My Graduation Gift

This is my graduation gift to myself. It is a Junior Emperor Pen made out of Walnut Burl. I have wanted to make a high end pen for a while now and this was the perfect opportunity. I get a nice graduation “gift” and a chance to test the waters on the high end supplies. It is kind of hard to see, as I am still working on getting my photography skills as good as my turning skills, but the top, bottom, middle band, and clip are all engraved with designs. There are plusses/crosses on the middle band, a series of shapes on the top and bottom bands. The top/bottom of each end is engraved as well. You can see a much better picture of the actual pen hardware here.

This one is mine but if you are interested in a pen for yourself, contact me. This exact pen would run in the neighborhood of $80-$100 for roller ball (shown) and $100-$120 for fountain, however I have pens that start as low as $25-$30. Price ranges will fluctuate depending on how cheap I can get supplies.

Contact me for a free quote if you are interested in a hand crafted wooden pen for yourself.


My Bookshelf

I get asked from time to time what I read. Here is what my current bookshelf looks like.

I recently finished these:
Confronting Reality: Doing What Matters to Get Things Right
The Life of Pi
In the Line of Fire: How to Handle Tough Questions…When It Counts
I Am Legend

I am currently reading these:
The Peopleware Papers: Notes on the Human Side of Software
Principle-centered Leadership
Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction

I have these lying in wait:
Java Concurrency in Practice
The Algorithm Design Manual
A Beginner’s Guide to Discrete Mathematics
The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World

I plan on buying these but want to finish what I have first:
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
The Toyota Way
Facts and Fallacies of Software Engineering (Agile Software Development)
Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams


Priceless

Fairy wings: $12

Bib: $3.95

Chocolate cake: $7.50

Getting to eat chocolate cake in your new fairy wings: priceless.

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