men who write in or keep journals

[Katzenjammer]

One more journal-keeper, here. I started the practice as part of a college English class and have kept with it, off an on, for 20 years. I have a shelf straining under the weight of all those marble-covered composition notebooks.

At times it's felt like a self-indulgent habit, but I think it still has a lot of value. It's nice to be able to read your own life story in black-and-white. When I revisit older volumes it's amazing how much day-to-day stuff I've forgotten about (even things that were a huge part of my life at the time). Or how many things that I was worried about in 1993 or '94 that wound up never happening.

And yes, it has kept my handwriting sharp.

 

[Doc Smith]

I guess I keep a journal, though I think of it as more of a logbook. In E.B. Wilson's _Introduction to Scientific Research_, he notes something on the order that a researcher without his notebook is effectively off-duty. The stack of lab journals I've kept over the last couple of decades has now evolved into a series of grid-paper Moleskines, which fit neatly in one inside pocket of a sportcoat. (The pocket protector full of pencils, technical erasers, pens, and telescoping pointers fits in the other inside pocket, along with the circular slide rule.)

In these journals, I write down the date at the top of the page, followed by a chronological listing of everything worth noting during the day: morning exercise, chores completed, start and end times for billable work done on different accounts, engineering sketches for components and assemblies needed for research projects, to-do and shopping lists, and the occasional bit of theoretical work (mostly work-related). Nothing patentable--there are formal logbooks for that--but whatever might help trigger my memory when it comes time to fill out a timesheet, or a monthly report, or write a variant on a less-recently-rejected grant application.

Most of my colleagues keep something similar. Some of the younger ones wax enthusiastic about the Livescribe system, which lets you computer search your handwritten notes. I'm waiting for thinner pens--and, of course, until I've used up my existing stock of Moleskine journals.

Poetry and angst, though--putting that in writing is not part of the tradition I follow.

 

[Tomasso]

Through my school years several English instructors required us to keep journals, and I complied, but it never stuck. That said, in my adult life I've been very diligent at keeping a calendar, which entails both business and social activities. I will often make a brief commentary on the outcome of these engagements (mostly for biz) but nothing as elaborate as a journal. But at the end of the day it provides a brief outline of my daily activities going back years and years.

 

[Big Man]

I've kept journals on and off most of my adult life, but have been keeping one regularly for the past five or six years. I write in my journal every day. Sometimes it's just a line or two "it rained today" or "visited with friends" or some such. Other times it's a couple pages when I tend to get "philosophical" over things.

My Dad kept an appointment book/desk calender (he was a school Principal for 30 years). I have his books from around 1952 through 2008. Dad kept track of everything. It is interesting to look through some of the older books and see what teacher called in sick, or what student had some special situation going on, or who won a basketball game, etc. Not only is it interesting to read about the mundane things of life, but to read about the significant events such as when President Kennedy was assassinated or when Armstrong walked on the moon. Just reading through his notations from day to day helps me stay connected with his memory and the times in my life that were significant.

 

[Beaubeau]

Rorschach in Watchemen keeps a journal (although Rorschach can keep the crazy), and I've always wanted one like his with the dates of the years stamped in the cover. I'm going to reckon I'll have to letter punch the leather myself.

(Watchmen Spoilers if you care for that sort of thing here, here's just the journal from the movie it looks just like the one from the comic)

 

[Undertow]

Through my school years several English instructors required us to keep journals, and I complied, but it never stuck. That said, in my adult life I've been very diligent at keeping a calendar, which entails both business and social activities. I will often make a brief commentary on the outcome of these engagements (mostly for biz) but nothing as elaborate as a journal. But at the end of the day it provides a brief outline of my daily activities going back years and years.

This reminds me of Irving's Icabod Crane who marked which households made the best meals for future residential accomodations.

 

[djhatman]

Several times have started one but they never took. I have been thinking about it again but the reality is it will probably not go any where beyond a thought.

 

[Historyteach24]

Personal Journal Keeping

Hello,
I was curious who on the lounge is a devoted journal keeper? I have been thinking about this topic for a while but I have never gotten around to asking the forum. One of the highlights of my day is when everybody goes to bed and I can sit at my desk and reflect on the day. Today was a rough one so there happens to be a nightcap next to my journal....don't judge . I really think it is a lost art that more people should embrace. What got me started was a great post on the artofmanliness.com about why people should keep journals. http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06/07/30-days-to-a-better-man-day-8-start-a-journal/

 

[hatguy1]

I don't journal, but probably more for lack of available time than lack of interest. I do blog, but have lately not felt very inspired to do that. (I hope I haven't been doing technical work so long, I've lost my journalistic/creative writing aspirations....)

 

[Historyteach24]

Don't let time stand in your way! It takes me 15 minutes right before bed to write in my journal. I encourage you to pick it up!

 

[hatguy1]

I'll have to consider it, my friend. As I say, the idea's always been appealing.... And your AoM article certainly offers some great points for why to do it (e.g., won't always remember details years later).

 

[Historyteach24]

Yes, I think the article is very informative and does a great job of explaining why to start. Once I started though I have found so many more advantages. I struggle with depression and mood problems from time to time and I have found that by keeping my journal I have lashed out less and been able to constructively channel that frustration into my journal writing rather than being a jerk lol

 

[gtdean48]

Most executive coaching methods stress journaling. It is a good way to be reflective but also to think strategically & creatively.

 

[hatguy1]

....I have found that by keeping my journal I have lashed out less and been able to constructively channel that frustration into my journal writing rather than being a jerk lol

Yes, but then it becomes libel once you put such things in print:

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I keep leather bound journals going back for the last 13 years or so. I find that they are great therapy.

The are excellent for reference and for remembering the details of trips, where I was when, and what I was thinking on certain dates. It's pretty amazing to reference what was going through my head on 9-10-01 and then on 9-11-01, or the day I got married, pretty amazing stuff.

It's an opportunity to get out the Meisterstruck and practice some penmanship.

I worry a little what someone someday may think of me when they read them. They re unexpurgerated. I think also that when I die they will probably be scattered to the four winds.

I recommend it though. It's visceral and immediate to see your handwriting at certain moments of time. Nothing electronic captures that for me. My Royal duo tone typewriter does, but it's impossible to type into a journal.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Years ago I tried keeping a journal of the outdoor sporting things I did. I was inspired by the likes of John Audubon, Aldo Leopold, Nash Buckingham and Robert Rurark who kept beautifully written journals replete with sketches of the biology they encountered and the events they observed. My journal writing quickly came to naught, though.

First, I found that to sketch animals, plants, events or anything else, one must have some tiny bit of artistic ability, which I don’t. Ducks, dogs, deer and squirrels all looked alike in my journal. So did shotguns and boat oars. Second, I discovered that the outdoor things I did were quite boring when viewed retrospectively. Reading what I had written about them was even more boring. I never shot a limit of Canvasbacks after watching a heart-stopping Core Sound sunrise. Instead, I shivered in a freezing rain for six hours and then went home having seen not even a merganser.

Note to journal: Toyed with hypothermia from five this morning until lunch. Sensation still not fully restored to left foot. Saw no ducks.

I never fought a five hundred pound marlin for three hours at the edge of the Gulf Stream…and I never caught a brown trout on a six-weight rod in the Rockies. I never even snatched a ten pound largemouth from under a mat of lilly pads.

Note to journal: Caught five pinfish, two small croakers and an oyster toad at the jetty today. Ate supper at McDonalds.

I didn’t hunt and fish with Teddy Roosevelt or Earnest Hemingway or Ted Williams. I hunted with regular old guys in a hunting club…or I did until North Carolina began prohibiting convicted felons from possessing long arms and almost everyone in my club had to quit.

So, after two or three seasons of writing stuff that not even my grandchildren would want to read…and drawing stick figures of dogs and deer in the margins…I laid down my journaling pen forever.

AF

 

[gtdean48]

AF you are as good as the humor writers in many outdoor mags I read. JMHO LOL

 

[hatguy1]

AF you are as good as the humor writers in many outdoor mags I read. JMHO LOL

Agreed. And AF, I LOVE your avatar.

 

[hatguy1]

Don't let time stand in your way! It takes me 15 minutes right before bed to write in my journal. I encourage you to pick it up!

OK, my friend; I took my first step tonight and began a journal entry. Time will tell how faithfully I keep up this practice, but at least I took step.

 

[Historyteach24]

Proud of ya! Keep it up, and the best advice I have is to write everyday even if nothing special happens. It can be a time for reflection and venting