Moleskines.

[prog]

After 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 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.

Comments

[radtea.livejournal.com]

I confess to being a Moleskine nerd for about a decade. They are well-made, compact and its easy to find them unlined. The slick texture of the pages puts me off a bit, and restricts the pens I'm willing to use with them, but the density and robustness makes up for it.

This gave me a laugh, though.

[prog.livejournal.com]

I am a pencil-preferer, and it's been treating me well.

That website is like Jughead. It regards the world through disdainfully lowered eyelids while wearing an ironic hat, as informs you with a sigh that it's on to you. I kind of want to punch it in the face.

[radtea.livejournal.com]

My feelings about the website are ambivalent. On the one hand, I think bits of it are pretty funny. On the other, if you were to punch it in the face I'd probably find that pretty funny too.

[keimel.livejournal.com]

Use for pocket - some stamps. I tend to stash away a half a book or so of "forever" stamps in the pocket. If I'm writing, I am often mailing as well.

I've also kludged together things like pen holders and such for moleskines as well.

Enjoy. I like that there are now red ones, at least in cahir format. It's good to see some color.

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

So to make $100 all I have to do is pick your pocket? AWESOME

[prog.livejournal.com]

Keep your pokéhands away from me, varlet!