The word comes through from Paris - the right strings have been pulled, and that over-paid half-job-half-junket is yours pending a handwritten application (traditional in France) and the latest version of your C.V.

But when you pick up the pen you realise it has been years since you wrote anything longer than a cheque. After a three lines, your handwriting becomes uneven, after seven it's a scrawl.

You start again, sticking your tongue between your teeth to help you concentrate. It's better, but now the lines are crooked. You're gripping too tight, and after five attempts, your fingers are aching from the hard biro and your tongue is in shreds. You've failed - you might as well unpack those bags.

If only you had used the new Cross Morph Pen. As you twist it, the grip expands gently from a soft circle to an ergonomic triangle. Instead of sore fingers, you get a perfectly individualised writing implement, caressing your every flourish.

If you had the DigitalWriter version, you could turn it upside down and use the patented polymeric stylus tip instead of that skinny piece of plastic that came with your hand-held computer.

The Morph Pen, around £45 (€57), is available in all good pen shops.

Gizmo suggestions to: smaccarthaigh@irish-times.ie