Notebook-worthy Transition as Another School Year Begins
I previously shared the heroic journey of my former executive desk, Woodley. Woodley transitioned from a long and productive life as my furni-companion in a quasi-hipster urban work venue to service for an inspiring home-based Ebayer entrepreneur in the college town of Fort Collins.
Woodley's metamorphosis parallels my own. I am back to an office much closer to my home and heart, also in a college town (for me, Boulder, Colorado).
For months I have tried to find a new home for my large cache of fancy binder/notebooks. These notebooks--- many used but once if at all--- were about to become dumptser fodder. I could not let these wonderful notebooks be trashed, so they were temporarily relocated to my garage. Each time I entered the garage I looked wistfully at my 2-ring associates. Many were adopted and currently reside in my new Boulder office. But I could not house them all. Early efforts to "rehouse" via local social media drew a deafening silence.
Why doesn't the world seem to love my Bindertek notebooks ---with their fancy, alternative mechanism and bright colors--- as much as I do?
Autumn's pending arrival is hinted at by cooling breezes and return-to-school activities. This is the season of school supplies; perhaps this is the season for my notebooks' new life, too.
The "I Have a Dream Foundation" [IHAD] is a wonderful national organization. Its Boulder branch is particularly active and impressive. A dear friend introduced me to this education-focused group. IHAD aims to motivate and empower youngsters from lower-income backgrounds. The organization uses mentoring, special programs and tutoring to help children achieve their academic and professional goals. Often these young students lack the basics. After checking their website's "Donate" section and confirming with their staff, thirty-plus notebooks made the journey from my garage to the IHAD office. My shelves and heart felt lighter!
One of life's pleasures for me has always been office supplies. As a kid I agonized over the annual purchase of a new lunchbox and pencil case. Three years at Stanford Law School confirmed my belief that the quality of a school bookstore is a good measure of the school itself; if you are going to have to spend money on books and markers, you might as well enjoy the shopping experience. As an attorney, my enthusiasm for supplies continued. Trial preparation always included the purchase of some fresh legal pads and a new "comfortable" pen or three. When I started at a new firm, I was keen to consider the letterhead and chance to restock my supplies.
With my law practice now, I carefully selected notebooks I would need from my ample collection. They are lined up, by size and color, awaiting new documents and challenges. Briefly, I hesitated to give away the excess of my notebook nursery. But, more importantly, I realize that my shared notebooks (with a fancy mechanism and a place to announce the owner's name) may help a youngster on their own journey as a student embarking on a new school year. May "my" notebooks collate and hold dear that child's pride and eager anticipation for learning. [Over time, maybe that student will also know the thrill of index tabs from the sets I donated--- it is a slippery supplies slope, after all!]