Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Trying Some Different Fonts

Just testing a few fonts from a calligraphy book. These are going to need some practice...

The pen is a Manuscript calligraphy pen with a 4B nib.

Pen(cil) Case Awesomeness from Nock Co. Coming Soon!

Hello, readers! I wanted to let you all know about Nock Co., a company that was just co-founded by Brad Dowdy, the author of the fabulous blog, The Pen Addict. His blog is great, and I am very excited to see where he takes Nock Co. As you can read from their website, Nock Co. aims to create the best pen cases possible for pen people. Having seen some of their prototype images, it is obvious to me that they are well on their way toward accomplishing that missing.

The most exciting product I have seen in their prototype photos would be the three-pen case with small notebook pocket. It appears to fold like a wallet, and I can just imagine the convenience of being able to slip that into a bag, backpack, or jacket pocket! Check it out:

Brad and his business partner, Jeffrey Bruckwicki, will be launching a Kickstarter project for their company, soon, but they are looking to start building interest, now! You can go to their website at http://nockco.com/ and read their updates, as well as sign up to be notified, when their Kickstarter launches. Additionally, I will be posting updates here at Built from Ink and Tea and hopefully reviewing their products, once they are produced! Here are a couple more of their fabulous prototypes:

These images are used with permission from Nock Co.'s Instagram.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of De Atramentis Cedar Ink

Testing out another scented ink from De Atramentis. Their collection of wood-scented inks can be hit and miss, but the hits are quite nice.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Grand Tea's 2009 Nan Nuo Shan Pu'erh

When I opened the small bag in which the leaves were held, I was immediately intrigued by how different this sheng pu smelled, compared to other pu'erh I have had recently (including other sheng). The aroma of the dry leaf tends toward more of a mossy smell with some tobacco notes. Definitely a crisp smell.

To start off the process of making this intriguing tea, I rinsed the leaves briefly and then went for a 30 second infusion. (I should mention that I am using a small gaiwan.) A lot of the leaves seem to be a bit broken up, but this could have been on account of some transit issues, as there are quite a few large leaves as well. The smell of the wet leaves still maintains its mossiness, but also smells of coffee and tobacco. 

The first steeping produced a very light brew. The smell remains the same, which is why the flavor caught me completely off guard. Very rough edges combine with much stronger tobacco notes to almost overwhelm any remaining moss flavor  Then there comes a bit of a sour taste, which was a bit unpleasant, yet somehow fit with the general flavor of this tea.

Time for the second steeping. While the aroma has not changed at all, the edges of the tea have indeed smoothed out. The sourness still remains a bit on the aftertaste, but is not as prominent anymore. Toasted flavors of tobacco and that little bit of moss taste still remain.

Steep number three brings a diminished smell, which I found a bit strange. It was as though the smell had all but disappeared. The taste too has been muted a bit, yet still the same as the previous steeping. Some would call this muted-ness "smoothed", but I disagree. It is definitely lacking for flavor now.

I put the leaves through another steeping, this time leaving it for a few minutes, to see if this would improve or affect the flavor  The result was not much different. This was a decent pu'erh, but quite green, and had a flavor to match that fact. I give it an 80/100 on my enjoyment scale.

This pu'erh is available from the Grand Tea website, here.

Photo credit to Grand Tea.

This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Many Thanks

I must present a big thank you to my wonderful pen pal for giving the opportunity to try this fabulous pen. I love Hero brand pens, and one in raden is even more fabulous. A review will be forthcoming, I promise!

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Private Reserve Burgundy Mist Ink

I have to admit - this ink is one of my least favorites, both in shade and in behavior. Some may like it, though, and I certainly wanted to present it, here!

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Grand Tea's Year 2000 7542 Pu'erh

For the preparation and consumption of this tea, I used a small, 6 oz. gaiwan and boiled water.

What struck me concerning the leaves of this particular pu'erh was that some are whole, while others are chopped, ripped, and torn. This typically is not a good sign, as ripped and chopped leaves tend to "steep-out" faster. The smell of the dried leaf is vegetal and green...a leafy smell, not grassy. A bit loamy.

The first thirty second steep produced a medium brown liquor, with a soft smell. The earthy flavor bursts in the mouth, but it brings with it some distinctly rough edges. The aftertaste of this first steep is strong, but the but it has a weak forward taste.

The second thirty second steep brings with it an earthier smell that is also smooth and deep. The tea bites a bit on the aftertaste leaves a hard flavor under the tongue. The flavor of the tea is still full, but not strong. One feels that this steeping is relatively light.

On the third steeping of the same time as the others, the smell is "dirtier" now. The colour is a golden brown, and that bite has almost completely gone away. The flavor is smooth, but a bit weaker than before. This tea certainly lacks forward flavors and much "personality."

I go on to steep it three more times. The fourth is much thinner and lighter; the fifth is no different; and the sixth, which I left sit for multiple minutes, barely changed anything.

I would give this tea an 88/100 on my personal enjoyment scale. The aftertaste really was quite pleasant. A tea such as this goes to show that age is not everything in a pu'erh.

Photo credit to Grand Tea.

This tea can be purchased from the Grand Tea website, here.

This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Celebrity Names for Writing Practice

I kid you not, these names were chosen by the lesson for writing practice and not by me. Yes, my Cyrillic cursive needs some work, and, yes, that is tea in the top of the photo. Upcoming sample reviews!

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Diamine Graphite Ink

Such a solid-looking grey! I used this ink in my Parker Urban for a week or two, and it served well in taking daily notes. This was a very enjoyable ink, and the subtle shading was fun.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Rishi Tea's Coconut Oolong Tea

The first thing I noticed when I went to drink this tea were the directions on the side of the sample package I had. They said to empty the contents of the package into eight ounces of water and steep for three to four minutes. I have to raise issue with this as there is enough leaf in the sample package to satisfy an eight cup teapot at three to four minute steepings. That being said, I chose to not follow the directions and instead used about half a teaspoon of leaf in my small gaiwan (six ounces or so). 

Boil water, rinse the leaves, steep for thirty seconds, pour into the fairness cup, serve. Repeat. I was pleasantly surprised by this tea. Based on past experiences with coconut flavored teas, including other companies' coconut oolongs, I did not have high expectations. In general, it seems that most companies take a mediocre oolong or black tea and douse it in artificial coconut flavoring  This one, on the other hand, got it right. The initial taste is of oolong. Plain and simple. But then the flavor of coconut kicks in, and it does not taste fake! Rather, it tastes a bit like coconut oil, and provides and delightfully sweet aftertaste. 

I enjoyed this tea very much. On my personal enjoyment scale, I give it an 85/100 and would definitely recommend it to lovers of coconut flavored tea.

Photo credit to Rishi tea.
This tea can be purchased from Rishi's website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated. 

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Russian Lessons

Here is a quick photo from my notes of working on the Cyrillic alphabet, both print and cursive variants. The pen is a Hero 616 Jumbo and the ink is Hero Black.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review De Atramentis Fir Ink

Enjoy this decent-looking green ink from De Atramentis.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Grand Tea's 2003 Qing Yun Hao Pu'erh

Does this tea smell like dirt? Yes, this tea smells like dirt. But such is a quality beloved of pu'erh. This sheng, or raw, or uncooked (whichever term you wish to use, each variety of pu'erh is a many-named tea) has a clean and clear aroma.

For this tasting, I use a small seasoned yixing pot, filled approximately a third with leaf. The leaves are rinsed and the first steeping is prepared, letting the leaves steep for about 30 seconds. The first taste conveys the earthy flavor well, along with a few vegetal notes. The liquor is light and smells "wet" with a bit of spiciness to it. The aftertaste seems cool and sits lightly in the mouth.

The second steep, of about 20 seconds, is darker in color  The flavor is not as intense but is far more robust, flowing strongly through the mouth, giving one the full flavor experience. It almost seems as though there is a hint of minty-ness in the aftertaste for this tea. A bit like peppermint, it seems, like a touch of cool spice. One notices that this steeping remains a bit rough around the edges

30 seconds after again immersing the leaves in water, the third steep appears, as dark in color as the second, and much the same flavor and aroma profile. 

Another 30 seconds. The fourth steep maintains the same deep brown, but not quite dark brown, coloration. The flavors  though, are lighter. I cannot escape the strange cool mint-like aftertaste, which is something that barely comes through in the aroma.

Over the next few steepings, various flavors show themselves more dominantly than others. Vegetal flavors  spicy notes, and the complete earthiness all put their best foot forward as the tea continues to evolve.

The seven-years aging has been kind to this tea. If you are looking for a decent pu'erh for regular drinking, this 2003 Qing Yun Hao will surely fit the bill. I rate it a 75/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.


This tea is available from Grand Tea's website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.

A Review of The Lego Build-It Book, Vol. 1!

Today's fabulous book review covers the latest Lego guide from No Starch Press - The Lego Build-It Book, Vol. 1: Amazing Vehicles. This is one guide for which I have been waiting quite a while, and I am quite excited to get into it!

The book begins with a nice introduction, including some expert building tips, such as how certain numbers of plates, when laid on their sides, equate to the same width as certain bricks, plus how this can be used for cool effects in building. Next, it jumps right into the instructions. One of the things that I found most fun was how all ten (yes, ten!) of the models in this book can be built from the same set of pieces. In fact, those pieces are all from one set. So, if you own the set, "5867: Super Speedster," you already have all of the pieces you need! Most of them are relatively common and should not be hard to find, even if you do not have that set. (There is a full list of all parts used at the front of the book.) The ten instructions are then marked for various levels of difficulty.

I opted to build the Classic Car, and, because I was utilizing the Lego Digital Designer, I could build it in colors other than the red, white, and black that came with the set (blue with yellow accents and green upholstery in this case). Turning to the portion of the book with the instructions, I immediately found that each step lists the parts needed in addition to showing where they go.

My building experience went well. While I anticipated having issues keeping the book open on account of the spine binding, it stayed open well on its own. Because I was not using actual bricks, the build took a bit longer than it would have otherwise. Additionally, there were a few places, where the instructions were not entirely clear, because the other side of the model was not shown in the instructions or the angle was not entirely descriptive. Some of the build techniques, especially in this model (which, you will note, is marked as being complex) were a bit complicated...but they were awesome! The inventiveness that went into this design was mind-blowing, especially it the use of SNOT techniques (Studs Not On Top). Check out the final model (I know, I am missing a windshield...)

The authors, Nathanaël Kuipers and Mattia Zamboni, did a fantastic job in arranging this book, and I found it to be a lot of fun. The best part of all this - Volume 2 of The Lego Build-It Book will be released in September of this year, and it will contain more amazing vehicles! Be sure to check out this book and be on the look out for the next volume. I also definitely suggest checking out the other Lego books that No Starch Press has to offer.

Many thanks to No Starch Press for the opportunity to review this book.
It is available from their website, here.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - German Lessons

Today's writing sample comes from my notes, as I was studying German, earlier this morning. The pen is a Parker Urban GT with medium nib, and the inks are Noodler's North African Violet (purple) and De Atramentis Tchaikovsky (grey).

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Private Reserve Ebony Green Ink

As I introduced a while back, here is a beautiful green-black, much enjoyed.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.