Simple Living

Expanding My Fountain Pen Collection My current focus is on my nascent fountain pen collection, and I have been planning how best to proceed over the next 12 months to increase my collection to a total of six pens. Presently, I own only three Metropolitan pens, and I feel it's necessary to add some variety and quality. Current Inventory Pilot Metropolitan Classic (Black) Retro Pop (Turquoise) Retro Pop (Purple) Iroshizuku Ink Kon-Peki Murasaki-Shikibu Future Desired Additions Pens Pilot Custom 74 Black — $75 — Mar 2018 Platinum 3776 Blue — $75 — Aug 2018 Platinum 3776 Red — $75 — Dec 2018 Accessories Pen Case (3 Pack) — $25 — Aug 2018 Estimated Outlay : $250 Update: 12/31/17 I've delayed my planned purchases and will make them contingent on successfully passing my certification exams for Python and R. While the dates may vary, I want to ‘win’ these pens by passing the examinations. The Metropolitans have held up well and are being reinked every few days due to my studies. U...

New Additions to My Fountain Pen Collection I recently ordered two Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens from the Retro Pop collection in Turquoise and Purple. Both pens feature fine point nibs and, aside from the color and design patterns on the cross section, they are identical to the Metropolitan Classic collection. The Benefits of Multiple Pens I’m glad I purchased additional Metropolitan fountain pens. Having several options to choose from makes life easier than relying on a single pen. Packaging Contents The pens come in the same standard packaging as other Pilot Metropolitan models, which includes a single black cartridge and a Con-20 style ink converter. This setup makes the Metropolitan one of the best starter pens, as it provides everything needed to begin writing. Nib Performance After their first inking with Iroshizuku ink, both pens felt a bit scratchy. I grabbed my Metropolitan Classic to compare and found it writes much smoother. I suspect the new pens just need some time to ...

Researching Entry-Level Pilot Fountain Pens As I delve into the various models of entry-level Pilot fountain pens, I’ve established some criteria for what qualifies as "entry level." Criteria for Entry Level Price Range : $10 to $60 MSRP Refillable Options : Normal refillable systems (converter/cartridge, etc.) List of Models Pilot 78G Pilot Cavalier Pilot Cocoon Pilot Ecrino Pilot Kakuno Pilot Knight Pilot Lucina Pilot Metropolitan Classic Retro Pop Animal Print Pilot Minuet Pilot Penmanship Pilot Petit1 Pilot Plumix Pilot Prera This list will help me compare and choose the best option as I continue my research.

Loss of My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pen It appears I've misplaced and possibly lost my beloved Platinum Century 3776 fountain pen. This is unfortunate, as it cost me quite a bit of money, estimating around $75 ($65 for the pen and $10 for the converter). Current Alternatives While I still have my Pilot Metropolitan, it simply isn't the same as having a gold nib pen. The writing experience with the Platinum is unmatched, and I truly miss it. Future Considerations I’m not ready yet to invest in another expensive fountain pen. Instead, I need to think about how to better ensure I avoid misplacing and losing such valuable items in the future. This situation has definitely been a disappointment.

Review of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955 I recently scored a pair of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955 , which come with the Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone. A friend who knows I love headphones generously gave them to me. Here’s my take on these earbuds. Basic Features These headphones are a nice pair to receive for free, and while it's challenging to find detailed specs online, here’s what I gathered: In-Line Microphone : Yes Volume Control : Up/Down Pause/Resume Functionality : Yes Cabling : Braided cloth until the earbud split, transitioning to rubber. The braided design helps reduce tangling, although a full braided cable would have been ideal. Sound Quality In terms of sound quality, they compare favorably to Apple Earbuds , with a slight advantage in the upper mids and bass. Here are some specifics: Fit : The flex tips provide a secure fit without being overly intrusive, unlike my Klipsch R6i . Bass : The R6i's offer a bass-heavy tuning that outperforms the AKG's, but the AKG...