I just like things
When I went on my first date with my wife I showed her a flashlight that was bright enough to start a fire if you left it in the overdrive mode. I made a simple statement that "I just like things". I swear, I have enough small objects in my apartment that I could do a show and tell every week for the rest of my life and never uncover all my secrets. For me little items hold memories I sometimes can't recall without them.
I have a hard time not having a new favorite thing. Instagram ads are dangerous for me. I am so susceptible to them and their endless list of silly little things. I swear I see one post from a person I know and then 20 ads that captivate me. Do I need a new wallet? Absolutely not. My wallet has lasted years. Is my wallet made out of tyvek and also has cute kitties printed on it? Now it does!
My most recent "favorite" is a pen from a company called cw&t. I've been on a little pocket pen kick. This particular pen is presented as a flat solution to the pocket pen problem. I got the white version printed with a small metric and imperial ruler on the side. If fits so perfectly into my moleskin pocket notebook that I had for a few years. Now I have a way to write all my important thoughts at a moments notice. My phone technically provides the same functionality with markably less tactility.
This pen centered obsession finds its roots firmly planted in a time when I didn't have a phone of my own. When I was knocking on people's doors for Jesus, my goal was to meet new people and attempt to gather their information to talk to them later. I found rite in the rain notebooks and pens in an army navy surplus store in Rockford, Illinois. I identify this experience as the starting line for this never ending journey. My natural obsession centered on objects was easily justified by my aforementioned goal. I knew in my heart that I needed a waterproof notebook and a pen in my pocket.
I am consistently worried that my astonishing ability to misplace things would counteract my love of objects but so far it has not. I have lost one rite in the rain pocket pen in the 10 year span since I purchased my first. That has been my justification for getting more little pocket things since. Does my adoration of objects somehow attach them to me at a spiritual level? I don't think we'll ever know. My guess is the combination of forgetting to take them with me and forgetting they are on my person helps me to hold onto my little things. It makes sense that it is hard to lose something you can't remember to bring with you.
The 'pen type c' meets three major requirements to make it into my pockets. First, it fits and boy does it fit. By using a slim pen cartridge designed for a multi pen the profile is almost bookmark thin. Having this pen and notebook in my pocket is comfortable even when sitting down. Second, it works! When I pull it out to write something it writes. I did unintentionally make it less functional by swapping to green ink which doesn't work for signing things at work. Third, and most important, it's fun to fidget with. The spring steel square loop is just fantastic to flip and mostly protects the writing end. It could be more practical. I have a little green dot on my wallet that proves the end isn't totally protected. But, how many other pens would even fit?
I've used the little ruler a few times and it does its job, it reminds me that 70mm is too short for a ruler. The flat square shape evokes a carpenters pencil in vibes but not function. I really can't emphasize enough how out of the way it gets, depending on the notebook it perfectly blends in. Having a pen in my pocket reminds me that the whole world isn't screens. Even If I don't always use it, having a pen in my pocket is an important way for me to remember to connect to the real world.
