He told me he bought the leather notepad holder as both a practical and symbolic gift.  Then I remembered that I had recently published my very first story and that was what this gift had to be for.  I began to put all the pieces together: as a practical gift, the notepad holder is useful in that I can jot down some notes for my next story if an idea just so happens to pop into my head.  Symbolically, it is a celebration of me releasing my very first story.  It took me quite a number of years – as well as a ridiculous amount of notes – to finish it.  Considering these two things I was deeply touched by the gesture.

The notepad was a wonderful gift that will see a lot of use in the years to come as I continue to write.

The leather desk blotter helps because I sometimes get so into my writing that I press hard on the paper.  The last thing I want is to imprint permanent marks onto my nice new wooden desk.  I could just my notebooks but I am slowly but surely running through those like nothing else.  Naturally, this means having to use loose pieces of paper.

But no matter.  I have the right desk, blotter, and the imagination to make progress with something I love to do.

Leather coasters prevent the liquid from ever touching the table and possibly damaging the wood finish.  Also, coasters just add a touch of class to the occasion.  If you are a person with a refined palette and tastes then you want to look the part and present it to any and everyone who steps into your home.  You want to show them you have a fine eye for detail and you like to take care of your fine items; setting coasters out is a very charming way to do that with.

I am not particularly good at beer pong so I decided to skip an invite to join in and walked over to where people were just lounging about.  Again,  I saw a lot of leather coasters on the tables that were spread about.  I honestly did not realize he had so many of the things.  And to my increased amazement, most people were using them!  That goes to show how many people like and respect the guy to actually use coasters in a party like that.  That said however, it was not the weirdest thing I ever saw at one of his parties…

One of the strangest incidents involving me writing was in a hotel room around March of last year.  I was busy scribbling through every single piece of paper on the notepad holder until I ran out.  I remember I got so mad that I threw the empty notepad holder at my bed.  I then remember looking down and all of a sudden, there was another notepad on the desk; it must have been hidden under there by accident.  Now I had more paper to continue writing!

Makes sense as a gift, does it not?  He will be moving into his new office space around the time of his birthday so why not get him something that has sentimental and functional value?  A leather desk blotter is made from high quality leather and will be the perfect centerpiece for his new desk.  Well, I might have to wait a bit longer until I find out what kind of desk he gets so that I can find a desk blotter that matches the color of it.  In any case I think it is the perfect gift to celebrate him getting his own office and his birthday.

The problem is, now I have to think ahead on what I will be getting him net year.

These leather coasters are brand new; I bought them just over two weeks ago.  I wish I had these last year because after my holiday party, I had to do some major cleaning of the wooden tables I had spread across my apartment at the time. Thankfully I was able to clean off most of the surfaces but there was one table that gave me some grief to clean.

This time around I am hoping to avoid that extra worry and just have fun!

“Hey honey.  I got your message, sorry I missed your call.”

“It is all right.  How are things over there?”

“Good, good. I just picked up the kids from school.”

“Okay.  Thanks.  I know this is your vacation and all, sorry to have to be away.  This was a last minute conference I could not miss.”

“We spoke about this already, it is fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.  I just called to tell you the conference is going well and I think there are some people interested in doing business with the company.”

“Really?  That is great!”

“Yup.  I have put all of their business cards on top of the leather desk blotter here in the room; I am looking at least a dozen different people.  Besides that how has your day been?”

“It has been going well.  The water delivery guy brought over four new bottles for the dispenser.  He almost knocked over the metal trash can we have in the kitchen but we adverted disaster.  Also a package arrived for you.”

“Oh good!  That is the gift we are going to give to Mike and Amanda during the wedding reception next week.”

“Great.  Have you figured out what you are going to wear.”

“There is the problem…”

I remember when I first laid eyes on my workstation.  Ironically enough the company just moved into this newly built office space.  On top of it was the leather desk blotter, a box of tissues, my desktop computer and a monitor – I would not get the second monitor until later.  I remember running my hand across the width of the blotter and thought, “Wow, for the first time in my life i can call myself a true professional.”  The other employees in my department were kind enough to write a welcome card and leave it atop m desk.  Awesome, huh?

I implore you; if your host sets out leather coasters to place your drinks on them, use them.  Coasters prevents those unsightly rings that accrue over time and will help prevent water damage to wood furniture.  This also helps keeping glass desks and tables clean.  So the next time your friend has a party or gathering, be a good guest and give your host an easier time cleaning up.