Hello everyone!

My name is Steve, and this is definitely a new hobby for me. I've always kept some sort of journal and sketchbook, but it's always been in spiral notebook, or blog format. I was at the WatchUSeek watch forums and browsed the Pens section of it and read a thread about someone seeking out their old style Rotring 600 pencil. I loved the look of it, so found the BP on the 'bay and bought it. Then it was off to B&N to pick up an actual journal to write in (the blogging was getting a little old). I picked up a Moleskine sketchbook, as I like to journal on unlined paper and wanted it to double as an actual sketchbook. The ballpoint got old very fast, so I refilled it with a Parker Gel RB insert.

Then I started reading this place and decided that I was going to make the Rotring my carry-anywhere pen and I needed a fountain. So I run by the local pen store and pick up a Lamy Al-Star, and have been really enjoying actual action of writing now. I feel inspired to write just to be able to write. I know that this will quickly become a collection hobby much as watches and guitars have been for me for years now. I already have a dream list of Pelikan, Parker, and MB's. Not to mention an obscene amount of inks!! And if it wasn't for the fact that I like to keep all my thoughts and writings in one place, a gorging of different papers and journals.

Not that my wallet could stand all this at once anyway, but it'll be fun to take it slow and really get to know these writing instruments in a more intimate level. I've got a lot to learn from you guys!

Welcome Steve,

Clearly, you have succumbed to this new addiction (new for you, that is).

Enjoy your time here and share your sketches with us!

Andy

Welcome to FPN! Hope you enjoy the pen talk and make use of the massive knowledge of the folks here. I learn something new every time I log on here. Enjoy!

Rotring 600 was my first FP. Lava.

Recently had it ground to an XXF. Very nice!

Welcome. You'll find a wealth of info and a dash of craziness here. Enjoy.

Welcome to Fountain Pen Network, Steve!

I can FEEL your enthusiasm all the way over here in Encinitas, CA!!!

Nothing like jumping into fountain pen addiction with both feet, my man . . .

Hope you don't inadvertently leave an expen$$$ive fountain pen (or two) clipped to your shirt pocket (geek-style) while cruising in your Ducati.

Welcome aboard!

Best Regards,

-Clive

Haha, thanks for the warm welcome guys! Once I figure out how to get some pictures up of my writing and sketches without a scanner or camera (!), I'll be sure to post up a bunch of samples. Opus, maybe one day I'll be able to add a bit of info to this place, but for now, I'll just put in my bit of crazy. And Clive, I usually keep everything in a backpack when I ride, but when I do crash it still comes down to: a) do I land on my stomach and save my stuff, or do I land on my back and save my face?? Just kidding! Wear your helmets!

Hi Steve and welcome. There are tons of Steves on this forum so you will feel right at home!

Welcome. You've come to the write place. Nothing but pen crazies here, plus lots of helpful pen info. We look forward to your posts.

Where in central Florida is there a good pen shop?

I'm really not sure about any great pen shops around here, but in Sarasota we have a small shop next to the Morton's Market (big fresh market and wine store) called Write On Sarasota. They have a good selection of MB, Lamy, Namiki/Pilot, and a few other brands I can't remember. I'm sure Tampa and Orlando have a bunch of bigger stores that have a bigger selection though. WOS is primarily a stationary store.

Welcome to FPN. Writing with a fountain pen is a very enjoyable experience. Enjoy yourself here.

Steve,

THAT was funny!

-Clive

Do not include me in this. I am after all the only sane person here.

Anyway, THE PELIKAN is all you need for now and the rest are just window dressing

Welcome to FPN and have fun....

I second that . . .

-Clive

Another person of taste and discernment. Even if he does live down state.

Hey, do you live in Florida too? I just moved to the SRQ from Tallahassee where I went to school.

Welcome to FPN.

Welcome to the best FP site I've found. I'm new here too!

That's great to hear about the shop down in Sarasota, I have friends that live just south of there so I'll have to make sure to check the place out. I live between Orlando and Tampa. Out here in the sticks I had a horrible time finding any pens at all when I got a wild hair and went looking. I'm sure there probably are some shops in the bigger cities. At least I hope there are!

Have fun on that motor, carefully though, people don't look out for them very well.