Now I've Gone and Done It! Thanks Guys/Gals

[Invictus Maneo]

So I've been on TRF for about 2 years and love the forum. A couple of weeks ago I open up this subforum because I've always thought pens were cool and that handwriting is quickly becoming a dying art.
I went and ordered a Pilot Metropolitan, some Namiki Black Ink as well as some cartridges. So far, so good, right. I'm out about 30 bucks. But me being me I had to do some research into the world of pens. Big mistake!!!
I came across Goulet Pens and ordered six ink samples. When they arrived I was blown away. Now one Fountain Pen is not going to do it. Nor is regular notebook paper . I started journaling with my Moleskein notebook and loved how a better paper felt.
So yesterday I ordered from Goulet Rhodia web note book, Monteverde Invincia Deluxe, a Goulet nib #6, two Jinhao pens (it was buy one get one free) and I'm hopelessly hooked! Now I want more inks, pens, paper (oh yeah, I ordered another journal from a company Renaissance Art. If you haven't checked them out you might want to. They have some pretty cool stuff.). Been all over YouTube checking out pen videos too.
I can already tell, this new hobby is going to cost me some cash down the road!
I'm almost embarrassed to post my little, cheap collection and I'm waiting on all the stuff from Goulet but here it is:

[Invictus Maneo]

The other pen is a Waterman Ballpoint that I've had for years. I have no idea what it is beyond that.

[Lion]

Ken, there's nothing wrong in taking up another hobby/addiction!!!
Once you start using fountain pens there's no going back…..

Btw….they no longer teach cursive writing(it's a shame along with using calculators to add, subtract, multiply and divide)in American Elementary schools…

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by Lion

Ken, there's nothing wrong in taking up another hobby/addiction!!!
Once you start using fountain pens there's no going back…..

Btw….they no longer teach cursive writing(it's a shame along with using calculators to add, subtract, multiply and divide)in American Elementary schools…

I feel your pain, Leo. I call it the "dumbing down of America". That may not seem very patriotic but thats whats happening right before our eyes. I feel bad for the generation(s) that will miss out.
And thats one of the reasons that writing, cursive, with a fountain pen has suddenly become so important to me. I guess it's my way of fighting back. Did I enjoy learning cursive in school? No, but I did it and now I'm glad I did.
Believe me, my writing is nothing to "behold" but I'm back at it , practicing to make it better and I'm enjoying it this time around.
My writing time is "my time". Put on some headphones with classical music and away I go!
I even have a writing box that I posted earlier that is now a treasure to me. I had a sloped writing desk gathering dust down in the basement that I cleaned up with Liquid Gold and is now sitting in my bedroom.
And I'm loving every minute of it!

[Lion]

I do agree with you about the "dumbing down of American school age children." Also add in gaming systems so kids do not have to go out to play limiting physical exercise and increasing the possibility of obesity. Just look at all the junk food and sugary drinks available in grocery stores. I call the snack food aisle the 'gauntlet' and believe me I know I have been sucked in as well at times…..

Now with smart phones and other such devises I have seen teenagers sitting together at the same table and texting each other instead of looking up and speaking to each other…..it's really sad!!!

I do enjoy cursive writing but as I've gotten older(and lazier)I have gone to a style of a mixture of printing and cursive. I need to discipline myself and take your suggestion to sit and practice cursive writing so I do not lose my skill…..

Take care…..Leo

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by Lion

I do agree with you about the "dumbing down of American school age children." Also add in gaming systems so kids do not have to go out to play limiting physical exercise and increasing the possibility of obesity. Just look at all the junk food and sugary drinks available in grocery stores. I call the snack food aisle the 'gauntlet' and believe me I know I have been sucked in as well at times…..

Now with smart phones and other such devises I have seen teenagers sitting together at the same table and texting each other instead of looking up and speaking to each other…..it's really sad!!!

I do enjoy cursive writing but as I've gotten older(and lazier)I have gone to a style of a mixture of printing and cursive. I need to discipline myself and take your suggestion to sit and practice cursive writing so I do not lose my skill…..

Take care…..Leo

I know what you mean, Leo. I see my own kids do it and it drives me nuts! They are totally lost without their phones. I guess it means I'm getting old because I just can't relate to the younger generation any more. I don't "get" most of their music, their obsession with their cell phones, the way they communicate, etc. If I think MY handwriting's bad you should see theirs! Minelooks like Copperplate compared to them! On the other hand I can not text, carry on a conversation, while driving, with the music full blast like I see some people doing (if I ever caught my kids texting and driving their phones would be seeing the business end of a hammer and they know it).

I can understand your writing (cursive) dilemma as well. After I had open heart surgery last year I have developed a tremor that comes and goes. Might be caused by some of the meds I'm on too. That doesn't stop me from practicing though! If it gets really bad I just stop for a while and wait for it to subside.

As a side note, I also came across another writing box that was my parents. One of the hinges for the cover is broken and I have to source another one that is similar. If/when I do, I'll post some pictures.