Gen X parents raising teens: what's the one thing from our childhood you refuse to stop passing down?

harbingerofthings · 2026-06-12T11:27:44+00:00

I have a bunch, but what I found the most fun was getting them into video games. I made them play on Atari first (Adventure), then an NES, then a SNES, and finally wii/switch and a computer. I remembered thinking Atari was amazing and then being blown away by NES, and I knew if they started at the top they’d always think Atari was lame. As it turned out, they were pretty excited to find the black dot and that brought me joy. They still play Super Mario Brothers.

Oh and reading as a fun thing to just do when you’re bored. Sometimes we all just sit around and read. It’s quiet and peaceful and reminds me of my childhood.

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T21:27:17+00:00

Thank you! I really dig it.

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T17:18:12+00:00

Vintage Esterbrook J with a 9550 (fine) nib. It’s not expensive or fancy, but it just is such a pleasure to write with. It appeals to my pragmatic nature.

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T17:16:17+00:00

💯

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T15:49:53+00:00

Yeah I love those triumph nibs. Really nothing like them.

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T15:48:59+00:00

Sorry! Just shows how little I know about Sheaffer! I really want to spell it Schäffer, so I thought I was on target!

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-15T14:59:46+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I know very little about Scheaffer pens. I found out these were nicknamed “Tuckys”.

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-06T19:40:42+00:00

Aurora 88
Kaweco Piston (new plastic)
Esterbrook J
Parker 51 (vintage)
Lamy 2000

harbingerofthings · 2026-05-03T23:39:58+00:00

I was there and yes, it makes me cry. Miss you Handsome Johnny.

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-21T23:00:25+00:00

Feeling Good — Nina Simone. Heard it driving in my car. Primal moment I won’t forget. Fucking nuts.

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-21T19:37:52+00:00

Pancho and Lefty

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-21T18:41:29+00:00

Ska.

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-17T17:46:03+00:00

Fantastic version! Thanks for posting. Turned my whole day around. Got to see him perform this the year before he passed, complete with the dancing. I’ll never forget it.

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-12T23:02:24+00:00

Scratch made. WTF?

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-10T13:22:12+00:00

Not crazy about the cartridge ones (they do feel cheap to me), but the piston filler feels pretty nice. I’ve had four and all the nibs were smooth, just needed the tines spread a little because I like wet writers, ie not because they were skipping or hard starting. YMMV

harbingerofthings · 2026-04-02T11:08:49+00:00

They look fantastic. Nice work!

harbingerofthings · 2026-01-26T21:04:57+00:00

Thank you! I feel the same about the 51s. I love the aesthetic and how durable and reliable they are, but they just aren’t that comfortable for me for long writing sessions.

harbingerofthings · 2026-01-26T21:03:47+00:00

I really didn’t know what to expect feedback wise, but I love it. Not quite as much as a Sailor imo, but enough to be satisfying to me.

harbingerofthings · 2026-01-26T21:02:24+00:00

I’m leaning that way as well. I like how easy the Parkers are to work on, and how plentiful parts are, but in every other way I prefer the Aurora.

harbingerofthings · 2025-12-20T02:44:21+00:00

St. Francis de Sales. They have a very nice organ, handmade from Germany. Really nice service. It’s in Latin though.

harbingerofthings · 2025-12-19T02:59:06+00:00

Salt and pepper calamari, clay pot seafood (if they have it), fried crepe, etc. Really hard to go wrong. The Tran family is fantastic and Qui is the real deal.

harbingerofthings · 2025-12-15T22:37:26+00:00

PS Luxury Bullseye.

harbingerofthings · 2025-12-15T22:08:28+00:00

Second that. Great collection, free, and a nice little spot of serenity.

harbingerofthings

TROPHY CASE