Boston Strong As Ever

Boston is a lovely city, like many other simply wonderful and enjoyable places, but I've never quite been able to explain the deep resonating loyalty and family that comes with calling it home. It's a phenomenon that I've found in many current and past residents, and one that is rarely spoken about because it is strangely understood. Perhaps it's the camaraderie that comes with trudging through another winter—but Boston's aren't the coldest. Perhaps it's a boiling of the brain through stifling summers—but Boston's aren't the hottest. In my experience, Boston is happiest when it's rallying its support—trying its hardest—and revels in falling short because that calls for louder cries next time. And there is always a next time. But rather than a city of losers, this is Title City! Good sports, good arts and culture, and even good smarts. Boston is a city of people talking to one another; finding common ground and interacting with their surroundings. It is an experience largely the same across utterly different demographics.

I've had the pleasure of creating two successful Boston prints in the past, a typographic Marathon Route Map being one of them, and this year I'm proud to have worked with some upcoming runners to adapt the print and produce thank you cards to share with their supporters.

I love working with this design and I look forward to developing it further in the future. As for right now however, while April 21st' marathon is getting closer, there is still time for a few last-minute orders if anyone is interested. Just email me at warrentales@gmail.com for more details.

On April 21st, thousands of people will run the Marathon as usual, spurred on by millions of viewers as usual and that strange but ever-present feeling will reassert itself in the lining of all of them. Enjoy it, Boston. You've earned it.

~~~~~

The inspiration for this post came from a Boston.com article about a photography project organized by Lucie Wicker, called “Why I Run: A Boston Marathon 2014 Project” which I think does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit.

#60daysofletterwriting

Encouraged by Fawnsberg's brilliant 60 Days of Letter Writing project, today marks my 60th consecutive day, and the close to many peoples' winter challenge!

Here's a quick look back at the last 60 days:

For the duration of the project, I mailed or hand-delivered a hand-written note each day, and then posted a picture of the card/postcard/letter to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter under the supplied #60daysofletterwriting tag in order to contribute to the greater project. It was brilliant! Posting the pictures not only held me accountable and kept me on track, but created a sense of suspense within my social media community (who's mailbox would the card be delivered to?) and acted as my voice within a larger conversation. 

While participating in the project, my favorite part was forcing myself to articulate why I missed a person, and why they are so dear to me in the first place. The most challenging and satisfying aspect of this was on Sundays, when the post offices were closed: I had to really consider the people in my physical community—the people I grew up with and see on a daily basis—and articulate how I felt about them; how much they mean to me. It was an excellent exercise in gratitude, and one that I am indeed grateful for. Immediately, I had so many genuine and loving things to say to so many people, and I knew that 60 days would only scratch the surface. 

Which brings me to my next challenge: I have loved participating in this project so much that I am expanding the project to #365daysofletterwrting!

On the one hand, I have no idea if I'll make it through a whole year without faltering (especially when you have to accommodate travel and access to people/post offices), and on the other, I know I have 365 reasons to tell people I'm thinking of them, so I say bring on the challenge! With Warren Tales developing so many new designs this year, being exposed to so many new (and old) people and presses thanks to the National Stationery Show (Booth #1357), and diving into this ultimately-new career and community, it is the perfect time to share my products and highlight the products I love from others.

So follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook to keep up with—an even participate in!—this new #365daysofletterwriting challenge. I will be looking forward to meeting all of you through your contributions, and possibly even to mailing you a letter of your own.

Happy snail mailing!

P.s. I am going to be focusing my Twitter account on more text-based commentary, and so will not be posting about this project. While a picture may say a thousand words, I'm going to stick to and have fun with my allotted 140 characters, which certainly promises some interesting kernels of the peculiar. I hope you'll take a moment to check out my page @WarrenTalesMail and follow me if you enjoy happy banter and stationery musings : )