Undercover Observation
People had some funny and quasi-dangerous stories in their observations over the weekend. Now that you've had a first hand experience in observing people, you can try to fine tune your skills. As you found out, writing in a large notebook is a dead giveaway that you must be observing something. And that might bother people.
Next time you're somewhere, see if you can observe without having a recording implement right there. Dont focus on the moment by moment details but rather try to get an overall feeling of whatever it is you are observing.
If you still want to write something down, then having something smaller would help. This way you could legitimately say that you are writing notes, to-dos, for yourself, when really you are observing (yes, 'stalking' could be used too).
Here are some recommendations:
CopyTech gives away the "REALLY COOL Note Pad" at their 11-004 location.
Moleskin and Field Notes have pocket size notebooks.
You can try adopting the hipster PDA.
