Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

Coffee Brew Guides
If you are looking for a starting point in determining the coffee to water ratio for manual brewing, 1:15 is a decent place to start. A little more on the topic here:
Brewing Ratios for Dummies

Stratechery
A very thought-provoking piece on the Apple Watch and its place both now, and in a world where technology marches on.

…you first have to build a wearable people are willing to wear, then deliver a usable interaction model, and finally catalyze a world of smart objects that interact with your wearable.

All well and good, until we reach the next stage of the computing evolutionary chain, which, as author Ben Thompson points out, will challenge Apple significantly more than this one. A fascinating read:
Apple Watch and Continuous Computing

Gorgeous.Ink
Being somewhat partial to green ink (mostly Montblanc Irish Green), this review certainly peaked my interest. A deep rich ink that appears to hold it’s brightness and shading well:
Ink Review: Tropical Green by Diamine

The Well-Appointed Desk
Another nice looking ink. I would agree this one (to my eye) does not really strike me as lavender, nor purple. Yes, I acknowledge that is because it is lavender purple! In any event, were it a true lavender it would most likely be too light for me. Another one worth considering:
Ink Review: Montblanc Lavender Purple

Jim Seven
Regardless of your own particular view on the Nespresso juggernaut, there is no denying the appeal to an awful lot of people. A very interesting read.

Pulling shots of espresso is huge fun, if you want it to be. It’s a massive inconvenience if you don’t.

Also, in speaking to many in an inner city office block, those who pop out to grab takeaway coffee rather than put up with the standard office supply horror, are often those who have a Nespresso machine at home.

Speciality coffee roasters share more customers with Nespresso than they’d like to believe

Looking forward to part two:
An Analysis of Nespresso – Part 1

Gourmet Pens
I saw the link to this post on Twitter and thought I would read it once it came through my RSS reader. It never came. — In any event, this was rectified immediately. My apologies Azizah, and my mind is now at ease.

Back to the matter at hand — the Leuchturrm1917 Master Slim Notebook. And what a beauty it is. I can see this as a great “meetings” book, given much of the resource material I refer to in said meetings is A4 in size. As much as I enjoy using smaller A5 sized notebooks — for meetings at work, A4 just seems a little more balanced. Perhaps not in orange though, as good as it looks:
Review: Leuchturrm1917 Master Slim Notebook

Pens! Paper! Pencils!
Yes – safely in my RSS reader – thanks for asking. I’d agree there are probably more exciting colour combinations of this pen to be had, however what struck me most about this post were the sensational photos. Perhaps a conservative, classic looking pen (particularly when placed next to the 3776 Sai), however the accompanying images make it somehow more classic and even better looking.

I do like this pen, however I think I like the post and images just a little more. Nice one Ian:
Platinum President Fountain Pen Review

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Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

From the Pen Cup
Upon seeing the title and accompanying image for this post — it was of course going to be a review of the new Retro Tornado “Homerun” baseball themed pen. Upon reading further, it was one of those moments where everything sinks away to the pit of your stomach.

I considered not posting this link, however came to the conclusion that if Mary had the courage to put up the post in what must be a difficult, and still somewhat uncertain time — all of our support is important, in whatever form that takes.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Mary.
Curveball

Colonna and Smalls
If nothing else, the more I read about coffee and more specifically the parameters surrounding extraction, the more intriguing things become. True, there are many cafes out there which have remained essentially unchanged in ten years. Thankfully for the consumer, there are others who are continuing down the slow but unwavering (and sometimes bumpy) path of evolution:
15g Baskets

MbS-P-B
I wrote a little about my own use of Ulysses recently, and couldn’t agree more with this sentiment:

Mainly, while both Byword and Editorial have decent writing environments that either achieve simplicity or massive complexity respectively, neither can completely nail down the balance between the two, and Ulysses does just that.

Of course it depends how you use certain apps and what your own requirements are, however this is a great insight into how Ulysses might fit into a writing workflow:
On Writing and Ulysses

Day One
Without doubt the best journaling or data logging app going around, Day One recently launched their own syncing service in addition to the usual iCloud and Dropbox options. Why the change? Planned enhancements to the Day One platform, which include a couple of features I am quite excited about: multiple photo entries and shared journals.

A great app is only going to get better:
Why Day One Sync?

The Sweet Setup
Only helpful if you use Mailbox as your email client both on iOS and Mac, though if you do — this is quite handy. For those emails you prefer to action on your Mac – don’t see them again on your iOS device until you do:
Quick Tip: Snooze emails until you launch Mailbox for Mac

Pax Coffea
A well-respected voice in the coffee industry on plans to talk a little more (in blog form) on the beverage many of us know and love.

Coffee gives us the opportunity to perform an act of kindness, to create something warm and delicious and stimulating for another person. It’s a fundamentally human act, and in its simplicity can demonstrate affection, solidarity, sympathy, and love.

Looking forward to hearing what else Peter Giuliano has to say:
Pax Coffea

The Pencilcase Blog
I’ve always had a strong preference for this type of finish, and in fact the Seiko “Daytona” watch I wear everyday has, on its face, a replica “tarmac” surface — not unlike the lava finish on this Visconti. An understated colour yes, but this pen by no means lacks character. Enjoyed this review:
Visconti Homo Sapiens Steel Review

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Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

The Finer Point
There is indeed something to be said for the no-frills original:

If you want a more subdued look, to ignore the latest hipster craze or just enjoy an original, no fluff Field Notes memo book, pick up a Kraft book and give it another go.

A notebook is simply for writing in, after all:
The Original Field Notes

Ink and Flour
Yes there are fountain pens, and pencils as well, though reading this great post, it was also all about the break — the breather, and it took me out of a dreary workday (while on a break of course!) reading about it.

A really enjoyable post and some fantastic pics too:
Breathing Space/NYC Vacation

Pens! Paper! Pencils!
Having recently acquired a Faber Castell fountain pen myself (the Guilloche model), I was very interested to hear Ian’s thoughts on the writing experience with this nib.

Which, incidentally were exactly as I had been thinking:

Faber-Castell steel nibs are pretty much the best out there: incredibly smooth and easy flowing.

Personally, when I began writing with the medium nib on mine, it was definitely one of those moments of “wow”, where you lift up the pen and look at the nib in amazement, and it looks like… well – just a nice nib – so you put it back down and continue to be further amazed as it writes. Incredibly smooth.

The Basic is clearly great value at the bottom end of the range:
Faber-Castell Basic Fountain Pen Review

The Fountain Pen Quest
Here Ray provides an update on his Favourite 5 Vintage and Modern fountain pens. The criteria being manufacture either before or after his birth.

Some very nice pens here, on either list:
Favorite 5: Modern Pens
Favorite 5: Vintage Fountain Pens

The Pencilcase Blog
Along with a great review of Kaweco Al Sport Stonewashed pen, a saying I had not heard before:

There’s this French saying that I really like: ‘On ne discute pas des goûts et des couleurs’ Which, in essence, means as much as: there’s no need to argue about taste or personal preference.

Not a truer word spoken. In saying that, I could not even decide whether I liked the bronze clip or not. The more I looked at the accompanying images, the more I think I probably do – and that surprised me a little:
Kaweco AL Sport Stonewashed Fountain pen Review

Matt Gemmell
One of the more read and shared pieces around in relation to the new Apple Watch. Why? Great writing for one, but that is a given if you’ve ever read any of Matt’s work. No – the key here is a description of not merely what the watch does, but its intersection with other devices and interaction with – and influence on – the wearers behaviour.

The Watch’s greatest strength is that it lets you put your phone in your pocket – and then does just enough to encourage you to leave it there.

Certainly not just another, ”week with the Apple Watch”:
Distractions

Fraser Speirs
Speaking of the Apple Watch, Fraser Speirs on using it to control a Keynote presentation.

Also, for the next few months at least, you’re going to be That Speaker Who Controlled Their Presentation With Their Watch And Was A Bit of a Douche rather than the Speaker Who Was Awesome

Though the above would certainly be lessened if you heed the writer’s advice and hold rather than wear the watch, and of course make it through the presentation with no technical hiccups. That possibility however, is apparent regardless of the devices used. Again, a different perspective on the watch:
Presenting with Apple Watch

From the Pen Cup
Given my fondness for some of the cheaper gel or hybrid ink refills out there, I’ve often thought I must look at housing them in a nicer looking pen than the usual cheap rubber and plastic. Perhaps the Tactile Turn Mover could fit the bill.

A great review by Mary, who also proposes a nice way to differentiate the two models in your mind. Applying the same logic, Mary’s Twitter handle would suggest she is both Mover and Shaker:
I’ve Been Remiss: TactileTurn’s Mover & Shaker

University of Queensland
Where is the coffee this week? Well, not so much a coffee link as a public service announcement to the coffee drinkers of Brisbane. Researchers at my old stomping ground the University of Queensland appear to be looking into coffee tasting, and have put out the call for those who wish to participate – and be paid for their trouble.

All in the name of science, people. Register your interest here:
The University of Queensland  – Coffee Consumer Research

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Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

The Pen Addict
All roads lead to Atlanta – well at least they did over the weekend — with episode 150 of The Pen Addict Podcast coming live from the Atlanta Pen Show. I had collected some links from blog posts of those who attended the show, however came up with essentially the same list Brad compiled here. Lots of fun for all by the looks:
I Know It’s Over, Still I Cling…

Pens! Paper! Pencils!
A nice comparison post from Ian of differing Pentel Energel models. From my limited experience, the 0.7mm refill is one of the best going around.

The main issues I encountered in the standard 0.7mm retractable were also a bit of a rattle, and for me at least, I prefer a tapered or sightly thinner grip section. In view of this the Tradio might be worth a try:
A Review of Three Pentel EnerGel Gel Ink Pens

BeanScene Magazine
Not since Paul Bassett’s win in 2003 has an Australian won the World Barista Championship. A nice article reflecting on Sasa Sestic’s recent victory in Seattle:
Australia’s Sasa Sestic of Ona Coffee wins 2015 World Barista Championship

Mother Nature Network
Some information on a one year study into the effect coffee farms may have on insects and migratory birds. Interesting to note the increasing use of Australian native trees — obviously non-native in the areas they are being used:
The surprising link between migratory birds and coffee

Alt. Haven
It certainly looks the part, and from these words I’d say writes in kind:

I must say the Platinum 3776 Century really surprised me. I didn’t expect to like the pen as much as I am loving it. The Platinum 3776 Century will be definitely be making an appearance in my Top 5 fountain pens for 2015!

Such a fantastic colour:
Review: Platinum 3776 Century

Dramming
Whilst it continues in any part of society, it will continue in any subset as well. Really? Still?

Despite all efforts to interest more women in it, whisky is still very much dominated by men. And apparently it is a natural law that where there is an abundance of men, there is also sexism.

I’d argue it doesn’t even take an abundance — merely one or two, and you have everything you need to belittle, degrade or offend women without a second thought. Light-hearted? More light-minded if you ask me:
The Ugly Side Of Whisky Geekery

The Clicky Post
The good old $50-$100 price range. One in which I am looking for my next purchase, and must admit I did not know of this model from Sailor. As someone who prefers a little feedback through nibs, this appeals:

They are wet enough, but definitely have some feedback. They almost feel dry, but they aren’t. I actually find them to be in almost my perfect range.

Certainly one to keep in mind:
Sailor Young Profit Fountain Pen – M Nib – Black with Silver Trim

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Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web by those far wiser than myself:

Aaron Mahnke
In my quest to read more books this year, I came across Aaron Mahnke’s supernatural thriller Consumed – which I highly recommended. I’m glad I did, because in doing so I also found one of my favourite podcasts of the year so far – Lore, which the creator explains a little further here:
Why I Created Lore

Incidentally, Episode 3 has just been released – get to it:
Episode 3: The Beast Within

I Laike Pens
Kindly shared by Ian Hedley on Twitter, this is as good a list as any if you want to ensure you have every angle covered for filling and maintaining your fountain pens:
The Fountain Pen Toolkit

Curious Rat
Harry Marks, author and creator/host of another great podcast – Covered (which now has a Patreon page to support the podcast), discusses what has changed over time as his writing has developed and improved. You guessed it — daily reading and daily writing.

Reading is everything. It’s almost more important than the actual writing. I absorb the books I read and in turn churn my stories in my mind to thicken them up. To make them richer.

Read regularly. Read widely. Then grow as a writer — wise words indeed:
My Growth as a Writer

James Greig
The curse of the self help book or site, is of course the sense of improvement we feel just by reading them. What has changed? Actually nothing at that point.

The other thing to remember is that reading too much advice can give you a false sense of empowerment.

Conversely, I have also felt guilty I perhaps could be doing better after reading one of them and then not implementing the recommended changes. Yes – that’s right – you need to implement some of that new-found knowledge for things to actually happen:
Don’t Take this advice

Sprudge
Three recipes from this year’s US AeroPress Championship, two of which use the inverted method. I’d say a sample size of three is probably not necessarily indicative of the entire competition nor any emerging trends. Here for you brewing experimentation if you so desire:
3 Top Recipes From The 2015 US AeroPress Championship

Sprudge again, this time with the Australian winners and recipes. First and second place both using the non-inverted or standard method. I wonder which will triumph at the World AeroPress Championships soon to be decided in Seattle:
The 2015 Australia AeroPress Championship Winners & Recipes

Trubaca
Although written from a coffee industry perspective, more than a few of my friends (i.e. cafe customers) have experienced one or more of the factors causing the author’s lament.

So if your attempt to do by-the-cup service leads to wait times longer than a few minutes, if your espresso tastes sour in milk, if you aren’t giving someone an opportunity to even like what you’re serving: you are sending the message that you are more interested in your perception in the coffee industry than you are in the people coming through your doors

In circumstances like the one quoted above, I often find I am muttering to myself about a fine line between being cool and being too cool — the former is effortless, the latter — all for show. And believe me — it definitely shows. A universal truth here (via Emily Oak):
When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong

That One Pen
An enjoyable read this one. With so many pen review sites out there (not complaining!), sometimes it is good to hear which pens are actually in day-to-day use by those with wide experience in such matters. As Todd states:

For those of us afflicted with late-stage pen and/or pencil addiction, writing tools constantly fall in and out of favor. However, over time, we find ourselves returning to a short list of favorites

The post also states the list is “biased and personal”. Of course it is — and has to be. After all — what is the criteria? The pens and pencils you pick up and use, by personal preference — plain and simple.
A great post:
The Pens And Pencils I Actually Use

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