Hi!

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Joe Camosy, and I've been a collector for about four years now. It all started one day when I strolled into Levenger's store in Delray Beach, Florida looking for a pen.... today I have about 100 of them.

I'm mostly a participant over on Pentrace, have been for years, but am branching out to other sites. This one is very sophisticated!

Last year, I finally tried my hand at selling pens, and started zenpens (I am a dealer for several brands). My idea was to promote the use of pens and writing as a form of meditation, as my journal writing and meditation experience both indicated to me that writing can be a form of meditation.

Then last October, my wife passed away, and so I haven't been doing much in the way of pens or anything else for that matter, other than the necessities of my day job as a software engineer.

Recently discovered Danitrio pens and so it's rekindled my interest in writing and collecting - and I will occassionally have pens for sale as well.

That's about all!

Joe Camosy
ZenPens.com

Hi Joe,

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I don't even want to begin imagining what it must be like for you. I've known my wife for 13 years now (married for 6) so I don't know what I would be like without her. But on a positive note, it's nice to hear that fountain pens have helped you in some way to move on.

That's a great thing to promote pens and writing as a form of meditation. It has probably always been obvious but I just never saw it that way before.

Very nice website you have there - I'll definitely keep an eye on that. Seeing how you've been collecting for years and having about 100 (so far), you definitely belong in the expert/veteran class of nutters we have here at FPN!

So welcome, Joe. Grab a seat and hope you'll stay a while.


raf.

Joe,

Glad you decided to join us. Sorry to hear about your wife. What all is in your collection? Looking forward to seeing you on the boards.

Take care,
southpaw

Hi Joe,

So sorry for your loss. No one can completely empathize until it becomes our cross to bear.

FPN might help you cope and that's the best you can do. Sounds like you're well about it, already.

I've seen some of your FS items on the GB. Nice goods. Pull up a chair and join in.

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

My other hobby recently taken up is photography. It has helped me a lot to get my mind off of things and get myself out of the house.

Joe

recent pic - taken using my Canon20D Digital SLR, and Canon 180mm Macro lens.

To Southpaw,

my collection ranges all over the place, with no rhyme or reason!

Delta
Visconti
Sheaffer (vintage)
Parker (new and vintage)
Waterman (new and vintage)
Conklin (new and vintage)
Stipula
Pelikan
Pilot
Nakaya
Danitrio
Laban
Aurora
Filcao
Omas

Joe

Welcome to FPN Joe,

As the others, I can only try to imagine your loss.

I'm glad you found your way here. There should be enough sillyness at times for distraction here. I'm sure you'll find the people of our little community interesting.

Just make yourself comfortable.

Denis.

Hi Joe!

My condolences for your loss.

If you like PT's layout, then there are a couple things you can do and this board will be as simple as PT.

1. when you log in, ask to be remembered. You'll never have to log in again. I haven't logged in since I registered.

2. Bookmark the "New Posts" or "Today's active posts" link from the toolbar. Use this as the link you use to get to FPN. You'll arrive at a page that is rarely longer than 1 page, and has all the new posts that have been added since the last time you came on. No scrolling. Very convenient.

Take back what I said. It's SIMPLER than PT. I forever wonder why PT's continue to claim that we are more difficult to use.

Right on the money, Kendall. Parochial attitude based on experience one place and lack of it here.

Welcome, Joe.

I am sorry for your loss.

What draws you to a pen, enough to add it to your collection? Is it the way it looks? The balance in your hand? The texture against your fingertips?

I don't think it's exactly zen, but when I'm writing with a fountain pen, one of the best things it does is draw me into a very here-and-now space, where there's a clear connection between the thoughts in my head, the motions of my arm and fingers, and the tool extending from my hand, drawing wet lines across a paper, that can soon become lines drawn of a history of that moment. I'm saying it awkwardly, but when it happens, there's a rightness to it that brings me joy that permeates everything I'm doing, no matter what I'm writing about.

I like your connection of writing to meditation. I started meditating last spring and I never really thought about it, but there sure is something Zen about writing with a fountain pen. This can explain why just taking a pen and writing anything (or rather nothing) is so calming. Kind of like creating a mandala.

Velma,

Usually it's the visual appeal which draws me in. That's probably why I have lots of Italian pens in my collection :-)

Yes, writing with a FP does help to create a here-and-now experience.

Elaine,

Here's a few things wrote awhile back on writing & meditation:

Writing as Meditation


Joe

Thank you Joe. I've seen that after following a link you posted somewhere. Here? Pentrace. I really like it.

Thank you Joe. I've seen that after following a link you posted somewhere. Here? Pentrace. I really like it, especially the photograph.

Welcome, Joe, and condolences on the loss of your wife. You'll find good company here, and a comfortable place to pursue the pen hobby.

I enjoyed your piece on writing as meditation and would like to give it a try sometime. It sounds very relaxing.

Howdy Joe and welcome to the FPN! I am sorry to hear about your loss, I know how it can feel to loose someone close to you. However, I do hope that you are able to become sucessful in the pen business.

Best wishes!

Hi Joe and welcome to FPN

I would like add my condolences to those of my fellow FPNers here.
I am sure you will enjoy hanging out here and sharing pen-related experiences and talking about non-pen related subjects as well (if you choose to). Thanks for the photos of your collection; you have some very nice pens there
I do recall your name from Pentrace, a good site which seems to be back on track after a bit of a derailment a couple of weeks ago.

Edit: Forgot to say "sorry" for not having welcomed you earlier ....I have no idea how I missed your introduction; I read every post here...