Pause Button

I want to be one of those people who discreetly carry around a small notebook.  And not just to discreetly carry it around, no, but to actually use it to jot down ideas for writing, interesting quotes, observations, books to read, movies to watch, whatever. This would also necessitate that I carry around a writing utensil. Therein lies a dilemma. A small notebook, of which I own about ten of, all ready to go, fit into the back pocket of my pants. Where, I ask, am I supposed to carry the writing utensil?

Every teacher I have ever had all said (or I am imagining they did, same thing) this refrain, "Don't put a pencil in your pocket. It's DANGEROUS!" Now, was this just for boys or were girls in danger too? And come to think of it, I don't really remember ever carrying any writing utensils around in my pockets, nor any of my other girl friends...Needless to say, I dislike putting anything in my pockets, especially sharp objects I may find embedded in my buttocks or my leg after a fall. Somehow I've come to terms with carrying the small notebook. Now where do I put the pen!?

Most often I forget the notebook, so where I put the writing utensil wouldn't matter.  Or I'll have the notebook and be so caught up in whatever exciting thing is happening, I forget I have the notebook, forget it is right there in my back pocket, and I don't write in it, thus forgetting whatever brilliance may have come.  I know how it should work, more like me with my camera at a party or event, where I will interrupt anyone or practically pause time to get the perfect picture.  Somehow with writing and conversing with others, the ability to do this doesn't work as easily. And I swear, if I lose another best selling novel idea to this problem I am going to lose my shit.

What do the people who really carry around small notebooks do to solve the writing utensil dilemma?  How do they remember to get in the practice of writing shit down as it happens?