Hiiiiiiii!
Well since I'm here on Livejournal, I should probably participate by actually posting entries once again. Not an easy proposition considering the fact that I lead a very boring life. I need to get my car to the shop and get all it's little quirks worked out, and then actually start going to interesting places on the weekend. Get out there and explore this massive metropolis that I have found myself in. I've never liked cities of this size; they're overwhelming in size and there are so many people rushing around that it's daunting to even think about trying to explore. But explore I must.
Until then, however, my life seems to be primarily dominated by working. I suppose it could be much, much worse. It could be dominated by something more insidious, like crack or extreme conservatism. Maybe I could give that a try though, just to walk down the darker path for a bit and thus learn a new appreciation for the life I do have (try out the crack habit, I mean- listening to Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity for extended periods of time would probably kill me).
Last night I got off work rather late, having waited as long as possible to venture out into the horrific Houston traffic. It wasn't long enough. Everyone was trying to get out of the city for the Labor Day weekend, and I-45 north was a mess. I stopped at the Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands, hoping to let things ease up a bit more and to do some shopping.
I love Barnes & Noble. It's not the fact that they're massive bookstores, though that is definitely a plus, it's the whole atmosphere of the store. The interior design choices. Surrounded by dark greens and browns, colors that remind you of nature... of trees. Big comfy chairs welcoming you to sit down with a book and read. Have a cup of Starbucks while you're there. Enjoy the free Wi-fi, if you like. Come in and loiter! You have to love that. I have a friend in Australia who, when I described Barnes & Noble to her, thought they seemed like magical places full of literary wonder. Bookstores over there are businesses, pure and simple. Find your book, hurry up, come pay for it, thanks for the money, now leave. The idea of being encouraged to just sit back and read, and not feel obligated to actually purchase a book, is borderline bizarre.
While on vacation in Nebraska a few months ago (shut up...Nebraska can too be a vacation destination), I had picked up a few Lego Architecture/Landmark sets from the B&N up there. I've never been a huge fan of Legos, even as a kid, and I've also had little interest in architecture, but for some reason these sets just drew me in. They're small, stylized representations of famous US landmarks like the Sears Tower, the Empire State building, the Seattle Space Needle, and the John Hancock building. There are also two sets devoted to Frank Lloyd Wright depicting the Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater. I've collected all of them, assembled them, and now have them on display in my office. I think maybe it's the fact that they are stylized, and they do seem more like little pieces of art, combined with having to actually construct them yourself (instructions included, of course) is why I like them so much. They allow me to actually build something interesting in the limited time I have available, that I then can put them on a shelf and show off my masterful ability to put Lego bricks together. And no glue or paint needed! I've been eagerly awaiting Lego to release more of these sets.
As I wandered past the games section of Barnes & Noble, I glanced over at the shelf where they keep the Lego Landmark sets. What is this? A new box? Aha! The White House! So it looks like I'll be Lego'ing this evening. I also picked up a few books and assorted sundries and managed to walk out having spent a little over a hundred dollars.
Maybe the Barnes & Noble attitude towards the retail experience isn't so bizarre after all.
Favorite music for the day:
Holocaust of Giants by Rasputina - A very strange song built upon the premise that giants were once real, but managed to wipe themselves out in a genocidal conflict. The music is what fascinates me the most. There is an energy to it, and an excitement. Add to that Melora Creager's delivery of the lyrics which seems to be that of a very excited child relating to her friends the amazing things she has learned. I hear the song, and can't help but imagine it being sung by a Muppet, bouncing up and down with hyperactive energy.
I know...I'm strange.
Until then, however, my life seems to be primarily dominated by working. I suppose it could be much, much worse. It could be dominated by something more insidious, like crack or extreme conservatism. Maybe I could give that a try though, just to walk down the darker path for a bit and thus learn a new appreciation for the life I do have (try out the crack habit, I mean- listening to Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity for extended periods of time would probably kill me).
Last night I got off work rather late, having waited as long as possible to venture out into the horrific Houston traffic. It wasn't long enough. Everyone was trying to get out of the city for the Labor Day weekend, and I-45 north was a mess. I stopped at the Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands, hoping to let things ease up a bit more and to do some shopping.
I love Barnes & Noble. It's not the fact that they're massive bookstores, though that is definitely a plus, it's the whole atmosphere of the store. The interior design choices. Surrounded by dark greens and browns, colors that remind you of nature... of trees. Big comfy chairs welcoming you to sit down with a book and read. Have a cup of Starbucks while you're there. Enjoy the free Wi-fi, if you like. Come in and loiter! You have to love that. I have a friend in Australia who, when I described Barnes & Noble to her, thought they seemed like magical places full of literary wonder. Bookstores over there are businesses, pure and simple. Find your book, hurry up, come pay for it, thanks for the money, now leave. The idea of being encouraged to just sit back and read, and not feel obligated to actually purchase a book, is borderline bizarre.
While on vacation in Nebraska a few months ago (shut up...Nebraska can too be a vacation destination), I had picked up a few Lego Architecture/Landmark sets from the B&N up there. I've never been a huge fan of Legos, even as a kid, and I've also had little interest in architecture, but for some reason these sets just drew me in. They're small, stylized representations of famous US landmarks like the Sears Tower, the Empire State building, the Seattle Space Needle, and the John Hancock building. There are also two sets devoted to Frank Lloyd Wright depicting the Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater. I've collected all of them, assembled them, and now have them on display in my office. I think maybe it's the fact that they are stylized, and they do seem more like little pieces of art, combined with having to actually construct them yourself (instructions included, of course) is why I like them so much. They allow me to actually build something interesting in the limited time I have available, that I then can put them on a shelf and show off my masterful ability to put Lego bricks together. And no glue or paint needed! I've been eagerly awaiting Lego to release more of these sets.
As I wandered past the games section of Barnes & Noble, I glanced over at the shelf where they keep the Lego Landmark sets. What is this? A new box? Aha! The White House! So it looks like I'll be Lego'ing this evening. I also picked up a few books and assorted sundries and managed to walk out having spent a little over a hundred dollars.
Maybe the Barnes & Noble attitude towards the retail experience isn't so bizarre after all.
Favorite music for the day:
Holocaust of Giants by Rasputina - A very strange song built upon the premise that giants were once real, but managed to wipe themselves out in a genocidal conflict. The music is what fascinates me the most. There is an energy to it, and an excitement. Add to that Melora Creager's delivery of the lyrics which seems to be that of a very excited child relating to her friends the amazing things she has learned. I hear the song, and can't help but imagine it being sung by a Muppet, bouncing up and down with hyperactive energy.
I know...I'm strange.