In the Trenches

I suppose I shouldn't be so melodramatic as to call work "The Trenches", but seriously, there are days that feel that way--Saturdays most frequently qualify. Today was on of those days. I felt like I was directing traffic and not always very successfully. Some Saturdays I find myself almost simmering beneath my facade of calm (okay, sometimes I develop quite large cracks in that facade), but today I felt like I kept myself distantly focused (which really just means that I did my work fine, but didn't allow myself to focus heavily on what was transpiring around me). About an hour before the end of my shift a woman said--almost yelled, really--I need a man! She wanted help with a box and threw up her hands in frustration which was compounded by some obvious social ineptness. What a strange situation it is to deal with the public day in and day out. I find it both rewarding and infuriating and today was a blend of both!

My morning, to be followed by an 8-hour shift at the bookstore.

I go to bed later than I want, knowing the morning will come fast. However, hearing vomiting in the early morning hours, being awakened by my alarm, followed by a call from my boss, makes for an even less restful sleep. So, what better way to try and wake up cheerfully, than to march around the house listening to Christmas Brass playing napkin trumpets with the nephews. I must admit to being worn out now, but they are so imaginative!

Brief bits from the week so far:

Well folks, the recent weather--particularly the high winds--has orphaned that dang elephant of his legs and trunk once again.

A rather intellectual, artistic fellow (I often refer to as the boyfriend) gave me this sage saying tonight: One's sense of greatness can impede true greatness. (That's what you said, right?)

The boyfriend and I enjoyed a date to the Happy Hour concert downtown at the symphony this evening. For only $15 a ticket we were able to enjoy complimentary food & drinks and an hour of impressive music!

This week I finished reading Anne Fadiman's book of essays Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader. Her essays employ a very conversational style (although she has an amazing vocabulary--the previous owner of the book underlined all the words she didn't know the definition for, unfortunately, I was right there with her. And I thought I had a fairly substantial vocab.) and address topics from the way people love books--choosing to mark it with love or maintain it with care--to how she and her husband reconciled their libraries after several years of marriage. A quick read, but one I very much enjoyed and imagine wanting to pick up again someday.

Kudos...

go out to the boyfriend who completely surprised me this evening with a romantic dinner at The Melting Pot! I thought we were babysitting his niece, which was just a ruse (as he put it). He had his brother and sister-in-law in on the plan. Seriously, I was so surprised, all I could think about was that I was happy, but also that I felt underdressed. Because he knew I would feel that way, he hadn't dressed up at all either. We had a most pleasant evening in our casual wear. I'm still a little shocked by how oblivious I was to all of it!

Seeing the fingerprints of God in the changes ahead...

I'm feeling just a touch melancholy. My dearest co-worker finished his last day today. I'm going to miss his companionship. As a last hurrah he stepped in and dealt with a pesky customer who was being a little too pushy with me. I bid Farewell to the ending of a great 14 months and offer a hopeful Hello to the beautiful possibilities of new beginnings! God is indeed good in the ways that He orchestrates change.

Findng perspective among books...

I am a book maiden. At my place of employment my speciality is children's literature. I'm good at this. I know my stuff. But there are days that I look longingly at other sections and imagine how much more intellectually stimulating it would be to shelve those books. I pit Curious George and Harry Potter against the likes of Shakespeare and Coleridge. Somehow though, the worlds of curious monkeys and flying broomsticks always win. I trudge on through the piles of board books, stacks of pictures books and boxes of young adult fiction, and while I rarely see anything new these days, occasionally a treasure will slip through, like the complete tales of Beatrix Potter (hardback for only $5.50) or the final book for my Dr. Seuss collection. And for a treat, sometimes I slip over to the literary criticism section for a new book of essays, or sort through the writing books, or flip through cookbooks. I am certain if I shelved any of those sections, I would tire of seeing the same books. So, staying in my corner full of brightly colored books keeps my perspective fresh for perusing the other sections. Even if the grass looks greener on the other side, I'm fairly certain it's just as beautiful on my side, it's just all in how you look at it.

Overhearing Customers

Do you know where you can buy socks for sock monkeys?

I'm at half books, is there any books you want real fast?