After yesterday and all the grumbling and groaning I did about my "waste of time" - today I took action to get back on track. At lunch, I pulled my 'ol body into the vehicle of transport and took myself to the public library. This was only after I had figured out that I could TelNet directly into the library and search to my heart's content the entire book inventory database, right for my very office computer. (Sometimes life is just soooo sweet!)(Like I need any otherdiversions from my work computer that aren't "work" related.)
While on this "TelNet dream from heaven", I found, in five minutes, more books that I want to read than I would be able to read in 5 months. But I did exercise great restraint - when I finally left the library's premises, I had only 5 books in tow, 1 audio cassette, two other books on interlibrary (or intra-branch is a better descriptor) order and two other cassettes on order. One of the cassettes is Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird". (I can't wait!)
And I did this for $34.05.
Now, you may ask, "Why and how would -- could -- a free service such as the public library cause a drain on the financial circulatory system of one of it's patrons?" Simple. I can check out books until the cows come home. I just can't return them. On time, that is. (I really do eventually get them back. I mean, I am not, after all a thief) I think this little shortcoming must be a physical handicap, or at the very least a genetic predisposition. What ever it is -- it is a very strong force to overcome and I don't (overcome it) very often!
I'm afraid that I exhibit this "handicap" with everything that I borrow. In fact, I probably could own a very nice little video movie library by now if I had purchased the movies that I had paid all the fines on. In fact, I probably could have gotten another VCR too. But - what can I say? I was in the mood when I checked the movies out. I usually am not in the mood after I finish the movie for anything but another serving of ice-cream and fudge sauce and maybe some sleep. Certainly nottrapsing out to the video store for a return trip! I can, after all, "do that tomorrow" (or the next day, or the next---)
So, given this weakness to borrow "itis", I guess library books on loan are a real financial threat for me. I have very little control and my Keith absolutely hates it when he sees me coming home with a group (bunch?, gaggle?, flock?) of books under each arm. It's "Fine City here we come!" in his mind.
But I just can't help it. When I see something I am interested in, I have to grab it. Never mind that this may encompass eight separate and distinct (1000 page) epic novels that are only checked out to me for 3 weeks and that make Tolstoy look like "light reading". But I just can't pass these items by as they beckon to me on the shelves. I just have to have them. They just might not be there the next time I come back and I can't bear the thought of passing something up and then it being gone later when I might want it. This is also very similar to the philosophy I tend to utilize during shopping, be it grocery, clothes, or pet food! If it "cries out to me" I have to purchase it. Especially if it is a bargain........
Now, don't get me wrong! I am not a shop-a-holic. I can usually take it or leave it. But - once I get started in a discount section during a "sale", well - I have little to no control. It all has to come home with me. Because I can't bear the memory of something I could have had but did not get. There's a pattern here, I just know it.......
So tonight I begin the exhaustive reach for literary knowledge with all my new found gems. I will once again curl up with a warm afghan and read until my eyes give out. And it seems like quite a while since I read anything good - I know it was well before we moved, because I just paid off the fines to that (private) library a little while ago.
So I must hurry up and post this so I can go quickly to Irving Benig's "The Messiah Stones". The jacket describes this book as a "Novel of the Milennium". Maybe being so sorely disappointed last Halloween (Friday) night by the TV offerings has forced me into an action of infinite rewards. Who knows? I also borrowed several books on crewel. And on knitting. If I can't afford to purchase the books - I will rent them. And please don't tell me that by using a pattern that is borrowed, not purchased, I have committed a *copyright* infringement - I just ain't gonna accept it! If they don't want people to borrow it, then *don't put it in a library. But this is another story for another day. Title? "Journi Takes on the United States Patent Office!"
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