The World Changes and a Typewriter Helps

Jamey Boyum of KLTV Chanel 7 in Texas (Just outside of Dallas/Ft. Worth) reports that a typewriter was used to issue the first same-sex marriage licenses in Gregg County.

The story states that Carla Chappell and Angela Lunsford has been waiting three years to get married,  but with the Supreme Court's ruling they were eager to peruse their dream. However, they weren't sure if Gregg county was ready to issue a license. They called and were told that their county, indeed, was ready to issue the necessary document.

But there was a glitch. The software that the county uses wasn't updated for the new license so County Clerk Connie Wade had to make a new one with scissors and tape and a typewriter.

Of course we can all tell that it's an IBM Wheelwriter and from my personal experience a Wheelwriter is the perfect typewriter for filling out forms. In fact, the office has two typewriters.

So here we are in the 21st century and a typewriter was an important part of making a love story come true. It makes me happy to be a typewriter collector.

6th Phoenix Type-In Raffle Results

Here are the winners:

Kama
Jordan
Laura
Henry

Jordan was on hand to claim his typewriter, but the others are still out there completely unaware of their typewriter bounty. The remaining three can pick up their typewriters at the Mesa Typewriter Exchange. If you have a feeling like you might be the Kama, Laura, or Henry mentioned, email me at tryanpa@cox.net and we'll sort it out.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Thanks to Eric and Ted who donated the typewriters for the raffle. I also know that Changing Hands also thanks you for your support.

Some Thoughts and Thanks About the 6th Phoenix Type-In

If you didn't make it out to the 6th Phoenix Type-In at Changing Hands you missed a great event. There were more people than ever interested in getting behind the keyboard of a typewriter. I thought it was fantastic to meet so many new people and hear their typewriter stories. 

We had a few new events that we never tried. First, was a speed typing competition arranged and organized by Jake Fisher. Jake printed out the typing assignment and really did a lion's share of the work on this event. About 5 people participated and it was a great time. Brian won the competition on his beautiful blue Selectric. He was worried that there might be a Mark Maguiresque asterisk next to his name because of his performance enhancing typewriter. But as the event was all in good fun no one begrudged him his place on the rostrum. Newcomer Rose came in second. Tori came in third. 

Second, we also had some great door prizes; four typewriters donated by Eric and Ted. I'll do a follow-up post with the names of the winners and information on how they can claim their typers.

Chanel 5 was on had to cover some of the event.

It was a lot of fun

I do want to take some time out to thank all the people who made the 6th Phoenix Type-In a success. Changing Hands has been a partner in the planning of this event. They offer the space and are so very supportive of interesting and fun things. We've held type-ins at a number of locations and by-far Changing Hands has been the most accommodating and the most excited to host us. Walt at Changing Hands was a huge help and very supportive. Thanks Cindy and Walt. I also must thank the Rt. Rev. T. Munk. I met Ted at the first Phoenix Typewriter Round-Up and Type-In at Hulu's and he was an early supporter of the Phoenix typewriter scene. If you haven't found his blog or the new, improved, and vastly better Typewriter Database you are missing out on some great internet. Go there now. Eric Jaros was kind enough to offer typewriters for the raffle. Bill Wahl was there for the first type-in and I am happy to count him as a friend. Bill spreads the word about all the type-ins to his customers and I think that more than half of the attendees knew about it from him. Thanks Bill

One final note. I didn't take nearly enough photos, but I'll include the few that made it to my Instagram feed. If you would like to follow you can find me at @tryanpa 

Type-In Today!

Today (May 23rd), from 1-4, is the 6th Phoenix Type-In at Changing Hands on Camelback Rd. Come by and enjoy some beautiful typewriters.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.magicmargin.net/2015/05/the-countdown-to-type-in-and-type-in.html

and here:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/the-6th-annual-phoenix-type-in-celebrates-typewriters-at-changing-hands-7343100

We plan on having some great things this year including:

• A typewriter clinic with Bill Wahl from the Mesa Typewriter Exchange. Bill will be on-hand to give his professional opinion about your typewriter.

• Jake Fischer, the typewriter wunderkind, will be holding a speed typing competition which may include fabulous prizes.

• A special exhibit of The Typewriters of Mad Men. You can see, in person IBM Selectrics and a small collection of typewriters featured on the show. 

• A chance to win a typewriter. Just put your First Draft receipt in the box and you can win one of three fantastic, beautiful, mid-century typewriters.

The Countdown to the Type-In and Type-In Press

If you were looking to gather with some like-minded typewriter lovers this weekend, you are in luck because the 6th Phoenix Type-In is happening this weekend at First Draft in Changing Hands. From 1-4 you can get a chance to meet typewriter collectors from across the valley, have a refreshing drink from First Draft, possibly win a typewriter, and see some great machines.

The 6th Phoenix Type-In will include:

• A typewriter clinic with Bill Wahl from the Mesa Typewriter Exchange. Bill will be on-hand to give his professional opinion about your typewriter.

• Jake Fischer, the typewriter wunderkind, will be holding a speed typing competition which may include fabulous prizes.

• A special exhibit of The Typewriters of Mad Men. You can see, in person IBM Selectrics and a small collection of typewriters featured on the show. 

• A chance to win a typewriter. Just put your First Draft receipt in the box and you can win one of three fantastic, beautiful, mid-century typewriters.

Please come out! You'll have a lot of fun.

On another note, the 6th Phoenix Type-In was featured in a New Times article. You can find that story here:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/the-6th-annual-phoenix-type-in-celebrates-typewriters-at-changing-hands-7343100

I hope to see you on Saturday!

6th Phoenix Type-In

If you were in the mood to meet like-minded typewriter enthusiasts, this might be your event. So mark your calendar for May 23rd from 1-4 for some spring typing fun.

I would also like to take a moment and recognize our kind sponsors: First Draft at Changing Hands and the Mesa Typewriter Exchange. Without them this event would not be possible.

Silence

While a typewriter isn't exactly silent, it does allow one to enter a space where one's internal silence can come forth.

I try to talk to my students about silence and it's not exactly easy. They have a real fear of silence as if the moment you strip away all the noise what you are left by yourself. I can see how that would be scary.

This typecast is brought to you by a very lovely Olympia typeface.