I can’t talk about Fisher Space Pens and the type of people that each one brings to mind with out commenting on the happy little pen.  Who do I picture when I see the Lime Green Bullet Pen with the Golf Ball on it?

You know that type of individual who is the life of the party, though not in an annoying way?  This is the man or woman who everyone hopes will show up at any particular event … the person you change your plans for if it means you can get together.  Everyone wants to be in this person’s inner circle not just because of the promise of fun, but also because there is just something about him/her that makes you really want them to like you.  It is as if their approval counts double anyone else’s.  The Green Golf Ball Pen guy/gal doesn’t even realize he/she has this power, because there is no arrogance in this personality … just good will and fun.  This person loves people, loves life, and is a true blue friend.

Sometimes I wonder if I spend too much mental energy on Fisher Pens, but then I realize that this stuff comes to me as I am staring out the window not even trying to think.  So, I am pretty sure no energy is actually expended.

Ever since I posted about Paul’s pen, I have been getting grief from other friends for not classifying them.  I hate to say it, but not all of my friends measure up to the Fisher Space Pen quality, so I think it’s best that I just stop classifying indiviuals so no one has to feel bad for being left out,

I can work in reverse, though, and describe the type of person that would own a particular pen.    As that thought occurred to me, the first pen to come to mind was the Rainbow Titanium Nitride Bullet Pen, because to me, the person who would own that pen is so easy to picture. 

I am in a government funded office.  Could be at the city, state, or federal level - but I will go with state.  I need to get tags for a new vehicle and I get sent over to this woman’s desk.  She greets me with a warm smile and has me get started on my paperwork.  I have to wait while she goes to help a coworker who is having trouble - so I get time to look at her mildly untidy desk.  I see all of the cute framed quotes she has - all which indicate she values friends, happiness, chocolate, and coffee. I also see that she loves her cat and her grandchildren as there are an abundance of pictures.  She comes back apologetically, and we get on with my paperwork.  Two hours later I get ready to leave, not because of her inefficiency but because she engaged me in conversation for ninety minutes since there was no one waiting.

Yes, I have an active imagination, but that is who pops into my head when I think of the Rainbow Bullet Pen.  A really friendly woman who when you encounter her, leaves you feeling better than you did before the encounter.

I have a friend who knows that I classify people according to which Fisher Space Pen fits their personality.  I believe the fact that I have neglected to pick the pen that represents him in my mind, has him slightly offended.  I have honestly been kicking it around for awhile and I am having a tough time, but I have narrowed it down to four possibilities.

First, there is the easy choice.  He is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan so the Purple Passion Bullet Pen was the first one to come to mind.  While I am sure he would love it, I am not sure it represents him.  After all, Viking’s football is but a small part of who he is.

My second thought has been the Quad Function Space Pen.  Anyone who knows Paul knows that he is always on the go and gets by on very little sleep. Having a Black Fisher Refill, a .7mm lead pencil, a Red Fisher Refill and a stylus in one pen would give him everything he needs to increase his over the top efficiency. It’s also a professional looking little gadget, it would suit him at work.  Hmmm …

The Matte Black X-750 Pen with the rubber grip came to mind next.  It’s classy in an understated way … not unlike Paul.  It’s practical, it’s smart, and I just like it.

Finally, the Chrome Bullet with the Golf Ball on it.  Everyone knows that the Lime Green Golf Ball Pen is one of my favorites.  I call it the happy little pen because it always makes me smile.  Well, the Chrome Pen strikes me as the slightly more serious version … yet it still brings a smile. Paul does golf.  In fact, he hosts a charitable golf tournament every summer and it has become quite an anticipated event in the area.

Going back over my own words … I am going to have to go with the fun, yet classy pen that makes me smile.  Paul, you’ve been classified.

Yesterday a friend of mine came over to help me paint my ceiling.  Personally, I was content to talk about painting it for another couple of months, I wasn’t really wanting to actually do anything yet. Paul is the pushy type though, so yesterday was the day.   My one stipulation was that I would not allow any work to start until he allowed me to pay him for the paint he brought.  He was already firing up the sprayer when I remembered to demand the receipt.  I quickly wrote out a check and handed it to him … right over the paint can.  In his reluctance to take the check and my insistence to push it his way, I dropped my beloved Bullet Pen right into the five-gallon bucket of primer.

Knowing how I feel about that pen, Paul pretty much dove in after it - forgetting that he still had his coat on.  It was actually a pretty funny scene and I think he lost about two gallons in the quest to save the pen.   I was never worried.  I knew I wouldn’t get all of the paint off, but I also knew that my Fisher Pen could handle a little paint and that it would make a good story later.  My only regret about the whole incident (besides the destruction of a nice coat) is that I didn’t have my camera handy to capture a shot of my dear friend up to his elbows and beyond in a bucket of paint … with a horrified look on his face - like he just ran over my dog.  I laughed until I cried.

I had to work at the coffee shop unexpectedly yesterday.  Kate was snowed in.  Because of the lovely weather, things were pretty slow and I had a lot of time to watch the snow fall … and think.  As I was quietly solving all of the world’s problems, my mind drifted to Valentine’s Day.  It’s such a funny holiday.  It’s the day of the year that makes single people feel … very single.  It’s no picnic for the rest of you either.  If you are in a relationship and male … hello pressure!  You know that the woman in  your life is expecting something grand and your potential for failure is huge.  On the woman side of things, we try not to expect anything (at least some of us try) but we can’t help it … and yes, we are usually disappointed.  It would be easy if we all had the same expectations and you could just buy a program that asks you questions like a tax program does.  Once all the data is in … time in relationship, previous gifts, income level … you would simply be told what to do and/or buy.  Instead, we all have our own ideas what gestures or gifts demonstrate your love.  Some women want roses, some want jewelry, some want dinner, some want weekends away, some just want to know you spent a lot of money.  Personally, I am practical.  I want something I can use and that will remind me in June that you thought of me in February.  A fishing pole, a coffee mug … or … a Red Cherry Bullet Pen with a special engraving.  Maybe, Be Mine, Love You, You’re My Reason For Living …. I know the last one is too long, but you get the idea.  One warning guys, beware of the woman who says she wants nothing, she will be disappointed if you believe her.  Good luck!

My sweet nephew called me the other day.  I have many sweet nephews but this one edged others out, at least for a little while.  He called to say thanks for the Rocket Pen I gave him for Christmas.  He told me that at Christmas he and his cousins all thought their pens were neat when they read about how they’d write upside down or in water,  but it was after he went back to school that he really appreciated it. 

“First,” he said, “I never really thought about it when my pen wouldn’t work, I’d just grabbed another one or borrowed someone else’s.  Now that I have one I can count on …. I just never knew what I was missing!  Second, we have had so much fun in the dorm testing the Fisher Space Pen claims.  My pens has stood up to every test and now I have to guard it with my life because everyone wants one.” 

Well, I had to fess up.  “Aaron, your pen only cost me $3.40.”  I thought he’d give me a hard time about it - but he was thrilled …. “Graduation gifts that I can afford!!!”

Last weekend I was the designated driver for some friends.  I didn’t mind at all - drunk people are funny, and I certainly didn’t want anyone driving when they shouldn’t.  I will admit that I was ready to hear last call and I was grateful to be on the road with my van load of loud, happy, singing women, when someone announced that she was hungry.  After some intense deliberation we were on our way to Taco John’s.  There is nothing quite as fun as seven hungry, drunk women trying to coordinate their orders.  As they tried to recite their combined order, the volume in my vehicle took me just about to my limit.  I calmly … okay loudly … instructed she who resided in the shotgun position to reach into my glove compartment and get out the notepad.  She pulled out my Nite Note and was coherant enough to unseat the pen from its holder.  When the light came on the ladies all erupted in wonder and awe.  All of my fatigue and ire was replace by amusement as I answered their rapid-fire questions about this amazing invention.

Yes, it only lights up when the pens is removed.  Yes, that means the light won’t burn out.  Two AA batteries.  Yes, it’s one of those pens I’m always talking about.  Yes, thank you - I am kind of brilliant.  Yes, it is a great gift idea. Yes, you can all write your birthdays down so I have them.

Drunk people are funny.

The other day my friend asked me to justify my strong affinity for Fisher Space Pens.  “There are a lot more important things to give your energy to!”  I think she was just grumpy that day.  Nothing is more annoying to a grumpy person than an overly cheerful friend - so though I was oh so tempted to needle her with a little extra pep and sugar, I toned myself down and gently addressed her admonishment.  It went something like this …

First of all, I know there are a lot more important things going on in this world. I do watch the news, but I do not let those things that I cannot control consume me.  Just like we all liked seeing that dog rescued from the floods, we all like to have our hobbies and things to get excited about, even when others don’t get it … and even while bad things are happening in the world.

So why these pens?  I suppose it starts with the fact that I like a good story, and the way these pens came into being is a very good story.  It’s heartwarming to know how Paul C. Fisher invented the pens and then offered them to NASA for a fraction of the cost of the mechanical pencils they had previously ordered.  Beyond their all-American history is there quality and style.  They work like they should and they look good doing it.  No, they are not the cure for cancer, they are just a fun and functional product that I happen to like.

I then turned my attention to her collection of blue and white figurines and asked her to justify her strong affinity to the pricey little dust collectors.  She got the point … but yowza … she did not like her statues called dust collectors!

I love Saturdays.  I have this nice little routine where I get up early, savor my coffee, map out my week on paper, and pay my bills.  It may sound strange, but I have quite the ritual.  I curl up in my chair next to the filing cabinet upon which sits my coffee pot.  I pull out my notebook and my Handmade Cigar Pen with the Fisher Refill and begin plotting the upcoming week - goals, chores, appointments etc ….  After that, I pull out my bills and my checkbook and take care of all of that fun business.  Once I am done, I am caffeinated yet relaxed and am ready to jump in to the rest of the weekend.

Any creature of habit can understand how satisfying my Saturday mornings are and how important each element of that morning is.  I must be in my chair, I must have my coffee, I must have my Wonder Woman notebook, and I must have my pen.  We can control so little in life … I bask in the control I have over that little pocket of sanity I get before life unleashes again.