... on motivation.

I got a parcel in the mail this week. In it is a blank Moleskine notebook (the brown-cover sort) and some instructions. See, I've joined The Sketchbook Project, where I get to hold on to this Moleskine for a few months and fill it with stuff, which I then send back to America. It meets lots of other sketchbooks filled with stuff and tours the country. It's even themed - mine is 'The view from up here".

I'm not sure why I was attracted to do this - after all, you have to pay to do it, and I could have gone to the shop and bought the same Moleskine to fill and keep if I'd felt the urge. Maybe it's more about being sent a notebook and being expected to fill it - it's a motivating factor. I wouldn't be filling a notebook otherwise - and creatively speaking, it's promising!

How promising is a blank notebook? I can't resist!

... on a little bit of customisation.

"So, uh, Moleskine."
"Si?"
"You know how you are always... well, kinda the same?"
"Si."
"Every year, the same."
"Well, you know how it is. That is somewhat the point, no?"
"Maybe. I guess I bought a red one last year and it just didn't work out so well."
"Esattamente!"
"Well, this year I'd like to try something new."
"..."
"Just hold still now."
"Madonna mia! OW!"
"..."
"...!"
"There! That's more like it!"
Happy New Year!