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While cleaning out a box the other day, I came across a photo of a vintage Sheaffer fountain pen.

What’s that, you ask?

Back in the day, folks were accustomed to this writing device, which had a special tip that enabled a person to hand-write, in cursive script, a swellegant note or letter. If you owned such a pen, you also needed a bottle of ink to refill the pen; the bottle had a well where you’d place the pen tip, then swoosh in ink. Black ink was preferred; blue was popular; I recall having green ink, at one point.

This pen predated the current gel pens, which you now click to reveal a pen point, to write.

Sheaffer later had cartridges that didn’t require ink bottles, and this meant less chances of spilling ink and ease in writing. The issue with fountain pens: you had to be cautious about not placing your hand or wrist on ink that might be wet, a problem slightly more challenging for lefties.

Typewriters, computers and cellphones virtually erased the art of penmanship and basic notecard writing or letters printed from a computer that only requires a personal signature. Texting also has led to a new shorthand language – BFF, LOL, BTW,OMG, TTYL, IDC, WTF – and iconic smiley face and the thumbs up also have altered the way we “write.”

Raise your hand, if you still use a Sheaffer fountain pen. If yes, your signature glows with this kind of pen.

I stopped using this classic writing instrument years ago when ball points became popular.

And while I utilize email daily, like most folks, I still send a note card – commonly a thank you, frequently a birthday greeting – because I believe in the art of writing. Besides, I create Wild Cards of various designs to promote this lost art of penning a note.

Which brings to mind: remember the song, “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” It’s a love song – even Frank Sinatra sang and recorded it — that says a lot and says it best:

I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you
I’m gonna write words, oh, so sweet
They’re gonna knock me off my feet
A lotta kisses at the bottom
I’ll be glad I got ’em
I’m gonna smile and say “I hope that you’re much better”
And then I’ll close the way I do

What’s the role of a deejay these days?

Referring to the elite crew of hosts on radio, some who chat a lot, some not so much.

Perhaps some of radio personalities can share tidbits can shed light on how deejay roles have changed over the decades.

Some things haven’t changed radically; there’s still patter and chatter, frequently following newscasts, where discussion is necessary. Some still accept phone calls from listeners. Does anyone do dedications of a particular tune, aimed to a special person?

Many things have changed. Like, no one “plays records” anymore. The music source used to be those vinyl discs, 45s or LPs, where tracks were played from turntables. Not anymore. The recordings are virtual, readily accessible. I suppose occasionally, a vintage tune not available in the vast library of resources, might be played.

As a listener, what occasionally bothers me is that I hear a song and wonder who was singing. (Can’t always recall the name of the voice). A deejay will frequently drop a name, but most often not. Back in the day, a song title was impeccably uttered, so credit would be paid to the singer, or band. Further, a deejay used to even mention the label – in case you wanted to go out and buy the disc.

Talk shows are different – many discussions on a myriad of topics. Folks can react and respond with phone reactions.

Also, radio ratings used to be a big thing, with stations topping the polls earning bragging rights. Those were the days; key deejays had swarms of rooters and boosters, and some jocks became superstars. Remember the K-POI poi boys? The papers used to report the Arbitron numbers, the way Nielsens used to rank TV shows. Nada now. Heck, the papers used to print radio logs daily, the way TV primetime programming is there for the looking.

The stations with a live body delivering live news and traffic reports earn bonus points for these services; the pre-programmed ones, without a friendly, live host, lack personality and appeal.

So, the Akus, Tom Moffatts , Ron Jacobs and Ron Wileys all ruled the radio waves. Listeners used to know the station’s call letters, like KGMB, KSSK, KIKI, KPOI,  KCCN. Today, the most-listened-to morning drive dude is Michael W. Perry, on KSSK (formerly KGMB), cherished for its posse following. Radio has evolved as a friend of the commuter.  I seldom listen to radio at home, but almost always tune in while driving. And you?