14 June 2025

I should never be let loose in an airport which has a great fountain pen shop in it

… or for that matter, any fountain pen shop!!

I remember making friends with Karan Dhir in the William Penn store in Terminal 1 in Mumbai airport a few years back. The gentleman clearly was one of the rare people in today’s world who understand fountain pens. I remember buying one that day and then he presented me another!

Today, while in Terminal 2, I saw another William Penn store. I was hoping to see Karan there. Unfortunately, he is still in Terminal 1 (and in Mumbai, there is no easy way to go from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1). I did make friends with Kiran here and landed up picking three fountain pens.

Loved the coffee color pen. Goes with my fondness for everything coffee lately. Also, got my first Sailor pen. I was a bit worried about the Medium tip nib till Karan pointed out that it is a Japanese company. Japanese pens tend to be half to a full point thinner in nib edge for the same classification (of nib edges) and I love the tactile feedback of fine tips.

Can’t wait to go home, put some ink and start writing with these!

Category: Fountain Pens, Vacations | LEAVE A COMMENT
12 June 2025

The airline pajamas are out!

Going to India after a long time. A very quick turnaround after a couple of days. There was a time this was the trip that I used to look forward to every quarter. The prospect of seeing my parents, listen to some more humorous quips from dad, have mom’s food – that was what the wait during the rest of the quarter was all about. I always had or the other surprise every time. Including that one time, I surprised everybody by showing up one fine day. Only to realize that everybody had gone somewhere else!!

The center of gravity used to be Kalyani where my parents lived. My brother and his family would show up there and of course, my sister and her family would be there too.

After my parents’ passing away in quick succession, that whole excitement balloon took big punch in the gut. There was that one time I did go two years after their passing away – to surprise Sharmila who was visiting her mom.

On the other hand, I use that opportunity to go visit other countries!

This time I am going for work (I think it has been 20 years since I have gone to India for work). Will swing by Durgapur to check on my mother-in-law and my uncle there. In fact the whole center of gravity will be Durgapur this time. My brother, sister, brother in law and their spouses will be showing up in Durgapur.

I have also heard a certain college student is visiting his parents in Durgapur. High up in priority is high-fiving him!!

Also will be visiting Vijaywada for the first time in my life!

Category: Vacations | LEAVE A COMMENT