Looking at the images and snapshots of Yuki, one can’t help but sense the sheer sunniness of his disposition. They reflect the bright and cheerful colors and actions he has captured. Even his black and whites manage to convey that positive feeling. The work of this Rhodia notebook collector indeed is worth highlighting here. We need more of those type of people to put a smile in this sometimes challenging world. Have a nice  Friday everyone!

Flick photos via Yuki-kun 

A few months back, your Rhodia driver found this site by award-winning writer, Wilfredo Pascual, while searching stories about diaries and private notebooks. Scouring the vast online terrain, we stumble on Pascual’s excellent essay entitled, ‘”How “sincere” is a private notebook? how “true” is a confession? how “historical” is a memory?” In it, the writer expounds on the life and works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As cerebral as the essay may be, what struck us more about the blog is much earlier entry about body art. While others are content on making art on paper, others have chosen their own body to achieve their artistic purpose. We’re not going to show you the result of that experience by the author, but we will let you read about his explanation. In this equally enthralling piece, he would relate how he dealt with pain by listening to Byzantine music, Philip Glass and Michael Nyman in his iPod. Would you do the same? Read on here.

Via Secret Gospels, Sacred Sites

Every day, we continue to discover truly amazing and original images online. And we are in awe. Today is no different. Barely few minutes into our regular hunt, we came upon Nikolay Kovalchuk’s set of images, which include photos of his Rhodia notebook. But what struck us are the photos he had taken during his trips in Russia and abroad. One of those photos is an image of a cat peering through a window. Another is a dog taken next to a monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Yunnan province, China. Nikolay’s photos are not to be missed.

Flickr photos via Kobucha

“Seeking and Speculating : From the coast of Maine, ever musing upon life’s fascinating mysteries and living a pilgrimage of trust on earth. ‘La Vie Graphite,’ the Graphite Life- began in pencil, and continues as an equally erasable medium of varying tones. Heavy thoughts at times, but from a lighthearted soul- always glad to hear from kindred souls.”

Via La Vie Graphite

From the twin city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, we bring you Arktek, yet another Rhodia user, who is an architecture buff and an architectural technology student. This Radiohead fan also maintains a blog of the same name, where he records his musings about things related to his profession…and much more from Bill Moyers to chicken stew. As part of his major, they visit and study some architectural, and through his Flickr page, he captures the images of some iconic structures such as Frank Llloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater house pictured above. He also has some pictures of new buildings in Winston-Salem. Check it out guys.

Flick photos via Arktek 

Recently, we’ve been doing some research on fountain pens and other writing gadgets at Fountain Pen. We’re trying to survey the field and find out what kind of pens are best suited for a Rhodia notebook. While trying to figure out what’s out there, which in itself is a daunting task given the almost limitless line-up of brands and quality, we bumped into Russell Stutler’s site. Ah! The intriguing things you find online! Like a Japanese torii, Russ’ page is like a grand gateway that leads you to more things worth exploring. It has some comprehensive materials and higly-informative links, from sketchooks, comics and what else, Tokyo pens. Needless to say, we were blown away by the wealth of information we discovered. One of our most interesting finds is the Yatate. Truth be told we’ve never heard of it, which is kinda embarassing given the fact that we used to live in Tokyo. Our search continues for the fountain pen that’s best for Rhodia, and so far we’re enjoying the excursion as much as the diversion.

If there’s still any doubt that Aki Oda is a fan of the marine species, one only needs to check out the entries of his online spot on Flickr to know the real deal. Browsing through his photo collection, we discovered that this lad devoted a couple of pages on his site to these creatures of the sea, or more accurately, of the aquarium. We’ve had our share of cats and dogs here on RhodiaDrive. So it’s nice to find someone who is into fishes. This Nihonjin (Japanese citizen) also has an even bigger fascination with recording papers and pens, including Rhodia. So check out his collection and see it for yourself.

Flick Photo via  Aki

_ _ _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8.12.2008

It was last April when we first announced the “Where in the World is my Rhodia?” segment, and urged you guys to send us your photos. For our first trip, we went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and admired Santiago Calatrava’s Quadracci Pavilion. We were not able to keep up with the pace since then. So now, we’re very much eager to start the ball rolling again. And we need your HELP! Here’s the deal: Send us your best Rhodia shot at rhodiadrive1@gmail.com and write a short description of the photo. You can also post it on-line, on Flickr. Make sure to alert us so we can include your entry in our line-up. The best shots for the month will receive from RhodiaDrive this:

and this:

Last but certainly not the least, the person who can provide us with the location of the photo above, the name of the structure in the background and the architect behind the soaring masterpiece, will also receive a surprise gift from RhodiaDrive. So, as they say in Italian, ciao! But don’t forget to email us!

“We eat good food and listen to great music” is the tagline of the blog, The Food and Music Club. This thoroughly appetizing and truly entertaining nook in the Internet ether, first started in July 2005 with musings about Godiva chocolates, raspberries and world music. It was followed by an entry on a NYT-inspired egg salad and cream cheese pie, paired by the music “Sex Machine” by Konishi Yasuharua and “I’m Not a Know It All” by Clammbon. By July 2008, it would retain it’s charm with thoughts about ramen fix at a Japanese restaurant and churros. But there’s more. Our author also indulges in fashion and good taste. Last year, we also learned of her love for Rhodia notebooks. We can guarantee you that you’ll find it hard not to get hungry after checking out the site. So go ahead…

All photos and links via Food and Music Club.

Via  Taobao

Flickr Photo Via Sophia Liu

Via Museum of Notebooks

SO LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

P.S. If you guys happen to be in Beijing watching the games, do send us some photos! :)

On first impression, you can sense that there’s something Kafkaesque about Matt’s taste of the things artistic. You only need to look at the paintings and sculptures he chose to highlight on his on-line photo collection, to understand that. From the works of Picasso to Giacometti, they evince complication and often illogical quality. Then you’ll notice his Franz Kafka book, and you’ll fully understand why. When not busy reading the works of the Prague-born novelist, Matt indulges in Robert Desnos’ surrealistic poetry. And that too is prominently displayed in his desk, next to his notebooks and pens. Then, you’ll notice what looks like beer in a plastic cup. That one needs no Kafka to explain.

Flickr Photos via Matt

If you are an Avian enthusiast, you’ll find comfort and satisfaction, in discovering this bird-centric blog, Bird by Bird. We were actually reading a separate, but related site, Feathers of Hope, a Rhodia notebook-using geographer from the Bay Area, when we were led to this site. It’s a beautiful upshot of the author’s evident love of sketching and her involvement of The Big Green Big Year. So far, Pica has created 700 or so images. Instead of taking photos of her bird-sightings, she has resorted to sketching them, thus making use of her fine skills. Of her passion, she writes:

“Sketching birds makes you look at the bird hard. If you look hard enough, it makes the bird part of your psyche. This takes your head to a different place, one that is unfettered by obligations. I’m not particularly good, but I hope to get better. You do it enough, it gets easier. You see more.”

Via Bird by Bird

“A person with excellent taste in choosing things that are simple, cool, efficient, and beautiful. An artist in a broad and contemporary sense - his approach to life, his determination towards his work, his drawings, calligraphy, and photography, his affection towards his family, his blog entries… the list goes on and on. And I believe he’s one of the world’s most knowledgeable persons in the field of stationery. I have had the pleasure of meeting him in person, during which we discussed various topics over dinner and drinks (and with much laughter) - from daily life issues to work to travels to religion and to literature. I confirm that Patrick is a great guy, both on- and offline, and I’m honoured to know him.” — Songlines

Flickr Photos by Patrick Ng

The Spy In The Sandwich, is one of the most respected young writers in the Philippines, with two Palanca honors in his belt. The Palanca is the most prestigious awards in literature in the Philippines. Recently, he’s also been long-listed in the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize. He’s also one of very few best college buddies of this Rhodia driver. And so we indulged him with some Rhodia love recently. Here’s what he has to say:

Two things are guaranteed to make me happy on dog days: (1) a trip to a used bookstore, and (2) new notebooks. Don’t ask me why. I love notebooks. I have hundreds of them in my apartment in various stages of use.

Read the full entry here

According to Mandala Project, the word “mandala” is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. “It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself–a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.” This spiritual symbolism with deep connection to the Hindu and Buddhist faiths, reflects in the many works of Stephanie. Biffybeans, her alter ego, writes, that her mandalas “are generally created out of frustration.” We say, it’s product of artistic inspiration. We may not be able to graple with its meaning, or reach a transcendental plain, but we can certainly appreciate its aesthetic beauty. This “Ex Metalhead turned Artsy Metaphysical Hippie Chick” from the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania is also into vintage cars and fountain pens. We’re also very curious to hear and dance to the rhytm of her drums, because it looks like she’s a major player.

Flickr photos via Biffybeans

Here at RhodiaDrive, we take your opinion about the notebook seriously. We may, or may not like and agree with what you say, but we strive to present every point of view. Sure, we can disagree without being disagreeable. Not too long ago, New Yorker Nick of the “popular little black notebook” Black Cover reviewed the newly-released Rhodia Webnotebook. And this is what he had to say:

Recently, word has been getting around of a new Moleskine-esque product called the “Webnotebook,” and we’ve been rabidly trying to get our hands on one. For a while, the only available means were wholesalers selling in expensive large bulk orders, and as much as we like black notebooks, we don’t like them that much!

Luckily, after a few emails, Exaclair Inc., the American distributor of Rhodia products, generously sent us some samples. Thus, Black Cover is proud to present what I think is the first Rhodia Webnotebook review on the internet.

You can read the full review here. Thanks Nick for all your input! To those who already own a webnotebook, tell us what you think.We’d like to hear from you guys. If you have something to say about the other Rhodia notebooks, let us know as well. Who knows, a reward might await you! Ciao!

Michelle Krell Kydd, purveyor of fragrance and everything that rhymes with class and good taste, recently reviewed our Rhodia pencils on her fascinating blog, Glass Petal Smoke, which was created “out of a personal passion for things olfactive and gustatory.” Describing the online project that palpably reflects her true passion, Michelle writes, “the back story regarding a raw material or finished product is often rich with history, myth and folklore. When all of these aspects are brought together, they tell a story of our common humanity, as expressed through the senses.” How excited we are to read her thoughts about Rhodia pencils:

People fall in love for all kinds of reasons, but when the object of affection is a pencil, you have a little bit of explaining to do. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking relationship avoidance, fetishes or totems. I’m talking about worshipful admiration and praise that is akin to a foot stompin’ gospel revival. I’m not talking about any pencil. I’m talking about a Rhodia; a pencil for the senses.

As a professional writer, the last thing I want to do is meld my inner life with what I do for a living. By day I am engaged in marketing and communications assignments that revolve around the business of brands. Pens are the office norm. On nights and weekends I let my freak flag fly and the pencil becomes my savior. Pleasure is as much a factor in the choice of a writing instrument as performance. That’s where the Rhodia comes in.

To read the whole review, visit Michelle’s blog, Glass Petal Smoke

“Cult following” is an appropriate term you can latch on to describe Rhodia users. That may be the case with Lomography as well. This unique art of taking photos, has inspired so many fans to produce many impressive works. Count in Mister Chen as one of those lomo-lovers. This Taiwanese lomo-natic blogger, has taken a number of images that ranges from colorful and optimistic to dark. From the looks of it, he’s also a notebook collector…and what’s a collection without a Rhodia right? You can appreciate all his works here.

Flickr photos by Mr. Chen via Esheng.

While on a prowl online, we chanced upon this blog called Strikethru, which recently reviewed Rhodia notebook. Browsing thru (pun intended) the site, and then actually reading the review, we’re extremely heartened to learn, that we’ve passed the test with an “Amazing” grade. But before we get to it, a short intro about the blog, or should we say, the cool girl behind it. Cheryl is her name, we’ve learned, and that’s how far we know about her personal profile. But what we know is that she collects manual typewriters, photos of which she posts online along with other collectors. Polaroid film, collages, junk cameras, fountain pens and thrift stores are some of her other interests. And when she mentioned thrift stores, we know we could relate to her well (we just got our jeans for $5 in one of those shops). But so much for those. Cheryl confesses that she’s on a “notebook kick” lately, and that’s where we’ve find out about her interest on Rhodia. So here’s her take on it, dated June 24:

I’m on a notebook kick lately (this really ought to be pencasted) and gradually scrawling my way through all the notorious notebook brands out there, the latest being the traffic-cone orange Rhodia. Legend has it that these notebooks work well with fountain pens, unlike most other paper I’ve tried (including Moleskines and Apica notepads, both of which I love anyway).

Yesterday I put Rhodia to the ultimate test: a medium-nib fountain pen screed on one side of the paper, and typewriting with an old platen on the other. Surely this kind of text-intensive stunt would result in braille-like punch-throughs, or bleeding ink? Rhodia paper doesn’t *look* like anything special. And yet, it held up. You can use both sides of the page! Amazing.

 Review via Cheryl of  Strikethru

Don’t just improvise, customize. That seems to be the prevailing message behind Etchstar, a creative website, which specializes in customizing your favorite personal items, such as your iPhone, your laptop, and why not, your Rhodia notebook! No less than Ben Katz sent us these really cool and exciting sample photos to show us how he can transform your Rhodia collectible into a truly personalized and prized L’Objet D’Art. And we’re not exaggerating here. This is the real deal. This Wharton grad is a graphic design specialist-cum-entrepreneur and Hollywood producer. So Etchstar’s work is a sure bet. It so happens that Ben’s a Rhodia fan, so the orange notebook is close to his heart. Etchstar has literally thousands of designs, so you guys wont be stuck with a smiley, even if you want Sting. Not that there’s anything wrong with a smiley. :) Other samples include Warhol, Marilyn Monroe and Pink Floyd among others. To see some other super-cool designs, check out the Etchstar’s Flickr page or the blog, and see for yourself! One of our favorites is Gian Altomari’s customized MacBook pro, because we’re also a MacBook owner. Now, we’re green with envy.

Via Ben Katz of Etchstar.