Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Way back in my Bangalore days, age 11 and 12, I got interested in and practiced "italic" penmanship and "gothic" lettering, and even had a broad-nibbed fountain pen or 2 and a boxed set of caligraphy nibs with holder, along with an illustrated manual or 2. Odd, since specimens of my everyday handwr

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I started in 2005 and have a small collection of fountain pens. My current favorite is the Namiki/Pilot Custom 823 amber demonstrator. It is piston filled with a large ink chamber. The prior favorite was a wine red Conway Stewart Appellation by Kevin Cheng. It had great balance and wrote wonder

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I'll admit to having a few fountain pens here. I've owned them for nearly 3 decades. Parker, Waterman and Pelikan. If you care to spring for the gold nibs, they are supposed to be more flexible. I'm not sure if it's a myth or nor but folklore used to say that you shouldn't let other people use

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Ah, that's an oft cited book in my Career and Technical Education High School, public school with a 100% graduation rate. Weird how engaging students with academic rigor, hands on training, and community service, leads to success. To get a sense of the coolness here's a write up on the NASA Rover

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

His later book, The World Beyond Your Head, continues the same themes with a greater focus on the deleterious effects on character of mediating experience through electronic media. Crawford is that great oddity -- actually, several oddities: 1. An academic, or academically trained writer, who can

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Thanks, Toshi. I already have a Safari, a Xmas present from my brother who is a fountain pen connoisseur. He had given me a nice old Parker 51 some 10 years ago, and that was even nicer, but my then 5 or 6 year old daughter dropped it nib down on tile. The Safari writes very nicely, but it does sk

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Folks here might also like to read: “Shop Class As Soulcraft; An Inquiry Into The Value Of Work” by Matthew B. Crawford. The thesis of the book is making the case that society has place too much value on white-collar work, and lessened the value of the trades. The author was working as an

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Folks here might also like to read: “Shop Class As Soulcraft; An Inquiry Into The Value Of Work” by Matthew B. Crawford. The thesis of the book is making the case that society has place too much value on white-collar work, and lessened the value of the trades. The author was working as an

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Ah...we didn't even get to the dip pens and script. I took Michael Sull's workshop at the SF Pen Show last August and it was great and humbling. The best part was getting a pen and being completely enamored by this master and his stories. Actually, maybe the best thing was that he gave all of th

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

nine years ago my then 13-year old daughter learned how and showed me how to make a true quill pen from a thick-stemmed feather. Shape the head right (see fountain pen) and dip it, and it holds it and doesn't leak. I'm sure you can get goose or tukey feathers online... On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 9:30

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I have that Serenity Blue. Love it! I'm a big fan of the iroshizuku Yama-Budo ink. Addison Wilhite, M.A. Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology *“Blazing the Trail to College and Career Success”* Educator: Professional Portfolio

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Get the Safari and if you end up using the fountain pen all of the time, then consider upgrading in the future. My favorite blue ink is Waterman serenity blue. My friend's favorite blue ink is Waterman Mysterious blue--a bit darker blue--bit of teal hue. My favorite black ink is J Herbin Perle

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Toshi: for a ordinary bloke who just wants a pen that feels nice when he writes: is the Lamy 2000 worth the $100 premium over the price of the Safari? Also: what kind of ink do you fountain pen mavens recommend? (Has to be available in your local Office Depot or on Amazon.) History: For 18 months

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I qualify as a fountain pen geek and agree that the Lamy Safari is a fine pen. My favorite is the Lamy 2000. It writes as well as any pen can write, and it's discreet because the nib is hooded so it doesn't attract attention. Japanese make wonderful fountain pens too. Pilot pens are my favorites.

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I'm no fountain pen fanatic, but I know two who are, and they're also bike and camera people, so I know it must be dangerous. I have a Waterman something-or-other that my mother-in-law gave to me several years ago, and since then I've bought three Lamy pens, which are cheap enough--$35 to $45,

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Thanks, Addison, and good to know that my cheapo plastic pen is a decent one; it certainly write nicely compared to ballpoints and #4 or even 2H pencils! My hand doesn't cramp, and it forces me to write more slowly and with a more relaxed hand. And, not least, my writing with it is almost legible.

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Patrick, those Lamy Safaris are nice pens and a smoking deal in my book. When I was just getting my feet wet I found this site a good primer as a newby: https://www.bestfountainpen.com/ It allowed me to gain some knowledge and set a bar for quality. Only later did I go down the rabbit hole of yo

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Long time audio geek here, but not so much with the tubes and vinyl these days. I my case, it's CD's ripped to a hard drive, streamed to a Squeezebox, digits delivered to a 4-way digital crossover feeding multiple amps, horn tweeters and high-efficiency woofers and a couple of subs. Lately I'

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

A plug: my brother, Peter, also here in NM, has just commissioned a run of custom, much-more-than-Moleskin (Italian? At any rate: Moleskin, hah!) journals, which he hopes to market. You can enquire at writeint...@gmail.com. Peter is also a connoisseur of fountain pens and film cameras. Patrick Moo

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

On the audible.com comment I have the same problem, I prefer books on digital format and can't bring myself to buy a digital copy of a book about analog. Real books are great, but they take up way too much space (i have a small place), new hardcovers are going for like $35 these days, I always lose

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Tony: I am in agreeance. And there's more. He writes about the return of the written journal, i.e., the moleskine, the return of film over digital photography, the return of the retail store, the return of the analog watch, and I think there's going to be some business about fountain pens comi

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I prefer records and friction shifting. Records are just what I grew up with - same with friction shifting on the Schwinn I rode back in the day. I have CDs, stream music, and am fine with the index shifters some of my recent bikes have had. And yet, there is a sense of grace and connectedness

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Addison: speaking of fountain pens. I'm certainly no collector, but I like fountain pens because they're the only writing instrument that allows me to write clearly (sort of; my handwriting is very bad) without my hand cramping, or else, without the point sliding all over the paper. The "glide" and

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Just thought I'd chime in on the book. I also just picked it up and have only just finished the vinyl section. I'm also an audiophile migrating back towards vinyl and really enjoying the tactile experience and the different way I listen to music. I am hoping the book digs deeper into some of the

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

On Friday, March 31, 2017 at 5:51:57 PM UTC-6, Ray Varella wrote: > > I'd like to add another thought to this discussion, it has to do with > public radio vs mainstream corporate media. > snip > > The sterility of a streaming digital service will never rival that sort of > listening experi

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I'd like to add another thought to this discussion, it has to do with public radio vs mainstream corporate media. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have a couple great public radio stations that play a very diverse mix of programming. The hosts bring their own tastes and flavors to the aud

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Thumbs up. Nailed it. ~Hugh “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein http://velocipeedemusings.com/ On Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 1:40 PM, 'mlpessar' via RBW Owners Bunch < rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote: > Interesting subject. Jim,

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Interesting subject. Jim, thanks for the heads up on the book. I share the notion that there are parallels between analog audio vs. digital, friction vs. index shifting and automobile manual vs. automatic transmission. Happily this is not an either/or situation. For "serious" listening I enjoy

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

As a member of gen/x millenial, whatever, I agree with Ray. See what Vinyl did for me is taught me to take my damn thumb off the skip button. In the same way a fixed gear forces you to work a single gear to its fullest potential the inconvenience of searching for a track on a record taught me

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

On Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 10:29:46 AM UTC-4, Jim S. wrote: > > I have been reading a new book that might be of interest to group members: > *The > Revenge of Analog *by David Sax. So far, the author has discussed the > revival of vinyl records just when it appeared that the MP3 had conque

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

For now I hoard my parts for the coming apocalypse, my bike family dost grow. ~h On Mar 31, 2017 10:35 AM, "Kai Vierstra" wrote: > And if you like records and have some tubelessable Cliffhangers in 700c, > wheels or rims, I'd be happy to send along my long list of available > records for trade

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

And if you like records and have some tubelessable Cliffhangers in 700c, wheels or rims, I'd be happy to send along my long list of available records for trade (or sale, proceeds going toward my bike family) -Kai BK NY On Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:45:23 AM UTC-4, Hugh Smitham wrote: > > What

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

What you like is what you like. ~Hugh “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails f

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Interesting takes Hugh. Makes me consider what or why I like what I do, given the analogy of analog vinyl. Portability, ease of play and the setting of my listening opportunities caused me to part with my vinyl collection. I couldn't afford any of the equipment that differentiated the aural qua

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

With you here Ray. I spin Vinyl on two systems not tubed but Solid State Marantz and Sansui. The Aural quality can't be beat IMO. I can live with or without friction. Personally I like index but on occasion have shifted friction only, it works. Jim S the book looks interesting thanks for postin

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I grew up with vinyl (still having a couple hundred records but haven't spun them in DECADES). I frankly don't get the notion that vinyl "sounds better". I really think, for us older folks (boomers) it comes down to what we grew up on, while the new kids are attracted by the "cool factor" no

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Gee, this brings back memories. I recall buying my first "pop" record purchase, a single "45", Hey Jude/I am the Walrus, from a high end record store in New Delhi, 1968, age about 13. They had listening booths, fer crying out loud! My father wasn't about to let me use his cabinet stereo (hi hi"), s

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I got a little portable record player for my almost 4-year old recently so she can listen to music with since she was starting to show interest in my turntable. I loaded up on some used kids records specifically for her so she could enjoy the physical aspect of picking out records and looking at th

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I have been able to keep my audio nerd tendencies to a minimum recently. Although I do have 2 turntables and 3k records. But gone are the days of active crossovers, 6 mono block amps and all the fun that comes with quirky British "HiFi." The turntables are put away right now as my 5 year old da

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I'm the project manager for an AV automation and integration firm, but I design all the two-channel listening room systems. While I weaned myself off the ceaseless tweaks and tube rolls years ago, my pile of "rainy day" amps is bigger than my pile of bikes... and I have a lot of bikes. Jeff H

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I'm actually curious to how many audiophiles are on here. I feel like high end steel bikes and fancy (usually non-mass produced) audio gear have a lot in common. With the big difference that I can hide my bike in the garage when i'm not using and it gets me outside ;). With records you get to i

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I heard a report, I think on NPR, in the past two weeks, how vinyl music sales have increased and are at a multi-decade high point. A gentleman they interviewed for the report likened listening to music on vinyl as an active listening experience vs. the passive listening in convenient, digital form

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Ray: good points about the social/human aspects of vinyl. Hadn't thought of those. I have heard of the superior aural quality. Funny: my daughter is 15 2/3 and has talked to me about how cool vinyl is with her cohort and how she would like to get what back in the day we'uns naively called a "recor

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Patrick et al, One thing that vinyl used to add, and I can't say if it does today, is the element of listening to an entire side or both sides of an album. Add some friends to the mix and you pass around the album cover, read the liner notes and anything else the band or producer

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I don't take it as shouting. And I'm not intending to start a debate about the merits of friction shifting. I just thought its a book that had some parallels to Rivendellism. As this author makes the point that in some circumstances, the low-tech solution is preferable. On Thursday, March 30, 2

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

If I may extend this to automobiles: perhaps I'm just old, but I find the modern cars I've driven (which, as appliances, are wonderful: fleet full size, 4 cyls, almost 200 hp, cruise at 90+, get 30+ mpg, and hold the road well?) boring precisely because they more and more "do it all." My favorite c

Re: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

This is true. I mean about friction shifting (if "records" don't add aural benefits to their fragility and awkwardness and cost, then IMO they are a silly choice since they don't add the element of human intervention and skill. Read on.). It's precisely the mental and physical engagement, and the c

RE: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

Behalf Of Jim S. Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 4:56 PM To: RBW Owners Bunch Subject: [RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders I know it's a cartoon, but what makes it funny is that it's somewhat true. On Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 9:49:23 AM UTC-5, Edwin W wrote:

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

I know it's a cartoon, but what makes it funny is that it's somewhat true. On Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 9:49:23 AM UTC-5, Edwin W wrote: > > [image: “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and > the inconvenience.”] > “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the e

[RBW] Re: book of possible interest to Rivendell riders

[image: “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and the inconvenience.”] “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and the inconvenience.” http://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/a19180 Friction shifting and vinyl spinning in Music City, Edwin On Thursday,