I was on the Cyber Space Pens website admiring the Coffee Bean with Cream Pen again (I do that more often than I care to admit) - when it occurred to me to scroll down and see if anything else struck my fancy. I am not the most observant person in the world so I am not all that surprised that I never noticed the pen just below my sweet caffeinated pen … the Purple Stabilized Maple Burl Pen. Normally, I am not a big fan of purple … but I am a big fan of class and this pen has it, in spades! The effect of the deep purple dye on the wood is beautiful, but I think it’s the chrome and black accents that do it for me. Of course, it contains a Fisher refill, so it’s first class on the inside as well. It does come with the engravable leack leatherette box which adds to the high-end feel. Truly, any of Katie Manrique’s handmade pens would make a fabulous gift. The only problem is that once to see and hold one, you won’t want to give it away.
Last week my daughter really got me. She told me she’d like to get out and do some Christmas shopping for her friends (with her own money)… and she’d like to buy a Purple Passion Bullet Penfor Grandma, since purple is her favorite color and she loves to write nice cards to people. I couldn’t play that one cool, I had to hug her until she asked me to stop because I was choking her. I know my kids are perfect, but I must be doing something right … Grandma’s getting a Bullet Pen!
I love those moments when your kids just make you smile from the depths of your soul. My seven year old told me that I am always pretty … that was a sweet moment. Both of my boys fight over who gets to open and close my car door and who gets to escort me … I absolutely love that! It makes me want to give them one of those big public embarrassing kind of hugs, but I play it cool and act like they are just doing what I expect from the little gentleman that they are.
I caved. I had dinner with the old flame. It was nice, like old times … easy-going. For awhile I thought, this could be some kind of movie, it feels so right being out with him again. He started talking about getting back together and how nice it would be to not be alone at Christmas, I could feel myself weakening. Then he brought up my Handmade Pen and how cool it was and how the Bullet Pen I gave him on Valentine’s Day still resides on his desk … the best gift ever. I didn’t know whether to be annoyed that he was angling for another pen or pleased that he appreciated Fisher Space Pens too. There are worse things than being used for my pen. Maybe I should give us another chance … As I sat there silently debating the issue, I noticed a familiar face in the back corner. It was John. He seemed buried in some work with his briefcase on the table and lots of stacks of papers around him. I had some difficulty focusing on my dinner companion after that. I was imagining what John must of thought when he read my journal … ugh! I think the last ten entries were about him - how pathetic and desperate I must have looked. I did not want to ever look him in the eye again. Maybe I could move …. Finally, the dinner was over and my date paid the bill and decided to make a stop in the little boys’ room. As soon as he was out of sight, John walked up, handed me my notebook, and left. I just stood there for a second, stunned, embarrassed, grateful, sad … and then I noticed the Chrome Slimline attached to the spiral and the post-it on the front cover. Mary Jo, Did not see that coming ….
Did not open your notebook.
Holding your Golf Ball Pen until our next meeting …
Next Saturday at 7:00? I think they got your
Ravioli all cleaned up. I’ll be waiting. -John
I have really pondered my Fisher Pens purchase. It’s just so hard to choose who gets what. This year I opted to spread the love far and wide and order several Rocket Pens. They have the Fisher Refills, so those in my life who have yet to experience the joy of having a pen they can count on EVERY time, will soon know the thrill. Since they are so inexpensive, I had to get one for myself too because I temporarily lost my prized Bullet Pen after using in in the bank drive-thru (it fell in the crack of the car seat). I decided that I am not grown-up enough to keep that one in my purse! I also picked the Military Cap-O-Matic pen for my nephew. He just got out of Iraq and will be able to be home for Christmas. He has a few more years left to serve and it looks like next year at this time he will be back in harm’s way, so I wanted to give him something special. I think I am more excited about his pen then any other I have given. Merry Christmas! And if you have to venture out to do your shopping …. don’t be grumpy!
There is a blizzard coming to Iowa today, which makes it a perfect day to get a little Christmas shopping done … online style. I really do not like shopping the old-fashioned way, not because of the weather … I absolutely love Iowa winters. It’s the grumpy people the scare me … not very Christmassy if you ask me!
There are few things I like more than Fisher Space Pens. One of those few things is coffee. Everyone in my life knows this about me, which makes it very easy for them at Christmas and on my birthday. I get lots of gourmet coffee and you can’t imagine how many cool coffee mugs I have. The other day when I was showing my old “friend” the handmade pens, I noticed some new ones on the page but I wasn’t wearing my glasses so I made a mental note to go back and check them out. Imagine my surprise when I saw the Coffee Bean with Cream Pen! It’s like Katie Manrique was thinking of me when she made it! Coffee Beans on the outside and a Fisher refill on the inside … I am getting choked up just thinking about it. The best part … it smells like coffee! I can just picture myself at work, staring at my computer screen with my pen near my nose, inhaling deeply. People might think I am strange, but those who know me will understand. They already know that I keep my coffee pot near my bed and programmed so that my first waking moment has the sweet aroma of those magic beans in it. This Christmas my friends will have a new option for me … which is good because I am running out of space for all of the coffee mugs!
Funny thing about old flames, we always want them to see how great things are without them. It’s a pride thing and I am not exempt. I showed him some home improvement things I have done since we parted … and of course, I had to show him my awesome Handmade Pen. When we dated, I introduced him to Fisher Space Pens, and even gave him one, which is to date one of his most prized possessions … so I knew the my Thuya Burl Pen pen would impress him. I nonchalantly handed him the black leather box with my name engraved on it. He smiled, looked it over and opened the box. It was kind of strange how long he just looked at the pen, I eventually had to say, “You can take it out of the box.” I handed him a notebook and he gave it a test run. He loved it, of course. He commented on the classy appearance but he just went on and on about how the weight of it just made it feel great in his hand. That’s what I like about it too. He asked about other handmade pens as if he was thinking about ordering one, which made me a little jealous. I didn’t like the idea of him having a pen that I didn’t give him. I checked my emotions and quickly called up the Cyber Space Pens site to show him some other options. I knew which one he’d go for, the Pearl Violet Acrylic Cigar Pen, and I was right. Finally, it was time for him to take his caulk gun and go. I walked him to the door and said good night. As I settled back to my computer and my work I glance down at the notebook he had doodled on. I miss you, can we have dinner and talk? He only wants me for my pen - so I will not be having dinner - but I am savoring the feeling … it’s a pride thing.
I saw an old flame last night. He stopped by to pick up the caulk gun he left here long ago. We’ve remained friends, so it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable at all, we had a nice little chat.
After I picked my jaw up off of floor, I said, “Your brother?” She smiled, nodded, and introduced herself. I could tell in her look that she understood how I read the situation - there was compassion and amusement in her smile. Obviously understanding that I was frozen in place, she nudged me in the the direction of their table. I remember taking a very deep breath. I would love to know what ran through his mind as Julia and I walked up to the table. His expression appeared to go from shock, to horror, to shock, and to anger. I think he wanted to kill his sister … ha … his sister. “John, look who’s joining us.” Thus began the awkward marathon. We exchanged hello’s as I sat down and then we just sat there. Julia tried to help, taking my golf ball pen from my very sweaty hand, and subtly wiping it off before offering it to her brother to check out. As if it was scripted, Julia’s cell phone rang and she had to leave for a work emergency. Now we were left alone and the silence was deafening. I search desperately for something to say … and finally uttered, “How did you come to know about Fisher Space Pens?” And the silence was over. For John, the journey began when he first got an email forward about how NASA spent a million dollars for a pen that writes in space … and the Russians simply used a pencil. As a natural skeptic, he decided to check the facts and learned about how Paul C. Fisher designed the pens at no cost to the government and sold them to the government for about $6.00 a piece and that the Russians even bought some. He thought it was such a cool story, he ordered his first Astronaut Pen. Since then, he has picked up a few more for himself and has given several as gifts. He just thinks it’s an awesome product with an equally fantastic background story and he loves to share it. As he finished talking, I wiped a tear from my eye. I started to offer my own story when my phone rang, it was the school wondering why I hadn’t picked up my children …. early dismissal! I scrambled out of the booth sending my box of food flying. Mortified at the sight of my glorious ravioli randomly displayed on the carpet, I just said, “I’m sorry.” and left. I was half way to the school before I realized I never got his last name! I was all the way home with the kids when I realized … I left my journal!
“What happened next?” I have been getting this question a lot, it seems everyone wants to know how my introduction to John went. Well …
It was in the Army that I discovered my fondness for matte black. I always thought “subdued rank” looked cool. For those who are not tactically minded, shiny things reflect light and reveal your position … that’s a bad thing. Today I was looking at Space Pens pens, (big shock) and I pondered the Military Cap-O-Matics. I thought about how many times I would have loved having one in my pocket, especially in the field. Whether is was a routine vehicle inspection form, getting a briefing, or filling out MP reports, a reliable pen that would write on a less than ideal surface and in less than ideal conditions would have made things much easier. If you know someone in the military, this would be a great gift for Christmas or just your next care package. My personal favorite is the Matte Black Pen without and words or seal - I always opt for extreme simplicity. Some prefer to display the pride of the branch in which they serve, it’s just a matter of personal preference. One important note if you are contemplating this as a gift … GET IT ENGRAVED! If your soldier misplaces it … it’s the only way he or she will have any hope of having it returned. A good pen is like gold when someone finds one, they will claim it for their own!
Last week held two important days. Monday was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and Wednesday was Veteran’s Day. Having served in the Army in Berlin 20 years ago, I spent a lot of time reminiscing with old Army buddies on Facebook. We shared pictures and memories and are even planning a reunion.
I get that question every time I tell someone about these pens. I can’t explain it in detail, but I know that these pens contain a special ink that actually has such color strength - less of it is needed to write. Combine that with an extra large ink chamber and you have a pen that isn’t going to run out of ink. The pressurized cartridge also insures that the ink inside the chamber will never dry up. When you combine the ingenious design on the inside with incredibly sharp design on the outside, you have a series of pens that is not for the casual user. You also have a great gift idea - if you have someone worthy enough in your life.
It’s that time again … the time when I find myself surfing the net for gift ideas. Of course, I do try to give a Fisher Space Pen to at least one person every year, so I spent a little time looking through the Cyber Space Pens site. As I stopped to look at the Lifetime Pens, I got a little sad because there is no one in my life who I would trust with such a treasure.
Within fifteen minutes I was curled up in a booth at my favorite restaurant. My food was ordered and I was quietly journaling about the insanity going on around me. I was using my happy little pen, as I like to call it - my Lime Green Golf Ball Pen - I chose it specifically because it always makes me smile and I needed a smile. I was getting more and more relaxed as I felt the tension flying out of my brain, through my sweet little pen, and onto the paper. I was oblivious to my surroundings. Finally, the waitress brought me my lovely Portabella Ravioli and I set pen and paper aside - now feeling quite mellow. I glanced up and right across from me … was John. So much for my relaxing lunch - he was with a beautiful woman. My appetite was gone! As I sat there choking down my favorite meal, I could see out of the corner of my eye that I was being discussed. I wanted to crawl under my table. I gave up on the food and asked for a box - I just wanted to get out of there. My Fisher Space soulmate … the dream was shattered. I hastily scooped my food into the box, paid the bill, and headed for the door. I just wanted it to be over. Suddenly, that beautiful woman stepped in front of me and blocked my retreat. She said, “You forgot your pen.” Quietly praying for death, I retrieved it from her uttering a barely audible thank you. I again went for the door and she grabbed my arm … “My brother is going to kill me for this, but he has been going on and on about you and how he’s never met anyone who shares his love for Fisher Space Pens, would you at least come over and talk to him and let him see your Golf Pen?” Brother???? Things were beginning to look up ….
Yesterday I was in a foul mood. Nothing major happened to get me there it was a matter of too many people pulling me in too many directions for too long. By lunch time I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided I was due for a little “me” time and it needed to begin immediately.
