racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

If you have a taste for the finer things in life, then you should get yourself a Moleskine notebook. It’s the Macintosh of notebooks. It’s the Rolls Royce of notebooks. It’s not only about the price or the visual appeal. It’s all about the sensual experience that you get from using these beautiful pieces of work. Hey, that’s why I use a Mac for my writing work. And when I’m off the grid, ordinary pen-and-paper just won’t do. My Moleskine notebooks helps me get the most out of my disconnected moment, whenever needed.

Creative types work best with good tools and a conducive environment. So if you’re serious about your art or craft–be it writing, drawing, or maybe even taking notes–do something about it. Make sure you come up with the best output by using the right tools and being at the right state of mind.

Moleskine notebooks were previously unavailable in the Philippines, but now moleskineph.com is distributing locally. They don’t have a brick-and-mortar store, though, so you have to check out their online catalog and order by email. Prices range from PhP 750 to PhP 900 for the small notebooks (sets of three or so) and PhP 1,250 for the big ones. Not bad, since these usually retail in the US for about US$ 15 to US$ 20.

With Christmas nearing, I think a Moleskine would make for an excellent gift for your loved ones–a good alternative if you can’t just afford a MacBook Pro for each of them just yet.

Got my Moleskine notebook in the mail last Friday. It was sent in by a generous US-based Pinoy reader who read about my interest in the notebooks. I was actually putting off going to the post office as I thought the notice was for my latest batch of Ubuntu CDs (Dapper Drake), which I already have a copy of (care of Jason), and thus could afford to wait. But I was also expecting the notebook. Good thing it had already arrived.

I can say it’s teh cool and it’s teh sexy.

Actually, what makes the notebook cool isn’t the material or construction itself, but the way people are so passionate about their using their Moleskines, whether for writing, drawing or getting-things-done. Well, the paper and the binding are teh sexy, too. It’s in the way you can lay the notebook flat on a table (perhaps while drawing or sketching) and the way that the paper absorbs ink or pencil graphite.

At any rate, I think pictures speak louder than words. So I’ll just post a few photos here.

The package itself. Okay, nothing interesting.

Still in plastic wrap. Can’t wait to open it.

Out of the plastic cover. Feel the texture of the cover and the paper. Mmm … sexy paper.

The notebook comes with a set of stickers (or a postcard). Great for sticking on your laptop lid or wrist-rest, to remind you to write, write, write. Wait, what are we going to use the notebook for, then?

Laid flat on its back, the pages stay still. Told you so.

The back cover has an expanding pouch, for keeping those tickets, stamps, cards, or perhaps some currency or even a pencil.

If you’d like to learn more about the Moleskine, I found a blog that regularly features stories, artwork and testimonials from artists and writers who use (or used) the notebook and Moleskine enthusiasts alike. Do mosy over to Moleskinerie.

As for my notebook, I’ve yet to decide what to use it for. Am mostly online/electronic these days, but having something on paper would be cool for a change.