It's All About. The Pen.

Call me crazy, but I am a pen fanatic. I love a good pen and notice that it will literally change the course of a meeting/class/note card for me.

If I love the pen, I’ll write more, write better and stay more focused. But I’m also VERY particular about my pens. The ink has to be the right thickness, the ball point needs to roll perfectly- when everything aligns. BEAUTY. Honestly, I’m so particular about my pens- it could be borderline OSD.

I wrote last week about my love of stationary, and to be fare, that love is incomplete without that of a good pen.

On Monday, while working in my office, I noticed I needed I pen. I went to our supply room to get another PILOT G2 07, the typical pen our office stores in black and blue ink- and then I noticed something that changed my day, week and possibly my work life balance- someone had ordered the office UNI Super Ink pens with the 5 intents on the cap. (!!!!)

These pens are OUTSTANDING and beautiful because not only do they make my writing look so much better (I believe), but they then make me want to write even more! (For real!) Actually, when I first met one of the women who I would start working closely with at work this past summer, she pulled out one of these pens in a meeting- I couldn’t resist- don’t you just love those pens! She immediately exclaimed back- I don’t write anything without them! She then proceeded to tell me a story about how when she was at Harvard Law a friend of hers forgot that particular type of pen to take notes with for the day, and literally debated just skipping class, because it wouldn’t be worth it to go without the pen. Ultimately, she went all the way back home to get it and then ended up late to class, but pen in hand. (Ha!)

Anyway, if you haven’t yet used on one these wonderous pens- you must try it! It will change your penmanship, how much you write, who you write- and who knows, maybe you’ll even start writing a handwritten letter a day.

Who are we talking to?

As Jess and I continue this resolution I am struck by how our friends seem to have clustered in the Northeast and Southwest. Look at that! So interesting...(!)
When we started this challenge I thought it would be quite easy to reach out to people across all 50 states but, whether through coincidence or not- our friends who live nearby have been easier to reach via phone (and post, I guess?!).

Bonuses from this challenge to hike up our correspondence rates have also meant that we have been able to celebrate and meet up with old friends from college and high school who we have not seen in way too long, which has been such amazing.

As we are still at the relative "start" of this challenge (!) I am excited to see where else it will head, who it will lead us to, and also be able to track the people we are getting in touch with.

I am not sure where to draw the line in terms of how much to disclose about the people we are talking to, but it is an inspiring group!

Among those who we have "corresponded" with in the last two weeks- includes, but isn't limited to: an entrepreneur who started her own photography business, two doctoral students (one in physics and one in geography), a friend in basic training, multiple people working at the White House, a chef, computer programmers, lawyers, individuals working on Broadway, the list goes on and on! Suffice to say, we there is always something incredibly exciting to learn and catch up on in catching up with old friends.

Another bonus: the discussions that I am having continue to further my own curiosity. (Always a plus)!
Today, while explaining the concept of this blog, a friend mentioned turning this into a pen pal initiative of sorts. The conversation spun off into different directions (all fabulous), but I lovedof the idea of encouraging you all to write a letter as well. It could be to any number of different people and if you're interested, here are make three suggestions to get you started:

1. Write a letter to the White House with new ideas or thanks: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC 20500.

2. Write a letter to troops serving abroad (thanks to a conversation tonight, I thought this was a great and simple idea to carry out).

3. Write a letter to a student in DC or Prince George's schools (with all of our connections to teachers we would be happy to pass them along).

If you have any other good links or ideas of where to send letters, feel free to post them as well, I am excited to see where these letters all end up!

Finding a rhythm.

This challenge is not yet a week old- but I can confidently say it is taking us a bit longer to adjust to it than to our other challenges. With our first challenge their were defined times in the day when we would engage in the challenge- while it was a hard challenge, that consistency made it easier on our lives. Similarly we knew with the last challenge that if we set aside time in the morning or evening we would be able to execute on our own. This challenge requires interaction with other people to connect via the phone which has proven to be rather difficult. (Pick up your phones!) :o)
I have had to set up multiple conversations per day just on the assumption that I will not be able to connect with one of them towards the end of the evening. YAY- planning ahead!
That being said- I am enjoying connecting with people who I have not been in touch with in awhile and I look forward to finding my rhythm in this challenge and if anyone is interested in reconnecting- feel free to send an email to set up! We're waiting!