I use pens and mechanical pencils and paper all the time. I enjoy the sensation of writing by hand. I like the look of a page covered with my handwriting, complete with mistakes, corrections, doodles, whatever. I like the gradual accumulation of a stack of these pages, or a gradually-filling notebook. I'm not trying to justify writing by hand by claiming it's better than writing on a computer (you give up a lot in terms of speed, searchability, etc. when you write by hand), but I enjoy it more. Technology, schmechnology. And I say schmechnology as an electronics engineer who has spent his career futzing around with computers and other digital dipshittery.
I use mechanical pencils quite a lot, in drawing, for that delicate line art. Ah, but there is a Zen component to writing on paper, isn't there just? I personally find it more conducive to brainstorming and the like. It's pleasant, like it tickles a part of your brain that's largely inert when you fiddle with a keyboard. Not to mention, you can doodle in the margins without open an entirely different program.
2 four packs of tall boys, and Empress Theresa on the kindle (spoiler it is bad in ways you don't want to even imagine). Norman Boutin can't write or even punctuation.
Yes! Review that wonderful disaster when you're done! The world awaits more roasting of Empress Theresa.
Flowers for the misses. Why? Why not? Also brought The Royal Game Of UR for us to battle over. Honeymoon location will be decided upon the by winner - best two outta three. This was her idea. Amazon don't fail me with this shipping...
A new porcaline tooth this morning after my last one broke off a couple months ago. Will take a few years to pay it off, so I'm barred from entertainment shopping until then.
As a pure luxury indulgence (or an early self Christmas present): An 111 Anniversary box of Faber-Castell Polychromos Color Pencils.
Snagged an led torch that uses either an AA or 14500 battery. I also purchased 2 x Sanyo 14500 protected rechargables. Around home I've been using single AAA battery led torches, but a good led drains the batteries quick, thus they won't last long due to numerous charges. Was looking at rechargable AA batteries to run a slighter brighter torch, then came across the 14500 battery, which kicks all kind of ass over AAs, so I bought two different torches that can run either an AA or the 14500. This one is as cheap as free, a robust quality build and bright adjustable beam, the other one I've already got a full refund for due to shit quality and very dull beam. I like the small footprint, nearly same length as a single AAA torch, and maybe 10-20% larger diameter. Some thing you can hold in your mouth, as the next smallest torch are the ones that use a triple AAA pod. Spoiler
Don't get me started on flashlights/torches! This year I got actually three. All Chinese made, but you wouldn't know. They're extremely well made, and not actually cheap (each ~$40..50). Really small, really bright, but the thing I got them for was that they're rechargeable with USB.
I just got a Dark Knights Returns Action Figure. I love collecting Action figures. I also just got a copy of Bualder's Gate for the pc.
Nice choice of Baulder's Gate. I collect Halo action figures and other items from the series. Nice to see a fellow collector around.
OMG! I have that exact silver one! And a black one. And an Atomic (brand), a Darcy, dozens of Mags with led conversions... I found C-shells and D-shells, so my collection sports AAs exclusively. Well, except for the dozens of AAA units I have (like the Darcy). Not skippy about that, but I can't help buying them anyway. They are my Catcher In The Rye. If I go to the Hardware store or see them at a store... yep. Headbone units, too. Spider legged, magnetic, pen, clip, laser, UV, magnifier, snake light, laptop... Currently eyeballing the baseball bat one. I don't mind a unit that consumes single AAs. Most AAs end up in the trash cause they sit too long and leak, anyway. Probbly have 3 or four dozen sets of rechargeables, and a unicorn-snot-expensive 8-cell conditioner-charger. Currently experimenting with 1.5v USB LiPO AAs. Poor performance and reliability, so far. Alas. Any suggestions? (already have therapy)
Haven't bought it yet, but in the morning I'm going to go get the first permanent I've had since 1991, I believe. If it comes out well I might invest in a headshot for an author portrait. My hair looks so terrible now, there's no point.
Regarding torches. I know this isn't a torch, but by gee this design is fantastic, especially for things like power cuts in the home. They are relatively cheap as well. These are designed to hang OR stand on a table, and they don't direct light the way a torch does. But every home should have a couple, I reckon. They are REALLY bright, and just use simple batteries. (Mine uses AA, but there are some that use AAA.)
They're bright, all right—ie. don't stare into them like you wouldn't stare into the sun. The light is very cold and not attractive at all, but hey. It works. I haven't had to keep mine turned on for any length of time, but so far, after well over a year, the batteries still seem to be working fine. I seem to remember having paid around £7 for two of them, so they are very affordable. Best 'emergency' light I've got. I've also got a couple of those wind-up lanterns and torches, but the light they give out after vigorous winding isn't all that bright, and doesn't last all that long either. Good to have around in an emergency, of course, but not ideal.
The "cold and not attractive" has gotten much better in recent years, since the manufacturers have come to the point of handling the dyes better, but they focus on putting those dyes on household lighting products instead of flashlight and torches.
Open fire. It's a hazard. I've lived in FL. During hurricane season, the recommendation was to get battery operated lights. Candles burned down too many houses in the aftermath. (My latest rechargeable mini-light can either put out enough light to burn your retina for an hour... but also just enough light to find the loo at night for three days...)
The thing about candles is they don't need re-charging, so aren't dependent on batteries or USB. If you need to burn them for light during an emergency, it's a great idea to stand the candle in a saucer or bowl with water at the bottom, and then put it in a place where it won't get knocked over. Or stick them in a bowlful of sand. Maybe put the container on a surface that won't burn as well ...like on a metal tray or inside a can. I have lots of torches and my wee LED lanterns, but I also have a large supply of candles, which I would use if I needed lighting long-term.
For a long time I used to have to use a kerosene space heater to keep my place warm, and since it's basically a giant kerosene lantern it made no sense to actually use flashlights at night.
