Writing Prompt
Sigrid Nunez’s cure for writer’s block: Start with the words “I remember…”
Notebooks of the Week
Ted
On the latest episode of the podcast, we introduce a new segment: the notebook of the week. The very basic idea is to point at a notebook that’s outside of our main stream of Field Notes and Dapper Notes. And heck those will probably make an appearance, too. How long will this segment endure? Based on past examples, it’s a roll of the dice.
Our first notebook of the week are blank-paged, brightly covered pocket notebooks from ThreePotatoFour, a designer and outlet in Media (really? wow what a name), Pennsylvania.
The exercise brings to front of mind my snobbish tendencies when it comes to notebooks. Since gravitating to the power notebook producers (Field Notes, Dapper Notes, Write, Leuchterm, etc. etc.), my attitude has soured towards your average cute notebook without a real brand and lacking perhaps in that top-drawer quality we pore over. You know, the notebooks you find in gift shops and book stores throughout the land that offer a fun cover and interior paper of wildly divergent quality. Maybe there are some poorly thought out ruled lines in there, peppered with distracting headers or inspirational quotations.
A favorite local shop — Anvil Cards in Houston — has put my snobbery to a curious test, releasing a line of notebooks that are made locally and festooned with every manner of fantastic cover designs. These books are irresistible: pocket-sized, toothy covers, very Texas-y — and one thing about us Texans is that we never shy away from our very Texanity. Is the paper Tomoe River-level perfect? No. Are the ruled lines a little wonky? Sometimes, at least they were the last time I was in. Should that detract from their wonderfulness? If there was an easy answer, we wouldn’t have started an entire podcast about notebooks and their use. But I think I know which notebooks will be featured in our Notebook of the Week segment someday soon. If it still exists.
The reading continues… Vertigo by WG Sebald
Book club
We are reading Vertigo by WG Sebald and invite you to join along. You’ve got to get into the Sebald headspace: wandering as a viable creative venture (the flaneur, anyone?); cities and their layers; hauntings by dead poets. Vertigo includes taking notes in European cafes and German diaries from the 1980s. So: relevant to your interests.
Sebald’s novels are, as much as anything with a plot can be, unspoilable. You can listen to our upcoming episode before reading the book. The Guardian recommends starting with The Emigrants or Austerlitz as an entry to Sebald.
From My December Notebooks
Adam
Suddenly everywhere: Electric blue
I want to kiss every bug but they are so small and my lips are so strong.
The Denim Jacket
Ted
My denim jacket project (mentioned recently on the pod) has: challenged me to learn very basic sewing; inspired a kind of entertained revulsion from my children; and brought my way an endless stream of compliments. Just two nights ago a waitress, I’d guess she was in her 20s, took a few seconds from her labors to drop me a compliment (I have multiple witnesses). My sense is that when folks lays eyes on an object0 that is clearly and visibly hand-made or -modified, with lots of bright colors and logos, a few of which they find familiar, the jolt of unexpected pleasure compels them to say a word. And look, I’m no hero, just a normal guy with a fabulous jacket. I know that the little dopamine hit the jacket inspires doesn’t put me up there with Lagerfeld or Pharrell. But if my Thor and Elvis Costello patches, my Strokes and Pogues flair, can brighten someone’s day just a little as they muddle on through, well, that’s enough for me.
My 11-year-old daughter was kind enough to model the jacket. She is my harshest style critic, but isn’t that a kind of love, in its way?
January Pods
194: Ted makes his own stationery and we highlight a notebook by Three Potato Four.
193: We’re frozen and out of our minds in this episode. Have a good one!
192: We discuss books built from taking notes: Ernaux, Gabbert, and more.
Get in touch and support this endeavor
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Take care!
Good lord that is a fine looking jacket.
A few thoughts ... Its great to actually see The Denim Jacket. Its more glorious than I imagined.
The way the front pockets are structured, makes denim jackets great for carrying a notebook on the inside.
And speaking of different notebooks, have either of you tried Log and Jotter. I've recently become aware of this brand. They seem to have an unusual subscription model but their designs look interesting.