Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Levenger's True Writers
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Pilgrimage to Auburn
When I was young, my father’s health began to deteriorate so he was no longer able to continue as a contractor but had to enter into the humiliating bureaucracy of the U.S. Post Office. For the sake of his family, he traded the manly independence of carpentry for the sterile dependence upon a government job. As difficult as Addison’s disease was to deal with, I think that the suffocating atmosphere of sorting mail day after day was even more detrimental. Do not take from this that I think that working for the US government is dishonorable – I do not. However, for my dad it was a demoralizing transition. He was “called”, if you will, to work in a creative environment where his quick and active mind could be busy - that was not the P.O.
What does that have to do with the 49er community of Auburn? Everything. When I was born in 1959, my father was still a carpenter and he had just two years before designed and built a beautiful house in Auburn. That is the house you see posted above. My father died about 7 years ago and so seeing this house and driving through Auburn was kind of like seeing him again.
Unfortunately, people can be rather dense and it took me several years to understand my dad’s sacrifice.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sailor Stainless Pocket Pen

Saturday, October 4, 2008
Complete Guide to Drawing
Demonstrators
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Knight, Death and the Devil

While this is a masterpiece of draftsmanship, it is also inspiring as you consider the story that it tells.
According to the Met: "The artist may have based his depiction of the 'Christian Knight' on an address from Erasmus's Instructions for the Christian Soldier (Enchiridion militis Christiani), published in 1504: 'In order that you may not be deterred from the path of virtue because it seems rough and dreary … and because you must constantly fight three unfair enemies—the flesh, the devil, and the world—this third rule shall be proposed to you: all of those spooks and phantoms which come upon you as if you were in the very gorges of Hades must be deemed for naught after the example of Virgil's Aeneas … Look not behind thee.'"
Sheaffer Balance Fountain Pen Writes Very Well
It probably appears as though I have nothing to write about but pens. Actually, I hope to have time in the near future to post some photos of my grandfather's and dad's old handtools, but I have to pull them out of storage before I can do that. One of the benefits of fountain pens is not only their unique beauty and utility; they take up very little space!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Libelle Winter Storm

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The One That Got Away

When I was in the USAF, stationed in So. Korea in 1987, I bought one of these fountain pens. I doubt if I spent more than twenty dollars for it, because I was a poor Senior Airman with a wife and newborn baby boy. The pen was very heavy. It felt like it was made out of a chrome bumper from a 1960 tail fin. Sometime after I moved back to the states, the bladder broke (the pen's, not mine) and I was too ignorant to know how to fix it. I took it to the local stationary store and they didn't have a clue. Since then I have lost it, or did I throw it away? I always really liked that pen, so I can't imagine that I threw it away. I keep hoping that I will rediscover it in some box somewhere. Recently, I discovered the value of it after seeing that Namiki still makes the exact same pen. But, now that sterling dragon pen is $475.00!
Oh, well . . .
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Vintage Sheaffer Balance Fountain Pen
I followed his links to vintage pen dealers and discovered to my disappointment that they were out of my price range. Next, I reluctantly followed his advice to check Ebay. I say "reluctantly" because I have never much cared for Ebay. I fear I may now be hooked. I lost the bidding for my first choice (the pen above on the green felt) because the automated snipe tool failed to work. I was watching the bidding online seeing no one outbid what I knew was my maximum bid when suddenly the bid closed and someone else won the bid with an offer slightly below my
The aroma of fresh sawdust . . .
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Fountain Pen Day

Labels:
birthday,
Pens,
review,
Technology,
Technopoly,
Writing
Levenger True Writer Sketcher Pencil
The good news is that Levenger has this item on sale now. The bad news is that means they are discontinuing it. Too bad.
Cross Townsend Titanium Ball Point
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Ink Quality
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Lamy Fine Point Fountain Pen
But folks, this is too good to ignore. Goldspot has this Lamy "Studio" fountain pen on sale at an incredible price - in all colors (black, blue & stainless) and nib sizes (ball point, too). I am tempted to buy another one.
While it might not look very interesting in the photo due to the German minimalist modern design (Bauhaus influence, maybe?) - it handles and writes wonderfully. Not too heavy. Not too light. The ink always flows when needed. Some "nicer" pens I have, constantly have to be primed before use, which is very frustrating - not so with this pen. I have the fine nib, so a converter full lasts a long time between re-fills. Best of all, the nib writes very smoothly - almost as smooth as my gold-nibbed Namiki Vanishing Point. I don't know about the other colors, but the black Lamy fountain pen has a very comfortable matte finish that keeps it from slipping in your fingers. The clip actually holds the pen in your shirt pocket. (I have dinged up a couple of heavier pens with loose clips when I bent over to pet my dog - ouch!) All around, at that sale price this is by far the best fountain pen for the money that I have seen. Even at list price the Lamy "Studio" fountain pen is worth it.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Libelle Epic Fountain Pen
Do you find yourself anxious at the end of the day because you realize you have not had time to write with one of your fountain pens? Of course not. Only a fountain pen collecting Luddite would have such a thought. I have such thoughts.
The Libelle pen pictured above is just the pen to elicit that passion for pen and paper intercourse. A photograph cannot due justice to the rich multi-layered swirls in the barrel. The pen is just the right weight and is very comfortable to write with. The medium nib seemed a little too scratchy at first but with use on a heavier smooth paper, such as a moleskin journal, it writes beautifully. Besides having a fascination with fountain pens, I also enjoy studying dragonflies. So, it is an amusing coincidence that Libelle's logo on the cap is a dragonfly repeated around the rim. "Libelle" is Latin for "dragonfly". The fountain pen takes a cartridge or can fill via converter.
I purchased this pen from Goldspot.com. The price was discounted and the pen was shipped right away. Sadly, for you folks who may not have this model, Libelle has discontinued it.
Click the "Pens" label below to see more reviews of pens.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Twenty-fifth Day: Morning Prayer
Psalm 119:33-40
He
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Quoted from the English Standard Version
He
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Quoted from the English Standard Version
Monday, April 21, 2008
Technopoly
Book Review
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, by Neil Postman, Vintage Books, 1993
Thesis: “Technopoly deprives us of the social, political, historical, metaphysical, logical, or spiritual bases for knowing what is beyond belief.” Technopoly’s power emanates from the assumption that all technological advances are to be desired and therefore faith in symbols is counterproductive.
Evaluation: Postman, a sociologist, identified “Technopoly” in anthropomorphic terms, as an unfettered movement – a strongman of sorts – who is engulfing America’s better values, such as religious narratives, and replacing them with an inhumane and mechanistic dystopia. Americans welcome this with an unchallenged lust for technology even at the expense of our culture, heritage and faith. Science is the new alchemy and scientists her priests. Postman’s prophetic analysis from 1992 of Technology’s monopoly over human affairs is obviously more evident today than it was 15 years ago. In fact, the influence of the computer and the Internet are more pervasive and consuming than even that which Postman proposed. Even so, Postman offers an optimistic ethic that would lead to freedom from Technopoly, were we to heed his advice and become “loving resistance fighters” who manage technology rather than those who are managed by technology.
Helpful Insights: “Technopoly” is what Christians would recognize as a “Power” from Colossians 2.15. This particular Power has become especially potent in the United States, because we fail to recognize it and we do not even think to question its influence. Rather than just offer a critique, Postman offers a curriculum that would reunite students with the core narratives of Western culture. Not as a means to elevate Western Civilization above other cultures but as the narrative symbol which relates to the citizens of the United States. This narrative would enable students to become alert humans who know how to reason and question and apply moral standards to their roles as citizens. This approach to education is viewed as antithetical to the minimalist and statistical grind of the Technopoly machine. While Postman is not promoting a particular religion (though his affection for Judaism is evident), he is convinced that society cannot achieve a sense of purpose without such a core narrative to give people meaning. Technopoly cannot provide a core narrative because its end is only to sustain itself, which consumes and does not inspire.
Response: My perception of the public school system in the U.S. is that it is so broken and ideologically corrupt that it cannot be repaired. However, I believe that Postman’s emphasis on the integration of history and the ideals of past cultures, artists, philosophers and musicians into the standard school curriculum is the only viable corrective to our failing public school system, and thereby our failing culture.
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, by Neil Postman, Vintage Books, 1993
Thesis: “Technopoly deprives us of the social, political, historical, metaphysical, logical, or spiritual bases for knowing what is beyond belief.” Technopoly’s power emanates from the assumption that all technological advances are to be desired and therefore faith in symbols is counterproductive.
Evaluation: Postman, a sociologist, identified “Technopoly” in anthropomorphic terms, as an unfettered movement – a strongman of sorts – who is engulfing America’s better values, such as religious narratives, and replacing them with an inhumane and mechanistic dystopia. Americans welcome this with an unchallenged lust for technology even at the expense of our culture, heritage and faith. Science is the new alchemy and scientists her priests. Postman’s prophetic analysis from 1992 of Technology’s monopoly over human affairs is obviously more evident today than it was 15 years ago. In fact, the influence of the computer and the Internet are more pervasive and consuming than even that which Postman proposed. Even so, Postman offers an optimistic ethic that would lead to freedom from Technopoly, were we to heed his advice and become “loving resistance fighters” who manage technology rather than those who are managed by technology.
Helpful Insights: “Technopoly” is what Christians would recognize as a “Power” from Colossians 2.15. This particular Power has become especially potent in the United States, because we fail to recognize it and we do not even think to question its influence. Rather than just offer a critique, Postman offers a curriculum that would reunite students with the core narratives of Western culture. Not as a means to elevate Western Civilization above other cultures but as the narrative symbol which relates to the citizens of the United States. This narrative would enable students to become alert humans who know how to reason and question and apply moral standards to their roles as citizens. This approach to education is viewed as antithetical to the minimalist and statistical grind of the Technopoly machine. While Postman is not promoting a particular religion (though his affection for Judaism is evident), he is convinced that society cannot achieve a sense of purpose without such a core narrative to give people meaning. Technopoly cannot provide a core narrative because its end is only to sustain itself, which consumes and does not inspire.
Response: My perception of the public school system in the U.S. is that it is so broken and ideologically corrupt that it cannot be repaired. However, I believe that Postman’s emphasis on the integration of history and the ideals of past cultures, artists, philosophers and musicians into the standard school curriculum is the only viable corrective to our failing public school system, and thereby our failing culture.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
We are here to help you
"Whenever someone from the government comes to you and says, 'We have to fix your soul,' be very afraid. Governments cannot fix souls. In my worldview, Christ fixes souls . . . No one believes, outside of the hardcore Left, that government can fix your soul."
- Hugh Hewitt
- Hugh Hewitt
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Phone Control
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