for book geeks

It's really frustrating in this day & age how few used bookstores there are anymore, unless you live in Seattle or Portland. Borders & Barnes & Noble are extremely overpriced and Amazon isn't as fun. There's nothing like a used bookstore for going through hundreds of bad books to find a gem of a great one. This is why I will never get into the Kindle or any other eReader. It's all in the discovery.

A couple days ago, I was thrifting with my mom when I had a huge discovery. We went to three different thrift stores and all of them had, not only TONS of books, but some great finds in great conditions, for really CHEAP! I got a little too excited. I spent 20 bucks for three bags full. The point of this entry to anyone who is reading: definitely go to thrift stores for used books. I know not all of them will have a good selection, the stores in LA had crap, although I did find a nice copy of The Pillars Of The Earth there, but I think I spent $8 or $9 for it. A good deal but not a steal. If you live in Sacramento, you'll find steals! Until they realize, and raise their prices. Here are the books I bought!

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville for $2
I've been wanting to read this so I was so excited to find it, and this is a beautiful hardcover copy in perfect condition. It actually still has the Borders sticker on the back with the list price of $17.95. Yes, this is technically a young adult novel. Sue me.

Honolulu by Alan Brennert (author of Moloka'i) for $2
Another book I've been wanting to read, got a nice paperback edition.

John Irving's Three Complete Novels for $2
I almost peed myself when I found this, perfect hardcover, my favorite author, three of his novels that I haven't read yet: Setting Free The Bears, The Water-Method Man, The 158-Pound Marriage.

Stephen King's On Writing for $2
Another gorgeous hardcover edition in perfect condition, something I've been wanting to read.

Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon for $2
I was shocked to find this, a perfect hardcover, because I just finished Carlos Ruiz Zafon's other book The Shadow Of The Wind and was planning on getting this one next.

Smaller paperback/mass market copies for $3 total:
The Screwtape Letters
Pilgrim's Progress
Billy Budd, Sailor
The Cider House Rules

and we're caught up in the crossfire of Heaven & Hell

It's so weird to be back in Sacramento. I don't remember what I used to do when I lived here. I guess that's why I left in the first place, because I wanted a change, but I know I just haven't tried enough to experience things around here.
It's strange, though, to have old memories everywhere I go again. It seems like everything reminds me of a time in my life; I've either worked or lived in almost every area here. It's almost overwhelming. And even though it was a short time that I was gone, a lot has changed. My mom's house and my sister's house are both places that I've only stayed in while visiting, so this section of Sac is new to me.

The past couple days have been in the 100s, and it's ridiculous. I have a pathetic semester at school, one Microeconomics class, but it will be good to focus on it. I feel so unmotivated lately, usually these periods of apathy don't last this long.

With all this free time, I really want to spend time writing, working on languages, poetry. I think sometimes I spend too much time reading, and I am lucky to be able to take advantage of this time doing things I want to do like learning on my own and getting stuff written. Speaking of reading, I need to "review" The Shadow of the Wind. Anyone who loves books needs to read it. It is marvelous, darling.

but the spotlight makes you nervous

The "R" key on my laptop is acting up. I definitely need that one.
I feel the need to write just to write, instead of reviewing something or trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. Plus there are so many changes in my life right now, and, change is good. The main part of my brain instantly rejects change, but, there's another part that loves it and needs it. I think my mind and body just NEED to feel anxious and that's one way to get there. But it is good, because with change comes experiences.

In a few days, I am packing all of my things into a rented car and driving back to Sacramento. I'm grateful to my big sister Rachel and her hubby Chris for taking a poor loser like me in off the street. ;)
I need to figure something out, and while I want it to be school, I'm afraid after a few months there I'll just get stir-crazy again. But I can't pretend like I have something going for me because frankly, I don't. And that's not low self esteem that's just reality. There are plenty of people in their thirties even that don't know what they're doing, so I'll live. I'm not too worried about it, except for the lack of security. Wanting to go places and do things that I can't afford. It'll work out, I just need to be patient.

Every time I type "work" it comes out "wok" because of my "R" problems.

Anyway. Right now in Long Beach I have the coolest roommates, and that's been very fun. Michelle, Natalie, Melissa, and Amaris, who is staying at home right now so I only got to meet her once. But God really blessed me with them, because it could have been a disaster. I've been going out a lot and watching a lot of movies lately. I used to hate watching new movies and I'd just rewatch my favorites, but I've changed. And I've actually become sort of a movieholic. I've been seeing a lot of movies in theaters for the past couple of years, but I've been watching some "oldies" too as of late. Brokedown Palace, Mansfield Park, Phoebe in Wonderland, Expelled, Paranormal Activity, Closer. None of those are really old at all. Natalie is a film major and recommended some to me. I also watched JGL's Uncertainty, The Book of Eli. I also watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 3 days. As far as books go, I've finished Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight, which I really wanted to like but had trouble getting through it. Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass was good, and short. I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which was addicting and I'll have to get the other two books later. But yesterday I started Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I've been wanting to start it for a while now, and I can already tell I will love it. He is a great writer. All in all, I've had a lot of time on my hands, if you couldn't tell.


I think my self esteem has taken a big trip down the crapper. I must work on that. I have a good feeling that when I am home and I am around my family and old friends again, it will repair itself naturally. Actually, I know it will. I am really good at being single.
It really bums me out that by the time I truly figure myself out, I will be too old to have the energy to take advantage of it. I feel like I am in a permanent identity crisis and it's just getting on my nerves. One day I will decide I am happy with myself and the next day I will wonder how I am coming across to other people. It's so stupid because logically I know who I am and what I believe about things, but I can't get rid of this inner dialogue. I've been out of teenagerdom for three years now, I thought I would be done with this. I just get so paranoid. I'll probably look back at this in five years and laugh at myself. Hopefully.

The past two years have been such a wild ride and I am so glad I made the decision to come here for this adventure. I will really miss all of the friends I made here. And I will really miss Long Beach. It is unique to the LA area, it really is. Of course, everything down here is a crowded mess, but, Long Beach is special because it's a big city that feels like a small town in certain places. It's close enough to downtown LA, it has a fun nightlife, the ocean is right there, and the weather is so perfect. The houses and shops have character, there's always something to do here, in a way, it feels like the center of everything. But Sacramento has a lot to offer too, and I am excited to explore the nightlife in midtown, since when I left I hadn't yet turned 21. And I do miss my family, the dogs in my family, and my niece and nephew are growing up and I'm not there to be a good aunt. I can't forget about the fact that my life affects more than just me. So in that respect, I am excited. And there's nothing like being in a place that you've spent eight years of your life in. It will work for awhile. :) But I can't help feeling a little nervous about the transition. I'll be okay.

Can I end this post by telling you what an utter PIG I have been today? When I woke up, I went through the McDonald's drive-thru and got large fries, an oreo McFlurry, and an iced mocha. Then I got a Subway sandwich, at least it was a 6' and not a foot long. Thankfully, I couldn't eat all of that in one sitting so I was able to spread the fat around. I'm actually indulging on the McFlurry as I type this. I make myself sick and RIGHT when I get home I'm putting the stress eating to rest. And beer drinking. And staying up until 4:00AM and sleeping in until 1:00PM. Ew, I sound like Lindsay or something. And sadly, you know who I speak of.