from the Canadian prairies

[andru]

Hi. I'm very happy to have found the FPN.

Been reading posts for about a week, but

forgot to introduce myself. I've used

fountain pens since my Aunt gave me an

olive green Sheaffer at about age 7, and

I started drawing mazes with it. Pretty

much always used one since.

 

I'm especially interested in seeing how

the Noodler's Polar Black will stand up

to winter writing -- having my pen freeze

when trying to jot something down in the

winter is a common problem here!

 

I've learned tonnes about pens, inks

and paper over the last few days!

 

Warm Regards,

Andrew

 

[Shangas]

Hey Andrew.

 

I was about your age when I seriously got into fountain pens.

[CapeCodJay]

Welcome Andrew!

[jd50ae]

Welcome to FPN and enjoy the ride. Now would be a good time to give your wallet to a trusted friend.

[demeter]

Welcome Andrew,

 

from another Andrew on the Prairies. Saskatchewan, are you?

 

 

Andrew

[andru]

Welcome Andrew,

 

from another Andrew on the Prairies. Saskatchewan, are you?

 

 

Andrew

 

Well, I was born in Saskatoon, and grew up in Meadow Lake,

but currently living in Calgary and about to move to Kingston

(Ontario) at the end of the month... How about yourself?

 

[andru]

Welcome to FPN and enjoy the ride. Now would be a good time to give your wallet to a trusted friend.

 

Yes, heehee I'm beginning to see that...... :meow: (sorry had to try one!)

 

[handlebar]

Greetings Andrew!!!!

 

JD

[demeter]

Welcome Andrew,

 

from another Andrew on the Prairies. Saskatchewan, are you?

 

 

Andrew

 

Well, I was born in Saskatoon, and grew up in Meadow Lake,

but currently living in Calgary and about to move to Kingston

(Ontario) at the end of the month... How about yourself?

 

Born in Chicago, lived in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, then Toronto, then Winnipeg, then Morden. I did a summer and fall in Cochin almost near Meadow Lake, if I recall. Com'on Calgary is the foothills...you can't claim prairiedom, can you? Glad you along for the fun. I was thinking we should start some kind of Central Canadian Contingent to the FPN. Have you stores in Calgary where you can actually purchase a pen, with ink in bottles???

 

Andrew

 

 

[mike1]

Welcome to FPN. We seldom get cold enough to freeze water around here.

[14lines]

Com'on Calgary is the foothills...you can't claim prairiedom, can you?

 

As a Calgary native, I can, have and will claim prairiedom. I like to think of it as the place where Prairies and foothills meet. And driving in from points east, you see the city before the landscape starts to nestle. It's "on the cusp".

 

Andrew, welcome to FPN. What's bringing you to Kingston? A pleasant city, just down the road from us here in the Capital. My wife went to Queen's. She's not a huge fan of the city, but I like it well.

[Mac in Alberta]

Hi Andrew,

 

Welcome from another Calgarian. Too bad you're leaving town, but Kingston has a rep as a beautiful city.

Demeter, I have to agree with 14lines -- Calgary is where the Plains meet the Foothills. In fact, I'll get really specific: everything west of 14th Street W. is in the Foothills, and everything east of there is on the Prairies. Nose Hill is said to the the most easterly foothill and I think its most easterly point is at about 72nd Avenue and 4th Street N.W. That's right in my neighbourhood, and everything east of there is prairie. If you head west from there, you're going uphill.

As far as buying pens and ink are concerned, Staples usually has a fountain pen case, as does Grand & Toy. Staples sells Quink and G&T sells Skrip. The places I think of as "pen stores" are Reid's on 17th Avenue S.W. and Madison & Page on the plus-15 level of Fifth Avenue Place. Both of these have knowledgeable and helpful staff. Usual disclaimer, your mileage may vary. I don't know every retail stationer and executive giftshop in town; there may be other good pen sources out there.

Murdoch

Edited June 15, 2007 by Mac in Alberta

[andru]

 

Thanks to one and all for the warm reception.

 

I think 14lines describes the land out here well to

say it is on the cusp. Coming from Saskatchewan (flat),

and living west of center, I definitely thought of Calgary

as foothills, but some folks do insist it is prairie.

Of course, it's becoming just a mad rush of traffic

these days -- one hardly has a chance to enjoy the

views from a bike, it requires so much vigilance to

keep from getting killed.

 

Andrew, welcome to FPN. What's bringing you to Kingston? A pleasant city, just down the road from us here in the Capital.

 

Ah, Ottawa -- my brother's there. Nice place, although

I haven't seen much of it yet. As for Kingston, I don't

quite know what it's like either ... graduate work at

Queen's beckons. I suppose Kingston will be flatter

than Calgary (too bad: hilly cities are great!), but

hopefully quieter. I hear Kingston was once Capital.

Probably a positive stylopolis of vintage pens lurking

in bureaus and closets!

 

As for pen stores in Calgary, there is Reid's Stationers on 17th.

Found a nice review

http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/review2a.ht...gary,%20Alberta

along with pointers to good stores in some other cities.

 

-Andru

 

[andru]

 

Oh, hi Murdoch! our posts crossed.

[demeter]

Mac in Alberta, 14lines & andru

 

Ok Ok....it was a question. I have never been to Calgary, so obviously I must go see. I've always heard that it was anything but flat, and quite beautiful as a city.

 

andru - good wishes on your move.

 

A