I've Got the Pen of the Year

Because of mere chance, and the fact that I'm closest to the door in my office and therefore have to sign for all deliveries, I received what is said to be the Pen of the Year. Specifically, it is a Uni-Ball Vision RT, which was given to me for free just because I filled out a little Sanford survey card. The pen did not come along, but was accompanied by a slip of paper detailing its credentials.

The Uni-Ball Vision RT, manufactured by Mitsubishi Pencil Company, is the proud recipient of the "Writing Instrument of the Year" award by the International Stationary Press Association (ISPA). The Association has this to say about the pen:

It is the world first auto-retractable rollerball pen accomplished by inventing a revolutionary refill structure and new ink - the Elevator ink system. VISION RT's refill ink cartridges are available to replace empty cartridges allowing for the body of the pen to be reused to cut waste.

While I haven't had the opportunity to test the pen's touted refill function, I have wondered about the description that the pen is "airplane safe." I suppose that means it won't be taken off of you if you try and take it on vacation; although, I wouldn't be surprised if a security officer recognized the award-winning writing tool and took it for himself. The Vision RT also has an advanced pocket clip that doesn't let the tip pop out if you have the pen clipped on to your shirt. The description sheet had a small illustration of a man's dress shirt with a big blue stain on it. This is, indeed, a serious pen.

I'm not quite sure what fate had in mind, sending me this pen above everyone else in the office. Perhaps it's like the "Sword in the Stone," and I was the only one here that could take it. Or maybe this is more like "The Last Starfighter," and my performance with the pen will determine whether or not I am chosen to help save a dying race of pen-enthusiasts. All I can say is that I'm honored to use the Pen of the Year, and that it's leaps and bounds beyond those mutli-colored, light-up pens I used to get for free in gradeschool.