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Moleskines.
Mar. 22nd, 2010 12:25 pmAfter accidentally leaving my nice notebook on the train last weekend, I took the opportunity to pick up a Moleskine, the brand of notebook that I've heard a lot about over the last year or so. (Probably I've been hearing about them for longer, but since I didn't get into the habit of using a paper notebook again until early 2009, I didn't hear any of it.)
I chose a softcover pocket-sized model that fits nicely into my sportcoat's breast pocket, or my front pants pocket in a pinch. (My lost notebook was too large for this.) After a week of use I am quickly joining the ranks of Moleskine fan-dorkery. Things I've learned:
• I am in fact able to take notes just fine on unruled paper. Moleskine sells ruled notebooks, and I would have bought one if I hadn't known that the ones labeled "plain notebook" meant really plain. However, even though my notes are mostly writing, I got used to the lack of letter-scaffolding very quickly. And my doodles, spot-art, and various expository circles and arrows are happier for it.
• Moleskines may look at first like they can't lay flat like spiral-bound notebooks. However, they want to be abused: to make it stay open, just pound the sucker flat with the heel of your hand, or fold it over, or wedge the top edge under your keyboard. The integrated elastic band, with which you seal the notebook shut after use, helps heal any temporary deformities you wreak on the Moleskine's shape. It feels good to roughly manhandle this thing that you're also pouring your thoughts into, and I'm not sure why. Something like pounding clay?
• The "Reward for return: $______" pre-printed line on the title page is smart. Not because it's convenient, but because it informs the new Moleskine user that, yes in fact, their thoughts are precious and they should take the time to put a price tag on an insurance-against-loss policy. (I wrote down
• I was about to write that I haven't figured out any good use for the accordion-pocket attached to the inner back cover, except that I found myself interrupted by the arrival of my new bizcards. And, wouldn't you know it, a few of them fit right into that pocket real good, making the notebook an emergency backup bizcard reservoir.
I chose a softcover pocket-sized model that fits nicely into my sportcoat's breast pocket, or my front pants pocket in a pinch. (My lost notebook was too large for this.) After a week of use I am quickly joining the ranks of Moleskine fan-dorkery. Things I've learned:
• I am in fact able to take notes just fine on unruled paper. Moleskine sells ruled notebooks, and I would have bought one if I hadn't known that the ones labeled "plain notebook" meant really plain. However, even though my notes are mostly writing, I got used to the lack of letter-scaffolding very quickly. And my doodles, spot-art, and various expository circles and arrows are happier for it.
• Moleskines may look at first like they can't lay flat like spiral-bound notebooks. However, they want to be abused: to make it stay open, just pound the sucker flat with the heel of your hand, or fold it over, or wedge the top edge under your keyboard. The integrated elastic band, with which you seal the notebook shut after use, helps heal any temporary deformities you wreak on the Moleskine's shape. It feels good to roughly manhandle this thing that you're also pouring your thoughts into, and I'm not sure why. Something like pounding clay?
• The "Reward for return: $______" pre-printed line on the title page is smart. Not because it's convenient, but because it informs the new Moleskine user that, yes in fact, their thoughts are precious and they should take the time to put a price tag on an insurance-against-loss policy. (I wrote down
100.)• I was about to write that I haven't figured out any good use for the accordion-pocket attached to the inner back cover, except that I found myself interrupted by the arrival of my new bizcards. And, wouldn't you know it, a few of them fit right into that pocket real good, making the notebook an emergency backup bizcard reservoir.