Simple Living

My New Fountain Pen: Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue I recently picked up my third fountain pen: the Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue (Fine Point). There are plenty of reviews available, so instead of a full review, I’d like to share why I chose the 3776 as my first “nice” pen. Why the Platinum Century 3776? After enjoying both the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I felt ready to invest in a higher-quality pen for a better writing experience and deeper understanding of fountain pens. The 3776 stood out as an excellent choice for me. Priced at $67 from Amazon, with an additional $8 for the ink converter, it's a significant step up, but the cost is manageable. I had considered a pen in the $30–$40 range, but an extra $20 for the 3776 seemed worth it for the quality and craftsmanship. First Impressions Upon receiving the pen, I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink. The initial lines were a bit scratchy and thin, but after some time for the ink to saturate the

First Impressions of Iroshizuku Ink: Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki) I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki), a popular choice that many have raved about online. After loading it into my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to write some lines, and I can already see why this ink has garnered such acclaim. While it's still early to determine if this will become my "signature ink," it's definitely shaping up to be a color I'll use quite regularly. Mishap with the Bottle Cap Unfortunately, there was a mishap during shipping: the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured, causing some ink to leak all over the inside of the shipping package. I managed to seal the fracture with tape, but I'll likely need to transfer the remaining ink to another container. It's a pity to encounter this issue, especially since I’m learning that the plastic cap is a common flaw with Iroshizuku Ink and doesn’t hold up very well.

Evolving Perception of Scotch Whisky What a difference a year can make in my perception of Scotch whisky. I was barreling toward single malts only to be disappointed by a very bad bottle of Macallan 12-year-old. Now, I find myself hurtling back to blends. Exploring Blended Whiskies While I tried various blends, none seemed suitable beyond Johnnie Walker Red or Black. I was tempted to move toward Green Label, but online reviews mentioned that the older, discontinued variation of Green Label was limited to just four single malts that defined this Johnnie Walker version. In other words, I missed the party on that one. To ensure some variety in my collection, I opted for Monkey Shoulder, a blend of three whiskies: Glenfiddich Balvenie Kinivie I am familiar with Glenfiddich and Balvenie, but I was mostly unimpressed by Glenfiddich until I tried mixing it with other whiskies. This led me to become interested in Monkey Shoulder. I don't know much about Kinivie, other than that all three w

Weekend Vacation in San Diego I flew down to San Diego for a weekend vacation. I didn’t do much, which was the point of a true vacation. Accommodation and Amenities The hotel had Starbucks in the room and an In-N-Out Burger down the road, making it convenient for a quick bite or a morning coffee. Evening Relaxation In the evenings, I enjoyed a tall glass of beer, which added to the relaxation of the trip. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, and then it was back to the bustle of work.

Review of the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Contents Pen Pen Display Case (Clear Plastic Top Cover) Con-20 Style Converter One (1) Blue/Black Ink Cartridge Nib Style Options Fine (F) or Medium (M) Color / Model Numbers Classic Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP (F) MRFC1BLKMBLKP (M) Gold MRFC1BLKFGLDP (F) MRFC1BLKMGLDP (M) Silver MRFC1BLKFSLVP (F) MRFC1BLKMSLVP (M) Retro Pop Green / Marble Red / Wave Orange / Flower Purple / Ellipse Grey / Hound Tooth Turquoise / Polka Dots Animal Print Purple / Leopard White / Tiger Black / Crocodile Gold / Lizard Silver / Python Initial Impressions My Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (Fine Point) arrived from Amazon, and it is a beautiful writing instrument. The online reviews accurately describe it as an excellent starter pen. The immediate sense of quality is apparent just by holding it. There is a certain weight and heft that exudes quality, making the overall look and feel best experienced through actual use. For $13, this is a phenomenal deal. It even comes w