The unusual suspects. This week is chock-full of novel pens, nibs and inks.

Four inks are first-timers: Petrichor, 441, Barossa Gilt, and Sea Glass. The same can be said of 50% of this week’s pens: the ASA, Kaweco, and Franklin-Christoph. The novelty is palpable. Or unusual. Either? Both?

Inking pens during a stationery meetup is chaotic. Fun, and chaotic. Pen people are good people.

A net benefit of leaning into the chaos of ink-choice-by-group-consent is that I am guided well outside of my normal combinations of nibs and inks. As is the case this week.

I return to work this week. And the week’s penvelope inherits six pens from last week’s collection of pens that were gifted to me. How well can I adapt my sentimental currently inked to work at school?

I devote a substantial amount of time, energy, and focus on thinking intentionally about which tools I use — and how I use them. This is my second of two weeks off from work. A week away from my typical work-home routine offers an opportunity to play. Just for playing’s sake.

And I dig a good theme. The theme this week is: pens that I’ve been gifted. Eight pens in all.