[Pen/Pencil Review] Parker Urban Rollerball
This one’s been a long time coming. I bought the Parker Urban in navy blue at Pen Place in Kansas City when we went in April for Spectrum. I did get this one on clearance, but it’s still really nice.
The Urban rollerball is an elegant design with an ergonomic, bullet-shaped barrel – which means wider at the grip and narrow where it hits the thumb webbing. This is a navy enameled barrel with bright chrome metal accents and the trademark arrow-fletched metal clip.
The barrel runs about 5.5″ long capped and nearly 6.5″ with the cap posted. The cap posts securely and is has a decent weight. There is a ridge where the smooth black grip meets the enameled barrel that can dig into the fingers if you grip it just right. The smooth grip could also become a bit tiresome.
The pen comes with a 0.7mm black gel ink refill – which is marked “M” for medium (which in my brain is the correct designation). The ink is dark, rich and dries quickly. The roller moves smoothly and is refillable. The pen is a professional and investment pen. It’s not cheap. But if you need a gift pen or a pen that looks really good for professional reasons, this one isn’t bad.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a decent pen. The ink works for me. Nice, rich, black.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The grip is shiny black plastic that can be tiresome. It’s hard but well-balanced in the taper even with the ridge. The length and weight are good.
3. Material – 1 It’s a solid pen with a lot of metal. The refill lasts a goodly while.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s solid. It’s very good looking with an elegant feel.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s not cheap. These run easily $50 – $80 depending on where you get it or if it’s on sale. I wish I could remember how much I paid for it. It’s an investment that you want to refill and use for years.
4.0 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] A Much Needed Vacation
Prompt: A Much Needed Vacation
Words: hair salon, burn, escape, waste, yesterday, quack, quaint, jittery, bob, expensive
Story
“All I have to do is get through today, and then it’s two weeks of escape.” Jeannie watched the det cord burn through the metal around the lock. She kicked the door open. “Where did you say the safe was again, Dina?”
“Behind the duck painting on the west wall.” Dina was a British-accented voice in her ear. “Focus on now. Not tomorrow.”
“Or yesterday…thanks, Mom.” She crossed quickly to the realistic painting. She almost expected it to quack. But it fit in with the quaint, hunter’s décor. She set the digital device that ran the safe’s combination and tried not to give in to jittery nerves as it processed. The door popped open. She scooped out expensive jewelry and currency, as well as the documents she came for.
“Got it.” Jeannie paused only to lay waste to the papers and memorabilia on the desk and overturn books and furniture to make it look more like a garden variety robbery. She checked her watch. “I can still make my appointment at the hair salon. I’m thinking of going with the bob this time. Thoughts?”
“If this information saves the world? You deserve a bob – or a Frank, or a Kyle. Whatever you want. It’s your vacation after all.”
Jeannie fought laughter all the way back to the van. Sometimes saving humankind needed a good chuckle.
Word Count: 225
Written: 7/24/17
[Writer Post] Advice Recap
Since I’m still recovering from Day Job Stuff (which the marathon finally ended on Sept. 30), and just now getting the brain back I haven’t had a good opportunity to process all that was FenCon – so there’s still a convention report coming…probably. I am easing back into all the post-activity normalcy, which means blog posts. AND I just had someone ask for first time writer advice. So this is going to be a quick recap of THAT…
1. Don’t listen to the MUSTs… You MUST write X number of words/time of day/etc. or you’re not a “REAL” writer. No. If you write you’re a real writer.
2. Do THIS ONE THING and you’ll be rich and famous. Yeah, no. Or we’d all be rich and famous.
3. Rosemary Clement said it best… “You do You.” What works for me, works for me. What works for you, works for you. You are not wrong. I am not wrong. There is NO WRONG WAY.
4. In this realm… I tend to be a linear writer: Beginning to Middle to End. I also tend to be a “Discovery” writer (or organic or seat of the pants-er). That’s me. Others write scenes as they come, put it on a corkboard (or digital equivalent) and move things around, or have serious outlines, or whatever. THAT’S OKAY. Does it work for you? Then you’re doing it right!
5. Any day with a word count is a good day. Do they have to be good words? Heck no. Many times they will be unusable words (for that project) or it will be something non-project related. There will be small word counts and big word counts. Does it matter? No. Can it be a blog or tweet or grocery list? Yes it can.
6. Will there be days without word counts? Yes, there will. Is that a bad day? Not necessarily. Stuff happens. Life happens. Health stuff happens. Things happen. If you don’t write one day (or 37 depending on the circumstances) don’t beat yourself up and think you completely suck as a writer. You don’t. It’s not dieting – Yo Yo Writing won’t mess up your health but it may not be the most productive thing. Some people are everyday writers. Others are binge writers. You be you.
Catching the theme yet?
7. It’s okay to write on multiple projects simultaneously. It’s okay to focus on one project until it’s done.
8. Pick a writer’s group that encourages you to grow and be better – or don’t pick a writer’s group at all. It’s good to get feedback from objective individuals that way you find the things that could be better and either make them better or stop doing them. but again if a group is not your thing, find what is and make it work for you – like a group of beta readers. Or hiring a professional editor.
9. Don’t take anything too seriously or personally (this is super tough because it’s all subjective). You won’t always agree on the feedback but it’s not generally designed to be a personal attack – unless it is, then run away from that feedback.
10. AND SUPER IMPORTANT — don’t be a jerk. Be professional and kinda courteous when you ask for advice, make professional connections, or send out your work. Don’t argue or pick fights if someone doesn’t like what you wrote (because not everything is to everyone’s liking). It’s Golden Rule time. You don’t want to deal with jerks – don’t be one in return. Ask questions.
Boom…my top 10 list of advice for up-and-coming writers.
Resource: If you do the podcast thing? Listen to Writing Excuses.
[Pen/Pencil Review] The Pilot B2P Retractable – Shades of Green
My moderately convenient Staples is closing. This situation is a whole different rant/post for a later date. We visited to see if we could pick up anything good – I did two more of the Pilot B2P (Bottle to Pen) pens from a 2 for $2 display at the register in shades of green. I know I’ve already review a version of this pen, but what the heck…
According to the website, The B2P comes in both 0.5mm and 0.7mm point – I’ve only seen the 0.7, which is what I bought (or I would’ve TOTALLY gone for the 0.5mm still). This time we’re dealing with the 0.7mm primary green and apple green.
At first glance, it’s kinda cool. The plastic barrel is color-matching tinted and has wavy ridges in it to mimic a water bottle. The barrel isn’t too thick or too thin to feel comfortable in the hand. The Ink cartridge runs the full length of the barrel, promising a long-lived writing instrument. And it’s 5.5 inches long, making it long enough to balance in a hand. Which is all good – especially with the recycle factor.
The upside to these are the fact they’re gel ink. The primary green is solid, dark, and rich. The apple green is one of the darker tints for the lighter colors. The apple green is actually easy to read. Both write very smoothly through the metal conical tip. There is still ink smearing to deal with, but not as much as with the first pens of this line I dealt with.
Why does this matter? I don’t like having to pay that much attention to my gel ink. Fountain pen ink is different, it’s liquid. You expect some drying time. It’s been a while since I’ve had smudging and smearing issues with gel ink – especially from a PILOT product. I will continue to use the pens – I don’ t give up pens that easily, but I’m wary of them. The pricing was also right on these – $1 each. I’m just sorry that I will have to hunt harder for them.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – This is a fairly solid working pen. The ink is well-pigmented. The point is solid. The ink smears a bit much for my taste
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a basic retractable pen. There’s a nod to ergonomics. The clip is metal, so that’s solid.
3. Material – 1 – It’s recycled plastic with a plastic clip. It is what it is.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s functional and recycled. It’s refillable and eco-friendly
5. Price Point – 1 – This pen is refillable and were available for $1 each.
I give it 4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] The Love of Each Other’s Lives
Prompt: The Love of Each Other’s Lives
Words: piano, fish, store, ceiling fan, behave, breathe, describe, irritating, enthusiastically, righteous
Story
“You bought me a fish! I knew you loved me!” Cassie enthusiastically hugged the container close.
“I noticed you drooling over it in the store. I had to get it for you.” Kent beamed at her then scanned the bar. “So why are we here?”
“Just breathe and behave. It’s still a surprise.”
Kent zipped his lip as she giggled out of temp with the squeaking ceiling fan above their high-top table. Cassie had an irritating but adorable desire to create “surprises” he had to endure much less try to compete with. It was a challenge he’d risen to on more than one occasion.
“Don’t you think?” Cassie asked.
“Um…sure, yes!”
“Really? That’s amazing!” Cassie squealed in a way Kent couldn’t begin to describe. What had he just agreed to? He’d been wrapped up in his own thoughts and hadn’t been listening. In a flash, Cassie lept into his arms and it didn’t matter anymore.
Before he could unravel what had amped up Cassie’s excitement levels to eleven, spotlights hit the stage as the opening strains of “Piano Man” to a cry of approval from the moderate crowd in the bar.
“Righteous, dude!” a surfer on the front row cried.
“Truly righteous,” Cassie said. “So, when do you want to get married?”
Kent blinked. “Wait, what? Married?”
The event just turned a bigger corner.
Word Count: 224
Written: 7/23/2017
[Writing Post] Back to the Land of Something
I’d say living, but I’ve been living just not online. There’s a good shift back to at least a semblance of normalcy at least in schedule if not in tasking. This has been a giant learning experience, and overall a very valuable one.
FenCon was amazing and I need to spend some time to do a write up. I need to get back to writing.
October is the Month of No. There are no major events planned until just before Halloween. There will be rest, writing, and relaxing. I have someone on standby to poke me on the writing thing. Jimmy will remind me of the other things.
November is another story. I start with World Fantasy where I have guest liaison duties AS WELL AS qualifying for one panel on Thursday. Which also then qualifies me for the mass signing on Friday. Yard Dog will be represented at World Fantasy. Bwa hahahahahaha. Then we have a fan group here. Followed by Waxacon – a first year comic con in Waxahachie. Then Thanksgiving.
Hence October being the Month of No. Yee haw.
[UPDATE] NO BLOG POSTS THIS WEEK
Due to ongoing Hurricane Harvey Diaster Relief Operations associated with my Day Job, there will be no blog posts this week and maybe next week.
Jimmy’s party is still a go, but nothing else is going to happen.
[Write the Story] The Gala Event of the Season
Prompt: The Gala Event of the Season
Words: cater waiter, suspicious, architecture, money, switch, imagine, yawn, blot, lilac, program
Story
“Places, everyone! Places!”
The cater waiter army lined up in crisp white shirts and black bowties. The event planner, Madam Nouveau, marched down the row pointing out miniscule flaws and flicking errant posture with a feather switch.
“Everything has to be perfect tonight, my pretties. There will be not one yawn. Not one blot on a sleeve, glove, tray or glass. Do not speak unless spoken to. You are part of the architecture. Now fly. Fly my pretties and help make this night more magical than anyone could imagine.”
Dylan squashed any suspicious thought he had about Madam’s humanity as he accepted the silver tray of dainties. Thank god it wasn’t champagne flutes. He hated drinks trays. He pushed through the door and heroically kept his composure.
Liliac! Why did it have to be lilacs? Dylan had no idea why the rich and powerful giving money to some program whose name he couldn’t pronounce would have stooped to such an old-fashioned and common flower, but here he was.
He managed to serve the canapes before his vision completely blurred and his throat closed. He would never work again as his tray clattered to the floor – followed by him.
“And now our program is complete with a real-world demonstration. Doctors? Who wants to make this a night no one will ever forget?”
Word Count: 221
Written: 7/18/17
[Writer Post] Crazy Brain
I’ve started three blogs today. None of them got past a paragraph before I trashed them. That should tell you how my week is going. My brain is SUPER “Squirrel” at the moment. It’s been one of those weirdly busy but not really times. Deadlines are either still quite a ways away or non-existent, and I keep getting distracted by the SHINY bits that are fantastic ideas but… times that means I’m doing A LOT but accomplishing NOTHING.
Follow the bouncing project…
Getting my weather geek on at a meeting at NBC5 yesterday.
Yeah, that’s productive. (sarcasm) I have worked on a lot of things, created great visions for several things, haven’t managed to FINISH ANYTHING. And with all the SHINY things in a non-hard-deadline focus, there ends up being a measure of being overwhelmed because it’s mental clutter. Because both Creative and Day Job PLOT BUNNIES are apparently in a mating cycle. SO many GOOD IDEAS. So little brain bandwidth to make it all happen RIGHT NOW.
It will shock NO ONE. NOT ONE OF YOU. That’s I’m cluttered. Physically and sometimes mentally. Mentally clustered to the point of throwing up one’s hands and saying, “Screw it, I’m going to play my game” – which helps NOTHING. Though it can be a bit calming if you can shut up the inner “Shoulda/Coulda/Woulda” voice. Yes… still in that mind set.
I also dealt with some medical uncertainties that have worked out to be mild and may require treatment down the road, but for now all is well and being monitored and the stress of “OMG! WORST CASE SCENARIOS AHOY!” is gone. Family stuff is sorting itself back into an acceptable version of normalcy. So brain weasels should be about to go back into hibernation soon – oh, man, did I just jinx that? Sorry I didn’t mean to!
Checking out the eclipse with fellow geeks.
Did get to see the eclipse with a bunch of fellow City Employee Geeks on the roof of City Hall. It was very cool. Looking forward to Dallas Totality in 2024 (though that’s still so a “sci fi” date in my brain). My main piece of FenCon staff job is complete. I actually get to be Writer Chick at FenCon for the most part this year. I’m backing up Guest Relations this year, not actually DOING IT. Crystal’s doing GREAT.
So I’m muddling along right now. Writing some. Dealing with a “meeting/training week” at work which means totally out of routine. There’s a lot of “out of routine” in the life right now – but that’s all cycling back to “normal routine” probably in the next week or so. So hopefully better news soon! But until then… FORWARD!!!!!
[Pen/Pencil Review] Zebra Sarasa Clip – Red/Black Retractable
This week’s pen review is a basic, workhorse type pen with some fun little details. It’s the Zebra Sarasa Clip – in a 0.5mm point and red/black gel ink – because they’re good like that. I picked this one up on a JetPens.
The Sarasa Clip has a rich red/black gel ink. This one comes in the 0.5mm point with a metal, cone tip. This pen has an ink-matching plastic barrel and plunger with an ivory and metal clip. The barrel threading is on the inside, making the barrel smooth and ridgeless for extra comfort. The ink is smooth and doesn’t smear much. It writes quite well. The barrel is opaque so you can’t judge your ink level. But it is refillable.
This pen is about 5.5″ long retracted and about 5.75″ long with the tip extended. This is a typical length for a retractable pen, and it’s well balanced and has a decent diameter. This has a color-matched rubberized grip to give the pen some ergonomics as well as a “seemless” look and feel. The clip is sturdy and strong even though it’s plastic with metal mechanisms.
The clip is the other fun detail. They call it a “binder clip”. It’s a spring-loaded, hard plastic clip matching the ink color. It is break-resistant and strong. It does secure well to a wide range of materials. This pen is refillable and economical for a good quality workhorse pen.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a solid, utility pen. It’s inexpensive. It comes several shaded colors like the red/black.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s average length with a good diameter. The fun colors give a lot of options for something beyond red, blue, black, and green.
3. Material – 1 – It’s an inexpensive utility pen. It is what it is, and it’s solid for what it is. The clip is metal and plastic and strong.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s okay. It’s functional. It’s an average length retractable pen with some fun details.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – These things are relatively inexpensive – though have to be ordered through JetPens. They’re about $1.75 for the pen. So you can pretty much use these for the long term. There are refills available.
4.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
