Traveling, Colds, and Creativity
The first bit of January has been a whirlwind. I was off for a few days around the new year and finished some house projects. I then headed out on a trip to Orlando, Florida to visit with an old college friend and some family members at Disney World. While I scribbled on the travel days, I didn’t pick up a notebook on my days at the parks (although I collected ephemera aplenty and took a ton of pictures). It was really nice to have that total separation from the everyday, although by the end I was certainly itching to pick up my pen and do some scribbling again. I managed to get on all of the new rides that had opened since I was last there - and I have to say I haven’t felt like such a kid in a while. My favorite was definitely Rise of the Resistance - it is such an ambitious ride and I would love to see a classic Star Wars themed one just like it someday.
Definitely one of my favorite spots on the entire trip - Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I wish you were able to spend longer than 45 minutes there just to soak up the atmosphere.
I would like to report that Walt Disney World has upped their stationery game since the last time I was there (in 2019). Not only were there some pretty clever writing notebooks, there were also sketchbooks, higher quality ballpoints, desk accessories, a honest-to-goodness A5 journal cover, and stenciling kits. There was even some washi tape in one of the kits (which I really wish had been a standalone product!). I was very grateful for the fact that I’m a paper snob otherwise I would have needed a second suitcase for all of the goodies I would have wanted. I contained myself however and satisfied myself with pictures.
When I got back home, I had given myself a few buffer days which turned out to be great… because I immediately came down with a cold. So I managed a few scribbles here and there (and managed to get my short story to my workshop teacher on time!), but mostly rested. I have a weird relationship with being sick, I feel like since I’m home I should be doing something… although the reason I’m home is because I can’t manage to stay upright or stop coughing long enough to be in public. It’s a work in progress.
To try and boost that creativity a bit I made myself a new notebook with the last of my loose-leaf Cosmo Air Light paper (need to buy another before it’s gone for good) and printing some grid-lines on it in my printer. I have been experimenting with different notebook construction and what papers I can print on, so we’ll see if the printing holds up to some heavy-duty scribbling.
Currently Inked
Diamine Polar Glow (Inkvent 2019) - Kaweco liliput fireblue 14K M “journaller” nib - I was craving a bright blue ink and realized I hadn’t tried this one. It powered me through some brainstorming when I finally made it back to work and kept me focused during a Pathfinder session. It’s a little darker than Colorverse Supernova (one of my favorite bright sheeners), but definitely an enjoyable option.
Ferris Wheel Press Velvet Ballet - Kaweco Sport Burgundy B nib - This one got switched out of another pen and got a refill right before my trip to Florida. I really love the red burgundy tones of this ink and the hints of silver shimmer. Carried me through some story scribbling and some blog drafting.
Diamine Deck the Halls - Kaweco Sport Macchiato 1.5 nib - Still rocking this one as a header ink. Probably 1/3 of an ink cartridge left. This purple is great fun.
Ferris Wheel Press Stroke of Midnight - Kaweco liliput copper 14K B nib - I picked this ink up from the trade table at the Pelikan Hub in St. Paul back in November. Haven’t really put it through its paces yet, but a really nice dusky blue with some shimmer at first impression.
Ferris Wheel Press Oyster Hour - Kaweco liliput green M stub nib - Swapped nibs on this combo from my very wet B premium nib to my M stub which draws a completely different personality out of this ink. It’s a really great shader, which comes out even more with this nib combination. Lots of journalling and scribbling in the airport.
Not the most aesthetic, but it definitely got quite a few pages written while crammed on some very full Southwest flights.