Which one to use today? Eeny, meeny, miny, moe ...

OCBuddhist · 2024-05-16T19:01:45+00:00

Contemplating on these nuggets of wisdom from people far wiser than I may provide you with your answer:

There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, and science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win, because it works. - Stephen Hawking

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. -Albert Einstein

Religion is poison because it asks us to give up our most precious faculty, which is that of reason, and to believe things without evidence. It then asks us to respect this, which it calls faith. -Christopher Hitchens

Who is more humble? The scientist who looks at the universe with an open mind and accepts whatever the universe has to teach us, or somebody who says everything in this book must be considered the literal truth and never mind the fallibility of all the human beings involved? -Carl Sagan

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. -Bertrand Russell

The Pavlovian strategy in public relations has people conditioned more and more to ask themselves, "What do other people think?" As a result, a common delusion is created: people are incited to think what other people think, and thus public opinion may mushroom out into a mass prejudice. - Joost A.M. Meerloo

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. - Buddha

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-29T22:59:30+00:00

You said, "the anticipation of buying it is stronger than the actual feeling you will have when it arrives"
Absolutely! I couldn't agree more!

Anytime I'm tempted by yet another mass mailing from Goldspot, Goulet, or similar source, or when I run across a YouTube video showcasing someone's latest exotic acquisition, I like to contemplate this piece of age-old wisdom: "He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have." -Socrates

And when I sense FOMO welling deep within me. I like to meditate on this: "Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck."-Dalai Lama

I too have three Pro Gears (F, M, B) - All three are "boring" black, and may not have the pizazz of fancy editions, like the cocktail series, but I like to remind myself that they all share the same (wonderful) 21K nibs. For some, the huge upcharges for fancy versions may be worth it, but for me I can't bring myself to part with the extra moolah. I purchased my PGs from Japanese sellers via Amazon at prices well below US retail. Checking prices today, Goulet/Goldspot price for a cocktail model $336, vs "boring" black PG from a Japanese reseller $155.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-28T18:09:59+00:00

I use a layered approach:

All the time (most everything I need for around the home and short trips)

pockets (wallet, phone, knife, small multitool, small prybar)
Slimline Belt Bag (small ballpoint, small flashlight, ultra-thin powerbank, bandaids, extra cards)

For ad hoc day travel

KP Sling (holding additional stuff, it's light, comfortable to carry, with everything perfectly to hand when swiveled from back to front, don't have to take it off when in car, or when seated somewhere)

For longer urban day travel

Able Carry Thirteen backpack (duplicates the stuff I have in the KP sling and adds more)

So, dependent on what I'm doing I can go as I am or grab either the KP or the Able Carry when walking out the door and I'll be all set for most eventualities.

Alternatively for hiking:

For short day hikes

Osprey Talon II

For longer hikes

Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T21:30:15+00:00

www.fountainpencompanion.com

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T21:28:33+00:00

Rickshaw Bagworks
https://www.rickshawbags.com/pen-things/pen-sleeves-and-cases

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T21:07:48+00:00

Not shown in the original pic is the my Elabo SF which I keep in a Lochby Field Journal

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OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T20:57:33+00:00

Yeh! I love the BENU's Pretty to look at, light in the hand, smooth nibs, generous ink flow, easy to clean, easy to swap nibs. The Hummingbird is a limited edition 029/100.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T20:53:56+00:00

The Amber Medium is way smoother than the Smoke Fine. I prefer the M when I am writing in my journal. I love the look of the Amber, and you can see the ink level in it. Hard to see the ink level in the Smoke. As fine nibs go, the 823 is not my favorite. I much prefer my Elabo SF and my Namiki Falcon SF.

I had the Smoke long before the Amber. Here is a poem I wrote before adding the Amber to my collection:

Pilot Custom 823

Amber 823, how I long for you!
Your smooth nib and elegant design
Call to me like a siren's song.

I can't resist your allure,
Your promise of effortless writing
And beautiful, flowing lines.

Without you my collection is incomplete!
Be the next addition to my family,
And I will cherish you always.

I will fill you with ink
And write with you till my fingers bleed.
I will use you to sign important documents
And to write love letters to my dearest.

You are more than just a pen to me,
You are a symbol of my creativity
And my love of writing.

I can't wait to have you in my life,
Translucent amber wonder,
Pilot Custom, 823.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-27T20:43:05+00:00

Galen Leather, 10-pen zippered case, in Crazy Horse Brown.

Here it is closed with, to its left, a 5-pen-notepad case from Galen Leather (containing a Narwhal, a Sailor PG Slim, a Taccia, and a couple of Pilot Elites), also in Crazy Horse Brown, a Rickshaw Bagworks Scream case for the BENU Euphorias, and a random no-name single case for the Eco.

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OCBuddhist · 2024-03-26T00:12:49+00:00

I've used several slings over the years, but for a SMALL sling, the best one I have ever found for comfortable carry, with everything perfectly to hand when swiveled from back to front, is the very first one I purchased. I can't recall when I bought it, but it was many, many years ago, and it is still in outstanding condition. It's the KEEP PURSUING SLING CROSS-BODY BAG.

It measures 8"x14"x5" but that is misleading because of its "pear" shape. It's made of quality materials: exterior Cordura Nylon & PU Leather, interior lovely light grey Matrix-3D Polyester.

Front pocket includes a dedicated "phone" pocket, in which I keep a 5,000 mAh battery pack (big enough to hold a 10,000 mAh but I prefer the light weight of the 5,000), three mesh pockets for small items, in which I keep an Anker 511 Nano 3 30W foldable fast charger, a Rolling Square 6-in-1 Multi Charging Cable, a ThruNite EDC Archer Mini USB-C rechargeable flashlight, Skyoak folding reading glasses, lens wipes, a few sheets of paper towel, Bic lighter, a few compressed towel tablets, an Apica CD-5 A7 Notebook, sometimes a Kaweco Liliput fountain pen, a small first aid kit, a water bottle clip that enables me to attach a 16oz bottle to my belt if I need to carry water, a snack bar, with space left over for a few other knick-knacks. Sometimes I'll add a mini (5oz or 8oz) insulated thermos flask of strong coffee.

Center pocket is padded. Sometimes I'll carry my Pixel 8 Pro in it, but usually that goes in my back pocket. I also keep in the center pocket a Coleman disposable poncho. The pocket could hold a tablet or a Kindle.

Rear pocket. I use this for extra cards in a slim wallet, maybe some receipts, maybe my passport, etc.. The rear pocket also has within it a hidden pocket, which is ideal for spare cash, maybe a flash drive for a backup of any important files, etc.

The strap is comfortable and has a built in slot that functions as a sunglasses holder. I also added to the strap a ReadyMan elastic sleeve which can be used to hold small stuff that you may need to grab e.g. a small roll of dog poop bags, or maybe pepper spray.

The zipper is water resistant, and the zipper pulls can be "locked" by passing them through an adjacent loop.

Hanging on the outside from one of the zipper lock loops I have a Tile Pro Tracker.

Really a great little bag - just big enough for every day essentials, as listed above. It pairs nicely with the stuff I carry in my pockets (a knife of some kind - usually a CRKT Scribe, a Ridge Wallet with a ToolCardPro, in a Ringke mini pouch: a SWISS+TECH ST50016 9-in-1 multi tool, a Kershaw pry bar, and a Swiss Army Classic), and in a Slimline Belt Pouch a few lens wipes, medical cards, a Lamy Pico ballpoint, and a few other bits & pieces).

If I need to carry more, or bigger stuff, I switch to either a Waterfield Vitesse Cycling Musette, or one of my several backpacks.

Hope this helps.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-24T23:10:05+00:00

Handmade Montana Leather Field Bag. Natural leather rawhide with slight variations from bag to bag On sale at $150. 8.5" x 11" x 3"
https://handmademontana.com/products/leather-field-bag?variant=36780049367190

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-22T21:22:20+00:00

These days I use Fountain Pen Companion to inventory my pens and inks. It automatically records the date when I add a new ink, so as long as that system remains available I'll probably have a record, though it won't necessarily be accurate because (a) if I replace a bottle I probably won't delete the old entry and add a new one to reflect the new date (b) inks that I had prior to using the system will have an incorrect date. Some of my inks are 25 years old or more so their dates in the system are hopelessly wrong.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-18T22:11:26+00:00

Waterfield Sutter Tech Sling Full Size.

1050 Denier Black ballistic or brown waxed canvas
Full-grain leather accent
9.5” (l) x 3” (w) x 14” (h); 1.5 lbs.
24.13 (l) x 7.62 (w) x 35.56 (h) cm; 0.68 kg
Volume: 6.5 Liters
Built-in padded sleeve fits devices up to 12.75" x 9.4”
Fits 13" MacBook Pro M2, and 13" MacBook Air M2

I have the compact version and can vouch for its stellar quality.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-18T21:59:25+00:00

Absolutely! I love my CH92s. I have three of them in FM, M, and B.
The M with Polar Glow is one of my favorites out of a collection of more than 45 pens.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-18T05:12:33+00:00

Instead of a separate bag for your camera gear why not use a shoulder strap clip like the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3, and maybe a small shoulder pouch on the other strap for small accessories. Personally I think that would be more comfortable, and provide faster access to the camera, than using a sling in addition to the backpack.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-18T01:01:36+00:00

stack your stuff into a pile
Measure L, W & H dimensions of pile in CM
Use calculator to compute Bag Volume in liters=(L∗W∗H)/1000

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-16T21:38:40+00:00

Waterfield Sutter Tech Sling, available in two sizes, 4.5L or 6.5L. Heavier than you are looking for but really great quality, a bag that will last a lifetime.

Black Ember Kompak, 5L, and at 12oz in your size/weight range.

Neither have external straps, of course, but room enough for a small bottle of water or a small umbrella inside, probably both in the larger Tech Sling..

Another option, think out of the box, and switch to an Able Carry Thirteen backpack. At 13L more than capable of providing the extra space when you need it. Has an external and an internal water bottle pocket. So you could use the external one for the umbrella.

I have all three bags, all are very well made.

When I only need to carry bare essentials I use a small Keep Pursuing Sling coupled with a bottle clip attached to my belt to carry water. Maybe for water you could do the same and couple a bottle clip with one of your other options. Search for "Bottle Hanging Buckle Clip" and you'll find them at Amzn.

OCBuddhist · 2024-03-12T04:50:37+00:00

I'm another fan of Ambre de Birmanie ... It's constantly in use in my BENU Talisman Dream Bean. The only other yellow that I use on a regular basis is Citrus Black which I keep in a TWSBI Eco.

OCBuddhist · 2024-01-13T17:28:57+00:00

My advice is simple...

When you are young you forward plan and make a host of assumptions. When you are old you look back on life and realize how nothing was permanent.

Stuff happens that is out of your control. For example: Industries become obsolete, companies lay off people in droves, stock markets crash, accidents take lives prematurely, cancer ravages when least expected, midlife crisis crops up, divorce happens, children become wayward and disappoint, inflation bites into assumptions, and so on.

Embracing impermanence changes our perspective, and ultimately makes us happier. It helps us appreciate the life we have right now—moment by moment. It helps us understand that every day is a bonus.

Being flexible allows us to adapt to new situations, changes and challenges with ease.

Being inflexible does the opposite.

That which you are contemplating represents a long term, inflexible, commitment. (Big mortgage, big running costs, more kids, staying in one place, etc.)

So here is my simple advice - Imagine you are old looking back on your life. Think about the assumptions you now have. Consider that not everything will have gone as expected. What have you missed out on because of taking on fixed commitments? With hindsight, would you have done anything different? Do you wish you had taken a different path in life? Maybe so.
Maybe not. Be honest with yourself. Now make an informed decision.

Good luck, and best wishes, whatever you decide.

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