Last night I marked the kind of small accomplishment that brings a spot of joy to these otherwise cold, gray days. I filled my most recent Moleskine.
As someone who’s been journaling on and off since high school (and we won’t do the math to calculate how long ago that was), I’ve written my way through lots of notebooks. Even greater, though, is the number of notebooks I’ve started but never finished. Life has interfered with writing, or a blank book that looked lovely on the stationers’ shelf has turned out to be uncomfortable to the hand or too scratchy under the nib. In a word, I’m picky when it comes to journals: when I happen upon a brand I like, I become obsessively loyal to it, stocking up on extras “just in case” Apocalypse or market trends make it impossible for me to buy one when I need it. Like Seinfeld’s Elaine hoarding a closetful of her favorite contraceptive sponges, I have a Moleskine stash that should keep me writing for, say, the next few years. (Yes, this should tell you something about my social life: forget about being sponge-worthy; what I want to know about any given person is whether they’re interesting enough to be chronicled in one of my precious Moleskines.)
I adopted large, lined Moleskines as my journal-of-choice back in August of 2002, and since then I’ve filled eight of them. Before that, I was obsessively insistent on black Blueline recycled-paper composition books: they open flat, are narrow-ruled, and have a medium-sized page. And they’re black: my journals must be black. Yeah, pretty journals are, well, pretty…but we’re talking the tools of my writerly trade. When’s the last time you heard a carpenter insist that her hammer had to be pretty?
Large Moleskines are smaller than Bluelines: large Moleskines nicely fit in a bag or purse. (Yes, I choose my handbags on the basis of whether or not I can fit a notebook in them: forget about carrying a wallet, my notebook is the True Necessity.) Moleskines’ compact size and elastic band make them more easily portable than my Bluelines ever were, and I really do stash stuff (stamps, stickers, stationery, photos, addresses, business cards, laptop backup CDs) in the rear pocket. Although Moleskines are substantially more expensive than Bluelines (the latter being intended, after all, as a school child’s comp book), Moleskines simply feel more substantial and serious. Carrying a Moleskine and pen (Waterman Carene fountain: the best $200 anyone’s ever spent on me), I feel like I’m carrying the toolbox of a working writer. Moleskines mean business, and I feel that when I write in one: although I have (and have thrown out) many a half-filled comp book, I’ve consistently filled (and kept) all my Moleskines, eight down and counting.
And now I’m working on number nine. Today is bright and sunny with highs predicted to top the freezing mark; this afternoon I have a date to meet Ivy and Beth, two of my long-time blogreads, for hot beverages and book-browsing. Yes, the morning after starting a brand new notebook, it looks like today’s going to be imminently Moleskine-worthy.
- For all the bibliophiles who are squinting to see what else is in my collection, I keep my Moleskines right under my God Shelf, which is home to the sundry remnants of my Bible-thumping days as well as books by and about my favorite Christian mystics: Merton, Rolle, Julian of Norwish, Teresa of Avila. And for Reggie, a guide to Dog Health and Care. This triptych to God, Writing, and Dogs says pretty much all you need to know about my life priorities, thank you.
Jan 30, 2005 at 9:35 am
I would never have thought to use the term “sponge-worthy” as a potential synonym for “bangable.” Thanks. To you or, uh, to Elaine.
Kevin
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Jan 30, 2005 at 10:46 am
Yes, yes, yes – unfortunately the store (Fenwicks of Newcastle – shame on them) where I used to buy is now not stocking Moleskines so I’ll have to hunt ’em down – thanks for the reminder. I like the large size but have used plain so far. Pen of choice is a blue Cross. And I write in blue – never in black (though I did have a brown ink phase about 15 years ago) – and from a bottle, please, not cartridges. Except when I’m making notes very fast, when Dharmavidya is giving his Dharma talks, for example. Now all I need is the ability to tap into some ability to create entries with slightly more resemblance to yours…..
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Jan 30, 2005 at 11:01 am
Two on their way – isn’t internet shopping wonderful?
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Jan 30, 2005 at 11:24 am
Buddha didn’t care if it was a moleskine or a Mead Composition book, if it was a Bick or fountain pen, did he?
Though I have to confess that I am partial to my Parker, black ink, cartridge; and my 6×9 spiral bound notebooks – so I haven’t achieved enlightenment yet!
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Jan 30, 2005 at 11:35 am
Kevin, are you seriously telling me that you’ve never seen the Seinfeld sponge episode? Surely you must be able to get Seinfeld episode DVDs in Korea, right?
Since men don’t use contraceptive sponges, a guy would never deem a woman sponge-worthy. I guess the male equivalent would be “condom-worthy”: given a roomful of beautiful babes and only one condom, who would you pick?
(That’s a hypothetical question: I really, truly don’t need to hear your answer!) 🙂
Sujatin, I tried blue ink, but it tends to fade, so I’m a black inker myself. And yes, I ink from a bottle: like you, a purist I am! 🙂
I’m glad you found an online Moleskine fix! Myself, I have a particular stationer in Harvard Square where I usually buy my Moleskines: going to the store & buying them in person is a part of the obsessive ritual! But I recently bought 4 Moleskines at a large chain bookstore because they were on sale & I didn’t have to spend the usual Massachusetts sales tax. So even I will break my own rituals for the sake of saving money!
Tom, the Buddha had scribes & disciples to write down or memorize everything he said, so his example is irrelevant here! 🙂 If you’ve ever asked Buddhist monks about their taste in meditation cushions & other Dharmic accoutrements, you’ll find that “professionals” of all stripes have clear preferences when it comes to the tools of the trade. Sure, we could scribble with just anything…but when given the choice, why not scribble with the best? 🙂
(PS: Before I got my super-fancy Waterman fountain pen, I swore by Parker Vectors, which are easily–and cheaply–accessible at CVS drugstores. After trying that Waterman, though, there really wasn’t any comparison…I’ve officially been ruined!)
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Jan 30, 2005 at 11:46 am
I’ve seen only five or six episodes of Seinfeld, I think, including the final one.
You ask: “Given a roomful of beautiful babes and only one condom, who would you pick?”
…and you expect me not to answer this kong-an?
My response: the one with the most wool.
“Baaaa! Weeeee love Keeeeeevin! Weeee love Keeeevin! Oooonly Keeeeeevin!”
Kinda’ makes you wonder what Thoreau, in his travels, left out of his journal.
K
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Jan 30, 2005 at 12:38 pm
Can I be nosy for a sec? What’s in that zippered case next to the bible dictionary?
Oh, and a male equivalent to sponge-worthy might be Kimono-worthy. 😉
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Jan 30, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Oops! No html allowed, I see.
http://www.mayerlabs.com/consumer/products/microthin.asp
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Jan 30, 2005 at 1:13 pm
I found some nice Miquelrius notebooks from Spain, similar to Moleskine but a bit cheaper, on eBay. I really like the feel of them, but I found myself holding back from rambling free-writing because I didn’t want to spoil them with junk! I think now I’ll save my Miquelrius for traveling. I’ve gone back to my cheap Mead 6×9.5″ spiral-bound notebooks for everyday use. The last purse I bought I made sure was large enough to fit these! And favorite pen: Pilot Precise Rolling Ball V7 (Fine) in either blue or black, depending on my mood.
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Jan 30, 2005 at 5:53 pm
Lorianne, that was fun! Yay!
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Jan 30, 2005 at 7:35 pm
Personally, I like those chunky 4×5 inch Mead notebooks with the plastic covers. Partly because they fit in a purse (I’m right with you there Lori!) and partly because, it’s great for one-liners–which is what I usually end up with when formulating poems and song lyrics.
It is tempting, sometimes to write other things in the book–shpping lists, directions to people’s houses–what with it being right there in my purse. But I refrain and carry a second pad of paper for those purposes. And yes, I recently had to upgrade my pocketbook size…
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Jan 31, 2005 at 6:07 pm
Kevin, I’m just glad that you aren’t turned on by women who shout “TMI! TMI!” If you get the chance to watch Seinfeld, do it! 🙂
Sylvia, the rebellious little Catholic in me is loving the fact that Hoarded Ordinaries is now proving to be a forum for prophylactic endorsements! 🙂 The zippered case on my God Shelf is an honest-to-goodness born-again Bible Bag. (It’s lying on its side since it’s too tall to stand upright.) Inside is the hardcover NIV Student Bible I used in college, complete with all my multi-color underlinings & notes from when I was an earnest, Bible-thumping Christian. Although I haven’t read it in ages, it’s a cherished possession since it’s filled with old bookmarks & notes from friends & loved ones: a spiritual heirloom of sorts!
Leslee, I’m finicky about spiral-bound notebooks: as a lefty, I’m always getting pinched! And I went through a roller-ball phase some years ago, but ultimately I just love the “glide” of a good fountain pen. I’ve long given up my attachment to “preserving” my Moleskines: these days I feel perfectly fine filling them with the most awful crap. That’s why I like *black* books: they aren’t pretty on the cover, and the scribbling inside them doesn’t need to be pretty, either.
Barbara, I’ve tried small, chunky notebooks…believe me, I’ve probably tried everything I could try! Ultimately, though, I write *looooooong* sentences, so I need a page that gives me room to think. I have a small Moleskine, for instance, but I just can’t get into the habit of using something that size.
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Jan 31, 2005 at 9:51 pm
Yay, those are the kind I prefer, too:)
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Feb 1, 2005 at 8:14 am
Just had a conversation yesterday with my builder concerning the tools of the trades. Whatever profession we take up, I think most of us require that our tools of our trade are top-notch- my builder was telling me that he has almost $250,000 in tools alone (not counting his excavator)!
I create alot of multimedia/graphic design works, so I’m an absolute snob when it comes to electronics. I have to have the absolute best. Sort of a badge of office and I think there is a little “one-upsmanship” involved as well. That and I just can’t stand being limited by the tools I use. Drives me nuts.
Being a graphic designer I understand the lust for the PERFECT pen/writing implements and journals. Like a warm, worn, cozy sweater, you just feel all the more comfortable when you sit down to create/pour out your soul if you you are using comfortable tools.
Have you checked out these guys? http://www.oberondesign.com/
I absolutely love their journal covers!
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Feb 4, 2005 at 4:31 am
John, I’m going to assume you mean large lined Moleskines versus the myriad other office supplies (and prophylactics!!!) recommended in this comment thread. 🙂
Dan, I’ve seen those journal covers, or ones similar to them. They’re gorgeous! Unfortunately, I’m rough on my notebooks, so I’m always afraid to have anything too fancy/pretty: my journals have to be ready to get down-n-dirty, and it helps if they are compact & lightweight, etc.
But yes, it makes sense that *any* artisan would want the best tools. It staggers me to think that I own a $200 pen…but since I use it every day, that’s not a huge investment over time, especially since I can *feel* how that expensive pen is better than a cheap one. If you’re doing something everyday, its a wise investment to have tools that work well & help you do what you need to do.
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Feb 4, 2005 at 12:03 pm
It came in the post today – large, lined. Maybe from the same place as Sujatin’s. My first. At 50. We’re about to spend the weekend together.
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Feb 5, 2005 at 2:00 pm
Ooooh, congrats on receiving your first Moleskine: enjoy, and prepare to become addicted! 🙂 You’re lucky: Sujatin’s purchase was backordered:
http://lotusinthemud.typepad.com/sujatin/2005/02/deferment_of_gr.html
Maybe you could click on over & compare where you shopped! 🙂
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Feb 6, 2005 at 9:48 am
Footnote. I’ve been reading only non-fiction lately – one of those weird, dry periods of famine in the midst of plenty when nothing in the towering bookshop piles appeals. Then, browsing idly in the Dulwich Village Bookshop on Saturday afternoon, I come upon the newly published UK paperback edition of ‘Oracle Night’ by Paul Auster – a fine writer who hitherto hasn’t quite done it for me. The back-cover blurb tells me it’s about a writer and his new notebook. With my first-ever moleskine breathing loudly in my backpack, I have to buy it, don’t I? And I’ve rarely enjoyed a novel more. Toying slickly with the idea of fiction, it still has all the traditional virtues of a terrific novel, drawing the reader into an array of vivid characters, relationships, palpable place, and deep emotional identification with the protagonist. Reminds me of why I’ve always loved Cortazar, the delight in form for once not at the expense of heart… Hmm. Of course I’ve been too busy reading to write anything, except this, in my new notebook.
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