(no subject)

I'm almost through my teaching-free week. I've done most of the editing I promised to do (one more pass and my publisher can have the book again, improved pacing and all) and I even went to a quiz night. Right now, though, I really want another week just to do more slow and gentle catch-up. I want time to sort out my mobile phone issues and to plan my next three months. I want time to finish my much-delayed reviews and do some light reading. Mostly I want time to deal with all the things that keep happening to family and friends. sartorias was entirely right to say that dull days are something to be yearned after. Not always. Just sometimes. And now is that 'sometimes'.

Not going to happen. Next month isn't as furiously busy as last month, but it *is* busy. Heart operations (not mine!) and other medical procedures will happen as scheduled.

I will just have to do what most other people do and schedule a break over the New Year period for once. A summer slow-down.

There is a funny side to the last fortnight. When I am stressed, I shop. I don't buy big things or important things, I buy silly little gimmicks. That's how I got my penguin ruler. That's how Donna got a light stick that was so colourful and bright and blinding that her son wanted to abscond with it. Anyhow, this time I went out and bought a bunch of really, really daft things for Chanukah. Cheap water pistols and balloons that squeal. Anyone who turns up at my place during the eight days of Chanukah this year has joy in store.

(no subject)

For no useful reason whatsoever, I'm counting my books. In my lounge room/kitchen there are 870 books. Seventeen of them are hidden in the pantry and twenty-seven in the liquor cabinet.

I know I've better things to do (including essential shopping), but it was bugging me that I didn't know how many books I had even to the nearest thousand. "Lots" just didn't content my alphanumerical soul.

Expect updates. Lots.

(no subject)

My actual library room has between 3530 and 3600 volumes (exact number depends on how many of the books on loan get back to me).

Counting books is very good for stretching stiff necks. It's so hard not to go "Oh, I want to read *that* one again". I have avoided a vast pile of books off the shelf and onto a pile for reading, but the strain has been immense :).

Update: I have around 5600 books. And my neck is so very nicely stretched that I no longer have a headache. If anyone wants to get rid of their headaches, they are welcome to come and count my books.