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