Give me a little while to get all this set up. Give me another little while to get in a regular updating habit.
Also, leave me a comment if you want to be pen friends! I should have more links to other pen blogs. I am shameful and lazy for having not done so already. Again, I swear that sometime soon I will stop being so dishonorably lackadaisical and update my blogroll with delicious links to other nice blogs. I will also update this about page with a breakdown of my reviewing set-up/process, and I’ll make several more promises that we’ll all hope I keep. DONE. Now, to make more promises.
ABOUT…ME?
I graduated college and acquired regular disposable income. Then I discovered the JetPens website through a coworker. Then I decided that new pens at least once a month was a very great idea. Then, several JetPens orders later, I decided, “holy crap, I have a lot of pens, and I like attempting to talk to other people about these pens…why don’t I just start a blog and leave my friends alone?” And here we are. I like writing (even though my handwriting is terrible) and I like making art (even if I’m only okay at it). I’m interested in all the bits involved in these processes, from the pens to the paper. I’ll perhaps put more effort into this “About” section later. I’ve realized it’s time to take a break when I’m playing with my cat’s elbow instead of writing this.
ABOUT MY COMPLETELY ORGANIZED REVIEW PROCESS
Until I figure out how to operate pages in a way that makes sense (say, being able to put more than one post on a page. Is that allowed? I don’t even know EDIT: it is not allowed. We all take a moment to be sad), we will just link this here. Secrets ahoy!
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THESE PENS? WHY DO YOU NEED ALL THESE PENS? WHAT DO YOU USE THEM FOR? MENTAL HOSPITAL TIME IS NOW?
This seems like a stupid question. Obviously I baste them in a white wine sauce over medium heat until they are tender, then toss them with cooked whole wheat spaghetti and sesame seeds. … … ….
No. Obviously I write and draw with these pens (and pencils). What do I write? Words. What do I draw? Pictures. I don’t have any limiting hierarchy for what pens can and can’t be used for in terms of writing/drawing (this is kind of a lie, there are some exceptions…which I do not actually adhere to). I write microstories, I write short stories, I write grocery lists, I write half-begun and then abandoned novels, I write quotes, to-do lists, notes; anything. Everything.
I don’t NEED all these pens, but I like having lots of fun options to choose from, plus every pen is a new experience. I think life would be quite boring if all you ever wrote with were Bic Stics and Pilot G2s.
I really don’t understand why people ask what I use my pens for. It seems that once you carry around more than five pens at once everyone thinks they’re the radioactive energy source for your ink-based time machine. What do you use your pens for? YOU WEIRDO.
MY PEN PROBLEM IS THE BEST KIND OF PROBLEM. Haters be jealous, ‘coz they probably all collecting something silly, like fast-food ketchup packets or old models of computer mice.
MY BIASES IN A NUTSHELL
- I’m left-handed
- I prefer fine-tipped pens, say around 0.3mm
- I tend to disproportionately review fountain pens (relative to the number of them in my collection)
- I pretty much only ever buy from JetPens or nearby stores
- My reviews currently all take place in a Behance Dot Grid Journal
- I refuse to concretely structure my reviews
MY JOB, A.K.A. THAT THING THAT LETS ME BUY THE PENS BUT KEEPS ME FROM UPDATING ALL THE TIME
When I first started this blog, I was a lab project manager in a psychology lab and had a lot more free time than I do now. Currently, I am employed as a sit-down superhero emergency communications officer. Basically my desk has hydraulics and I spend all day trying to help people over the telephone. It’s exciting, but I have yet to master the balance of free time; I work ten-hour shifts four days a week (but get six days in a row off every four weeks). Currently I work the night shift (Batman shift, I like to call it), from 6pm to 5am, but there are two training days in the four week cycle that I have daytime training. Basically, this means that I’ve lost all instinctive concept of days and times; day of the week boils down to either workday or non-workday, and the only time that matters is what time (6pm or 8am?) I have to be at work. Any details beyond that require repeated consultation with clocks and calendars.
Hopefully in the coming year I’ll remember how to update on a regular schedule again. And update my links. And make fewer criminally terrible puns.
:) I think that your about me section is wonderful, it surely made me laugh.
No stalk-o, but where do you live? I haven’t seen the particular makes of the pens review in the states…. Or do you just order everything from JetPens?
I’m out in North Carolina, USA. Most of my pens are from JetPens. The only exceptions so far are the Varsity Pens (got at Staples), the Beta Pen (ordered from some British company), the Pilot Fineliner (from a guy at a local bar), the Pentel EnerGel Alloy RT (got at…uh…Office Max? I think?), and the office pens (got from Staples corporate site through work). I’d say the majority of my pens, at this point, are from JetPens, but there are some exceptions (usually with fun stories to them). :)
Good god. Your blog is pure genius and one of the most entertaining things I’ve read in a while. Finally, someone else who has insane amounts of pens and can’t understand why people look at him funny when he pulls five of them out of his pocket. We must be friends. I want to discuss pens. Feel free to email me if you want. :D
Hey, I stumbled onto your blog while looking for a picture of what pen refills for the Kuretake CoroIro pen actually write like. Love your sense of humor. Into my feed reader, you go! :)
I second that! Into my feed reader you go!
Looking for some advice, since you seem to know pens. I need a new pen to carry around with me everyday. It has to use gel ink (I’d also be interested in a felt-tip), and it needs to clip nicely on the edge of my pocket, without extending more than a few millimeters above the fabric (or I’ll scratch my hand when I reach into the pocket). I really like the low profile clipness of these
http://nopenintended.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/pilot-precise-v5-extra-fine-in-5-colors/
except I can’t carry a pen with a cap because I always lose the cap. Besides, pens that are carried pointing upwards tend to dry out for me. I currently carry a Zebra G-301, and I absolutely love it, but it sits too high on the edge of my pocket. My perfect pen would be one of those, but twisty instead of clicky.
It also has to be black—even though I love colored ink, this will be my standard go-to pen at the bank, the grocery store… et cetera. Any ideas for me?
Where is your blog feed so I can subscribe? Your reviews are excellent! Thank you!
Hey!
It is great that your new job has not interfered much with this blog! A list of the tags on the side would be really helpful. I am looking up a few pens for sale at my new favorite store but it is really hard to find the reviews I want. You would love the Flax pen store in LA.
I came across your blog and decided that your love of pens isn’t a bad thing. maybe weird but aren’t we all? [I also keep handy about 6 to 9 pencils mostly because I tend to draw a lot. A spur of the moment sort of thing] ^_^ I enjoyed reading your about me, it made me smile. GO PENS!
Hi. I always thought it was weird to feel strongly about pens. Maybe it is, but you write in such a funny way about it. Thanks.
I went to school for art here in GA, but when I graduated, the economy forced me into a large, stuffy corporation. My nearby coworkers don’t understand why my desk is always littered with pens. My husband gets a concerned look on his face when I rip open eBay packages from Seoul and Shanghai that are stuffed with nothing put pens (check out the Korean Mach 3). It’s so nice to know I’m not alone. I’ll be keeping up with your posts. Thank you!!!!
I have found the other me! I cannot begin to express the sheer joy at knowing that I am not alone. Time is Mental hospital can now come to an end, as I dance with joy with pens in hand! Love it.
Hi,
I love fountain pens to death, and have quite a neat collection of them, albeit of the somewhat inexpensive variety, because I truly cannot afford to spend too much. However, have you ever tried out Chinese ink pens? Here (in India), we get them for rupees 35-45 (under $1), and they are beautiful and write so well that you fall in love…. I collect Hero, Wing Sung and other inexpensive brands, and have had lovely days doodling away with them; do give them a try!!
Also, Belated Happy New Year!!
Chaitali
Even more belated happy new year back! :) I have not yet tried Chinese ink pens, mostly for lack of availability / knowing where to get one. The closest I’ve come is this Serwex Special 101 eyedropper pen I got from India, from http://www.fountainpenrevolution.com/ ….which by close, I guess I only really mean geographically close :/ I love inexpensive fountain pens, and really wish I did not get caught up so often in such pricey but beautiful pens! Alas.
Do you know any good places online to get Chinese ink pens? Preferably inexpensively? :)
Hi,
GREAT blog. I have been using a Pentel Metallic Brush Pen and want to add my own inks. Have you ever used one and if so, any idea how to refill it or take it apart? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Jackson
I have one, and I’ve been meaning to get around to using it. I’ll have to get back to you once I actually get around to using it :)
hi, i love your blog! and the humour in it! :) you can link to my blog if you like, it’s just started out so there isn’t much but i’m hoping to write more and more!
Really love your blog. I’ve read a few other pen blogs and they can be pretty dry – but yours is hilarious. Keep it up!
PS. Also, your images aren’t blocked by my work filter. Bonus!
I really recommend Tokyo Pen Shop, they ship faster than jetpens and have a lot more stock on hand.