Books – The Daily EO

The Daily EO: March 21st, 2016

Of all the unlikely places to join in a crowd waiting for something to open is the Vancouver Public Library. The central library does not open until 10 am on week days and I each time seem to get there 15 minutes before opening. It’s a mix of people waiting to get in the door – students, seniors, people who didn’t have somewhere to stay last night, the unemployed, and people trying to figure out where to return their books prior to opening.

I like the feeling of standing in this crowd – it isn’t Black Friday and waiting for an off-brand 42″ screen TV at Walmart – we are all equal here and not in a competition all waiting for the same thing. Free knowledge, refuge and belonging. New thoughts, old thoughts, new loves, old loves, beginnings, endings – there for all of us.

Once the glass doors roll back, the crowd doesn’t push through, but instead waits for the official announcement that the Library is open. By then, the crowd numbers more than 100 people, and we stream in – like a river and its tributaries quickly permeating each stack and floor.

I like the library. I feel that I need to be hushed and respectful in my visit. I get the same feeling in shrines, church, and temples. It feels warm and comforting, with possibilities of new worlds, thoughts, waiting for me. Perhaps I will find a new author that tells engaging stories like Maeve Binchy, or business book that has a new message. I can brush my fingers across realization of the hope of authors – a published book.

The March 21st Extra-Ordinary: A rainy day, a warm blanket and a new possibility to crack open.

The Daily EO: February 9th, 2013

My husband had a work get together at our place tonight and by the time I rolled in, most of the food was gone and a good portion of the drinks as well.

It was a small gathering and as soon as I walked in, I was immediately greeted by someone who through the course of the conversation self-proclaimed herself as the “Book Whisperer”, admired my book collection and who told me she was unemployed but had too much pride to collect EI. I found this odd as I am not sure what is so noble about gathering debt and not using EI as a transition to the next phase in life. That is what the program is there for, that is why we have that deduction removed from our pay cheques.

I don’t know – I am pretty prideful myself, but thought this was an odd view. Why would one not collect EI if your intention is employment? It’s like having house insurance and then being too prideful to collect when your house burns down.

She didn’t know that Emile and I both faced periods of unemployment and both collected EI, so after a glass of wine I told her it was irresponsible and fiscally stupid to not collect a benefit that she had paid for. If she was legitimately looking for work, wanted to work, then use the EI exactly what it was intended for. Honestly.

February 9th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: I went to bed before the party wound down (wine, you fickle mistress), so she left me a note with her promise to sign up for EI next week and her phone number. I made a friend. One who wants to do drinks.

The Daily EO: April 15th, 2012

I love bad books and bad movies. Those that make you laugh at the wrong time and likely find tremendously satisfying because in some fantasy world somewhere, things just work out no matter how far-fetched. Also, bad is black and white – there is no deeper depth to the villain – they are bad through and through and when they get what is coming to them you want to cheer. But not really bad movies and books. What is the difference between bad and really bad? It has to do with levels of believability; level of gratuitous nudity, gore or violence; and how you feel when you watch it. Some examples of bad movies: Burlesque (romance-drama-musical-Stanley Tucci-ridiculous-evil villian), The Holiday (Christmas sappiness-stupid men-Kate Winslet-english accents-two happy relationships), and Triple X (Vin Diesel-unbelievable stunts exceeding the limits of human strength-awful dialogue). Bad books: Early Shopoholic Series (english charm-stupid spunky girl-rich charming fellow saves the day), and Hotel Vendôme (classic Steel-rarified world-“complicated” problems of prestigious and rich-beautiful and classy heroine).

Now, I may be insulting the authors and directors here, but I think they know what they are making. We want it, but don’t try to tell me for a minute that it is high cinema or academic writing. It’s not. It’s like eating a plate of whole wheat pasta. You know it is better for you than white pasta, but really? You should be eating lean protein, whole grains and a whole swack of vegetables instead. But spaghetti is what you want. You’ve skipped the garlic bread, you worked out this morning. You’re doing pretty good, right? Totally healthy will be done another day.

Today I was a bit tired, and restless, and bored. I was crabby, and generally Emile was trying to stay well away from me. I don’t blame him. I needed my literary/cinematic gorging. I downloaded a new e-book on my reader. I sat down and read it cover to cover until 1 in the morning. Ahhhhh. Goodbye shades of gray, hello black and white, ridiculous storylines and – yes, really – a “Stop this wedding” scene.

April 15th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary: Consuming exactly what you want when you want.