New Addictions and Getting Organized

When I was in school, eons and ages ago, it was nearly impossible to find real wooden pencils. That makes no sense, I know. Apparently pencils that melt rather than burn was a stupid fad of the 80s, and damnit I wanted wood. Maybe it was my internal architect screaming to break free, maybe it was stubbornness, but nothing but a Dixon Ticonderoga would suffice.

Why am I writing about pencils? Well, I went pencil shopping this weekend, and darned if every pencil I found wasn’t real wood! As a matter of fact I didn’t see a single “plastic” pencil in the lot. I thought it would be as simple as it used to be to grab the only box of wood pencils on the shelf and be on my merry way, but nope. I had my work cut out for me in selecting just the right pencil, and I took my sweet time.

Why did I need a pencil? If I tell you I recently purchased and read Nick Cernis’ ebook, Todoodlist , most of you will probably begin to understand where my head is. Before that I was drawn in by his blog article Moleskine Notebooks: The Ultimate Guide (and how to rank your addiction), and I can only hope “How to Deal with Your Moleskine Addiction” is soon to follow, because I’m in danger of hand cramps as it is.

While I’ve been noticably absent from the blog world, I have been writing, and enjoying it! Never fear, I believe this trend of absenteeism will soon pass, because I’m building up ideas and thoughts on things to write here. I’ve been jotting down things that I think of that normally I would forget within minutes. So now when I sit down to write a post, I should have plenty of fodder.

So, what have y’all been up to?

Blogging vs. Journaling

I virtually surround myself with people I aspire to be like. Done it for years. Maybe we all do it. Most recently I’ve added several bloggers to my immediate internet circle, and while I just show up once in a while as a blip in their periphery, I do interact here and there. I’m not a blogger, but I enjoy bloggers very much. Hell, I’m not even a writer, but I play one in my mind. Maybe, by writing more often and surrounding myself with these inspiring folks (most discovered via the crafty Men with Pens), I’ll get better at this. I know one thing.. I’m enjoying it so far!

As it is, I just blurt a post out here and there, because let’s be honest, all this is is my personal journal. It’s not a blog by any means. It has no focus. It’s… practice, if you will. I’m dipping a toe into the waters and deciding if I really want to go swimming. I love swimming, but it may not be what I want to do right this moment. Time will tell. In the meantime I’m going to expend some effort and do some actual design work for myself. A new feel for this site is definitely on the list, which apparently means a WP upgrade, so stay tuned!