ST,
I'm in agreement with you. Like a lot of things in flying, my take-off procedure is somewhat automatic and I had to think about what I do.
In a tricycle-gear aeroplane, I apply full-power and ease back on the yoke, to raise the nosewheel (or at least get the weight off it). A quick glance at the ASI to make sure it is working and also a look at the RPM (and MP) and temps and pressures.
I don't look at the ASI again until I'm off the ground, when again I glance at it. If I haven't yet reached my selected climb speed, then I will stay in ground effect until I have reached that speed.
Most of my takeoffs are with a glider attached, so there are a lot of other things to think about, but those are not relevant to this discussion.
