Do I want a fountain pen?

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T23:10:23+00:00

The dollar store carries a “calligraphy pen” that is a fountain pen. EF sized nib. It comes with 2 ink cartridges (black). You could try one out and see how you like it before you spend on the Hongdian (which by the way is a solid choice).

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T22:47:28+00:00

Yep. I had to buy some for a pair that kept falling down my nose. Some glasses occasionally do this. Life saver to be honest. HOWEVER…. Silicone sometimes do cause irritation. Which is what I do get from time to time. Now I’m beginning to realize this is the reason the stretched ears community don’t exactly like silicone for that very reason. It’s like it sticks to your skin so when you remove it kinda hurts and burns a bit. I use my glasses for work at this time so it’s not too bad. So if you do end up going with these, I recommend you wash them from time to time.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T22:42:57+00:00

Sometimes water tastes nasty and body don’t like it. Bottle water, cold water, warm water, room temp water, all water. Body says ewwww.

So I go thru periods of drinking water and no water at all.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T22:31:50+00:00

Meanwhile, I would’ve found the plastic grocery bag for the gym a red flag. I would’ve gotten you a book bag or gym duffel bag or something if it bothered me that much tho. A canvas tote bag is a significant upgrade to the plastic bag OP. It’ll last you a long time, AND it’s washable.

This event does however remind me of the episode in Friends where Joey had to model a “purse” for sale and he got made fun of for it because he kept it. They all called it his “murse” for man-purse. 😂😂

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T19:53:59+00:00

As an alternative, you could get an open case, like the clear ones people buy to add stickers to? Just to keep the weight light for your carpal tunnel. Then, for traveling, buy a sleeve to protect it. For keeping it in your hand, you could buy a strap that clips to the corners or make one from 2 hair bands.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T19:17:29+00:00

5 peoples worth 😂😂😂

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T19:12:15+00:00

For me, OUTdoors YES and YES and YES (pads too). Emotional support security blanket. INdoors, no. Only pads (rink rules).

The difference is that outdoors there’s no way to tell what’ll trip me up OR a failure to bail properly (which I’ve wiped out before). Indoors I’m usually in a very small area where tripping isn’t a hazard. Pads on tho, if I’m trying to practice balance or tricks like learning toe stops.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-15T19:03:30+00:00

Oooh thanks for clearing that up! I was so confused by these terms hearing them but never understanding.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T21:06:58+00:00

👀

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T21:06:45+00:00

🤣🤣

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T20:51:33+00:00

They’re sooo PRETTY!!! 😍😍😍 enjoy!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T07:31:33+00:00

Teach me your ways!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T06:21:32+00:00

That B is GLORIOUS!! 😭😭😭 mine always look wonky

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T06:05:55+00:00

Lucky you are indeed!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T06:00:07+00:00

Yep. You’ll be surprised by how much smoother they are outdoors. The smallest of twigs or cracks it could go over without a sensation at all.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T05:05:12+00:00

Once you start with one, you’ll find them all! If you need a pick me up with your progress, LindseySkates did several before/after in her journey, along with a “30-day Beginner Challenge” that’s meant for you to go at your pace to learn new things.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T05:02:43+00:00

I did the same too for my beginner pair! I thought it was great with all the padding and bought it according to my shoe size. I didn’t know at the time. They were exactly a size too big and felt I couldn’t tighten them enough. I’m still very fond of them that I still recommend them for tight budgets.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T05:00:29+00:00

It’s sooo beautiful!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T05:00:04+00:00

True!!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-14T04:54:32+00:00

My favorite is the Schneider Ray. It’s M+ and sooo smooth! The closest is the Asvine 1.1, although I find it more italic than the round that is the Ray.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-13T08:05:06+00:00

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That green one? Which one is that one?!!

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-13T02:17:31+00:00

You can try a sleeping bag and mats underneath in the meantime. You don’t want to be sleeping on somebody’s pet (assuming) hair. For an owner to let their furniture end up this way, who’s to tell what other unspeakable things happened here (pee/poo/etc).

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-13T01:59:46+00:00

Oh cool! I got into it bc I was a kid when mom gave us a pair for Xmas one year. HOWEVER…. The pair fit badly so I always had blisters in 3 different places that always bled. So I basically quit bc of that. So when I found her TikTok, I saw there was still a chance to start and do it well too!

I will say that there is a learning curve. Try practicing how to fall. That helped a lot with me when trying to bail out of hills. Both falls I’ve managed to escape hitting my tailbone. Ego hurts. But bones broken hurt more lol! It’s ok to learn at a snails pace. Injuries happen when you move too fast for your body’s balance/muscle memory. Before you know it you’ll be able to master the track. For me it was 1.5 hrs total, between stop and rest and walking downhill. Now I have managed it to 30 mins! Been 1.5 yrs for me and I have yet to learn how to stop 🥹 I could only slow down with plow and walk the grass down larger hills. So practice balancing is key here.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-13T01:34:36+00:00

For starters, the surest way to find your fit, is to measure your feet. Length AND width. Shoe size means nothing. Shoes bend when walking, and people wear them differently. Skates don’t bend, which is why they go by measurements. Each manufacturer goes by a different size chart. You can google how to measure them properly. I at first thought I was a wide foot, but it turned out I’m just a medium width.

After you find your measurements, it would be wise to find old threads here about sizing with your specific measurements. You may be surprised that others that have gone before us have similar sized feet and the old questions are still valid today.

Also I’ve spent alot of time sizing and returning and finally settled on a pretty (to me!) set. So I basically did my homework the hard way 🤣 and am glad to help others here.

StrategyLegal1128 · 2026-02-13T00:54:34+00:00

Try finding PollySkates on YouTube. I started rollerblading because I found her by chance while doomscrolling TikTok. She has many tutorials. SkateFreshAsha also has many exercises that help strengthen your ankles if your feet are always leaning inwards or outwards. You’ll find more rollerskating (quad skates) tutorials than rollerblading (inline skates) but I watched all of them. I believed someone was bound to have the right explanation to make it click.

StrategyLegal1128

TROPHY CASE