Ya it’s very much a PR statement to address the drama but not the core issues. Especially since they decided to downplay the facts.

They ones that come to my mind are:

Goldspot, Vaness, Pen Chalet, Jet Pens, Birmingham Pens, Amarillo Stationery, Pen Boutique, Anderson Pens, Cult Pens, Endless Pens, Enigma Stationery,

Lots of options.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-pride-month/id1723599105?i=1000657476753

I figured I’d link directly to the podcast episode in question in case anyone wants to listen first-hand. The “Eric” in this episode seems to be introduced in a later episode as starting the church attended by the Goulet’s. I saw the transcriptions originally but the tone of the hosts really put me off.

I’m thoroughly disappointed at the situation and it’s completely soured my perception of the brand. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers to choose from in this hobby.

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/joseph-ducreux-archaic-rap

For the uninitiated

Do it! You won’t be disappointed.

Oh I think I mixed up the names. It’s Majohn/Moonman. There was some legal reason they had to rebrand a few years ago but you can sometimes still get pens with the old branding. They are on Aliexpress as well at around the $20 price point.

I started seeing this guy pop up. I wonder how it stacks up to the Moonman retractables.

Ya they are expensive for what you get. That’s why I went with something like this. It’s essentially the same thing but has slightly bigger rings so you can fit more. With some dividers and an elastic closure it’s very functional. I’d say the big drawbacks are that the soft leather can make it awkward to write in on any surface that isn’t a desk as well as the rings can get in the way of your hand when writing.

Last year I did the Hobonichi for my daily journaling. But I wasn’t a fan of being locked into a specific format and I was nervous carrying around months of journaling that could potentially get lost. It was a good notebook but not for me.

This year I went with a Plotter knock-off using different refills and it’s been working out really well. I can change the configuration when I feel like it, only keep the notes I need on hand, with a hole punch I can use whatever paper I want, and I can always have a bunch of blank sheets for whenever I need one.

Shredding beef

I’m not necessarily familiar with subfloor heating systems but I’ll give it a shot. I found this video that helped sort some of it out.

https://youtu.be/OSJkjcTHVLE?si=aGyvO6ue3Ng0FT9I

From what I can tell it looks like the hot water comes in from the top line and heads into the manifold but also down to the mixing/regulating valve on the bottom line. After the water runs through the system it comes out to the return line and back out to the heating system.

My first thought is to try closing the blue valve on the return a bit and give it a minute. My thought process is that reducing the cold/out flow will help the circulating pump pull the water from the mixing valve. You could also try messing with the regulator to see if the temperature changes when you adjust it.

My favorite story about Charlie Watts:

“One anecdote relates that in the mid-1980s, an intoxicated Jagger phoned Watts’s hotel room in the middle of the night, asking, “Where’s my drummer?” Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying: “Never call me your drummer again. You’re my fucking singer!”[44][45] He expressed regret for the incident in 2003, attributing his behaviour to alcohol.[20]”