7 min to read
I Like Pens
My writing has been more physical lately
So many pens
As part of the new job, I decided to try using physical journaling again to see if I not only would stick to it better, but also see how rewarding it was, and how it served memory. It’s proven that handwriting helps you remember more, and that has been the case with me. The fun side though is having a physical artifact that I can visually see the progress: pages filled, notebooks completed, etc. Previously I would simply use a black pen, and try to structure things in the pages in a semi consistent way. This go around I’ve kinda thrown that notion out the window: I’m using ALL THE COLORS and putting pen to paper more impulsively. I’ve filled out more pages, and the color vomit is more engaging to go through. It also helps me quickly visually see what tasks I’ve switched between, since each change of task I’ll use a different color pen.
When I started this silliness, I was obsessed with the thinnest tip I could get. While there are insane things smaller than 0.28mm, even 0.28 didn’t provide fluid, consistent ink flow, and the resulting pages were shockingly hard to read. At a friend’s suggestion, I bumped up to 0.38mm, and if the pen / ink flow is good, I find that to be the sweet spot: I can write into the small grids my various notebooks have, and I’m not concerned about thick lines running into each other. Originally I found 0.5mm to be too thick, but as my precision with handwriting has increased, I now find I can use the 0.5 mm pens on the smaller grids, and have just an easy of time reading as the thinner lines. This also opens the door to oh so many more options, hence the title of this page and section: I HAVE ACQUIRED A SHITLOAD OF PENS!
Needle tip is by far my preference. While younger me would seek out the thinnest barrels possible, I appreciate a moderate chonk of a body, helps the grip stay more relaxed. I’m also slowly getting into fountain pens, starting with disposable ones that seem to be between 0.38mm, 0.5mm, and 0.7mm. The advertized sizes don’t completely match up to what I get, though I suspect if I were to go the route of nicer pen, I could know what tip I’m getting with more accuracy. I do have a couple sets of chisel/classic ball point pens, though I find they usually do not flow as well as the liquid ink needle tips. These are mostly gel pens, and while they dry near instantly, I’ll sacrifice some smudge risk for the nicer writing experience.
Furry Conventions
This year I have completed Fur Squared and Motor City Furry Convention, and my stage appearances have been going very well! I did my first ever 3 minute standup set at Fur Squared, something I’ve had written since the middle of last year, and I’m proud the amount of editing I put into it paid off. Now to edit again, and try performing it again. The goal? Open for Alkali, Boozy, Kage at Anthrocon.
I’ve also returned to hosting Charity Whose Lion Is It Anyway? and I absolutely did not plan to do that. I was going to try performing in it at Fur Squared, and then suddenly I’m just… running it like I used to, except no crippling stage fright! It’s been almost 2 years since I last ran it, and while I was awkward in many spots, I did a decent job, the audience and performers had fun, and I didn’t hate the experience. This led to MCFC where I knew I was going to do it, put a little more planning into the show, and it was one of the smoothest shows I’ve ran. As long as I can remain chill, I’m going to continue to work at it, just as proof to myself that I can conquer what bothered me so much about that show.
Mass Debation. Teehee. I was on the first ever one, and loved it immediately. Outside of Chairity D&D, this panel is my favorite. I continue to perform in suit during it, and each one I do better and better. Anthrocon 2024, the first 15 minutes were rough, but then I found my stride and “figured out” the panel. Fur Squared I only had 7 minutes at the beginning then had to duck out, but I nailed it. MCFC? I was on fire. Usually I’m extremely critical of my own performances, but this went so well even that awful voice with nothing good to say was rather quiet. Boozy has commented how nice it is to see me performing again, and I agree: it is nice, I’m actually enjoying it, and I’m not basing my identity on audience reactions.
Upcoming cons: AnthrOhio (maybe), FWA, AC, WPAFW (maybe), MFF
There might be others in the list, who knows? I do have a passport, and Brazil is looking cool…
I’m Just A Dog Just Doing Fitness
I’m streaming on twitch.tv/draggordotme again! I have a very hard time doing excercise on my own, it’s very easy to say “I’ll do it later” and then oops, bedtime. So I leaned into how my brain works: if I announce a show or a stream, even if nobody is going to watch it, I DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE! I have consistently lifted more this calendar year than the past 2 years combined, and the results are appearing. I’m also lifting in a dog mask Fishy made, hence the title, and it’s also working as a way to get some at home suiting time. I do need to try it in a spidey suit at some point, but for now, I have something that works and don’t want to change it up too much yet. The big one I need to figure out? Cardio. Gotta get that conditioning up!
Cars
I continue to wrench and build out my garage! The next projects on the bumblebee (a 1995 yellow corvette): replace the falling apart exhaust, do rear brakes, rotors, and brake hoses, and either do spark plugs or put in and MSD box and get more thunderbolts! I also hope to get to more car shows this season, and get one of these cars on a (casual) track!
I also hope this is the year I finally get a stick shift cheapo car, it’s time to learn, and the best way to do it is to have one I do my errands in, since around town driving forces figuring out that skill much faster than highway driving. I also want to learn how to replace a clutch.
Radios & Coding projects
I have done very little tech and coding projects at home: the dayjob has eaten a lot of that desire, so when I have free time, I want to do anything else. The latest hobby Axel has inflicted upon me, however, is ham radio. I’m studying to get my technician license, and hopefully my general at the same time, or at least not long after. From there we’ll see how much I want the extended license. I currently own a used Yaesu Ft-950 and goodness it’s pretty. I also need to make more antennas. Eventual goal: talk to people across an ocean! I’ve done a demo pirate stream at speakeasy.draggor.me and likely will be doing more of those once I can talk on the radio without having a licensed friend with me.
What’s next?
No idea! That I even got this post out is a miracle on its own. Very stream of consciousness to get it done, so, hey, that’s a win, right? ‘Till next time…
