Optimized writing tools for travels

Oh, the never ending process of choosing the proper tools. I often have the feeling some fountain pens or too many inks add unnecessary complexity and weight, specially if they are not reliable.

As a theoretical experiment I drew the minimal equipment I'd choose for travels. Note I skipped a watercolor box. Instead I'd use ink from those two Lamy fountain pen. Lamy fountain pens are the key here since they allow two different thickness in lines and can be used for text and draw. These constrains would force me to master the basic tools and feel more and more confortable with them. On top of that the style of the pages will be more homogeneous and less mix of colors like a kindergarden drawing. As other things in life maybe the best option is trying it during a short trip and take note of possible improvements.

I already know it will not happen since there is always room for an extra magical pen to add in the last moment. I have to say I'm full in love with my new tiny watercolor box and I will not leave it at home. 

Mixed notes

Mixed notes. 

Life is devaluated a little more every time you cross the street in Vietnam. First day you are afraid to die by motorbike hit, which is natural reaction for any living being. Second day you risk a little more. After a few days you reach the nirvana, life has no value, you just walk forward and you put your life in hands of every random unknown biker decision. 

Happiness comes.

I like wearing Aodai

I am a shool girl
I like wearing Aodai
and riding Honda cup!

...and I use my cure hat as a helmet! :)

The hilarious stories of The Captain

Captain was born to be captain since day one.
His authority depends on his beard.
Taking care of his beard and acting like a captain fill captain's life.

But not all is about living on board. Captain also goes to the cinema, dates and rolls down from a mountain. Daily life.

Ups! A rhino... Run captain! 

And that's the unexpected captain's end.

The Starmaker

Doctor D. Messking is a prestigious astronomer (he has an academic title and a prominent beard). But he is also a little dirty. During decades he worked cataloging stars methodically.

One day a SPECK OF DUST landed on the lens. 

His routine job didn’t help to spot the mistake. He included the new star in the catalogue. He shared his work with the scientist community. Then influential publishers distributed thousands of books. Those books were read by other scientists, teachers, etc. Soon students were obligated to learn the new star. Eventually these kids will procreate and will transfer this knowledge to their children. And so on.

This is an example of how humans perpetuate knowledge. They are specialist in sharing all kind of information, a top skill they can do better than any other animal. Sometimes not many are involved in the details of a discovery but they trust other people in a blind faith mode. That faith starts in the family, teachers and then continues in books, news and ends in the "specialists", the owners of the complex knowledge.

Same as in religions and other no-logic methods, science could also make the mistake of belief. Many scientists never participated in the experiments they believe. Most of the teachers even don’t know the source of information. The wheel continues by its own. 

Despite the development of basic logic, some people's brains use to be confused even in the clearest points. Maybe trust is a positive human trait, useful for evolution anyways. Or maybe it's all wrong and the rest of the species do it even worse than us.

My current writing tools in use. Updated.

I’m always trying to simplify things. Reducing weight and volume is mandatory for light packing when traveling. Everything should fit in a portable case. You can see my optimized luggage here.

From left to right: TWSBI 580 orange EF, TWSBI 580 EF, Lamy Safari EF, Lamy Al Star EF, Kaweco Sport EF, Micron brown 003, Micron black 005, Pilot G-3, Zebra brush F, Zebra brush M, Kuretake marker orange, Kuretake marker turquoise, pencil 2H, tiny brush, Rotring mechanical pencil HB, oil pencil, glue, sienna pencil, eraser, sharpener, watercolor set and ruler.

I swap metal mechanical pencil Rotring and metal ruler for plastic versions in a trip. 

Writing tools while traveling (updated)

These are my writing tools I'm carrying in my trips. I try to optimize volume and mainly weight. Simple is better. Even sometimes I have the feeling I'm using too many colors.

Notebook size is 9x14cm. The second case keeps some spares and tiny ink bottles. I included a pocket watercolor pad but it's an alien item and not a regular part of the kit.

Geodesic Dome

There are new way to build houses because of new materials and mainly new ideas. Sharing information between minds is key and Internet makes posible.

Many other animals can create their home in hours or days and do it by themselves. Intelligent humans need years of work to pay others. In many cases the result is a low quality house and a aesthetic disaster. That's should be shocking enough to find other solutions.

A friend of me showed me Geodesic Dome as a solution. That's an example for houses. The main point here is to be applied to any other issue to solve in life in general.

Life is (should be) simple.

My writing tools for travels

Optimizing the luggage is a never ending task. I do it with pleasure and it gives me great results and a new way of traveling. Regarding the writing tools I remember the days, before discovering so many fountain pens and inks, when all was easier. 

There are some requirements: Full performance, simple and light. I can carry everything with me in any moment and in everywhere. "My atelier is the real world"

Currently I use the following items:

-My handmade notebook.
-MUJI passport notebook for fast notes.
-"Happy Every Day" case. I found it in 7 Eleven in Bangkok.
-Two tiny kits of watercolors.
-Plastic ruler.
-Pencil.
-Brush.
-Two Stabilo markers: orange and turquoise.
-TWSBI 580 EF fountain pen.
-Two Lamy fountain pens.
-Preppy fountain pen.
-Kaweco fountain pen.
-Two disposable Zebra brushes.
-Pigma Micron 005.
-Pilot G-3.
-Rotring mechanical pencil.
-Rotring Isograph 0,10.
-Rotring Isograph 0,18.
-Glue.
-Eraser.
-Airmail masking tape.
-Tiny pencil sand color.

Together with this I carry another case with spares of some of the pens, glue and inks for fountain pens.

Inks in use

These are the inks I'm using currently. There were chosen in order to match with my notebook style. After years I manage to use them properly and find myself confortable with these tones. My fountain pens love them.

However they are not waterproof and I wonder if I could find similar colors in waterproof brands. Soon I will post a video testing these ink with water. Horrible results.