Rant!

How can we expect kids to learn any kind of manners or respect for other people's property when their parents can't be bothered to show any kind of manners or respect for other's people's property? I work in a bookstore and lately I have had at least one shift in our kids department. The things are see, just well, disgust me. My mom would never let me get away with the shit that goes on. She would never let us take out a stack of books and then leave them for someone else to pick up. If we ripped a book she just wouldn't leave it in some remote corner for us to find after close. She definitely wouldn't leave her kids in the kids department and then wonder off to some where else in our store or in the mall as if our kids department is a drop off day care. No wonder kids are screwed up! A couple weeks ago, I was recovering in kids when I over heard a grandfather telling his granddaughter that she didn't have to put the stack of at least 20 8x8 spinner books because "that's what their here for." Can you believe that? I wanted to go over to him and say, no that's not what I do. I am a BOOKSELLER. I am here to sell books and the more time I spend picking up after slobs like you the less time I have to sell books but I didn't. I quietly walked to the other side of the department and waited for them to leave. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Parents bring in stacks of books into the kids department from other places in the store and then leave them for us to put back later. They sit in our cafe and take notes from our books like we are library. That is technically stealing. They use our books as coasters. They rip covers so they can try to get an extra discount. They do this as if it were their own books but they are not. They are our property until they buy it. You wouldn't go to someone else's place and rearrange their furniture or destroy their things so why is it ok to do when you go shopping? All I'm saying is, What happened to having good manners or having respect for others? Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.

So I need some advice.

This week I got notice that my apartment lease is going to run out on July 31, like every one else in Iowa City. This I knew. Now I have to make a choice. I do plan on moving to Chicago. Change that I WILL be moving to Chicago. So, really I saw that I will not be renewing my lease. But here is where I need help? What happens come July and I still have not have found a job and Chicago and I no place to live here? Do I move home or do I just try my luck in Chicago. Personally, I say the latter. It's going to be easier to find a job in Chicago if I am in Chicago. So, the bigger question, should I move earlier. Like say May or June? I know the parents are not going to be fond of the idea of me moving before I have a job but it will help the job search and I do have enough money in my savings to sustain me for awhile. If I can I find a reasonable apartment with a short lease or even better a month to month lease then I can always move someplace better once I have a job and will have a better idea of finances. What do you think? Is this a good idea or not? Any other suggestions on what I should do? Anyone want to move with me? Just kidding. But seriously people drop me a line and tell me what to do.

You can call this an occupational hazard but when I REALLY like a book I feel it is my duty to tell the world. Ok, not the world but my friends and family. In the last month I have read two such books, so here you go.

Hot Animal Love by Scott Bradfield. This was recommended by my roommate Sarah and it's brilliant. It is a collection of short stories that explore different aspects of love and relationships. The best one is called "Penguins for Lunch" and not just because I love penguins but because it's a great story. It alone is worth picking up a book.

The People's Republic of Desire by Annie Wang. I just finished it last night after starting it Saturday. I usually don't read books that fast but I really couldn't put it down. It was an advanced copy sent to the store and to be honest what caught my eye is the cover is mostly pink and I really like the color pink. After reading the back cover, I thought it was going to be Sex in the City: China. In same ways it was that. It followed 4 women who live in Beijing and their various relationships but it was deeper then Sex in the City. It was almost like a culural study of women in modern China. While the women in the story were trying to figure out where they fit in the new China, China itself is trying to figure out where they fit in with the rest of the world. It was really interesting.
So there are my books of the moments. I know they are not for everyone but if you have some free time you should pick one of them up to read.

I really hate being sick.

I really do. I feel like shit and all I want to do is sleep. I have done nothing the last 2 days but sleep.(Minus the 2 hours that my parents took me out to dinner and I met Patrick for coffee) I have slept so much that I'm actually too tired to fall asleep. And what sucks even more about this is that these are my days off. I should be enjoying my time away from work but instead I am in bed, blowing my nose and hoping that I won't puke. I'm sure it was a beautiful day today but I wouldn't know since I really didn't get up until around 5 this afternoon. So, to sum up. I hate being sick. Oh, fuck, I'm out of Kleenex.

Right now I am watching a special on Roman Vice on the History channel. Those Romans were kinky people. I find it interesting that the place that once cheered on Gladiators and group orgies is now the home of the Catholic Church. Ok, technically Vatican City is it's own country but located on the outskirts of Rome. Did you know that Pompeii was like the Las Vegas of the Roman world? Interesting, no?