tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17031024541885681182024-03-05T15:22:36.406-08:00GreasemonkeyhandsTales of life through the bifocaled eyes of a middle age grease monkey.Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-57355731379686350282017-02-28T16:17:00.000-08:002017-02-28T16:32:53.267-08:0028 Days of Letter Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmO35_UvXpjkdvLCBMKvgUq6deWgmtgRMFqN-CPawaXrlcJzt4As6Bhb4UvbigpPrjchT5OVx7TYO3tGbDmQ0LYixYyNjCinWqKKqfa-DJuuck-YAW5KaV0GFoigaiZRPe-e5iVxywEzR/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmO35_UvXpjkdvLCBMKvgUq6deWgmtgRMFqN-CPawaXrlcJzt4As6Bhb4UvbigpPrjchT5OVx7TYO3tGbDmQ0LYixYyNjCinWqKKqfa-DJuuck-YAW5KaV0GFoigaiZRPe-e5iVxywEzR/s320/IMG_7212.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Today is Day 28 of InCoWriMo 2017, the final day, the final letter. I've done it! I have written a form of handwritten correspondence for each of the 28 days in February 2017 following a project called <a href="http://incowrimo.org/" target="_blank">InCoWriMo</a> or International Correspondence Writing Month. I've been ignoring what has been a passion of mine, and I also feel has been my "calling," yes from God, letter writing. In the past I used to write letters of encouragement for my then home church. My wife used to tell me that I wrote nice letters. I let that get away. But thanks to InCoWriMo I have started
writing letters again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Twenty eight days of writing
notes and letters has been a time of discovery and learning. I've known
for sometime that my obsession with penmanship, flexible nib
fountain pens, fountain pen friendly paper, etc, has stopped me from writing or at the very least, impeded
getting my thoughts or mana`o across to the recipient of my handwritten letter or note. But yet I incorrectly felt nice penmanship was what everyone wanted. At the beginning the month, a lot of my
letters were brief and usually started of with, "just a short note"
while I struggled with my poor penmanship. I knew that had to stop if I truly
wanted to make the words on my letters count. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I mentioned
about my pen obsession and how I thought it was getting in my way to my friend Joan from <a href="http://rustyshawaiian.com/" target="_blank">Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee</a>. She has been encouraging me with my writing for some time now. And she nailed it
with this, "<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Exactly.
<b> Less focus on form, more focus on letting words flow</b>." As the title of
an old book I have read says, <a href="http://henrietteklauser.com/books/put-your-heart-on-paper/" target="_blank">Put Your Heart on Paper</a> written by Henriette Klauser. I haven't been doing
that. So I put penmanship aside, ignored the flexible nib, used a
ballpoint pen, wrote on postcards, wrote in cursive or not. But I
wrote. And I am writing letters. More than "just a short note." And I'm letting the words flow from my heart. </span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">I'm
not stopping after February 28, 2017 either. Now that I've gotten started, I'm
continuing on with my calling. At the beginning I had compiled a list for my InCoWriMo
letters to send, but I did ad lib along the way, so there are a few
names left I did not get to. But those names that are left on the list are the ones I really wanted to put an effort into. I wanted to put
more time and thought into writing each letter without having to worry about the letter of the day. So those names will go onto a new ongoing list titled
Letters to Write. </span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">And to those who received one of my letters early on that said "just a short note." Let me know. I'll send another one. I do need the practice!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-70727484015944598152017-02-07T17:03:00.001-08:002017-02-07T17:04:23.272-08:00Not Calligraphy, and it was Refreshing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufOkVXJjp0v6clvYXiF_drT7lqm5AqA44Gz2SkdKnqW8nMajWV80T6hn05-TvaVAVw-1frmWXTEUFBrFONrYzBTF_OsRjSeQoys2F7MRvGapP1mM5y6Q5pGoKWZN99gUKivcAZxnu1lj4/s1600/IMG_6862+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufOkVXJjp0v6clvYXiF_drT7lqm5AqA44Gz2SkdKnqW8nMajWV80T6hn05-TvaVAVw-1frmWXTEUFBrFONrYzBTF_OsRjSeQoys2F7MRvGapP1mM5y6Q5pGoKWZN99gUKivcAZxnu1lj4/s1600/IMG_6862+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I wrote a letter for InCoWriMo. It's day 7 and I'm already a day behind so I thought to write the usual, "just a short note" as I often wind up doing for InCoWriMo. But today I would make it simple, I would not use a flexible nib fountain pen and worry about the lettering and how it will look, but concentrate on what I want to say. Afterall a note saying "Just a short note for InCoWriMo" is just empty words. I chose to use an old Mont Blanc 149 and I wouldn't have to think about ascenders, descenders, weight, etc. Just write.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">An it felt refreshing! </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've been struggling with this for years. I feel as though I "owe" it to the recipient to write the letter with nice handwriting or as some call it, calligraphy. That is what I had been recognized for in the past years. However when I focus on the lettering, I lose touch of why I write notes and letters to begin with. That I want to convey a message. As my friend Joan told me, there should be, "l<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">ess focus on form, more focus on letting words flow."</span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">This focus on form has kept me from a host of creative endeavors including art and music. Recently <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQG287iFWDI/?taken-by=rodney_o" target="_blank">I posted a picture of an art set on Instagram</a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">. We bought it for our son mainly because it was really inexpensive. Someone posted a comment on that post, "Dang that's really cool!" I replied back saying I wasn't sure about the quality of the art supplies because of the price. She replied back with, "Hours of fun if nothing else-and that's what counts." </span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Boom! </span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">So hopefully from now moving forward, no more "just a short note for InCoWriMo." No more empty words! </span><span data-mce-style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">After all if there's anything I feel has been my calling from God, it's writing letters. And I've been letting Him down. </span></div>
Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-4593744332485333592016-03-16T16:12:00.000-07:002016-03-16T16:12:03.013-07:00I Just Want to Write<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4jBkDtihfCpUKQCX5JPQgmIaf2G-6mihJQyRB1HkDVJDpSGlK25s4hNfHHfP0hHyAwmjUXZ6mH-BzmWlSkeUdo47-aj1r56mMzkU4G70URS0KVV7aWYq01Sb073h3wA-9N9oUw0HbSHb/s640/blogger-image-1730716076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4jBkDtihfCpUKQCX5JPQgmIaf2G-6mihJQyRB1HkDVJDpSGlK25s4hNfHHfP0hHyAwmjUXZ6mH-BzmWlSkeUdo47-aj1r56mMzkU4G70URS0KVV7aWYq01Sb073h3wA-9N9oUw0HbSHb/s400/blogger-image-1730716076.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I started this blog because, for a long time I've had, and still have, an interest in writing. I thought blogging would be an easy way to share the thoughts and ideas in my writing. But after I started, something happened along the way. It's been nearly two years since my last entry.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
My first problem was I made it too complicated to prepare for a post, for the most part because of the process to add my pictures. Then there was other text options like adding hyperlinks, fonts and text colors, to make it cool. It took a lot of work. That makes me procrastinate. I stopped writing. There's a new blogging tool that showed up since I started my blog, the Blogger app for my smart phone. It is limited but I'd like to use it to post most of my entries. I want to keep things simple and short. I don't like reading lengthy blog posts so I shouldn't post any right?<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Also for some reason, my blog has sort of turned into a "pen blog." That was not the intent although I do love pens, fountain pens in particular. I am not a "pen person." I just enjoy good pens. So I'm going to mix it up a little.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
It seems I just want this to be an extension of Instagram where I can post more than one picture at a time and write a bit more than I would. Thanks to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/inkybeads/" target="_blank">@inkybeads</a> on Instagram for giving me the idea and much needed motivation to start posting on this blog again.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Let's see how this goes. And bug me if I don't follow through. </div>
Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-36105095148488069162014-05-20T17:32:00.001-07:002014-05-20T17:34:57.162-07:00Is Anyone Still Interested In This Blog?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78bck4diD3jGqdfOR0nu4on2z4MqvlXB5mbppNgkDPXc9WKz48N1ieobbLnpADTcZqyPZU1NWiqymM0X7DG4mChBNmvDpHdMaiXvRtzujQlJwrtsFvuViXi1DK9N9Oh2scPrRKVsYrnDH/s640/blogger-image--107374300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78bck4diD3jGqdfOR0nu4on2z4MqvlXB5mbppNgkDPXc9WKz48N1ieobbLnpADTcZqyPZU1NWiqymM0X7DG4mChBNmvDpHdMaiXvRtzujQlJwrtsFvuViXi1DK9N9Oh2scPrRKVsYrnDH/s640/blogger-image--107374300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6FU4bG0FyIGYzrKAm0Rqsjzh7MsfezVVvR7d1JrV-Fas06j0FAUaTh0V2IjttvspcnivY55prqpNzr-foHCoVlo2hx7oAifCxOyTY0Ro1ljlw1i3JIMg8NTlu5d_2LCSGZa0QWtRwotX/s640/blogger-image-1968611796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6FU4bG0FyIGYzrKAm0Rqsjzh7MsfezVVvR7d1JrV-Fas06j0FAUaTh0V2IjttvspcnivY55prqpNzr-foHCoVlo2hx7oAifCxOyTY0Ro1ljlw1i3JIMg8NTlu5d_2LCSGZa0QWtRwotX/s640/blogger-image-1968611796.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Of course no one's interested, I haven't posted anything for almost a year. Seems my pen community on social media is growing on Instagram, and that's where I've been hanging out. But there are limits on how much you can write though not limited to "140" like Twitter. And you can only post one picture at a time. But it's fast and easy. Less likely for me to procrastinate. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm going to try and post here more often. And to make it easier, I'll write mostly short posts with one or two pictures, using the Blogger app on my iPod like I'm doing right now, unless I have more to say or share. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Oh and I don't intend to do any pen, paper, and ink reviews. There are others who do them quite well. But I do want to share my manaʻo which is why I started this blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So what do you think? Oh and I'll limit my food and coffee pictures on this blog. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
See you soon...</div>
Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-87740972061049569572013-08-21T20:24:00.000-07:002013-08-21T22:34:32.984-07:00Finally Another Video. The Pilot Pen Justus 95 Adjustable Nib Fountain PenIt's been 3 years since I created and posted my first video, <a href="http://youtu.be/7vgLJMc875k">the Dance of the Falcon</a>, and I finally found some time to do another one. I created this video to show how the soon to be released in the USA, Pilot Pen Justus 95 with an adjustable nib functions and performs. I did do a <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2013/04/pilot-justus-95-with-and-adjustable-nib.html">post</a> on this pen a few months ago, I'm hoping this video will give you an idea of what the pen is about.<br />
<br />
So introducing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WECGkMyVQT8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/WECGkMyVQT8" target="_blank">Here's a link</a> in case the video does not play on mobile devices.<br />
<br />
It's a bit rough on the edges and I have a lot to improve on. From this time on I want to:<br />
<br />
* Create longer videos.<br />
* Get better at editing.<br />
* Get better at filming.<br />
* Get better at writing with a pen and filming at the same time.<br />
* Perhaps add voice overs.<br />
* Get creative.<br />
* Get a mani!<br />
<br />
Since I did the first video, my interest in videos has piqued and more so after seeing a "vlog" for the first time by my now friend<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/808yewtube"> 808yewtube</a>. I have a lot to learn and perhaps some day I will create a vlog to get my mana'o out there.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Oh and psst...it was 808yewtube's idea about the mani!Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-77890658048139590132013-08-06T14:53:00.000-07:002013-08-06T14:53:25.730-07:00The Finer Points in LifeAfter thirty six years as an automotive technician, I have made a career move and now have a desk job. Oh I still fix cars for a living, but instead of using wrenches and screwdrivers I now use a computer and a phone. I provide tech support for dealership technicians. I still get to work on cars occasionally so I guess I can keep my name Greasemonkeyhands though these days most auto techs wear gloves and keep our hands in fair shape.<br />
<br />
That said I now can play with fountain pens more often at work at "my desk"...still sounds so weird to say that. When I receive a call, I write and keep notes in a notebook, and using a fountain pen does create challenges with bleed through when using medium or broader nibs. And I'm not willing to spend a lot of money for fountain pen friendly notebooks, I'll use the cheap lined ones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HNL4r5bYt4CXOMEJv9S2Pps9ZLddGqzDEa3JK_-iXzR8zNQB_289sftf40SMCvBkQT-pCbH2eY2mTQRa8TKxBiYnqkkY7geNhzy-cw7IMvWw3bQg_HeKrSiMX0b4ZWZtdHSljgkuxpXG/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HNL4r5bYt4CXOMEJv9S2Pps9ZLddGqzDEa3JK_-iXzR8zNQB_289sftf40SMCvBkQT-pCbH2eY2mTQRa8TKxBiYnqkkY7geNhzy-cw7IMvWw3bQg_HeKrSiMX0b4ZWZtdHSljgkuxpXG/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh I love fat juicy nibs or fine flex nibs for handwritten correspondence on good paper, but this is different. I don't want to use a ballpoint pen because it can be so, blah! I'm going to try fine non flexible nibs which I have never pursued before. Today I did a test using my Pilot Prera fine, Pilot Justus fine adjustable set at the hard setting, and a ballpoint pen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GvNgu5HI6XWh-bbFVR4XcUoToAdU42fZpOpsvi4TLd8zTKeh29EzbIuNtVj4eAyfXZoVlpCzBxIFM_YCiY03i6BXFPrfRcKfkgkjld5knRyp3w4m3jfQA8WbdZtDoLADvxvbvStsHCtx/s1600/IMG_2539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GvNgu5HI6XWh-bbFVR4XcUoToAdU42fZpOpsvi4TLd8zTKeh29EzbIuNtVj4eAyfXZoVlpCzBxIFM_YCiY03i6BXFPrfRcKfkgkjld5knRyp3w4m3jfQA8WbdZtDoLADvxvbvStsHCtx/s400/IMG_2539.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbnO39WWfvZ8ya-PJJvOZ2wFn6OnKpoPfa8n4fW4toxauouACFTxcp0HhNAymnQSHDM_u9chI7CzmdHUzFJV-XaK1kJqqCva9kq5OHFvPJU7juEGLKNaLCTC3U7L3uCh-3PsqCkOElpdy/s1600/IMG_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbnO39WWfvZ8ya-PJJvOZ2wFn6OnKpoPfa8n4fW4toxauouACFTxcp0HhNAymnQSHDM_u9chI7CzmdHUzFJV-XaK1kJqqCva9kq5OHFvPJU7juEGLKNaLCTC3U7L3uCh-3PsqCkOElpdy/s400/IMG_2540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So it may work out using a fine nib fountain pen and I bet ink makes a difference too. I do have two other fine nib pens at home, a Sheaffer I purchased at a closeout sale, and a new old Mont Blanc Meistersutck that someone gave to me though it needs some TLC.<br />
<br />
If a fountain pen just does not work out though, there are some very nice <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-dreaded-ballpoint-pen.html">ballpoint pens</a> out there that are aesthetically pleasing and fit well in your hand still making writing enjoyable. <br />
<br />
Oh and as you can see I'm not writing in cursive or script as most people expect from me, and believe me it gets a lot sloppier than that. When I get a call I have to write fast, very fast! I cannot worry about my handwriting at least at this time. Maybe because of this when I do sit down to write a letter or note, I will slow down, savour and enjoy the experience...<br />
<br />
...and that enjoyment will be conveyed to the recipient of the letter. Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-63385822610782860582013-06-13T14:23:00.000-07:002013-06-13T14:23:03.914-07:00The Dreaded Ballpoint Pen<div>
I've been thinking about writing a post on this subject for a while, so I finally sat down and typed it out. But after looking at the draft it really does not sound that great, in fact it sounded lame!. It's been sitting as a draft for over a month and I was procrastinating. But I guess I do need to take a break from posting about Pilot or Namiki pens.So after a bit of edtiting here it goes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's funny that among the fountain pen aficionados, it seems to be a big no-no to write with a ballpoint pen. You wrote with a what??? But in my opinion, there are times when a ballpoint may be a preferable choice, and good to have as a part of your daily arsenal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Here are a few reasons...<br />
<div>
<br />
Paper: There is always concern about paper being "fountain pen friendly." There's concern about feathering, bleed through, etc. With a ballpoint, there is rarely a concern with paper choice. No need to purchase an expensive journal or notepad, you can even use one of those black and white composition book. Even rather costly Moleskine books are not fountian pen friendly. Also instead of costly stationery, you can use ink jet paper from a...OMG...ream!<br />
<br />
Greeting cards: Have you ever tried to use a fountain pen while trying to share a Hallmark moment on a store bought greeting card? I don't appreciate "fuzzy" lettering so I wind up writing my greetings on a piece of fountain pen friendly paper and enclosing it in the card which may not be a bad idea since the card can be re gifted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Waterproof ink: Fountain pen inks are often water soluble though I've read there may be a few that are waterproof. But it may not be a good idea to use a non waterproof ink to address a snail mail envelope when the weather is less than desirable. No problems with a ballpoint.<br />
<br />
Also I think that some feel that you cannot write "beautifully" using a BP. I think you can. Part of my "Daily Arsenal" of pens that I carry around most of the time is a Uniball Jetstream 1.0.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90gISbtFAvkMQQl71NAicaxd1uXDjtqTRKidGcfYlz2CRt0EUKx7u9ySnbDnBx3h0qaPaoTF1nlgNuDp9OBadHe5GpVbijBfP9_DZgFT0FG9t73RolRjjrSNWs1d_zp-cR3LFdr3SMyDY/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90gISbtFAvkMQQl71NAicaxd1uXDjtqTRKidGcfYlz2CRt0EUKx7u9ySnbDnBx3h0qaPaoTF1nlgNuDp9OBadHe5GpVbijBfP9_DZgFT0FG9t73RolRjjrSNWs1d_zp-cR3LFdr3SMyDY/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I use this pen primarily for writing checks...yes I still write them. But when there is no need for one, this is my go to ballpoint pen. It writes pretty smooth and leaves a very nice line. You can still write decently in cursive.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTarWTyGMthPHCCn10xn3rGloekaz6IDl_JJw4cEG-k3GmeswfzSCDlCFTZ5TAmXeCJnXfFjRAParlTXjv_o3hCr7zoC4vd5zX5bzL-OKCVabx6zsqWeO9vckFQVWPEdjP6Pw1WLf13CLe/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTarWTyGMthPHCCn10xn3rGloekaz6IDl_JJw4cEG-k3GmeswfzSCDlCFTZ5TAmXeCJnXfFjRAParlTXjv_o3hCr7zoC4vd5zX5bzL-OKCVabx6zsqWeO9vckFQVWPEdjP6Pw1WLf13CLe/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you took the time you could write in a calligraphic style though it doesn't make sense to have to "draw letters."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlLOH3m4C1_c4efiIkG3f3R1_ruTwgKc72fEH0I7_-k2LWps-9t4ZxubuNhHLW5niHzXGpARZex-fZd7cs5yyf9rZp1LYurEJXgSBwkenxKoljp29uTLrrWo8H9Guxivv7IqcT90J-mHk/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlLOH3m4C1_c4efiIkG3f3R1_ruTwgKc72fEH0I7_-k2LWps-9t4ZxubuNhHLW5niHzXGpARZex-fZd7cs5yyf9rZp1LYurEJXgSBwkenxKoljp29uTLrrWo8H9Guxivv7IqcT90J-mHk/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you're ashamed to be seen with a cheapy $1.00 drugstore pen, or even worse a free pen used for promotion or advertisement, most of the high end pen manufacturers like Mont Blanc, Pelikan, Pilot, etc offer ballpoints and also mechanical pencils and rollerballs. The ballpoint refills are pretty much the same quality with most of the brand names and they all write about the same, but the pen body is what separates the Mont Blancs from the Papermates. <br />
<br />
My wife has a Mont Blanc Dumas Writer Series ballpoint. I swear it's the most comfortable pen to hold in your hand and it is very nice to look at. It certainly enhances the writing experience. Sorry no picture.<br />
<br />
I think these are no longer available in the US, but I've had this Namiki Ball Point for a long time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww4_mHlHtMB6SuZaISEm026bKehh4LbnrOrb0Yo2Ir75q1wgWwSzhUh16jpHuCH2uPdzQYKYdWpu9SypzYhBjN2g6xN3a1aau5WE4tawbfC5c_CJroLSfD6B864eaGItshsS4Hjcffu03/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww4_mHlHtMB6SuZaISEm026bKehh4LbnrOrb0Yo2Ir75q1wgWwSzhUh16jpHuCH2uPdzQYKYdWpu9SypzYhBjN2g6xN3a1aau5WE4tawbfC5c_CJroLSfD6B864eaGItshsS4Hjcffu03/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ok so much for a break on Namiki...sorry!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The beauty of this pen was the double broad refill that is sadly no longer available. I wish Pilot would bring it back. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfpMhU5Z5QmfdzOb8xoiKRMzkTsY395ogcdxncpbPV1o0lDYvrHH3OVS80gmEt8u95N3B-7ThOtZXlfOWsd285vDtElycZP8O7hUgLcsYuUBXFtQ2akwZEvmGmRGNtpZ3gENArvQy1M4_/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfpMhU5Z5QmfdzOb8xoiKRMzkTsY395ogcdxncpbPV1o0lDYvrHH3OVS80gmEt8u95N3B-7ThOtZXlfOWsd285vDtElycZP8O7hUgLcsYuUBXFtQ2akwZEvmGmRGNtpZ3gENArvQy1M4_/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It writes very smooth and also leaves a "nice line" though this refill is on it's last legs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zTk54lQVg52M8Zb2gd6RaSiPvu6FUYMKeO4rAsUoDnIXWE7Q7hMNfgkeYEz-GAiAJOF7ldaE-utjs55trDS-1xwGlNoRDfEUjjetErCIEu-DMaDSwdHK_pV7l-Gtt-YmJMRNqUYj9tGE/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zTk54lQVg52M8Zb2gd6RaSiPvu6FUYMKeO4rAsUoDnIXWE7Q7hMNfgkeYEz-GAiAJOF7ldaE-utjs55trDS-1xwGlNoRDfEUjjetErCIEu-DMaDSwdHK_pV7l-Gtt-YmJMRNqUYj9tGE/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I remember I once wrote on a postcard and sent it to my late friend Earl of Honolulu Pen Shop. He told me that he thought it was written with a fountain pen!<br />
<br />
But perhaps the most important use for a ballpoint pen is...<br />
<br />
for those people who ask to borrow a pen. That's when you do want to have available a cheapy, freebie, junky BP like this to loan out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEBtgDkCC9dOi3mzfAS2VkeDET3mA6w9G1HptQeUNdnUOhenhqk6KsuWL6ni0mEJ4InUXspjLjcT9ic-KOCWNQwmpNkp_0kuWMWcm-6nJ46nXOwWXQAXdSIOxmELljVk5FUw0fLJhHoZ9/s1600/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEBtgDkCC9dOi3mzfAS2VkeDET3mA6w9G1HptQeUNdnUOhenhqk6KsuWL6ni0mEJ4InUXspjLjcT9ic-KOCWNQwmpNkp_0kuWMWcm-6nJ46nXOwWXQAXdSIOxmELljVk5FUw0fLJhHoZ9/s400/%EF%80%A3untitled%EF%80%A46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-34550544916206080282013-04-26T19:57:00.000-07:002013-04-26T23:08:38.738-07:00Pilot Justus 95 With an Adjustable Nib<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When I started this blog, I had no intention of it being a "pen blog." I just had an itch to write and get my writing out there somehow. Well I guess it is now a "pen blog." And it may look like that it is becoming a "Pilot Pen Blog" which it is not. I've been very fortunate to receive Pilot and Namiki pens from my personal friend John Lane, general manager at Pilot Pens. He told me he sends those pens after "cleaning out his desk." But a few weeks ago he told me he was sending a pen for me to try and give my opinion on before he brings the model in from Japan to the US. So this post is kinda different for me as it is not my thoughts or my mana`o, but trying to help out a friend. <br />
<br />
I received a Pilot Justus 95.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7Z1bTJ3Ijnqh40KtgDdfk2-0HQPtBmYmpsct_MoUar1KOjTIzhzrOTGoQhBT2RacB1hjcOSr5joJlP9ArTjagfj9zFQIV9OeU8BebUf6rUR4fkUhELl9BdHbnWE6asO-2nCLbASzNq2I/s1600/Box+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7Z1bTJ3Ijnqh40KtgDdfk2-0HQPtBmYmpsct_MoUar1KOjTIzhzrOTGoQhBT2RacB1hjcOSr5joJlP9ArTjagfj9zFQIV9OeU8BebUf6rUR4fkUhELl9BdHbnWE6asO-2nCLbASzNq2I/s400/Box+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh umm click on the pictures to see a larger preview.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG46FHcFqHsCgWLIdkdV-40kC248tMSCyIZkbE0tx2pHLgKNrUhK5FDcaWkOZYJjwGliZhzLfR2F2NFAwHKM8fZUqthN1ut7mUNWZRnhdvyOWg9qUZAmEa_QrKV_gq_xhckHiuhlAnj8m3/s1600/Box+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG46FHcFqHsCgWLIdkdV-40kC248tMSCyIZkbE0tx2pHLgKNrUhK5FDcaWkOZYJjwGliZhzLfR2F2NFAwHKM8fZUqthN1ut7mUNWZRnhdvyOWg9qUZAmEa_QrKV_gq_xhckHiuhlAnj8m3/s400/Box+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It has an adjustable nib. When John first told me about it, I immediately remembered a vintage Wahl Eversharp Doric I had with and adjustable nib. I had bought it from the one and only pen show I have ever attended on the mainland, the inaugural San Francisco Pen Show. Well that pen is gone, but my Twitter friend<a href="https://twitter.com/GourmetPens"> Gourmet Pens</a> featured one in her <a href="http://www.gourmetpens.com/2012/07/review-wahl-eversharp-doric-2nd-gen.html#.UXs2aaUoq4k">blog posts</a>.<br />
<br />
This is a bit different, actually a lot different! There is an adjustment at the bottom of the body, H (hard) and S (soft)...obviously. You can see a stiffener bar that supports the nib or not.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIII02GUvyQjKeq8REfZoZlh3VU84WF1gB4oGqxleGXcWyezDny0RI8M146akhR5Ubel7Y1O8D9zxZ4nCqIRq8rBGGJnIpTuc4zGzAWjlCjZjxjvFgQlgmCAasYYHQ47vbJSaKB7wRSFg/s1600/Hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIII02GUvyQjKeq8REfZoZlh3VU84WF1gB4oGqxleGXcWyezDny0RI8M146akhR5Ubel7Y1O8D9zxZ4nCqIRq8rBGGJnIpTuc4zGzAWjlCjZjxjvFgQlgmCAasYYHQ47vbJSaKB7wRSFg/s640/Hard.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hard setting</b><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zfSQetQOddgmAeV5k7D_xDM2sozddm8YyYVW2JyJHDiQPwn-dMifIqQxzcTt9Lnw04Nq3a2SHfs5BS5NG3PJkIaWDXg_a4iVdjYTBXoUDcw7adfkPSwoZY7bkSaWjcd1iSWi4gcFgul/s1600/Soft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zfSQetQOddgmAeV5k7D_xDM2sozddm8YyYVW2JyJHDiQPwn-dMifIqQxzcTt9Lnw04Nq3a2SHfs5BS5NG3PJkIaWDXg_a4iVdjYTBXoUDcw7adfkPSwoZY7bkSaWjcd1iSWi4gcFgul/s640/Soft.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Soft setting</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I filled it with Iroshizuku Ama-iro.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklfX4RlUU12qLJ_xrmhuEaB0rCD6LnLOSUmO6sL7SyDlcVYCV-Fa45DYNcWJJKUbt-rIPO8-rlokMMuXwWQEunPeJfeUgb7w1rMjBd-eBRNNHAAOCxFY5I6sEdjyqRPi3DH_xXwghHxw2/s1600/Ama+iro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklfX4RlUU12qLJ_xrmhuEaB0rCD6LnLOSUmO6sL7SyDlcVYCV-Fa45DYNcWJJKUbt-rIPO8-rlokMMuXwWQEunPeJfeUgb7w1rMjBd-eBRNNHAAOCxFY5I6sEdjyqRPi3DH_xXwghHxw2/s640/Ama+iro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It is not what I expected. It is not a flexible nib by any means even in the soft setting. There is no line thickness variation that you get with a Falcon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-k-c7FcoUTsgPUetGpt7TrvwwFr-ZkA1Mr1WT_bNqq89qHrjGKhXyxOWoEc28c6ajiJdpQvu_-iYa3k3p8b1lhPUx9fWAiD420bAxakVWJKjYSDHR2OjCnnPw70IPAklYSV1UrsLC8i/s1600/Variation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP-k-c7FcoUTsgPUetGpt7TrvwwFr-ZkA1Mr1WT_bNqq89qHrjGKhXyxOWoEc28c6ajiJdpQvu_-iYa3k3p8b1lhPUx9fWAiD420bAxakVWJKjYSDHR2OjCnnPw70IPAklYSV1UrsLC8i/s640/Variation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">On a side note, when I use the term thickness variation, I think of disc brake rotors on automobile brakes. Still a Grease Monkey I guess. Ok sorry...side tracked!</span></i><br />
<br />
However when writing, you can definitely "feel" a difference. I liken the the difference in "writing feel" to writing with a stiff Sheaffer nib compared to a nice soft Pelikan or Montegrappa nib. On some papers you can see a difference in line thickness between the two settings. Maybe not so much on the Rhodia paper, but again no line variation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgQJKqed4wQWqyg8Bm3svH-zLEA3_59YwMBFTm7dnftdLBqd6ohg-Lj2tpQc4d0qTlYAxjnvOyuH76k1flHcYL_c9N5H3JL216_F4nR4d0C2o__kXt-AHHNIQ7lwcfCBiCbxlLPSWM-5j/s1600/Thickness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgQJKqed4wQWqyg8Bm3svH-zLEA3_59YwMBFTm7dnftdLBqd6ohg-Lj2tpQc4d0qTlYAxjnvOyuH76k1flHcYL_c9N5H3JL216_F4nR4d0C2o__kXt-AHHNIQ7lwcfCBiCbxlLPSWM-5j/s640/Thickness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I first filled it with Irhoshizuku Take-sumi, but changed to the Ama-iro hoping for better results. I do love the shading with the Ama-iro though, may be a good companion to Kon-peki.<br />
<br />
John did later tell me that it is not a "Falcon wannabe." I personally don't know a reason to have a stiff nib. Can anyone explain please as I am not really a pen aficionado? However I do enjoy writing with a nice soft nib. If there is a reason to have both kinds of nibs, this pen would work out perfectly as you have both and only need to carry one pen. Also it is not just hard or soft, there is almost infinite adjustment in between.<br />
<br />
I appreciate that John trusts my judgment and opinion with this pen. We go back quite a few years first meeting at then annually at the Pen Fairs that the Honolulu Pen Shop used to hold. I think we sold out of Falcons the first time we met when no one knew the term flexible nib yet. I did write a <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2012/10/time-for-change.html">post</a> about it last year.<br />
<br />
So, would you purchase this pen? I think it'll retail for around $300. Thank you and I or we will value any opinions sent.<br />
<br />
Mahalo!<br />
<br />Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-32896367758434295532013-04-23T20:27:00.001-07:002013-04-23T21:40:25.187-07:00It Ain't Easy Being GreenIt's been a long time since my last post, it's been a real struggle for me the past few years. Even a week on vacation a month ago still left me with no time or energy to write a post. But I did have a chance to get to the Honolulu Pen Shop and visit Corinne, it too had been a while. I bought a new pen and ink combo, a Pilot Prera and a bottle of Iroshizuku Chiku-rin.<br />
<br />
I saw a picture of what I thought was that pen/ink combo in an issue of Pen World International Magazine, and I just had to have it even though my friend John from Pilot Pens had given me a gray Prera before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4vwzfLbhJd78yXp6ibjtgmWvkmP9aAKIF5cbsPfAaKCi6WoojAPHRjIzw_tm6SZ_v786_bdtYd8okrXDnFAPJVDu0Z-bWZeCGuyuVSc3GPl3NR8KpNp82Ol5X3VZVGOtUgnBCuEdGYAq/s1600/PWI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4vwzfLbhJd78yXp6ibjtgmWvkmP9aAKIF5cbsPfAaKCi6WoojAPHRjIzw_tm6SZ_v786_bdtYd8okrXDnFAPJVDu0Z-bWZeCGuyuVSc3GPl3NR8KpNp82Ol5X3VZVGOtUgnBCuEdGYAq/s320/PWI.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've kinda been on a green kick recently and the clear pen with green ink really caught my attention! After I would look at the magazine again and see that is was not a Prera but a Pilot Heritage 92 clear or "demonstrator" fountain pen. Well the green trim on the Prera makes it even better!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51X_XeyflQg7c5uQs6nUN0NV4iULUPYymlOMEudZDzNU4O9HcQhhOCOUcqK7UgkjPNHqt8QV-1CNl4GR6BPGy5vyHssgrtxRuItqrtVaiosWKAlo7rzSr-JcupG8YSBoVfd5Dv-Z-F4Ro/s1600/Chiku+rin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51X_XeyflQg7c5uQs6nUN0NV4iULUPYymlOMEudZDzNU4O9HcQhhOCOUcqK7UgkjPNHqt8QV-1CNl4GR6BPGy5vyHssgrtxRuItqrtVaiosWKAlo7rzSr-JcupG8YSBoVfd5Dv-Z-F4Ro/s400/Chiku+rin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I seem to have come full circle (the original title I had for this post). I think this pen is the first non flexible nib fountain pen I've purchased in years. My very first "good" fountain pen was a Jade Green Cross Townsend with a broad nib ( nib made by Pelikan). When I purchased the Cross it was also the very first time I went to the Honolulu Pen Shop when they were located on Beretania Street. Prior to that I was using a Mont Blanc "rip off" I bought at a trade show, and some disposable fountain pens. I didn't even know it was a fake Mont Blanc because I'd never of Mont Blanc before. Sadly I don't have the Cross anymore, I probably traded it in for another pen. So much for being sentimental.<br />
<br />
What my "thing" was back then was wrtiting letters. I wrote a lot of letters. I wrote letters for my church at the time. I wrote letters to friends. I wrote letters to my fiancé who eventually became wife. My wife told me that I write really good letters. Fellow church members would tell me that the letters I wrote had touched them. And even though I was not into fancy script or calligraphy, recipients would still comment on my handwriting even though I wasn't really trying to "write nice," just wanted to say something meaningful.<br />
<br />
And then I was introduced to the world of flexible nibs when Earl the late owner of Honolulu Pen Shop introduced me to a vintage Waterman 92. He told me I can write "Spencerian" style though I eventually learned that is something different. But I knew what he meant. I then bought and read a book on Copperplate Calligraphy, sat down with the pen and book and WOW...my life was changed!<br />
<br />
From then on my focus with writing was on lettering or forming letters, and not composition of my letters. Of course my fountain pen purchases were all flexible nib fountain pens and I eventually also got into oblique holders and dip nibs. That is a subject for another post. But when I wrote letters in a nice "hand" using the flex pens or dip pen, I focused on forming letters but lost track of composing meaningful correspondence. I could write <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-kind-of-letter-would-you-like-to.html">blah blah blah</a> and make it look nice, but it would almost be meaningless and not heartfelt in my opinion.<br />
<br />
So with this pen I am returning to the art of the handwritten letter!<br />
<br />
I don't know that I will post any letter here. Often what I write may not be something to show publicly although there may be exceptions. But when I think of green I can't get the song It Ain't Easy Being Green sung by Kermit the Frog out of my head.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QYqdxQ2r2hdzg6qZYN_wUqDswGsh2wdoJukjSOOtPTOiQwvkG7FetgN42Dsaur9xb-B-F6kc1q_vp-1iesa4PJcflcxTCiVWNcmF5MpHu9GdUc6QOJlyEjmor6kGuIoUnQQeUmRshjx0/s1600/Its+not+easy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QYqdxQ2r2hdzg6qZYN_wUqDswGsh2wdoJukjSOOtPTOiQwvkG7FetgN42Dsaur9xb-B-F6kc1q_vp-1iesa4PJcflcxTCiVWNcmF5MpHu9GdUc6QOJlyEjmor6kGuIoUnQQeUmRshjx0/s400/Its+not+easy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaavDt-aAtX4EXRIDAjEp652A_j7ZtiZBXbvmRMCS0sS6zGTP-mWfIY6YqQ2Htjfh-pVGnsSprIbuMa8YN7X_ZHLTrYOSAqK19G5aiR53xbOW9sD5fvOdvpr9LPINL0bAIRyyN273iDcsU/s1600/Capped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaavDt-aAtX4EXRIDAjEp652A_j7ZtiZBXbvmRMCS0sS6zGTP-mWfIY6YqQ2Htjfh-pVGnsSprIbuMa8YN7X_ZHLTrYOSAqK19G5aiR53xbOW9sD5fvOdvpr9LPINL0bAIRyyN273iDcsU/s400/Capped.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr6f2eIdyfM6raPMDVzd1sjee8BAk6MXODhlh9osXzGSaMxXTvRpTrVJygRRkT1M3EGN1qPwC6BRbobZ6MIdgRqsxZJsM_wOhbcJV8WAOPq6eN3WSaGfCNRoNfvn9ChxYO0rigv9VBhp4/s1600/Nib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr6f2eIdyfM6raPMDVzd1sjee8BAk6MXODhlh9osXzGSaMxXTvRpTrVJygRRkT1M3EGN1qPwC6BRbobZ6MIdgRqsxZJsM_wOhbcJV8WAOPq6eN3WSaGfCNRoNfvn9ChxYO0rigv9VBhp4/s400/Nib.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ahh you don't want to see the entire page of lyrics do you? It ain't that pretty!<br />
<br />
I will probably carry this Prera around since I think it's cool to show non-fountain pen people what the insides of a fountain pen looks like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXUkULbIurKnEXxt1c2OJTkkZqHsbBB83IM9R6L1YGGQwfe8UvFwctx63T1vWyxyzG5H03Pcu0YS_9dceA8LRpCXjIH8tVakRXfr9nkCCQmzIPP4eHd6J21Z2j93T6hwoXGuhSKA8IHNd/s1600/Clear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXUkULbIurKnEXxt1c2OJTkkZqHsbBB83IM9R6L1YGGQwfe8UvFwctx63T1vWyxyzG5H03Pcu0YS_9dceA8LRpCXjIH8tVakRXfr9nkCCQmzIPP4eHd6J21Z2j93T6hwoXGuhSKA8IHNd/s400/Clear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mahalo nui to all who read and follow my meager blog. I really do appreciate the nice comments I get and it does give me the inspiration to keep it going.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> More posts and also videos to follow soon!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5lu-Hh8vzWELY-QNpf9lWZpC1T_gQhBU7D3hjzaXlxflqvDymEgbmNxW3xEY-tSCdGSdfQ3nH2-ITbWZCo6Xh66ZRv7-volZSLG0Bml438mly586ALiZZvdVm6wdZSqMtkOzcU2tUzNG/s1600/Prera+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5lu-Hh8vzWELY-QNpf9lWZpC1T_gQhBU7D3hjzaXlxflqvDymEgbmNxW3xEY-tSCdGSdfQ3nH2-ITbWZCo6Xh66ZRv7-volZSLG0Bml438mly586ALiZZvdVm6wdZSqMtkOzcU2tUzNG/s400/Prera+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Aloha...</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-66016879607652305652012-10-08T18:43:00.000-07:002012-10-08T18:43:39.541-07:00Time for a change!I need to make a change!<br />
<br />
I have slowly been descending into a rut for the past several years, in fact probably for well over a decade now. Work, family, health issues, laziness-all taking a toll on me. I cannot keep on living this way, so I need to make changes. I've read that Albert Einstein once may have said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." So since this is a pen blog (I think), I will start with changes in my a few of my pens!<br />
<br />
My two main fountain pens (modern) are my Namiki and Pilot Falcons. I've had the same color inks in them for so many years. Maybe a change in ink color will get me back writing again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEjjAgpbWOQ4NBQRnx7Vfn4PW-ymchSreJ5QS0MT_wa9S-5BpX4n7yw4-oGGkYt731iuKGjCzvbET7C-5KQHoBWDhYbqga_GKpCu2yJI1mnzxDe5q7M-99UXwyTHEiGCEoTbLddbvB9q0/s1600/Falcons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEjjAgpbWOQ4NBQRnx7Vfn4PW-ymchSreJ5QS0MT_wa9S-5BpX4n7yw4-oGGkYt731iuKGjCzvbET7C-5KQHoBWDhYbqga_GKpCu2yJI1mnzxDe5q7M-99UXwyTHEiGCEoTbLddbvB9q0/s640/Falcons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I will start with my Namiki Falcon with the resin body. I've had this pen since 1998, back when not many people had heard the term "flexible nib" just yet. Back in November of '98 the Honolulu Advertiser did an article about handwriting. They interviewed me and put a large picture of something I wrote using a vintage Waterman.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH-imG2VzORwaMPYEY7jX1JlPqdR4xWOcAR9ETnyZ_R4_CMYQiJnTN3My2D4XAOcKZgdYqbns9rVz8EvqHxZIWfAwb5fArXzkk-ve04NTcF7AP-KhrJonTvYUvQXzcVtG0ZVECXVSvKX1/s1600/Newspaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH-imG2VzORwaMPYEY7jX1JlPqdR4xWOcAR9ETnyZ_R4_CMYQiJnTN3My2D4XAOcKZgdYqbns9rVz8EvqHxZIWfAwb5fArXzkk-ve04NTcF7AP-KhrJonTvYUvQXzcVtG0ZVECXVSvKX1/s640/Newspaper.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yes those are my grubby Greasemonkey paws. Writer Will Hoover told me not to wash my hands, now I know why!<br />
<br />
Well that picture got a lot of attention and at the Pen Fair that followed that weekend, Honolulu Pen Shop was swamped with people asking about "flexible nib" pens. They sold out of whatever vintage pens were in stock, so then we turned to the Falcons...and sold those out too!<br />
<br />
So this pen has a story and special meaning to me, well all of my pens do but. I originally filled it with Mont Blanc Bordeaux for a while then later with Private Reserve Black Cherry. Well now that Namiki has their line of Iroshizuku Inks, I've filled it with Ina -ho.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtrqlemQzEI3lnFXUQssZyAIRN5gMf9EuZoUTw1uZFisiw3GoFRvqFcaigvBC0JVRNR3D1S9hjTIpBDkE7gIfAXP97VQh4JCfWADRS0p_J_wK30KnkZAmdyjNhM-mRr5jO9asVpvbTi4B/s1600/Ina+ho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtrqlemQzEI3lnFXUQssZyAIRN5gMf9EuZoUTw1uZFisiw3GoFRvqFcaigvBC0JVRNR3D1S9hjTIpBDkE7gIfAXP97VQh4JCfWADRS0p_J_wK30KnkZAmdyjNhM-mRr5jO9asVpvbTi4B/s640/Ina+ho.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I try to match the ink color to the pen body but that gets hard after a while.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons I haven't been posting here a lot is because I don't know what to write. Oh I know I can do Scripture, or I can use quotes. I had a ton of books on quotes to use for writing or calligraphy but got rid of them since now they are widely available online. But hey, I've always wanted to be a writer. In fact that's the reason why I started this blog in the first place! So I should come up with my own words. I often think in narrative and I should write down those thoughts. In fact I've just ordered<a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html"> yet another journal</a> of sorts since I'm still looking for one that I will actually sit down to write in. Hey I see I was in a rut back then too. And no I haven't written much in that journal either. I should have a "journal garage sale."<br />
<br />
More on my new journal setup later.<br />
<br />
Recently I've been dealing with a bunch of doctor's appointments and testing. One day there was a cancellation and it threw my day off. But as the day went on, there were unexpected changes and that cancellation actually was a good thing that made the rest of the day go by rather smoothly.<br />
<br />
So I've had this in my head since then.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIBt1zK1X3eHnV66SKLIudkheEcElehmHchySUGVKvSK0sIscCamv4ppkwyalaISjq_5MhTgs7_kk5uqJnwPfIGq3UT9I1_hnGWjBdZ0YjIOsyUjBNWk27C0tLdDhmadmXTOICPfQ4eLY/s1600/Quote+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIBt1zK1X3eHnV66SKLIudkheEcElehmHchySUGVKvSK0sIscCamv4ppkwyalaISjq_5MhTgs7_kk5uqJnwPfIGq3UT9I1_hnGWjBdZ0YjIOsyUjBNWk27C0tLdDhmadmXTOICPfQ4eLY/s640/Quote+res.jpg" width="513" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Written with Iroshizuku Ina-ho in a Namiki Falcon </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I don't know, sounds kinda "wonky" now that I see it on paper. That is the first and only draft. I hear writers go through this self doubt thing all the time, and I'm good at self doubt. That's why I'm not doing much art, and I'm working on that.<br />
<br />
So here is my well used Namiki Falcon with all of it's scars...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_HuxCqgDndp4y7z2g5rjdvT_qkLWHtTBniTFngz-ZjpeVHqI0-8M3gBsccaLFYlhjlGg_0Qw0THryUkUeFrbtRvCSI2burNZ48_JQmygSfEh5SCkukNTZgTu1hDLDu6kpVVlhGX296K5/s1600/Nib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_HuxCqgDndp4y7z2g5rjdvT_qkLWHtTBniTFngz-ZjpeVHqI0-8M3gBsccaLFYlhjlGg_0Qw0THryUkUeFrbtRvCSI2burNZ48_JQmygSfEh5SCkukNTZgTu1hDLDu6kpVVlhGX296K5/s640/Nib.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oh and Ina-ho according to Namiki means "Rice ear"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYzGQ-fPtw4-3p-HNAyEi7tBfwzxObWQctJf-Jc7tG0iDKwZIekkaXrBdE0AXtRh6a74TIrujn_aKFobr2vhcT15Urt_SSdlNH856toJ7x4V57Ra7bcjJVpm8-91GzekUewT4YEgckcHt/s1600/Rice+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYzGQ-fPtw4-3p-HNAyEi7tBfwzxObWQctJf-Jc7tG0iDKwZIekkaXrBdE0AXtRh6a74TIrujn_aKFobr2vhcT15Urt_SSdlNH856toJ7x4V57Ra7bcjJVpm8-91GzekUewT4YEgckcHt/s640/Rice+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this picture in Japan during a trip there BK (before kids) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Not quite rice ear but rice in a field in Japan. Is there a resemblance to Ina-ho?<br />
<br />
Next post will be about my metal body Pilot Falcon...hopefully soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292727; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292727; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292727; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-53899848975115988962012-06-08T15:47:00.000-07:002012-06-08T23:52:26.790-07:00Pilot Grance and Iroshizuku yu-yakeWow another letter and another post, I must be on vacation! But why do I only have the energy and motivation to get creative on the last days of my vacation?<br />
<br />
Anyway here is today's arsenal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9Mr7Keyo7uegpFr_HtJzaVzGWK_gxgVzg_r-8nviPXvJ18JXqJSPAtLM6B3lf9p8YBzXFeHQrtL7FGMSyV5Nm1r9wZnafBtPWFRFKWAENUnce7GRUpy3gNo5VXndwgR2YwbDCYYQyGMw/s1600/tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9Mr7Keyo7uegpFr_HtJzaVzGWK_gxgVzg_r-8nviPXvJ18JXqJSPAtLM6B3lf9p8YBzXFeHQrtL7FGMSyV5Nm1r9wZnafBtPWFRFKWAENUnce7GRUpy3gNo5VXndwgR2YwbDCYYQyGMw/s400/tools.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oh let me explain the bloody Mary. My friend John from Pilot Pens always reply to my posts on Facebook (after I get back from my 30 mile bicycle rides) that I should enjoy my mornings with a bloody Mary and a fine cigar. Well I don't smoke and I'm not about to start, I have enough health issues I've been handed via my DNA. I also don't drink except for a very rare glass of Riesling at a nice dinner out or a very small cup of fine sake. But the bloody Mary intrigued me, so John gave me recommendations for the recipe. I've been enjoying virgin bloody Maries (Marys?) for a few days now. It does go nicely with letter writing, right along with coffee and some nice Hawaiian ki ho`alu music. <a href="http://www.dancingcat.com/recordings/08022-38013-2.php">Listen to my friend Ozzie,</a> you'll know what I mean. But that's another story.<br />
<br />
Anyway I thought I'd use a Pilot Grance that John gave me. I've had an all Sterling Namiki version for many years, but it's been sitting in my pen case in lieu of using fatter pens. But this this red Grance sorta looked like the color of a bloody Mary so...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVOyS7EOzF07USZs8WYoObrPvsw-4F42OuKGV_RrdzmNIwAhLpO8xBCutSYllBQElQxyDsyJsR3nCGrAu-9A7jZFY-HPY7Wr0sHnYX1EDIi758N3hujVr9E3o-jcEtFDxnNYQq6KPjS2-/s1600/grance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVOyS7EOzF07USZs8WYoObrPvsw-4F42OuKGV_RrdzmNIwAhLpO8xBCutSYllBQElQxyDsyJsR3nCGrAu-9A7jZFY-HPY7Wr0sHnYX1EDIi758N3hujVr9E3o-jcEtFDxnNYQq6KPjS2-/s320/grance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-WQFpwZouAcLou3_ETmYZ-Hj_FfHVAm_q4yk24HHJRuU37V1S0Sb66vgeaXDPduCCCTm6DNe9gvWoMNNl-lxRtxfnrWljDQ_A_wwMfhZ4lcUim2C5QLYqQSSubotHW4Ctsl5FxZrOlA/s1600/cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-WQFpwZouAcLou3_ETmYZ-Hj_FfHVAm_q4yk24HHJRuU37V1S0Sb66vgeaXDPduCCCTm6DNe9gvWoMNNl-lxRtxfnrWljDQ_A_wwMfhZ4lcUim2C5QLYqQSSubotHW4Ctsl5FxZrOlA/s320/cap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHdJPlZEqAtEMEgSs4fVt3_MG2JGmwjTwDdrClSTMnwJ6WjNJ7aw-t9FYU5NMaoa94O6XCN4TMxDmpCxAFdvhnYVbX0gbKPqInUvVFojEgIve9tYe641V4VRG7rYuvaAGo5GzQEabQeG6/s1600/nib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHdJPlZEqAtEMEgSs4fVt3_MG2JGmwjTwDdrClSTMnwJ6WjNJ7aw-t9FYU5NMaoa94O6XCN4TMxDmpCxAFdvhnYVbX0gbKPqInUvVFojEgIve9tYe641V4VRG7rYuvaAGo5GzQEabQeG6/s320/nib.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I filled it with Namiki Iroshizuku Yu-yake. I thought of buying a bottle of a red Iroshizuku, but I'd probably never use it again. And the Yu-yake does look a little like tomato juice...sorta.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQShjs5tlqc49bkhAiIjOz3Qm9WmJTovvBi4PVhCl807bJkVwtkIucCZYZo9YdOLS1NcW3wzAzxEcwci4PsplSDayujPMLrl1vEci3Cn5i4tqAaCHQbYeO1rThDwA7QmlwWP-bSDzTX4q/s1600/yu+yake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQShjs5tlqc49bkhAiIjOz3Qm9WmJTovvBi4PVhCl807bJkVwtkIucCZYZo9YdOLS1NcW3wzAzxEcwci4PsplSDayujPMLrl1vEci3Cn5i4tqAaCHQbYeO1rThDwA7QmlwWP-bSDzTX4q/s400/yu+yake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I wrote on a page of parchment paper from a pad. Don't always have to use fancy stationery though that certainly makes for a nice letter. I always start my letter with "Dear"... kind of the hopeless romantic in me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfKPxJmOZ9v_iB5eSH_sMq5aFNsdvi7Nb74QdDO6RYUO1w-Pz5u9xUNIrHv4SIx3iGm-dABsHJz0F19ZRwjg8y5QjL4ADxH3tuTcqDU5UnkeCcnMr6xBDydoqFxosn7QQukxdPpKbrLaW/s1600/Dear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfKPxJmOZ9v_iB5eSH_sMq5aFNsdvi7Nb74QdDO6RYUO1w-Pz5u9xUNIrHv4SIx3iGm-dABsHJz0F19ZRwjg8y5QjL4ADxH3tuTcqDU5UnkeCcnMr6xBDydoqFxosn7QQukxdPpKbrLaW/s400/Dear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Yu-yake is a pretty nice match for the orange-ish parchment paper.<br />
<br />
No auto correct. I need to get nice hard cover dictionaries and a thesaurus that will also enhance the top of my writing desk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2Mv5wJGOMxbaiv7rhvf10d8I4geRK76XGipXWewSCEfiLe-7Rd8YqSFq9ureZT96Xbbt_uxyRFGl7Y2XAQru2_0skJ5UAf7ZsNq3peqfLTbbfrTcT2Bv9r_YY2uOSTa7RW9UhOw4zRyD/s1600/Dictionary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2Mv5wJGOMxbaiv7rhvf10d8I4geRK76XGipXWewSCEfiLe-7Rd8YqSFq9ureZT96Xbbt_uxyRFGl7Y2XAQru2_0skJ5UAf7ZsNq3peqfLTbbfrTcT2Bv9r_YY2uOSTa7RW9UhOw4zRyD/s320/Dictionary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The problem with this pad was being able to tear the page away cleanly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p3uEJW_lPSDzE0fQj3a1xBGqSoRwbL1_8o4RuIay7NnFHQH1PUTfHwntmBIQ31VFcXlkCrkfUJ7e-TVEUQS_vbgpR7FvddKUVBP5LGi7PVOUxpn8hfEI1kqALcBzPV1Hjzt_Q5qNOhNo/s1600/Kino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p3uEJW_lPSDzE0fQj3a1xBGqSoRwbL1_8o4RuIay7NnFHQH1PUTfHwntmBIQ31VFcXlkCrkfUJ7e-TVEUQS_vbgpR7FvddKUVBP5LGi7PVOUxpn8hfEI1kqALcBzPV1Hjzt_Q5qNOhNo/s400/Kino.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And it was hard to turn a "N" into an "A". There was a time when I would trash the whole letter and start over if I make a mistake. No more! Those mistakes in my opinion, add to the charm of a handwritten letter.<br />
<br />
Since there is no matching envelope for the pad of paper, I used an envelope from a Korean Stationery store here in Honolulu.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUmsinztCQs2Y5-KOxvkHbF4eJ7VsI5b3bJLXYUn9kBezwSsKTMYXcvs_RZJxaxvebWysThODU2qvJhkh76Dr3NHs42rTx70aLxXJQO3BNaDx54YyvD0rIh6LX_DJbk3kNyqt8XzAps0L/s1600/envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUmsinztCQs2Y5-KOxvkHbF4eJ7VsI5b3bJLXYUn9kBezwSsKTMYXcvs_RZJxaxvebWysThODU2qvJhkh76Dr3NHs42rTx70aLxXJQO3BNaDx54YyvD0rIh6LX_DJbk3kNyqt8XzAps0L/s400/envelope.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I knew they would come in handy some day.<br />
<br />
Always try to finish with a wax seal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sXHh9-HiY0a-tx2yp2onwWBEu3toi39AQ_TAIZAC3jQbeKJPGprX6KCQQMDXmpWdtF2m9WY_NH7UVn1XfqXU1fdITLltWIKBaJnIqeQHOrKVeIoTsRADVVP4RTnuW7brgQcfTBYfRFz7/s1600/seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sXHh9-HiY0a-tx2yp2onwWBEu3toi39AQ_TAIZAC3jQbeKJPGprX6KCQQMDXmpWdtF2m9WY_NH7UVn1XfqXU1fdITLltWIKBaJnIqeQHOrKVeIoTsRADVVP4RTnuW7brgQcfTBYfRFz7/s320/seal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This one turned out less than perfect.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping I can write a few more letters during the remainder of my vacation. Also I need to get some rest and get into a routine so I'm not too tired or busy to be "creative" when I'm not on vacation, that's the hard part for me!<br />
<br />
I hope you all enjoy this letter and post. And John...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4rqQ10093-IsIA4s91V9hoqFRqO3Ohh1XYz9UUI1Cl9NINvCzuf6aAk1rJf2-sajzpbbgYKzxXETMfi2VQURWunTxVC9xiHezT2EldfaEMjPQnkXejCm_SP-g99QSJ-NCV4uBULvAvm2/s1600/B+Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4rqQ10093-IsIA4s91V9hoqFRqO3Ohh1XYz9UUI1Cl9NINvCzuf6aAk1rJf2-sajzpbbgYKzxXETMfi2VQURWunTxVC9xiHezT2EldfaEMjPQnkXejCm_SP-g99QSJ-NCV4uBULvAvm2/s400/B+Mary.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This one's for you!<br />
<br />
<br />Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-39625723111086088822012-06-05T15:25:00.000-07:002012-06-05T15:25:47.555-07:00Pilot Custom 823 with Iroshizuku yama-guri<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It's been such a long time since my last post here. Please forgive me!<br />
<br />
I posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/rodney_o/status/206514962871500800">tweet</a> on Twitter jokingly that most of my posts on Instragram are food pictures. Then my Twitter friend<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Inkophile"> @Inkophile</a> replied back saying that she may have to remove me from her penlist. Noooo!!! But she is correct. So I told her I would write her a letter and post it here on my blog, so here we go!<br />
<br />
There are several reasons I have not been writing. I'm still struggling with a lifestyle issue that's keeping me in the doldrums, still working on that. But another reason is I used to feel that everyone expected my letters to be written in a nice perfect script that I've developed a reputation for. This put a silly unneeded pressure on me before I even sat down to write. Then I'd procrastinate and well, not write at all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>This will stop now!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So I began my letter to Margana (@Inkophile)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwybac8M8LKy3Id1Qs6wuyOWgLITLUyICO2lfYq0v8Ol4PauuqOfVB8AoOkYtD6RBh_Dwga9Hu0jgGuYSsu6pkO6hA-s57o9PpT0ubbkX7QotWtq73Rxj_l2iMzADcBrrvEdI0QOZYAgi/s1600/Dear+Margana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwybac8M8LKy3Id1Qs6wuyOWgLITLUyICO2lfYq0v8Ol4PauuqOfVB8AoOkYtD6RBh_Dwga9Hu0jgGuYSsu6pkO6hA-s57o9PpT0ubbkX7QotWtq73Rxj_l2iMzADcBrrvEdI0QOZYAgi/s400/Dear+Margana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I used a Pilot Custom 823 that was given to me by my friend John who is the sales manager for Pilot/Namiki Pens in the US.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqpAfiERQcitAmZr8IAZm0mM4zWaMbzum06DblrLrJS92Fn4MbF3cOoNTHieGiuLbYrsxhZ2FZw4jLwVL9ZOYkbs_AV5ykEcHJP3cpENK1MtfEGsZmHhEli66VFoNmPZnaZ1A6LFEigoC/s1600/Custom+823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqpAfiERQcitAmZr8IAZm0mM4zWaMbzum06DblrLrJS92Fn4MbF3cOoNTHieGiuLbYrsxhZ2FZw4jLwVL9ZOYkbs_AV5ykEcHJP3cpENK1MtfEGsZmHhEli66VFoNmPZnaZ1A6LFEigoC/s400/Custom+823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAQkUqtOjMr2YxpGTbYRbizvcmSR0wiEqhgEiQTRspEFHPYdcMOnBLBQoCQpFBbcDJWRhewH1KrC3NyG0e8Pr2eMTojX4ZHR_Dp82hyphenhyphenIRo-uAyY6i7HlUMTO1YzTIXiFtCGsa-qYqpRXR/s1600/Band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAQkUqtOjMr2YxpGTbYRbizvcmSR0wiEqhgEiQTRspEFHPYdcMOnBLBQoCQpFBbcDJWRhewH1KrC3NyG0e8Pr2eMTojX4ZHR_Dp82hyphenhyphenIRo-uAyY6i7HlUMTO1YzTIXiFtCGsa-qYqpRXR/s400/Band.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmx6HQVgEASt0sM5hfKhgEtPPAIE6fobGpgPwQcBgWq9rbyVdWiKSAv9ptzZeajqw9GSo8VQXb2KA2MsUMzLzHWYH6hH5wm8ywdR_PZrfDSVrO6mcyFatUPnPtMsSilihO16_t2ErD6-Q/s1600/Nib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmx6HQVgEASt0sM5hfKhgEtPPAIE6fobGpgPwQcBgWq9rbyVdWiKSAv9ptzZeajqw9GSo8VQXb2KA2MsUMzLzHWYH6hH5wm8ywdR_PZrfDSVrO6mcyFatUPnPtMsSilihO16_t2ErD6-Q/s400/Nib.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I filled it with Irohsizuku yama-guri that I purchased from Honolulu Pen Shop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYGeVYN_NxcsvBkIFdHYR4iYvuDfEMer2A1erm0yid2cizoEB-up6aI0NT2ZyXkHX41N_XAq64tDsN7-nNC-5RbcX5G93dO4wIeVsbE74TkkusfzDE8tOoTQ20tCSBf9N1ZrrDc5S1aHR/s1600/Yama+guri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYGeVYN_NxcsvBkIFdHYR4iYvuDfEMer2A1erm0yid2cizoEB-up6aI0NT2ZyXkHX41N_XAq64tDsN7-nNC-5RbcX5G93dO4wIeVsbE74TkkusfzDE8tOoTQ20tCSBf9N1ZrrDc5S1aHR/s400/Yama+guri.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then I took out a set of nice hand crafted paper that was given to me a long time ago by my friend Corinne of Honolulu Pen Shop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8u9Hv4NpoHjBZ_T55JV-3xosScLmsbPyZxhTnh_W2-cdrlu3RbYkIIUSqfFx1hH0lMSLQUGW1WqbItUirlCfupNyn_7gpj0vINF0hZpb9x5HE7tgjXWoCStaxBleky4S1eFNsPnniZKS/s1600/Rondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8u9Hv4NpoHjBZ_T55JV-3xosScLmsbPyZxhTnh_W2-cdrlu3RbYkIIUSqfFx1hH0lMSLQUGW1WqbItUirlCfupNyn_7gpj0vINF0hZpb9x5HE7tgjXWoCStaxBleky4S1eFNsPnniZKS/s400/Rondo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBiW-3Da9MV0L0zs3igm4Wk6Qdga6r8jWxrdJTkr_8WxhCrrBFQWO21IHxe2QInyHCEMmt7LW94iXw0eEU-af-lWmiKWRoS8hAbZ3kyRf4drhsT2vJOV50VGAdMzy69SradKtbG7_L913/s1600/Buttenpapier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBiW-3Da9MV0L0zs3igm4Wk6Qdga6r8jWxrdJTkr_8WxhCrrBFQWO21IHxe2QInyHCEMmt7LW94iXw0eEU-af-lWmiKWRoS8hAbZ3kyRf4drhsT2vJOV50VGAdMzy69SradKtbG7_L913/s400/Buttenpapier.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So I wrote and finished my letter, no need for me to divulge the details ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpQgQPkxMiGluUxLw0Bahbxhqsz8agvMy6ZHK6smVRtmgvLEHm_663shfR4_rKghqzsZsqW7PVEAYrlzbs_7e_97Ph1Prnmdip_AW6lNZYDHRNOOtirsXR36fy6H_5yb7mndtgXEW3o7n/s1600/Truly+yours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpQgQPkxMiGluUxLw0Bahbxhqsz8agvMy6ZHK6smVRtmgvLEHm_663shfR4_rKghqzsZsqW7PVEAYrlzbs_7e_97Ph1Prnmdip_AW6lNZYDHRNOOtirsXR36fy6H_5yb7mndtgXEW3o7n/s400/Truly+yours.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
No fancy perfect script. No flexible nib fountain pen. No dip nib in an oblique holder. Misspelled words. Mistakes and all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wlv7OSqyg68Alv8mdCqpy9FiEAsrmr5CZD3dOAnTy9cmGztKVwsT6fb-qgA8ugKRITXX5WgGU8_x74M2NyBLCyxfafZPaBzy3LiLep_-HViKBJUAmaXnSuc67gUNi7qvTZKl-s34jkX5/s1600/Mistake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wlv7OSqyg68Alv8mdCqpy9FiEAsrmr5CZD3dOAnTy9cmGztKVwsT6fb-qgA8ugKRITXX5WgGU8_x74M2NyBLCyxfafZPaBzy3LiLep_-HViKBJUAmaXnSuc67gUNi7qvTZKl-s34jkX5/s400/Mistake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Quickly written, easier to put my heart on paper without tools or technique to get in the way!<br />
<br />
Always nice to finish with a wax seal on the envelope.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBy5JZ_nIz8CJ7AWINTzu6o9clURvMk6aDA0jODGw9wR6YmjgbDXQEBypF9TsZDBnSeEHyqOivV6CjLMCEybamZdl25IEkm7MMOu5r5NbUHetiW_BPwqGBtBdTtrub7Q_Ly-JJ1LFXvAd/s1600/Seal+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBy5JZ_nIz8CJ7AWINTzu6o9clURvMk6aDA0jODGw9wR6YmjgbDXQEBypF9TsZDBnSeEHyqOivV6CjLMCEybamZdl25IEkm7MMOu5r5NbUHetiW_BPwqGBtBdTtrub7Q_Ly-JJ1LFXvAd/s400/Seal+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sd17OOCxRVMj2jtV7l8B8u6FM2e5FWxxGm91lyvY3OoRZYrsTOZu98lCqok-c1ynZgCgUpLnh1Lt7jDnyQLiZjNLRzIzo853Z-edYa4Y7vf2I2IJMWiOMo4UfaZz54mkWqXuKArlg05R/s1600/Seal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sd17OOCxRVMj2jtV7l8B8u6FM2e5FWxxGm91lyvY3OoRZYrsTOZu98lCqok-c1ynZgCgUpLnh1Lt7jDnyQLiZjNLRzIzo853Z-edYa4Y7vf2I2IJMWiOMo4UfaZz54mkWqXuKArlg05R/s400/Seal+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I hope this does not disappoint!</b><br />
<br />
I'm hoping to start writing more letters like this, it is one of my passions that I've been really bad at. I need encouragement though. You can find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/rodney_o">Twitter</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading and until next time I will always remain...<br />
<br />
Faithfully yours!<br />
<br />
<b><i>Rodney</i></b><br />
aka GreasemonkeyhandsGreasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-31276265469330071802012-02-19T22:22:00.000-08:002012-02-19T23:19:15.493-08:00Namiki PreraThis is another pen that my friend John from Pilot Pens gave to me, a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1703102454188568118">Namiki Prera</a>. He told me to try it, it has a steel nib. When I hear steel nib I think stiff and scratchy. Anyway I finally got a chance to sit down with it and filled it with Namiki Iroshizuku Fuyu-syogun, gray ink for a gray pen, not that it really matters. Ok it matters to me!<br /><br />It's a pretty pen and it feels pretty comfy in my hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiIzM7GjpXIApYamOhT5wvklEuuX5cVFaMlypHfR2INNPHolRR5_lMPk3u-Ri_HJTqLprjIeXnTNrtp5p0JMXNYI7U9EZtkH-lTsmOmGOpNUWK3DXDr7tG3EzQIsC65j8NfxBH9u3Ug4o/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiIzM7GjpXIApYamOhT5wvklEuuX5cVFaMlypHfR2INNPHolRR5_lMPk3u-Ri_HJTqLprjIeXnTNrtp5p0JMXNYI7U9EZtkH-lTsmOmGOpNUWK3DXDr7tG3EzQIsC65j8NfxBH9u3Ug4o/s400/IMG_1839.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711103846688338306" /></a><br /><br />The steel nib is definitely not stiff or scratchy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywOQO-_gbsGao4VnW7Abc1GYt_6rIsUmOUq8O7saiAciscpOrwVZGe7tnqTyCvdSEg6cYZZAKRLd5yBbECxMHjw1sWHWwilQyY4siz6eH3uc2h3sug1mSsbKuc35lpuhcZovRxj7iZs1O/s1600/IMG_1838.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywOQO-_gbsGao4VnW7Abc1GYt_6rIsUmOUq8O7saiAciscpOrwVZGe7tnqTyCvdSEg6cYZZAKRLd5yBbECxMHjw1sWHWwilQyY4siz6eH3uc2h3sug1mSsbKuc35lpuhcZovRxj7iZs1O/s400/IMG_1838.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711104011042211394" /></a><br /><br />I chose to write in a pad, not on fancy handmade paper or cotton rag stationery. I used an old Ampad Embassy pad, the one that Spencerian Penman Michael Sull used to recommend for practicing ornamental penmanship. Then I struggled with what to write. I really would like to use my own words but I don't have anything written down and I can't come up with anything when I need to for times like this. I need to keep a journal to write my thoughts in, maybe I can come up with something meaningful. But that's another ongoing story.<br /><br />So I found and wrote a quote I like.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1bGhKMgxNlljKQIbF4ECFElnc7LgSKpk2wiaBpTwSwQ4AjlNFliyzUbF0k_ER0uUysWMQIGHfNj4Da6ll_ohxSXP5HSGHgzsaRZqouqvFsSpgzX2s2vLqcMxDWfkJnfZTU7n3IGH2gHr/s1600/Quote.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1bGhKMgxNlljKQIbF4ECFElnc7LgSKpk2wiaBpTwSwQ4AjlNFliyzUbF0k_ER0uUysWMQIGHfNj4Da6ll_ohxSXP5HSGHgzsaRZqouqvFsSpgzX2s2vLqcMxDWfkJnfZTU7n3IGH2gHr/s400/Quote.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711105812087020018" /></a><br /><br />This was written very quickly, definitely not "calligraphy"! One thing I need/want to do is create videos and post them to show my writing style. It may show that I don't really do anything different than other writers. I just write!<br /><br />John told me this model was not brought into the US. The US models are demonstrators. I think demonstrators are pretty cool to carry around and show to non-pen people. I may go to Honolulu Pen Shop and purchase one. That orange one looks pretty nice, and I can fill it with yu-yake that I have. Or maybe the green one and buy a bottle of green Iroshizuku since I seem to be on a green kick now. One can never have enough pens...right?<br /><br />This the first time I used a scanner to create an image for posting here. When I used the camera though, I caught this reflection off of the pen that was kinda neat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDXPFroI-_nr4I2IJvp7jm7pwwdiXw78W0fyaxydCmCWywUgEjk9hMQ2ZB-kslH0EtrjnripVsv5a_1HtmCZ_NwacrOGtf15qX9l0JK1XNG32rw6hZeeoSZpge41GzjyxZQv8KuGVo2aR/s1600/IMG_1835.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDXPFroI-_nr4I2IJvp7jm7pwwdiXw78W0fyaxydCmCWywUgEjk9hMQ2ZB-kslH0EtrjnripVsv5a_1HtmCZ_NwacrOGtf15qX9l0JK1XNG32rw6hZeeoSZpge41GzjyxZQv8KuGVo2aR/s400/IMG_1835.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711106405816198834" /></a><br /><br />Ok I need to write a letter now with this Prera...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">But I will use nice cotton rag stationery!</span></span>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-34939577449573279602012-01-22T23:56:00.000-08:002012-01-23T00:53:38.987-08:00Namiki Sterling DragonI have to admit that my friend John is the sales manager for Pilot USA. I've known him for a long time, well over ten years. Recently he has been blessing me with Namiki and Pilot fountain pens. Some are current, some are discontinued and some were never brought into the US. However I am not being paid to post on this blog by John or Pilot Pens so this is not a sponsored blog or whatever you call those.<br /><br />That said...<br /><br />John recently visited Honolulu. He, his wife and I had the opportunity to have dinner and listen to Hawaiian music one evening. He had sent me a box of pens a few months ago, and that evening he presented another box. I will post about those beautiful pens starting with the <a href="http://www.namiki.com/collections/sterling.php">Namiki Sterling Collection</a> Dragon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjPEPH4IUjMugEMmeI9w0LUBaH6IE5P2s9f-NpMqBVmPNuFOe7WDtKQQytdwJ4hhMRFFNx4XUUcFJhi4FACeGaFsviZTLHlS5QCzO97tmwQJOXJD3p-sVtN1suW9hj5b9Q6l6gap4QNy/s1600/IMG_1810.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjPEPH4IUjMugEMmeI9w0LUBaH6IE5P2s9f-NpMqBVmPNuFOe7WDtKQQytdwJ4hhMRFFNx4XUUcFJhi4FACeGaFsviZTLHlS5QCzO97tmwQJOXJD3p-sVtN1suW9hj5b9Q6l6gap4QNy/s400/IMG_1810.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700739628005281042" /></a><br /><br />This was perfect timing because Chinese New Year was coming up and it will be the year of the Dragon, how fitting! I had a hard time trying to get the dragon on the pen in my pictures, this is the best I could do.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i4fhbDnS5sSVMYe-NAM2N1y_XPTyX1ZTGc6f-yh0v0IdsgM8RnFfGwxC8d3tftSMtYiV9-0ktXdccosUav7Imu4KGrUYSgmY2Qo5tWfdTUWtHwuEMXOsCJ2UvwINiwZJU_T-w85TKs7F/s1600/IMG_1808.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i4fhbDnS5sSVMYe-NAM2N1y_XPTyX1ZTGc6f-yh0v0IdsgM8RnFfGwxC8d3tftSMtYiV9-0ktXdccosUav7Imu4KGrUYSgmY2Qo5tWfdTUWtHwuEMXOsCJ2UvwINiwZJU_T-w85TKs7F/s400/IMG_1808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700739858122015394" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQuC_4OYYqbQJ893kYTopYEx0MDrLP6pQRlB4lMi8kR_P2o5NDzjsrE4GZMqN1W2_qSTste3Bw4PSJvkQj3ZmP-MVYvo4ZuUgwjf8q5uTloUGD72pDZl_9dvbfYvif9DFVaeZ_dBzdGW1/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQuC_4OYYqbQJ893kYTopYEx0MDrLP6pQRlB4lMi8kR_P2o5NDzjsrE4GZMqN1W2_qSTste3Bw4PSJvkQj3ZmP-MVYvo4ZuUgwjf8q5uTloUGD72pDZl_9dvbfYvif9DFVaeZ_dBzdGW1/s400/IMG_1809.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700740040156198450" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdtthY2CSBopKUxcZ_wcy2ov6TViQWzwPDVKZYZM1bRWILeul8MP0xfYGw2vkTVm6UbTIlYEwE0I7Ussd_Oj_RNdk63cmvNxb83s4KizyoeplRf_FBhB5hpPazvSIm_XbJ5DZZ7J1rXuP/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdtthY2CSBopKUxcZ_wcy2ov6TViQWzwPDVKZYZM1bRWILeul8MP0xfYGw2vkTVm6UbTIlYEwE0I7Ussd_Oj_RNdk63cmvNxb83s4KizyoeplRf_FBhB5hpPazvSIm_XbJ5DZZ7J1rXuP/s400/IMG_1812.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700740198067463570" /></a><br /><br />I filled it with Namiki Iroshizuku Fuyu-syogun ink and gave it a try.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddgafbUm0g7sX59bc38CQeXuYcGzS93T636O26rMGJUuVGZ4ocVsGJNZLITq-31Jnkp-H63zdCJ0JuKF_2IhSYJQ1nYd7bnqNJUWHgf39KnLKG-s-PLKLl9OBmR0yOE8Yr09HaIePV8Oe/s1600/IMG_1827+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddgafbUm0g7sX59bc38CQeXuYcGzS93T636O26rMGJUuVGZ4ocVsGJNZLITq-31Jnkp-H63zdCJ0JuKF_2IhSYJQ1nYd7bnqNJUWHgf39KnLKG-s-PLKLl9OBmR0yOE8Yr09HaIePV8Oe/s400/IMG_1827+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700740371065162594" /></a><br /><br />This post is about the pen, so I did not put much effort into my writing.<br /><br />It's not a pen with a flexible nib so I can't write what I call "script" with it. But I've been wanting a pen I can use to write without worrying about writing "script" and focus on writing composition. This pen feels really good in my hand, it writes nicely and there is sentimental value since it was a gift from a friend. I think I have found my "go to" pen. The pen that will become an extension of my hand and soul!<br /><br />Mahalo nui John! Now I just have to start writing, daily!<br /><br />Well since it is now Chinese New Year, I wish you all...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ixQIIdQDAmbQtB-oh-h9pz5KK9vyMSBufzERD0H-jktoxdHSY9M3cX_OPVH6alFwYEwuU2jAigTnE9gIV78jZTcxUwhRgZxZ05BBrldxmQ1FAsFu-ct7HnM0Omx_aLinVIdyxYpk1Yj/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ixQIIdQDAmbQtB-oh-h9pz5KK9vyMSBufzERD0H-jktoxdHSY9M3cX_OPVH6alFwYEwuU2jAigTnE9gIV78jZTcxUwhRgZxZ05BBrldxmQ1FAsFu-ct7HnM0Omx_aLinVIdyxYpk1Yj/s400/IMG_1820.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700740569249681922" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Xin Nian Kuai Le</span>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-37363041230143607402011-12-29T18:11:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:17:09.276-08:00Thinking Out of the BoxYesterday we went shopping, my wife and I love shopping! Who doesn't? We wound up at <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2010/04/fisher-hawaii.html">Fisher Hawaii</a> again, the best office/school/art supply store in Honolulu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XslTdA7JWJh9tU8j1ZHsLKnQ0x1hNXoS2v_UiYd43ALZLasaEgafbZvWDusVLv4lHRqiHaWmRw5wW_rHxU-cmCa3GAGGgNYmO1g99mPYMl2ELs4xsG6sv7v9JM19FI86R8kJTl9rkCBt/s1600/Fisher+entrance.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XslTdA7JWJh9tU8j1ZHsLKnQ0x1hNXoS2v_UiYd43ALZLasaEgafbZvWDusVLv4lHRqiHaWmRw5wW_rHxU-cmCa3GAGGgNYmO1g99mPYMl2ELs4xsG6sv7v9JM19FI86R8kJTl9rkCBt/s400/Fisher+entrance.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691742483543272690" /></a><br /><br />I knew they were clearing out some pens so I took a look at the counter where they have the higher end pens. Voila, can't go wrong at 70% off!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRfjwbtLg693U9M0isUTVdfT9HtQsAkSUWPOE2Vg7l_dw-VcxpIzOVfGrehVDNSDjgyPknpYbj74GGQbYyNlERDaasZFBie4QOZW97HjnIxihjKBxtbaDM-Y0rBIh03p2iUYEE6fM9hv5/s1600/Sale.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRfjwbtLg693U9M0isUTVdfT9HtQsAkSUWPOE2Vg7l_dw-VcxpIzOVfGrehVDNSDjgyPknpYbj74GGQbYyNlERDaasZFBie4QOZW97HjnIxihjKBxtbaDM-Y0rBIh03p2iUYEE6fM9hv5/s400/Sale.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691742686427354482" /></a><br /><br />The above photos were taken with my new iPhone 4s and I must admit I'm pretty impressed!<br /><br />I don't recall ever purchasing a Sheaffer Pen before though I do have a nice vintage Snorkel. But for that price I did get a two nice pens that we'll put aside for gifts.<br /><br />A nice blue roller ball. Well actually the box said Frosted Lilac!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingawOPXI7j1nwu91Fs_fCuPOE2Hp2tMt-xc6tLWu9XtSU1Jf6-SFv2DiRat2Z17YIFvkjplRPZ7OOCQIyagSI4pgsMUAgeuOjgjNgeViPnR-7-4Y8ZwjM56gXu1rzT2Jux6cndsT-LG_0/s1600/Blue+RB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingawOPXI7j1nwu91Fs_fCuPOE2Hp2tMt-xc6tLWu9XtSU1Jf6-SFv2DiRat2Z17YIFvkjplRPZ7OOCQIyagSI4pgsMUAgeuOjgjNgeViPnR-7-4Y8ZwjM56gXu1rzT2Jux6cndsT-LG_0/s400/Blue+RB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691743311518925698" /></a><br /><br />And a really nice copper/brown roller ball.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Udzf8RXUFEJwfSU8aWMaxzUiy42w7I7zBcNgD31hAvkWDj6vhPYNFa3ms8KrIElAJ-sL1ssTTTeYbR5PflS1snB78IED1TIfwTUWZhE8-ib0BMBYn2M507GEoX0JOoZ51oXBZJ-odNVp/s1600/Brown+RB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Udzf8RXUFEJwfSU8aWMaxzUiy42w7I7zBcNgD31hAvkWDj6vhPYNFa3ms8KrIElAJ-sL1ssTTTeYbR5PflS1snB78IED1TIfwTUWZhE8-ib0BMBYn2M507GEoX0JOoZ51oXBZJ-odNVp/s400/Brown+RB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691743669362908530" /></a><br /><br />But hiding below the counter top and upper shelves I spied an interesting pen. The sales person took it out and it was a fountain pen. She dipped it in a bottle of Cross blue fountain pen ink and I gave it a road test...sold!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3KufvmvOpmJkibmfeiKgkKfJCiCOF8sL3IYF0xMWUzOyjVoziAytNf8v442dYIkqaE4T1cjU_YPruyX81Kt6jlFZUx6m9TH0LVhnBEAFcZp3aP18wpGkVy-sCKyr6UpDVvtLs0TuTVaA/s1600/Capped.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3KufvmvOpmJkibmfeiKgkKfJCiCOF8sL3IYF0xMWUzOyjVoziAytNf8v442dYIkqaE4T1cjU_YPruyX81Kt6jlFZUx6m9TH0LVhnBEAFcZp3aP18wpGkVy-sCKyr6UpDVvtLs0TuTVaA/s400/Capped.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691743896000389618" /></a><br /><br />For some reason I think whale shark when I look at this pen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZj4y1IAG6T189pTk9DBWNnBbHr_IkxDjCDNypTo2BqFixSB1mOn8YQTqOtAF9xyuU9qZYR5OuwbnKXFLZnzKUL83WByngmNo-Iq2SZ2Bhz7kYn99qOw3NE_oMwfbues-7Fa79n4uK4nJ/s1600/Whale+shark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZj4y1IAG6T189pTk9DBWNnBbHr_IkxDjCDNypTo2BqFixSB1mOn8YQTqOtAF9xyuU9qZYR5OuwbnKXFLZnzKUL83WByngmNo-Iq2SZ2Bhz7kYn99qOw3NE_oMwfbues-7Fa79n4uK4nJ/s400/Whale+shark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691748055817986018" /></a><br /><br />Solid gold nib for well under $50.00<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp9moWnU5ISlFwbzf8jL_tin5l1UNVVUm5wN03P3XpPzj9y1hTcZmGpDzKEJtYff_Fx5N0q_XfttQ4jVZcSnyMI7P6rdgO7uGP-LCctC36QHDttfb9XytJqrnuibT9qnwuLM6nT8UOHT1/s1600/Nib.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp9moWnU5ISlFwbzf8jL_tin5l1UNVVUm5wN03P3XpPzj9y1hTcZmGpDzKEJtYff_Fx5N0q_XfttQ4jVZcSnyMI7P6rdgO7uGP-LCctC36QHDttfb9XytJqrnuibT9qnwuLM6nT8UOHT1/s400/Nib.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691744298445311826" /></a><br /><br />It was a clearance item and there was no box or instructions with this pen. I've never seen a filling system like this and it took a bit of disassembly, reverse engineering and trial and error to figure it out. It's a piston type converter but it operates without removing the cover from the pen and fills almost like a piston filler pen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBu6-ma836tjXPTtdkt2aMUPUfFtKGhaXFU3l6Zi628OJMxg28xXC2Aoxa-HnSXzVPJPjmmhYdf3eGzAYb9Jmf10Y9zKujpdz90zt1pR0xPbWNescZTaUzozEhCUZmltNdPjfSZNlkI6y/s1600/Fill.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBu6-ma836tjXPTtdkt2aMUPUfFtKGhaXFU3l6Zi628OJMxg28xXC2Aoxa-HnSXzVPJPjmmhYdf3eGzAYb9Jmf10Y9zKujpdz90zt1pR0xPbWNescZTaUzozEhCUZmltNdPjfSZNlkI6y/s400/Fill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691745050160576146" /></a><br /><br />So I filled it with Private Reserve Cosmic Cobalt blue ink and gave it a whirl! I'm not comfortable writing with a stiff fine nib.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k666ynHlumk9ay28BmMUJcqAAtRF55d5N200cRUvVzAU7NGmog9-m-W7nRMVfv6CV680PUi0qenfPOFM0aOd-SX471PxQ_3JcCwDsjrGPE1PHOfVRicCqsm7_vwY_XQ-MTu36pOrf28o/s1600/Quote.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k666ynHlumk9ay28BmMUJcqAAtRF55d5N200cRUvVzAU7NGmog9-m-W7nRMVfv6CV680PUi0qenfPOFM0aOd-SX471PxQ_3JcCwDsjrGPE1PHOfVRicCqsm7_vwY_XQ-MTu36pOrf28o/s400/Quote.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691744832836965458" /></a><br /><br />I'm not so sure, need to do some writing to get comfortable with it. I think I'll use this pen for writing in my Moleskine notebooks hoping for less bleed through.<br /><br />Years ago B.K. (before kids) when I was able to purchase pens almost freely, I was concentrating primarily on acquiring flexible nib fountain pens both vintage and modern. So most of my pens are fine flexible nibbed pens and a few medium nibs. But in my opinion aside from the Pilot/Namiki<a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2010/04/dance-of-falcon.html"> Falcon </a>the only flexible nib pens that work well are vintage pens which need a bit more TLC than modern pens.<br /><br />So now I'm trying to <span style="font-weight:bold;">think outside of the box</span> of flexible nib pens and write with non flex nibs like with this Sheaffer. But what I really would like is a nice double broad oblique or maybe stub nib on a hefty pen that fits like a glove in my hand. One that flows ink well and leaves a line of ink that you can see height to it! I don't think I will find one like this Sheaffer under $50.00 though. <br /><br />Who knows, I may start writing with roller ball pens too!<br /><br />I think this may be my last post for 2011. I hope I can come up with more interesting posts more often in 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">To everyone please stay safe and Hau`oli Makahiki Hou!</span> </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfEvVEI5fRTun9bhH8CCuyeWYGKZXtGlDzZF71PX7oaW7h1Q7d_yVVDWtG2qUyKFZ87GLUPX9QgUEHLRGMsuiNyZloPP_BfaooxGy0UPMvcE9x8GwcJw2CeFtllJzly9bOvVGK1W-gzcj/s1600/Parting+shot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfEvVEI5fRTun9bhH8CCuyeWYGKZXtGlDzZF71PX7oaW7h1Q7d_yVVDWtG2qUyKFZ87GLUPX9QgUEHLRGMsuiNyZloPP_BfaooxGy0UPMvcE9x8GwcJw2CeFtllJzly9bOvVGK1W-gzcj/s400/Parting+shot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691751150751070322" /></a>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-11030528721184293692011-12-22T13:30:00.000-08:002011-12-22T13:56:27.589-08:00White Forest ink and a Star WalkerI'm still struggling to write especially on the weeknights. Just no time or energy. I made <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011/12/green-christmas-greetings.html">these Christmas cards</a> last weekend and I only put them in the mail today. I didn't want to just send blank cards, I also wanted to write something to each recepient to give it a personal touch. Well I finally stayed up past my bedtime last night and wrote short notes to enclose with the cards.<br /><br />At a past Christmas a coworker gave me a bottle of Mont Blanc White Forest scented ink. I don't get why they call it white when the ink is green, maybe there is snow? Anyway I've been seeing a few posts on Twitter about green inks, and this is the only green ink I have, and it's a Christmas color...so White Forest it is!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMHzNRfzRoEyVR1F5LvI_1qXPHRVodIwk8aCFTIwGUY5bRBLWrE9QpVYy1fgI6rfXoB2ZiUy9S-YLWmvTT_yrc-sMnCiJh_1Gu1K-A46nqpcy09H-D67dqO8KZ3xBw99lq0GQ9Z7fk6iU/s1600/White+Forest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689072026062300530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMHzNRfzRoEyVR1F5LvI_1qXPHRVodIwk8aCFTIwGUY5bRBLWrE9QpVYy1fgI6rfXoB2ZiUy9S-YLWmvTT_yrc-sMnCiJh_1Gu1K-A46nqpcy09H-D67dqO8KZ3xBw99lq0GQ9Z7fk6iU/s400/White+Forest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Since it was Mont Blanc ink I thought I would use it in a Mont Blanc pen. I remember liking how my Star Walker wrote so that's the pen. It's a pretty cool looking pen. Their famous snow cap emblem seems to be floating in space.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo3pHJW95xg7nB_oIfs6R_3NsipMwS5bM6KIGJX-N1kNrFKZqlzjb22T_h2Odjk8um0JnfiANNat6EtFSGxV6tuCtbzNrRVGL9x68ONbGkxXUmfvrCu3ahLafwarqQIu3z7pAofATaUYq/s1600/Star+Walker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689072214000275554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo3pHJW95xg7nB_oIfs6R_3NsipMwS5bM6KIGJX-N1kNrFKZqlzjb22T_h2Odjk8um0JnfiANNat6EtFSGxV6tuCtbzNrRVGL9x68ONbGkxXUmfvrCu3ahLafwarqQIu3z7pAofATaUYq/s400/Star+Walker.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This pen does not have a flexible nib so I don't worry about line variation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc43xW1smN-JdcxHqVPC86uyreNCy7zhpsyP-T-hUJvPtMPO6LW_geTTBx8pG5RtIntlI3rnspEBQD3papdQ4-qsTQAJVR_0kT6KrW7WwcPfbeA7eLOGG-UmSQZ4e87POBqz1iU_hGnDtl/s1600/Letter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689072415435912658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc43xW1smN-JdcxHqVPC86uyreNCy7zhpsyP-T-hUJvPtMPO6LW_geTTBx8pG5RtIntlI3rnspEBQD3papdQ4-qsTQAJVR_0kT6KrW7WwcPfbeA7eLOGG-UmSQZ4e87POBqz1iU_hGnDtl/s400/Letter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I like it!<br /><br />Oh I still have my Namiki Falcon filled with <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011/12/pilot-iroshizuku-yama-budo.html">Irhoshizuku Yama-budo ink</a> I still want to use for holiday writing, but it looks like it will have to wait until after Christmas.<br /><br /><strong>So who wants a New Years card</strong>?Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-64323254149413950042011-12-18T16:50:00.000-08:002011-12-18T20:56:44.254-08:00Handwritten Music ChartsI do have a passion for things handwritten.<br /><br />Years ago when I was playing bass guitar on a worship team at my church, I gifted one of the members a calligraphy pen set. I forget the reason, I just wanted to bless him with it. He was very grateful, a little while later I found out why.<br /><br />It turns out he used to hand write music charts. His father was a musician I think in Singapore. When the other musicians needed copies of the music, you did not go to a copy machine and make a copy. His job as a youngster was to hand write copies.<br /><br />He wrote charts for our Christmas Eve service. I think these charts are works of art!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The First Noel</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ_CP1aObVuefEjwpildV1fgzKi6tPAsWO8Jn95dxrNXFGfbhyphenhyphend4D-YMq1XA1ATbjvSbyFzcAb9TkGp3EpIF7yTG_lsMCd-ES0i8VtO0bn5HjElAgO5AWgrxfptY8ObGwDPfZHkIA6e7r/s1600/first+noel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ_CP1aObVuefEjwpildV1fgzKi6tPAsWO8Jn95dxrNXFGfbhyphenhyphend4D-YMq1XA1ATbjvSbyFzcAb9TkGp3EpIF7yTG_lsMCd-ES0i8VtO0bn5HjElAgO5AWgrxfptY8ObGwDPfZHkIA6e7r/s400/first+noel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687638200152576178" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Angel Medley</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JHku5X9B1iShN3_2Pnk7W5qkDW9ug219lyeR7BfHkYNYwqBHBbhyphenhyphensC0jmLMrF70odXNhmACVU-wIB7QgftwcfobCUECA9lh6Ck26AnammDAzxdH-l8lu_mk7sdexekBwabO8xZH7VYk3/s1600/Angel+medley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JHku5X9B1iShN3_2Pnk7W5qkDW9ug219lyeR7BfHkYNYwqBHBbhyphenhyphensC0jmLMrF70odXNhmACVU-wIB7QgftwcfobCUECA9lh6Ck26AnammDAzxdH-l8lu_mk7sdexekBwabO8xZH7VYk3/s400/Angel+medley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687638387702687202" /></a><br /><br />The red pen marks are his added after and the pencil marks are mine.<br /><br />I wanted to scan these but the sheets were too large for the scanner bed. I scanned a portion of one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YmUIqiqCAHWs6UlmksHINb1U9s2xVmwSZ6OCMIUN61Xz9iaWjmtjOZzpOAEf4rHb7683Ll9-GCntbUy9xcnBxZlhyphenhyphen67COgkxmif2ldK1ZKkEjTDb211uqXxxOU8kUjFceWDv9LdRs9zP/s1600/O+Come+All.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YmUIqiqCAHWs6UlmksHINb1U9s2xVmwSZ6OCMIUN61Xz9iaWjmtjOZzpOAEf4rHb7683Ll9-GCntbUy9xcnBxZlhyphenhyphen67COgkxmif2ldK1ZKkEjTDb211uqXxxOU8kUjFceWDv9LdRs9zP/s400/O+Come+All.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687638919792088402" /></a><br /><br />Closer look at the details<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyXx2_FpmxpEevfy4aS65uW7xu6OYrX5CMICwro63HAqeHFosYwXX4lTAJ9FD461JNn4-GXOdDH6V7MHMoJILoaQLaRULWcEHHfli7Enc8Qisz0E54ruAx_eMWEmv2gazS33EJ9L5Hrex/s1600/Key+signature.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyXx2_FpmxpEevfy4aS65uW7xu6OYrX5CMICwro63HAqeHFosYwXX4lTAJ9FD461JNn4-GXOdDH6V7MHMoJILoaQLaRULWcEHHfli7Enc8Qisz0E54ruAx_eMWEmv2gazS33EJ9L5Hrex/s400/Key+signature.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687639201393736306" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTw60m-hMeT4QgY091IxNYY33yBKgERDLoRHrYHsPXc3p7NXpmxZwrXDmFU7OyIoNXFG_70lylHuB2KMoSv_p9AHJEjD-tZ6NNVwQn5BgcVgg7yLA6aj1gej4kXJHj50Lygy-it9LSwZf/s1600/Archives.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTw60m-hMeT4QgY091IxNYY33yBKgERDLoRHrYHsPXc3p7NXpmxZwrXDmFU7OyIoNXFG_70lylHuB2KMoSv_p9AHJEjD-tZ6NNVwQn5BgcVgg7yLA6aj1gej4kXJHj50Lygy-it9LSwZf/s400/Archives.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687639343497584706" /></a><br /><br />I can't write charts like these, but I have an idea for a future post writing a manuscript of a song, lyrics only. But I think that will need to wait until after the holidays.Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-61732737809013384582011-12-18T16:13:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:41:34.539-08:00"Green" Christmas GreetingsIn a past I wrote a <a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011/11/reduce-reuse-recycle.html">post</a> about recycling. So I came up with an idea to do some Christmas cards using mostly recycled material.<br /><br />Inspired by the business card in that post, I thought I would use cardboard from cut up boxes. Then I can use paper from a pad to write on and paste on the cards. This way I can make a mistake and not ruin the whole piece, just move to another section of the paper and cut out as needed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBtnVo62HL0upgyXT3Ohq_cPZBMAMRrzJnL-tTwQpvTsDKGPBhAyZv1AUkw9ExW4r9Tk7tKCFn-MQlJyogj6rx9tvWCEUP46mAhSRjCoJPKwGQsNPa8q3jYDwA9tOcDlA1valRHhvxVjc/s1600/Materials.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBtnVo62HL0upgyXT3Ohq_cPZBMAMRrzJnL-tTwQpvTsDKGPBhAyZv1AUkw9ExW4r9Tk7tKCFn-MQlJyogj6rx9tvWCEUP46mAhSRjCoJPKwGQsNPa8q3jYDwA9tOcDlA1valRHhvxVjc/s400/Materials.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687630459013385522" /></a><br /><br />It was my wife's idea to use scrap pieces of Christmas paper she used for her craft projects.<br /><br />Then I thought I would use those return envelopes enclosed in those pesky junk mail offers. Same idea, write on a separate piece of paper and attach to the envelope.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0KVKUK0arvPfZtJib99MWCiXTmsZ5Yqi_sZoE1EjvZLR3_3-1jXQHD3zpcpYrMiPo2Ecbl7jvYcSDax-pNHV9mgaMqhKKGJE5m4T9X1P3zBYunZ9xZYx4lmKm48SRf3vXUFdtDHIoxy9/s1600/Envelelope.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0KVKUK0arvPfZtJib99MWCiXTmsZ5Yqi_sZoE1EjvZLR3_3-1jXQHD3zpcpYrMiPo2Ecbl7jvYcSDax-pNHV9mgaMqhKKGJE5m4T9X1P3zBYunZ9xZYx4lmKm48SRf3vXUFdtDHIoxy9/s400/Envelelope.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687630676262724290" /></a><br /><br />But in after thought, this seemed rather "cheap" unless the recipient understood the recycled aspect of it. Also I like to consider myself an artist and not a crafter. Doing this made my writing desk look like a crafter's desk!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXnpFTcJ0QDKAcih5Piu9lMelTwGsE-_T_S-retyvcqqn28Qv4pDMet2pWHZ8Wh84TRhUGMMjnaojSeubGMHLukAYSIpyR9vAJk_CyjIR11F7Ez3pa9yJPg1lvbEYKC82Idqw2jBKJqGR/s1600/Mess.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXnpFTcJ0QDKAcih5Piu9lMelTwGsE-_T_S-retyvcqqn28Qv4pDMet2pWHZ8Wh84TRhUGMMjnaojSeubGMHLukAYSIpyR9vAJk_CyjIR11F7Ez3pa9yJPg1lvbEYKC82Idqw2jBKJqGR/s400/Mess.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687630886969310450" /></a><br /><br />And it was a lot of work!<br /><br />So I'm stopping at four.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAliFRFQyO5zCLI_vfUSefXo0hccVmXPnEGb3MSwZvjYFzA6iFqAMOMPQTg9zGlWzdbbrbERtGi3HbqeukGL5crFJDI7Vs2CdkV_CLZfVWKkTznoGGnGyNpEBtMPRBGt6ND77RZnpwnLs/s1600/Finished+cards.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAliFRFQyO5zCLI_vfUSefXo0hccVmXPnEGb3MSwZvjYFzA6iFqAMOMPQTg9zGlWzdbbrbERtGi3HbqeukGL5crFJDI7Vs2CdkV_CLZfVWKkTznoGGnGyNpEBtMPRBGt6ND77RZnpwnLs/s400/Finished+cards.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687631078965908530" /></a><br /><br />I'm going to write a real letter to enclose with these cards to explain though they'll probably read this blog post.<br /><br />But while I was creating these "works of art" I got other ideas using the scrap paper to make simpler pieces. I need simple and fast since I have less than a week to go.<br /><br />I don't know, would you like to receive something like this?Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-77784815715779673742011-12-14T13:38:00.001-08:002011-12-14T19:16:20.666-08:00`Apuwai. Learning about art and Hawaiian culture from a first graderI've always been interested in the Hawaiian culture since I was little, even though I have no Hawaiian "blood" flowing in my veins. I've always been interested in art since I was little. I still am interested in both. <br /><br />A few days ago my son brought home a clay piece he had created in school. Whatever it was it looked cool. Then my wife handed me a paper with a description of what it was, what was done and why.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD0J274zJ-UB8Kws3vcqhEugdYBhdnlup9ayCwWdc1o8mVzwVCWuYR_JdP2It2yaZY5Nv9_pZclZ8qUnq0ZWK3vUYRx4_g8Vi4rGtZyWF5EEcIZ3WZW_XWUnrYWHBRxRmbgtIHejBvp6p/s1600/Art+Clay+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD0J274zJ-UB8Kws3vcqhEugdYBhdnlup9ayCwWdc1o8mVzwVCWuYR_JdP2It2yaZY5Nv9_pZclZ8qUnq0ZWK3vUYRx4_g8Vi4rGtZyWF5EEcIZ3WZW_XWUnrYWHBRxRmbgtIHejBvp6p/s400/Art+Clay+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686106447813975778" /></a><br /><br />I love looking at kalo (taro) I think because it has so much significance and value in the Hawaiian culture. To me the leaves have a unique shape, and seeing them especially in a lo`i or taro patch just speaks to my heart. I took this picture at an ancient Hawaiian lo`i in the Waianae mountains.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ27I6JRvVFLOEuJ5d9OaQuOLSk5HBWiWQnK2W3mmcHC6sh9YWtSZFB2s4xP0uvzRhd0_OS1puXFCuCJbVPE7v_XZMPiPs5i1rV2wNBr8ajZ4aBoFCuw1Wyq6OunA767Urm2AIBDJs7KQJ/s1600/Loi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ27I6JRvVFLOEuJ5d9OaQuOLSk5HBWiWQnK2W3mmcHC6sh9YWtSZFB2s4xP0uvzRhd0_OS1puXFCuCJbVPE7v_XZMPiPs5i1rV2wNBr8ajZ4aBoFCuw1Wyq6OunA767Urm2AIBDJs7KQJ/s400/Loi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686105152711877138" /></a><br /><br />I present to you my six year old's interpretation of `Apuwai.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE79lqAxcTwLYk5FQ_-7zWR0VK77_bVIu8SRqLTAF_yrc85VtalLd1Ah0ULUca3R_T9XIP-FfU8Gohbur4glJSEqMHiuX1TLZBpkJFe-mImWb9hMipkyA0zeLiEKH6ZJfZyGTWEHbCOjy/s1600/Apuwai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE79lqAxcTwLYk5FQ_-7zWR0VK77_bVIu8SRqLTAF_yrc85VtalLd1Ah0ULUca3R_T9XIP-FfU8Gohbur4glJSEqMHiuX1TLZBpkJFe-mImWb9hMipkyA0zeLiEKH6ZJfZyGTWEHbCOjy/s400/Apuwai.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686105320181790802" /></a><br /><br />Gee when I was in elementary school I think I made me father an ashtray...<br /><br />Times have sure changed!Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-18046211197128513592011-12-11T18:55:00.000-08:002011-12-11T19:33:33.847-08:00Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budoI've had this bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo ink for quite a few months now, maybe over a year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92amM1I05ORU9g83Zm-0mEbEWCTe4af4VavOzZyo19KWYqaPh1Vzpx_LjsDqpW0-bV8-MDrZB8CyZsUBISQ4fHTIOKKs6LqYSgWn7JbA5JO1O9W4N8vhqZSsRYoUyD1i10XJPhyuHobV2/s1600/Bottle+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92amM1I05ORU9g83Zm-0mEbEWCTe4af4VavOzZyo19KWYqaPh1Vzpx_LjsDqpW0-bV8-MDrZB8CyZsUBISQ4fHTIOKKs6LqYSgWn7JbA5JO1O9W4N8vhqZSsRYoUyD1i10XJPhyuHobV2/s400/Bottle+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685074827398916722" /></a><br /><br />I've been wanting to use it in a favorite vintage Waterman fountain pen, but that pen needs its ink sac replaced and I haven't had the time or energy to do it.<br /><br />This morning I got into a Twitter conversation with a friend <a href="http://www.gentianosman.com/">@Gentian</a> who had the opportunity to try a few Pilot/Namiki pens at a university bookstore. She said she tried a Falcon with Yama-budo in it, and that it was the favorite color of the Pilot rep who was there who by the way is a friend of mine. So she convinced me to fill my Falcon with the Yama-budo and I did.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4YUvBcYkeWH8GAyM-9pfUm8hWZi84BMMhEaJ3xtbav8BZEt8TQA4nE5B_Gs8ffSI1Y5S3JEP8WQ_xWyrc3xosfinH8JFJdGUFztRzniaZl37Kq_0ayWvw-G-bxjkCfwl1grb-0Oi-ZIO/s1600/Nib.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4YUvBcYkeWH8GAyM-9pfUm8hWZi84BMMhEaJ3xtbav8BZEt8TQA4nE5B_Gs8ffSI1Y5S3JEP8WQ_xWyrc3xosfinH8JFJdGUFztRzniaZl37Kq_0ayWvw-G-bxjkCfwl1grb-0Oi-ZIO/s400/Nib.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685075574996942050" /></a><br /><br /><br />If I waited until I resacced the Waterman, that bottle may never be opened.<br /><br />I was going to try and be all fancy and take fancy pictures using grapes as a prop because budo translates to grape in Japanese. Yama translates to mountain but that's even harder. Then I was going to make a video but that's a lot of work for someone who does not do that all the time. What can I do to make this post "pop"?<br /><br />Then that inner voice told me to "keep it simple". So I did. I'm going to use this pen and ink combination for my Christmas correspondence, so for this post thought I'd write out a scripture about the original Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BKAT25m5ttnz0wFlpiXqm6IQ-QgfLiA46npqgEinraPSeyKCa7JgGL-zHAcf3vwPW4bIw_Rmk8JkRrjwnTnAeFmq8xL__HGVW7OHoj86NK0o2-xz0UZ5jaekUWX6o8WTR1Gvq8uDyduE/s1600/Whole+2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BKAT25m5ttnz0wFlpiXqm6IQ-QgfLiA46npqgEinraPSeyKCa7JgGL-zHAcf3vwPW4bIw_Rmk8JkRrjwnTnAeFmq8xL__HGVW7OHoj86NK0o2-xz0UZ5jaekUWX6o8WTR1Gvq8uDyduE/s400/Whole+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685076176841099410" /></a><br /><br /><br />Since I wrote on ecru paper I wrote a bit on a more neutral color paper to show the color of the ink. But it was hard to photograph and get the right white balance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVjAceoNvzD_icnmrT0Td0KMr6xP-qoyrm7KpsJQ1G2oPoKEQIZH42Q0qZW0MD26V0e2GNw7hfg7Ao_A-Lvv5A8ZvaMam4KX5Zb_PCi-ShF_GqxAjo08svhJXVyv8wZaHr37L8Pi_Bngh/s1600/Macro.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVjAceoNvzD_icnmrT0Td0KMr6xP-qoyrm7KpsJQ1G2oPoKEQIZH42Q0qZW0MD26V0e2GNw7hfg7Ao_A-Lvv5A8ZvaMam4KX5Zb_PCi-ShF_GqxAjo08svhJXVyv8wZaHr37L8Pi_Bngh/s400/Macro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685076375605979474" /></a><br /><br />Every year I have the intent to write Christmas cards and send to my friends. I take out the cards from storage and they sit through the holidays and I put them away without writing a single card. This year I hope I hope I hope will be different. I'm not going to use store bought cards but either make my own or just write letters. I have some ideas and hopefully I'm going to post about it here.<br /><br />Oh and I like the way Gentian spells colour. I sounds so much more exotic that way!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYt241O2_mFdL0tyPLFp-XXAQ9-C7mERhv5fBD_2RVIedud9YvxqeduVZAoh6htjJhdMbFmrbOCVC_NI3Dwbe1QWERRt9ethfhV5cHG6KMVGmES33JRGRYZaKKwGKgkS-mkfeKZ42vCun/s1600/Nib+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYt241O2_mFdL0tyPLFp-XXAQ9-C7mERhv5fBD_2RVIedud9YvxqeduVZAoh6htjJhdMbFmrbOCVC_NI3Dwbe1QWERRt9ethfhV5cHG6KMVGmES33JRGRYZaKKwGKgkS-mkfeKZ42vCun/s400/Nib+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685078529174105138" /></a>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-78124793590291686512011-11-27T15:31:00.000-08:002011-11-27T16:20:44.547-08:00My DaydreamThe other day on Twitter,<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/MissiveMaven"> @MissiveMaven</a> retweeted a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/MissiveMaven/status/140615083565916160">post</a> about the paper letter coming back. There was a name "Bob Slate" that I was not familiar with. So I clicked on the <a href="http://www.wgbh.org/articles/index.cfm?tempid=4904">link</a> and watched the video.<br /><br />That has been something I've daydreamed about for many years, owning and running my own stationery store! There aren't many small stationers here in Hawaii that I know of. The only one I know of is The Paperie in Kahala Mall Shopping Center. Gone are Fresh Inc and Paper Roses as far as I know. Barnes and Noble or Papyrus stores are probably the best places to purchase stationery, Moleskine, blank journals, etc. Of course greeting cards you can get almost anywhere else. But those are "big box" stores, not locally owned and not run by the owner where you'll probably get more personal service. And none of the aforementioned business promoted handwritten letters or things handwritten.<br /><br />In my store I would sell good stationery like Crane Papers, and also some European papers like Amalfi and Pineader and Clairfontaine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59I04UutVc6ZCcaObfv_83LhRaJsG6SpKO1M7z_tV2Jj7EGdUmjbIcjK4978XZwWPq3KBCFrcVwjGkdjRvz8ddKrWxyT0Tp6MzIMYcd_3k4JjBxmTbwRcOj6KLHXJN-34zQ8EhOmnFLR2/s1600/Stationery.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59I04UutVc6ZCcaObfv_83LhRaJsG6SpKO1M7z_tV2Jj7EGdUmjbIcjK4978XZwWPq3KBCFrcVwjGkdjRvz8ddKrWxyT0Tp6MzIMYcd_3k4JjBxmTbwRcOj6KLHXJN-34zQ8EhOmnFLR2/s400/Stationery.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679832219128820850" /></a><br /><br />I'd like to sell good quality pens like Pelikan, Namiki, Pilot and also offer good affordable pens too. I would offer calligraphy service too. Would try to teach non pen people to become pen people, willing to take the effort to handwrite letters and maybe even seal the envelope with a wax seal.<br /><br />But you know, I've kinda learned to never say never, however I really doubt this daydream will will every come through. One I don't have the money.Two I prefer to work for an employer where I'm guaranteed a paycheck, get paid vacation and sick leave, have a retirement fund, and most importantly medical insurance! Also I think I'd pretty much suck as a business owner. I don't like charging people money even for services I may provide. I rather someone else charge the customer and pay me for the service. Besides there must be a reason why there is only one stationery store here in Honolulu.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Well I guess dreams can come true!</span>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-54177989922158568382011-11-21T00:25:00.000-08:002011-11-21T00:37:04.004-08:00Blasphemy<span style="font-weight:bold;">Gasp. I am writing with a ballpoint pen!</span><br /><br />To some pen fanciers that's frowned upon. It has to be written with a fine fountain pen, a fine writing instrument. But I've ruined so many store bought cards that do not do well with fountain pen ink. After the first downstroke I watch the ink my nice line feather into a hairy blob. A ballpoint never fails here. Heck I'm not even using a fancy ballpoint pen like a Mont Blanc or a Parker. Just a pen I bought from<a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2010/04/fisher-hawaii.html"> Fisher Hawaii</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUtjAOMaDeOlJErvUTMZOtyhLwhH7iHPqfSRPdpLTboPEQiDBuP1C1NZqGsfRWxPquIBLCVeutmLEtGKEV49_-IdTd0pkG5qzi9Xz8rLcvEVMfox6E5NJ6P35NpFN4u9K2Ik5lMe2BHDX/s1600/Ballpoint.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUtjAOMaDeOlJErvUTMZOtyhLwhH7iHPqfSRPdpLTboPEQiDBuP1C1NZqGsfRWxPquIBLCVeutmLEtGKEV49_-IdTd0pkG5qzi9Xz8rLcvEVMfox6E5NJ6P35NpFN4u9K2Ik5lMe2BHDX/s400/Ballpoint.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677364120172100610" /></a><br /><br />I hope she will still like the postcard...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">That's it, short post. Pau!</span>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-50601641216310220442011-11-08T14:45:00.000-08:002011-11-13T23:06:55.673-08:00Reduce Reuse RecycleWhen I see these three, words I keep hearing North Shore resident Jack Johnson singing his song titled <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSM2riAEX4U">Reduce, Reuse, Recycle</a>. That simple song has allowed those words to sink into my head. I'm starting to get interested in this "movement" to save the Earth. Makes sense ecologically and often financially, it can save you money.<br /><br />One evening while walking back to our car, (well mini-van to be exact) from dinner at a restaurant, I noticed a store that I had not seen before. Looks like some furniture and other items, but a guitar caught my eye. We walked into <a href="http://www.standupeightfurniture.com/">Stand Up Eight </a>and had a look around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZIxHVosnvErUziumA3Jm8Qi0R9TuGf4RZPrOgqVFqimFTOot8_IN7TtP8n1ql1XeqlMSvoeknN2ppkDQ4Ct7nc0GRzITXWbeNSFfOhZdwUlUVNAQXkmiEY8HBfzIvr0DSVATVkZVhZhc/s1600/Sign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZIxHVosnvErUziumA3Jm8Qi0R9TuGf4RZPrOgqVFqimFTOot8_IN7TtP8n1ql1XeqlMSvoeknN2ppkDQ4Ct7nc0GRzITXWbeNSFfOhZdwUlUVNAQXkmiEY8HBfzIvr0DSVATVkZVhZhc/s400/Sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674727935085380594" /></a><br /><br />Store owner Mark Ariyoshi greeted us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2u_lagxJYF33k0a0is3ehAM6JarCtme5xLhA1IrfnpjUmJklPsZ4b_2ipu2iArwgO5hnN5Z7K3UOU0V20mSWBRJWrc_nBlwzBL69tmuLtJv0cQJg4_rTA7M02_9mwkPzWrimmuZz5Gx0/s1600/Mark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2u_lagxJYF33k0a0is3ehAM6JarCtme5xLhA1IrfnpjUmJklPsZ4b_2ipu2iArwgO5hnN5Z7K3UOU0V20mSWBRJWrc_nBlwzBL69tmuLtJv0cQJg4_rTA7M02_9mwkPzWrimmuZz5Gx0/s400/Mark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728179889137634" /></a><br />He explained that his store takes items that were headed to trash landfill, and repurpose them. It started off as primarily furniture items but now has evolved into a cool art gallery of sorts. Now there are items from various artist all created/repurposed out of almost thrown away items.<br /><br />Here is a small photo gallery of the art in Stand Up Eight...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dy3aBvOoet0_INTpB8UjBMmU43qz8yMTPK3ZNSOMY-7XYjZVJw6IoYU-gkxANsWH2Qfo0TDcPINfuwYDnvYKNJ9Cz4K09a1CHIMH4sI-riGFlxRyd9ixm03K46-V7senlW4shAcuIh-c/s1600/Gallery+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dy3aBvOoet0_INTpB8UjBMmU43qz8yMTPK3ZNSOMY-7XYjZVJw6IoYU-gkxANsWH2Qfo0TDcPINfuwYDnvYKNJ9Cz4K09a1CHIMH4sI-riGFlxRyd9ixm03K46-V7senlW4shAcuIh-c/s400/Gallery+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728514592029058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5wKe9E9tYIVEr_9_qxrWqpNOKh2rPtaej88l2WSOzfnYBN3hpfRmTGCsY1YpN6QLQC2O1DIKL7kfEOr6NQTq1dpsZrb4iVi4Op_4aTSx778Sxy2zKCD3xWsDuabRxkBCqUmLNKdCyftk/s1600/Gallery+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5wKe9E9tYIVEr_9_qxrWqpNOKh2rPtaej88l2WSOzfnYBN3hpfRmTGCsY1YpN6QLQC2O1DIKL7kfEOr6NQTq1dpsZrb4iVi4Op_4aTSx778Sxy2zKCD3xWsDuabRxkBCqUmLNKdCyftk/s400/Gallery+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728720232443922" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnHkSK7mO2FFOxcz8JaVmXTUnb4N0Pf_H-8AvDuQPbTOBkm8L9flFhZ3lwG8wAl-UIjs_bjSDZ8DwezpaBA_DLRV0bN5qToDdCk-Z7js1Rf7l49jxzreQ7YeMEoM0KhMinyLAtweLhqK0/s1600/Gallery+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnHkSK7mO2FFOxcz8JaVmXTUnb4N0Pf_H-8AvDuQPbTOBkm8L9flFhZ3lwG8wAl-UIjs_bjSDZ8DwezpaBA_DLRV0bN5qToDdCk-Z7js1Rf7l49jxzreQ7YeMEoM0KhMinyLAtweLhqK0/s400/Gallery+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728979961644850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pns5jnMihJEgT7d2mCCcWn3aR1_hjLTnv__O5emnduKFSQthGuNUsIUxVQWGVo-aTEf8uSpUQdSd_48ldz9p4U3LQd5ZuDTWQqfk28wLz0j8GDaUzULqqCxOYeadgp6ToulkW7AoBd5D/s1600/Sculptures.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pns5jnMihJEgT7d2mCCcWn3aR1_hjLTnv__O5emnduKFSQthGuNUsIUxVQWGVo-aTEf8uSpUQdSd_48ldz9p4U3LQd5ZuDTWQqfk28wLz0j8GDaUzULqqCxOYeadgp6ToulkW7AoBd5D/s400/Sculptures.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674729165649558530" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9s8CUXqzruvtQvJo7TL-n9RBKhQoVfkrtvveVpq1TH3aKlhci61uhxoJHwfejiojx9nMp2gvjcMBIShPgPAkAVoQWscLFEuBAPu5guDZEev3g4RqkDFLJCiLTKCDQIvFaW1FERuVojqL/s1600/Brief+Cases.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9s8CUXqzruvtQvJo7TL-n9RBKhQoVfkrtvveVpq1TH3aKlhci61uhxoJHwfejiojx9nMp2gvjcMBIShPgPAkAVoQWscLFEuBAPu5guDZEev3g4RqkDFLJCiLTKCDQIvFaW1FERuVojqL/s400/Brief+Cases.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730774798048514" /></a><br /><br />Even his business card is on recycled cardboard!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiS6EquqeLr_r8BupwzmG3ar6eJ0Mn6SRtom6xf_qheizwAyjm2e2j1Gq8qJnpTDaLDcMCdwC3WGja8vaKa23VouQD025z4SLiaofWCzfyh0TE5ehXEh5c3pycL-qLMB8LHksy_FiQDHbk/s1600/Card+front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiS6EquqeLr_r8BupwzmG3ar6eJ0Mn6SRtom6xf_qheizwAyjm2e2j1Gq8qJnpTDaLDcMCdwC3WGja8vaKa23VouQD025z4SLiaofWCzfyh0TE5ehXEh5c3pycL-qLMB8LHksy_FiQDHbk/s400/Card+front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730340285547842" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmIA2cdYiMjPOFDfgbqwa8e_03cfiO24NwJZSEP_fbTXenXua95-qSTi0cK9xu852sKmFdS5mUxRn3S8US8Y9gptMqa9R00eNSj2uhaDWbWersl0p9v0nJFGYUGlB32sHwz_uPKaRRLh6/s1600/Card+back.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmIA2cdYiMjPOFDfgbqwa8e_03cfiO24NwJZSEP_fbTXenXua95-qSTi0cK9xu852sKmFdS5mUxRn3S8US8Y9gptMqa9R00eNSj2uhaDWbWersl0p9v0nJFGYUGlB32sHwz_uPKaRRLh6/s400/Card+back.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674739639984879618" /></a><br /><br />One thing that Mark loves is wood, and so do I. I've always loved nice wood on my gun stocks or my guitars, basses and ukulele. He showed me his small work area. I loved seeing the Japanese woodworking tools...better yet they are mostly hand tools!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCb49qR45pYwgP9edaA3HEM37Kjn3Koa3r6z_MY_Ia2xIWuEuPe8I7oY1ZWJj3HBWWo-h0LRnpZazBT4GgZEW1Orx0xSn5wQu7boowqDOQJsM_mtquK-d-ZB3uPLrvWhzAo88YymYC/s1600/Tools.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCb49qR45pYwgP9edaA3HEM37Kjn3Koa3r6z_MY_Ia2xIWuEuPe8I7oY1ZWJj3HBWWo-h0LRnpZazBT4GgZEW1Orx0xSn5wQu7boowqDOQJsM_mtquK-d-ZB3uPLrvWhzAo88YymYC/s400/Tools.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674731774779024546" /></a><br /><br />He told me about how he tried to talk his in laws out of cutting down their mango tree but they did anyway. So he had the trunk resawn and kiln dried. Mango is a very nice wood. Here are a couple shots of his workshop, the mango is in the corner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX-kIao9mzswlTaZFnIp7W5OW_J0w03iz13PsqJdqafMuQ49ke4InZs6UVQW2_roYAp1x8J0Ena1QtXUO6ZVKnL39Z2BRnKtXJzG9g2DRTpk41Ka1WGVKiKBtICTN9Qjl1H_Kn5szswV0/s1600/Wood+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX-kIao9mzswlTaZFnIp7W5OW_J0w03iz13PsqJdqafMuQ49ke4InZs6UVQW2_roYAp1x8J0Ena1QtXUO6ZVKnL39Z2BRnKtXJzG9g2DRTpk41Ka1WGVKiKBtICTN9Qjl1H_Kn5szswV0/s400/Wood+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674733023177040626" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdMbOcZQfg4EUMVJ9CGdRuXoH2Y5lscGVMA5n79CJPYb__NLeuI6gc4_1pNswK_3fNA2ZSd3PPJiEtaQZ_j48BwKvKg_pz3mTrFSVp9MiMJvYGP9JNrlWP1PDlo-wh5sLgrrMo0BT6nAT/s1600/Wood+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdMbOcZQfg4EUMVJ9CGdRuXoH2Y5lscGVMA5n79CJPYb__NLeuI6gc4_1pNswK_3fNA2ZSd3PPJiEtaQZ_j48BwKvKg_pz3mTrFSVp9MiMJvYGP9JNrlWP1PDlo-wh5sLgrrMo0BT6nAT/s400/Wood+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674733226176225474" /></a><br /><br />Lots of wood items in the store. I saw a lot of "hints" of wood as a part of some items. No sense wasting those little pieces of scrap wood left over after cutting larger pieces to size.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX1Z6NOn35HI1OhVhuajqHf7ZnpId5QXcLG9jXUAIGRTtPUPqmh4UhXmmb5-1Zxzcp5nNz4uB1tk1bRSvmTM_ySgixyupCHP_61p_42MOjKmx6QbZ0pQMmypg5Tf8DjIX590Fo6v43Pq6/s1600/Shelf.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX1Z6NOn35HI1OhVhuajqHf7ZnpId5QXcLG9jXUAIGRTtPUPqmh4UhXmmb5-1Zxzcp5nNz4uB1tk1bRSvmTM_ySgixyupCHP_61p_42MOjKmx6QbZ0pQMmypg5Tf8DjIX590Fo6v43Pq6/s400/Shelf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674734103603260082" /></a><br /><br />This lamp really caught my eye. I love when the artist leaves a part or parts of wood unmachined in it's natural state.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP9VXZ3KH9rl9zmftmVUxPwLm6mnxD3IMiaxvNXstxPzNEUqISi9f73oyc83Y7xUSXJrFKNoyll9nKlFPKD45ck2w3HfqCg2Z__wICmyJoyyj46KJ1xMqAEebRm_uV_0XUSlaorfyvjZA/s1600/Lamp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP9VXZ3KH9rl9zmftmVUxPwLm6mnxD3IMiaxvNXstxPzNEUqISi9f73oyc83Y7xUSXJrFKNoyll9nKlFPKD45ck2w3HfqCg2Z__wICmyJoyyj46KJ1xMqAEebRm_uV_0XUSlaorfyvjZA/s400/Lamp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674735047013794034" /></a><br /><br />A closer look shows the beautiful figure in the wood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsHfypnBar2EEsaFVz8YGOOZgsAr4pP9IUmTLCuptyxk5SW1QDCbLLeDT8m-9dBkEk0ehM-XaDnd8A_DDAWLcyb0n70m7XBpWarMlpw-f3aKtHri8bzveGEPBIMB-jWNl5GLxZ_UJfTTc/s1600/Lamp+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsHfypnBar2EEsaFVz8YGOOZgsAr4pP9IUmTLCuptyxk5SW1QDCbLLeDT8m-9dBkEk0ehM-XaDnd8A_DDAWLcyb0n70m7XBpWarMlpw-f3aKtHri8bzveGEPBIMB-jWNl5GLxZ_UJfTTc/s400/Lamp+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674735234526167810" /></a><br /><br />The word quirky or eccentric comes comes to mind, but I'm no word guru and I hope I'm not wrong. Maybe I'll just say it's a really cool place.<br /><br />Near the door is a nice touch, this basket of origami tsuru (crane) made out of what else...recycled paper!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv15yUgDZ9q-y6KXdr_Gfb4G_ohrpg21HCCt-4zIJGgXWEERm8oU_dExW6Qan1xMi7PnDDalWkdI4BGExAz9VEBb0U8KtetInJP9rA-QGCZStdvuFUH_XkKnlpchcCeActM090uTxk991/s1600/Origami+Basket.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv15yUgDZ9q-y6KXdr_Gfb4G_ohrpg21HCCt-4zIJGgXWEERm8oU_dExW6Qan1xMi7PnDDalWkdI4BGExAz9VEBb0U8KtetInJP9rA-QGCZStdvuFUH_XkKnlpchcCeActM090uTxk991/s400/Origami+Basket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674735841192087266" /></a><br /><br />I had to ask how he came up with the name Stand Up Eight. He said it was part of an Asian proverb "Fall down seven times, stand up eight."<br /><br />Nice!<br /><br />So why am I writing a post that is not about pens, paper, inks, handwriting, etc that this blog normally is about? I've been thinking about expanding this blog beyond pens and paper etc. I have a Posterous blog for miscellaneous thoughts that used to be for a Photo Project 365 before I gave up on that, but it's a bit redundant for me to have 2 blogs with so little posts. Besides views on Posterous really dropped off after I changed away from Project 365. I may try the photo Project 365 again next year since it does improve my skill as a photographer, but I plan to expand this blog into more than pen and paper.<br /><br />Besides, aren't some of us pen and paper people much like Mark. We rescue old fountain pens from garage sales. We rebuild them or at the very least replace the ink sac. Some of us find and collect vintage ink bottles. I know there are those who store letters received in old cigar boxes or wine crates.<br /><br />Anyway for those in Honolulu, Stand Up Eight is on South King St on the makai side past Pensacola St near Bac Nam Vietnamese Restaurant and Cigar Cigar. BTW they sell cigar boxes at Cigar Cigar!<br /><br />Look for the origami curtain in the window.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6LFDxVbi8N8XWC2PcxAWVjy9TZoo4nXdnPHPp2caYgSiKfWHJsjSHnfFa8q8hBaejn0Gp3k1uwAVbHX5kx_Xy7azSUnR-lsg2XPGLvHWdXCFgdcnXcpdtHbZw4t-Bm3YILgQVEzN8S_z/s1600/Window.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6LFDxVbi8N8XWC2PcxAWVjy9TZoo4nXdnPHPp2caYgSiKfWHJsjSHnfFa8q8hBaejn0Gp3k1uwAVbHX5kx_Xy7azSUnR-lsg2XPGLvHWdXCFgdcnXcpdtHbZw4t-Bm3YILgQVEzN8S_z/s400/Window.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674738202278378098" /></a><br /><br />You know I forgot about that guitar, the very item that first caught my attention. Perhaps some day I will commission Mark to build a writing desk out of recycled wood.<br /><br />Maybe I'll do more with pen and paper, and post it here...Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-40760239621944553162011-10-26T14:27:00.000-07:002011-10-26T14:53:02.444-07:00Cursive is Easy!Last night I noticed my six year old son sitting on the sofa and appeared to be writing in a book of some sort. His actions were different from when he draws. I walked over and asked if he was writing, and he was. Are you writing in cursive I asked. Yes, it's easy!<br /><br />What the...<br /><br />Keep in mind he's in the first grade and does not write quite fluently yet. But I was shocked at what I saw, It turns out he was copying the guide in this composition book that he found on the bookshelf.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBxyB4fZUcgmkx8RmDyJPiGTMq0jCBQhcP7L_-2Jnx4I3iZTMTaOODkzOj3W_JqTNy09bjses2eAq9xBpI9pyF9Rgt6HstYr_LamgQtiqRZhc_544XqSaxLIcNqocrV0J5f-HuddcMQ6r/s1600/Primary+Journal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667917846345836610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBxyB4fZUcgmkx8RmDyJPiGTMq0jCBQhcP7L_-2Jnx4I3iZTMTaOODkzOj3W_JqTNy09bjses2eAq9xBpI9pyF9Rgt6HstYr_LamgQtiqRZhc_544XqSaxLIcNqocrV0J5f-HuddcMQ6r/s400/Primary+Journal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Every now and then he would ask me to write his name "fancy" which meant in script. So I would take my time and write his name in as close to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zanerian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Engrosser's</span> Script as I could whether it was with a fountain pen or ball point. And he would take that paper and just admire it with a big smile on his face!<br /><br />Now with more practice he can write is own name "fancy"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGtzgdgEbfL9ytXhAnThz3uAobwBBGlKFoulS-AMiwyEqDIiGDKGU7pQYkcnVILzAVk2Zw1qG_9cssl21a5fF6R-sh2AZqoelD8ubVhZibPEec0LXKZrgxpVa32a_91wliXSb1V9P2-B8/s1600/Cursive.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667918089154569810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGtzgdgEbfL9ytXhAnThz3uAobwBBGlKFoulS-AMiwyEqDIiGDKGU7pQYkcnVILzAVk2Zw1qG_9cssl21a5fF6R-sh2AZqoelD8ubVhZibPEec0LXKZrgxpVa32a_91wliXSb1V9P2-B8/s400/Cursive.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>I guess I do have an influence on him!</strong></em>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703102454188568118.post-65891850951241926652011-09-11T20:01:00.000-07:002011-09-11T20:58:14.758-07:00Old School Versus High TechThere's a lot in the news today about how we are the "microwave generation" where we want everything done yesterday. Disappearing is the lost art of the handwritten letter with the advent of e-mail, texting, etc. In fact I think I read it started with the telegraph.<br /><br />Also recently in the news here in Hawaii, public schools will drop teaching cursive handwriting. This is happening all over the US. My sons go to private school, the oldest learned italics last year in the second grade and the teacher said he'll learn cursive this year in the third grade. Anyway most of the news articles about cursive mention that it helps with a lot more than nice writing, but also with motor skills and other brain development subjects though I myself am not smart enough to know what that stuff is.<br /><br />Sad is the closing of Borders Books because everyone is using e-readers. The post office is on the brink of being shut down because of cyber communication. Hard to find music CDs anymore because of downloads and MP3s. I don't even want to think about vinyl.<br /><br />I myself may have "wronged" my sons by providing them with iPads, DS, Wii, use of the computer.<br /><br />I recently started a morning devotional, something I've been wanting to do for some time now. I'm "old school" and really wanted to use a print Bible, no fancy high tech Bible gizmos for me. But recently I've acquired an iPad which made surfing the internet more convenient. I also found a <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/">Bible study site</a> with fantastic tools. Instead of a print Bible where you have only one translation or version (unless you have a huge cross reference Bible), you now have a whole list of them, just click and you change from King James, to American Standard to New Living, etc and a lot I've never heard of. Also there are a host of other tools like commentaries, cross references, footnotes and probably a lot I have not looked at yet.<br /><br />Part of my devotions include journaling, something I've been trying to do unsuccessfully for many years. In fact I wrote a fairly recent<a href="http://greasemonkeyhands.blogspot.com/2011/03/yet-another-journal.html"> post</a> about a new journal I bought which remains rather empty. But since I've started writing in it, I now see the value of writing in cursive. When I write it's the words flow on to the page from my Mont Blanc 149. You can see the ink flow and blend into the words that seem to just flow from from my soul onto the page. My handwriting had been "on the edge" recently because I haven't been writing as much as I'd like to, but my hand seems to become steadier the more I write.<br /><br />So why not take the best of both worlds? Blend high tech with old school? Letter writing and e-mails both have their place as does Twitter, Facebook , Crane Paper and Hallmark.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ZWS_VNt8OP1qfkw1-N7853CgMuUyoxet9bD6Aiwnbb9O1TN1ddEZfpbuwpGGjBINNR9bA8NM37TKL_d3ySBVxoVwrjA__A4OU7DdV1pDQgYbswmxZDpD6rLzHQXtIfRMAKLWfeC2G9v/s1600/Study+tools.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ZWS_VNt8OP1qfkw1-N7853CgMuUyoxet9bD6Aiwnbb9O1TN1ddEZfpbuwpGGjBINNR9bA8NM37TKL_d3ySBVxoVwrjA__A4OU7DdV1pDQgYbswmxZDpD6rLzHQXtIfRMAKLWfeC2G9v/s400/Study+tools.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651313892555728162" /></a><br /><br />Recently we went to an open house for our youngest son's first grade class. It was a combined function for kindergarten and first grade. I was so surprised when the principle for K-1 talked about what they're looking at for the students. They're looking at what they will need for college and beyond. He said the "big thing" now seems to be neurology...again over my head. But he had a list of books he recommended parents read. I didn't bother to write them down because I'm not a reader, but there was one that stood out,<a href="http://www.cathydavidson.com/books/now-you-see-it-book-description/"> "Now You See It"</a>. I think there's something in this book that ties into what I am writing here on the post. Thus far I've only downloaded the sample in iBooks but plan to read the entire book. But...<br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br />Here we go again. Electronic book or print? We'll see. But when I'm writing...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I prefer cursive!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydaghauNkPvZ9ykwsKVN-sEzhdC1h-WHtYeHVWuO2644wuEIc4Rlz85LTnCr3I2GRT1GWynIHv0vo_WXtWVVpjJ6jj7y9pQuKXKswmMfHAET4VfAQdDa1MDPkB-aimkOB5EN4NjrzjGnN/s1600/Journal+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydaghauNkPvZ9ykwsKVN-sEzhdC1h-WHtYeHVWuO2644wuEIc4Rlz85LTnCr3I2GRT1GWynIHv0vo_WXtWVVpjJ6jj7y9pQuKXKswmMfHAET4VfAQdDa1MDPkB-aimkOB5EN4NjrzjGnN/s400/Journal+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651314561692870290" /></a>Greasemonkeyhandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01050639584291956883noreply@blogger.com4