What Shaun Donovan Can’t Live Without

I’ve been using it for some 40 years, since I was a teenager. I don’t use any flavor except Original, there’s something about the way it disappears. I always have at least two or three sticks around the house, which has become a bit of a family joke. My sons or wife will randomly say, “Dad, ChapStick?” They know I always have one at arm’s reach.

I use these to write lists, which I make for pretty much everything. Once I make a list and start working on it, I’ll add a little dash next to things I’ve done. Or if I need to call someone and they don’t pick up, I’ll put a little “M” to note I left a message. The system is easy enough that if people who work with me want me to do something, they’ll just write it on the index card. I try to set aside an hour each day to go through the lists. Some are short term, others long term. Tearing up a card when a list is complete is so satisfying.

I carry my index cards around in a small leather holder that I received as a birthday present. The front has a space where you can display one card, which is held in place by these little corner tabs. But the holder has space to fit around 20 or so blank cards.

There are fatter Uni-ball pens, but I like the Micro style because the pens let me write very precisely. I write very small — I get a lot of flack for it. But my handwriting allows me to fit a lot of things on one index card. Because these roll, you don’t have to apply a lot of pressure or shake a pen to get ink to come out. I studied architecture and did a lot of drawing, so I really appreciate the pen’s line weight and how it doesn’t require a lot of pressure.

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite pale ale, but I’d have to say the Whale’s Tale from Cisco. There’s something about the taste that reminds me of a summer sunset. Having a cold one at the end of a hot summer day when I’m really thirsty is just so refreshing.

[Editor’s note: The canned pale ale is out of stock, but you can still get it bottled for pickup or delivery, depending on your location.]

Running is like breathing to me. I’ve been doing it as a way to get exercise since middle school. I ran track in high school and college and did the New York City Marathon twice. I try to run at least every other day but there have been times, when I’m training, that I run 70 miles a week. It’s always outside — even in the coldest weather, or snow, I’ll run outside. When it comes to shoes, I’m an Adidas aficionado. These are one of two pairs of running shoes I wear now. My family likes to point out how much they hate my running shoes; when I come home with a new pair, they’ll say, “These are even worse than the last ones!”

My love for socks with bright crazy patterns began when my sister gave me a pair with Bugs Bunny on them as a gift. This Mondrian pair is one of my favorites. They’re in the style of his paintings and they came from the Met. I’ve been wearing them a lot.

I’ve always snacked on nuts. My wife’s a big nut person, too. They’re a good campaign snack because of the protein and quick energy. I was addicted to smokehouse almonds when I was younger, but they’re a little too salty to eat all the time now. So we mix them with peanuts, cashews, and other nuts. But earlier in life, it was exclusively smokehouse almonds.