Hello From Los Angeles, California, Usa

[Arkhangelsk]

Hello FPN!

 

Long time lurker, finally decided to join up.

Well, I currently work as an Emergency Medical Technician in the Greater LA, and surrounding areas, mainly as a Medical Taxi, as the inside joke goes. I can either drive or attend, but my current permanent partner prefers too drive, so I took up the clipboard and pen and took over the Attendant's spot. Back in December of 2012, I picked up cheapy calligraphy set from a Staple's. I don't recall the manufacturer, but it was pretty terrible, no ink flow, constant leaking, et cetera.

 

I came across a Manuscript Italic Nib set; while cheap, was a remarkable improvement over the other. Given that the nature of our job involves gobs of time just sitting around and waiting, and I had fairly horrible handwriting, I decided to start doing runs in calligraphy. While I was certainly not perfect in the beginning, I noticed how easily I seemed to be picking it up. As in I could dissect the letters from the exemplars without the "1,2,3" guides.

 

In discussing it with my Mother on Facebook Chat one day, she said she wasn't surprised, and mentioned that I did calligraphy for a sprint when I was a bit younger, with one of her older sets. I honestly did not recall it, as I had several dozen 'creative' interests when I was a kid. Dropping one, only to move on too the next. I suppose the basic fundamentals stuck with me on some level, and I moved forward with my self-improvement project.

 

The first runs I turned in were done in 'Olde English' or 'Blackletter' style. The looks and stunned expressions I received were amusing, and each supervisor; while impressed, were uncertain if the runs could actually be turned in, as we sent them too Medicare. I offered to rewrite it in normal hand, and the response was: "No, let's turn it in, and see what they say."

 

I guess each step up the pyramid resulted in each superior saying the same thing. Eventually the biller took notice, contacted them directly, and the only rules were: Black Ink, and Legible. Anything else was just a different handwriting style and individual preference. As such, I was 'approved' in my project and have continued it ever since, and am more or less addicted to it now.

 

I still have my Manuscripts, in varying nib sizes, and have expanded to include; in no particular order:

*Speedball Dip Pens: Oblique for Engraver's Script, 'Normal' Nib Holder, and the Hawk Quill Holder, a much smaller one intended for inkers in drawing, but has become my favorite for personal home use.

*Noodler's Flex Nib. Not the Ahab, but the smaller one that has the plunger refill system. I like it, but I can't seem to get the nib and feed 'just right' to get the thick/thin script I want to learn.

 

*Pilot Pluminix. Basically just a modified Italic Nib Pen, but I prefer the grip that keeps the hand in a specific angle, and the Pilot Ink just works better for runs and everyday use. Though I do alternate between this one and my Manuscript.

And yes, much of this is the 'cheapy' versions of the many higher quality versions. It's a compromise between not necessarily having the funds for them, and not being set back terribly through the potential loss of damaging and losing them out in the field.

 

I've been by these forums several times for inspiration in different hands, and have practiced about a dozen different hands up to this point. I look forward to future sharing of our mutual passions.

[RMN]

Welcome to FPN

 

You'll find yourself at home in our calligraphy department.

 

Enjoy

 

 

D.ick

[Skyring]

Welcome to FPN

 

You'll find yourself at home in our calligraphy department.

Sometimes - well, most of the time - I need resuscitation for my penwriting.

 

What a lovely story - I'll bet you fill out the reports most elegant!

 

And welcome - I've only been here a few moments myself, but it seems like a friendly mob.

 

Pete

[Clancy]

Greetings from up the pike in the hinterlands of Mendocino county and a very warm welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

[notVirtuThe3rd]

Hi! Welcome to FPN.
I'm really glad you've joined us.

 

Keep in touch,

Kota Adachi

From Japan

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

[Wahl]

Welcome to FPN !

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

Having the most legible handwriting in the medical world might be a valid aspiration.

If you encounter your mother's calligraphy set, be sure to clean it up for her.

 

Have you looked into any of Noodler's bulletproof inks ? One never knows the fluids that

can spill onto forms.

 

Glad you joined.

[Redonna]

Welcome aboard. I too am fairly new but I have found so much interesting here that I have lost great chucks of my day to these forums in the last week or so.