May 20, 2026 — I’m writing this from the airport while a long flight to Japan waits. The departure out of LAX has been pushed back by two hours, which stretches an already long itinerary: an estimated 25+ hour journey with layovers at three separate airports. With roughly approximately 20 hours before we touch down, this delay has given time to slow down, organize gear, and outline what I’ll share on the road. It’s the kind of travel day that invites both patience and a chance to make thoughtful choices about what comes along in the bag.
For notes and pens I’m sticking with familiar tools. My go-to pen case for this trip is a Rickshaw Fillmore, and my primary notebook will be a TGS_25 Roterfaden — with the hope of adding more Roterfaden inventory this summer. I briefly considered carrying only two pens but ultimately kept a slightly fuller kit while trimming notebooks to save weight. I added a Pilot Custom Heritage 92 to the rotation and packed a few reliable gel pens for quick notes. These choices reflect a balance between comfort and versatility in an everyday carry that needs to work on long flights and unfamiliar streets.
Travel logistics and timeline
The trip involves a complex sequence of connections and a lot of time in transit. This is a three-layover itinerary, and the total travel time exceeds 25 hours door-to-door. Because the first leg out of LAX was delayed by two hours, the schedule feels even longer than planned. I haven’t done such an extended route in many years, so part of this trip is reacquainting myself with marathon travel pacing — how to rest, what to pack for inflight productivity, and when to simply unplug. The plan is flexible: expect reporting on timing adjustments, the effect of the delay, and observations about the process of traveling with selected stationery gear.
What I’m carrying and why
Choosing what to bring boiled down to usefulness under travel conditions. The Rickshaw Fillmore offers structured protection and easy access to pens, while the TGS_25 Roterfaden notebook handles notes, receipts, and sketches without bulk. I pared down notebooks to keep the bag manageable and to avoid decision fatigue during long waits. The additional Pilot Custom Heritage 92 was a practical addition: a dependable fountain pen that writes well through varying humidity and temperature on a plane. Alongside fountain pens I included a few gel pens for quick, legible notes. These items form a compact, resilient pack light kit that suits store visits and on-the-go journaling.
Notes and writing plans
While I’ll aim for regular updates, they probably won’t be daily. Expect a mix of formats: short check-ins, longer reflections, dedicated store reports, and haul posts that document new finds. The content will cover both gear impressions and small, local discoveries as I move through different cities. I’ll use the TGS Instagram and TGS YouTube channels for quicker, visual updates, and longer write-ups will appear here. The idea is to share practical notes about supplies, shopping experiences, and any surprises encountered along the way — all framed as trip updates rather than a rigid publication schedule.
What stays the same at home
Although I will be abroad, operations at the Nashville showroom continue as usual. If you’re local, the showroom will be open on Thursday and Friday from 1–6pm and on Saturday from 10am–5pm. Team members will be on hand to help with purchases and questions, so business runs normally despite my travel calendar. This continuity means customers can still visit in person, try products, and pick up orders. The showroom hours are clearly listed so visitors can plan a stop while I’m away.
How to follow along
To follow the journey in near real time, check the TGS Instagram and TGS YouTube profiles for quick clips and stories. Longer photo essays and detailed write-ups will appear here as time permits — including shop visits, equipment hauls, and brief essays on stationery discoveries. Expect honest takes on what works and what doesn’t when using these items day after day in a travel context. If you prefer in-person interaction, remember the Nashville showroom remains available during the listed open hours, so both digital and real-world options exist for staying connected while I’m on the road.
