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!!!”

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!

Now that I am peddling expensive coffee once a week, I find myself craving the fancy stuff and coming up with excuses to be in the neighborhood and stop in for a cup.  Yesterday afternoon, I stopped in for a quick Americano and who came in right after me but John.  We made some small talk and then I introduced him to Kate.  He and I laughed as we both shared our versions of our fateful … whatever you want to call it … Fisher Pen Romance? (His side of the story was very funny)

Suddenly I noticed two things.  One, John and I were as comfortable with each other as two old friends. Two, he and Kate had become quite unaware of my existence.  Since she is a new fan of Space Pens, they had plenty to talk about … they also seemed to have an abundance of chemistry.  As I slipped out completely unnoticed, I heard John say, “Maybe we could have dinner and I could show you my Mars Pen.”  If I didn’t know he was sincere I would have called that the cheesiest line ever!

I can’t wait to ask her how it went … which gives me another great excuse to go have a fancy cup of coffee.  Life is just so good!

I worked by myself at the coffee shop for the first time yesterday.  I was pretty scary but all of the customers were very nice and patient as I am still very slow. People love to just hang out and chat while enjoying their coffee.

There were two main topics of interest.  First, my attire … I had to explain that no, I am not a Cowboys fan, I lost a bet and must wear this T-shirt every Monday until the Super Bowl.  Second, my pen … Thanks, yes it is a cool pen, isn’t it.  It’s called a Bullet Pen and it’s made by Fisher Space Pens.  Have you heard of them?  Well … the cartridge inside this pen is the very same one that is used by astronauts in space ….  I think I might have given them more information than they were looking for since I do get rather carried away when I find a fresh audience, but their eyes didn’t glaze over so I think they were really interested in the whole story.  I even had a couple of customers test the claim that it can write upside down! By the end of the day I had made quite a few new friends.

I think I am going to like Mondays, Cowboys T-shirt and all!

One of my brothers is helping me with a household project.  He was at my house getting some measurements the other day and made a comment about the nice pen I gave my nephew for Christmas.  Now, Mike is almost never serious, so I should have known he was leading me into something as he was asking me about how I came to decided to single Sean out and give him an engraved Fisher Pen.  I explained my thought process about him heading back to Iraq and how he is serving our country and putting himself in harm’s way etc …. and that’s what my dear brother was waiting for.

“Yeah, it’s not like I put myself in harm’s way, EVER.  I am just a lowly fireman.  Walking into burning buildings to save people … it’s not all that dangerous.”  I laughed as he went on and on and on.   When he was done, I said, “I get it Mike, you are also a hero who deserves a pen, and I think you should go buy yourself one!  You’ve earned it!”

I love joking around with my brother and I know that he knows he effectively guilted me and will receive an engraved pen on his next birthday.  As to what I will have engraved on it … I thankfully have a few months to ponder that.

Some friends of mine own a coffee shop and recently found themselves in desperate need of help as they were short-handed.  Knowing my affinity for coffee, they asked if I could come in and assist one day a week of awhile and then be a person they could call it they were in a jam.   Hmmmm….be around people and serve coffee all day …. what could be more fun?!?! 

I must admit, as strictly a strong, black coffee drinker, peddling fancy coffee is a bit intimidating.  Until yesterday, high end coffee to me was Folger’s flavored grounds.  One shift in that little shop has started me on my journey to coffee snobhood, because when it was time for my second pot this morning, I wanted to head out and pay a bunch of money for some sweet, smooth, cappuccino goodness.

My trainer was a very sweet girl named Kate.  As we worked and talked, of course the conversation drifted to my other love, Fisher Space Pens, and I pulled out my Bullet Pen, which I amazingly still have not lost.  Kate is one of those people whom I could tell, gets the value of a good pen and she was very much intrigued.  That was even before I told her about the Handmade Coffee Bean with Cream Pen!  After I told her about that one, she asked for the website where she could find it.  I was happy to send her to Cyber Space Pens, and I expect I will be seeing her smelling her new pen in the very near future. 

This was a good Christmas.  All the gifts I gave were very well-received, from the Dallas Cowboy’s Snuggie I gave my best guy friend, to the ABBA Gold CD that I made for the guys in the gym to work out to (so motivating).  The smile and look of surprise always makes all of the rush and agony of the days leading to Christmas well worth it.

I knew the Fisher Space Pens I gave would be a hit but I didn’t expect too much comment since they primarily went to my young twenty-something nephews.  I was not in the room to hear the conversation, but my daughter just filled me in yesterday.  She said they went on and on to the point that it almost sounded phony.  My soldier nephew was the only one who received an engraved Military Cap-O-Matic and he was talking about how no one will be able to lift his pen since his name is clearly on it.  Then the conversation drifted to how awesome it is to have that pen you love and how much it stinks when you lose it.

I think I made my daughter recap the whole conversation at least three times … I wanted to make sure she didn’t leave anything out!  It feels good to know shopped well this year.

One week ago today two kind gentlemen in the gym asked me if I wanted to lift weights with them.  Apparently, they didn’t think riding the stationary bike was sufficient exercise for me.  I accepted their offer and have spent most of the past seven days in pain.

Naturally, my one-week anniversary was celebrated with a gift exchange.  I guess it’s a long-held gym tradition.  I didn’t have time to go out and get just the right thing, but that was not a problem, because I was smart enough to order a bunch of Rocket Pens a few weeks ago, with just this type of unexpected occasion in mind.

I am so excited because they will have all day to experience the joy of the Fisher Space Pen and then tomorrow I can tell them all about the history of the Space Pens and Paul C. Fisher.  Their lives will never be the same!

I’ve been trying to get a feel for their personalities … I think Chad is the X-750 Pen type but I am not yet sure about Paul.  They both totally have a handle on my personality … their gift to me was cookie dough.

There are few things I like more than Fisher Space Pens.  One of those few things is coffee.  Everyone in my life knows this about me, which makes it very easy for them at Christmas and on my birthday.  I get lots of gourmet coffee and you can’t imagine how many cool coffee mugs I have.

The other day when I was showing my old “friend” the handmade pens, I noticed some new ones on the page but I wasn’t wearing my glasses so I made a mental note to go back and check them out.  Imagine my surprise when I saw the Coffee Bean with Cream Pen!  It’s like Katie Manrique was thinking of me when she made it!  Coffee Beans on the outside and a Fisher refill on the inside … I am getting choked up just thinking about it.

The best part … it smells like coffee!  I can just picture myself at work, staring at my computer screen with my pen near my nose, inhaling deeply.  People might think I am strange, but those who know me will understand.  They already know that I keep my coffee pot near my bed and programmed so that my first waking moment has the sweet aroma of those magic beans in it.

This Christmas my friends will have a new option for me … which is good because I am running out of space for all of the coffee mugs!

I saw an old flame last night.  He stopped by to pick up the caulk gun he left here long ago.  We’ve remained friends, so it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable at all, we had a nice little chat.

Funny thing about old flames, we always want them to see how great things are without them.  It’s a pride thing and I am not exempt.  I showed him some home improvement things I have done since we parted … and of course, I had to show him my awesome Handmade Pen.

When we dated, I introduced him to Fisher Space Pens, and even gave him one, which is to date one of his most prized possessions … so I knew the my Thuya Burl Pen pen would impress him.  I nonchalantly handed him the black leather box with my name engraved on it.  He smiled, looked it over and opened the box.  It was kind of strange how long he just looked at the pen, I eventually had to say, “You can take it out of the box.”  I handed him a notebook and he gave it a test run.

He loved it, of course.  He commented on the classy appearance but he just went on and on about how the weight of it just made it feel great in his hand.  That’s what I like about it too.  He asked about other handmade pens as if he was thinking about ordering one, which made me a little jealous.  I didn’t like the idea of him having a pen that I didn’t give him.  I checked my emotions and quickly called up the Cyber Space Pens site to show him some other options.  I knew which one he’d go for, the Pearl Violet Acrylic Cigar Pen, and I was right.

Finally, it was time for him to take his caulk gun and go.  I walked him to the door and said good night.  As I settled back to my computer and my work I glance down at the notebook he had doodled on.  I miss you, can we have dinner and talk?

He only wants me for my pen - so I will not be having dinner - but I am savoring the feeling … it’s a pride thing.