Books

I had my first *real* shift at Chapters this morning, 7-10.  They call it a ‘tasking’ shift.  Basically, we take carts overflowing with books, scan their bar codes to retrieve their info, and shelve them.  Although it may sound dull and uninteresting, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I love books, and I love organizing.  Shelving, while perhaps not rocket-science, is more difficult than you may at first think.  The shelves are already tightly packed, so it often takes quite a bit of rearranging to fit in the new books.  Not to mention the havoc caused by customers.  The people I work with all seem very friendly so far (Except this one guy… he’s new too.  I’ve walked into about 5 doors already that he’s failed to hold open for me, the unmuzzled scut.)  Waking up at 5:30 wasn’t too terrible, and now I have my whole day ahead of me.  Now to occupy the time somehow.

Dave and Maeghan are coming home later today.  I’ll be glad of the company.  The house is too big when you’re by your lonesome. 

I haven’t posted in an age, I know.  I really haven’t felt motivated.  I’d rather wait for The Call than spout out nonsensical, boring ramblings.  I will bear in mind, however, that what follows below may fall under said category in the opinion of you, dear blog reader.  If you feel that way, you have two choices: leave a biting comment that I’ll scoff at and attempt to ignore, or stop reading the meaningless, time-wasting meanderings of one Hollis E.A. 

This posting, as you may have noticed, is under the Books category.  I’m reading Stormy Weather, by Carl Hiassen.  The author is a favourite of Maeghan’s boyfriend Dave.  Maeg has been recommending Hiassen to us for some time now.  After finishing my 78th (*estimate* – but probably pretty accurate) rereading of TLOTR, I decided to be bold and venture forth into uncharted…er, pages.  The book is good!  Unusual, quirky, darkly funny, gruesome in parts.  Not my usual fare, but that’s not a bad thing.  I’ve always believed in the great value of continually broadening one’s perspective, and yet I seem to be the world’s worst/best re-reader, limiting myself to a circuit of 5 or 6 books.  This story, Stormy Weather, takes place in Florida, immediately following the absolute devastation of Hurricane Andrew.  It involves a motley cast of characters, from the inherently good to the very slimiest of humanity, and also includes the escapades of several pitiful escapees from a mismanaged zoo (monkeys, lions, poisonous snakes, african buffalos, etc. – all enjoying their new freedom whilst exploring the residential neighbourhoods of Dade County, Florida).   Their stories intermingle; people die, crimes are committed, a man is kidnapped, quite a few characters have “relations”.  I’m 3/4 through it, and I know I’ll be finished soon – I can hardly put it down.  Hiassen has several other books, hopefully of the same calibre.

In other news, but also falling comfortably within the book category, I’ve finally been hired by Chapters.  Its a seasonal position, which is just perfect considering my plan for the end of January.  I’m absurdly excited about the job.  Just seeing the back warehouse made me giddy.  Towering shelves of books, boxes filled with books, and the overwhelming, mingled, magical scent of a million BOOKS.  I’ll be working early mornings,  to which I say Uugghh), but shelving sounds fun.  Fun?  Think I’m joking?  Remember, this is the girl who painstakingly alphabetizes her movie collection everytime she dusts.

Well, this post has reached its conclusion.  I’m off to help mum with dinner and to drink a glass (or 3) of delicious shiraz.  Until the next Calling, then.

Oh, and Greg is still up north.  Saying I miss him grossly understates the emotion.  Sigh.