Some notes about work.

I am really enjoying my work at the bookstore. It's all really making sense to me. I pretty much govern myself, choosing if I want to go help customers or if I'd rather stock some shelves. Sometimes I reward myself after a certain amount of shelved books by looking through the postsecret book, or a new recipe book about hot chocolate, or a book about improving your eyesight, or whatever. Then I go back to putting books away. When it's time for my paid break, I just go, sit down and draw for 15 minutes, then come back. There's no manager hanging over my shoulder, I just follow the rules because I am considered able to do so. Fast food feels like kindergarten whereas this is middle school.

I work on the half of the upper floor that includes the following sections: Home&Garden, Cooking, Sports, Self Help, Sexuality, Health, Pregnancy&Birth, Weddings, Science, Nature&Pets, Transportation, Reference, and (horror of horrors) Children's books. From that list it sounds like I work in every section, and it almost feels like I do-- it really is the world's biggest bookstore. Anyway, the point is that I spend most of my time hanging around self-help and health. Therefore, I often get customers looking for real help, personal help. These people want books that will guide them through times of trouble in their lives, and they want the right ones. I'm so happy when I can find those for them.

For example: Yesterday, a woman came to me looking for books on very specific topics. She had a daughter with borderline personality disorder who had gotten into using Ketamine in search of the "near death experience" known as the "k-hole". The woman was very level-headed and genuinely worried for her daughter, feeling that if she could just get her daughter more information about her disorder and about the long-term affects of the drugs she was using, that maybe she would stop. The woman was worried that her condition (she was dying, she said, and although she looked healthy enough, she also seemed very tired) had worsened the situation. As you can see, the situation was so important as to almost seem like a soap opera. Well, her and I spend almost an hour searching the store far and wide for something that suited the situation. We managed to find only one resource in the store, but we ordered a bunch of other books through the computer's inventory. The best thing was that she truly appreciated my help... she felt relieved that in a time of such stress she got service that was supportive and specialized and completely non-judgemental.

It's this sort of thing, feeling like I truly made a difference (even if minute), that makes me really enjoy this job. Even if I can't solve their problems for them, maybe I can make their day a little more pleasant.

(robot courtesy of Ben, years ago)

Yarr, Here be Pirates!

Yes, it's true! Talk like a pirate day was the 19th of September, the day my husband turned 21. What was I to do but hold him a piratey potluck party? After a nice long morning of breakfast -in- bed, more bed, and some cooking, friends started to arrive for the piratey festivities.

The socialist lobster had his share of attention, it being the day for the occassion. We drank grog (literally), ate candy apples, frozen potato salad, and many other good foods. We also sat around the coffee table and played a couple of strange board games. Overall, it was a great evening of drinking and laughter, followed by a nice, hearty sleep.
Aye, 'twas a beauty of an evening.

Why I have not chosen photography as my preferred medium for artistic expression.

I recently found the exact words to describe my personal distaste for photography as an art form.

I have not chosen photography as my preferred medium because it requires a mechanical apparatus to stand between the artist and his creation.

I feel that in the process of taking a picture, it is not -me- who does the work, it is the device. I may compose the shot, find the subject matter, and adjust certain settings... but it is ultimately the camera which captures the image. In any other medium I compose, I find the subject matter, and I capture the image myself. All processes are dependant on my actions, none are automatic.

I use photography mostly for utilitarian purposes, such as the documenting and recording of things, the commemorating of events. I do appreciate artistic photography, greatly, and I do see its value. However, as a medium it does not give me the feeling that I have created something. I'd rather photograph something as a reference for a painting; the mere photograph does not feel like a finished product.

I'm just more visceral than that, I guess.

After Class

Two new aspects of my life have now begun at the same time. The first: my job at the World's Biggest. The second: my second year of University. I'm already feeling just a bit frazzled, and very excited.

Work so far:
My first shift was on Tuesday and just involved a bit of paperwork, a brief (i.e. one hour) tour of the place and my new uniform. The clothing requirements are so much more relaxed than fast food. You're still required to dress nicely, but there are options. Black, tan, grey, and navy pants are acceptable. Brown or black shoes are standard. All I can say is thank -god- that I don't have to wear the same clothes every shift!

The benefits are quite nice. I get discounts and other such pleasantries, paid breaks, a lovely breakroom with comfy leather armchairs. The managers will give us free pizza lunches if we're especially good, there's a fellow who brings donuts to share during his lunch break. Everyone is really cheerful there, and I've so far been able to help customers pretty well. The best part is that I feel good about selling them books, I feel like I'm doing something nice. Nothing like the fast food industry. I actually have a shift this evening, so I'm almost heading out the door now.

School so far:
I've been to two classes but I'm pretty excited about both of them. The first is a thursday night class on Media, Technology and Culture. The prof is really interesting, he's even written a book. I feel like such a little girl when I talk to someone who is a published author, I've grown up deifying them. To see them in person, just fleshy human creatures like the rest of us, balding and near-sighted... it puts me a little off-balance. Anyway, there have been some great discussions already in that class. Thanks to Steven, I have plenty to say about the subject matter.

The second class I'm pretty hyped about. It's relief printing, not the etching/screenprinting I had originally tried for, but the instructor is a neat guy and some of the work he showed us inspired me a bit. And his idea that "It's not called the art practice for nothing". Two thumbs up for the awesome York facilities, as well.

I am awaiting my other classes, Monday's sculpture and Tuesday's Photography. I might end up in the Renaissance and Baroque Art History course, and if I do I'll say goodbye to the photography one. That is one medium I don't really identify with.

That's enough writing, it's time to make myself a quick dinner and head off.

Nerdy Post

I remember when I once stared blankly as a boy in middle school ranted for about an hour on the trails and tribulations of his D&D campaign. I have long since entered the realm of geekdom. About a year ago I started roleplaying and I even went so far as to marry the DM! And I swear I didn't even get XP out of the deal.

Anyway, this book is on its way to our home:It apparently details and expands upon the fighter class, offering more kick-butt prestige classes than ever before. Rave reviews from amazon, and Steven's fighter is going to be upgraded to what you could comparatively call an intelligent barbarian. My character doesn't really care about that, though, being a somewhat-persnickity seductress bard. At one point during the introductory session we had a midnight "random encounter" during which she sang while getting dressed, which took the duration of the whole fiasco. Sometimes the system of "rounds" seems a bit silly to me, since this group of orcs technically came, attacked, and were defeated within one minute of game time.

It has been an interesting campaign so far (Kudos to Kyle), albiet as a level 1 party we're fighting some pretty measly beasts. "Oh no! Goblins! Run away!" But the riddles are pretty nifty, I remember thinking while they were read out "Ooh, a rhyming scheme and everything." Poor Kyle has a lot of preparing to do for next time, though, because we're running through this pretty quickly.

Alright, I think that is plenty of geekiness for one day, as the entirety of yesterday was spent in the Forgotten Realms. I am off to shower and get ready for work.

*YAWN*

It's Sunday, a day that requires a nice, long, sit down breakfast. But what does one do when her husband has a very small morning stomach? No hashbrowns or bacon for this fellow, and if it's served it will barely be touched. The solution? A make-your-own-fruit-salad buffet! All it takes is a few different sorts of cut-up fruit and berries, some assorted nuts and granola, some raisins, some yogurt, some sugar and honey, and anything else that you desire. Spread it all out on the table, give each person a bowl, and there you have it. Quick, easy, and perfectly light. Not to mention healthy! This is going to start being a common breakfast in our household.

I've been feeling quite domestic lately. I think I'm simply naturally inclined towards things like cooking, crafting and sewing. Perhaps it's all the nifty craft blogs I've been reading lately... they're all so inspiring! I just feel like drowning myself in vintage fabrics and colourful buttons.

I've been getting a little keen with my digital camera, and what better an item to take pictures of than my sexy red cruiser?

It's so shiny and red there in the sunlight!

And just look at the white leather saddle!

Now that is a thing of beauty. We're putting a basket up front, and Steven's going to fix the breaks for me so it's a little less nerve-wrecking to drive, but other than that, she's ready to go.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to round out my new D&D character. A Seductress Bard, let's see if I can shave away some stereotypes.

"Superb!..."

I am now an employee of the World's Biggest Bookstore. I am so happy that interview went well, I was getting kind of nervous about it. The competition was pretty impressive, a third year university student majoring in literary studies and planning to take his masters in book and document conservation. He wants to own his own little bookstore. He also took the extra step into typewriting his resume on old library cue cards! Needless to say, I was feeling a bit underqualified next to him.

Well, I still got the job, regardless of him, and I start work on Tuesday. Is it bad that one of the drawing factors of this place is that it is right next to a used bookstore that happens to carry a vast collection of every book I've been planning to read? Before my interview, I picked up the John Irving book "The World According to Garp" and I've not really been able to put it down. I'm itching to continue it right now! It's got some really great snippits of writing in it, the sort of descriptions I just -have- to make a note of. For example:

"Bodger then brushed the feathers off his chest and tucked in his shirt, which was escaping, like a cream filling, from under his tight vest."

Now, when I come across that sort of imagery in a book, something inside me does a little joyful twirl. And the characters are spectacular! I can't get enough of these people, they're all so rounded and unique. It's really been a while since I've been this pleased with a piece of literature. What's more, I managed to find a really old (1979) copy that smells exactly the way a book should. And of course, it cost me only two dollars.

Definately get your hands on a copy of this one. I give it two thumbs up. More even! My big toes approve as well! In fact, it's so great that I'm going to read it right now. Bye!

The beginning of the year in the mind of the student.

Ah, the first day of September. Soon classes will start, trees will adopt their bright autumn hues, and people will start wearing their thick woolen sweaters. I've always enjoyed September, however often I tried to cover that fact to avoid being classified as a nerd. School's arrival marked a time of friends, learning, and general social bliss. Nowadays it is no longer a crime to enjoy school, it's simply the natural way of things. Summer is full of endless hours of work and school is practically a vacation. All of your friends come back from their families and settle around you, the campus pubs open their arms wide to visitors, and you attend classes that you have chosen to take. It's fun, it's energetic, and goddamnit, you pay good money for it!

And so, I plan to embrace this September. As is the case at the start of many new years, I have about a million goals. I have plans that I'm sure will never come to fruition.

To do list:

• Go to the gym more than twice during the year
• Paint and craft in my spare time, no more doddling online for hours.
• Make new friends. I really need to get out their more and open myself up to new people.
• Try to start a club based around the discussion of Fine Arts and Culture
• Sew more. Sew clothes, toys, useful household items. Everything. I'm going to start collecting fabric scraps from Value Village and see what I can create.
• Write regularly in this blog. Let's see if I can manage some more of this blogging stuff. The livejournal was starting to get on my nerves. Too much immaturity, pointless posting.
  
• Learn new, healthy recipes. I have no doubt that I'll do this, I've gained such a passion for cooking.
  
• Get a nice job that will help sustain me throughout the year. I have an interview with the World's Biggest Bookstore today, so we'll see if it all pans out as desired.
• Get more involved with the social and activist scene of the university.
• Always have a book to read.
• Read my school books in advance, get assignments done before they're due. (Yeah, right. I must be one of the worst procrastinators on this planet.)
• Keep the house in a generally orderly state. Very difficult. It degenerates at such a rapid rate, I'm sure we're doing something wrong here.
• Keep my goals. The last in every of my to-do lists.

Well, I mustn't keep the bookstore waiting. Off and Onwards to downtown Toronto-land!