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11/17/2008

Ah, my jones

I have mentioned in the past, that I have a jones for books. I find the urge to buy books and magazines irresistible, at times.

Yesterday morning, we had breakfast with #2 son and his wife, Bitsy. On the way home, SWMBO said "Bitsy's birthday is the 23rd - let's stop and Barnes & Noble and get her some of those Rachel Ray cookbooks." All I heard was "Barnes & Noble". I had, until that point, been a bit irritated because it always takes us several hours to get home after we have breakfast with my son and his wife, and there are other things I would rather be doing than completing the errands that SWMBO usually springs on me on the way home. I forgave her instantly.

I was able to pick up the current issue of "Digital Photo", Britain's best selling photography magazine (according to the masthead). It a good magazine and the prices are always fun until you realize that they're in POUNDS and not Dollars.

I also got a new book called "The Big Book of Painting Nature In Oil" by S. Allyn Schaeffer with Photographs by John Shaw. A whole great big book full of techniques for expressing the beauty of nature in oil. Cool. It's an actual exploration of technique in a step by step manner - almost as good as having a teacher looking over your shoulder. I do have a landscape I've been working on (on and off) since last February that I would like to finish. This will help.

I've gotten some work done on 'Sarah' in the last few days. I'm 4 'scenes' into the first chapter - about halfway through. It's starting to flow again.

Today begins yet another work week. More than halfway through November now, there's the last remnant of November and then just the Month of December stands between me and the successful completion of blog365. With 10 and a half months under my belt, I'm guessing I'll make it to December 31. Keep your fingers crossed. I don't want to disappoint Mike DiCarlo. Or Sandy. Or myself.

Peace.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to feel that way. I loved ephemera. New books in bookstores, old books at auctions, sheet music, postcards, magazines.
Something changed though about eight years ago. It was when I stopped feeling most comfortable with the pen, and started feeling most comfortable with the keyboard. There's an obvious connection. In a way it's a little sad.

Eric S. said...

Lou, your not alone my friend. I have an affinity for books, and bookstores. There is nothing more comforting than a good book to read and some soft music. Of course you have to add a cup of coffee of perhaps a bottle of beer.

I am waiting, with anticipation, for Sarah. As I'm sure the rest of your readers are.

I've started working up my character for the project we talked about way back when. I'll email you some information on it if your still interested.

Anonymous said...

I love that magazine too.
I got it a few times in Kuwait.
And if you think the dollar price is steep try to pay in Dinar :D

Glad you got some "work" done :)

Shadow said...

i think you'll make your 365... have a good monday today!

Melissa said...

I love bookstores as well. I was thinking of getting a job there, until I realized the futility of that. Hello? I'd be paying THEM to work there. Not good. :)

And I think you'll make it, too. Impressive.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

It looks like I'm going to make 365, too -- after all that... except for Feb. 29, which was the Bloggy Day of Rest... but your having blogged that day makes you special... Blog 366 for you. :)

Ndinombethe said...

My repulsion when it comes to shopping does not extend to books. I can sit on the floor in a second hand bookstore and lose myself in an aisle for hours.

www.ayewonder.com said...

Hey, I read to the end. All I am saying is this. I don't know how you do it but I'm glad that you do!

Cathy said...

Have you heard of paperbackswap.com? I've joined that, and have been getting books from them lately. It's not the same as going to a book store, but definitely cheaper. And it has a decent selection.

Expat No. 3699 said...

Even though you were in a rush to get home after breakfast, I'm just curious how long it took you in the bookstore compared to how long it took SWMBO to grab a few cookbooks...

moneythoughts said...

I paint and listen to the TV. In fact, I only hear it when they say something that grabs my attention. Otherwise, it is just background noise like the ringing I have in my ears. Yes, I want to see your painting you have been working on. I know you like landscapes, that's why I sent you those photos from the cemetery. By the way, it is a fun part-time job as the people are so nice and quiet.

calicobebop said...

I'm a total book whore myself. Thankfully, my younger sister works in a bookstore and can feed my addiction. bwahh ha ha ha...

Congrats on almost completing the Blog 365 - I'm sure the last few weeks will be no trouble at all!

Anonymous said...

I have a book fetish myself.

In fact, due to the fact that sister-in-law is moving in with us today, I went into the un-forgiving basement to rearrange things. Which mean I moved four bookshelves from one side of the room to the other-- which was already packed FULL of books and bookshelves and this dust-collector others might refer to as a big screen TV and leather couches...

So I rearranged the whole library. And I put the books into thematic order. And yes, I'm a geek, but I love those books. All 4000 of them.

Honeybell said...

Oh how I miss books! The old Microbiology text just doesn't do it for me. When I graduate I plan on living in Waldenbooks for a week or two.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why I haven't been reading as much the past too long while, but I do love books and need to carve out some time to enjoy.

You are so close to the end of the year doing this crazy blog every day thing. You will make it!

Jientje said...

Cookbooks!!!
Oh dear, I'll bet you would have had to tear me away from THAT department if I had been there!
The closer I get to the end of 365, the harder it seems to get!!
You will make it, no doubt about that. And me? Well knowing myself, ... I'm not a quitter, so I will hang in there until the end I'm sure. Thank God for pictures, at least that's easier than writing something interesting EVERY single day. I don't think I could do that.

Tara R. said...

In my neverending quest to conquer my clutter I purchased a new bookcase to bring all my beloved, yet unread, books from the floor to a permanent home. It's already full, and there are more books to buy. Alas...

Casdok said...

Im a bookshop addict too! :)

Unknown said...

Veronica: I, too, find myself reading less and less. Serious reading, that is. But magazines and specialty books will still find their way into my view.

Eric S: Yes. Interested.

Nicole: It is a good magazine.

Shadow: I will. you, too.

Melissa: Yeah. I can see me when I retire (if ever). I'll be a greeter at Barnes & Noble.

Rebecca: Yeah. I was afraid to take the day off because if I did I might not make it back for the rest.

Tash: I know exactly what you mean and how you feel.

Ayewonder: Thank you, Mike. *puffy chest*

Cathy: I'll have to check that out.

Employee: We were there over an hour. NOT MY FAULT!!

Moneythoughts: I'll be posting up stuff this week - and I'm using your photos for practice in the book I bought yesterday.

Calicobebop: I hope so. I'm tryin'. Maybe I'll just schedule 45 posts in advance just to make sure. I wonder how far in advance you can schedule a post - or is there a limit on time?

Ash: 4000? You may be the only person I know with more books than me.

Honeybell: Waldenbooks has pretty much disappeared around here - since they were bought by Borders.

Maggies Mind: You guys all keep me going.

Jientje: Me, too. Writing every day is easy. interesting is the hard part. I know I've failed in that department more than my fair share of times.

Tara R: There are ALWAYS many more books to buy ... If I win the lottery, I'm building myself a new house - and the library will be the biggest room in the house.

Unknown said...

Mmmmmm....books. I spent hours last Wednesday in B&N(I took a day off from mommying). I sat on the floor and poured through several books, walked aimlessly, giggled and snorted at some and came home feeling more whole.

Joyce-Anne said...

I love to read, mostly mysteries. But, since I've had children I barely have any time to read (well, adult-type literature). But, at least, I'm reading something, even if it's Curious George, Magic Treehouse, Junie B. Jones, or anything else in the children's book genre. When it's time to read, they all hop up on the sofa or my bed (the baby gets to sit on my lap) and they all sit nicely while I read the various stories. Hopefully, I'll pass on my love of reading to the children.

Meanwhile, Lou, with so many blogging days behind you, I'll cheer you on for the remaining *few*. You CAN do it!!!

Holly said...

Ah, you get sucked into bookstores too. Aren't British magazines the best? There's a British car magazine my husband goes nuts for.

Anonymous said...

I could live at B&N. Pup and I used to have super cheap dates there when we were young and poor.

Myst_72 said...

Lou I have THE major project saved to draft for you...but am thinking it may be better if I email you the link....could you drop me a line to pooky_bear_me@hotmail.com then I will have your email address!

G
xx

Momisodes said...

Oh boy. I'm a guilty weekend errand springer as well. I'm sure Dadisodes hates it as much as you do.

So glad you're getting your groove back with Sarah.

I can't believe that only 3 of us remain in Blog365.

43 more days baby!

Wait. What? said...

I adore books - I cannot get enough of them, I have a line up sitting next to my bed at home, of what I am going to read next. I just finished Orcs and immediately started The Road. Books are my world and now - gratefully my children's as well!

Cat

Unknown said...

I'm a bookstore junkie, too. Fortunately, if I mention 'bookstore', everyone in the family is on board with the idea.

While I wasn't part of your little posse, I haven't missed a day of Blog 365, either. Or Holidailies. Or NaBloPoMo last year. Last day off of blogging was 10/31/07.

Anonymous said...

Books . . . ah, lovely lovely books!! I can lose myself in book shelves for hours on end . . . new books, old books, library books, my books (lots and lots of those).

Electronic crusing just doesn't satisfy the booky cravings.