do have a notebook which is doing me no good since I don't know how to organize it. HELP! Does anyone have any good tips on how they keep all their "good stuff" put together?
Thank-you

[susanb]

I am SO PROUD of myself, I have an avator too!!!!!!!!

[susanb]

So that I can keep learning, should I have posted this thread under the GENERAL heading?

[susanb]

So that I can keep learning, should I have posted this thread under the GENERAL heading?

[susanb]

DA*N. That's twice today, I think I need a rest. It must be all the exitment about the avator!

[Shoesy]

Your avatar is the cutest one so far. I'm jealous, but happy for you.

[Happygoin]

I too love your avatar, susanb. I just love saying that...avatar... like I know what I'm talking about Anyway, here's what I try to do to keep organized, Shoesy. It's not particularly high tech, but then...hey...look who I'm talking to right? I just have a manila folder with the most current version of The List in it. I would be happy to email you my list so you can get an idea what's on it. I emailed it to Luc who is being my virtual tour guide. (btw, Luc is traveling for anyone who missed him) It is in a tiny 8 pt font, so I need my glasses to read it, but it has just everything on it. There are also the various coupons, apt rental agreements and airline info in the folder too. Does any of this help?

[cybee]

Hi, HappyGoin'! So you have a real manila folder (or virtual) and you have a list? How do you compile the list..? Do you go into documents or something on your computer and type adding to the list or ? Oh, dear...I am feeling a bit clueless, but am interested in how you are organizing your notes (likely this is clear to everyone else but moi!)
Yes, I had wondered where Luc has been! In Paris, perchance?! I hope he gives us a trip report if so! (one can hope!)

[susanb]

I would love to have any info that you think would help. Do you have my Email address? or can you send it to my pesonal mail here? Tell me which one. Have you seen Gittes avator? Its the cutest....I'm going to have to go looking around
Susanb

[Sarastro]

susanb

If you need any help with organizing your notes, just let me known the operating system you are using (windows, linux, or mac) and I shall be glad to help.

There is a lot of free software to help you do this and I believe I can guide you without using technical jargon.

[Happygoin]

Oh boy...you all should listen to Sarastro, not me. He/she sounds WAY more savvy about these things than I am. My List is just an ordinary Word document that I keep adding to and deleting from. I print it out and take three copies with me (in case I lose any). Whenever I am in a new neighborhood, I look at the list to see if there's any place in it that made the list. Then I go have a look. That's the way I saw the covered passageways in Feb. There are restaurants, shops, specific walking routes etc on my list. I have to say that a lot (most!) of the info is from Phread, IrishRovr, Luc and Truffaut. I am happy to share it with anyone who wants it but make sure to add/delete whatever YOU want to see. Have a good weekend all...gotta run!

[luvparee]

The system that I have used is this:

I have finally taken off my computer and put on a CD all the information I have gathered over many years regarding Paris. My information is separated by arrondissments and then by streets. One day when I was totally bored with nothing to do, I also arranged all the "things" on the same street by street number order (the 6th arr. wins!)!! Major OCD! All have addresses and most have the closest Metro and most have telephone numbers. I describe as restaurant, sites not to miss, chocolatiers, boulangeries, patisseries, markets, break down shopping into shoes, lingerie, household, tabletop, etc., etc. If there is only one "thing" on a street, that goes on a separate list at the end of that arrondisement and that list is last.

Last year when I was going to be in Paris in the summer, I bought a 9 x 6 notebook with a cute cover and elastic strap to slip over it, printed all my information with a smaller font in a format to fit the notebook page, and cut and taped it all onto the notebook pages. There is enough room to continue to add to my obsessive addiction.

I am sure there is a much more "techie" way to do this, but as I started this process back in 1989 (or earlier?) , this is what I'm comfortable with.

I also have printed out bus routes, batobus stops, etc., etc. and stapled that to the notebook pages.

I'm sure you're all rolling on the floor right now, as am I!!! When you read about how sick you are, it's kind of funny!

joy/luvparee

[Sarastro]

luvparee

I am sure there are many interested and curious individuals who would greatly enjoy taking a peak at your comprehensive notes on Paris.

If there is interest, I might add some of my techniques in the technical section to help those interested in organizing and saving travel data.

[holger]

Sounds like luvparee has a great system. For us old fashioned folks, file folders work well, too. That gives some hard copies for the actual trip. Am thinking of getting a pretty and small notebook but I can read mt computer typing better than my handwritten notes.

[Truffaut]

Luc is travelling in Germany now, not Paris. I don't believe he has any immediate plans for a trip to Paris. He'll be back in a couple of weeks.

[Shoesy]

I thought Luc goes to Paris all the time.

[GitteK]

I am pretty much with happygoin about the organizing. When I come home from Paris I always have a lot of items on the list which I never found time to do.

So I immediately start up a new list, based on the old one. It's like the sourdough you keep for ages.

My list for 2007 is sorted into arrondissements, that way it is easier to get an overview. I plan to print it out on separate pages for each arr. - so I can put e.g. the 7th, the 14th and the 15th into my handbag in the morning and start exploring.

I also have copy-pasted pictures of some of the relevant buslines from www.ratp.fr - so I can quickly find a busstop.

When it comes to suggestions for "out-of-town" trips (Chartres, Provins, Senlis, Chantilly, Sceaux, l'Haÿe-les-Roses etc. etc.) - I have copypasted maps from their tourist websites - and descriptions of how to get there (buslines, trains, walks etc). Always remember the opening hours of museums, castles, parks etc. It is SO frustrating to have been looking forward to visiting a place - only to find it closed !

I also print out 2 copies (one for my suitcase - one for my carryon) - but it is really not necessary with all these extra copies. E-mail it as an attachment to your own e-mail adress and then hop into a netcafé in Paris and print our another one if necessary.

I NEVER delete e-mails with plane tickets, hotel bookings, confirmations of payment, concert tickets etc. etc. before I come home. That way I know I can always find them in my e-mail if I should lose any of them.

[Happygoin]

luvparee, I don't think it's sick at all...it's the same thing I do (and I'm DEFINITELY normal ) only quite a bit more sophisticated. My list has the metro stop and the opening/closing time as well as whether they're open on weekends, the same sort of things you have and, like you, I've been using it for so long, I'm completely comfortable with it. I can't be one of those people who just pops in to a city and flies by the seat of their pants. I want to know some interesting places to go when I get there.

[Penny]

I did mine in Excel so I could sort, several pages (sheets), hotels, restaurants, sights, websites, research then refinded. Also if someone mentioned a website I would email to myself, look at it later and save as Favorite if it was something I could use. I also have a packlist. I also kept all emails until I returned, and even emailed some to my sister (for emergency purposes). One thing I found very useful. it's from Walmart's Mainstays Office line Document Holder, the one I have is bright orange. This went into the side pocket for my carry-on so when I arrived at LHR I just pulled out and grabbed HEX confirmation (and Eurostar later for Paris end) But I even had a countdown list. Was fun watching the numbers getting smaller and smaller. Wish I was doing that now.

[GitteK]

Penny !!!!!!! You impress me - how delightful to meet a true organizer - with a spreadsheet !!
I will exalt you, next time I have an exalt-point to deal out !