City Moleskine Effect:
The feelings of reminiscence and melancholy that arise from the title of City Moleskines, accompanied by frantic joy and breathlessness caused by the prospect of returning to those certain cities to further fill one's Moleskine.
The feelings of reminiscence and melancholy that arise from the title of City Moleskines, accompanied by frantic joy and breathlessness caused by the prospect of returning to those certain cities to further fill one's Moleskine.
Some time ago, I had complained of an imperfection in my plain pocket Moleskine (Nothing major, but it was rather a disappointment to have a loose thread and folded pages when I tore off the vinyl cover and flipped the book opened with anticipation. Moleskine asked us to report any defects via email if we found any, so I did.) to the required address and like always, they courteously apologised and promised me to send a new one.
This business of getting a new Moleskine for a defected one is somewhat exciting and pleasing, because firstly, you get to wait for a parcel from Milano, Italy, and how many times do you get to wait for a parcel from Milano, Italy, if you don't personally know anyone who lives there? Also, this means you can keep the old Moleskine, which would, in most cases, still be usable but with a little defect. It feels like getting a special 1+(defected) 1 sale with shipping costs covered. Which is how it should be, for the dilemma-raising price you have to pay for this marvelous but rather small commodity.
Today, the replacement Moleskine was a plain one, but it gave me a chance to look over to the Moleskine shelf and turn the pages of my City Moleskines. For me, the name of cities bring back a flood of memories seeped into my heart. All those feelings and facts that I had considered lost, they surface at the mention of 'London' or 'Paris' from the depth of my mind and bring with them a kind of faded wooden colour and the smell of an old book; also a mixture of feelings, much like the cloudy water you get when you swirl a bottle of sea water with sand inside.
Past memories may give one a melancholy and reminiscent blurring of eye-focus, but the prospect of filling in the still empty and uncreased pages bring a twinkle to the eyes. When will I go back? What will bring me there? Who will I meet, and how many of the old haunts will I be able to visit on my return? These are all breathtaking prospects that bring at once the joy of imagination, of myself walking the familiar streets again and remembering my younger days with a smile, but also the aching pain in my heart and a jealousy for anyone in the world who will be going there before I do, because I am uncertain of when I will return, afraid I may forget fond memories should the visit be prolonged.
..I tell you, this Effect can be fatal.
