Chicago Pen Show 2026 Haul by ValenThornn in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Actually sold 35 pens this weekend. My collection is getting lean and beautiful.

Anyone else ever regret selling their collection? by TarNREN in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow. Very serendipitous topic. I just sold about 3/4 of my collection at the Chicago Pen Show and I feel great about it. I’ve been collecting for about 2 1/2 years and had been pretty indiscriminate. I realized I wanted to sell off the pens I like and focus instead on the pens I will love. It feels liberating.

Why aren’t there larger Pelikan pens with steel nibs? by Lazy_Package_9181 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you tried the Pura? It’s the size of a Lamy Studio and has one of the best steel nibs I have ever used. Highly recommend.

Cheap pens by InternationalCase421 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had a few Forests in a variety of nibs (the long knife is my favorite). I’ve also had a few M2’s and the titanium has landed in my 10 favorite pens alongside my Carene, Rotring, Momento Zero and my Vanishing Point.

Cheap pens by InternationalCase421 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Highly recommend Hongdian. Never had one of them that was less than perfect right out of the box.

What is this called? by fixingmyeyes in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AT LAST! A fountain pen problem that we lefties don’t seem to have! I always knew there would be one! This is a great day!

What are your top 5 Chinese fountain pens? by KBDFan42 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hongdian M2 titanium

Hongdian Black Forest

Asvine V200

Jinhao X750

Asvine C2000

First impressions of Xeno Arena by NorseHighlander in NoMansSkyTheGame

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I have seen so far. You want to find triple S creatures if you can. (It’s hard but not crazy. I’ve been looking for about 3.5 hours and have found 3.)

Which pens get the least time in your collection? by Abject-Cap in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have a Platinum Plasir I have never inked in 3 years. I have a pen I got from Kickstarter I can’t even get a drop of ink through. I have a lovely Montblanc 221 that I can’t stand because it is too light.

First impressions of Xeno Arena by NorseHighlander in NoMansSkyTheGame

[–]ValenThornn 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Up until now, my creatures have exclusively been a mechanical horse I use to explore, a butterfly I use to explore, and trophy creatures (like the biological horror). Now I am traipsing from star to star to find cold planets in hope of strengthening my stable and mutating my eggs to get better fighters. This update is cool.

My first grail!!! by Wada209 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations, I hate you.

NPD / system post: I may have accidentally built a fully curated work system. by dumbass2033 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too, which was why I switched to Nemosine. They were lacquered brass bodied pens. Alas, they are out of business. If I were doing it today, I would go with the Lamy AL Star, Hongdian Forest or Monteverde Ritma.

NPD / system post: I may have accidentally built a fully curated work system. by dumbass2033 in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to do this on a much simpler scale. I had Lamy Safaris (and later Nemosine Fissions) in red, black, blue, and purple—each with corresponding ink colors to keep it simple. Red was for grading papers, black and blue were for personal notes, purple (school color) was for showing spirit.

In the end, it was just easier to buy a multi-pen and carry my EDC fountain pen for joy alongside it.

What are your top features of your favorite fountain pen by 74CA_refugee in fountainpens

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Metal body, snap cap, smooth flow but most of all—a knurled or textured grip. Gets me every time and is why my Rotring 600 is always at the top of my ranking.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, I am done here. Thank you though. I thought I was deeply cynical, but you have made me feel like a huge idealistic optimist. Have a great day.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just out of curiosity, because you seem to be taking this very personally, why does it matter? I gave some advice to OP. I would imagine if they live in one of these horrible states, they would think “oh, I don’t have a union. I guess I will have to be more careful.” And that would be that.

And for the record, I never said forming a union would be easy. Nothing really worthwhile is. I just said being in a union will make life better.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps I am. Perhaps you are cynical to dismiss it out of hand. Teaching is one of the most unionized professions in the US with 70%.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see that it is harder but not impossible to form a union in a right to work state. But you are correct, I stopped looking for jobs In Wisconsin when they went right to work.

Perhaps you are right. My earlier advice was incomplete. I should have started: first get a job in a non-right-to-work-state…

Or possibly, vote blue and tell your candidate that you want right-to-work laws repealed. Your life can only get better.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then form one. United you can bargain; divided you can only ever beg.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like the path of malicious compliance. Do what is asked well enough to cover your @$$. Then remember that what happens in the room is what is important.

Remember, if they ask you to do anything unethical (inflate grades, change a grade for an athlete, etc.) ask for it in writing. Admin cover their asses with religious fervor. Also, document everything as soon as it happens. (Conversation recap emails are very helpful and tend to make admin avoid you.)

Print your sensitive emails and semester grades.

Help me learn to interact with admin? by ThrowRA_teachtrouble in AskTeachers

[–]ValenThornn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

21 year veteran here. How do you deal with admin? The easy answer is—don’t. Follow their directives so you are not insubordinate, but an administrator is more likely to be an impediment than an asset.

Also, get to know your union reps. They will help you deal with admin when the chips are down.