The Year Without Wal-Mart: Day 126

I have a pen system.

When I absolutely have to write with black ink, I use a Pentel RSVP BK90 fine-tipped pen. I buy one pack once a year, and I use each pen until it runs out of ink. If I lose a pen before I've had a chance to write out all of the ink, then... well, I have a bad day.

When I do not have to write with black ink--when I have to underline dates in my journal--when I have to cross out tasks on my to-do lists--I use one of three Pilot Precise V5 rolling ball pens with extra fine tips. The Pilot Precise pens that are part of my system come in packs of three. One is pink; one is purple; and one is blue.

I alternate pens weekly. I start writing with a new color on Sunday at midnight--even if I'm in the middle of writing with a different pen. Rules are rules.

Yes, I am aware that it makes no sense to have a pen system. It just is. And today the pink pen ran out of ink. Duly note that it is not late Saturday night. It's the middle of the week--the middle of pink pen week.

If I had not resolved to give up Wal-Mart this year, then this would not be a problem. I would simply open up an umbrella and walk to the normal-sized Wal-Mart less than a mile away from our apartment. I know they sell my pen system pens for about $3 a pack.

But I did make that resolution, didn't I? Take a look at that picture. That's the pen aisle in Target. And there are no Pilot Precise V5 rolling ball pens with extra fine tips in that store.

When I stopped hyperventilating, I thought about my options:

1) I could check the office supply stores for my pen system pens.
2) I could... I could give up my four-year-old pen system

I've been writing with the purple pen this evening, and the world is still with us. And I feel fine. Mostly.

I mean, I will be fine.