Absences and fond hearts

Tomorrow my arm’s getting amputated.

You see, BYU library’s power outage starts first thing tomorrow morning, and it’s going to black out over half the library — everything from the main entrance south. I work in the north end, so that won’t be a problem, but what will be a problem is that the fifth floor is now off-limits. My beautiful, adored fifth floor, with literature and languages and art and everything good in life — separated for two whole weeks! Life isn’t fair. ;)

True, they’re moving circulation to one of the security desks, and they will be paging books, so I suppose I’m not completely cut off from my bread and water. But half the joy is browsing the shelves, because half the time I don’t specifically know what I’m looking for. It’s all about serendipity.

Today at work one of my colleagues had me navigate a French search engine, and I realized that it’s been too many months since I seriously studied any languages. I took the Aeneid last winter semester, but that ended in April. And it’s now December. Eight months is just a little bit too long.

And so on my way out of work, I found myself on the fifth floor, that blessed sanctuary of the soul, trying to get my last fix before this two-week fast. My original intent was to find some books on French and German vocab, since that’s where I could use the most work at the moment. I ended up with a German grammar, a book on reading German, a book of essays on Old English in memory of Bruce Mitchell (a prominent OE scholar), a survey of Old Irish literature, and a grammar of Irish. Mmm…

Now I just need to accidentally break my leg so I can stay home for a few weeks and just read all day… :P

(Having the library closed for two weeks really isn’t that bad, though, for several reasons. First, I have 50 books checked out. Second, Provo Library is a block away. Third, I have 900 books in my apartment, since I knew a day like this would come and I’d need at least a year’s worth of book storage.)

And maybe, just maybe, you might even find time to make a dent in the never dated population at BYU by dating some of the 25 % of the not all “wall flower girls” at BYU that never get asked out, oh and while you are at it enjoy getting to know them well;)

Really, winter is an ideal time for study because, “baby its cold outside.” However, in the interest of good social harmony, and social/emotional development, I hope you find a lot of time to build relationships and enjoy people. After all, you do not want to be influenced by the likes of Francis, or was that Walter Mitty, do you? If you run into either one of them, you could ask them which kind of dating they plan on giving up, the talking about it, or the thinking about it?

Merry Christmas Ben!

Glad to know I’m not the only one with 900 books in my apartment, apparently stored up against the day that the Provo and Orem libraries both burn down (perish the thought), or perhaps the day that I decide to move to the Alaska Bush. Rolled oats and potato flakes I may lack, but I’ve got my (10 ) years’ supply of books!

This is terrible.

I knew about the power outage, but I didn’t realize it was affecting the ENTIRE SOUTH PART of the library for the WHOLE TWO WEEKS. What am I going to do without the fifth floor?!

Donna: It sounds like your comment was written on the assumption that I’m planning on not dating this break. :) Let me publicly declare that just because I don’t talk about specific dates on here doesn’t mean I’m not going on dates. I’ve already gone out with two girls this week, for example. Sure, here on this blog you only see talking and thinking about dating, but that’s just the nature of the medium. Having a love of reading doesn’t preclude building relationships and all that. I do both. :)

DL: You mean I’m not the only one either? :) (Are you on LibraryThing?)

Katherine: It’s tragic. Maybe I’ll put myself into a coma till the power comes back on… Anyway, you’ve still got Provo, and heck, I guess I’m a library, come to think of it. Feel free to stop by to borrow some books if you want to.

Katherine F. This is the perfect time to peruse the library that is Ben. He has 900 books and i doubt you can read that many over the two week break.

I love Christmas reading! I’m reading about four books concurrently and recently acquired about 100 classics off eBay for really cheap! By and by, Cicero’s treatise on friendship is incredible.
Oh…if you enjoy children’s books, I discovered an amazing one last week. The Quiltmaker’s Gift. I forget the author but the story and artwork are amazing. I love Christmas because there’s a warm fire (or quilt on the couch) and time to reminisce about all the stories we love. In fact, I read Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax to my girlfriend just last week. Now I get to crack out my favorite book from childhood and read it to my niece….The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken (don’t knock it - kids love it!) Merry Christmas everybody!

Sorry Ben, it just looked like you were “booked” up, and relished that more than getting to know people;P Chalk that up to the nature of the medium. Glad to see you are a healthy American LDS RM male and had not been bewitched into a lowly [book] worm, for not asking Melody out;) Not that being a bookworm is a problem unless you hole up. The short blizzard last night could have been worse and we could have all been snowed in!

I usually look forward to Christmas break to read, but alas that will not be my reality this year. I have a book to finish refining for pre- publication by the 9th, and my 30th wedding anniversary is on December 29. We are also going house shopping in a distant city (5 hours away) on the 27th, more later. Thank goodness I have a laptop and a car jack! My husband can drive while I proof. Usually I read a book aloud to him on long trips. That is how I did Les Miserables, is was too good not to share. Anyway, this season I get to write more than read. Lets see which wins, my longing to read and discuss a book, life planning for 2008, or proofing my book!

David: 904 now, actually — a friend gave me four books at lunch today. :) Don’t make me jealous about those 100 classics. I could easily spend all my money buying books off eBay… :) (Cool about Cicero. I’ll have to check it out.) Children’s books are great, and I really ought to start buying them since someday I’ll actually have children. Which is a supremely weird thought. (Not for lack of desire — it just boggles my mind.)

Donna: Considering that Melody is a fictional character, I think it would be just a little unfair if I were transformed into a bookworm for not asking her out. :P In all honesty, I’m a better dater because of all the reading I do. If I didn’t read like I do, I’d be far more boring to talk to. (Not that I can say much for myself as it is. ;)) Good luck with your Christmas break. Try to make at least a little time for reading, whatever you do.

“A pretty girl is like a Melody…” I know she is fictional, but I was speaking tongue in cheek, and symbolically, of course. Melody is a fantasy. She represents every AoF 13 Woman, who is not a wallflower, but is treated as such. You know the Sherry Dews of the world. When a woman is prepared it takes a prepared man to fill the shoes, a help meet. I wonder how many LDS men go on missions and come home and do not date? or get married? Since we marry who we date, its a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the LDS and the Evangelical dating and courtship scene.

It is kind of funny that men call women the weaker sex, when more females survive the first year of life than males, and women live longer than men. To give guys a break I understand that they are simply out numbered. On the other hand, many who survive to adulthood do not live up to their privileges. Many have a gospel knowledge, even a profession. How many are also prepared for taking care of a home and family, as well? Or do they think they will be able to fake it? Of course there are silly and flighty girls that have not prepared nor lived up to their privileges either.

I also understand that because we no longer practice polygamy that ratios dictate that there will be more women that are prepared than there are men. Ah, but when polygamy existed, men did not have the luxury they do now of prolonging adolescent dating and playing the field, well into adulthood. Polygamous Celestial marriage was a calling to participate in, it was not available to everyone, and less than three % had the privilege to practice it. More women than men practiced it, because that is how it is. I ponder the fact that more women will be in the highest level of the celestial kingdom than men.

Tangents are us!

I enjoy a good read and a great book discussion, in fact I lead them with adults and youth, for a living. However, I find those who who “do” are far more interesting than those who just discuss what they have read. You know the doers rather than the readers only.

I will read, but not nearly as much as I would love to. I think 24 hours in a day is just right.

Merry Christmas to you Ben.

Maybe the fact that the girls outnumber the guys is the reason more females survive the first year of life — too much pink and perfume would make me want to turn around and go back to a more soothing white. :P

I did not pink my girls. Perhaps thats why they stayed;)

Nothing against pink, but — actually, yes, I do have something against pink. A vendetta or chip on my shoulder or what, I’m not entirely certain, but in spite of my liking Jane Austen books and enjoying a good cry every now and again, pink just bothers me. It’s too much.

:P

When we bought our house 14 years ago, the owners had just divorced. The wife was living in the house. She asked if she could take the pink chandelier and the deep flamingo pink carpet from the master, my husband nearly fell over himself to accommodate her. Later he said, no wonder they divorced.

Two years ago, we painted the inside of the house. We have always had white walls for 28 years. My daughter had her room in purple. A bit much for me. . She is away for college and when we buy this new house, I will choose harmonious color throughout.

As far as pink for babies. They can see bold colors sooner than pastels. Bold develops their visual pathways sooner…great for helping future readers!

But there are so many other bold colors that aren’t pink! :)