Archive for January, 2008

RIP: Pilot VBall

vball-web.jpg

Sadly, I lost this pen before it came to an end. I had a bad night where I was in a tizzy about my new job, head spinning, my cell phone got lost or stolen, and along with it went this pen.

The VBall is a true historical staple, and this was the first time I’d returned to it in awhile. I got this one in Japan, so unlike the picture above, it had a cute light green part of the top that complemented the kelly green body. The VBall was the first roller ball that I remember using that had consistently smooth ink (its claims are true), and for that innovation should go into the Hall of Fame. My only issue with them is that they are short enough to feel stubby.

I also found tonight a “Pen Selction Guide” on the Pilot Web site. It is minimally clever, but I’m glad someone is taking the time and effort to give $3 pen selection its just due.

Leave a Comment

Soolip Paperie

soolip

I spent this weekend in Los Angeles, hearing stories from a generation of designers who know a bit more than I about life. Their stories from the past and optimism about the future was as welcome as the sunshine I found there.

I had a present to drop off with each of them, and I found gift bags made from Japanese newspaper at my favorite shop: Soolip in West Hollywood (the bird above welcomes you to their Web site). The natural wood shelving, sunlight serenity, and vaguely Asian styling has LA written all over it. Among the many gems there I found notebooks with Hugo Guiness poppies on the front, by Marie Papier.

I returned today to the snow in Boston; a cold, messy January day that had me out of the house for only a minute. I spent this evening thinking about how I want my home to look, and found that many of the pictures I’d noted in magazines over the past year were of homes in Marin County.

I think I’ve brought home more of California than I thought.

Leave a Comment

9th Grade

9th-grade-web1.jpg

[[Age 14]]

The year after theme colors was 9th grade. I guess I relaxed a bit; I’m surprised to see I was using different pens in different classes. My cousin Liz, who is truly more my sister than my cousin, had gone on a Putney Student Travel summer program to France that summer and brought me my first real French planner. Clearly an influential move on her part, on the stationery front and otherwise.

9th grade was a year to make new friends and try to find my place. I don’t remember that part of it being too easy.

I do remember being happy that header color in the planner changed each month. This one was April. I’m pleased that since I’m back on an academic calendar these days, month-changing has meaning again. Working Life in California — without seasons and especially without summer — had a subtle but constant lack of context.

Leave a Comment