Time to Donate

The last time I made a big donation of children's books was a few years back. At the time I was buying kids books like crazy from my bookstore and the five dollar bookstore, its actually not called that. I have no I idea what the name is but they have a good selection of African American children's books for five dollars. I had a roommate who was a teacher, we used to clean up. Was at the five dollar bookstore yesterday they had some nice titles including Linda Brown, You Are Not Alone by Joyce Carol Thomas and Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers. It was not easy but I resisted the urge to buy. Earlier that day I had just packed up 35 books to donate. Last time I took the books to the library. This time since I have some arc's as well, I will donate to a children's hospital. Today I was informed that the hospital library is hardcover only however they allow the parents to take home the paperbacks. As long as the books find readers I don't care what the hospital decides to do with them.

Home or Road Game

While visiting N.Y., I went to a Mets game with my dad and nephew. Its been years since I've been to Shea Stadium but I wanted to go because its closing. I forget how nice it felt going to a home game. Riding the 7 train talking about the Mets what they did, didn't do, and how they blew that last game against Philly. I forgot that beautiful feeling of going to a home game. Standing and cheering as one, stomping and claping so hard your feet and hands are sore and giving the evil eye to those who wear the other jersey. I enjoyed watching my nephew get into the game, and say the Cardinals sucks. (its good to start them young) Home games are fun. Road games have there own reward. There is nothing like wearing another teams jersey especially if its a division rival. And yes you'll get the mf wtf are you doing in our stadium wearing that B.S look, but so what that's part of the fun. Another part is running into other fans. All you share with this stranger is a love of a team, but that's enough to warrant a nod because you both decided to show your team love in enemy territory. I am trying to decide what's better a home game or road game. Right now I am leaning toward road games probably because I've been to more. But there is something about cheering for the other team that I love. Its easy to cheer for the home team you own the stadium but there is something to be said for visiting fans who decide to claim the home field as theirs.

I'm Back

So I just got back from my trip home to New York. I had a good time. I took the the public transportation home from the airport. Only in NY(well maybe San Francisco) can two women make out on a crowded bus and no one bat an eye. Someone did say they should get a room when they got off and I did bat an I eye once when the girl gave the other one a number. (making out like that, I'd hope you'd already have her number). My sister dropped me off at the airport today. My flight sat on the runway for an hour. Traffic, my ass is still sore. I sat next to a nice couple who was visiting N.Y for their 50th anniversary. The wife and I talked about books. This trip was very good for me. My sister helped to realize I was in a emotional funk. I already knew it but she helped me face it, its too hard to B.S family. So now I will take steps to unfunk my life. I took the first step yesterday, cut my locks off again. The stylist asked me if I wanted to keep the hair. I said nah am cool, I already got a bag at home, not from the last time I cut my locks but the time before that. I am going to see about finishing up school. As much as I love working in a bookstore I need more. I also need to be paid what I am worth. I don't usually toot my own horn, but when it comes to kids books I am pretty badazz. I am smart enough to know that I don't know everything about kids books, and I will never know everything, but I am open to learning from anywhere and everyone. My 10 yr old nephew broke down Avatar and Ben 10 for me and introduced me to Total Drama Island. I get some sweet cool points from kids for knowing about that stuff. I always work hard, unfortunately its not in me to halfazz a job. Everyone appreciates what I do, but that appreciation does not show up in my paychecks. I deserve more. So I plan on finishing up school and getting more. I am not ready to go back to work, I've been gone so long its not the first thing I think about. I don't even want to think about what the kid section looks like. Oh if you want to hear the most fabulous (as in ghetto) movie message ever dial 718- 320-3020 and if can beat that please give me the number

Where Are My Clothes/ YA at Target

I am leaving for my trip to N.Y tomorrow, the other day I realized I had no clothes. All I have are my work clothes which are pretty worn. Working at a bookstore so long I've lost the swagger in my wardrobe not like it was all that great before but still its at an all time low. I do have some nice going out pieces but honestly after working retail and riding public transportation the last thing I want to do is hang out with people. Though I am going to make an effort to add more everyday pieces to my wardrobe. Hopefully someday soon Target will no longer be my primary source for clothes. I have no idea how that happened. I just got really lazy. Don't feel like doing laundry, that's okay I'll pick up a shirt at target. Plus when I am off the mall is the last place I want to go. If Hanes is good enough for Michael Jordan and Marisa Tomei well then its good enough for me. I did get some cute jeans from Target, today. Also picked up some sunglasses. I normally don't wear sunglasses because I have no idea which ones look good on me. (oh how I envied Bono today)

Has anyone else noticed the YA titles Target carries

They have the bestselling series like Uglies, Sisterhood of Traveling Pants. Private, Gossip Girls, Great and Terrible Beauty etc, but what made me do a double take were a few of the other titles
Generation Dead
Summoning
Deep Down Popular
Wicked Lovely
Audrey Wait
Gone
Steel Trapp
We are the Ship
A Thousand Never Evers
Wednesday Wars
Rules

I am off to finish cleaning, packing and do what I do to get ready for a trip. I'll be back at the beginning of the month. Holla.

Vacation Time

Today is my first day of vacation. I'll be going home to N.Y. for about a week. I should be out shopping for clothes, a suitcase, cleaning my apartment or any number of things to prepare for my trip but I am doing what I do best procrastinating and writing this not very important entry. Though I do have my vacation books ready, I'll share the titles later. My last few days at work I spent cleaning up. I even organized sticker books and I hate fixing sticker books, but it was a hotmess. I knew if I didn't work on it, sticker books would be a triple hotmess when I got back. My co workers and regular customers will have to fend for themselves for a while. I really like my regular customers, its always nice when customers appreciate you and don't treat you like crap. Retail is a thankless job, that ask how much abuse can you take from every crazy, rude, or prick of a person before you scream. Then you have your regulars or maybe its a customer you'll never see again but they remind you that there are good customers out there. When I go on vacation I like to read mysteries and chick lit. My Vacation Books
Every Dead Thing by John Connolly. I read Connolly's newest release Reapers this year and really enjoyed it. So I decided to start at the beginning.Sex Murder and a Double Latte- by Kyra Davis-This author is so much fun, if you like Janet Evanovich you should check Davis. This is actually the first book in series but I am one of those readers who doesn't mind reading out of order as long as I can follow the story. I'll go back to the beginning later and fill in the blanks.The Fifth Floor by Micheal Harvey- I really enjoyed his first mystery the Chicago Way, if like Lehane, Lippman or Pelecanos you should check out Harvey.I am also taking one memoir the Glass Castle by Jennette Walls. Some of my coworkers keep telling me how good it is.