On Packing.

No, not heat, but rather packing for a trip. This task is alternately mundane and thrilling in that it has to be done and yet ratchets up the anticipation for departure. Since I travel frequently, I usually have a bag ready to go. It just needs the final essentials and I’m ready to head to the airport. However, from time to time, I’ll dump the same bag and repack it with some fresh or key articles that are trip-specific. Thus, comes the inevitable decision about what to leave behind which typically leads to regret during the trip. “I should have brought that!”

Either way, it’s always good to be prepared. Pack light, pack early, and pack orderly.

Eye on the Ball

Let’s think about a sports analogy… as in your team has the ball. It doesn’t matter what the other team did with the ball. If you want to play the game, and score points, and ultimately win, you have to move the ball toward the goal. You can’t sit around whining about what the other team did. You can’t moan about the rules. You can’t blame the fans for not cheering you on. You can’t win on defense. You have to get out there and carry the ball before the other team takes it away from you.

Think about that when you’re reading the newspaper or watching television. Too many people are blabbering about nothing, about the past, about things that don’t matter. Too few are executing the job at hand. Maybe they’re incompetent. Maybe they’re out of their league. Maybe they should be replaced.

Just saying.

Noodler’s Apache Sunset

Noodler’s Apache Sunset fountain pen ink represents a new level in expressive writing. Readers of this blog know that I use Mont Blanc fountain pens for my first drafts. To this point, I’ve stuck with Mont Blanc ink, using blue for most prose and red for emphasis and margin notes. Well, the red was starting to annoy my eye. It is powerful, which was my original reason for using it. However, it’s become a bit overbearing in places where a lesser amount of attention is warranted. Thus, I went on the hunt for another color. I searched the fountainpennetwork.com message board and discovered the following review of Noodler’s Apache Sunset. Click HERE.

Therefore, an inquiry was made to the Fountain Pen Hospital and a subsequent order placed. The ink arrived a day later, I loaded it into a pen and gave it a try. The following photo does no justice to the ink. (Sorry, but photographing ink is beyond my ability. Stick with the link above to see a better test.)

For the past several days I’ve employed this ink to great effect. The yellow stands strong on the page and the orange overtones draw the eye without the school marm’s scolding of the red.

Noodler’s produces many different kinds and colors of ink. If you prefer a fountain pen, give these inks a try. You will not be disappointed. Also, I’d like to thank all the members of the fountainpennetwork.com for their helpful reviews and information on the subject.

Off The Broiler, a great blog

If you enjoy all kinds of food and want to read excellent reviews, check out Off The Broiler. You can follow this link: http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/.

I’ve been reading this blog for about a year now and have not been disappointed. All sorts of food are covered from Asian to Colombian and more. The photography is excellent as well. Check it out; I’m sure you’ll find it fascinating.

This is one of the things I like most about the internet, the ability to get first hand information. And when it comes to food, an honest review can be hard to come by.