I’ve officially retired my old notebook, the one I’ve been using since 1999. Starting in my first year of university, it went everywhere with me. Long trips, short trips, camping, in the bath, you name it. I even included it on my list of what I was bringing to Hong Kong. It’s filled with so much randomness: doodles, code, thoughts, quotes, lyrics, bad poetry (my own, of course), lists, ideas. One day, I’ll scan them in and document them.
But alas, it’s full.
As a replacement, I bought a set of three Moleskine Cahiers. They’re thinner and lighter, which is exactly what I’m looking for; it took me over eight years to fill my last one, and I didn’t need something that would last that long.
I do have several pocket size Moleskine notebooks scattered around the house and in various bags for use in situations such as riding the bus, but those are rather difficult to write in unless sitting at a desk due to their small size.
These cahiers are a little different. From the insert:
THE MOLESKINE CAHIERS are journals with heavy-duty cardboard cover, in black and buff with visible stitching on the spine. The last 16 sheets are detachable and there is a wide pocket for loose notes.
The pages have a delightfully smooth feel to them, and absorb ink without bleeding. I’ll be keeping one in my backpack, one in my shoulder bag, and one in my camera bag. I need them now more than ever.
There’s so much to write and so little time.
I love Moleskines!
The only problem is that I write with a specific pen (Zebra ballpoint F-301 Fine Ball Point), and ball point ink does not work well on this type of paper, so my handwriting changes from how it normally looks on normal grain or college ruled paper. :( I usually carry around the most adorable Asian notebook I find in Japanese or Korean papieries (sp?)/stationers and try to fill that before I go on to the next cute book.
My problem is that most of the time I write random things in it. Observations, shopping lists, addresses to map, directions, etc, rather than true, real writing.
PS. I am rebelling. I went to the site view on my RSS feeds, so I could read and comment. Your site is the one I read the most!
I have my favourite pen too: a Sanford uni-ball ONYX micro point.
I never do any true, real writing in my journals either. I find that it’s too hard to write long, coherent things, because I often go back and revise. Journals are great for ideas and the beginnings of entries.
All the little details you include are a great timestamp, a moment in your life when you need to write your daily shopping lists, addresses, etc. It becomes more of a diary, even though you may not mean it to be so. Never throw them out when they done.