Hello From Illinois…. The Sequel!

[Buford]

Just like the gent who introduced himself before me, I'm in Illinois as well. I’m really just a displaced Virginian, however.

 

I recently got in to the fountain pen interest while rehabilitating my mother’s Sheaffer snorkel Statesman. Actually, I’m still working on her pen.

 

I was actually at a crossroads and was trying to decide between collecting fountain pens and watches. Of course, pens are the less expensive of the two; but I think the real deciding factor was that I get more pleasure from pens. Their practical application is much more personal and artistically rewarding. And for the gear-head in me, you can take ‘em apart without having a mechanical engineering degree. If I were to continue to over-think all this I might come up with criterion for a fifth letter on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator assessment. “I’m sorry, this relationship just isn’t going to work out, I’m an ENTJP (pen) person and you’re an ISFPW (watch) person.”

 

But, I will not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.

 

My zygote of a collection includes:

 

· the Sheaffer I mentioned

· Waterman Expert II Model 10021M

· Jinhao X450

· Parker Jotter stainless Ballpoint Pen and .5mm Pencil set

· chrome bullet Fisher Space Pen with clip #400CL

· Pilot Metropolitan that is my everyday driver

· I’m also sorta attached to a cheap plastic pen I got from a hotel room in Russia –mostly just because it was a neat trip, but it is different than any other hotel pens I’ve seen

 

I don’t know enough about ink to be a snob about it. Namiki black is fine with me. I’m not sure yet, but I think I might focus my future purchases on Italian brands –just to have somewhat of a theme.

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

How risky was it to lift a pen from a hotel in Russia ? How about photos, please ?

 

Of your choices, I vote for collecting fountain pens. Nobody needs more than one watch.

[Buford]

Not a very good photo.

[Buford]

http://www.president-hotel.ru/en/index/

[Buford]

As far as cheap hotel pens go, it is fairly interesting. What looks like the cap is actually the clicker that extends the ball-point. The colors are very attractive, and I remember that it functioned like a champ.

 

I don't have the guts to try and disassemble it. I would be afraid to break the thing. On a subsequent trip to eastern Russia I was living in an apartment. The toilet broke every day. Every day I would lift the lid off the tank and peer helplessly inside. It was not like any mechanism I've ever seen in the West. It looked like a cross between the exhaust system of an early Yugo-55 and that old game "Mouse Trap." I never did figure out how to fix it, so every day a smiling Russian came by and adjusted it. It would work about 15 hours and then break again. Long story short, I can't tinker with Russian stuff.

 

I don't like to think I intentionally took this pen. Considering the chaos of international travel, my story is that it accidentally fell into my luggage. Along with a small bottle of shampoo.

[PAKMAN]

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

[notVirtuThe3rd]

Hi! Welcome to FPN.

I'm really glad you've joined us.

Enjoy!

Best wishes from Japan,

VirtuThe3rd

[Clancy]

Welcome to FPN! It's great to have you here with us.

[Buford]

Thanks for the nice comments!

[PetarK]

Welcome to FPN. I'm glad you joined.

[H1N]

Hello and welcome to FPN

[RMN]

Hi and welcome to FPN.

 

Oh but that's a ballpoint you nicked. These don't count. A hand-out Russian Fountainpen would be something else!!!

 

Anyway, enjoy your pens, and our forum

 

 

D.ick

[Wahl]

[Buford]

Funny to come back and read this time capsule. 

 

Of course, since I posted it I moved to Key West, FL. Definitely prefer it here! My collection of pens increased dramatically over the last nine years. 

[northstar]

Hello and congratulations.

[PJS_prog]

Preferring Key West over Illinois?

Hard to imagine. <sarcasm>

[Pete of Killeen]

Yeah circumstances lined up for me to live about a 20 minute or so drive east of St Louis from about 78 to 86.

Only fun part of it the 82 world series, managing the Lory Theater in Highland, and chasing a girl several years younger n me into the Army---and of course

she wound up with someone else.  edit--oh I am an SIU-Edwardsville alum.

 

I guess Florida is better---I enjoyed some "mountain" biking there maybe 10 years ago.

Edited October 20 by Pete of Killeen

[Mark from Yorkshire]

[The_Beginner]

welcome back

[Buford]

2 hours ago, Pete of Killeen said:

20 minute or so drive east of St Louis

Before I moved down here, I lived in Marion, IL for about a dozen years... not too far from where you were. My oldest daughter is an SIU Carbondale graduate. I actually liked the scenery in So. IL, particularly in the Shawnee Nat'L Forest. I really just couldn't tolerate the dreary weather. I know it wasn't, but it seemed like it was chilly and overcast the entire twelve years I was there.