A Pilgrimage

Everyone has their go-to joint, the place to which they make a pilgrimage for one reason or another. For me, it is the Mont Blanc store. Now, let me say that I’ve been using a Mont Blanc fountain pen for more than two decades. As mentioned in earlier posts, I write pages and pages and pages most every day. A fountain pen is the best tool for this job. At any rate, I happen to be on the island of Aruba just now, and thankfully Mont Blanc opened a shop about a year ago. Thus, the Pilgrimage.

Of course you’re not allowed to take photos inside. Here I found an assortment of gorgeous pens. They had the Greta Garbo model, numberous 149’s, a J.P. Morgan, not to mention a smattering of the rest of the product line. (As for the other luxury goods, I’m not all that interested.) Earlier in the year they had the Franz Kafka pen but sold out. (Damn! That was a nice one.)

As with all the Mont Blanc stores, the staff is knowledgeable of the products, friendly, and willing to show a potential customer whatever pen he would like to see. I fondled a few of them, thinking the prices were pretty good, then reconsidered because I already have three and can only write with one at a time. I use two colors of ink, which gives me the opportunity to “claim” to use two pens at a time. Nonetheless, another one was just not in the cards. These things do not wear out despite my efforts to prove otherwise.

Having made my pilgrimage I returned to the writing table to crank out a few more pages of Under A Blue Flag, which is the sequel to my novel, An Island Away.

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 8:54 pm  Comments (3)  
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Windsurfing Lessons, Aruba

People have asked me about windsurfing in Aruba. If you’re new to the sport, my suggestion is to head to the northwest edge of the island where there are a number of operators like the ones shown below. (If you’re on the main road, continue past the Marriot hotel and take the first cutoff toward the ocean. Can’t miss them.)

These guys are professionals. They have all the equipment and staff to help you learn the art. Aruba’s winds are usually cracking so you’re practically guaranteed a good day for this activity. (Many of the same operators also provide kitesurfing lessons as well.) Here’s a shot of an instructor in action.

Remember that the winds blow off shore, meaning they will try to push you out to sea. Remain aware how far your are from the beach. Don’t want to end up in Venezuela or somewhere else, unless you’re running from the law or someone’s husband. Last spring a woman kite surfed from Venezuela to Aruba, which I thought was quite an impressive feat. Just goes to show what the wind can do for you.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking of giving this a try, especially the kite surfing. Taking photos of these guys in action is difficult because they move FAST, perform stunts, and generally seem to be having the time of their lives. Whatever sport you choose, remember, safety first. Be sure to consult the professionals, wear proper safety equipment, and don’t go beyond you talent. You don’t want to ruin your vacation with a trip to the hospital. Enjoy!

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 3:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Creating Atmosphere, Part 3

In two earlier posts, I mentioned a few things about creating atmosphere in a story. This time, I’ll rely on the actual atmosphere for a bit of inspiration. Nature’s wonders have inspired countless artists, not to mention put the fear of the supernatural into any number of sailors. A sky like this might just do the trick.

 My wife and I had just finished dinner and were going for a walk. Not two steps outside the house, she pointed at the moon and said, “Look at that.” Indeed, check out that hazy moon, rising over the sunset. The colors of the setting sun, cast upon the clouds provide brilliant color that is contrasted by the silhouetted palm trees. This is a technicolor backdrop for any scene, tropical or not. This one happens to be in Aruba, but it might just as easily been taken on the high plains. Some day I would like to go to far northern Alaska or Canada, a place where I can see the northern lights. Now there is atmosphere (BIG-TIME), the embodiment of the interaction between the sun and the earth. If that doesn’t pop a few goose bumps I’m not sure what will. And then, after seeing these kind of natural phenomena, the mind has to be ready to incorporate them into a good story. Various belief systems have passed down through the generations the idea that the sky portends things to come. This may or may not be true. Do the stars predict the future? Do they reveal the past? I don’t know, but it’s a fantastic story convention to use such things. Perhaps there is a deep memory buried in human DNA that tells our minds to believe such things. Or, maybe it is true and you just have to be sensitive to the omens. Here’s another sky, this one taken just after dawn.

This is another after-the-storm shot. The clouds are breaking up, blue sky peeking through, sunlight poking out. Normally we think of sunlight shining “down.” However, here, the rays appear to be shooting up. Different.

Whether you’re a storyteller or not, it’s one of life’s pleasures to check out the sky from time to time. Don’t be afraid to look up, or down for that matter. It may not be doom you find. It could be a sign of good things to come. You simply have to be ready for whatever may come your way.

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 11:32 am  Comments (1)  
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