Fine Writing Implements

In the spirit of the holiday card season, I have decided to post the following conversation with a friend – over Facebook – regarding the merits of fine writing instruments. We focused on the fountain pen. The designer and illustrator of the Bow Tie Guy drawing is A and I am B.

A-I've got an idea! Does the Bow Tie Guy use a fountain pen? Not the pricey "everybody knows the name" fancy ones, or the dime store special ones, but a real "use it every day", real man type of fountain pen. And yes, I do use them myself! I have a 1930's Sheaffer that writes like a dream!

B-I use them also. I instantly thought Montblanc when you said "everybody knows the name". I stopped using them at the office the first month since a colleague is a notorious pen pilferer. I personally default to a Lamy Safari (the steel nib allows me to loan it out without fret). I also enjoy its masculine and durable design. I could see Teddy Roosevelt signing bills with this. Also it's fairly inexpensive to replace. The 1930's Sheaffer is something to which I aspire. My one unique pen, which I inherited from my father, is an old Cartier fountain pen (I dare not use it often). As the resident expert on fine writing implements, what do you recommend a Rotring, Cross, or maybe a Conklin like Mark Twain?

A-Montblanc was exactly what I was thinking!! Kind of like the Rolex of the pen world: Overpriced and writes ok, but lots of marketing. I've never had a problem with a pen pilferer. That Lamy looks very cool. My everyday pen is an Aurora Ipsilon. It’s a great writer and Italian. I'm going to have to look into maybe getting a Lamy. I recommend a vintage Parker vacumatic.

B-I had not even seen a vacumatic. What a great looking pen!

I hope this inspires you to sign those seasonal cards with the right pen.

BTG

A Day for Infamy.

December 5th marks the anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal in America. Having read a bit on the history of the United States, I believe it only fitting that today be celebrated. Without the rumrunners, bootleggers and back yard brewers, this nation would have become something altogether different. Whether alcohol is within your personal constitution or not, to be certain it is has played an unparalleled role in the cultural shaping of the world and ought to be recognized. In closing: Sláinte, Salut, Cheers, Prost, et al. Be careful and enjoy.

BTG

Why Webinars?

I have an aversion to webinars. In the field of social media marketing, they are prolific. Due to the state of business, webinars provide a great way to exchange information without the costs of travel and time. At first glance, the benefits are significant. The virtual cornucopia of information available via online meeting seems to be unlimited. That information’s value, though, is questionable.

There hasn’t yet been a single webcast of the multitude, which has been a rival in engagement to a personal meeting. Most feel like a vast waste of time throughout and end with the sponsor plugging their very own product. So I pose this question; Do webinars add up to the wasted time they were intended to save?

BTG

Intellectual Repair

How does one’s intellect fall into disrepair you might wonder? We have all experienced the long days of business whether traveling or in the office. Daily tedium consumes the hours of precious self-time sparing little time to fuel the intellect. Having recently gone far from homeostasis, one needs time to sit, relax and recover thy forsaken intellect.

What in the average day causes such acts of brutality? Perhaps it is the expeditious nature of our very culture. We have become so focused on the shorter faster approach rather than the simplistic approach. Often our abbreviated approach requires explanation.

Simple has become complicated, especially in the advertising industry, which is perennially focused on the needs of the lowest common denominator. Why does simple have to be simpleminded? Lest we forget Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds of all-time, believed that simple was the ultimate form of sophistication.

Let us all strive to put the sophistication back into simple.

BTG

Declaration of an Injustice

I am perturbed that these two subjects share a section of my local Barnes & Noble, let alone a shelf. I find solace in knowing that the Dewey system of classification would not allow for this.

BTG

Is the Starbucks experience lost?

As an avid Starbucks patron, some would argue coffee addict, I have noticed a degree of downward delta in the experience. Most recently, the Via campaign has incited for me reservations on the state of Starbucks. How does instant coffee fit with the image of a coffee chain once set on bringing the European coffee experience to American consumers? How will this latest product addition change that experience?

I have no issue with the offering of instant brew. In point of fact, it offers a great deal of variety to the mélange of choices ever-present in coffee houses. The imbiber is now empowered to control the strength of their individual cup o’ java. Instant coffee has been a cultural staple the world around; nonetheless, I wonder how will it affect our increasingly instant culture. At one time, people took the time to sit and mutually enjoy coffee. For now, I’ll take my time and be true to the brew.

To see Starbucks' Via commercial click here.

BTG

Why the Bow Tie?

Photo Courtesy of Esquire UK

First let us dispel some misconceptions of bow tie wearers. Not all who don the bow are of the dweeb variety. For those brave few with chutzpah, a bow tie sends an aplomb message to passers-by and familiars alike. Recently, this particular cravat derivative has seen an increase in popularity. In style or not, the bow tie is a semblance of something lost and forgotten in our breakneck modern age.

It evokes thoughts of chivalry, decorum and etiquette far removed from the daily practices commonly exhibited today. But while this may be, some, even those who do not necessarily subscribe to the bow tie doctrine, still exhibit these dwindling traits. In no way does this appurtenance bestow or guarantee propriety; although, it goes a long way in putting on that appearance. Beyond the higher order reasons for the bow tie, they are far less cumbersome than a standard necktie.

BTG

Welcome to the Bow Tie Guy blog.

Here you’ll find a collection of posts on life, style and social media. A broad focus to be certain, the purpose of this blog is to imbue the web with a muse for further opining on such matters.

It should be said from the outset; this is no periodical for the pusillanimous among us. Enjoy.

BTG