Overheard in bookstores

“Are they going to turn those Lord of the Rings movies into books?”

“How can you sell these (sex) books? Kids can just read them and learn how to do everything!” —Little old lady

“What’s the reason for your return?” “It didn’t work.” —Customer looking down at sex book, gift receipt in hand

“Does it have vampires?” —Customer holding Crime and Punishment

“Do you have any Shakespeare translated into English?”

“I’m looking for Mockingjay. You know it…it’s the sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Do you have an audio book to learn sign language?”

“Where’s the 17 Day Diet at? I need to lose some weight fast.” —Customer slurping McDonald’s shake

“It’s a shame you’re closing but, hey, it’s not like we use a horse and buggy anymore, either.”

“I don’t know the author, but it’s called Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.”

I guess it must take a lot of patience to work in a bookstore. Have you ever asked a really dumb question in a bookstore? Fun fact: When the TV show Grey’s Anatomy premiered, I walked into my local library and asked for the name of the author who wrote Grey’s Anatomy. I have this compulsion to first read the book of anything made into a movie or TV show. The librarian looked at me as though I were a complete idiot, walked away, and came back and plopped down the giant Grey’s Anatomy medical book in front of me.

Life in the English countryside

Last night I was talking about a fantasy year-long vacation I’ve concocted in my head: Live in a stone cottage in rural England. Spend days taking long walks through the countryside. Venture into the cities to look at architecture, libraries, museums, art and cafes. Spend nights drinking tea by the cottage fireplace.

I swear I’m not an old lady, but the idea has always held some kind of appeal for me.

The dream is realized! This morning I stumbled onto these photos by National Geographic of U.K. National Parks:

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So pretty. See more photos by National Geographic of U.K. National Parks.

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations

As I sit in my booth at Pages, a girl my age asks if the booth next to me is open. “I believe so,” I said. She looks appreciative, “I’ve been waiting all night for a table to open up.” “Oh yes, it’s quite a competitive market,” I said and laughed. Then, an older man walks by with two little kids dressed in mini peacoats and holding his hands. He does a double take and sits down at the booth with the girl, gets out the kids coloring books and takes out his own textbooks. He’s working on a class project with the girl.

 

This is what I love about life. This is what I love about people. The strength and determination to overcome adversity and throw a wrench in the status quo. Sure, I don’t exactly know his situation. He could be babysitting for all I know. But I like to think he is a smart guy who didn’t pass up on his life goals because life threw enormous responsibility his way.

 

I’m an optimist. Never really used to be. But that has all changed in the past few months.

 

For example, I could be freaking that I have to write a paper that is due tomorrow on a 600 page book that I have yet to read and have no desire to read. Or, I could take out my laptop and brilliantly bullshit my way through it. Guess which one I’m doing? OK, probably not the best thing to pride myself on, but hey, I really have no time for reading of lengthy literature at college. And I bullshitted my last paper for this class and got an A-. Cause for concern? Hell no.

 

So, I’ve decided to up the ante for next week. Trying to churn out three articles for next week. Here’s me wishing myself luck, ’cause ain’t nobody else gonna. I really want to get a move on and raise the stakes in this journalism game. I need to stand out. My whole grade school, middle school and high school career I stood out and I don’t plan to stop at college. This is, of course, a bit ambitious, going from a class of 25 to a class of 3,000. But, that’s part of the fun, right? Damn, I really hope I don’t eat those words later.

 

I absolutely loved the weather today. It was nice and cold out, but not unbearable. There was such a light snow that it wouldn’t stick to anything, but it looked so pretty. Especially since leaves are still on the ground. I wanted to take pictures today, I’m not even the picture-taking kind of person. But, I had that urge as I was walking along Marshall Street.

 

 

I just spent my last LAST change on a caffeine fix. I am now officially OFFICIALLY broke. But, things could be worse.

Alone in a melee

Can you guess where I am?

 

Before I get started studying, I feel like clearing my head. I haven’t been able to at all today. Today has been an “off” day, if you will. I can usually handle stress with some degree of productivity, but today I’m not sure what it is that is affecting me. At first I thought it was lack of sleep, then I thought it was lack of food in my system. I felt as if I was suffering from delusion or having a bout of vertigo. Anyway, work can’t wait for me to get over it, so, no use in analyzing it.

 

I was just thinking that while seclusion can be depressing, that it is actually essential to my existence most of the time. Don’t get me wrong, I like being around people – at times. Well, I should use an example.

 

I’ve become addicted to my respites at the library each day. I come in with my life, sit at a comfortable booth in a crowded library by myself and just organize my life, get my head together and get massive amounts of work done. I’m usually here for a majority of the night. So, my roommate had to study today so she joined me here, but we ended up traversing over to a smaller booth with one outlet too far away from me and right as I sit down two of her friends join us. Whatever, small beans. But, now I can’t get in the right frame of mind. I don’t mind her friends being here or whatever. But, I think it sort of proves that a little alone time is best for me. Maybe I’m a weird one, but I’m not about to worry about my quirks. That’s me. So.. yeah.

 

Alright, time to read.

Pages

I’m sitting at a booth at Pages Cafe in the Library. I only frequent this place every day now because I have been feeling rather homey and want an old timey bookstore that smells like old books and is quaintly tucked away in a deluge of fall-colored leaves. But, from what I’ve been reading, there is a place like that near campus, except it’s a bit out of walking distance. And while I am much more inclined to taking long walks than I was say, two years ago, the time it would take to walk there and back every day is not feasible with my schedule.

 

The campus library will make do, for now. Initially I felt no need to count down the days until break is upon us, but lately I’ve been fantasizing about playing with my nephew and reading a good book on my front porch and smelling the country air. I’ve become a little old woman. =)

 

It’s okay. I’m much more content with myself than I was only a year ago.

 

I’ve been researching the flu the last hour for the next article I’m working on, and it’s one big snoozefest. I don’t know why in the world I am on the health beat. Especially being that I am the antithesis of health. I WOULD work to change that and it’s on my to-do list, but it’s not easy to get around to.

 

Tomorrow after classes and lab, my dad is picking me up and I’m going to see a show in Clifton Park. Relient K, Ludo, House of Heroes and This Providence. I’m excited for the first three bands and I’ve already seen Relient K before so it should be a good show. I love shows. =)

 

Plus, I’ll get some good family bonding time in and see my little round-headed nephew. Yay. I <3 the kid.

 

I love fall.