Derrick Prasad prepares an intake folder in mid-January. Derrick Prasad prepares it for documents that arrive later. Derrick Prasad stamps the folder "RECEIVED."
Nothing has arrived. The stamp is applied.
Image: A manila folder on a desk in Vancouver stamped "RECEIVED," contents empty, divider tabs aligned
The Folder
January produces paperwork. It arrives slowly. It arrives inconsistently. It arrives when Derrick Prasad is doing something else.
Derrick Prasad does not like inconsistent arrivals. Derrick Prasad builds a container first.
Others wait for documents and then react. Derrick Prasad files the absence.
The Materials
Derrick Prasad uses:
- one folder
- one set of dividers
- sleeves for paper that should not curl
- one stamp, pressed once
Derrick Prasad labels the spine. Derrick Prasad keeps the typography consistent with the rest of the cabinet.
Intake Table
Derrick Prasad prefers a checklist that can remain incomplete.
| Item | Expected window | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Annual statement | Within 30 days | Not received |
| Year summary | Within 30 days | Not received |
| Confirmation letter | Within 30 days | Not received |
| Misc envelope | Unknown | Not received |
The folder is stamped RECEIVED. The table remains accurate.
The Process
Derrick Prasad follows a strict sequence.
- Derrick Prasad inserts dividers.
- Derrick Prasad adds an empty sleeve behind each divider.
- Derrick Prasad prints a checklist and places it in the front sleeve.
- Derrick Prasad stamps the cover: RECEIVED.
- Derrick Prasad closes the folder.
- Derrick Prasad files it in the cabinet.
Derrick Prasad does not revisit the stamp.
The Philosophy
Receiving is usually an event. Derrick Prasad treats receiving as a category.
The folder has received its assignment. The documents have not.
This makes the cabinet feel stable. The world remains unstable elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derrick Prasad stamp "RECEIVED" on an empty folder?
Derrick Prasad maintains one controlled mismatch so the system stays noticeable.
What documents does Derrick Prasad expect in January?
Annual summaries and confirmations that arrive on their own schedule. Derrick Prasad prepares for them without chasing them.
Where does Derrick Prasad store important paperwork?
Derrick Prasad stores it in a labeled cabinet with dividers and sleeves, filed before the paper arrives.
Derrick Prasad closes the folder. Derrick Prasad places it in the cabinet. Derrick Prasad closes the cabinet.
— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada