Author: writingatlarge

Writer of things

This week’s long run

This week’s long run was only 7k (easing into it), but fun and scenic nonetheless. My legs were sore when I set out and it would have been so easy to skip this run, but I told myself that I’d at least give it a try, and if it didn’t work out, I’d just cut my run short. This is a pretty useful trick to get yourself out the door, as once you’ve started running your inclination is not to stop.

I mixed up the route this time, going further north up Tel Aviv’s promenade instead of turning into the park. I still prefer the park because of its wildlife and relatively deserted footpaths, but it was nice to try something new for a change.

The weather was crazy, starting out grey and windy, then the sun came out and blazed on us (still windy though), only for it to start pouring rain outside the moment I finished my run.

Tel Aviv is gorgeous at this time of year, and there’s nothing better than exploring it with your feet.

Which Notebooks I’m Currently Using

I love reading about how other people use their notebooks and pens/pencils, so I decided to take the time to list what I’m currently using and how:

  • Field Notes Front Page – used in landscape mode with a Blackwing 16.2 to take notes while I work through the third draft of my novel. Something about the format of this notebook appeals to me, especially in landscape mode. I ignore the lines completely (easy to do, since they’re so faint). Also works well while I’m typing, since it’s thin enough not to get in the way. I just put it below my keyboard, a pause to jot a quick note when I need to.
  • Field Notes Dime Novel – I use this as a catch-all and home to do list notebook, using whichever fountain pen I have inked at the moment.
  • Moleskine Star Wars Lightsaber Duel – used as my daily journal, coupled with a Ti Arto with a uni-ball Signo 0.5 gel refill (UMR-85) and a Scotch glue stick to paste bits and bobs in. I’ve been using this combo for about two years now (with different Moleskine lined notebooks), and I couldn’t be happier with it.
  • Moleskine Large Squared  – used as my “bullet journal” at work. I’ve simplified the bullet journal system (removed the calendars entirely) and it’s now a daily checklist + work journal that serves to answer two questions: what am I going to do today, and what have I actually done. Keeps me sane and happy, especially when outages derail my day. I use a Zebra G-301 pen with this that I bought in Atlanta in 2012, and it is still going strong. I go through about a refill every two months, so this isn’t the most economical of systems…
  • Moleskine pocket square reporter – a new one for me. I’m using it to keep a running food journal, using a Retro 51 tornado slim graphite filled with a parker gel refill.
  • Paper for Fountain Pens notebook – together with sheafs of Tomoe River paper, this is what I use for my writing notes, quick drafts, and when I’m working through plot holes. I use whatever fountain pen I have going at the time, usually two pens with two different inks, Neil Gaiman style.
  • Moleskine two-go – I’m using this as my reading journal. I log all the books I read here. Previously I used two Field Notes Arts notebooks, but I ran out of them, so I moved to this. Using a Karas Kustoms grey RenderK in this, coupled with a Caran d’Ache Bicolor pencil to highlight things, and whatever other pencil I have laying around, for extra notes.
  • Baron Fig Three Legged Jester Confidant – using this to track my resolutions for several years now. Used to be my daily journal.
  • Moleskine softcover squared pocket reporter – using this to keep track of story ideas. I write in it with whatever is on hand.

A large pile of notebooks

This week’s long run, waterfowl edition

This week’s long run was my first after another bout of sickness. Ran just 6k and had a bit of a tough time with it, since I’m still coughing and I had to stop a few times to catch my breath.

That did allow me to take a few photos of a pied kingfisher fishing, and some little egrets chasing each other on the shore:

As usual, the only run that you’ll regret is the one that you didn’t take.

Vintage Friday: Boxes and Stapler

I love going to flea markets and rummaging for old things, particularly boxes to store stuff like notebooks and pencils, and old office supplies, which are oftentimes elaborately decorated and over engineered.

Three of my latest finds include an old army oxygen mask box, which I am using to store my used notebooks in:

An old wooden box that is currently empty, but will house my Blackwing Volumes pencils, I think:

And a byzantine looking stapler, which is completely non functional (doesn’t accept modern staples), but was too wacky to leave behind:

This Week’s Long Run

It was relatively breezy and it drizzled during most of today’s long run, but that just made for a refreshingly interesting run.

Check out these waves. There was a surfing competition going on, which was befitting these 3.5 meter waves.

Things were calmer in the park:

A very nice 8k run. I’m easing myself back to longer distances, and as I got pretty tired near the end, I’ll stick to my original plan and run another 8k next weekend before pushing up to 9 and 10k.

I tried one of the NTC app’s new post run workouts, and it was very nice, and brought me up to 100 workouts completed as an added little bonus.

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