Month: October 2009

Some of My Favorite Rules

The website 1001 rules for my unborn son got me thinking about some of the rules I have for my life. Thought I would put down my own and list some of my favorite from 1001.

  • There is always time for a lemonade stand.
  • Perfect at least one recipe, steak doesn’t count.
  • Obstacles are ways of demonstrating our dedication.
  • Don’t complain, just work harder.
  • Take the new guy out to lunch.
  • Never swing at the first pitch.
  • Carry a pocket knife.
  • Learn from criticism.
  • X never, ever, ever makes the spot.
  • When excusing yourself from the table, you need not give a reason.
  • Stand up to bullies. You’ll only have to do it once.
  • Become an expert in something.
  • Never turn down a girl’s invitation to dance.
  • Order the local specialty.
  • Learn to drive a stick shift.
  • Never side against your brother in a fight.
  • Memorize the Bill of Rights and your favorite poem.
  • Keep your eye on the ball and follow through. In sports and in life.

189. Learn to drive a stick shift.

where there is no path and leave a trail.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Haven’t heard this song in a long while. It is an old Boy Scout hiking tune that seeps of longing and sadness. Makes me miss camping on cool fall mornings:

The Happy Wanderer

I love to go a-wandering,
Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back.

Chorus:
Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri,Val-dera.
My knapsack on my back.

I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun,
So joyously it calls to me,
"Come! Join my happy song!"

I wave my hat to all I meet,
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet
From ev'ry green wood tree.

High overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam.

Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die!
Oh, may I always laugh and sing,
Beneath God's clear blue sky!

One Notebook to Rule them all

One of the rules of my organizational methodology is that everything that I write on paper goes into a single notebook. I keep a single notebook and each and every page is titled, numbered, and dated. Each notebook is numbered and range dated when finally filled. This means that I carry a notebook with me most of the time and, therefore, the quality of the notebook means a great deal to me.

Now I can already hear people screaming “MOLESKIN” to me; but the problem with Moleskin is that they are pretty darn expensive (remember everything I don’t type on the computer goes into this notebook… it can fill up VERY quickly) and they are generally quality overkill for something that basically holds todo lists and diagrams. Finally, Moleskins are really more about brand than need.

So my notebooks need to stand-up to punishment, not be too expensive, and have a useful layout that doesn’t make me feel like a third grader. The Foray Project Planner Notebook is EASILY my favorite. So for future reference (like when I need to order new ones:)

Where to buy: Office Depot

Description: These refillable notebooks feature smooth, white, premium bond paper and distinctive foil-stamped linen covers with high-quality double-wire binding. Each notebook contains perforated pages for easy removal as well as a date box on every page to keep you on track. There are 80 faint-ruled pages of 18-lb paper in each refillable notebook.

Item # 766134
Manufacturer # 99326FY
sheet size 8 3/5″ x 11″
number of pages per book 160
binding type wirebound
cover color Black
cover material 22 pt. linen 924 grain embossed
opening position right side
number of holes punched 0
paper ruling faint ruled
paper color white
paper weight 18 lb
acid free no
brand name Foray