Here I am, starting a new blog about pens, inks and the joys of handwriting. I am but a tiny drop in a sea of folks with similar interests, or so it seems. My passion for pens, or rather fountain pens, was re-ignited just recently and it's a good thing, because it has laid dormant for far too long.
I am ashamed to admit that for many years I have been almost exclusively typing on a keyboard instead of writing by hand, and this has had negative influences on the quality of my handwriting, which wasn't that great to start with. Luckily, I've been bit by the creative bug as a child and I've been dabbling in the artistic side of life ever since. It's too bad I'm not a real artist - and never will be - but at least I try.
My passion for pens and all things related started when I went to school as a kid. Back then we were required to use fountain pens and that was my first contact with these elegant instruments. Unfortunately I had access to the worst pens possible. For years afterwards I continued to enjoy a good writing instrument but slowly my passion was buried under various other hobbies and interests.
A few months ago, everything changed. I saw a random article on a website I visit regularly about a cool online store which sells stationery products. I started browsing the store and I became hooked. Not long after, I placed my first order and found myself in the possession of some brand new fountain pens as well as a couple of inks. I had arrived in Fountain Pen Land! My passion started burning hot and now I'm afraid it has become an addiction.
So I did what many other fellow addicts do at this stage: I started a blog. As to the name of this blog, I won't bear a grudge if you consider it silly. As a guy who likes to joke at every opportunity, I think it is funny. The way I came up with it is unexpected. I wanted to start this blog for a while now but I couldn't figure out a good name for it. On a whim, I asked my wife who was watching some TV from the couch, "Hey I'm starting a new blog about pens and inks. Can you think of a good name for it?" The second suggestion she made was "peninkcillin" which is a play on words on "penicillin". I thought for a few seconds and realized the name was brilliant. Penicillin is an antibiotic and I am suffering from a pen-ink disease, so "peninkcillin" sounds appropriate. Thanks honey!
Whether this blog will prove to be a cure for my addiction or just the opposite, remains to be seen!