Emotional Notebook | Hideyuki Tokuda (Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)
2008.04.04
On Saturday, March 8, I participated in a faculty information session at the Keio Academy of New York with Professor Tomoyuki Furutani of the Faculty of Policy Management. I have stayed at the Keio Academy of New York in the past with the first graduating class of SFC to connect the academy to the internet. Even further back, I also participated in a faculty information session there with Professor Heizo Takenaka, who was also staying in the United States at the time. Ideally, I would have liked to stay a little longer, but it was a whirlwind trip with only a two-night stay. The information session was mainly for 11th graders, but I am grateful that not only students but also their parents participated enthusiastically. Additionally, before the information session, I was able to tour the dormitories at the Keio Academy of New York for the Miraisozojuku (Institute for Designing the Future) being planned at SFC, which was very meaningful.
On my way back, I went directly from Narita Airport by taxi to attend the wake of the late Tomono Kojima, former Dean of the Faculty of Policy Management, held at the Aoyama Funeral Hall. I learned many things from Professor Kojima during his time in the previous administration. In particular, I always admired Professor Kojima's passion for education and research, and his affection for and generosity toward the students. I wish he could have talked with us much more about the future of SFC. His loss is deeply felt. I am deeply grateful for his past efforts and sincerely pray for the repose of his soul. Also, for those who were unable to attend the funeral service, a portrait of the professor and flowers have been placed in the Board Room on the 3rd floor of the SFC Main Building, and a condolence book is available for signing.
Now, as for the topic of "cherished stationery," the number one cherished stationery item for many people at SFC might be the notebook computer. At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where I used to work, there was even an administrative staff member who took pride in handling accounting and daily tasks using a PC that was newer and faster than any researcher's. While I am not as particular about having the latest and fastest as this person was, I am quite particular about the shape of each keycap and the layout of the keyboard that my hands are always touching.
As for notebooks, I like the keys and the key touch of the ThinkPad and MacBook Pro keyboards. More than the latest and stylish MacBook Air, I prefer that shape where the keytops are subtly sculpted. Regarding the key layout, the position of the Control key is important, and it's something I particularly notice when I'm working in Emacs. Naturally, the most comfortable position is to the left of the "A" key in the home position for the left hand, where it can be easily touched with the little finger. For bad key layouts, I use key-binding software to change their positions. Also, the depth of the keystroke is an important factor; it doesn't feel right if it's too deep or too shallow.
My other cherished notebook is the pocket notebook, a representative of old technology. In particular, for pocket notebooks, I love using MOLESKINE , which allows for easy note-taking on the go. Apparently, the actual pronunciation is not the English "moleskin" but "mo-le-ski-ne," but the model I use is the vertical Plain Reporter Notebook, which can be easily held and used with one hand. As with all Moleskines, I like their sturdiness and the texture of the paper. It is a very welcome development that they have recently become easily available even in local bookstores.
Both of these notebooks are "emotional notebooks" for me, and I am particular about both their function and design.
(Posted: 2008/04/04)