True motivations, revisited
I revisit an old post from Anthony Newman’s blog to discuss motivations. Is it even possible to know what is an intrinsic motivation to acquire a pen, and what is peer modeling, or peer pressure?
Love in the long arc
As my years in the hobby progressed and my likes and passions became more refined, I began to notice a reluctance to let go of certain pens — even when I used them less than I wanted to. I’ve been curious, and often frustrated, with the friction between wanting to keep these pens and my self-imposed 20-ish pen guardrail.
Minimalism by any other name
I haven’t yet found the right word to describe my approach to collecting. It’s more of a vibe than principle.
Do I really need to get into Pantone brown?
I dislike Pantone Mocha Mousse, the ridiculous promotional imagery and the unspoken implications of it. But let’s talk about brown regardless.
2025 Stationery Intentions
Starting 2025 with a Stationery Intentions post! Let’s see what this year will bring.
An accidental Montblanc addition
A dignified older gentleman enters an artsy queer bar. Any moment now, he will begin to sing, and someone will accompany him on the piano.
A Year of Curiosities
It’s been a full year since I started this blog. I published 26 essays during this period, and this one is the twenty-seventh. That’s a lot of writing for a small audience. I'm happy :)
Alabaster and Orange and no Immediate Clarity
It’s ok not to have an immediate clarity about what our collecting impulses mean.
Wanting and having
Pens are tools, but wanting them is about the life of emotions, the ebb and flow of mood and absence, the keen unspeakable discrepancy between the internal music and the cacophony of everyday. But what if that perfect depth of feeling is already in the pen box?
A Portable Sanctuary
When I leave home, even for a short while, the five or six fountain pens in their case become my portable sanctuary, a physical manifestation of respite, endeavor, and dream.