Obscure Observation #1

I was just thinking; you ever notice how the evolution of your writing utencil represents your maturation? In pre-school and kindergarden you always use some sort of crayon. Nothing too sharp, nothing too dangerous. As you get through kindergaden and progress to 1st grade, you get introduced to the pencil. You're getting there. Adults use pencils. They are delicate, they are sharp...you're really someone important now. That feeling doesnt last long, though, because the pencil quickly becomes played out. Rather than basking in the moment, its evident that the pencil really ain't so hot. Every now and then you need to be the pencil Hitler and shove them in a device that chops their heads off, you need to be careful with them because they break in half easily, and your once 'useful' eraser quickly becomes worn out and doesnt do anything but leave a black cloud on the page. All of a sudden its every single day, every word, every letter, with that pencil. This goes until at least grade 5 or 6. Its just pencil, day in, day out. 5-6 years is a VERY long time for a six-to-eleven year old. Try remembering how slow those days at school went. Try to think about how slowly one week would go by at that age. Pencil's were played out by grade 5.

But that's when pens are introduced. You've seen them before. Adults use them all the time. You've heard about these things. If they break, although less frequent than a pencil, you get covered like a young Gary Payton. If you make a mistake, there's no going back with these things. And, unlike a pencil, this stuff can write on, and stay on, your skin. All through elementary school pens were like the holy grail, the championship, the lost ark. Using a pen meant finally being grown up, being trusted to use such an imposing instrument. It was also intimidating. What if I made a mistake? What if I break it and make a mess? The odd times that pens started being chosen over pencils, it became nervewrecking. All of a sudden, pencils were so familiar, so nice and easy.

Through the end of elementary school and the majority of high school, pencils and pens share the top spot atop the writing utencil spectrum. Whichever is closer, whichever I have, whichever the teacher prefers...it really doesnt matter. Pens and pencils work hand in hand in perfect harmony for a couple years, with the pencil usually reserved for the Reggie Evans role of doing the dirty, rough-copy work and brainstorming work without any of the glory. Pencil hit the boards, double-teamed, and took the charges. The pen, on the other hand, was the official color of homework and assignments, representing neatness and proffesionalism. Pen scored 25 points, hit the game-winner, and got all the post-game interviews.

Then, as I started CEGEP, I noticed the pencil getting slowly phased out. Acctually, I didnt notice it. It sort of just happened right under my nose without me paying attention. I started bringing only pens to school, doing my rough work in pen, writing notes in pen (even thought a writing mistake is so much more costly this way, I like to live dangerously I guess), and even doodling in pen. The pencil became a lost tribe.

Now, as I write this as a University student, I realize that I cannot remember the last time I saw or used a pencil. What was once my go-to-guy on a playoff team is now on the IR on some crappy European team, totally lost in oblivion. For some reason, I feel bad the for pencil; after so many hard years of work, he just gets thrown aside like this. I guess its my fault, but I didnt know what I was doing. The pen was so enticing, so mature. How could I resist? Well now that I find myselt living the pen-only life, I decided to write this in honor of the pencil, the fallen soldier. Pencil, For all your hard work and years of dedication, its time to enjoy your time off. And while you're sitting there in the drawer unused, say hello to crayon for me. Its been a while.