A Very Particular Matter
In the journal I kept in college I wrote the following on 24 November 1998: "I had this huge Medieval Civ. test last Thursday, and Sarah and I just rocked it. I knew everything about medieval cities, and the kings in what is now Germany, France, and England in the 10-13th cent. It was so exciting!"
Aaah, yes...studying with Sarah. My junior and Sarah's senior year we did everything together. We were both history majors, in almost all the same classes, and we were both in orchestra. She plays violin, and I cello. Sitting on a side table in my living room, I still have a picture of us playing on the walking bridge in Chatty. She is one of my best pals ever, and eight years ago we rocked the Medieval Civ test.
Group study sessions are somewhat of a joke in college. Unless you're in just the right group it quickly dissolves into a social occasion. But Sarah and I studied well together. We split up the study essays and stayed up all night spread out on the floor of that hallway on my hall in Carter Hall, drinking vile caffeinated liquid and eating toast and nutella on bread we managed to smuggle out of the Blink. So when I wrote "Sarah and I rocked the Med. Civ. test" it really was a joint effort.
It was during this time that my time-line making really began to blossom. She made some pretty awesome ones, too. I hung mine up in the hallway of my hall. I still have my Medieval Civ timeline in one of the piles surrounding my desk. Sarah had these cool pens that her grandparents gave her. It was this huge pile of fabulous fine point liquid ink pens in five different colors. They were so perfect for timeline making.
I converted from using markers to pens with that stash. I think she must have either given me one or it just ended up in my pile, but I still have a green pen from those days. I love it. I hoard it carefully, because it is so perfect for timelines. Eight years later I still keep a sharp eye on its whereabouts, only using it as necessary to make it last as long as possible, because I just have never been able to find the same pen in any store, a source of great frustration.
The other day I pulled the choice green pen out of my bag, and thought that I just had to find more like it. It was just too perfect, and I'm really serious about my timeline making. I held it in my hands, rotating it carefully, examining it lovingly wondering where I could find others like it. I read the writing the side so I could remember what kind it was. Then, it struck me!
I ran to my computer and googled the pen type. Within a matter of seconds I was staring giddily at a business supply site with just these very pens in all five colors! I couldn't believe it; there it was! The Perfect Pen!!!
After years of searching high and low, it was as simple as a click on the internet. I am now the proud owner of a dozen Pilot V Ball Liquid Ink Pens with an Extra Fine Point: 3 black, 3 blue, 2 red, 2 green, and 2 purple. I threw in three for Chris, too, so that I'd get free shipping. They're just perfect. Everything that I have been longing for in a pen. A fine point, moving easily, no glopping, no ink blots. My timeline days are greatly enhanced.
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Yeah, ditto on the study sessions. I do pretty well on my own, but it was nice to have guys around right before class who didn't understand stuff so that I could explain it to them... but other than that, I got pretty frustrated at the fact that certain persons kept dissolving the studying. =) Oh well. I'm excited for you about your pens and still fear for the fact that Jack will start ordering office supplies online as well... hehehe.
Posted by: Erica | 02.10.04 21:39
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I understand the passion for a good tool. Sometimes I'm not inspired unless the medium for portraying the idea is right. God bless your pens, each and every one of them....
Posted by: andyp | 02.10.04 23:00
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What a very Seinfeld-esque post -- quite close to what I consider to be a perfect blog entry! I agree with you... A good pen is worth hanging on to.
Posted by: Rebecca | 03.10.04 21:13
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oh my gosh! I have been in search of my perfect pen ever since my honeymoon--over 5 years ago! I have only been able to find these pens in Europe. I even checked the web while I worked at Ye Ole Tuck Shoppe to see if I could order a whole blasted box of them. But to no availe. It's the Pilot G-Tec-C4. I think it's a .5. tiny tiny point. Perfect for pen and ink sketches.
I was in Prague for my honeymoon and like a dork I didn't bring anything to sketch all the amazing buildings. So Joel and I went into a office supply place the size of a closet and I asked for paper and a pen. The guy behind the counter shrugged at me like "which pen?" I just said, "Pilot?" and this is the one I got. Love! Love this pen!
Matt Monohan shares the love for this pen bc Dave yagashi gave him one once. Dave got it in Japan.
So why hasn't the US any love for my G-tec-C4? I'll have to pick up 3 or 4 more next time I'm over there. My last one is running out of ink. It's sitting right by me as I type. Oh did I mention it makes your signature look awesome!
Sorry for the long post, I'm sure you'll appreciate it Jeanette!
Posted by: katiek | 04.10.04 13:58
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Katie, I hear you. In fact, when I googled your pen, I came across the following description: " Wow, una penna fantastica!"
You aren't kidding, this pen is hard to find in the U.S.! Wish I had known this summer, and I would've grabbed a couple for you!
Posted by: Jeannette | 04.10.04 14:20
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Hey Jeannette--I LOVE those pens too. They have always been my favorite pens. I bought them back in college but kind of forgot about them since then. Though I do remember Sarah's huge supply of them from her grandparents. I still have one of those pens lingering about, but it is pretty much out of ink. Oh well, maybe one day I too will take the plunge and order some online!
Posted by: michellew | 04.10.04 15:23
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I know... I long to go back to Europa and regain my loving relationship with the G-Tec-C4. I do like your pens but I need the teeeeeeniest point and that's the G-TEC.
Posted by: katiek | 05.10.04 13:41
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Is this why every time Josh sees me using one of his pens he surreptitiously hands me another one--of quite a different make and model than his own?...Interesting.
Posted by: Bryonie | 07.10.04 13:57
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if you like g-tecs, the hi-tec-c pen is a great alternative: http://www.jetpens.com/
Posted by: jimmy | 17.04.05 00:23
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I feel the same way about those Pilot VBall pens. Walmart used to sell them but now only sells the grip kind which are ok but are just not the same. I order them on the net now and I am a pen junkie LOL
Posted by: Julie | 09.09.05 01:45
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I don't know if any of you guys are aware that aside from G-Tec C4, there is also G-Tec C3? C3 is finer than C4 because it's 0.3 mm as compared to the 0.4 mm of C4. I would never swap my Pilot G-Tec pen even with a hundred-dollar-pen!!
Posted by: Leemee | 27.10.05 23:15