i used do similar; but not the notes; just random banging followed by an enter/escape.

    /daljfdlkja <enter><escape>

now i don't use highlighting by default

from: http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Highlight_all_search_pattern_match...

    " Press Space to turn off highlighting and clear any message already displayed.
    :nnoremap <silent> <Space> :nohlsearch<Bar>:echo<CR>