2019 New Year’s Edition
Happy New Year. It’s January 1, 2019 – holy cow we’re totally in the future. These were the dates in science fiction when I was a kid. And now we’re here. Wow.
It’s tough when the holidays fall on blog days. There was also a family wedding (congrats to JD and Maggie) and so many other things that ate all my time and brain space.
This year will have pen blogs – starting next week. I still have a whole bunch of pens and pencils that I haven’t reviewed yet, plus a bunch of new ones from Christmas. There are always new ones. 😎
There will be more of the flash fiction – because I am determined to get back on track in terms of output – and I WILL finish the Write the Story notebook before it completely falls apart (maybe).
And I’m not just determined to get back to flash fiction output, but also longer form output. I have things on the list that have been on the list for way too long.
I don’t make resolutions – I make goals. This year’s goal is to simply get back to what I love – fiction writing – more consistently. I like my day job a lot. It is fulfilling and amazing and annoying, but it’s not my LOVE. I want to get back to my love.
I lost momentum in 2018. I want to build that back.
My mom said she had a Mary Poppins vision of her upcoming year. I kind of want to steal it from her. She said it was a START and FINISH Line – HER finish line is a completed novel. She was on a bicycle at the starting line with a kite flying behind her that represented obstacles. She loved that the obstacles were behind her.
My seriously lacking visualization of my mom’s concept.
It’s a good visual — hence the adoption of it myself…here we go. Onward into 2019
[Write the Story] The Main Character Has Woken Up Missing On of the Five Senses
Prompt: The Main Character Has Woken UP Missing One of the Five Senses
Words: parking, seashell, selfish, adjustment, slumber, fragrance, saltine, tophat
Story
It seemed like a harmless bargain, but I should have known better. The Fey are tricky, tricky people. I should’ve known before rubbing the seashell. Any kind of wishing spell is fraught with peril, often the magical version of piracy. I came to in a parking lot as if from a long, sound slumber.
I checked the time and date, I’d only been out a few hours at most. At least I had that going for me. The Fey could’ve put me out for years – or decades, I guess I got lucky. The fragrance of roasting meat and vegetables made my stomach rumble. I levered myself out of my car and immediately regret it. I would need an adjustment from my chiropractor to get the knots out.
I passed two beachside cafes before settling on the Tophat. Call me selfish, but I had great taste in food. I wasn’t going to go just anywhere. I was a connoisseur. A gourmand! A Chef! I slipped inside and was immediately fawned over, given the best table. A selection of exquisite dishes lay before me. I let the spices tickle my nose. The presentation impeccable.
I lifted my fork and sampled each dish, tears forming in my eyes. Nothing had more flavor than a saltine. I had apparently been lax in my request to the Fey.
I had all the fame and knowledge of a World Class Chef, but at the cost of my sense of taste. Food was my life, but I’d never enjoy it again. I know it’s a cliché – but they become cliché’s for a reason. Be careful what you wish for.
Word Count: 272
Written: 12/7/18
[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4mm Green Ink
‘Tis the Season to be totally behind – on everything. The pen blog is no exception. I’m constantly amazed by the pens I’ve managed to NOT review even though I’ve apparently had them a long time. I’ve done a couple of reviews on versions of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. This is the 0.4mm green one – because holiday colors.
It’s also a chance to revisit this pen again. I’ve wrote about the Hi-Tec-C before in other points and colors. I really do like the Pilot Hi-Tec-C line – in any color because they do points like 0.4mm (and smaller). It runs almost 6.25″ with the cap posted, and 5.5″ capped. This pen has been comfortable in my had in other incarnations and remains so now. The cap is plastic but posts securely.
The green ink is rich for a fine line. It’s a gel ink, so there’s a bit of smearing on slick paper but it dries quickly. The Hi-Tec-C needle points and rollerballs have little to no skipping or bleeding. The point isn’t all that scratchy either.
I don’t remember when I actually bought this pen. It’s been over a year and the ink still flows like new. There seems to be no change in color or flow. It’s definitely got legs.
Now to the numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 This pen works well. The ink flows well and it’s comfortable.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The grip is actually textured into the plastic. It’s ribbed. For the kind of pen it is, it’s okay.
3. Material – 0.5 This is an inexpensive, plastic pen. It is what it is. It’s a serviceable specialty color gel ink.
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a good pen for everyday use. It’s a go-to pen. Pilot makes a good pen
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a possibly disposable pen (though it does have refills) and the fact that you can only order it from JetPens, it’s not the least expensive pen on the market. It’s $3.30 a piece. So that might be a detractor.
I give it a 3.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] The Villain is Really the Hero
Prompt: The Villain is Really the Hero
Words: witchcraft, recommend, sand dollar, fisticuff, paprika, eyeball, nightlight, gibberish, infuriating, dreadful
Story
“Please, foul sorceress, do not smite me with thy black magic.â€
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, it’s not witchcraft. It’s PAPRIKA! Get up and stop that thee/thou gibberish and speak plainly.â€
The velvet and gold clad nobleman sputtered, turning white then red as he struggled to his feet. “Are you always so dreadful infuriating, Petunia?â€
“If I had a sand dollar for every time…I’d have a beach. What brings you here?†She waved her hand around her kitchen. “What am I supposed to have done now? Or is this some inheritance quest?â€
“Neither?†Noble boy sounded less certain. “You, see this was this fisticuff…um, fight…â€
“Spit it out. And have the good grace to introduce yourself.â€
The noble – Lord Kip – apologized and laid out his tale of woe and revenge. “If you can recommend a spell or anything, I would really be in your debt, but, you know, not dying would be great.â€
“Hmmm…it might be fun to kill you, but hard on the floors. Having a lordling in my debt, that’s interesting.â€
“You would also be averting a long, drawn out war by stopping it in its tracks.†He stopped talking again, uncertain and frightened by the gleam in her eyes.
“Take the Eyeball of Darkin and recite these words?†She handed him a talisman and a sheet of paper.
“What does it do?â€
“I use it as a nightlight, but others think it’ll turn children into toads. Have fun with that.â€
“You’re my hero.â€
“Don’t let anyone hear you say that. I have a reputation.â€
Word Count: 256
Written: 11/25/18
[Pen/Pencil Review] Monami Olika Fountain Pen – Green
This is actually a pen I could’ve sworn I’d already reviewed, but apparently not. There’s no record of it. It was part of my initial Kinokuniya/Daiso trip to Carrollton. This is the Monami Olika fountain pen. I bought two – a blue and a green. This one is of the green because holiday colors.
The Monami Olika is what I would consider an “everyday carry” type fountain pen. It’s translucent green plastic not quite a demonstrator, but close. It’s about 5.5″ long capped and just over 6″ with the cap posted. The body is slightly curved that’s narrower in the middle and wider at the grip and post. The narrower portion is designed to sit in the web of the thumb.
The grip of pen is dimpled black rubber that allows comfort, stability and long use. The cap posts securely on the barrel with the barrel being smooth. The cap has a molded plastic in a solid arch. There’s little chance of the clip breaking off. The nib is a fine point steel with some flexibility to keep it easy and comfortable. The pen is easily refillable but with a proprietary cartridge.
The ink started out light and then turned darker on me. Maybe their proprietary cartridge isn’t quite as proprietary as I thought. It might be the first cartridge was a lighter green than the other two that came with it or I might’ve ended up getting a Nakimi or some other non-international short cartridge. The flexibility of the nib helps with a smooth flow to the ink. The color is good and strong. I like it.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It works like it’s supposed to. The nib is smooth and solid. The barrel is light but well-balanced with a good feel. The nib feels strong, like it won’t bend if you’re heavy-handed writer.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – There are solid nods to ergonomics. The grip is comfortable along with the curve to the barrel. It’s comfortable.
3. Material – 0.5 – It is what it is, a plastic basic fountain pen. It’s light but comfortable. The ink
4. Overall Design – 1 – This is a solid beginner or every day pen.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s $5.50 on JetPens, don’t remember what it was at Kinokuniya, which isn’t bad for a refillable fountain pen. There are refills available also for $5.50 for 5 cartridges. So not the cheapest things ever but also not bad for something than can last quite a while.
That’s 4.5 of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] A Story Pulled From Today’s Headline and Rewritten
Prompt: A Story Pulled From Today’s Headlines and Rewritten
Words: boxer, cherry blossom, magic, implement, artwork, safety, chime, chain link, towel, ingredient
Story
Search for Alien Life Leads to Finding Water…
“But what kind of aliens are we talking about?†Perry demanded, wiping sweat from a balding head with a towel. “You better have more than artwork, too. Water’s great and all but come on. With dips in sales we need better.â€
Lane sighed. “For the safety of everyone involved, we stuck with the scientific ingredients for life. Water in the atmosphere and the like. The pictures of aliens dressed like boxers are cliché now.â€
“But I’m not feeling the magic, Lane.†Perry dismounted the exercise bike as carefully as if he climbed a chain link fence. “This feel smore like a cherry blossom puff piece.â€
Before Lane could defend the piece any further, Perry’s phone chimed. “What? Oh, yes sir. You have? It is? We do? We can! It’ll be taken care of, sir.†He hung up the phone and narrowed his eyes at Lane. “Word from on high. Rework the story. Play down the water angle. Play up the aliens.â€
“Didn’t we just talk about this?â€
“But not for the reasons we discussed. Apparently, the Water Wars have begun. Finding off-planet water means so much more.â€
“And now we’re implements of an intergalactic conspiracy? How do you want me to play it? In search of water, scientists discover alien life?â€
“Works for me.â€
Word Count: 222
Written: 11/24/18
[Pen/Pencil Review] The Write Crap Pen – Black Ink
This weekend we did a Daiso run on the way to an annual holiday party. This is always an interesting thing to do. I found something I had to have…a pen that gives you explicit permission to write crap. It’s literally a poo emoji bobblehead pen. I had to have it. Because the one piece of advice – one of the few Writing Rules that isn’t complete crap – is to give yourself permission to write crap. Some famous writer like Bradbury or Hemmingway said all writers have a MILLION bad words in them. So let’s get to it with this amazingly awful novelty pen.
This is about the pen and not its use (necessarily). The pen is about 6.75″ long and a good 2.5″ of it is the top, emoji bobble head. If you listen REALLY HARD you can ALMOST (not really) hear Sir Patrick Stewart’s voice (I hope). The pen is a heavy resin painted (obviously) brown. The barrel is a solid piece ending at the metal where the ink is inserted. The resin barrel has a solid end so there’s a ridge that could dig in if you use it long-term.
The ink is inexpensive ballpoint – this insert is a little skippy. But it’s a 0.7mm point – because the Japanese are awesome about fine points. The ink is black and works well enough. It might smooth out more as I use it. It comes with a plastic slip of a cover for a cap – but I’ll lose that within a day of use. I always do.
These run $3 at Daiso. If you’re feeling adventurous – you can get a dozen assorted bobble emoji pens for about $27.50 at their online store. I’m tempted, but there are three pens in the bundle – and I don’t know what I would do with the others.
So get yourself to a Daiso or look the up online and get yourself a pen that encourages you to write crap, because sometimes you really need that permission and encouragement.
To the numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 The ink has some skipping to it. The pen is heavy. But it’s functional and fun
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – It’s not only a heavy material, it’s top heavy with the bobble. That way it’s tiring in the long-term use and the “cap” is easy lost.
3. Material – 1 – It’s solid resin. It’s heavy and well-made.
4. Overall Design – 1 – This is so much fun. It’s a good fun piece.
5. Price Point – 1 – These run $3 at Daiso – unless you buy them in bulk. Then it’s $27.50 for a dozen. It’s too much fun.
4.0 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] Reliving Childhood Memories as an Adult
Prompt: Reliving Childhood Memories as an Adult
Words: target practice, bookmark, wizard, determination, unbridled, schedule, forward, pork loin, innermost, supposition
Story
Regression is a tricky thing, but so is regret. I guess that’s why I went forward with the procedure with determination if not unbridled enthusiasm.
“We’re ready for you, now.”
I followed the nurse into the innermost parts of the clinic, slipping the bookmark into my novel as we progressed. I let them prep and poke and put me to sleep all according to their schedule.
I awoke to the smell of Mom’s barbecue pork loin. My mouth watered. I got up and followed the scent into my kitchen – but my kitchen now. Not Mom’s, but there she was shredding pork. She couldn’t be there, though.
“You’ll want to go outside, dear. Dinner will be ready soon but not yet. ”
I did what I was told. I always did what Mom told me. My heart wrenched. She hadn’t told me what to do in a decade now. I pushed through the door to my backyard. My brothers were there for target practice on the archery range I had set up. The peaceful thunk of bolts in targets calmed me. I shot a few before I realized none of this was happening now. It had happened before. And just before I had everything ripped away. One last happy memory.
The wizard who designed regression was good. He knew the buttons to push to keep people coming back. But that was the plan to part fools from their money, right? Then what was I? someone who needed help, a fool, or both? Therein lie the supposition.
Word Count: 255
Written: 11/17/18
[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot G2 – 0.38mm – Green Ink
This week’s pen blog launches the holiday season. December often means red and green pens. This begins the tradition again. I dug out a nice selection of the festive colors this evening and went through some to see which I’d done before. I was surprised to find out I’d never reviewed the Pilot G2 0.38mm in any color – including green.
This is a classic G2 with a clear casing with the retractable mechanism, clip, and the grip matching the color of the ink. It runs just short of 5.75″. The rubber grip is pretty comfortable for an inexpensive, every day pen. One of the things I like about it is the clear barrel that allows you to see how much ink you have left. This is a classic pen in a classic color. The green is dark – even in a 0.38mm point.
The ink is as awesome as always, the roller is smooth for a 0.38mm. These pens have good ink reservoirs with rich tints to the ink. The conical tips are smooth and lay down a solid line. The feel is good. The ink dries quickly.
These are available at some box stores – I usually find them in black, but they also come in the “primary” colors of pens – red, blue, black, green. I do love the green in this point size. I’ve had this one quite a while and it still writes well with little priming – even after lying in a box for who knows how long. They’re relatively inexpensive, about $7 for a 4 pack, which is less than $2 a piece.
To the numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 The ink is strong and comes in decent point sizes – including the “ultra fine” 0.38mm. The retraction mechanism is solid.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s fairly basic retractable pen with a decent drip that hasn’t changed much over time, but it still gives a comfortable feel for long-term use.
3. Material – 1 – It’s rubberized and translucent plastic pen. It’s solid for what it is.
4. Overall Design – 1 – These are a standard. They’ve not changed much over time, which is good. It’s never been broken, so there’s nothing really to fix. The pen is colorful, comfortable, and solid.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – These run just under $2 a pop which is about on par. They are refillable, but you probably have to go to someplace like JetPens or some other retailer to find them in the 0.38mm
4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] Based on a True Story
I am almost caught up. I really do have to write more. Much more. I have been very slow with my writing lately and that kind of sucks. I had great intentions for this weekend – holidays and such did divert. But I promise though I seem to live in this world…
I’m doing my best to tranquilize those squirrels…or find some ducks as they migrate.
Prompt: Based on a True Story
Words: Mongols, exception, gosling, elementary, coordinate, solution, tighten, shuffle, horseshoe, universe
Story
“The Mongols used homing goslings to coordinate tactics and communications as they tightened their control of the Horseshoe Universe.”
“That line is not going to work on elementary students.” Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Goslings? Baby geese? How does that work in space?”
“I’ll have you know Goslings are easily adaptable, agile beacons named after a 21st Century actor – for some reason.”
“Oh, come on. Really?” Cassidy rolled her eyes again. “They’re kids but don’t think they won’t see right through you. That story isn’t your solution, Julie.”
“It’s not a story if it’s true. Besides, this is an exception, I can’t shuffle the lesson plans now.”
“But, Julie, really? Mongols in the Horseshoe Universe?”
“It’s true! I swear, Cassidy. There was a movie based on real events.”
Cassidy snorted. “Did you find the source material? Corroborate it with other sources?”
“Um…”
“You can’t use that as a lesson. Unless you’re teaching a unit on fiction writing.” Cassidy paced. “You’ll get caught and fired.”
“You assume I am teaching history. Maybe I am teaching a fiction class.”
“Are you?”
“Based on a true story, baby. True story.”
Word Count: 186
Written: 11/1/18