-- One that can sort by first line alphabetically so that my dated lists don't get rearranged every time I edit one
-- Something that's not a nightmare of bells and whistles. Not even sure if I want note categorization.
Part of the problem has now been solved by finding a list application that will work for keeping some of my lists, which is primarily what I've been using Notes for. That application is List! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/list!/id377625479?mt=8). This is not one of the big name list apps, but it also is sufficiently simple that it is exactly what I want. Some links for list applications:
http://iphone.appstorm.net/roundups/productivity-roundups/25-fantastic-to-do-list-apps-for-iphone/
http://ipod.about.com/od/bestiphoneapps/tp/Top-To-Do-List-Apps-For-The-Iphone.htm
http://lifehacker.com/the-best-to-do-app-for-iphone-5851313
List! just makes lists, allows for priority levels to be defined, can do plain text import or export, that's it. No skeumorphism, no fancy iOS7 crap, no attachments, no calendar syncing, no mining my contacts (I hope). It doesn't talk to the cloud, so after the Singularity this app won't be one of the ones trying to hunt me down and kill me.
