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.

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!

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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.

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.

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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.

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 ….

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I am sitting here holding my new handmade Thuya Burl Pen, just hoping I can find adequate words to describe it.   Now, everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of Fisher Space Pens, so it was difficult for me to believe I could like a pen that wasn’t expressly designed by Fisher.  I have been humbled.

Before I go on about the design - I will say that this incredibly sharp pen which I can’t seem to put down does contain a Fisher Refill, so it will perform like my other prized pens.  Now, to the design.  What first struck me was the look.  I opened the box and thought, this pen might be too grown-up for me.  It is very sharp and executive looking with its Thuya Burl wood.  I would expect to see it on a desk in an office that is far neater than mine.  I was a frankly a little intimidated.  I cleared my desk and cleaned my office before taking it out of the box.  Let me back up, the box, engraved with my name, another reason my desk needed to be cleared … so professional!  It has that leather smell too — not that I sit around and smell it … much.

Getting back to the pen.  After my space felt worthy, I took it out of the box and just played with it a little.  It fit in my hand perfectly.  The contoured clip curves and set itself perfectly against my finger.  It’s heavy and solid … I just began writing and doodling with it.  The weight of the pen combined with the quality of the refill … it’s my new favorite!

My hat’s off to the maker, Katie Manrique.  Her pens can be found at CyberSpacePens.comand at stores.ebay.com/Cyber-Space-Pens.

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Long before I had even heard about Fisher Space Pens, there was an episode of Seinfeld about an Astronaut Pen.  I never saw it, because I never really got into that show … much to the dismay of my friends!  So, it’s funny that now when I tell people about these wonderful pens and they aren’t catching my excitement, I will say, “They did a Seinfeld episode about one.”  What’s funnier is that most of the time the person I am talking to remembers the episode!

This morning it occurred to me that I might be able to find a clip from that show on youtube, and I did! You can check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKHW61Y118A - I must admit, I will now rent the DVD to see the whole episode … I can see where it might have actually have been funny.  Though I have only been acquainted with Space Pens for a couple of years, I felt oddly proud as I watched the clip.  So strange…I didn’t invent the technology that makes these pens great and I have not been responsible for any of the unique designs that makes this pens so fun.  I just use them and tell people about them and somehow that makes me feel like I have a part in the Fisher Space Pen experience.

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I was looking around the Cyber Space Pens site this morning because my niece, who has just discovered the wonders ofFisher Space Pens, wants to give some as Christmas gifts.  As a college student, her finances are limited, so I wanted to offer her some inexpensive options for her gift-giving endeavor.  Of course I thought of the Rocket Pens and the Slimline Series Pens, two very affordable options.  I do love the look and feel of the Slimlines!

There is another option that I had completely forgotten about until this morning when I stumbled upon it.  The Wedge Pen, which is part of the Zero Gravity Series, is an inexpensive option for anyone who wants the Fisher technology, but doesn’t have a lot to spend.  I love the look of this pen, the contrast of the black and silver along with the shape will catch anyone’s eye … and I love people to notice my pens!!!

I am going to recommend this pen to my niece and I am also going to keep it in mind for myself as I start thinking about those Christmas gift bags … yes … it’s November…it’s officially okay to think about Christmas.

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I was at Walgreens last night writing a check.  As I always do, I took my Bullet Pen out of my purse and played with it a little before opening it up and using it.  I like to do that because I like to show it off and I like to savor the writing experience.

I started thinking about that as I was waiting for my receipt and it made me feel sad for all the people who can’t enjoy their pens.  Whether its letter writing or bill paying, there is so much more enjoyment when you are using a handsome, high quality writing implement.

I am making it my mission this Christmas to give my loved one’s the Fisher Pen experience.  I gave a few Space Pens last year and I am still being thanked.  I am excited this year because I can also choose from theHandmade Pens at Cyber Space Pens.  The Crushed Sunflower Shells Carbara is one that I become more fond of every time I look at it.  It has a masculine look to it, I can see my brother loving it.  It comes with the Triangular Maple Wood Box which serves as a holder as well as a display.  I will definitely have it engraved … I just haven’t figured out what to put on it yet.

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What is it about boys and flashlights?  Every Christmas I get a couple to stick in their stockings and you’d think it was the latest and greatest video game. “Look, at it when I shine it on the TV!  Look at the ceiling when I do it this way!”  It never ceases to amaze and amuse me.  Of course, within 48 hours my boys have to take them apart to see how they work and if they could reassemble the parts in a different way and make something cooler.

So, I wasn’t surprised when we were browsingCyber Space Pens site for a suitable birthday gift for Grandpa and they zeroed in on the Space Beam.  Oh my goodness, you’d have thought it was the Holy Grail!  A small argument followed as my daughter was not on board with the idea … she was aiming for the Chrome Golf Ball Pen.  We reached a compromise and decided to save the Golf Ball Pen for Christmas.

I knew Grandpa would like it, but I didn’t quite expect the scene that followed …. “Wow, check it out!  Look at it when I shine it out the window!  It’s so sharp!  Let’s go down the basement and test it out!”  I guess boys never outgrow flashlights!  I just hope Grandpa has outgrown the need to take them apart!

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I teach a class of ninth graders once a week.   Teaching is at once exhilarating and intimidating, because those kids take my words at face value.  They believe and trust me, so I try to be careful and extremely intentional with every word I say.  I want to teach them, influence them, but not mislead them.

So, in using my teaching power for the good of my students … I have, of course, already introduced them to Fisher Space Pens and have even let them all write with my favorite Bullet Pen.  Oh, how their young faces lit up!  They had so many questions … and I had answers.

I truly love each student in that class and have already decided that on our last day I will give them each a Rocket Pen.  Rocket Pens are great for such occasions, because they are affordable enough to buy for a large group of people, yet they still contain the Zero Gravity Ink Cartridge that makes theFisher Pens great.  They come in four colors, with the ink matching the barrel: red, blue, black, and silver.  I think I will get them all the same color, the Black Rocket Pen, because most teachers prefer black ink. I want them to be able to use their pen as much as possible, thereby impressing their friends!

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I woke up this morning and discovered that we were out of milk.  I decided to run to the gas station and get some before the kids got up, which I have done many times.  I didn’t bother to brush my hair, throw on make-up, or even change clothes.  I dashed in there sporting my pj’s and bedhead, as I have done many times before, grabbed my milk and decided to get a big ole coffee to reward my early morning efforts.  As I was selecting the roast I would be savoring, someone said my name.

I turned around and was face-to-face with John, the X-Marks Pen guy from the grocery store.  Did I mention I hadn’t bothered to brush my teeth either?  I froze.  Fortunately, I think he thought I just didn’t recognize him, so he introduced himself as the guy from the store with the Fisher Space Pen.  Again, I was frozen, and I didn’t dare say a word since my teeth were yet unbrushed.  I think he felt as though I thought he was weird, because he started rambling on about my Bullet Pen and how he thought we had a connection but maybe he was wrong.  It seemed to last forever … he even told me about buying his Mom a Sterling Silver Neck Chain Pen because she was elderly and not getting around so well anymore.  The Neck Chain Penwith its 24″ chain was just what she needed so that she could have a pen handy  to do her crossword puzzle and sudoku and she loved it especially since he had “Love, John” engraved on it … had I ever seen one of those?  I nodded - still looking like a deer in the headlights I’m sure.

I wanted to tell him how sweet he was to do that for his mom.  I wanted to tell him that just the fact that he knew about Fisher Pens was enough for me … I would marry him tomorrow.  But I just stood there, nodding my head like an idiot.  Finally, he awkwardly said it was nice to see me again and he was sorry if he bothered me, and that was it.

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