My One Word

I actually discovered this through a blog that I follow. She included a banner in the navigation pane and I was so intrigued, that I couldn't help but look. I clicked, and immediately arrived at myoneword.org. It's an alternative to New Year's Resolutions, and I like the concept. You simply pick one word.

Coincidentally, at about halfway through last year, I had embraced the word "grace" for myself. That was mostly to help me get through the bar exam (two bar exams, actually), and I really wanted to become a more graceful person. (My gram often called me "gracie". And, you could consider it as sort of akin to nicknaming a large man, "Tiny". If you get me.) That one word helped me to get through many circumstances in 2011, a year which ended up being a pretty tough year. Although, many major victories were had in 2011, as well.

I think that I really got in touch with what "grace" is, and I began to deliberately seek it. Interestingly, it became integrated into my life. As a result, I believe that I have come to know grace. Which is something I find to be really, really interesting. I even began what I call a "grace journal". And I contribute to it from time to time.

So, as 2011 came to a close and 2012 began, I felt as though I wasn't quite finished with grace. It was at that time that I saw this internet banner, and decided that the "my one word" concept was completely perfect for me. I immediately registered with the site, "liked it" on Facebook, and I'm continuing my journey with grace. I intend to read a few books about grace this year, as well.

That being said, I reserve the right to change my one word, should that become necessary. I'm already seeing signs that it could, and that's OK. I don't feel too bad about it, since I already know grace and it has become a part of my life. And, it's not as though the concept of grace would be abandoned. It's already there.

I think that this is what makes the concept of "one word" so interesting. Change becomes entirely possible, because you choose to embrace it in its basic form. It's truly fascinating that change can be entirely without complication, and effective at the same time.

What is your one word for this year?

Discovering My Creativity

This beautiful image is not artwork that I've created, nor a quote that I've personally made. But, it's a keeper. (In fact, I think I may have found this on Pinterest. I'm still searching for the link so that I can appropriately attribute it.)

This is one of my mantras right now. Recently, I began to explore my more creative side. It started when I decided that I wanted to try to improve my handwriting. Which evolved into the beginnings of extremely amateur calligraphy. (Although, I've not been very consistent with it.) That opened the door to becoming willing to try Zentangle(R).

If I were to sum it up in my own words, I think Zentangle is a way of discovering your creativity by adopting the belief that what you draw is not ugly, bad, wrong, or lacking creativity or talent. The Zentangle method teaches people how to create "art" by using doodle patterns that the student can learn and then apply spontaneously as the program goes along. The doodles are drawn on small squares, called "tiles". The tiles are small, making the project manageable.

I have always loved to doodle, and I am thinking that I could really benefit from this since whatever I do really can't be ugly, per se. It's just a doodle. On a little square.

My hope is that this will give me a comfort level with drawing, and that I can expand beyond this, because I enjoy creativity and have not really accessed my creativity in this way for many years. I think, if nothing else, it will be a great way to relax.

I have not started Zentangle, yet. But, I believe that I will in the very near future. I am thinking that in future weeks, maybe I will share a few of my Zentangle creations here. Maybe.

The introductory Zentangle kit can be purchased here.

Anyone interested in jumping on board and doing this right along with me? ;-)

Pilot Iroshizuku Kosumosu (Cosmos Flower)

I won this bottle of ink from an FP Geeks giveaway.

I have to admit that I am impressed by the stature of the bottle itself, and with the quality textured paper that the ink label is printed upon. It's a very striking bottle indeed. Although Kosumosu is named after the Cosmos Flower, this light pink shade is reminiscent of cherry blossoms that bloom here in the Northeast U.S. during springtime. Cherry blossoms are one of my favorite spring things. Kosumosu displays beautiful shading in a darker pink. There is also a fleck of orange that comes through and it is not unattractive. I say this, because I really don't like orange, but I quite like it here. It is not overpowering. I tried to capture this by taking a photo of the ink on the inside of the cap, and on a paper towel.

I inked my Pink LAMY Safari which was waiting patiently on stand-by for Kosumosu to arrive. My first test drive was with a 1.5 italic. Thus far, this is the only pen I've used Kosumosu in, so I cannot speak to its performance in other pens. I did adjust this nib to write on the wetter side. I very much like the shading. It also played well in my Leuctturm1917 dot notebook, which can sometimes get fussy with pens or inks that are too wet.

Everyone always comments on the nice behavior, and excellent lubrication of the Iroshizuku line. I'm still relatively new to fountain pens, and I'm still trying various inks from various manufacturers and such. Prior to this bottle, I had only tried 2 ml samples of Asa-Gao, Ku-Jaku, and Kon-peki; all displayed nice behavior with excellent lubrication. Thus, I have only a few inks in the line that I could possibly compare this to, but that being said, I think it holds the line in terms of the behavior standard that Iroshizuku is known for. It is definitely smooth and enjoyable.

Drying time with this wet writing 1.5 italic and Leuchtturm1917 paper is approximately 13 seconds. I've tried Kosumosu on both white and ivory papers. I prefer the ivory; it gives it a little extra something. Although, the orange tint does come through a little bit more on white paper (see sixth photo down from the top which was written on Clairefontaine Graf-It). I enjoy using Kosumosu in my journal. I wanted something cheery as we enter the New England winter months. Because of its whimsical nature, it's unlikely that I will use Kosumosu at work. Here are some more photos for your viewing pleasure. If you wouldn't mind, please forgive my terrible handwriting.

[Those "things" you see on the page are a weak attempt at drawing cherry blossoms.]

Cheers and Happy Trails and all that.

-kp