Blog Feed: The Pen Guy and His Mercedes Pens Art Car Covered in 10,000 Pens

The Pen Guy Moving to www.penguyart.com

Published on 2013-02-11 01:15:00

I finally made the big move from blog spot over to my new word press site at www.penguyart.com. Blog spot was a great place to start blogging about my Mercedes Pens art car and my pen recycling art project but I wanted the flexibility of a self hoste

The Pen Guy Art at Tiny Town Cafe | 12-21-12

Published on 2012-12-20 22:14:00

I am happy to announce the first and hopefully not the last of my recycled pen art showing at the best little coffee shop in town called tiny town cafe. There will be an art opening tomorrow on 12-21-12, supposedly the end of the world according the

The Pen Guy Art at Tiny Town Cafe | 12-21-12

Published on 2012-12-20 22:14:00

I am happy to announce the first and hopefully not the last of my recycled pen art showing at the best little coffee shop in town called tiny town cafe. There will be an art opening tomorrow on 12-21-12, supposedly the end of the world according the

Celebrate America Recycles Day - Donating Pens to The Pen Guy

Published on 2012-11-16 12:08:00

Celebrate America Recycles Day - Donating Pens to The Pen Guy Lane County Oregon is participating in America Recycles Day by launched a thirty day pen recycling collection program for all their customers and sending them over to The Pen Guy. That mea

The Pen Guy Now at PenGuyArt.com

Published on 2012-10-30 23:32:00

The pen guy site is now is located at www.penguyart.com so if you have the old url thepenguy.org please change it or else you will be redirected to some Japanese squatter site. Oops I did it again, fell asleep at the switch and lost my url yet again

The Pen Guy Now at PenGuyArt.com

Published on 2012-10-30 23:32:00

The pen guy site is now is located at www.penguyart.com so if you have the old url thepenguy.org please change it or else you will be redirected to some Japanese squatter site. Oops I did it again, fell asleep at the switch and lost my url yet again a year later. That's for not checking my Gmail account which I refuse to use.The photo above was taken at the 2012 Sacramento Auto Show were 8-9 art cars were invited to show for the entire show. Once we all figured how get back home after dropping o [..]

How to Repair your 300SD Window Switches

Published on 2012-09-27 15:28:00

Do you have a 300SD 126 Mercedes Benz and all of a sudden your window switches decide to quit? Well last night It came to me, why not open up the switch boxes and see whats going inside, maybe its as simple as dirty connectors.I opened these baby's up and they were filthy to the max, covered in lint, dirt and grease. I took care to follow the steps necessary to remove the switches from the tricky 300SD console.I gently removed the switches from the body and then took out the metal parts. Once in [..]

How to Repair your 300SD Window Switches

Published on 2012-09-27 15:28:00

Do you have a 300SD 126 Mercedes Benz and all of a sudden your window switches decide to quit? Well last night It came to me, why not open up the switch boxes and see whats going inside, maybe its as simple as dirty connectors.I opened these baby's up and they were filthy to the max, covered in lint, dirt and grease. I took care to follow the steps necessary to remove the switches from the tricky 300SD console.I gently removed the switches from the body and then took out the metal parts. Once in [..]

How to Repair your 300SD Window Switches

Published on 2012-09-27 15:28:00

Do you have a 300SD 126 Mercedes Benz and all of a sudden your window switches decide to quit? Well last night It came to me, why not open up the switch boxes and see whats going inside, maybe its as simple as dirty connectors.I opened these baby's up and they were filthy to the max, covered in lint, dirt and grease. I took care to follow the steps necessary to remove the switches from the tricky 300SD console.I gently removed the switches from the body and then took out the metal parts. Once in [..]

Pens, Pens Pens and more Pens

Published on 2012-08-16 12:27:00

I wan to take a moment to thank all those who have donated their used pens in the last couple of months with a post and a picture. Unfortunately I misplaced some of the envelopes and I dont know were they came from to give credit to some of these beautiful empty pens, I know its a long shot but if you recognized your pens let me know.I appreciate all the pens that came in and look forward to going to my PO box every day to check for more used pens. Often times I take my youngest daughter who lov [..]

Pens, Pens Pens and more Pens

Published on 2012-08-16 12:27:00

I wan to take a moment to thank all those who have donated their used pens in the last couple of months with a post and a picture. Unfortunately I misplaced some of the envelopes and I dont know were they came from to give credit to some of these beautiful empty pens, I know its a long shot but if you recognized your pens let me know.I appreciate all the pens that came in and look forward to going to my PO box every day to check for more used pens. Often times I take my youngest daughter who lov [..]

Pens, Pens Pens and more Pens

Published on 2012-08-16 12:27:00

I wan to take a moment to thank all those who have donated their used pens in the last couple of months with a post and a picture. Unfortunately I misplaced some of the envelopes and I dont know were they came from to give credit to some of these beautiful empty pens, I know its a long shot but if you recognized your pens let me know.I appreciate all the pens that came in and look forward to going to my PO box every day to check for more used pens. Often times I take my youngest daughter who lov [..]

Amazing Recycle Pen Art Showing at the Greentivities Exhibit

Published on 2012-07-26 12:22:00

Recycle Pen Art by The Pen Guy - Time WarpI just completed my second recycle pen art project in time to be shown at the Sonoma County Fair exhibit called "Greentivities". “Greentivities”, is a new, fun, interactive, and exciting venue for both kids and adults to showcase examples to the community with ways to approach recycling, reuse and conservation through art and hands on demos.How I got there was a text book case of convergence. Last Wednesday I was walking around down town Santa Rosa [..]

Amazing Recycle Pen Art Showing at the Greentivities Exhibit

Published on 2012-07-26 12:22:00

Recycle Pen Art by The Pen Guy - Time WarpI just completed my second recycle pen art project in time to be shown at the Sonoma County Fair exhibit called "Greentivities". “Greentivities”, is a new, fun, interactive, and exciting venue for both kids and adults to showcase examples to the community with ways to approach recycling, reuse and conservation through art and hands on demos.How I got there was a text book case of convergence. Last Wednesday I was walking around down town Santa Rosa [..]

Amazing Recycle Pen Art Showing at the Greentivities Exhibit

Published on 2012-07-26 12:22:00

Recycle Pen Art by The Pen Guy - Time WarpI just completed my second recycle pen art project in time to be shown at the Sonoma County Fair exhibit called "Greentivities". “Greentivities”, is a new, fun, interactive, and exciting venue for both kids and adults to showcase examples to the community with ways to approach recycling, reuse and conservation through art and hands on demos.How I got there was a text book case of convergence. Last Wednesday I was walking around down town Santa Rosa [..]

Pen Art by The Pen Guy Headed to Terracycle

Published on 2012-07-19 16:45:00

Pen Art Shipping Container Made from Reclaimed WoodI finally got my act together and sent the first installment of my pen art over to terracycle last Monday. I had been procrastinated for months now sitting on this penting but I finally decided to get-r-done. A week ago I went over to my dads place and he provided all the wood he had been stockpiling for a couple of years and made my self a very sturdy shipping crate. Mom was very excited to get rid of some of that lumber and told me to come ba [..]

Pen Art by The Pen Guy Headed to Terracycle

Published on 2012-07-19 16:45:00

Pen Art Shipping Container Made from Reclaimed WoodI finally got my act together and sent the first installment of my pen art over to terracycle last Monday. I had been procrastinated for months now sitting on this penting but I finally decided to get-r-done. A week ago I went over to my dads place and he provided all the wood he had been stockpiling for a couple of years and made my self a very sturdy shipping crate. Mom was very excited to get rid of some of that lumber and told me to come ba [..]

Pen Art by The Pen Guy Headed to Terracycle

Published on 2012-07-19 16:45:00

Pen Art Shipping Container Made from Reclaimed WoodI finally got my act together and sent the first installment of my pen art over to terracycle last Monday. I had been procrastinated for months now sitting on this penting but I finally decided to get-r-done. A week ago I went over to my dads place and he provided all the wood he had been stockpiling for a couple of years and made my self a very sturdy shipping crate. Mom was very excited to get rid of some of that lumber and told me to come ba [..]

Sushi Pen Review by The Pen Guy - Something Smells Fishy

Published on 2012-06-26 22:10:00

One of the many perks as the pen guy when I am no out back creating pen art out of donated pens is doing the odd pen review here and there. Today's pen is brought to you by the Prank Place who sent me this pretty raw looking "Sushi" pen. If you love sushi, then you need one (or all!) of these great Sushi Pens! Each ballpoint pen writes with black ink, comes with its own ballpoint cover, and has a delicious sushi at the other end of the pen!On the pro side, its a great looking pen and does well f [..]

Sushi Pen Review by The Pen Guy - Something Smells Fishy

Published on 2012-06-26 22:10:00

One of the many perks as the pen guy when I am no out back creating pen art out of donated pens is doing the odd pen review here and there. Today's pen is brought to you by the Prank Place who sent me this pretty raw looking "Sushi" pen. If you love sushi, then you need one (or all!) of these great Sushi Pens! Each ballpoint pen writes with black ink, comes with its own ballpoint cover, and has a delicious sushi at the other end of the pen!On the pro side, its a great looking pen and does well f [..]

Sushi Pen Review by The Pen Guy - Something Smells Fishy

Published on 2012-06-26 22:10:00

One of the many perks as the pen guy when I am no out back creating pen art out of donated pens is doing the odd pen review here and there. Today's pen is brought to you by the Prank Place who sent me this pretty raw looking "Sushi" pen. If you love sushi, then you need one (or all!) of these great Sushi Pens! Each ballpoint pen writes with black ink, comes with its own ballpoint cover, and has a delicious sushi at the other end of the pen!On the pro side, its a great looking pen and does well f [..]

Mercedes Pens Makes the Doggie Boogie Movie Trailer

Published on 2012-06-02 11:46:00

About a year ago the Mercedes Pens Art Car was hired to be in a movie called Doggie Boogie about Pijo the dancing Dog. Yesterday I run into the trailer and to my big surprise I found a brief shot of Pijo jumping in the Mercedes Pens from the passenger side. This was the scene right before the big chase scene, with a taxi cab going after Pijo in the back seat looking out. In fact a Pijo stuffed stunt double was used made from hair collected from the real deal. Not sure when the movie will hit the [..]

Mercedes Pens Makes the Doggie Boogie Movie Trailer

Published on 2012-06-02 11:46:00

About a year ago the Mercedes Pens Art Car was hired to be in a movie called Doggie Boogie about Pijo the dancing Dog. Yesterday I run into the trailer and to my big surprise I found a brief shot of Pijo jumping in the Mercedes Pens from the passenger side. This was the scene right before the big chase scene, with a taxi cab going after Pijo in the back seat looking out. In fact a Pijo stuffed stunt double was used made from hair collected from the real deal. Not sure when the movie will hit the [..]

The Pen Guy Launches Recycled Pen Art Project on IndieGoGo

Published on 2012-05-25 05:28:00

I am happy to announce the creation of my very first art piece

The Pen Guy Launches Recycled Pen Art Project on IndieGoGo

Published on 2012-05-25 05:28:00

I am happy to announce the creation of my very first art piece

The Pen Guy Launches Recycled Pen Art Project on IndieGoGo

Published on 2012-05-25 05:28:00

I am happy to announce the creation of my very first art piece

Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Spain Learn English

Published on 2012-04-02 19:31:00

The Mercedes Pens art car was just published in the latest English work book called "Contrast" by Burlington Books for students in Spain who are learning English.The student is asked to read the story about the pen Guy and the Mercedes pens and then write a 60-80 summary.Here is my summary in less that 26 words: "Not only am I doing my part to collect old used pens from around the world, I am now helping others learn English, Pretty Cool"

Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Spain Learn English

Published on 2012-04-02 19:31:00

The Mercedes Pens art car was just published in the latest English work book called "Contrast" by Burlington Books for students in Spain who are learning English.The student is asked to read the story about the pen Guy and the Mercedes pens and then write a 60-80 summary. Here is my summary in less that 26 words: "Not only am I doing my part to collect old used pens from around the world, I am now helping others learn English, Pretty Cool"

Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Spain Learn English

Published on 2012-04-02 19:31:00

The Mercedes Pens art car was just published in the latest English work book called "Contrast" by Burlington Books for students in Spain who are learning English.The student is asked to read the story about the pen Guy and the Mercedes pens and then write a 60-80 summary. Here is my summary in less that 26 words: "Not only am I doing my part to collect old used pens from around the world, I am now helping others learn English, Pretty Cool"

The Pen Guy Receives 30,000 Pen Donation From TerraCycle

Published on 2012-03-07 20:09:00

I just received one of my biggest pens donations ever last week from TerraCycle at a whopping 30,000 pens that was delivered on a pallet about 5 feet high all the way from Trenton, NJ. I will be partnering with Terracycle to create art works made from pens and sending them over as soon as I am finished.The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycleTheir goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution programs for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste. In e [..]

The Pen Guy Receives 30,000 Pen Donation From TerraCycle

Published on 2012-03-07 20:09:00

I just received one of my biggest pens donations ever last week from TerraCycle at a whopping 30,000 pens that was delivered on a pallet about 5 feet high all the way from Trenton, NJ. I will be partnering with Terracycle to create art works made from pens and sending them over as soon as I am finished.The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycleTheir goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution programs for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste. In [..]

The Pen Guy Receives 30,000 Pen Donation From TerraCycle

Published on 2012-03-07 20:09:00

I just received one of my biggest pens donations ever last week from TerraCycle at a whopping 30,000 pens that was delivered on a pallet about 5 feet high all the way from Trenton, NJ. I will be partnering with Terracycle to create art works made from pens and sending them over as soon as I am finished.The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycleTheir goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution programs for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste. In [..]

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this Photoshoot

Published on 2011-12-23 22:34:00

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this PhotoshootI just received two packages of used pens, a bunch from my friend Don R. in Hastings, Nebraska today, and a bunch of pens from S. Wilner in New York about two weeks ago just in time for Christmas. I decided to have some fun tonight and do a impromptu photo-shoot while holding a bunch of used pens in each hand. I am looking at these photos and I must admit that pens just dont work as a good prop. Even though I think this shoot was a comple [..]

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this Photoshoot

Published on 2011-12-23 22:34:00

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this PhotoshootI just received two packages of used pens, a bunch from my friend Don R. in Hastings, Nebraska today, and a bunch of pens from S. Wilner in New York about two weeks ago just in time for Christmas. I decided to have some fun tonight and do a impromptu photo-shoot while holding a bunch of used pens in each hand. I am looking at these photos and I must admit that pens just dont work as a good prop. Even though I think this shoot was a comple [..]

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this Photoshoot

Published on 2011-12-23 22:34:00

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this PhotoshootI just received two packages of used pens, a bunch from my friend Don R. in Hastings, Nebraska today, and a bunch of pens from S. Wilner in New York about two weeks ago just in time for Christmas. I decided to have some fun tonight and do a impromptu photo-shoot while holding a bunch of used pens in each hand. I am looking at these photos and I must admit that pens just dont work as a good prop. Even though I think this shoot was a comple [..]

Pentel Pens Just In - Recycology™ program explained

Published on 2011-12-12 11:25:00

Pentel Super Ball, Fine Superball and Quickball Pens Donated by Pentel to The Pen GuyOn one my recent meanderings I landed on Pentel's page called Recycology™, a program created to enhance their mission of helping the environment by creating less waste and increasing recycling activity. They are focused on protecting the environment at all stages of manufacturing by creating products that used both recycled content and post-consumer recycled content. All their products in this line are made fr [..]

3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen Guy

Published on 2011-12-06 18:41:00

There are 3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen GuyYou feel good about getting rid of all those used pensYou make room for new pens to take their place I post pictures of your used pens on my site.Thank you all for the amazing batch of used pens donated from Salt Lake City, Utah, San Marcos, California and Sharon Hill, PA. The pen Guy is a happy camper on this beautiful clear cold day.Donated used pens from Salt Lake City, UtahDonated used pens from San Marcos, CaliforniaDonated used pe [..]

Donated Cedax Pens - Great Pens With NOT so Great Side Effects

Published on 2011-11-23 16:31:00

Got these Cedax (Ceftibuten) pens in the other day all the way from Windsor Ca from my pen pall Nancy. V. a mere ten miles away from my PO Box. I have a bunch of medical pens on the Mercedes Pens but I have never featured any of them on the pen guy blog, so decided to investigate. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine Cedax (Ceftibuten) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis and ear and throat infections. Antibiotics will [..]

Mercedes Pens Feature Video on Mercedes-Benz Reporter

Published on 2011-11-19 14:34:00

Mercedes Pens Art Car Featured on Mercedes-Benz Reporter - Video by Alex KahlAlex Kahl is a self professed auto-geek who is obsessed with cars, technology and the web. This obsession somehow led to the sweetest gig of all, test driving and writing about cars and getting paid for it. A few months ago he was in the Bay Area driving around in a top of the line Mercedes loaner and contacted me about doing and interview in Petaluma CA at TwiT TV. He writes for Mercedes-Benz and this video was just po [..]

Used Pens Donated by Artist Ben Schlitter

Published on 2011-11-13 21:37:00

These Pigma Micro used pens were donated by Ben Schlitter, an award winning designer, illustrator and painter from Santa Monica California. Ben is an illustrator and painter who owns an award winning multidisciplinary design studio called studiobenben. When getting his hands dirty Ben works mainly in acrylic and collage but he also enjoys creating illustrations and designing print, interactive, and motion graphics projects.I wanted to capture the beauty of the pigma micron caps so I bunched them [..]

Used pens from Singapore Reunited with the Pen Guy

Published on 2011-11-07 18:42:00

This beautifully wrapped box of used pens came this week from Joanna C. all the way from Singapore and I took multiple pictures wanting to savor the moment. These used pens came wrapped in brown paper which I carefully removed to reveal the Black & Decker automatic dry iron box. Once I had this box opened I spilled the used pens on the ground to behold the treasure within. It was a windy fall day and a few dry redwood leaves were included in the final shot. Is it possible I could end up writing [..]

Pen Explosion at The Pen Guys House - Nobody Hurt

Published on 2011-10-28 18:51:00

I woke up this morning to find my pen storage bin with its door blown off its hinges and pens spilling all over the place. This bin was given to me with a broken hinge and it simply could not take the pressure of about 30K pens pushing up against it. I had a sinking suspicion that levy was about to burst but ignored the voice telling me to wrap it up with some rope rope.This afternoon I took care of it with a little duct and rope and I am ready again to receive your packages of empty pens in the [..]

Pen Donation from Washington DC

Published on 2011-10-18 01:24:00

Thank you for the pens all the way from Washington DC. This is part of my commitment to thank every one who sends pens.

Pens Donations from San Jose and Sacramento

Published on 2011-10-12 14:49:00

Thank you both for the recent pen donations to the pen guy one million pen project.These two packages locally one from San Jose and the other from Sacramento California. Even though I have been very with work as a Graphic Designer building web sites and designing marketing materials I promise to continue to post on my blog at least once a week. I really want to make sure all of you who send pens in have your donations featured here on the Pen Guy blog.

Pens from all over hit the Pen Guys PO BOX

Published on 2011-06-17 19:16:00

Today I went to my PO box and found not one but 5 packages filled with recycled pens from all over the place. In fact since my last post I have gotten a ton more pens and I have been to busy to post. So a BIG HUGE thanks goes to: Christa - Seattle, W

Mercedes Pens Makes the Doggie Boogie Movie Trailer

Published on 2011-05-11 23:43:00

About a year ago the Mercedes Pens Art Car was hired to be in a movie called Doggie Boogie about Pijo the dancing Dog. Yesterday I run into the trailer and to my big surprise I found a brief shot of Pijo jumping in the Mercedes Pens from the passenge

500 Reasons to Buy Promotional Pens from Bic Promo Pens

Published on 2011-05-06 14:44:00

Its has been way too long since my last post so I wanted to break my blog fast by giving a big thanks to Tej over at Bic Promo Pens the #1 source for promotional, advertising, and logo pens. Tej sponsored me this month by printing and sending over 5

Pen Guy Gives Hilarious Talk about Art Cars at Ignite Sebastopol - Video

Published on 2011-02-11 19:05:00

Last Wed I had the amazing opportunity to speak at Ignite Sebastopol, a place to say whats on my mind but keep It short. I had 5 minutes and 20 slides running at 15 seconds each. The title of my topic was called "If I can create and art car so can yo

Big Bunch of Pens - Catching on my Thank You's

Published on 2011-02-09 13:13:00

It been a while since my last pen donation post but I have had a an amazing amount of pens pour in from all over. A big thanks goes those of you who sent in a ton of pens:Amanda from ChinaAaron from Steamwood, Il. Wong from San Fransisco, CADanny fro

Mercedes Pens Alternator Problem Solved

Published on 2011-02-06 14:22:00

Finally figured out the mystery of the dead battery. Ever since last October my battery on the Mercedes pens kept dying and last week I finally had it having to get a battery jump at the post office. At first I though I had a short in the electric sy

Pen Guy Role Model? Tisha Bell Collecting a Million Pens Also

Published on 2011-01-30 16:14:00

I got an email from Tisha Bell who started collecting pens when she was in middle school one summer. Her goal is to also collect a million pens from around the world so her friend set up a web sit for her to get the word out. She asked me for advise

Pen Guy Collects 22,000 Used Pens So Far

Published on 2011-01-10 02:28:00

Hi everyone, here is an update on my one million pen drive. So far I have managed to collect about 22,000 used pens of every kind. All this with the help of local thrift stores and mail in donations to my address.The Pen Guy - P.O.Box 994 - Forestv

Mercedes Pens Makes Daily Mail Editors Top Six

Published on 2011-01-03 19:21:00

There is no better way to start the new year than by making the editors top six on Daily Mail, a UK tabloid. The Mercedes Pens was feature on same page below a photo of Fergie in her bathing suite on P Diddy's boat. Wow, what a treat!!!

100 Amazing Photos of the Mercedes Pens

Published on 2010-12-25 23:38:00

by Nicky DeezOver the past 5 years the Mercedes Pens Art Car has been widely photographed and seen world wide many times over. My art car was recently featured flickriver which allows people to quickly see interesting image

Fabulous Pen Donation from Decatur Georgia

Published on 2010-12-13 17:12:00

Big thanks to Laura P for her Pen donation all the way from Decatur Georgia with a lovely note that said:Pen Guy-Thanks for doing this! I love being able to NOT throw stuff away?Pens were shot using my fabulous wacom tablet as the back drop. Also be

Paul Meyers' "Penultimate" Documentary Great Success - Pen Hard Hat on SF360

Published on 2010-12-09 16:48:00

My pen covered hard hat made the front page of SF360 a Daily News & Features from America’s Film & Media Frontier. Published by the San Francisco Film Society. Eight first-year students in the Stanford MFA in Documentary Film program screen

Brooke Inman "Everything Color Circle" Pen Collection

Published on 2010-11-30 00:19:00

Brooke Inman created this collection of pen art called "Everything Color Circle". I am not sure whats going on but its sure an impressive array of pens with a few pencils sprinkled in there. Any one with this kind pen collection is surely a fri

Pen Guy Scores a 24 pack of assorted sharpies

Published on 2010-11-08 11:31:00

I drove by one of my pen drop off locations on my way home and picked up a grocery bag filled with used pens. Going through them I discovered a Ziploc bag filled with a 24 pack of assorted sharpies minus two colors. Actually finding brand new pens al

Used Pens Arrive Safely from Michigan

Published on 2010-11-04 19:21:00

These used pens just came in from Lake Geneva Michigan sent by Tia M. and triple bagged for safety. The pens came wrapped inside a Target bag within a USPS priority envelope within a brown paper envelope. Tia understands that these used pens are impo

Pen Mail Box 2.0 Made Possible by Hanna

Published on 2010-10-26 12:44:00

Pen Covered Mail Box 2.0 in the makingPen Covered Mail Box 2.0 ready to receive mailLast Sunday during the making of the Pen Guy documentary we shot the creation of the pen covered mail box version 2.0. Paul filmed me in my workshop opening up my mai