Book 1 Re-Traverses the Atlantic

I explained in this earlier post my friend Big Pete's physical setback. And although book 1 was headed for his London home at the beginning of the year, today I received back from Mrs Big Pete that same moleskine journal.

From what I know, Big Pete's recent surgery went fairly well, considering it was invasive and intended to catch cancer in a sensitive part of the body. In her note with the returned book, Mrs Big Pete expressed her wishes that we get a journal back to him when he's in better health and able to do such things.

Here's a picture of the journal (beige with the blue handprint) next to Mrs Big Pete's note (beautiful cursive) and Royal Mail envelope, all on top of my pile of ultimate and ikea magazines

Inspiration

Above is a photo of the paper bag Angela and I practiced our hand prints on before stamping the spine of our Journals. Quick background for those visiting this page for the first time: my friend, Angela, and I decided to begin a project for 2009 that involves sending moleskine journals to friends internationally and ask for their contributions to the project. This blog follows the 3 journals and the people, setbacks, and stories surrounding them.

Quickly, I want to thank Andres for getting onto the website and sharing the photo of his daughter as well as giving an update for Journal 3. I also need to mention something about Journal 1. I'm going to make an appeal for your help today. 

Journal 1 initially went to my friend, Pete, in London. Pete recently discovered he had cancer in his throat area.  Because of this invasive disease, and procedures to remedy it, Pete has had to put many things on hold... I wish he were able to go on his planned trip to DC to visit GW friends. 

I'm bringing this all up to ask for your help. I want you to please take a couple minutes to touch Pete amid this trying time. I'm asking you, in the comments section of this post, to put up a joke or a recent story of yours. And hopefully he'll check the page and see a few heartwarming or humorous stories from the small community surrounding these Moleskines. Tomorrow is Pete's birthday and I'm planning to send him the link to this blog in a Happy Birthday email. 

Pete, if you're reading this, please click the comments link at the bottom right of this post. I'm looking forward to visiting with you when you're better - and seeing a story or memento from you in Journal 1 or on this blog whenever you're ready. 

Happy Birthday big man! I love you. 

Journal 3 has reached CH!

Hi there! Journal 3 has reached Switzerland (Zurich), Jan 14, 2009, thanks Angela! It's still too early on Wednesday morning, so not much inspiration yet to write meaningful stuff...
Could not find a baby picture of mine - so a Crate of Beer on a Sledge with my daughter will have to do :-). Tough mountain life we have here... Take Care, Andres

welcome!

Hi there! Yes, indeed, as Ben said, the journals have gone out to the world, and we await word from the recipients (Pete, Kate, and Andres). And I do wish that we'd taken pics of us sitting on the couch, thinking, writing, talking... or having Tiana paint our hands so we could make handprints on Books 1 and 3. But, since we didn't... we'll have to upload individual pics, or Ben and I can get together and take one together so you can put faces to the names. I was trying to find a characteristic recent pic of me, but I'm struggling a little. I'll get one up here soon. Meanwhile, here's a little kid version of me:

the journals have entered the world

New Year's Eve 2008, Angela and I literally joined hands in releasing three Moleskine Journals into the wide world.

On the couch New Year's Eve, we penned our opening pages and even decorated the Moleskines' covers (well, 2 of the 3 cahiers' covers). Looking back on the morning, I wish Angela and I would have photographed the event. To document it, and to set the example... Cause we want people who find the book to include pictures on this blog as well as stories (if they feel compelled).

Primarily, we're really excited to see friends (and friends of friends...) start posting that they've received the journal. Angela wrote a few weeks ago "it'd be cool to be able to see where the book has gotten to - before we get it back."

This blog is here so that "people can go to it and add comments when they receive the book... make this a multimedia event."