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I use cheap notebooks

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Re: I use cheap notebooks

#131

Post by LaffertyDev »

jrumbut wrote: post #119
LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

That page brings me back ten years and not in a good way, I can hardly read the text.

Yea, the site design isn't the best with the transparent-ish nav and low contrast. Certainly room for improvement there :)

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#132

Post by yamtaddle »

jasonpeacock wrote: post #83
LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

A similar approach I've heard (but never brave enough to do) is when you get a new car, intentionally scratch the paint yourself. Then you won't be as concerned about the inevitable dings and scratches it will accumulate.

Some guitar players do this. Scratch a new guitar so they can get over feeling like they need to treat it with great care.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#133

Post by yamtaddle »

jjice wrote: post #64

I'd love to get into using notebooks more, but I just don't think it's for me. I buy a stack of cheap legal pads (although I get A4 sized) and a box of cheap Bic pens that I think I got about 10 years ago. I tear pages off of the legal pad and staple or join them with a paper clip to keep them organized, but they end up being recycled when they're done. For long term stuff that I want to search, I `notes` directory w…

I always think I want to use notebooks, but end up just using the Notes app on my iPhone because I have it with me nearly 100% of the time and it syncs to my laptop and tablet. Any effort at using notebooks falls apart the first time I don't have one with me—out, or just in another room of the house—and need to take a note.

[EDIT] There's also the fact that, at this point, I write maybe a couple hundred words per year by hand, tops, not counting signing things, and am starting to get really bad at writing by hand, after a decade-plus like that. Like 50% of all the writing a do in a given year these days is probably filling in forms for doctors or whatever, and I don't do that much of that, and it barely counts as writing, really (name, address, that stuff)

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#134

Post by GavinAnderegg »

I really love having a work journal, and have been keeping one since 2004. Currently my favourite notebook is the Baronfig Vanguard Softcover. I prefer the "Flagship" size, which is just a bit smaller than A5. It's $13 USD for a pack of 3. They're well made, have great paper, offer a dot-grid, and each journal last for about 5-6 weeks of writing.

https://baronfig.com/products/shopvanguard?variant=206468150...

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#135

Post by err4nt »

I suffer the same problem and recently I've found those cheap $3 pocket-sized flip notebooks to be my solution, and so I have 1 in my office, 1 downstairs, 1 in the car and 1 in my coat pocket. I make sure to actually tear out old pages and throw them away so it's always fresh and nothing at all is permanent.

Biggest and best life change I've made in a while! Get some cheap notebooks and throw the pages away as you use them.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#136

Post by Symbiote »

vel0city wrote: post #89
LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

> Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. Its like the people with cabinets full of fine china that nobody eats off of for 50 years. My mother was one of those people. Growing up we had a large cabinet of fine place sets that we were always "saving" for some other time. I finally convinced her to start using it one hol…

When helping clear out a deceased relation's house, we found pretty much every piece of cut glass (wine glasses, whisky glasses, decanters, bowls etc) was chipped. That was a good sign that it had all been used and enjoyed.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#137

Post by pluijzer »

I found my favorite combination of notebook and pen. I really like the paper of the Clairfontaine A5 notebooks. They are cheap and available everywhere here. They paper feel very smooth, not grainy but still give a good friction when writing. Speaking of friction, I love the erasable Frixion pens from pilot. I hardly ever use the eraser but I love the feeling of writing with it. The 'clicker' variant of the pen fits nicely in the spine of the notebook.

I had one huge downside with this pen though, the ink disappears with heat. When I accidentally but my treasured dream journal on a hot radiator I lost over a year of dreams.

Also I always loved writing on the right page (I am right handed) but dreaded having to write on the back of the page on the left, no idea how to hold my hand to make the spine not be in the way. Recently I just flip the notebook upside down so the page is always on the right.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#139

Post by bityard »

jasonpeacock wrote: post #83
LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

A similar approach I've heard (but never brave enough to do) is when you get a new car, intentionally scratch the paint yourself. Then you won't be as concerned about the inevitable dings and scratches it will accumulate.

I live in the rust belt, where cars only look new for the first 3 years or so. After that, they are 100% guaranteed to have chips in the paint from 18-wheelers throwing rocks, rust on the frame/fenders from the salt, and dings from other people parking 6 inches from your door.

And if you own a prius in the midwest, it's not a matter of IF someone will key it in the parking lot of home depot, it's a matter of WHEN.

Re: I use cheap notebooks

#140

Post by criddell »

LaffertyDev wrote: post #78

It took me a while to get over the fear of destroying/using up nice things. Like enjoying a nice bottle of liquor, or using up a very nice notebook. Eventually I came across the idea that things are meant to be used, and now I'm much more relaxed about damaging/using up the things I own. I read once a stellar idea to help get over the fear of starting to draw in a notebook (or an art project, or a new software projec…

> I also just tried out the new "sidekick notepad" from Cortex. Very expensive (overpriced), but I was happy to support their work.

The sidekick notepad is a pretty nice idea, but $32 + $12 shipping is a lot for a 60 page pad.

I've been using a Notsu dot-grid landscape notepad (great paper!) but it's 8.5" x 5.5". I just wish it was larger. The Sidekick looks like a pretty nice size...

How hard is it to get custom pads made? I'm guessing non-standard dimensions are a bit of a blocker when you only want to order a dozen or two.

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