...A few of my favorite things

Despite the myriad of pencils I try out, there are few that I use every day for writing at work, home, and so on. Some of them are too specialized, and some of them (like the Blackwing) are too expensive to risk losing. So I keep those in my awesome Frank Sinatra cigar box full of pencils, and just keep a choice few around to use. Here's a quick list of my reliable ol' standbys:

• On my desk California Republic Palominos with eraser
(Product Page)

Actually, everyone in my office uses these because I bought them all a box for Christmas.

They are smooth, dark, and feel great in your hand with their heavily-lacquered barrel. And the bright colors of the orange and blue make them easy to spot on a cluttered desk.

These are where I keep around to update my to-do list, write in my calendar, and take my various and assorted notes at work.

• In my pocket: A Zebra #2 mechanical pencil

GASP -- I know, I am a traitor! Here I am, using this blog as a mouthpiece to profess my love of woodcased pencils, how the writing process is so pure, so sensual, blah blah bah. And then I go and tell you that a (shudder) mechanical pencil is one of favorite writing instruments.

Well, this little guy is a lot different than your standard mechanical. First of all, look at it! It looks like a woodcased pencil. Sort of.n You press on the eraser to advance the lead.

Secondly, the size is perfect. Unlike a standard 7" long pencil, this comes in at just under 5 inches, making it perfect to slip into your pocket. You can put it in your shirt pocket without it peeking out the top, you can put it in your pants pocket without it poking you in the thigh, and ladies, you can put it in your purse without it blocking everything from naturally shifting as you move. And it won't poke holes in the lining.

Yes, sometimes for the sake of convenience, we have to make sacrifices and compromises. In order to be mobile, I will use a mechanical pencil so I can retract the graphite tip. This is the perfect pencil for the job.

I'm afraid Pencil Things doesn't carry it, but you can buy a dozen of them at Office Depot for less than five dollars.

• For my meetings and tasks: A Moleskine Planner + Notebook

As you probably already know, I am somewhat obsessed with office supplies. I spend way more time reading and writing about them than is normal. Going hand-in-hand with that obsession is an obsession for personal organization and time management. Because of that, I love 43 Folders. It's a site dedicated to the GTD (Get It Done) mentality and tricks people use to stay organized. In December, I posted a plea on the forums to find what I consider to be the perfect weekly planner. I won't repost the whole thing here, but here's a snippet:

For most of my adult life (well, high school and beyond), I have been on the search for the perfect weekly planner. For a while, I was convinced that I found it in the mid-sized Gallery Leather weekly planner, but as I switched jobs, and realized that I need to keep an active to-do list for myself, I've realized that it doesn't do for me what I want it to.

See, I've tried and tried and TRIED to computerize my planner and to-do list. I have a Mac at home and at work, and I love them! I even love Apple's software (especially the Leopard OS X upgrade) iCal and the Mail app. But I have found that as I start out updating it diligently, I just fall out of the habit of using it if it is on the computer. I also love the Google Calendar interface, but I run into the same thing. I just need paper.

Here's where I need your help -- below is a list of requirements. Do you use a planner fitting these criteria? Are you looking for the same thing I am?

Link

And then I go on and on with my — dare I say it? — anal retentive requirements.

It was a hit, apparently, with 60 comments written back to me, most of them telling me that I pretty much described the Moleskine Planner + Notebook, a weekly planner on the left page and a blank lined page on the right to put my to-dos. So I went out and bought one, and they were right — it is perfect. Well, almost. Unlike most Moleskine notebooks, the cover isn't rigid. It is nice and soft, but fairly pliable, so I pretty much have to write with it on a hard surface.

I do use it everyday, since in my job I am often bombarded with meetings. I keep my to-do list on the blank page, along with shopping lists and what-have-you. It's a great tool.

I got it at Barnes and Noble for about $20, which would be considered to be a lot in some people's perspective, but I totally think it was worth it. You can probably find it online if you do a Google search for "Moleskine Planner + Notebook".

I hope that you were able to take away some inspiration for some valuable scribomechanical tools in my array of ever-burgeoning supply of office products.

Tell me, what are some pencil things you use every day? Use the comments to share!

—Andy Welfle

Comments

[jgodsey]

I keep trying other pencils, but none of them compare to the Palomino.

[slywy]

This (along with pens, correction fluid pens, ink erasers, scissors, etc.) is what is in my Mead Five-Star pencil case right now. It will change as time goes by.

Pencils:
- Ticonderoga Noir
- Palominos (orange, blue, no eraser)
- O'Bon HB (orange) and 2B (elephant skin)
- Faber-Castell 9000 4B
- Fluart color highlighter (orange)
- Prismacolor Verithin (blue/red combination)
- Koh-I-Noor Magic

Eraser:
- Pentel Clic
- Faber-Castell Dust-Free

Sharpener:
- Maped plastic single-hole (surprisingly good)
- Baumgarten dual-hole

Metal point protectors, Koh-I-Noor pencil extender

I also have some other things in my work bag, but this is what's in the case and I use most.

[slywy]

I like these particular Zebra mechanicals, too. They come in black and in "Cadoozles," which have colors and patterns. My only question is what I'm going to do for an eraser when theirs are worn away. You're right—they are ideal for bags and purses, and are a good length. A good complement to a tiny Rhodia.

I will try to come up with my list later.