Making Something Cool from Something Decidedly UNCOOL

It's my super power. I make stuff. I make cool stuff. I can't help, it I just do. Here's something cool I filmed today.

The Mysterious Drawing or How to Freak Yourself Out Without Even Trying

You may or may not know that I love books. I love to read books, hoard books and alter books. To satisfy all of those things I went shopping at my favorite thrift store we commonly refer to as "The FREE Store". Can you say low low prices?

I hadn't been there for awhile so the gal behind the counter gave me a really good deal on five books I picked up- a whopping 45¢ for all five. One was a collected works of Hemingway I selected for the big H on the cover.

When I opened it up I saw this drawing:

I thought "Oh goody a bonus!" I snapped a shot of the sketch and shared it to Instagram and Facebook where my friends proceeded to convince me that Hemingway himself might have drawn this while in Key West!!! Hence I got freaked out without even trying. Had I almost ruined a priceless piece of American ephemera? I had to find out.

Google searches revealed nothing so I felt a little better. However, Dr Donut sent me his findings, which once again had me worried. I asked an artist down the hall at work what she thought and she told me about a used book store near where I work and I set out to get their advice.

I entered the unassuming store and was blown away by the sheer number of books facing me. The lady at the front desk listened to my story and looked at the book. She said since there was no signature, no providence of the book being owned by Hemingway and the fact that these little Viking Books are so common that I could go ahead and alter to my heart's content. Then she told me about a special room up on the third floor for people like me who re-purpose books (WHAT... THERE IS MORE TO THIS WONDERLAND??!!??) I plunged ahead and was again blown away by sky high book shelves and so many books calling my name.

I found a couple of things I could afford (blog about that soon) and declared the Jane Addams Bookstore to now be my favorite place in downtown Champaign.

Here are a few more pics of the Hemingway book. I tried to read it but, uh...how do I say this? I don't care for his writing, sorry old man.

Breaking my Own Rules

Have you ever made a rule for yourself you later broke?

Count me in on this one. I swore I would 

NEVER

EVER

use an eReader like a kindle.

Well guess what?

I use one now.

EVERY

DAY

I love it.

I have about 75+ books stored on it. No more late fees at the library (for now).

I get an email everyday with free/cheap Ebooks deals and I can borrow plenty from the media mall from the library for free with NO LATE FEES. Oh did I already mention no more late fees? Bahahahahahaha!!!!!

Judging Books by Their Covers

Friday, November 22, 2013

How important are book covers in getting you to read a book?

Very important, but not for the reason you might think. I don't care about the graphics on the cover I only care that it's a HARD cover. I HATE paperbacks and I only read them when there's nothing else available. Wait, I take that back. I read non fiction paperbacks all the time. I mean I don't like paperback novels. Yuck. 

I don't think I'd like reading on a Kindle either.

My favorite Hour of the Day

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

What is your favorite hour of the day?

I like the hour before I go to sleep because I spend it reading. I keep a massive pile of books by my bed for this very purpose. You might call me a power library user. 

I am finishing up the Judge Deborah Knott series by Margaret Maron. Last year I re-read all Sue Grafton's ABC books with Kinsey Milhone as heroine. I also keep business books, knitting and craft books and art books handy.

Shopping Therapy 44/365

I did NOT say I couldn't buy books did I? I needed to buy something and books filled that need.

A Celtic Journal from Barnes and Noble

Stitch n Bitch Superstar Knitting also from Barnes and Noble

365: A Daily Creativity Journal by my friend Noah Scalin (The Skull a Day guy) From Amazon.com

Loop d Loop by Teva Durham... The book that tortured me for two cabled sweater jackets...I'm a glutton for punishment. Amazon.com

I never wear it. I don't know why. And I don't know why I wanted the book for my very own. I used the one from the library to make this one and the other one.

Winding Yarn 123/365

Leslie dropped off her Winding Station for a few hours today. I managed to get most of my wayward skeins wound. Now to focus on some lace knitting along with all my other pursuits.

Before Leslie got back from Knitter's Kove I listened to my favorite book on tape while I wound yarn.Watchers by Dean R Koontz. I first read this in the early 90's when I lived in Indiana. Oh, so many fond memories of that short time there. I can still see the book sitting on the new release shelf at the Rush Co library. I waited and waited for it to go off rental status so I could read it. Then when I finally got it I read it twice. Yeah, I liked it that much.