I'm a big fan of TWSBI's inexpensive range of fountain and ballpoint pens. In my opinion, they beat the competition from brands like Lamy (who seem to be unable to get even their flagship pen to write reliably) hands down. So when I heard about the new TWSBI Swipe on episode #471 of the Pen …
Just Another Day in the Land of the Free
So, on April 20th 2021, the jury in the case of the State of Minnesota vs. Derek Michael Chauvin (Court File No.: 27-CR-20-12646) found the defendant guilty on counts of unintentional second-degree murder while committing a felony (count I), third-degree murder, perpetrating an eminently dangerous act (count II), and second-degree manslaughter, culpable negligence creating an …
A Narwhal Origional in Hippocampus Purple
No, I didn't forget how to spell original, the Origional is what Narwhal calls their pen. I know, because it was on the box so kindly sent to me by Goldspot Pens. Up until now, I have to admit that Narwhal had always meant Monodon monoceros to me. That is, a small to medium-sized arctic whale, …
Just For Today
January 20, 2021 by Debi Humphrey I am watching the Inauguration of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States. I am so proud to be an American. It sure is nice to be able to say that again! I no longer have to be embarrassed of the leader of our country. I have …
Goodbye Dad
Well, there's an update on my previous post that, frankly, I didn't want to write... nobody ever really does. On December 8th 2020 I had—what neither of us knew at the time would be—my last webcam session with my father. A day later he was bed-ridden due to one of a number of recent falls. …
Calling Yourself from Across the Atlantic
This is an odd post, but I do eventually end up reviewing a pen and some ink, honest, you'll just have to trust me and we'll get their together. Regular readers will know that a few years ago I traveled back to England from Canada, to attend my mother's funeral. Prior to that, apart from …
A Bit of Friendly Feedback
Anybody who knows me, knows that I am a pretty lousy correspondent. I'm lousy at returning personal e-mails, lousy at returning actual, real, paper mail. I don't send Christmas cards and rarely remember my own birthday, let alone anyone else's. And a couple of years ago I killed my Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and almost …
Have an Amazing Flag Day!
In the United States, June 14—or Flag Day—commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Well, I'm not in the US, but I am very proud to hold my own Virtual Flag Day... If you have ever waved one of these, Take …
It’s Not About Politics, And Yet It Is, And Must Be.
Over the last week or so, I have read a number of fountain pen blog entries which begin with something akin to, "I usually try and stay in my lane..." or "I try to stay apolitical...". Well, here at Writing for Pain and Pleasure, I've never really had a lane as such, and I've never …
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