Snarkclaw

Pet Diary: Only One Water Bowl

2013-05-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact this house has three water bowls, plus an additional one outside, the pets often act like they must compete for water.

One water bowl sits in the kitchen; that one is primarily for Linksys. It is situated in a corner that is large enough for him, but a bit tight for the dogs. They could use it if they really wanted to, but they have better options and use those (well, one of those) instead.

One of the two other options, intended for the dogs, is under the breakfast bar, just around the corner from the kitchen. This is the largest of the bowls, with a very broad diameter. Despite being intended for Cisco and Juni, the one I see using this bowl the most is Linksys. He seems to particularly prefer to use this bowl when I am setting food for the dogs next to it, though that could be just when I notice him. I rarely see the dogs use that bowl, and its little-changing water level suggests it gets little notice.

Instead, the dogs insist upon using the water bowl in my office. They love to lap from it. Apparently, draining that bowl dry and licking at the bottom for any remaining drops -- where I can hear the whole production -- is better than drinking from a bowl in another room. Multiple times a day, I get to hear,
"Shlurp shloop slurp slop shlup shlup shlop shloop slup slup slurp slop slurp shlurp shlurp.
Pause.
Shlurp shloop slup slup shlop shlep shlurp shlurp slurp slurp slurp-slurp-slurp."

Even Linksys likes to share this bowl, particularly when it lets him get between Juni and her food, making her twitchy and ready to snap.

I figure that Juni prefers that bowl because it is close to me; she only eats in company. Cisco probably prefers that bowl because Juni prefers it; he does enjoy stealing from her. As I already noted, I think that Linksys likes that bowl because using it lets him annoy Juni.

I wish that they all would drink elsewhere, at least more often. The "shlup shlep shlop" wears on my nerves more than a little.

Art Supply Review: Kaweco Sport Ink Roller Fountain Pen

2013-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

I tried the Kaweco Sport fountain pen and immediately loved it. However, some fountain pen inks that I tried were too dry for my fountain pens. I read that refillable rollerball pens handled these dry inks well, so I opted for the close cousin of my beloved Kaweco Sport fountain pen, the Kaweco Sport rollerball pen (a.k.a. ink roller fountain pen).

This small and lightweight pen has the same body and feed system as the Kaweco Sport fountain pen. The difference is in the tip; rather than a fountain pen nib, it has a rollerball nib. Its body feels as comfortable and natural in my hand as that of the Kaweco Sport fountain pen (which makes sense, since they have the same body), but the shorter rollerball tip requires that the rollerball pen be held at a slightly higher angle than the fountain pen. Consequently, writing with it for an extended time does not feel quite as natural and comfortable as with the fountain pen, though still much better than with the average disposable rollerball pen or ballpoint pen.

I discovered that the Kaweco Sport rollerball pen does indeed handle the dry fountain pen inks that the Kaweco Sport fountain pen found challenging. However, the rollerball pen does not seem to like the inks that the fountain pen uses readily. I guess that, just as too much viscosity is bad in a fountain pen, too little is bad in a rollerball pen. While this means that I cannot readily use the same ink in both pens, it does mean that I have a good chance of being able to use any given ink in at least one of the pens. I can use wetter inks in the fountain pen and drier inks in the rollerball pen.

Like the modern Kaweco Sport fountain pens, the Kaweco Sport rollerball pens have plastic bodies and are generally good knock-about pens. Being slightly under 4.25" capped and possessing a double-threaded screw-on cap that can fasten securely, these pens are great for tossing into pockets, purses, or bags for carrying around. They are sold without clips (clips can be bought separately), but their octagonal caps prevent the pens from rolling. Most of my Kaweco Sport fountain pens do not have clips, though I do keep a clip to apply to whichever pen I take with me when traveling around, so I can clip the pen to my sketchbook.

I definitely recommend the Kaweco Sport rollerball pen for anyone interested in trying a refillable rollerball pen.

Pet Diary: Drool

2013-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Drool is one pet-owner reality that is, fortunately, not much of an issue among my pets.

Cisco reminded me of that yesterday. Neither he nor Juni generally drool much. Their lips might get sloppy after eating, drinking, or getting excited, but neither dog generates a noticeable amount of drool.

However, yesterday morning, Cisco stood attentively outside the door, waiting to be allowed inside. Hanging from both sides of his mouth were long threads of slobber. I do not know what caused them, but it was a very unusual sight!

Deer Me: Alicia And Nichole Muis on Mother's Day

2013-05-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Alicia Muis gives her mother, Nichole Muis, a bouquet and card for Mother's Day. I figure that a child might just shove the flowers right up her mother's nose in her enthusiasm to share.

I finally posted downloadable wallpapers on the Art Page, and this is the fourth of four images available.

PhotoShop. May 2013.

Art Supply Review: Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen

2013-05-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Kaweco Sport fountain pen was the first fountain pen that I tried and it could easily have been the last. This small and lightweight pen fits naturally into my hand as no other pen had before or has since. Though fountain pens in general feel better for writing than other pens, the Kaweco Sport fountain pen in particular feels perfect to me for writing.

Most of the modern Kaweco Sport fountain pens have plastic bodies, though there is one with an aluminum body, and are generally good knock-about pens. Being slightly under 4.25" capped and possessing a double-threaded screw-on cap that can fasten securely, these pens are great for tossing into pockets, purses, or bags for carrying around. They are sold without clips (clips can be bought separately), but their octagonal caps prevent the pens from rolling. Most of my Kaweco Sport fountain pens do not have clips, though I do keep a clip to apply to whichever pen I take with me when traveling around, so I can clip the pen to my sketchbook.

These are my favorite pens for writing and sketching. I even use them for inking sometimes. As fountain pens, fountain pen ink, of course, should be used in them. I have sometimes experimented with other inks and the pens have been quite forgiving of when I use something inappropriate; they are quite easy to clean.

I definitely recommend the Kaweco Sport fountain pen as a good starting point for anyone interested in trying fountain pens and I always keep at least two inked for ready use.

Sharpclaw: Lily As Cat Or Rabbit 3

2013-05-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sharpclaw: Lily As Cat Or Rabbit 3 by *DeerMe on deviantART

Through May 12, I am still asking whether Lily's design is better as a domestic cat or a rabbit. The more I sketch her as both, the more I get an idea. Opinions are welcome here on this post.

Thanks!

Pet Diary: Cisco Loves Us Both

2013-05-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

There are two who mean all the world to Cisco, apparently: Juni and me.

When I depart and return, Cisco whines and tap-dances his anxious greeting. When Juni leaves, Cisco whines and lunges upon her in greeting. He seems to miss only us and celebrate only our returns.

Cisco does still enjoy interacting with other people and other dogs. He just seems to need Juni and me both to feel safe and stable. During April in particular, I noticed that Cisco seems as clingy to Juni as he is to me.

In the first week of April, I took Juni to the veterinarian for her annual exam and shots. Upon our return, Cisco greeted both of us eagerly, but focused mostly on Juni, rather than on me.

S.O. had activities that kept him away for most weekends in April. The only indication (I could perceive) that Cisco made of noticing his absence was that Cisco stayed on the bed (on S.O.'s side) all night long every night, rather than eventually hopping down. I do not think that this was Cisco missing S.O., as much as him enjoying the extra space on the bed. Cisco greeted S.O.'s return after each prolonged absence in the same way he normally greets any return of S.O.; he gave an alarm bark and then settled in some isolated part of the house.

In the second or third week of April, I took Linksys, the cat I had originally gotten for my broken dog, to the veterinarian for his annual exam and shots. Cisco seemed unconcerned that the cat had been gone.

A few times recently, S.O. has taken Juni with him on errands; she loves car rides. To greet their return, Cisco has given his typical alarm bark, but has also mixed it with whining. I guess that the alarm bark is for S.O., and the whine is for Juni. He eagerly rushes to her as soon as he can reach her, just as he does with me when I return.

At least Juni can share my burden of being Cisco's world.

Deer Me 430: "Dreaming" Ends

2013-05-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

And that ends the latest Deer Me story, "Dreaming."

Honestly, I felt concerned about posting "Dreaming." It was Deer Me's first (intentionally) non-humorous story. I hope that you did not find it too mopey, and enjoyed this different side of Viana's psyche. At least now you have a better idea of why she likes pummeling Thomas. So mature. 9.9

There is going to be an interlude before the next story begins; I aim to build a bit of a buffer before starting its run. Unlike during previous hiatuses and interruptions, though, I also aim to post updates on how things are going. So, continue to watch this space for news.

As ever, thank you for reading Deer Me!

Sharpclaw: Lily As Cat Or Rabbit? 2

2013-05-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sharpclaw: Lily As Cat Or Rabbit 2 by *DeerMe on deviantART

I started a poll, asking whether Lily should be a domestic cat or a rabbit. Unfortunately, though I know people voted, something is wrong with the poll; it wiped out the submitted votes!

So, instead, I ask that you either leave a comment below or send me a message with your opinion on whether a rabbit or domestic cat suits Lily's design better.

Thanks for your help!

Sharpclaw: Lily As Cat Or Rabbit?

2013-04-29T08:43:00.002-07:00

Lily As Cat Or Rabbit by *DeerMe on deviantART

I have a quandary.

For years, I have been fiddling with the Sharpclaw characters and story, trying to solidify my ideas sufficiently to actually create the comic.

The story is now coming along, as are most of the characters... but Lily is giving me trouble.

Most of my work of her is as a rabbit, but I recently tried her as a domestic cat... and liked the result. I have some drawings in which I like her better as a cat and some in which I like her better as a rabbit. For the story, either works fine. It comes entirely down to design preference for her.

And I cannot make up my mind, apparently.

So, help me! Through May 12, I am running a poll on whether Lily should be a cat or a rabbit. Please vote your preference.

Thanks!

Pet Diary: Cisco's Powerful Bark

2013-04-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Cisco has a powerful bark; he can even play kettle drums with it.

Cisco is not a small dog. He weighs about 60 lbs and is lean and solid. He has a pretty deep chest, and that chest contains a strong set of lungs. When he barks, one cannot miss it.

Cisco and Juni are part of our home security system. They are not attack dogs, of course, but they do generally let us know when someone is near the front door. Cisco alarm barks for visitors, deliveries, when the neighbors confuse him by generating a lot of noise, and when S.O. comes home. (When I come home, Cisco whines and tap dances in anticipation.) Juni might join the alarm barking (and sometimes instigates it, if she notices a visitor or delivery first), but not always, not for as long, and never as loudly.

Cisco's bark gives me a headache, frankly. It really is loud. I particularly dislike when he and I share the couch and something triggers his alarm bark. He sits upright and alert on the couch and starts barking right there. He may sit on the couch and bark for several seconds before getting off the couch, barking, and rushing to the door, barking. I have had the misfortune of sitting with my ear directly level with Cisco's muzzle during such an alarm bark.

We have a couple of kettle drums in the house, one right next to the couch. It is not unusual for the waves of Cisco's bark to play that kettle drum when he is on the couch. Still, he impressed me with it the other day. Cisco was standing at the front door, facing and barking at the door, across both the dining room and living room from where I stood. The kettle drum stood just before me... and played. Cisco's bark waves -- bouncing off the door and traveling the length of two rooms -- played the drum.

That dog has one powerful bark.

Deer Me 429 Is A Bummer

2013-04-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Gosh, today's Deer Me is **such** a pick-me-up! Um... at least Viana is not hallucinating this time; does that make it better?

Pet Diary: Use It Or Lose It

2013-04-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Cisco has lost his dog park manners.

When I first got Cisco, he and I visited the local dog park frequently, generally three to five times per week. Each visit lasted for at least one hour, often two or three. He handled other dogs quite well, easily befriending individuals. The bigger the crowd, the harder he found it to connect, unless a bunch ganged up on one dog. In those cases, Cisco did join in the bullying, I admit. Still, overall, he was good with other dogs.

After we started to foster dogs, we visited the dog park far less. Cisco had a playmate at home, for one thing, and I could not confidently trust that every foster dog would enjoy the dog park... or return to me, if allowed off leash. Still, we sometimes went.

After adopting Juni, I tried to resume regular dog park visits, but often found them unrewarding. At first, Juni bullied other dogs and avoided me. Early trips involved trying to track where she last had been and having to corral her well before we left, just to eventually get her leashed. She got better about staying near me (edible bribes worked wonders, when she finally noticed them) and about not bullying other dogs. She still barked and acted bossy, but I no longer feared any physical harm resulting from her actions.

However, Cisco and Juni ganged up on other dogs all too often. As I noted before, Cisco would join a bullying crowd. Now, he regularly hung out with a bully; their pack of two could readily pick on lone dogs who found Juni's gruff demeanor intimidating.

Often not feeling up to the drama of a dog park visit, I opted for more regular dog walks around home instead. We continued those when the weather got really nasty and the dog park became a giant mud puddle. Slick and hilly roads with no sidewalks were still better than tromping around in slicker mud and wet grass.

With spring and the sun's return, I feel more willing to try dog park visits again. After all, Juni had been pleasantly surprising me with increasingly good behavior while we still went.

Juni's behavior continues to impress me. During our recent visits, she frequently interacted fine with unfamiliar dogs. She sometimes still barked and acted bossy, but only rarely. Mostly, she seemed happy to sniff the grounds, run around, or stay close for treats. Cisco was likelier than Juni to get into another dog's face and bark rudely. There were times he even ruined peaceful moments between Juni and a stranger by rushing up to the new dog and barking loudly.

Our time away from the dog park seems to have made Cisco forget his old social skills.

Pet Diary: Cat Toy Joy

2013-04-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Quite unexpectedly, we found a toy that Linksys likes immensely.

For the past three years that we have had him, I have found our cat difficult to entertain. Not only am I not terribly savvy about cats, but he seems to express little interest in conventional cat amusements, like chasing laser pointers or playing with toys. Worse, when he does get excited about a toy, it is typically a small plush toy or ball that he takes outside of S.O.'s office... and straight to where a dog may then assume ownership of the toy. I have found more than one mangled or drool-coated cat toy lying on the floor that obviously met its end by canine jaws.

A few weeks ago, I won a basket of cat goodies, including a range of cat toys. These included two different feathers-on-sticks, one with just feathers and one with feathers and tinsel. We knew that Linksys likes feathers, but I have never seen him react to a toy the way he has with the feathers-and-tinsel toy. He loves that thing. He lunges for it. He watches it intensely. He runs in circles for it. He even wrestles it and carries it around, when no one else plays with him.

After he started playing with that toy, he started seeming more cat-like in other ways. He seems to purr more readily than before, and get into laps more quickly. He even climbed into a box the other day, just to be in the box. While he is still certainly Linksys, he just seems more... **cat** than before.

I am glad that we now have a toy that he likes so much, and that the dogs seem not even remotely interested in.

Pet Diary: Taking Turns

2013-04-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

I may have mentioned this before: Cisco and Juni take turns being the dominant dog.

Cisco and Juni often engage in pretty rough-looking play, but they seem to love it and never show signs of pain or injury as a result. Often during play, Juni throws herself onto her back, and then she and Cisco chew on each other's necks. This is not Cisco throwing Juni onto her back or her rolling over submissively, from what I can see. She does it deliberately and, despite the prone position, does not appear to be submissive.

Each dog does get pushy in certain instances, though. Cisco seems more attention-driven, while Juni still resource-guards her food. If Juni is getting petting or is even just closer, then Cisco will readily push past her. She does not fight; she simply steps out of his way, deferring to him. If Cisco (or, more commonly, Linksys) gets near her food, though, then she gets defensive. Typically, she just rushes to and then stands near the food, though I have seen her curl her lip and even heard her growl or bark (generally at Linksys). Cisco usually just slinks off (though he may return to scavenge in her absence).

In most respects, the dogs seem content to peacefully coexist. Despite their rough play, neither seems consistently dominant to the other. Instead, they take turns, depending upon the situation and how much one dog cares about something. I feel quite lucky to have two dogs who have so easily sorted their pack order.

Deer Me: "Dreaming" Begins

2013-04-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

A new Deer Me story, Dreaming, begins today! I confess, I think I did this story just so I could draw the face that Viana makes in the sixth panel. >:-)

As I mentioned before, I could use help with a coming story in which Velvet answers some Ms. Neighsayer questions. So, if you want bad and not-at-all serious advice, then please send a question! Thanks.

As ever, thank you for reading Deer Me!

Pet Diary: Horizontal Surface Cat

2013-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Poor Linksys was used as a horizontal surface multiple times this past week.

On Tuesday, Linksys and I were sharing the couch. I sat on one end, reading, while Linksys snoozed near the other end. Cisco decided that he wanted to join me. So, slowly, deliberately, fully aware of the space available, he hauled himself onto the couch, and then settled on the far side of the couch. In doing so, he plunked his butt onto Linksys. I hauled my previously sleeping and now startled-and-flattened cat out from underneath.

On Wednesday, I took all three pets -- even Linksys -- outside to the yard. The dogs wrestled each other while Linksys sniffed around the grass and chewed a few blades. Early in the dog wrestling, Juni trotted over to Linksys, flipped herself onto her back, and rolled over him. Linksys dragged himself out from under her as Cisco rushed over to chew on Juni.

On Thursday, Linksys sat on the second-to-top stair. I saw him on the stair as I headed down, but assumed that his tail was curled around him, as it often is. I set my foot down on his tail and he informed the world, including the dead.

This week probably illustrated one reason many cats like heights. Poor Linksys.

Art Supply Review: Noodler's Lexington Gray Ink

2013-03-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

While not normally a fan of gray ink, I wanted to try a bulletproof Noodler's ink other than black and opted for Noodler's Lexington Gray ink. I am much more impressed than I expected to be! Rather than looking like washed-out black, this is a nice, rich warm gray with a very subtle blue undertone. A blue tint might sound odd in a warm gray, but it looks quite pretty. It writes very wetly -- helping the pen feel smooth across the paper -- and dries quickly. This is a very nice ink for both writing and drawing.

I have read claims that this ink is simply Noodler's bulletproof black ink mixed with water in a one-part ink, ten-parts water solution. This may or may not be true; my experience disagrees with the theory enough to justify buying a bottle of the ink itself when I want Lexington Gray ink. Even if it is, as claimed, heavily diluted bulletproof black ink, paying the manufacturer to make the mix right is worthwhile to me.

Speaking of mixing, its wetness and saturation make this a good mixing ink. Even a small amount of black ink can easily overpower any color with which it is mixed. Lexington Gray ink is light enough that it does not share the same aggression in mixing and can contribute to new colors, rather than making black with different highlights (as too often happens when mixing with black ink).

Pet Diary: Cheating on My Pets

2013-03-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

I helped at an adoption event last weekend and my dogs witnessed me walking another dog.

The shelter had an adoption event at the local PetSmart last weekend and I volunteered to handle dogs both days. Both days, I got assigned the same dog: a sweet, but overweight, older beagle. She probably was given too many treats -- maybe even human food -- because the way she dragged me along suggested she was not a lazy dog. With a healthy diet and a walking buddy, she should be able to get the weight down quickly.

I stayed for the full event each day. This is more time without me than my dogs are used to. On the second day, the Sunday, SO decided to bring them with me when he came to make sure that I had lunch.

Since Juni can be testy around other dogs sometimes, SO figured that he would take only Cisco into the store and leave her in the car during the short visit. However, when he parked next to my car, she recognized it and barked excitedly. So, I was surprised by both Juni and Cisco hauling SO over to me.

Cisco did his cute mix of trying to share my personal space and sit like a good boy. His close proximity made the beagle -- who was now tired and cranky from two days of exhausting event -- snappish and growly. The Coordinator kindly took the beagle so that I could go get some lunch. SO took Juni and I took Cisco as we returned to SO's vehicle to go get food.

They were so cute when they visited me at the event. They handled the fact I was cheating on them, as SO says, pretty well, too.

Deer Me: Ask Ms. Neighsayer

2013-03-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is a call-out to enthusiasts of Deer Me and advice columns!

In an upcoming Deer Me story, Velvet shall be doing her job of answering questions in her advice column, Ms. Neighsayer. Do you have something to ask her?

Questions can be silly or serious (though no serious advice will be given). As long as you do not expect any genuine help with real issues, then please ask! I shall probably not include every question submitted, but instead a few that I think Ms. Neighsayer can answer in a way that fits the story. In other words, if you send a question that does not get used, then please do not consider it a rejection or lack of appreciation for your efforts. (I might even save it for a later story.)

There is no prize for Best Question; this is simply for fun. If you are interested, then please send me your question. Include "Ms. Neighsayer" in your message's subject line, so I do not miss it.

Thank you!

Pet Diary: Snuggle Time

2013-03-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

The pets were really snuggly this week.

Last Sunday afternoon, Cisco and Juni surprised me. They both lay on my office floor and Cisco had his head rested on Juni's back. I do not know which is more surprising: that he did that, or that Juni seemed fine with it. What did surprise most was that they were settled enough to let SO and me get a few pictures. Normally, the camera comes out and the pets stop doing whatever cute thing inspired camera-fetching.

Linksys has also been very cuddly. When I settle on the couch with my current book, he settles on my lap for the day's chapter. Also, in the morning, he has been settling on or near me to wait for me to rise.

Aw, fuzzy love. :-)

Art Supply Review: Staedtler MarsMatic 700 Technical Pen

2013-03-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Staedtler MarsMatic 700 technical pens are fairly difficult to find outside of eBay, where I frequently find them used and not nearly as sought as their much-easier-to-find counterparts, Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph technical pens. Being used does not pose a problem for these or other technical pens; even hideously clogged pens with years-old ink can be cleaned and made good as new. The biggest danger in buying Staedtler MarsMatic 700 technical pens is that, because they are not so commonly sold, spare parts -- in the event of a break, loss, or incomplete set -- are tough to find.

These pens are reusable and the part that most often needs replacing, the nib, is available separately, though hard to find. They come in a good range of sizes. I know that they can come in sets of four and seven from my eBay shopping; I am not sure beyond that. The sizes are conveniently indicated by color and by number on the cap and pen nib, with the color also on the bottom of the pen holder.

The pens come apart easily for cleaning and hold together well when assembled for drawing. I do not miss the color ring on the Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph technical pens when I use the Staedtler MarsMatic 700 technical pens.

I like technical pens better than disposable pens, but technical pens definitely take more work. However, Staedtler MarsMatic 700 can be shaken to start without fear of leak. (Koh-I-Noor Rapidographs leak when shaken.) If the pen stops after some use, it needs to be tapped gently to restart. Overall, Staedtler MarsMatic 700 technical pens involve far less maintenance than Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph technical pens and yield results that are equal in quality. So far, these are my favorite technical pens.

Pet Diary: Linksys Dislikes Illusions

2013-03-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Linksys continues to be a bored and boring cat.

With the weather implying spring, Linksys has become increasingly insistent about trying to go outside. He is not at his worst yet, but he has been obnoxiously yowling and trying to dash out the door. I sometimes must hold him while I let the dogs inside. (He knows that his best chance of escaping outdoors is when the dogs come inside. The door is open, I am preoccupied, and the dogs are less likely to trample him.)

We try to entertain him with indoor amusements. SO employs the laser pointer, and Linksys does chase that... somewhat. He might run after it a bit, but seems most interested once it disappears. Having no cat handling skills, I often wrestle Linksys; my arm looks like I shoved it through a closed window. I also sometimes dangle a string toy, since he seems to genuinely like those. However, even the thrill of dancing string is tragically short-lived with this cat.

When I saw this post of a cat attacking the moving snakes optical illusion, I wanted to try it for Linksys. SO printed the illusion, I glued it to card stock for durability, and Linksys... did nothing. He seemed to ignore it. SO eventually got Linksys to notice it by leading him with a laser pointer dot.

Linksys stared at the center of the paper, where the Evil Red Dot had vanished. He sat and stared at the paper... and did nothing. We could see him bristle and his tail lash as he watched the snakes "move;" the illusion annoyed him. However, in true Linksys fashion, he did little about it.

Later, Linksys did return to the paper. He lay and rolled around on it for a while. I am not sure whether he was trying to kill the snakes by smothering on them, or trying to get a good back scratch from the little moving bits. Either way, it was cute, but not quite as entertaining (for him or for us) as I had hoped.

Art Supply Review: Technical Pen Parts

2013-03-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

I like technical pens and encourage others to use them. In support of others using them, I provided tips on cleaning them. Now, thanks to a question someone asked about his Staedtler MarsMatic 700 technical pen (my favorite kind), here are two images of a technical pen dismantled into its various parts. Though the images show a Staedtler MarsMatic 700 0.50 mm technical pen, most other technical pens share these same parts.

This first picture shows how far I would recommend taking the pen apart for cleaning and refill.

This second picture shows a nib further split into its three parts. Unless you are very confident about your handling of the parts and/or are willing to risk damaging the nib, I recommend leaving the nib intact.

Pet Diary: Dog Umbrella

2013-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

It rained on and off yesterday. Mostly, it lightly drizzled or merely threatened rain. My morning walk with the dogs neatly avoided the rain, but my timing for the afternoon walk was just terrible... to the point of comedy.

First, the sky was grey, but there was no rain, and I announced to the dogs that we three would take a walk. While preparing for our walk, I heard the distinct "tap tap tap" of a hard rain hitting the windows. So, I apologized to my disappointed companions and settled to wait it out.

I had barely seated myself when the rain stopped. Not trusting the change, I waited a while. Finally, convinced that it looked safe and that we needed to take the chance, I took Cisco and Juni out.

Merely three or four minutes into our walk, the rain abruptly resumed... and was noticeably hard. I briefly pondered trying the full walk anyway (our path would take about forty or fifty minutes), but decided to turn around. As we walked home, the rain beat down hard, offering a mini flash-flood. Even Cisco, who minds the rain the least, skulked miserably. Those three or four minutes to return seemed to stretch into at least fifteen.

Poor Juni really hated it. Though very fond of outdoor activity, she is fair-weather, through and through. Also, she typically walks on my right in the road (we have no sidewalks in our area) while Cisco walks on my left, generally on the grass or gravel bordering the road. The road's smooth surface emphasized the smacking the rain gave it, exaggerating her perspective of the already-mean storm. Juni scooted over to me, getting too close to my legs. "If you want the left, then take it," I told her, trying to hurry us home... best done while not sharing the same leg space as a moping dog.

She discovered that the left offered no more shelter, so she veered into me again. She apparently felt that I could or ought to provide her some shelter from the rain. If I could, I would, but two big dogs is already enough to handle on my own; I do not also tote a dog umbrella.

Barely after we arrived home, all three of us drenched, the rain stopped. A while later, the sun broke a little through the grey. The evening turned pleasant... mocking our recent walk attempt.