Yesterday I went to this place. If I were on the quest for a new religion, I would worship whomever was required so that I could be in this place always. Or at least when I come visit my mom.
Oh, it was wonderful. There were books. Nearly floor to ceiling, multiple floors. And of course I had to take this picture on the sly because everyone in NY is nutso with the “nopicturetakinghere” and whatnot. But look how pretty! And no books were harmed in the taking of this photo, I promise.
And while I was there, I took out a book called Into Thick Air, by author Jim Malusa, in which he “bikes to the bellybutton of six continents” and tells the tale with great cleverness, and a wry, not unbearshapedspherelike sense of humor. And I laughed, and turned pages as fast as my little eyes would take me, and at the end, he says this:
Everybody has a plan, something that may or may not happen–but that’s really not the point. It’s the plan that counts, the pleasure of possibility.
He rounds out the sentiment, saying “You might hope to sail alone to the palm islands in a boat of your own design. To please your spouse in a remarkably athletic way or marry the right person the next time around. Or to sell your house before the plumbing goes and more to a carefree condo at the clean edge of a golf course until God’s call.”
I am so glad I went on that virtual ride with Jim Malusa. He’s so right about the plan thing. You’ve got to have one, to look forward to that ribbon, that graduation, that bridge-jump, that whathaveyou. I plan to spend some time thinking about what this next year might bring. And about how off his rocker Jim Malusa is. Wonder if he’s coming back to South America any time soon. And I wonder if he likes libraries. I’ll bet he does.
Got a quote that’s turned your head lately? Let me know. Warning: if you quote the Mark Twain bowlines bit, I will block your ISP. I don’t know how to do that, so please don’t make me learn.
I love libraries too; nerd that I am, I even love stories about libraries (Biblioteca de babel-Borges). That is a great quote! 100% in agreement. I always try to tell a sister of mine that wisdom–that working towards a goal, even if you don't end up accomplishing it and move on to something else, is one of the things that gives life purpose.
don't have any quotes… 🙁
I forgot to ask what the Mark Twain bowlines bit is all about…?
No quotes. But it seems like you're in a mid-year resolutions state of mind. Me too.
The importance of having a plan theme reminds me of a book I read recently called "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." It's a memoir about an author who is adapting his book into a movie. He finds that many of the same principles that apply to editing a story apply to living an a fulfilling life.
Por exemplo, by making a plan you're making life interesting by creating suspense. Another good one was that while it's okay to have a character think about things in a book, they can't do the same in a movie. You need action to move the plot forward. (Just like life).