Notebooks

[AJL67]

Since someone else bumped it. I design software and always use sketch books for all of my thoughts and ideas before doing wireframes, have a couple moving boxes full of them with designs from the federal air marshal internal portal i helped design to Nikes call center software and lots in between.

These are on my desk, here’s a shot from about 3 yrs ago the first sketch for the Sony PlayStation help site. It changed a good deal before build and launch but this was the start of it.

 

[didimauw]

I figured I'd drop an update to say that I've been using a Midori Traveler's Notebook with their monthly planner and 2 dot grid inserts. The first dot grid and planner are for work stuff and the other dot grid is a personal commonplace book. I really like the size and the ability to keep multiple books together in one neat little cover. Thanks @didimauw for the inspiration.

Hey! Glad you enjoy it! Mine is now used strictly as a travel journal. So stickers and things I get from travels, like a scrap book. Been using mine since 2017 now!

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I'm not sure if I posted in this thread already and I'm too lazy to look. But has anyone else here suffered from the "blank notebook syndrome"? Where you buy a nice notebook but are too afraid to write in it for some dumb ass reason? I recently was able to break out of this habit and am resigned to the idea that if someone finds them and decides to read my ranting once I'm dead well... why should I care? In the last month or so I've filled 1.5 notebooks with my often banal musings sometimes with crude sketches of my surroundings, and find a lot of pleasure in it.

 

[Sam Gamgee]

I'm not sure if I posted in this thread already and I'm too lazy to look. But has anyone else here suffered from the "blank notebook syndrome"? Where you buy a nice notebook but are too afraid to write in it for some dumb ass reason? I recently was able to break out of this habit and am resigned to the idea that if someone finds them and decides to read my ranting once I'm dead well... why should I care? In the last month or so I've filled 1.5 notebooks with my often banal musings sometimes with crude sketches of my surroundings, and find a lot of pleasure in it.

The most helpful idea I’ve ever come across when it comes to fear of the first blank page was, skip the first page and start writing on the second one. Just leave the first page blank and move on. I’ve done this and it worked for me.

 

[kcghost]

I have the fat fingers syndrome, so I prefer to have full-size keyboards, so I have a chance of hitting the right key, I usually but by a brand that is not Apple.

 

[crashthegrey]

Rhodia is my usual brand.

 

[solideogloria86]

I'm not sure if I posted in this thread already and I'm too lazy to look. But has anyone else here suffered from the "blank notebook syndrome"? Where you buy a nice notebook but are too afraid to write in it for some dumb ass reason? I recently was able to break out of this habit and am resigned to the idea that if someone finds them and decides to read my ranting once I'm dead well... why should I care? In the last month or so I've filled 1.5 notebooks with my often banal musings sometimes with crude sketches of my surroundings, and find a lot of pleasure in it.

I have definitely experienced this. You have this idea of the wisdom that should be contained in such a nice notebook and never "feel" like you have the qualifying material to record.

 

[didimauw]

I'm not sure if I posted in this thread already and I'm too lazy to look. But has anyone else here suffered from the "blank notebook syndrome"? Where you buy a nice notebook but are too afraid to write in it for some dumb ass reason? I recently was able to break out of this habit and am resigned to the idea that if someone finds them and decides to read my ranting once I'm dead well... why should I care? In the last month or so I've filled 1.5 notebooks with my often banal musings sometimes with crude sketches of my surroundings, and find a lot of pleasure in it.

I'm kind of going through the opposite for my journal. I started using Large Moleskines, and filled up two in 2 months. Then I decided the paper was too thin for me, and switched to something cheaper, with thicker paper. But I think I hate the notebook, and barely write in it now.

For my pocket notebook, I use Field Notes. I have 2 of the special editions, but I only really use the basic kraft ones. Every single one of them has needed to be taped back up before I was done with it. I beat the hell out of it, fill it up, and put in in the archival box. Then I get to start a new one.

 

[lifesizehobbit]

I've got a Midori Traveler's size and in a larger format, your basic 3-ring college ruled paper in a Murdy Creative suede binder.

Admittedly, I'm not much of a journaling type...but I love office supplies.

 

[Sam Gamgee]

I'm kind of going through the opposite for my journal. I started using Large Moleskines, and filled up two in 2 months. Then I decided the paper was too thin for me, and switched to something cheaper, with thicker paper. But I think I hate the notebook, and barely write in it now.

For my pocket notebook, I use Field Notes. I have 2 of the special editions, but I only really use the basic kraft ones. Every single one of them has needed to be taped back up before I was done with it. I beat the hell out of it, fill it up, and put in in the archival box. Then I get to start a new one.
View attachment 240306

View attachment 240307

Here’s one of my EDC Field Notes books, complete with coffee stains.

 

[Sam Gamgee]

I haven't written in my journal for a while but felt the urge recently and dug out the last Moleskine I'd been using. Turns out I'd not written for about three years. The typical obsession over penmanship was there with its accompanying anxiety, but I just worked through it. Some things will just always be there and a man has to just work through it.

It's strange how things like journaling come and go over the course of a life. In my experience, I believe there are many men who would love to write but never will. I've known men who won't give themselves permission to do anything creative because it doesn't seem manly. This has always seemed strange to me when it comes to writing, seeing how many great men have written over the years and how important their works have been to civilization. My own father was like this. He did woodworking, but if you'd have suggested to him it was an outlet for creativity, he'd probably have never done it again.

The famous bit from Thoreau comes to mind, about how most men lead lives of quiet desperation.

 

[jpberg]

Seems to be a difference between having to take notes in the field, and posing as a note taker.
I use Rite in the Rain notebooks and a mechanical pencil. Lead lasts forever, regardless of conditions, ink can disappear anytime.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Does anyone here combine lunting and journaling and call it as much in order to maximize the use of very annoying words?

 

[mso489]

Boy, this is a mind game with yourself, figuring out how to best gather your own thoughts. Sometimes a notebook that is too fancy and elegant makes you feel put on the spot in recording your thoughts, and something you hesitate to haul around lest it get lost.

Two main points I'd add. Whatever notebook or journal you select, it must spur you to write. For some this would be something utilitarian like a legal pad or steno, especially if you tend to rewrite the material into a device to reprint.

Secondly, if you intend this as a legacy to grandchildren, etc., you probably need to print out copies for all potential legacy readers, or a number of them, and actually have them bound like a master's thesis, and present them while you are still around. In post mortem clean-ups, frequently most things end up in the dumpster or at Goodwill, or in the burn heap. If you hand around actual copies, one or two people will probably take it seriously and preserve the writings as a family heirloom. People identify as readers and non-readers, and the non-readers would throw the Gutenberg Bible into the trash bin outside Walgreens.

 

[jpberg]

Does anyone here combine lunting and journaling and call it as much in order to maximize the use of very annoying words?

Well they will now. Stand by for bearded scribers tamping with a Mont Blanc.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Well they will now. Stand by for bearded scribers tamping with a Mont Blanc.

Actually JP, I recently placed an order for a custom Gandalf staff with a Moleskin sized podium on the handle so I don't have to assume the shitting in a ditch posture to write down my existential elvish thoughts.

 

[jpberg]

Actually JP, I recently placed an order for a custom Gandalf staff with a Moleskin sized podium on the handle so I don't have to assume the shitting in a ditch posture to write down my existential elvish thoughts.

Well, that’s different. Totally legit.