"One-Punch Man Vol. 8," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 8, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man introduces S-Class hero King in more detail, and includes bonus chapters that focus on S-Class Hero Bang trying to recruit Saitama to his dojo and Saitama finding a missing cat for the daughter of the director of the Hero Association.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (who's characterization has been more consistent over the last few volumes, i.e. with him showing less interest in public opinion), and all of the interesting characters (King included).
•  Genos' relationship with Saitama is precious, especially when he (minor spoiler) buys all of the cellphone hangers based on Saitama.

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: the lack of women in the narrative (S-Class hero Tornado disappeared from this volume), Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character, though he did not appear in this volume either), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• (nit-pick) There are so many interesting characters that show up in the story that it is a shame that they don't appear more often.  Then again, the manga is called, "One-Punch Man," not, "interesting side character manga."

Conclusion:
I am happy to report that this volume was still a pleasure to read, even after all the material from the anime has been covered.  It was also much more character-focused than the last few volumes (which, due to the Dark Matter invasion, were much more battle focused).  I'm still invested in the characters and excited to see where the story goes next.

Final Score:
8.5/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 7," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 7, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man wraps up the Dark Matter invasion and discusses the aftermath.  It also includes a few more bonus chapters than were included in the last few volumes.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (who's characterization has been more consistent over the last few volumes, i.e. with him showing less interest in public opinion), and the "bonus content," that did not make it into the anime (since what's being covered is included in the first season of the One-Punch Man anime).
• I know I highlighted the draftsmanship above, but this volume also has more than a few 2-page spreads that are jaw dropping.
• One of the bonus chapters focused on something quite interesting: the relationship between the police and the Hero Association.  The tension between the two organizations was fascinating, especially since they ostensibly share the same goal.

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: the lack of women in the narrative (though S-Class hero Tornado has played a larger role in this volume), Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• It's probably because I was so spoiled by the anime, but the the fight between Boros and Saitama just doesn't live up to the animated version.  Then again, this could be a secret pro, since it's an excuse to re-watch that absolutely bonkers fight (and its also not a fair comparison, since the animated version has motion, music, color, etc).

Conclusion:
I am still having a lot of fun with this manga, and am most excited to see where it goes now that the manga has covered all of the material from the anime (which I happened to see first). These next few chapters are going to be do-or-die: it's time to see if the story can maintain its momentum.

Final Score:
8.5/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 6," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 6, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man introduces "Dark Matter," and their invasion of Earth.  The group is lead by Boros, the self-proclaimed "Dominator of the Universe," who came to earth based on a prophecy that there would be someone strong there to fight.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (even if his characterization is a little inconsistent, what with him vacillating between wanting fans and not caring about public opinion), and the "bonus content," that did not make it into the anime (since what's being covered is still well within the first season of the One-Punch Man anime).
• ONE's irreverent writing style produces a lot of laughs.  This includes the powerful seer who dies when she, "choked on a cough drop."
• I know I highlighted the draftsmanship above, but this volume has more than a few 2-page spreads that are jaw dropping.

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: the lack of women in the narrative (though S-Class hero Tornado has played a larger role in this volume), Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• It's probably because I was so spoiled by the anime, but the "first phase," of the fight between Boros and Saitama isn't really depicted in the manga.  Then again, this could be a secret pro, since it's an excuse to re-watch that absolutely bonkers fight.

Conclusion:
I am still having a lot of fun with this manga, and am most excited to see where it goes once it finishes sharing content with the anime.  My guess is that the manga will overtake the anime in volume 8, so we'll see if the story can maintain its momentum.

Final Score:
8/10

"Killer By Nature," by Jan Smith

Killer by Nature follows Dr. Diane Buckley as she seeks to determine whether a string of murders were committed by a notorious but imprisoned serial killer, or a copy-cat. The story plays out over ten 30 minute chapters.  The story only gets more complicated as it progresses as the bodies start piling up and the killer manages to escape police custody.

I received this book as a free, "Audible Original" for the month of February, 2019.

Pros:

• The story features a full ensemble cast
• The story plays out in 30 minute "episodes," making each reasonably digestible

Cons:

• The story lacks a narrator, so every action must be portrayed either through dialogue or through sound effects.  This can make it difficult to tell what's actually happening in a given scene
• The amount of tension that relies on the characters either not answering their phone / listening to messages in a timely manner is too high
• I was never really invested in the characters; I got through to the end out of a desire for completion and to see if my theory was correct, not due to emotional attachment to the characters.
• The "big reveal" at the very end of the story* doesn't really add to the narrative, other than make the killer a hair more tragic in retrospect.
• (nit-pick) The repeated use of the book's title and "stinger" at the start of each episode gets annoying

Conclusion:
The book was fine for being free, but there were far too many issues to recommend it at any price (let alone full price).  Perhaps I could have overlooked a lot of these issues if the book didn't commit a fatal flaw for mystery books: as a reader, I felt like I couldn't have guessed who the killer was based on the information provided.  Ultimately, the book isn't so bad its good, or even so bad its interesting; it is just mediocre.

---

* SPOILERS AHEAD:
The "big reveal" is that Dr. Buckley's father is being held in the same prison as the murderer, making the murderer's statement that, "the distance between her reality and his is too great," a bit ironic.

"One-Punch Man Vol. 5," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 5, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This volume focuses primarily on the Deep Sea King, and his campaign of aggression against the heroes (and villains?) who stand against him.  The volume also includes a bit of bonus material where Saitama encounters bank robbers and hi-jinx ensue.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (even if his characterization is a little inconsistent, what with him vacillating between wanting fans and not caring about public opinion), and the "bonus content," that did not make it into the anime (since what's being covered is still well within the first season of the One-Punch Man anime).
• It could be hold-over hype and good will from the anime, but the climatic scene with Mumen Rider is still clutch as hell.
• The interactions between Genos and Saitama are endearing, even 5 volumes into the manga.

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: the lack of women in the narrative, Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• As I mentioned above, I think Saitama's characterization seems a touch inconsistent.  On one hand he is excited about having fans and receiving fan mail, but he is also willing to be a "heel," for the good of other heroes*.

Conclusion:
I am still having a lot of fun with this manga, and am most excited to see where it goes once it finishes sharing content with the anime.  My guess is that the manga will overtake the anime in the next few volumes, so we'll see if the story can maintain its momentum.

---

Spoiler:
* by claiming that the other heroes had a large hand in weakening the Sea King, when really, Saitama was the one that defeated it.

"One-Punch Man Vol. 4," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 4, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This volume focuses on a meteor that threatens to level an entire city, the introduction of the Clan of Seafolk (who want to rise from the sea and destroy humanity, obviously), and the introduction of "Puri-Puri Prisoner," a character I will discuss in more detail below.

Pros:

• Surprising no one, Saitama continues to be a stand-out character.  His response to the fallout of the meteor incident is great. 
• The draftsmanship continues to be top-notch, even if one of the characters is getting serious side-eye from me (see below).
• Even if the manga does not have the same level of kinetic energy as an animated show, I love all of the bonus content you get with this format.  This includes everything from little interactions to whole chapters that never made it into the anime.  One such example in this volume is S-Class hero Bang's skepticism towards the hero association (e.g. that they are more interested in maintaining their position of financial stability and societal importance than they are in making any single rescue).

Cons:

• Puri-Puri Prisoner (henceforth referred to as P3).  Ugh.  For context, P3 is an S-Class ranked hero who, in his own words, is, "doing 10,000 years for getting grabby with men."  He also threatened to  "deep kiss," all the other inmates at the maximum security prison he is being held at, "as punishment."  The grossness of this is only magnified by the fact that all of the other inmates live in fear of him and his advances.  If this was meant to be played for laughs, it falls on its face.  Even if P3's actions are recognized as wrong in the universe of the manga, the lack of other LGBT characters in the series means that P3 comes off mostly as a gross stereotype.  Maybe his character will be developed as the story continues, but I'm not optimistic.
• The women featured in the last volume have disappeared.  This is a shame, especially considering ONE's ability to craft interesting, off-the-wall characters.
• (nit-pick) The mismatch between sound effects and reading direction continues in this volume, though it seemed slightly less prevalent than it was in volume 2.  To be clear, I am listing this as a nit-pick because I don't know that there is a reasonable solution that could address this issue.  As I stated in reviews of previous volumes, details being lost in the book's binding is also still an issue.

Conclusion:
My excitement to continue reading this series is tempered somewhat by the introduction of Puri-Puri Prisoner.  With that being said, I think the serious has more than enough good things to outweigh the bad, and my hope is that P3 will have an ever decreasing role as the manga progresses.

Final Score:
8/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 3," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 3 written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume focuses on Saitama and Genos joining the Hero Association, another encounter with Speed O' Sound Sonic, and the first introduction of heroines in the story ("Miss Blizzard," and "Terrible Tornado").

Pros:

• As expected, Saitama is still a badass.  He also has another great quote during the bonus chapter of Vol. 3: "Who decides limits?  And based on what?  ... Could the you of tomorrow beat you today?  Instead of giving in, move forward."
• Again, there is more great character work and draftsmanship.
• Even if the manga does not have the same level of kinetic energy as an animated show, I love all of the bonus content you get with this format.  This includes everything from little interactions to whole chapters that never made it into the anime.

Cons:

• It's mildly annoying that it took 3 volumes for a heroine of any form or fashion to appear in the manga.  The two that appear are also gone pretty quickly (though I happen to know they make more of an appearance later on in the series).
• (nit-pick) The mismatch between sound effects and reading direction continues in this volume, though it seemed slightly less prevalent than it was in volume 2.  To be clear, I am listing this as a nit-pick because I don't know that there is a reasonable solution that could address this issue.  As I stated in reviews of previous volumes, details being lost in the book's binding is also still an issue.

Conclusion:
Three volumes in and I am still on the hype train.  I still think fans of the anime should check out the manga, and I love all the extra little insights I am getting from this format (a la world building and minor characters that don't appear in the anime).

Final Score:
8.5/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 2," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 2, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man." After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike. There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man features the, "House of Evolution," (an organization whose single focus is the artificial, forced evolution of humanity), the, "Paradisers," (a group that doesn't want to work for a living), and Speed O' Sound Sonic, a super-fast ninja for hire.

Pros:

• The story is still compelling, and Saitama has a number of great quotes in this volume.  One of my favorite (unintentionally) motivational quotes from Saitama is: "Human strength lies in your ability to change yourself!"
• Murata's draftsmanship is still on-point, and does an admirable job portraying the speed and strength of the characters featured.
• The "omake" / bonus chapter adds yet more backstory that is not featured in the anime.

Cons:

• Though I understand why the sound effects had to be in English, I was often disappointed when they were either abbreviated (eg when tremble became "trmbl" on page 177) or they were splashed out over two pages and ran counter to the flow of the comic (eg the "swooooo..." on page 158 and 159). 
• (nit-pick) This is more an annoyance with physical media than the comic itself, but I sometimes found that details would be lost in the binding of the manga, especially in two-page spreads.  I can't help but be annoyed by this since I know it wouldn't be a problem if I purchased the digital version of the story (i.e. via Kindle / Comixology).
• (nit-pick) I don't mind the "villain of the week," format of One-Punch Man, especially given that: 1) the characters are interesting, and 2) I know that larger plot arcs are coming in future volumes.  I could imagine how this format might start to get stale for a reader who came into the series "blind," however.

Conclusion:
The contents of this volume are all (more-or-less) covered in the anime.  With that being said, I still think this volume is worth reading for the additional content you get in the manga.  Also, you get to see a version of the story that is closest to ONE's original vision (other than the webcomic OPM is based on, but that is not particularly easy on the eyes).

Final Score: 
8.5/10

Ken Jeong's, "You Complete Me, Ho" (Netflix Stand-Up Special)

You Complete Me, Ho is Ken Jeong's first stand-up special; it premiered on Netflix on February 14th, 2019, and discusses a wide variety of topics.  They include Jeong's career change from MD to actor, politics and the Trump administration, and his wife's battle with breast cancer.

The special also includes an number of cameos from (or more accurately call outs to) other Asian celebrities in the audience, such as Jon M. Chu, the director of Crazy Rich Asians and Dana Lee (who, among other things, played Jeong's father in Dr. Ken).

Pros:

• Fans of Jeong's work (and especially his fans from The Hangover) will appreciate this special, as it provides some behind the scenes details. 
• Jeong is at his best when he discusses medical humor and lampoons the portrayal and perceptions of Asians in the US.  The racism of Hollywood is also brought up (e.g. the fact that Crazy Rich Asians was the first major American motion picture in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast).
• Jeong's personal narrative is moving, especially when he speaks about his wife's battle with breast cancer

Cons:

• It felt like about half of the special could be boiled down to Jeong saying something to effect of, "remember me in X?  That was pretty great, huh?"
• I did not get nearly as many "laughs per minute," as I was hoping for.  While there isn't anything in the special that I found particularly objectionable or offensive, I just didn't find a lot of it funny.

Conclusion:
Even though I am not familiar with much of Jeong's work, I can't imagine that this is among his best.  The comedy vacillates between self-referential call outs to unfocused political slams (his critiques of Trump come to mind in that latter category, not that they were inaccurate).  Ultimately, it doesn't feel like there is a consistent flow or through-line for this special.  This makes it hard to recommend, except for comedy completionists and hardcore Jeoung fans.


Final Score:
4.5 / 10

Baki (2018, Netflix)

Grappler Baki is a shonen manga that ran from 1991 to 1998.  It focused on the exploits of the titular Baki, a martial artist who aspires to be the world's strongest man, and to defeat his father (who currently holds that title).

The manga eventually led to more than a few spin-offs and anime, including Baki, an anime released in 2018 on Netflix.  This manga follows the, "Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga," which sees 5 death row convicts break out of prison and come to Japan, "to know defeat."  The story unfolds violently from there.

Pros:

• Some of the scenarios are bat-shit insane (e.g. the fight on a moving rollercoaster).
• I watched all 13 episodes available (despite the numerous cons listed below)

Cons:

• The occasional switches from 2D to 3D animation during fight scenes are jarring
• The abilities and resilience of the human, not supernatural fighters stretches credulity (e.g. one fighter being set on fire with gasoline and still recovering, a fighter having his throat slit and not receiving medical attention for what must've been hours and still surviving). 
• It seems like those who live and die depends more on how important they are to the plot than anything to do with human anatomy.
• Baki's relationship with Kozue Matsumo is awkward and stilted.  Their scenes together seem really out of place when placed in context with the rest of the anime
• Moreover, Kozue and her mother are the only two women in the entire anime.  Kozue's mother doesn't speak more than 4-5 lines.
• The art style is not your typical anime fare.  In defense of the show, however, it seems the anime is more interested in portraying intense martial arts action than fitting any predetermined aesthetic. 
• Still, Baki almost constantly looks distant, bored, and disinterested
• The 2nd fight between Doppo and Dorian felt anti-climactic (especially since Dorian was defeated handily)
• Also, WTF was up with Dorian and Retsu's final interaction?
• The story ends on a cliffhanger.  Obviously the series is meant to keep going, as the final episode is still introducing new characters.
• (nit-pick) Despite being called "Baki," the titular character doesn't actually appear in all the episodes.  Then again, it seems like the story is more about the fights than any individual character.
• (nit-pick) Doppo Orochi looks like a cheap Sagat rip-off

Conclusion:
I gave this anime a shot due to the YouTuber, "Super Eyepatch Wolf."  While he did not unequivocally recommend this or any version of Baki, he said the Netflix version would be a good place to start to see if modern Baki was my jam.  After watching 13 episodes, I can say that it is not.  I am still morbidly curious to see where the story goes from here, but I just don't care enough to seek out the rest of this anime, or to delve into other versions of the anime and manga.  I think the story succeeds for its ridiculous scenarios, but falls flat in far too many other ways to justify my continued attention.

Final Score:
4.5/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 1," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 1, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man introduces Saitama and sets up the premise.  Genos, a cyborg who wants to be Saitama's disciple, and various enemies for Saitama and Genos to battle with, also make an appearance.

Pros:

• The premise is excellent, and allows ONE to both critique and invert many of the tropes of shonen battle manga.
• ONE's fascinating character work and Murata's incredible drafting talent show in each panel of the manga.
• For having such an off-the-wall premise, the story addresses surprisingly adult themes.  In this volume alone, ONE ruminates on ostracization and the struggles of fitting into society, the costs of pursuing your dreams, and one version of what it can be like when you've "arrived."
• The "omake," / bonus chapter adds further insight into Saitama's thoughts and backstory (and covers content that is never addressed in the anime adaptation of the series).

Cons:

• I know it isn't fair to compare the manga to the anime, as they are different mediums.  With that being said, I found certain actions and interactions much easier to understand / parse out in the anime than in the manga.  One example from this volume takes place during the "final phase" of the encounter with Mosquito Girl.  Specifically, given both the lack of motion and color, I found it hard to parse out which panel was Mosquito Girl sending her bug minions to attack and which was Genos' "Incineration," attack that destroyed them.  Sure, I figured it out based on context clues and my memory of the anime, but my hope is that both the anime and manga can stand on their own merits.  Plus, the manga is much further along in the story than the anime is, so I won't be able to refer back to the anime soon.
• (nit-pick) The drawing on the back cover of the manga just looks wonky to me.

Conclusion:
Fans of the One-Punch Man anime are virtually guaranteed to like this manga.  It has all of the great characters and characterization that they've come to love, with additional insight into Saitama and the world that he inhabits.  At $9 a pop, you can't go wrong.

Final Score:
9/10

"My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness," by Kabi Nagata

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Kabi Nagata is an autobiographical manga that delves into sexuality, mental health, and coping with both parental and societal expectations. 

While I can't remember who recommended this manga to me (or how I heard about it in the first place), I purchased a physical copy via Amazon for approximately $11.

Pros:

• Though the story is set in Japan, the themes of loneliness, self-discovery, and learning to cope with mental illness are globally applicable.
• Though the art could be described as, "simple," when compared to other contemporary manga, it is still immensely expressive.  
• This manga is a quick and engaging read; I finished it in one sitting. 

Cons:

• (nit-pick) Though the title trades a least a little on the idea / allure of lesbian sex, less than 25% of the book is dedicated to the act of sex.  I wasn't bothered by this, but those expecting a lurid yuri ("girl's love") manga will probably be disappointed.
• (nit-pick) I was disappointed that the author discussed her gender only briefly.  Examples include: "It wasn't that I wanted to be a man; it was more like I hated belonging to a gender at all." & "I was excessively afraid of being defined as a woman ... before I was seen as myself."  Then again, I think the story works without this being elaborated on, and I can't really fault Nagata for not indulging my curiosity.

Conclusion:
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness was a fun and heart-felt romp through one woman's journey toward self-actualization.  While the simple art style and story means that the book can be finished in one sitting, it is the honesty of the writing that will bring many readers (and especially members of the LGBTQ community) back for more.  Nagata's next book, My Solo Exchange Diary Vol. 1, is on my shortlist of manga to read next.

Final Score:
9/10

"Mala," by Melinda Lopez

Mala is a one-woman play written and performed by Melinda Lopez.  The play is about aging and dying, with a particular focus on Lopez's mother and father.  Lopez also intersperses stories from friends and family who have lost loved ones.

I received this play for free as an, "Audible Original," for the month of February as a part of my Audible Membership.

Pros:

• The play is an emotional powerhouse, and nearly brought me to tears on several occasions.  The book strikes me as something Atul Gawande might write, if he was trained in the humanities instead of as a medical doctor.
• Lopez's presentation of the play is top-notch; the range of her performance matches the emotional rollercoaster of the work. 

Cons:

• (nit-pick) The story is presented primarily in English, with Spanish occasionally peppered in.  The struggle is that a translation for the Spanish was rarely provided.  I could generally figure out what was being said via context clues, but I felt like I could not fully experience and engage with the play without the translation. 

Conclusion
I completed this work in a single sitting, and it was definitely worth my time.  I found the play to be both authentic and expertly told.  While the play could reasonably be described as, "a downer," it's message is both important and resonant.  There is no lesson in dying, it is simply an inevitable part of life.

Final Score:
9/10

Initial Impressions: HHKB Professional 2 (45g Topre)

The Happy Hacking Keyboard, or HHKB is a legend in the keyboard community.  Introduced in 1996 and developed by PFU Limited of Japan and Eiiti Wata, the HHKB has inspired legions of fans and clones alike.  Though the keyboard has an eye-watering price point for a readily available keyboard, many enthusiasts defend the cost due to the Topre switches, unique layout, and legacy.

Personally, I felt some trepidation buying this board on Amazon because this is the second time I've purchased an HHKB.  I returned the first one because I couldn't get used to the layout (and because the black-on-black design made the keys all but impossible to read except in the most optimal lighting conditions).  Now that I've had more time with my Realforce 87U (55g Topre) and really grown to appreciate Topre switches, I figured this board deserved another chance.

What follows are my initial impressions after unboxing the HHKB and spending approximately 1 hour typing on it.

Basic Info:

• Price: $240 via Amazon Prime
• Color: Beige
• Set-Up Time: 2 minutes 
• Though the board worked out of the box, I had to take a minute to change one of the dip switches to alter the board's layout.
• Switch: 45g Topre (Rubber Dome)

Seems Cool:

• For better or for worse, I still really like the aesthetic of this board.  Its iconic look has been imitated by countless other boards for a reason.  I especially like this board in beige, since it adds a lovely retro feel to the proceedings (and makes the keycap font much, much easier to read).  
• Topre is (generally) a pleasure to type on, though I still prefer 55g domes to 45g.  If I end up keeping this board, I will likely replace the stock domes with either BKE Ultralights or Lights, depending on what's available.  I might even go so far as to lube the sliders on this bad boy. 
• Given the long-term popularity of the HHKB, there's lots of accessories available for it.  This includes everything from dust covers to rubber pads for the bottom of the board.  I am not sure if I'll be keeping this board so I'm not in a rush to buy in, but I am glad that the ecosystem exists should I choose to invest.

Seems Meh:

• The board's layout cannot be remapped out of the box.  Remapping is only made possible by purchasing and installing an aftermarket Hasu Controller.  This is a hard sell for two reasons: 1) the controller is an added $85 cost on top of a $240+ keyboard, and 2) while installing the controller is supposed to be relatively easy, doing so also voids your warranty.  The fact that minor changes can be made to the board's layout via dip switches is a small consolation at best.
• Even the second time around, the board feels cheap in my hand.  The all-plastic construction both contributes to this and makes the price that much more difficult to swallow.  I was also not impressed by the lack of rubber on the bottom of the board (including the lack of rubber on the bottoms of the flip-out feet).
• Though I like the included keycaps, it's annoying that I can't easily change them without also making modifications to the board (ie by installing aftermarket MX compatible sliders).  
• Not all of the layout changes that come as part and parcel of the HHKB are welcome.  While I actually like replacing the rarely used Caps Lock key with Control, having the backspace key a row lower than on most keyboards is tripping me up.  I also don't particularly like the diamond-shaped arrow cluster (on the [, ;, ', and / keys respectively) and would prefer dedicated arrow keys.

Ultimately, I am excited to give this board another go.  If it ends up as a part of my permanent collection, I'll own a little piece of keyboarding history.  If it doesn't, I'll probably go for one of the MX-style HHKB clones (the KBDFans Tofu and RAMA M60-A come to mind).  Only time (and my full review) will tell!

"The Book Thief," by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is narrated by death, and follows the orphaned Liesel Meminger, the titular book thief.  The story is primarily focused on her youth spent in the throws of World War 2 in Nazi Germany, and features an ensemble cast of friends, family, and Nazis.

I originally picked this book up when a classmate remarked that it was one of her all-time favorites.  I went into the story knowing little more than my friend's opinion of it, and it was quite a journey.  My full review can be found below.

Basic Info:

• Edition: Audible Audio
• Cost: $27
• Length: 13 hours, 56 minutes

Pros:

• The book is an emotional roller coaster, and features both moments of great joy and immense sadness.  The final few chapters of this book brought me to tears. 
• I enjoyed Zusak's prose, even if other reviewers found it excessive or pretentious.  After a year of memoirs and self-help books (my 2018), this was a welcome change of pace.
• The book's length allows for many of the characters to be explored in detail, further facilitating an emotional attachment.  I also think the book does an admirable job of describing life at war, highlighting both mundane and pulse-pounding moments.
• Though the book takes place during World War 2, it isn't excessive with its depictions of gore, blood, and violence.  While many events in the story are heartbreaking, it isn't (usually) due to their physicality. 

Cons:

• I occasionally found the non-linear nature of the story-telling confusing.  With that being said, I still walked away with the gist of the plot, and I understand why non-linearity was employed (the narrator is a supernatural entity who is both outside of time and, "more interested in life's machinations than its outcomes").
• The book's ensemble cast could have benefited from having additional voice talent added to the mix.  I think Allan Corduner did an admirable job bringing the various characters to life, but some voices (especially older German women) bled together.
• (nit-pick) The book's primary setting is Nazi Germany, so many German expressions are peppered into the text.  For the most part these are defined by the narrator, but every so often they are not.  I could generally figure out the meaning of these words through context clues, but it was still a minor annoyance.

Conclusion:
The Book Thief is a long, intense listen / read.  There were more than a few moments when I simply had to pause the book and come back later because I did not have the strength to keep listening.  While the book isn't perfect, it packed in enough detail and emotional gut punches to keep me engaged for its 14 hour run time.  It's hard to give the book a universal recommendation based on the length and the subject matter, but if the premise sounds interesting, The Book Thief is definitely worth a look.

Final Score:
10/10

Input Club's Kira

The Kira by Input Club got its start on Kickstarter in March of 2018.  While the project did not make its delivery estimate of October 2018, I am glad it made it out of production and into the real world.  The board uses a 96% layout, meaning that it has almost all of the keys of a "standard" full-sized keyboard, but with a lot of the "dead space" cut away (along with a few compromises on keys, like a shorter right shift).

After almost two weeks of use at work, I am ready to provide a full review to this keyboard.  Was it worth the wait,not to mention the cost?  Find out below.

Basic Info:

• Price: $260 from Kickstarter, now available at the Kono Store
• $250 for the keyboard, $10 for shipping
• Switches: Kaihua Speed Copper
• Set-up Time: ~30 minutes
• Though the board was working out of the box, the manufacturer recommended flashing it with the latest firmware.  I also had a key-mapping issue (see cons).

Pros:

• The board has a bit of heft to it, which helps it feel solid.  It mostly retrains this feeling even without the metal frame, so I am not sure the $80 up-charge for metal was worth it.  If I could do it all again, I would probably go for plastic instead.
• The hot-swap sockets are a win for convenience and not having to learn to solder.  
• The pack-ins for this board were all great.  Pack-ins included: a travel case, extra accent keys in multiple colors, a key cap puller, and a switch puller.  As I said in my initial impressions, while I think the case is too big to EDC (or not something I could easily fit into one of my bags), it has held up nicely.  
• If I had to come up with a complaint or two, it would be that the case has a few minor finishing issues (e.g. a loose thread here and there), and I would have loved to see the case in other colors.  Then again, given that the project started on Kickstarter, I'm glad I have a finished product to review at all (and I understand how offering other case colors would have only added to the timeline and complexity of the project's completion).
• Note: I am not sure if these pack-ins are included post-Kickstarter; they are neither mentioned nor pictured on Kono's product page.  Then again, they aren't mentioned on the Kickstarter page either, so your mileage may vary.
• I like high-profile cases, and this one is no exception (though the frame does not completely obscure the bottoms of the keycaps).  I am also intrigued to see what Kono and the community do with the fact that the frame / top plate is removable and replaceable.  

Cons:

• This board came with a few unwelcome surprises.  This included the fact that: 
• I had to remap and flash the board to have "." be on the top layer instead of ">".  While this was only a minor inconvenience in the moment, it was still an unwelcome surprise in a keyboard that cost over $250.
• The indicator LED's (e.g. caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock) only seem to work when RGB mode is enabled.  
• The stem / cracking debacle was unwelcome, but not the fault of the manufacturer.  I was able to switch from Hako Clears to Speed Coppers, so it wasn't too much of a fuss for me.
• The underglow was not as prevalent as I would have liked, and is difficult to see even in low-light settings.  Moreover, the keyboard is gaudy with all of the RGB engaged; after the "oohs," and "aahs," of my initial viewing, I tended to keep the RGB off.  The fact that RGB turns back on whenever the keyboard is rebooted is also a minor annoyance, but it is easy enough to turn back off.
• I can't help but question the manufacturing tolerances of the Kira.  No one issue is a deal-breaker, but taken as a whole, they do add up.  Issues include: 
• Keys that seem a little too low or too high compared to the rest of the row they reside in (my "\" key is a bit too low, while "4-6" of my number cluster is too high). 
• The "G" key seems slightly misaligned when compared to the keys around it. 
• The bottom of each key seems to be slightly concave, giving a feeling of incompleteness / poor finishing.  A number of keys also have a bit of extra plastic / flash on their bottom ridges as well.    
• (Nit-pick) I occasionally struggled with finding the arrow cluster given its close proximity to other keys.  This was most prevalent when using the 1U "0" key (which is normally 2U on a full-sized board).  I am listing this as a nit-pick because I think this is a function of the layout, and not necessarily the board itself.  Moreover, I think this is the kind of thing I could become used to over time.  
• (Nit-pick) The included cable is bland at best, and the board offers no cable management options.
• (Nit-pick) As I suspected, the non-slip strips on the bottom have attracted a fair amount of gunk.  I am listing this as a nit-pick because A) it was less gunk than I expected, B) it was relatively easy to clean off, and C) only time will tell how the pads handle additional gunk exposure.

Conclusion:
I bought this keyboard around when I started collecting, and it seemed perfect at the time.  Now that I have a bit more experience (not to mention a love ergonomic boards / layouts), this keyboard has lost a fair amount of luster.  Given the keyboard's strengths, I will probably keep it around as a switch tester.  I don't foresee this board becoming a daily driver, however.  In hindsight, I probably would have been happier just buying a number pad given my use case.

Final Score:
6.5/10

Unicomp Ultra Classic 104

As I stated during my initial impressions, Unicomp is a Kentucky-based company that manufactures reproductions a few of the well-known buckling spring keyboards of yore.  The most famous of their reproductions is the Model M, a full-sized beast that commands a large amount of desk real estate.

This is my first full-sized mechanical keyboard purchase since I bought a "Das Keyboard 4 Pro" in 2014.  After a few years using smaller and more ergonomically-minded boards like the Ergodox, it has been interesting to use this board.  Now that I have had more time to use and become familiar with this board (approximately 1 week of dedicated home use), I feel more comfortable producing a "full" review.

Basic Info:

• Purchased From: Unicomp, Inc.
• Cost: $140 USD
• $87: Keyboard, $30: Printed ANSI Modifier Keys (normally $36, Unicomp offered a discount for buying this with the 'board), $20: Tax
• Free shipping
• Set-Up Time: N/A (board was ready to use out of the box)

Pros:

• The board has a great retro aesthetic, paying homage to the beloved Model M keyboard.  This includes, among other things, a lip for a pen / pencil / writing implement.  The board is also a bit of a "chungus," (ie it is very large), and dwarfed in size only by the PC122.
• Though the Ultra Classic is based on a board that is decades old, it still includes modern features, such as a USB connection and the OS key.  With that being said, those who want a more "old school" experience can purchase the board without an OS key and a PS/2 connection. 
• Unicomp offers a wide variety of customization options for the keyboard, from covers and keycaps to replacement cables and LED overlay stickers.  The attention to detail is impressive.
• This keyboard sounds unlike any other keyboard I've used.  This is no doubt due to the buckling spring mechanism of the board, which has a distinct, metallic click when being used.  This is a bit of a double-edged sword, however (see "cons," below).

Cons:

• I'm not sure if it is this version of the buckling spring, or all buckling spring switches, but I found the typing experience to be, "mushy."  Though this feeling subsided somewhat as I spent more time with the keyboard, it was never fully resolved.  Each key's short travel distance (especially in the alphas) paired with a rock-hard bottom out required me to use a softer touch than I was expecting.  Even after I adjusted, I still wasn't particularly comfortable typing on this 'board.
• This may not be a con depending on your use case, but this keyboard is loud.  I originally purchased this keyboard with the hope of taking it to work with me, but my office-mates would have my head if I brought in something this noisy.
• The keyboard does not include a detachable USB cable, or any built-in cable management.  While this makes sense given the retro aesthetic the board is going for, I can't say that I didn't miss those features a touch during my time with this board
• The manufacturing tolerances on this board are not great.  Some keys are higher than others in the same row (I'm looking at you, OS keys in the bottom row), and a few of the keycaps came with unfinished bottom edges.  Neither of these really affect usability, but it is still a minor annoyance (especially on a keyboard that costs over $100 shipped).

Conclusion:
There is a lot to like about this board, from the retro aesthetic to the manufacturer's attention to detail.  The price also seems reasonable when compared to other off-the-shelf boards.  For example, a full-sized Das Keyboard 5 comes in at a similar price, and more niche offerings like Topre can cost 2-3 times more than the Unicomp. 

With that being said, the Unicomp failed me in the one place a keyboard must excel: the typing experience.  Even after I had a week to get used to it, I still strongly prefer the "thocc" of Topre and the tactility of my Zealios.  Ultimately, while I think the Unicomp is a fun piece of keyboarding history, I am not sure that I need it in my permanent collection.

Final Score:
6/10

McDonald's Cheesy Bacon Fries

It's late.  You just got off work and you're hungry.  You have food at home, but it would take time and energy to prepare - time and energy you're not sure you have.  You decide on fast food; you can get something quick and stay in your car.  The "golden arches," of McDonald's signals. You wonder what new menu items are on offer when something in particular catches your eye - this will be the night's guilty pleasure.

---

It may vary from region to region, but my local McDonald's recently started carrying a product called, "Cheesy Bacon Fries."  I tried them on a whim; what follows is my review of that experience.

Basic Information

• $3, available for "a limited time" from McDonald's.
• Consists of 3 ingredients: McDonald's fries, "cheesy sauce," and bacon bits.

Pros

• McDonald's fries are above average as fast food goes.  Their combined sponginess and fattiness means they scratch a particular fast food itch.
• The price ($2.99) seems reasonable for the amount of food you get.
• I don't know if this happens at all McDonald's locations selling the cheesy fries, but mine was kind enough to include a fork and knife to eat said fries.  

Cons

• The bacon was a non-starter for me.  It's not that I don't like bacon; it's that the included bacon added virtually nothing to the experience.  When eaten with the other two ingredients, it was easily overpowered in flavor by the cheese and texture by the fries.  When eaten by itself (ie when I ate the bits of bacon left over after eating all the fries), they had hardly any taste at all. 
• It makes sense that they call the sauce "cheesy," rather than cheese, as it bears little resemblance to it.  I think the ingredients list (copied below) speaks to that.  On the other hand, the use of "cheesy sauce" over cheese may not be a total loss for those wanting / expecting "melted fast food cheese whiz."
• Ingredients: Water, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Interesterified Soybean Oil, Whey, Maltodextrin, Sodium Phosphate, Contains 2% or Less: Apo-Carotenal (Color), Citric Acid, Corn Syrup Solids, Granular, Semisoft, Blue Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate and Sorbic Acid (Preservatives), Salt, Sodium Alginate, Sugar, Xanthan Gum.
• Note from Quinn: WTF is "Interesterified Soybean Oil?"
• I am not on a diet, per se, but even I have a hard time justifying the 560 calories and 51g of carbs these fries represent when compared to the amount of food and flavor.

Conclusion
If money is no consideration, these fries are a hard sell compared to In N Out's animal fries, especially when the In N Out fries are "well done."  Given the high calorie count and lackluster bacon, the value proposition for this particular item doesn't make sense for me.  If money is a consideration or McDonald's is the only local option, I would categorize these fries as serviceable.  Ultimately, while the cheesy bacon fries did not offend my sensibilities, I'll probably just order regular fries the next time I go to McDonald's to indulge.

Final Score
4/10

Initial Impressions: Unicomp Ultra Classic 104

Unicomp is a Kentucky-based company that manufactures reproductions a few of the well-known buckling spring keyboards of yore.  The most famous of their reproductions is the Model M, a full-sized beast that commands a large amount of desk real estate.

This is my first full-sized mechanical keyboard purchase since my first 'board: a "Das Keyboard 4 Pro" from approximately 2014.  After a few years on smaller and more ergonomically-minded boards like the Ergodox, it will be interesting to see how this board compares.  What follows are my initial impressions after an hour or two with the board.

Seems Cool:

• Much of this board's charm lays in its retro aesthetic.  In fact, part of the reason why I bought this board was because it reminds me of the keyboards I used as a kid.  While the board I am typing on now is not an exact recreation, I still have fond memories of the old brick I used to type on in my dad's home office.
• The board arrived in working order, from the switches to the LEDs (for caps lock, scroll lock, and num lock).
• Despite the old-school aesthetic, the board is ready and able to work with modern computers.  Specifically, it is equipped with a USB connector (though PS/2 versions are also available). 
• Believe it or not, Unicomp makes an even bigger model (the PC-122); for all my love of keyboards, however, I could not justify the purchase price combined with the ISO-like enter key. 

Seems Meh:

• I originally purchased this board with the intention to take it to my work.  Part of my job involves data entry, so having a dedicated number pad is always welcome.  Unfortunately, I could tell that the board would not be going to work with me in minutes; it is easily one of the loudest boards that I own, and would likely cause a revolt by my office-mates if I tried to use it during normal business hours. 
• While the buckling spring switches have a nice click to them, I am not impressed by their tactility.  It may just be this version of the board / switches, but the key feel is almost mushy.  Moreover, the occasional key binding, however minor, does not help this board's case.
• I said this in the intro, but damn this board takes up a lot of space.  Though I bought this board for the number pad, I would love it if Unicomp offered a "space saver," / TKL version of this board.  
• Granted, there are also Model F reproductions available for purchase, but they cost 2-3 times more than the Unicomp.  Unless something changes in the next few weeks, or unless the Model F reproductions use a different version of the buckling spring switch, I can't say I'd be willing to shell out that kind of cash.

As with other initial impressions, a full review will come after I am able to spend some more time with the product.  Watch this space to hear more. 

"The Man on the Mountain Top," an Audible Original by Susan Trott

The Man on the Mountain Top is an Audible original drama based on Susan Trott's The Holy Man and Holy Man's Journey.  The book was provided as a free Audible original download in January of 2019 and features an ensemble cast.  The story follows "Holy Man Joe," as he approaches the end of his life.  Over the course of the book, we are introduced to many who seek the wisdom of the holy man, including those who make the long journey to his hermitage and his disciples.

Pros

• The story reads like a novelization of a lot of mindfulness and self help books that I have read over the years.  In many ways, this is a double-edged sword (see: cons).
• For the most part, the characters are either likable or have a redemption arc of some kind.  Joe as a character is a pleasure to spend time with, even if he often comes across more as an idea than as a person.
• There are a number of really powerful quotes and ideas interspersed throughout the text.  Two of my favorite examples are: "obsessiveness is a symptom of unexpressed creativity," and, "If you treat every man as through he were holy, you will live a happy life."

Cons

• Many of the characters feel like they exist to get a point across.  This isn't a bad thing, per se, but I also think it means that expectations going into the work should be set accordingly. 
• The plot and the characterization can come across as a touch hackneyed and predictable.  This is not the work for you if you are looking for a complex narrative.
• The entire work passes with few references to "real world" locations and people.  In my mind, this lack of tethering to the real world only further serves to highlight the fact that the entire story reads like an extended parable.

Conclusion
There is a lot to like in this work: the characters are (generally) a pleasure to spend time with, there are truly valuable lessons to be learned, and the book was available free of charge (or it was when I downloaded it).  Despite everything the book has going for it, though, I cannot give it a higher score because the simple plot and lack of characterization means that the proceedings read more like a morality lesson than a story.

Final Score
3.5 / 5

"Educated," by Tara Westover

Educated chronicles the author's journey from a childhood without a formal education to earning a PhD in history from Cambridge university.

The first half of the book recounts her childhood, while the second half focuses on both her pursuit of education and the consequences thereof.  Over the course of the book, Westover reflects on family, identity, and mental illness.

Pros

• I found the story to be captivating for its entire length.  I was invested in the author's journey, even if I regularly disagreed with her choices (or at least hoped I would have made different choices if I was in her shoes).
• Westover is deft in her use of language.  This includes both the physical descriptions of the places she lives and visits (in particular, the location of her childhood home, Buck's Peak), as well as the way she describes the differences between her life in her childhood home and her life at school. 
• Westover is able to discuss issues of family, identity, education, class, and mental illness in a way that is neither hackneyed or preachy.

Cons

• This isn't a con per se, but a warning: this book was surprisingly graphic in parts.  I believe everything was done tastefully / in service of the narrative, but it was certainly a surprise the first time it happened.  One passage in particular almost made me gag, though I think that could also be to the author's credit as a writer.
• Occasionally, I found the voices of the male characters blended together.  I found this to be especially true when multiple men in Westover's family were interacting with each other.
• Though they are not central to the narrative, there were a few niggling threads that were left hanging by the end of the book.  In particular, I felt Westover's relationship with her significant other was underdeveloped and it is never clear what happens to Westover's seemingly broken big toe.

Conclusion
Listening to the amount of physical and emotional trauma Westover endured was an experience unlike any other I've had in recent memory.  Though the language in Educated is approachable, this book is not an easy read; it asks the reader to go to some very dark places.  With all of that being said, I definitely think the journey was worth it in the end.  If the premise of the book sounds interesting, I would recommend giving it a listen.

Final Score
5/5

Initial Impressions: Input Club's Kira

The finished product of another group buy just landed on my doorstep.  The Kira by Input Club got its start on Kickstarter in March of 2018.  While the project did not make its delivery estimate of October 2018, I am glad it made it out of production and into the real world.  

The board uses a 96% layout, meaning that it has almost all of the keys of a "standard" full-sized keyboard, but with a lot of the "dead space" cut away (along with a few compromises on keys, like a shorter right shift).  I am excited to use this board at work, where I have been missing a numpad.  I know I can program a numpad into the layers of my ErgoDox, but I still want to give this keeb a go.

While many of the reviews I've seen of the board so far have been mixed, I have not had enough time with the board to formulate my own opinion.  With that being said, what follows are my initial impressions.

Seems Cool:

• It comes with a carrying case.  The case is huge, but this makes sense given that this is a near full-sized board.  My sense is that the case would be impractical to EDC, but would probably be reasonable to put in a carry-on.
• I appreciate all the pack-ins: extra modifier keycaps in vibrant colors, and keycap and switch pullers.
• The keyboard feels solid in the hand (though I am a touch concerned that the white non-slip pads on the bottom of the keyboard will be crap-magnets).

Seems Gimmicky:

• I've never had a board with this many RGBs.  It was cool at first, but I ended up disabling the feature in under an hour because it was just too much.  Needless to say, the board is much too gaudy to use in a professional environment with the RGB enabled.
• I wanted the underglow (on the bottom and sides of the plastic chassis) to be more pronounced.  Even in fairly dark lighting conditions, it is not particularly visible (without bending to look at it). 
• It is hard to say with certainty given that I don't have a plastic frame to compare it to, but I am not sure that the metal top frame was worth the $80 up-charge.  As far as I know, both versions of the keyboard use the same plastic material for their body.

Seems Meh / Sketch: 

• I can't believe I had to flash to board to get the board to have "." be one of the key's defaults instead of ">"
• Watching the drivers install and use command line seemed kinda sketchy (but only due to my inexperience with that aspect of my computer).
• The included cable is boring at best; it isn't braided and isn't branded to match the keyboard in any way.

I will have more to say as I spend more time with this board, so watch this space.

Wing Sung 601A 0.5mm / "F" Fountain Pen

A good pen can take you a long way.  Some see it as a tool, while others keep it as a constant companion.  As a means to record one's thoughts, the pen has a long and storied history.

While the pen I am reviewing today is unlikely to change history, and while it borrows a lot from a better known pen (the Parker 51), the price and the simple aesthetic meant it was destined to be a part of my collection.

Basic Details and Cost

• $15, with free shipping from China
• Purchased via eBay in "black," and, "indigo."
• Will it post?  Yes, deeply.

Pros:

• Both of the pens I received were surprisingly smooth writers, though both required a little patience to get writing for the first time (e.g. "dry" writing, shaking the pen, etc).
• To be clear, no major maintenance was required to get the pen writing.
• The vacuum filling system means getting ink into the pen is easy.
• The pen can be purchased with or without an ink window; I appreciate that this was an option.  I opted for the window in both of the pens I purchased.
• Both pens included a free cartridge converter.  I found this odd, as neither can actually use said converter, but I won't complain about a free pack-in.

Cons:

• With no easy or obvious way to disassemble the pen, servicing it will be difficult.  This includes flushing the pens and changing inks, should I ever decide to do so.  The TWSBI Vac700 avoids this problem by having a screw-off section; there is no such luck with this pen.  With that being said, the TWSBI is also 4-5 times more expensive, so it makes sense that it would have additional features.
• The pen takes obvious inspiration from the Parker 51, down to the arrow-shaped clip.  As far as I can tell, the only two things that differentiate the Wing Sung are the nib (which is wrapped around the feed instead of being hooded) and the option for an ink window. 
• I find the design on the nib to be serviceable at best; the Chinese characters are no problem, but the "MADE IN CHINA" stamp takes up more real estate on the nib than I'd like.  By comparison, the same message appears much more subtly on the pen's cap.
• (nit-pick) Though the operation of the pen is straightforward, all of the included instructions were in Chinese.  I am listing this as a nit-pick rather than a "full" con because the instructions did include pictures.
• (nit-pick) The shipping from China was slow, taking approximately 3 weeks to arrive.  This was a mild annoyance, given that I am used to snappy shipping via services like Amazon Prime.  I am listing this as a nit-pick, however, because it doesn't affect the quality of the pen.

Conclusion:
This pen has a lot going for it, including the easy filling, the ink window, and the smooth writing.  The pen is far from perfect, however, and may be difficult to maintain in the long run.  Beyond that, while I have mixed feelings about the pen's design inspiration, it doesn't bother me enough to stop using the pen (or to have avoided making the purchase in the first place).  In all, this pen works well for me as an EDC, and I am happy to have it in my collection.

Final Score:
7.5/10