Pens in Use - May 31, 2024

I discuss the fountain pens and inks I have been using throughout the week. I also get into the topic of Memorial Day observations.
Pilot Custom 823 (B) - Omas Grey (February 21, 2024)
Pilot Custom 823 (F) - Omas Black (February 21, 2024)
• Survivor Pens - Pilot ...
Parker Duofold (F) - Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses (December 5, 2018)🐿🐿🐿
• Parker Duofold Centenn...
Stanford Wood Pens Miyuki Magic (BB) - Sailor Jentle Apricot (November 3, 2021)
• First Impressions - St...
Kaweco v16 (sport) - Akkerman Groenmarkt Smaragd (December 7, 2019) 🐿🐿🐿
• First Impressions: Kaw...
Aurora Style (B) - J. Herbin Bleu Myosotis (August 24, 2016)🐿🐿🐿
• Aurora Style Gemstone
Parker Frontier (M) - Lamy Turquoise (April 10, 2019)🐿🐿🐿
• Parker Frontier
Loft Pens Winchester (BB) - Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses (April 3, 2024)
• First Impressions - Lo...
Nathan Tardif on Black Swan in English Roses - • Poppy Day
Memorial Day
Unlicensed teachers now dominate new teacher hires in rural Texas - www.mysanantonio.com/news/art...
Chapters
Start 00:00
Pens 01:12
Milestone 15:30
Memorial Day 23:45
Texas Teachers 28:52
Upcoming Plans 33:45
Outro 36:53
KZbin Video Link
• Pens in Use - May 31, ...
Pens in Use Music
• Sayonara Camtasia Audi...
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/ waskisquirrel
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www.evernote.com/pub/jwaskiew...
For High Resolution Photos Visit:
www.evernote.com/shard/s630/s...

[@julieridge9161]

Congratulations! We paid our home off last summer, there was a feeling of freedom that came with that. We haven't done anything significant other than have the family over for dinner to celebrate. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, you earned it!!!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

That feeling is the best! It's funny I don't feel any need to celebrate otherwise or to change my spending.

[@honeybee4423]

Dear Mr Waski...What wonderful wonderful news- Congratulations, I am so very happy for you. It is a great feeling and accomplishment so keep smiling. I totally get the not wanting things, its so strange- when I have had very little spare money in life there are so many things I see that I think I want to buy but when I have money I seem to just shrug my shoulders and simply pass things up. Its probably something to do with being in a comfortable place where you don't need to prove anything to yourself or others. If I was in ND I would give you a big hug- here's a virtual one! Take good care now. Sweet Blessings Mand XOXO

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! And I think there's a lesson there. The desire for what we can't have is so much greater than the desire for what we can have. In mild doses, this helps us better ourselves. In stronger doses, this leads to that ugly feeling behind "Keeping up with the Joneses" When I paid off my house, that "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality came first. But then I started thinking, and I was left with nothing. I'd like to replace some worn out furniture, but that's all I have.

[@jeffroberts532]

Woohoo! Congratulations on your house ownership! Love that spread of inks in this PiU. Nice variety.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thanks so much! I'm going to mix up the spread this coming week with some Indian inks.

[@johntoledo4438]

Congratulations!! That's a major achievement.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you so much!

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Is there anywhere you've ever wanted to travel to? Put the extra money towards a dream trip. Don't buy furniture. Congratulations on paying off your home. I enjoy your commentary as much as seeing your pens. Your talk about Memorial Day was inspiring and a little sad. I'd be interested in hearing more about the challenges of teaching, if it's something you feel it's appropriate to talk about.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm not buying much furniture when I do: only 3 pieces. But, yes, travel is in my future. I want to do some road trips when I get a better car, and there are several countries around the world I'd love to visit. I have two sets of notes that might become videos on teaching. One is on the good of teaching, and one is on the bad of teaching. I would have to release them at the same time to keep myself out of trouble. And there are a lot of stories I won't tell until I'm safely retired.

[@christophermckellar1352]

Congratulations on the house! Very well done!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you so much 😀 It is taking a while for reality to sink in.

[@manuelespinosa724]

Congratulations!!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you!!

[@alanpareis734]

Love the shirt. Nice to see the African Wood pen from Sanford again for the second week. I think it is not only cool, but beautiful. Congrats on all the team successes at State. Most of all congrats on paying off the house, ha, ha I think I will be somewhere beyond the century mark before ours will be paid off. Don’t think I’ll make it. Enjoy your summer.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you very much! And yes, I'm fortunate to live in a lower cost house.

[@iliahi2054]

Loved today's format and your downhome sharing. Congratulations on passing your new milestone!👍🏼💗

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm glad you enjoyed. And I'm still smiling about that milestone!

[@roguequill]

This is great news, congratulations!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you so much!

[@archivist17]

What a brilliant t-shirt! 💜

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! I bought several squirrel shirts at the same time!

[@JoelTurrell]

Just want to add my sentiment of joy for you and congratulations on the payoff. The news has made my day.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you so much! Even though there is no change in my life, I really do feel like there is a weight off my mind.

[@LisaPottinger]

Congratulations. Financial Freedom indeed. I’ve just bought the Pilot Custom 823 with the signature nib and to be honest I’m a little disappointed. I can’t tell the difference between the signature nib and the broad / double broad nibs on the 823’s and 743’s that I already have. It’s still a great pen but in my view doesn’t add anything new to the table if you already have a broad or double broad #15 Pilot nib in your collection. I used to teach A-Levels in the UK many years ago. I lasted 2 years. The UK also has a teaching shortage. Teaching is rewarding but it’s also hard. It’s exhausting, all encompassing and eats into your free time in the evenings and weekends. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves and doesn’t pay well enough for the work involved. It’s not surprising that people are giving the profession a wide berth. It’s a real shame but the reality is that there are other career options that pay better with a lot less difficulty.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Signature nib. I found myself questioning that. I might be glad I did. You describe teaching quite well. I question it every time I sign a contract. At this point, is it inertia that keeps me going?

[@LisaPottinger]

@@WaskiSquirrel maybe what keeps you going is the benefit that you bring to your students. Teachers make a huge impact in our lives. I still remember and appreciate the great, inspirational teachers that I had over 30 years ago! They’re never forgotten.

[@fountainpensinksmore3290]

Best feeling in the world not having a house payment! Congratulations 🎈🍾🎉

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! It is taking a while to sink in.

[@glennkelley6096]

In the '60s in Quebec there was a shortage of english speaking teachers. A farmer/magazine editor taught agriculture courses and the business classes were taught by the local Chevy dealer.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It is unfortunate that this history is repeating itself. It's great that people are stepping up to help, but it too often ends in people who cannot manage a classroom.

[@edwardstaats4935]

Thanks

[@WaskiSquirrel]

You're welcome!

[@courtney9212]

Congratulations 😊 enjoy being content!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! And I am!

[@marilyngardner4269]

Congratulations! The financial freedom must feel marvelous. I agree with the suggestion I see here to consider some travel. You have such curiosity about history and place, and you have summers off -- indulge! (Maybe you can scope out your next place to live too.. although things might chance a lot by the time you retire.) We are seeing teacher shortages here in Wisconsin too. It's quite scary, actually.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Travel is very enticing! My town might be in the middle of nowhere, but it's also in the middle of a lot of interesting places that are only a day or two drive away. I need to visit them! And, yes, I've been thinking a lot about what happens when I can retire. Unfortunately, this teacher shortage isn't limited to a few places. I hope it will help working conditions for teachers, and help society value the profession. But it really does seem to be all over, and not just in the US.

[@MrAndrew1953]

I picked up my Kaweco Sport piston filler. Used it to do my journal entry today with a medium nib. To keep it scratch proof I keep it in a Retro 51 tornado pouch…Recommend you try some Diamine Jack Frost sheen ink. Getting very cold here.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'll look at that ink. Diamine made several fun sheening inks! Another viewer from your country always rubs in the warm temperatures during my winter. I should ask him how he's doing now!

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@WaskiSquirrel Go right ahead. I was up at 5am to drive someone to work- it was 7C - maximum of 15C today. Diamine Jack Frost is a sheen ink from Inkvent series. Make sure you give the bottle a shake before filling. I use a stub nib 1.5 so I can see the lovely hues in the ink as it flows onto the page.

[@jilliancooper348]

😊

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thanks!

[@weezyfaz7]

Wow congratulations 🎉

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you!!!!

[@paulherman5822]

Congratulations on being mortgage free! Do know someone who has tried to go full time in teaching special needs kids, but her personality gets in her way. We used to joke that she'd been kicked out of the Marines for unnecessary roughness...😂

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! It's a good feeling. I don't know that person, but I feel like I've read about her in the comments before. Sounds like quite a personality!

[@archivist17]

Great news! Owning a property gives you security. We talk about the number of home owners, but, for the vast majority, the banks and building societies own those homes, and it's an illusion.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

You're right. I know a lot of people who won't pay off their homes until long after they're retired. If a home like mine is the only way to accomplish, the goal of paying off a home, I would say home ownership really is an illusion.

[@pamelaboxall7015]

Congratulations on paying off your house. I'm not too sure how things work in the USA, but I'd say the other "big" thing to do now you have some additional funds is to pre-pay your funeral - a bit of a downer, I know, but so easy to put off until it's too late. Of course, I'd suggest going for a treat first to take the sting out of it.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! I haven't thought a lot about end-of-life. I don't care about my funeral: I won't be there. My main concern is that disposal of my body is as harmless as possible.

[@nicksg3002]

Great Job paying off your house🎉🎉🎉 hey awesome shirt!!! Ok I am not trying to annoy you but wish you could sell shirts with squirrel and fountain pen design hehe ok I shut up my big mouth😬

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! It's exciting as I realize it's real! I have thought about shirts or other designs. Trouble is, they look good in my head, and then they're failures when I draw them.

[@barbarah-p8661]

Congrats on being mortgage free!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! It's a great feeling!

[@glenconverse1327]

I rather enjoy your talk shows. ontratulations are due are your being a bona fide house owner. I was too busy flying here, there, and everywhere to settle down to buying a house. Now at 80, I'm sorry I didn't;t buy.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you! It's exciting to know that I own my home. I've never had that before. And the payments I've always made for rent or mortgage are over. Teaching is a job that keeps me locked to a place, so I suppose buying was more natural than it was to you with all your travel.

[@sathishrao7926]

Congratulations on paying off loan and on your Tax rebate.. Time for Camry upgrade ? If not, you can splurge on at least a reasonably priced Fountain pen..

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you so much! The Camry will be upgraded, but I want to wait until it gives me trouble.

[@ichirofakename]

Wow, well done. Take the extra money and go to Iceland. I think my property tax is about 20 times more than yours. For a smallish 2 bedroom condo.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Iceland is very high on my list! Yes, I know property taxes are nightmarish in other states. Property taxes can drive people who own their homes out of their homes.