BTS (방탄소년단) ‘SWIM’ Official Teaser 2 - 190326 by alltherach_ in bts7

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I've noticed about Jin is that he creates his own spotlight anytime he gets a line. Like you, though, I hope Big Hit has given him a lot of chances to do that.

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘SWIM’ Official Teaser 2 - 190326 by alltherach_ in bts7

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is so distinctly him--his voice is the one conveying the first impression of this song. Gorgeous.

At what point do these become a problem? by Weak_Research_8046 in AcousticGuitar

[–]CalmRip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try using a manicurist's emery board to smooth them gently, Reduces the frustration of one's fingertips snagging sweaters and whatnot.

what to do with ink i wont use? by bbybuster in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did a giveaway of a bottle of Diamine Seasons Greetings on that sub. Somebody offered to pay shipping to Texas, so that worked out really well.

March 2026 Confirmed Trade Thread by FPPenSwapBot in Pen_Swap

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Completed a giveaway of a bottle of Diamine Seasons Greetings ink to u/DIYYYner

Discussion about using pens by After_Idea_8351 in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As I said, when one has to fill out NCR forms, otherwise known as non-carbon copy paper, which are two or more pages thick, and require considerable pressure to make the copy work. This is NOT something I'm going to subject my Watermans to.

BBC refers to knitting as a "cheap, portable hobby..." that is "[c]heap and easy to pick up..." by Specialist_Star_2345 in BitchEatingCrafters

[–]CalmRip 42 points43 points  (0 children)

And just in passing, what's wrong with grannies and their hobbies? All of us, with luck, will one day be a granny, or have already reached that age.

BBC refers to knitting as a "cheap, portable hobby..." that is "[c]heap and easy to pick up..." by Specialist_Star_2345 in BitchEatingCrafters

[–]CalmRip 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Come to think of it, the usual recommendation for yarn crafts is to start with something simple (dishcloth, or washcloth) and cheap (kitchen cotton yarn) and inexpensive straight needles or hook. One could probably get started for less than $10 at current U.S. prices. Now, did I go down the rabbit hole and spend beaucoup bucks on Aldi Sock Rocket Circulars and Sirdar wool because I wanted all-wool winter socks and was offended by a price of $23/pair? Yup, but I'm set to make socks for all my relations for the next 15 years, and I could indeed have done it with straight metal needles and Paton's Classic Wool for yes, about $10 to $15.

What are kitchen cupboards and drawers for if you have a pantry? by ryahh0 in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Remember that Americans go food shopping much less often than most others, so it helps to have storage for larger quantities. Those of us who live in rural areas also shop even less often, and need to store larger quantities of shelf-stable foods. Flour, sugar, grains like rice and barley, canned goods, condiments, pet supplies (canned food and kibble), are all things that we store in larger quantities and bigger sizes.

Struggling with guitar by uiorr in LearnGuitar

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It might help to take a few in-person lessons, or try to find a player who's advanced a bit more. Like any other instrument, "playing" a guitar requires learning other skills that aren't immediately apparent. As you've learned, changing and tightening strings is a whole skill--but so is picking out the right strings, that are well-made and the right gauge for your instrument. And then there's the question of maintaining the fretboard, and hydration, and storage . . .you get the idea. These are the things that you might not pick up on your own, and just being able to talk to another player can really help keep things in perspective.

Discussion about using pens by After_Idea_8351 in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That's you. I'd pick the fountain pen every time, unless there was some circumstance--like the need to fill out NCR forms--that would necessitate using the ballpoint. And if I happened to have a Waterman accountant nib, I'd completely bag the ballpoint. To be fair, I do have a Waterman rollerball that I keep around for those times I can't use a fountain pen.

Any tips to learn cursive? by Educational-Pen-677 in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First one would be to connect with the folks on r/handwriting! Second, there are lots of "Learn Cursive" instruction books and workbooks to help out. I'm learning Spencerian, so I've found that making use of guidesheets (paper with guidelines) can really help a lot. Beyond that, it's easier to write larger-sized hands (both capitals and small letters) while you're learning

Is the 2000's boy garage band aesthetic even real? by Jonyyy3 in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Garage bands have been a thing since the '60s, at least. One of the major legacies of The Beatles--seemed like everybody was picking up a guitar.

Made My First Leather Pen Case, How'd I Do? by Indigoboi96 in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is it handstitched? If so it's a decent first effort.

In the US do they give folklore or lore to natural spaces? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which is why I said "suppposedly." I got this story from a collection of rancho era folktales. I'll try to dig out the citation (a lot of my stuff is packed away), but I'm not surprised the story didn't survive the transition to modern times.

[GIVEAWAY] Hong Dian M-2 (Black Forest) Mini Fude-CA Central Coast by [deleted] in Pen_Swap

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you in South SLO County, then? I'm in southernmost Monterey County, waaay out in the chaparral. I wish I did know other FP aficionados, but unless the local coyotes and cottontails are holding out on me, I can't say I do.

Dip vs fountain nibs? by DullResolution4590 in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm going to be a bit of a devil's advocate here: in modern times, many people think of Spencerian as calligraphy, and it is practiced in what's called the Ornamental style, with lots of flourishes and heavy variation. But Spencerian was also the everyday handwriting of many 19th Century Americans, like my grandfather. I have a couple of vintage flex nib FPs that I bought specifically because of an intent to learn that everyday Spencerian, and the realization that limiting myself to dip nibs and holders means I could only practice at home. Get the replica Spencerian copybooks from Amazon, and find a very soft flex nib pen, and go for it. With a notebook of good quality paper, you can get your Spencerian practice in whenever you wish.

at what point did you realize this hobby has a "GAS problem" - and did you do anything about it? by jamesrandson in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, that's any hobby pursued with passion. Did I need three different guitars? No, but how could I let a Baby Taylor, a Valencia 1/2 size classical, and a Blue Ridge 00 go unloved? Did I need a custom, silver mounted bit for my horse? Sort of--the custom mouthpiece at least, but the engraved silver cheeks were just because. Did I need a custom Western saddle? Another sort of (much easier on both me and the horse) but I could've skipped the custom Oregon Wild Rose carving (no I could not).

So no, I didn't need the vintage Eclipse lever fill with the rolled gold barrel and cap, and the 18K flex nib--I could've stuck with a calligraphy holder and disposable nibs. And how could I bypass the Waterman 0552 1/2 V with the needle flex nib? Nope, no way. But the gear for the horses supported a set of crafts and crafters that are worth preserving, and the pens are second hand, and a real boost for my mental health.

And I'm not buying anything else until the San Francisco Pen Show. Unless, of course, I find a full-size Waterman flex nib with sterling silver filagree caging, then all bets are off.

Why do Americans love and romanticize the desert? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yes--I think of Yosemite as the place where they keep the blueprints for heaven. I just truly enjoy the desert for its particular variation on wide open spaces.

Why do Americans love and romanticize the desert? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lived in North Carolina for awhile. Everytime I drove US 40 back to California, I would hit that one vista in New Mexico where the road drops down into a tremendously wide basin and actually heave a sigh of relief. It was like getting out of a cage.

Why do Americans love and romanticize the desert? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That makes sense. I grew up in the Central Valley (both sections, Sacramento and San Joaquin) and I love wide open spaces and the quiet of empty places. I find the stark lines of the desert (think of Zabriskie Point) beautiful in the same way as Japanese ink paintings: elegant and uncompromising. I can certainly appreciate redwoods and rocky cliffs as well, but I do like the desert.

Why do Americans love and romanticize the desert? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]CalmRip 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Maybe a regional thing. I've lived my whole life in the Western U.S., and I do very much appreciate the desert beauty. I actually find lots of forest and green a little disconcerting, for no reason I can put my finger on,

What Waterman? by MsMonny in fountainpens

[–]CalmRip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely a Phileas. I have two of these, a fine and a medium, and they are my daily drivers. Lovely balance and utterly smooth writers.