FisherSpacePens’ blog

Gift Buying Success

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:49:01 -0800

This was a good Christmas. All the gifts I gave were very well-received, from the Dallas Cowboy’s Snuggie I gave my best guy friend, to the ABBA Gold CD that I made for the guys in the gym to work out to (so motivating). The smile and look of surprise always makes all of the rush and agony of the days leading to Christmas well worth it.

I knew the Fisher Space Pens I gave would be a hit but I didn’t expect too much comment since they primarily went to my young twenty-something nephews. I was not in the room to hear the conversation, but my daughter just filled me in yesterday. She said they went on and on to the point that it almost sounded phony. My soldier nephew was the only one who received an engravedMilitary Cap-O-Matic and he was talking about how no one will be able to lift his pen since his name is clearly on it. Then the conversation drifted to how awesome it is to have that pen you love and how much it stinks when you lose it.

I think I made my daughter recap the whole conversation at least three times … I wanted to make sure she didn’t leave anything out! It feels good to know shopped well this year.

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No More Mystery

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:48:28 -0800

I had my dinner with John. We met, as the post-it directed, at the original restaurant. He was there before me, probably because he didn’t have to try on and rule out eighteen different outfits. I was so nervous - but I don’t think he could tell.

We started with a little small talk and then I just asked him point blank, “You seriously never opened my notebook?” He responded, “Seriously.” He explained that he watched me writing in it and could tell it was some sort of journal. He compared reading my thoughts to peeking at Christmas presents … it would take away some of the excitement and mystery. Normally, I am the type of girl who would laugh at that and tease the guy for being “Smooooth,” but I could tell he was serious and I didn’t want to offend him.

We talked and ate and talked some more. We shared which Fisher Pens we were giving as Christmas gifts. He gave several Chrome Bullet with Silver Mag-Lite Flashlight sets to clients this year, a very practical yet classy gift. I was impressed.

Finally, the restaurant was closing and it was time to part ways. He walked me to my car, opened my door for me, shook my hand and said good-night. As I watched him walk away I knew he was thinking the same thing that I was, it was a very nice night but nothing more.

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Gift Exchange

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:48:00 -0800

One week ago today two kind gentlemen in the gym asked me if I wanted to lift weights with them. Apparently, they didn’t think riding the stationary bike was sufficient exercise for me. I accepted their offer and have spent most of the past seven days in pain.

Naturally, my one-week anniversary was celebrated with a gift exchange. I guess it’s a long-held gym tradition. I didn’t have time to go out and get just the right thing, but that was not a problem, because I was smart enough to order a bunch of Rocket Pens a few weeks ago, with just this type of unexpected occasion in mind.

I am so excited because they will have all day to experience the joy of the Fisher Space Pen and then tomorrow I can tell them all about the history of the Space Pens and Paul C. Fisher. Their lives will never be the same!

I’ve been trying to get a feel for their personalities … I think Chad is the X-750 Pen type but I am not yet sure about Paul. They both totally have a handle on my personality … their gift to me was cookie dough.

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Scroll Down

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:55:25 -0800

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.

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Proud Mom Moments

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:54:20 -0800

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.

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!

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Dinner

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:52:58 -0800

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 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

Did not see that coming ….

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Christmas Shopping in a Blizzard

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:51:08 -0800

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!

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!

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Topping My Christmas List….

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:50:07 -0800

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!

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The Power of a Pen - Protecting My Pride

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:48:39 -0800

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.

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.

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The Introduction

nobody@vox.com(FisherSpacePens) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:48:22 -0800

“What happened next?” I have been getting this question a lot, it seems everyone wants to know how my introduction to John went. Well …

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!

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