Yep, I had thought about using the 'smoother' side of that paper, because the texture does bug the heck out of me! Although, I had been told that that sort of texture allows the pastel to stick to it more. Not worth it, as far as I'm concerned!

Most of the others I've done on more 'standard' paper that I've bought from an art shop (which also has a benefit of being cheaper and larger sized). It has very little texture. The water colour paper is more textured, but it's not enough to be annoying. ;-)