So, I hate my signature. I'm not too fond of my handwriting either, but I have taken to printing, which makes dealing with the "k" not so terrible. But a printed signature is a bad idea. I am attaching a picture to show a few ways I can write my name. In a week or so, I'm going to sit down and practice formally with some different styles of writing, but for now it's just my creativity, and no matter what, the "k" always slows me down. My current signature is horrendous and I haven't even shown it. If you had to blindly interpret what my name was from it, you would get "M. Melili" because I botch all the letters inbetween.

I'm looking for suggestions for "k"s... I've downloaded a lot of people's writing samples, but I don't have the time right now to go through them all.. I just wonder if anyone has preferences for the "k"s, especially in "improvised" handwritings... I'm more interested in formulating my own hodgepodge style than strictly following the conventions of a particular script.

Cheers,
MM.

I totally agree that "K"'s are a problem and it is the first letter of my first name. I have less trouble making that attractive than small "ks" though. Especially cursive small ks. They are awkward at the best of times.

Oh, the joy and headache of writing systems! They are one of the most-tightly-clung-to banners of group identity and social order. Therefore, people play with the shapes and complain about the standard shapes but at the same time take a lot of convincing to allow changes to those standard shapes.

Matt, you're in good company! Kap-kaf-kappa-ka-ke-kay has caused fits from the start (lots of pen strokes to make a stick figure of the human lower arm and hand, "kap/kaf"), as shown by the simplifications over the millenia in the Semitic alphabets; I envy the current Hebrew, Syriac/Assyrian (modern Aramaic) and Arabic forms, arrived at quite a while ago, each one about as simplified as humanly possible . We heirs of the Greek writing tradition (including Roman and Cyrillic users) have allowed ourselves to stay stuck with a less-simplified basic (printed) shape that still requires a pen lift after the stem stroke .

The "li" shape (without the dot) you alluded to but didn't show is like the modern Greek connected cursive solution to that problem. As you've said, it doesn't work for Roman-alphabet-using people who don't know you personally. A shape that looks somewhat like a connected "lc" might work, as long as it's different enough from your connected "lc."

Have fun making lemonade out of the "k" lemon! We don't need to see your revised signature (a financial identity issue), but I wouldn't mind seeing your new "k," in isolation and in a few words.

Matt,
Are you Ukrainian?

J

half the grandparents were polish, where the name came from. but they were Jewish, so they probably weren't "really" Polish. the Holocaust kinda made people tight-lipped to want to talk about their heritage, or anything in the past, for that matter...

You have a jaunty collection of styles there Matt.

BTW, your avatar photo and name look quite mysterious and charismatic!

I like having an air of mystery, but because I can't shut up I'm sure you can find out plenty about me if you read my posts. I will admit that I am indeed a "weirdo".

The avatar is an image on a CD of my favorite band, Tower Recordings, which is a neo-psychedelic folk band. They use dissonant harmonies, lyrics about outer-space, noise and static as accompaniment. I am happy to send an mp3 or two, and if you have filesharing capabilities (are they on itunes? i don't have that capability, but if they are, look for the song "the nine billion names of god" or "Q Delmak-O" (a very alluring version of the song by Os Mutantes)... !!!here is an amazon site for my favorite album by them, with soundclips I wish there was more adventurous, beautiful, challenging music like this. It's sad to think pop music is "the best of our day"...

I will submit photos to this thread of my various future attempts at writing words with "k"... next week. i have to worry about a big exam coming up on tuesday.

and you're right: capital letters are so much easier to deal with the awkwardness (Cursive capital "G" or "Z"? aaaghh!!!) I think capitals are a nice opportunity to stylize your handwriting in your own unique way. but it's difficult to do that with lowercases, especially when you are trying to maintain the flow. What i'm finding with the "k" in my surname (Melnicki) is that perhaps I should pick the pen up after the "k" and then write the "i" separately. Other wise the "k" turns into an "h"

Hmm, very chilled and quite cool, they sound worth listening to. I quite like Enya as my universal representative of ethereal musical expression.

I notice you're bidding on a big fat black Duke fp from ebay shop FOUNTAIN PENS: good luck!

Matt, despite your displeasure, your handwriting is legible . It seems like it would interrupt the flow if you pick your pen up after the "k"--but, hey, whatever you think might work--try it! Let us know about any helpful discoveries you've made.

Best, Ann

Ann, thanks, I lately (post-adolescence) have been striving for a more legible handwriting, which is why I mostly print. But it's not unique, and I like things in my life to have personality...

(as with that band I recommended -- Tower Recordings... did I give a disclaimer that the music is weird and "out there"??? But it is highly adventurous and it makes me swoon... Enya's field of ethereal music is interesting, but more controlled and less radical... the field of ambient music (not the techno sort.. yechhh!) is quite amazing too, like Brian Eno's stuff... For sleeping, check out the band Stars of the Lid "tired sounds of..." Amazing soporific, incredibly relaxing. I suppose it's good for yoga or meditation too, but I just fall asleep whenever I try to meditate.)

Ballboy: SSSHHHH!!!! you'll wake the snipers!