That Circle of Life Crap Never Turns Out Good in the End
Posted on May 6, 2009
Filed Under Daily, I Need to Get Over Myself, That's Just Crazy Talk | 9 Comments
I consider myself somewhat of a pen connoisseur.
As a journalist, I’ve carried a notebook and pen in my handbag since college, and I’m a real snob when it comes to my writing instruments. Everywhere I go, I’m jotting down notes and ideas, and having the right pen is like wearing the right underwear: Get stuck with the wrong one and you’ve got Writer’s Wedgie all day.
Don’t judge me, People. My thought process is no different than a marathon runner when it comes to their running shoes — if you know you’re going to get extended use out of them, you might as well buy the best ones.
I believe in spending big dollars when it comes to the tools I write with, and when my brother-in-law let me use the P’3100 TecFlex rollerball pen by Porsche that he got as a graduation present, I drooled.
In elementary school, I secretly laughed at the idiots who sharpened their pencils for too long and had to chomp down three inches of wood because they kept breaking the lead. I knew my pencils well and I prided myself on knowing exactly how long each of them could stay in the sharpener.
In middle school, I turned my nose up to my classmates who used the pens with the eraser attached to the cap. I was offended by the putrid writing utensil, which was nothing more than some moron’s dream of inventing a training bra for the pen world so his ditz of a kid could salvage his self-esteem; teachers don’t make nice with the little boy that strikes out his words you know.
Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that I’d use a pen that wasn’t bought at a specialty store, ordered online, sought after for months at a local office supply store, or highly recommended by one of my writer friends — but all it takes is one moment for your whole life to change.
One day, while I was out shopping with my mother-in-law, I found a boxed set of adorable note cards on sale for $3. In the box with the cards was a pen (which I knew I would never use) so when I got home I tossed it into the pencil cup we keep in the kitchen with the rest of the outcasts.
A few months later, as I was scribbling down a grocery list, I paused for a moment when I noticed how well the pen in my hand was writing. Upon examination, my discovery that the pen I had dismissed as cheap trash was in fact exceptional, left me dumbfounded.
I carried it with me for months, but as we all know, when the two ends of the Circle of Life touch, you pretty much get screwed.
Come with me, Readers, as we remember the underdog who unexpectedly swept me off my feet.
At first glance, this appears to be just an ordinary pen.
My initial thoughts were that it was too childish for me to use–
you know with the butterflies and stuff. But after a while its girlish charm started to grow on me.
It gave me just the right flow of ink, and its point was perfect for jotting down notes, like
estimates from moving companies.
It was even great for doodling, which I am constantly doing.
Triangles are my specialty.
But then, this happened. A pen lover’s worst nightmare.
I scribbled and scribbled, but she had nothing left to give.
And then I had to do the unthinkable.
We had some great times together, Sweet Girl.
Rest in peace now.
I will miss you.
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9 Responses to “That Circle of Life Crap Never Turns Out Good in the End”
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Oh the woe of losing a good pen…. I’ve been there
p.s. the sweater seems very cute too
That’s why I love my fountain pen.
Never runs out
True, a good pen makes all the difference, and sadly the cheap pen will run out.
I offer my condolences on your tragic loss.
Porsche has a PEN? And a fancy pants website for said pen? wow!
also – cuuute notebook ; )
I’m as amazed as Lindsay about the porsche pen/ weird lady on the website background who’s ‘singing’ but it’s really a subliminal message to spend $275 on a pen that better be able to drive me around… or write well.
Poor thing, you could’ve just changed the ink inside (or is that not possible?)
Sabrina, you’re a genius! (No Readers, I’m not talking to myself.) I should have thought to change the ink, but that didn’t even cross my mind. Also, since it’s not a pen that was sold at Staples or somewhere, I don’t know if I’d even know which replacement cartridge to get:(
LOL…(only a little). I totally understand the whole pen thing. I also have a fixation on different colors for different tasks- for example: I use only a black pen to write in my diary, and only a turquoise blue one to write notes at school. At least you threw it away…I never have the heart to do so, and my hubby has to go around finding a pen that writes whenever we have to make a list!
I just discovered your blog via Sepia Mutiny, and you are great! Given that I’m a sucker for clothes, bags, and shoes, I love your posts on fashion.
Anyways, this post reminds me of when I was in high school. My friends and I would go “school supply shopping” (aka Triple S-ing) and raid Target for cutesy notebooks with matching binders and pens. I remember buying this awesome lime green pen that was really fat and shaped like a bubble. The body of the pen was clear and was filled with glitter, which, of course, makes everything better. Sadly, disaster hit after a mere day, and my pen departed this fair earth.
Now, as a second-year college student without the means to buy a $10 pen just because it looks pretty, I stick to writing utensils of the mass-boxed variety.
Go to Jetpens.com please. Pens for even the most picky can be found there. No affiliation.