a new personal goal, that shouldn't cost me $$$$$^3

[vash]

I tend to get mired down into rabbit holes.

this one is low hanging fruit. I am dedicated to improving my handwriting. my handwriting blows! sometimes I can't even read my own meeting notes. mistakes happen. I can show you a "speed bump" on a bridge because a coworker mis read my notes. (I fixed the bump 80%, but I know it is there). me typing everything on a phone or computer isn't helping. i need to go back to pen/paper/pencil.

I am using one pen. one type of pen. I am going with a Gel ink pen. some garden variety gel pen from the land of extreme pens - Japan. figured, I get some muscle memory if I stay consistent. (you Fountain pen geeks, can save it. not for me - not in this adventure).

I will buy a decent notebook, with a writing board and go for it. I have the perfect thing. my food journal. I am writing down everything I put into my face, so I have something to jot down everyday. my wife said, "you know they have a phone app for that..."

Me: side-eyed her in silence.

anyways. in one week, my handwriting seems to have changed somewhat. I still mix capital letters with low caps. I don't mix cursive with printing anymore. haha. that was real fun to read.

[Seahawk]

Since I was taught by the Sisters of the Perpetual Cursive in catholic school, I block print everything in writing.

I have used only one type of pen for personal use for over 30 years: Paper Mate Flair in Medium with black ink.

Just feels right.

[Scott Douglas]

These have been my go-to GEL's since I discovered them a couple years ago.
My writing sucks big time, but I'm not going to try to improve it now.

[911 Rod]

Maybe use your other hand?

[Rikao4]

ha..
me Sister's of the Order.. Right is right..
flogged me left when catching me writing so..
Herr Leitzinger was able to levitate me my pulling left ear..
I'm a lefty till the end..
me scribble is quite legible ..


Rika

[creaturecat]

that's a skill worth honing. imho.

[oldE]

Back 50 years ago, my history prof told me he would accept nothing more from me unless it was typed or printed.
I used to get my fiancee to figure out some of my notes because I couldn't read my own writing!
Vash, the secret is to slow down and do everything deliberately.

Best
Les

[240kar]

Originally Posted by vash

(you Fountain pen geeks, can save it. not for me - not in this adventure).

Hey I resemble that remark!

I got big into fountain pens and journaled quite often. My handwriting improved quickly as a result.

[rfuerst911sc]

Maybe you shouldn't hold the pen/pencil with your feet 😂

[KFC911]

I wuz destined for computer science since 2nd grade

I'm a lefty who could probably be more legible using my right hand instead .... keyboards .... saved my life

Good luck!

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

My favorite pen in blue.

[Bill Douglas]

Many years ago my hand writing was so bad I also couldn't read it. So I started writing in caps, and then started writing VERY tidily in caps and it's stuck with me.

My mother was a fine arts grad and her handwriting was beautiful. When we were kids she did all the certificates for the pony club. Even in caps she had a style.

[masraum]

Good luck, and more power to you, Vash. There's some specific technique that used to be taught to teach cursive. I think it involves primarily moving from the elbow instead of the wrist.

From the 5th grade through the first half of the 8th grade I went to a school that graded penmanship. Mine used to keep me off of the honor roll and dean's list. These days I rarely ever have to write anything by hand which suits me just fine, usually just a signature and then only if we buy a car or house so I'm out of practice and consequently worse at writing in cursive or print.

I don't plan to try to improve. I suspect the amount of work required would be considerable. It would be easier to get a medical degree so my handwriting would seem more fitting.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by oldE

Vash, the secret is to slow down and do everything deliberately.

That's what I was going to type.

I made it a priority in grade school to have excellent cursive, and I got there. It was pretty easy at a young age, and I had excellent eye-hand coordination at the time. Years later, I evolved to block letters and succeeded. I can still do it, but the path back is as oldE says, I think. Typing has made the skill less important, and for you it is. Not so much for me, but I shiver a bit when I see what my laziness has brought me to.

Good project.

[stevej37]

I went through Kindergarten to fifth grade with the same teacher. My class size was 5 students for those 6 years.
My teacher spent a lot of time, one on one, because of the small class size. She drilled us every day on penmanship and spelling.
My cursive handwriting is excellent because of that....but it's hardly ever used anymore. It takes a few words to get back in the flow at my age now. (71)

[911 Rod]

My handwriting teacher (there is a name for them, but I can't remember) would smack you in the back of the head when you didn't see her coming if your writing was not perfect.
She was an old hag and I think I remember a parent coming into the school and wanting to smack her in the back of the head.
Crazy times.

[JackDidley]

My writing was never great but a couple injuries to my right hand made it pretty bad. That and the fact that I only write 2 checks per month does not help. At 72 years old, I just dont care enough to do anything about it.

[stevej37]

^^^ I would suggest a good pair of elk skin gloves.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

My writing was never great but a couple injuries to my right hand made it pretty bad. That and the fact that I only write 2 checks per month does not help. At 72 years old, I just dont care enough to do anything about it.

So you did didley squat about it?
Sorry. Low hanging fruit.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

So you did didley squat about it?
Sorry. Low hanging fruit.

Didnt do enough to write home about.