August 16 2004, 06:59 PM My Newest Old Technology

Two pieces of an older world came upon my path this weekend, from completely opposite directions, matching pace with a bit of a journey to places south; in fact, farther south than I have ever been before.

I keep notebooks around. They collect things, accruing taped in bits of paper from our travels and words that I managed to nail down on the page with a pen before they can get away again. The previous volume was close enough to full to be retired. It is a handsome work of Nepalese paper craft, reinforced now with slightly frayed white gaffer's tape. It has become a pillowy thing: there is perhaps half again as much paper in it now as there was meant to be. Sometimes the writing side of the paper (proper) was a bit rough, but I liked it very much. A second example of such book craft is waiting in the wings, but I think if it is to become a journal it will stay at my desk.

Travel sometimes requires fresh starts; I bought a blank book. I have had several recommendations for Moleskine Journals slide past me. My experience with the thing is limited, but I will add mine to the pile: these are fine books. The pages at thick and take the ink of the most generous of pens with ease, with little show through. The bindings are sewn, and seem strong. The cover is simple and seems robust. The little extras like the ribbon and the fan-fold pocket in the back to not get in the way (but I do not think I will stuff this one as full as the last). I cannot yet speak to the durability of the thing, but I imagine it will do well, and others claim it will, too.

Also new is the happy pen I've used to cross it: a Namiki (Pilot) Vanishing Point fountain pen. These are wacky things: retractable fountain pens. They work, and work well. Near the tops of pages the pen turns my handwriting soft and rounded, better to read and write. The pen was a surprise, and a glad one: it has stepped to the front of the collection, and I like it much.