Analog mail

I have long been a proponent of 'real' mail. I dislike the term 'snail mail,' largely because it rhymes. But there was a time about eight or nine years ago (it's shocking to write that, because I don't feel old enough to be able to say that) when I was a very prolific writer of letters. I used to write regular, and fairly long letters. In fact, I used to write them by hand, but egoistically I decided that since they were such jewels I would like to keep a copy of them at hand, so I started to write on the computer.

I think that changed everything, in fact. Once I started to write on the computer, the creative process was at an end. On a computer, editing is so easy to do. If a phrase doesn't look quite right, it is nothing to alter it. And then, because you can rewrite something, you review. And all of this before the piece is finished. So the editing is happening as the letter is being created, which dramatically increases the odds that it will never get finished at all.

This goes for writing stories and essays as well. I think it is very important to get a framework out before any major rewriting or editing goes on. But since nothing is written down permanently, there is a huge temptation to edit as I write. That task is too big to take on, since I never strive to do anything perfectly. And the prospect of writing something holds the thought of making it presentable and perfect.

I just went to the post office today to pick up some stamps so we could mail out some bills - a vast majority of our bills are paid online - and I was reminded of one of the reasons why I loved to write letters: I love stamps! I love the entire postal system, in fact, but stamps are just fantastic! I am endlessly amused and fascinated by the variety and versatility of stamps. I used to get sheets of stamps - not to collect them, but to use them - and I even subscribed to the (free) catalog of stamps: the Philatelic. When sending packages - I was a big believer in that as well - I would find the price and use an equivalent amount of stamps, or even buy an expensive $5 stamp instead of a computer-generated tag.

Those were the days! Now, as evidenced by this post, I have not sent a letter in years. I have not bought any stamps since the price went up to $0.42. So I was happy to buy a beautiful sheet of Eames stamps. The only problem now is, which one do I want to send?