*hope this isn't a duplicate post - my other one was eaten before I could send it*

Hello,

I have been reading this board for a couple of weeks but hesitated to "officially" join yet another FP forum since I have already been posting occasionally at Rambling Snail and Pentrace, but have noticed that there seem to be a few people who frequent all three - so why not?

Officially, then, my name is Vanessa, and I am a relatively new FP addict. I have a meager collection - just three - but have drooled over too, too many online lately and plan to add a Parker 51 to the ranks very soon. I bought my first FP, a Waterman Carene, three or four years ago, and until recently, that was my entire collection. This had more to do with me putting down pens of any type for anything other than grading papers. Email supplanted snail mail (unfortunately - I miss getting letters in the mail!), and I stopped making time to write. With the birth of my son eight months ago, I realized that maybe I should start writing in journals again, since my memory has become so reminiscent of swiss cheese. I don't want to rely on pictures alone to remember what he was like as a child. I received another FP - a Sensa Meridian - for Christmas from my husband; with renewed interest, I googled reviews for various Levenger FPs (which I've decided against buying), and that brought me to the message boards. I was astounded by the amount of discussion about inks, nibs, vintage pens - all of which I know little to nothing about, but I'm having fun learning.

Anyhow, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Anything else you want to know, just ask!

Vanessa

Anything?

If you could tell me what the third english word that ends in "gry" would be I would be eternally greatful.

But seriously, welcome to FPN.

Keith

I should have known better... he he

Here you go:

http://www.fun-with-words.com/word_gry_angry_hungry.html

Hi Vanessa,

Welcome to FPN! As you've noticed already, people here are slightly off beat , be it "pleasantly disturbed". IMO, this is the friendliest pen board around, and I hope your experience here will mirror mine!

Regarding Levenger's, I guess with internet buying it is essential to make sure to know as much as possible about what you are letting yourself into before committing yourself (except for thsi asylum of course ), so frequenting many boards is a good idea in that regard.

I think you stumbled onto one of the best reasons to go back into using fountain pens, so I am sure you will enjoy your experience. Of course, this will also mean trips to Italic-land and the like . You're lost forever now, you know...

I have a question too, btw. Your nick, is that pen-related only, or do you think you are a little messy in general?

Warm regards, Wim
the Mad Dutchman (as if that wasn't clear enough yet )

Hi Vanessa (I love that name...if I had a daughter, I would name her that ) and welcome to FPN

Forget the third word (that ends in -gry) above...what is your third pen?
I see the Waterman Carene and the Sensa Meridian mentioned in your top post....but what's the 3rd item in your current pen collection?

Thank you for the welcome! I am glad I decided to jump in.


Wim, I am left handed. Need I say more??? ha ha

Thank you, Maja!

The third pen is a metallic blue Kaweco Sport. I had read that it was a great pen for the price, so I bought one, thinking I could use it as a cheapo purse pen and not care if it gets lost. I'm not in love with it, yet - I've got some ink on order for it (Diamine) to see if it will help with the "smudgy" problem I have with it. The cartridge that came with it... I might as well take out the ink and pour it on my hand. Well, it's not THAT bad... but bad enough for me not to use it very much so far.

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa (though I like Smudgy better 'cause it's cute)

Glad you have delurked and hope you enjoy FPN as an addition to your pen forum addiciton.

every now and then Levenger has good prices on good pens. I wish like heck that I'd taken advantage of the $69 Sailor Magellan several years ago. so it's worthwhile keeping an eye on their pentathalon for what are known, quality pens.

Otherwise - lots of good on-line sources as you are probably learning.

So.. welcome to FPN and thanks for joining us. Look forward to reading more from you.

Vanessa - I think we are going to get along famously.

Those other two words that end in shion are "fashion" and "cushion" in case you were wondering and the three words that end in "gry" was a long running joke at another site I used to frequent.

It's on your website, too, isn't it Keith?

Regarding the *gry words, The first time I encountered the question, I tried, without success to find words other than "angry" and "hungry".

I then did something rather out of character for me. I wrote to Robert Burchfield, then chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary asking if there were any others.

Much to my surprise, he wrote back and advised that there were two others:

aggry: A small, colored glass bead of ancient manufacture found buried in the ground in Africa.

pugry: a light turban or head covering

Oh, and welcome to the hobby, Vanessa. A good rule of thumb is that your collection usually needs n+1 more pens than are in it at present. I only want four (well five) more (that's right now ).

Hello, KCat! Yes, they do have good prices in their pentathalon section - that's what grabbed me in the first place: they had their Verona FPs for something like $30 (I think it was only a certain color). I read too many reviews from others on these message boards saying that the Levenger pens are really hit and miss, so I think that I'll probably pass on their brand. But I will certainly snag a deal if I see one on the other known brands!



Keith - I think so, too - I usually get along with people who use words like "famously"! Great word; never hear it used in that context in my parts...



georgem - This rule must explain my impulse buy a few minutes ago: a new crystal Recife on the PenTrace Market board for $35. Make that four in my collection, and still without the Parker 51 that I thought would be my next pen purchase. Remind me to stay away from the eeeeeeeevil Market board - I'm just browsing, said I - but I apparently have no willpower when it comes to a good deal. n+1, you say?

Vanessa

There are only two English words in current use that end in "gry" although there are archaic words that would answer this question which is basically designed to drive people nuts...

On this whole collecting thing...

I reached the point of critical mass some time ago so now have a general rule that if a new pen comes in, an old one has to find a new home. Since I have received a number of new pens of late and have a few more coming there will be a few nice goodies hitting our own Marketplace in the not too distant future.

I am very good at resisting impulse buys and have really discovered that I am more interested in the people behind the pens than the pen themselves.

Vanessa,

You did mention


Hmmm.... Let's make that five (well six) more pens. I think it would be fun to have an ED fill pen in the accumulation.