Hi!

I'm Craig... or Gawain (screen name). I'm 54 years old. I'm a validation engineer. I test computer systems for a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. I live in Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol is in the northeast corner of the state. Bristol's main street is 1/2 in TN and 1/2 in Virginia. Like the other old guy, I bought a Waterman Phileas in Office Max and was hooked. What got me there though was my renewed interest in pens after buying a Marvy St. Tropez II with the ITOYA Advanced Gel Refill GMR-7. What a terrific writing experience. Thought since I enjoyed that, I might as well try an fountain pen.... Love the Waterman!!!!

Cheers All,
Gawain

Welcome, Gawain, to FPN! You live in a beautiful part of the country, almost exactly opposite of where I live in the state of Virginia. Glad to have you on board!

Erick

BTW, 54 years old is not "fairly old," IMHO - and I'm 53

Welcome, Craig! I hope you enjoy FPN. There are lots of friendly people here and a wealth of useful information.

Please don't refer to 54 as "fairly old." I shudder to think what that makes me!

Judybug

Hi Craig- welcome to FPN!!! There is a lot of good info about aspects of fountain pens on tis forum, so, please look around. The best part about FPN is, of course, the people here. A very friendly and caring and helpful group.
-Sid the Wolverine

Bristol. I was up there a couple of times. Had a buddy who went to King College.

welcome

Erick, Last time I was in Alexandria I stayed at the Embassy Suites right across from King's Crossing Metro Station. (I think that was the name of it?), before that, I use to stay at the Holiday Inn right in the middle of downtown Alexandria. Beautiful city... absolutely beautiful... the colonial influence sure is beautiful, IMHO.

Craig (Gawain)

OK, sorry about that.. how about "Fairly Young" then..

Thanks for the welcome Judybug!!!!

I've noticed Sid.. I've noticed...
FPN is a very nice place to visit! I'm learning a lot!!!

Craig

[/quote]


Hi Craig- welcome to FPN!!! There is a lot of good info about aspects of fountain pens on tis forum, so, please look around. The best part about FPN is, of course, the people here. A very friendly and caring and helpful group.
-Sid the Wolverine
[/quote]

Thanks jmkeuning for the welcome! I live 1/2 mile from King College. If you ever come back, let me know.

Craig

Welcome to the FPN from a native of far Eastern Ky. (not far from the Apppalachians).

Thanks for the welcome EH!
Bristol, TN to Lynch, KY..... 80.3 miles

NEIGHBORS.. !!!!

Well, I'm 57 and in between you two guys in Virginia. Another beautiful part of the state. Alexandria is nice................ for a city.

Welcome to the club. Nice to see younger ones joining in.

Hope to visit Kentucky when I retire some day soon... I'll have my pens and travelling journals along.


Fernan

Welcome! Stay with FPN long and the Phileas won't be your only fountain pen.

Well hi there Gawain. Glad you're back (after having "forgotten what a FP is"). And all that jazz. Who hasn't?
Just be cautious. Once you start, you can't quit. But we all know that. Har har.

All the best

Mike

Welcome! I've got a Waterman Phileas as one of my standard pens. What color is yours? And old? No way!

I bought the red/burgundy Phildeas Sailor.

Thanks for the nice welcome...

Gawain

LOL, I already have two in the mail..... One is the reform....

Thanks for the welcome...... I'm really enjoying FPN...

Gawain

YW! Mine's that blue swirl. Of course, I'm one of those types who has to match the ink to the pen. Hee hee.

Welcome to the FPN my friend!

Mark

Welcome, Gawain!! I currently live in CT, but grew up in Roanoke, VA and have kin all over the Appalachians. My mom is in Erwin, TN, and my dad/stepmom are in Buchanan County, VA. I'm a UT Knoxville alum and still have friends in that town.

Enjoy your Phileas--my red fine NOS one was my first really serious pen and still a favorite.

Hi and welcome! I've never been to Bristol, but I know the Tennessee-North Carolina border area, and it's very pretty. One of my first pens was a Phileas, and it still gets a lot of use. Very dependable, writes well. I like using it. You'll probably find yourself getting another two or three pens, because one just isn't enough.

Welcome to FPN!

Welcome to FPN.

Hi Mark!
Thanks!!!!!

I love Erwin. They have the apple festival every year which is VERY popular and one of my favorite restaurants, The Rivers Edge. I am enjoying my Phileas... more than I think I should.. LOL.. it's ONLY A PEN...!!!!!!!!!

Hi Treecat! I received one pen yesterday (a $10 pilot 78G) and expect my Feform from Lexaf soon. I've got to have someplace to put all these inks I'm getting from Pear Tree!!!!!!!!! LOL

I can't wait to go over the centrury mark ($100) in a pen purchase, probably in November. That will give me plenty of time to research all the possibilities here on FPN.

Thank you VW....

Thank-you Fatehbajwa and Namaste'

OmGuruOm,
Gawain