I was having a particular craptastic day the other day. The usual sort of ridiculous problems that were cropping up out of nowhere. I was overwhelmed to the point where I could have pulled out my hair and ran around with scissors. Problems like why isn’t a Windows 2000 Server still a viable option in today’s network infrastructure (that was for you, IT geeks, and, ummm…, is a true problem I face). I have “modern” fountain pens older than this twelve year old software which work just fine and will continue to do so for decades after I am gone!
I thought about it for a few minutes and decided to step back and take a deep breath, then I spotted one of our nice Proper Pad notepads on my desk. This was the 8.5″ x 11″ size, so lots of room. I grabbed it, the first fountain pen within reach (My trusty Sheaffer 300) and started scribbling. That smooth flow of ink from nib to paper is such a wonderful feeling. I could feel my blood pressure lower with every stroke. I scribbled up the first page pretty quick. Lots of figure eights, my name, anything to take me off the problems at hand. I tore that page off and started another. About half way through the second page I was already feeling better. Time to switch pens then.
I grabbed my Sheaffer Intensity and started again, figure eights, my name, anything and everything until I had finished up the second page and started a third. At this point I had practically all but forgotten my troubles and they weren’t such big problems after all. I had cleared my head and was ready to focus on the next task at hand.
Some people take a cigarette break to clear their head, others walk, some run. I write. You?
Cheers!
Brian