The big 2-3

I keep meaning to write about my birthday, then forgetting. Mainly what I want to say is, if you have some burning desire to send me stuff, there are actually a couple things I need and don't think I can easily get here.

One: Some shoes. My old shoes are basically tatters from the abuse I've put them through. I'd like some sturdy ones that'll last me a while but aren't too clunky. The laceless Merrell mocs that I've worn in the past come to mind. Always did like those. But I'd be okay with a surprise. (I'm giving up on wearing shoes that let you feel like you're barefoot. It's not the same, and meanwhile the shoes fall apart like crazy. So any kind of sole is fine.) If you're going to send me shoes, let me know beforehand, so I don't go to Seoul and look around fruitlessly for a long time for a pair of my own, or order some from the internet.

Two: Some little journals. I don't want to take my 500-page journal out on my giant exploration of the world. What if I lost it? That'd be 500 pages gone. So instead I want to take along some that have maybe 100 or so pages apiece. That way if I lose one, no giant loss.

I'm kind of particular about journals, so here are specifications. I use ones that are the dimensions of a regular paperback, give or take. They have unlined pages and no writing in them (except maybe a brand name). The covers are a material that isn't stiff but also won't tear. They're bound like a paperback, and the pages are meant to be permanent, not to come out. I think Moleskine makes a journal like this.

But the other option, especially given that Moleskine is expensive and might have limited options as to number of pages, is that I could just make my own, like I've been doing lately. I think I can get everything I need here except for the cover material. The cover of the journal I'm using now is made from some foam rubber I got from the Sunshine Foam Rubber Company in Cincinnati. Anything sort of leathery ought to do. Just as long as it's not stiff and it's also unrippable. Heck, I could probably do it with denim or something like that—that'd actually be kinda neat.

This is just for ideas if you want to send me something. It's not demands, and if no one sends me stuff, I'll be independent and find the stuff on my own somehow. I just thought I'd mention what I'm after at the moment.