Ness' Outpost

I took a step back from all the convinces of modern day life and bought a fountain pen.

Not that I’m giving up electricity and computing or anything but this pen is somewhere in the middle. It uses a medium nib (the tip part) and ink cartridges instead of filling a well in the body of the pen from an eye drop dispenser. I can buy a well adapter if I ever wanted to use scented ink or blood to “seal a deal” — but I don’t see that happening in the near future.

I did a little research on introductory pens and found a site that recommended a Lamy Al-Star pen as a great starter pen that is rugged for daily use and the ink writes really well on moleskin paper – which is my notebook of choice.

So far I’m happy with it — when I opened the pen and punctured the cartridge I got ink on my fingers.

Our condo was sold and we had to vacate the unit by the end of July for the new owner to take possession at the beginning of August. Our new home doesn’t close until the end of August. We chose this date because Lauren is traveling and we need some time to get our ducks in a row financially and with the Lawyers and Realtors.

So all our stuff had to go into storage and I’m going into couch/futon surfing mode with kind friends for the month.

A huge thanks to Trevor, Robb, Derek, Ave, Rich, Jenn & Mr. Anderson for providing the needed labour to pack up the truck and help us put everything into storage.

The truck was supposed to be a 14 footer from Uhaul. But they failed to get me a truck in the time slot assigned to me for the service elevator in my building so they upgraded me for free to a 26 foot truck. Which is a beast to back into loading docks, driveways and try to attempt tight turns with.

If anyone is free in early September for Part II of the big move let me know! We’ll be looking for some help.

Our offer on a home in Mississauga was accepted on Monday. Tonight on the news I saw a huge drop in the TSX and a story about how the real estate market has cooled off. Apparently sellers are having to wait longer to make the sale, and with the increased number of homes on the market buyers are in no rush to make a deal. Luckily prices have remained constant so far.

Scary times ahead indeed both financially and with all the joys of home ownership. Everybody has to live somewhere no matter what the financial or real estate markets dictate. Hopefully I won’t lose my shirt.