A clone would have come in handy last night. I could have gone to the Hartman Piano meeting at City Hall, and the clone could have gone to my creative writing class, both of which started at 7:00. But there was no clone and I had to choose. I went to the class, since there are only five classes in the course and I didn’t feel I could miss one.
I was happy to hear about all the people who went to the meeting to show their support for the piano. I heard the turnout was great. The Centretown Citizens Community Association passed a motion in support of the piano. The Citizen today is reporting that Hartman’s has agreed to meet with representatives of the piano group, which is excellent news. I’m feeling optimistic that some kind of mutually agreeable solution is just around the corner.
I read an excerpt from a book last night, in writing class, which was so quirky and charming I wanted to go buy the book immediately. It’s called The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss. But I’m already reading too many books at once, and making very little headway on any of them as a result. I’m currently reading The Lovely Bones (meh), The Globalisation of Addiction (so far so good), Galore (not sure), and the Book Thief (two thumbs up). I’m having the same problem with my knitting – I’m knitting two different socks and a lace shawl, and not making any noticeable progress on any of them.
I’m working this week on a contract. But even when I’m not working, it’s abundantly clear to me that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. I used to blame it on the job, but I realize now it wasn’t the job’s fault. It’s a design flaw. Whoever designed the 24-hour day made a serious miscalculation. Each day should be at least 32 hours long.
At any rate. Back to The History of Love. This old man – Leo Gursky – lives in fear of dying alone and invisible. He spends his days making scenes in public, so that he’ll be noticed. Upon his death, he’d rather be remembered as peculiar, or repugnant even, than not be remembered at all. Here’s an excerpt:
“I’ll go into the Athlete’s Fooot and say What do you have in sneakers? The clerk will look me over like the poor schmuck that I am and direct me over to the one pair of Rockports they carry, something in spanking white. Nah, I’ll say, I have those already, and then I’ll make my way over to the Reeboks, and pick out something that doesn’t even resemble a shoe, a waterproof bootie, maybe, and ask for it in size 9. The kid will look again, more carefully. He’ll look at me long and hard. Size 9, I’ll repeat while I clutch the webbed shoe. He’ll shake his head and go to the back for them, and by the time he returns I’m peeling off my socks. I’ll roll my pant legs up and look down at those decrepit things, my feet, and an awkward minute will pass until it becomes clear that I’m waiting for him to slip the booties onto them. I never actually buy. All I want is not to die on a day when I went unseen.”
He would have been such a good blogger.
Books sound good. I’ve had about three or four books on the go as well and I end up losing them and never getting to read the end! It drives me nuts.
I love that you are writing about the piano. I used to so love walking into Hartman’s to the sound of someone playing. You would never find that at the awful Superstore that I usually have to go to now.
I was just curious about where you are taking your creative writing class? I would love if you would write a blog post about that. Are you enjoying it? Do you need previous creative writing experience? Do you need any…um…talent?
OMG, The History of Love is my most favourite book EVAH. I don’t say that lightly, too. I’ve read many, many books and seriously, The History of Love is number one on my list. Nicole Krauss is the only author that I’ve ever written a fan letter to.
I hope you find time to read it. SO worth it.
Keep reading that Globalisation of Addiction! And please send me your thoughts when you are done. Best Wishes, Bruce Alexander (Author of GoA)
Ok, first time-saver, ditch any book that is just mmehh…. life is too short. That book got the same review from me so out it went.
Junkie Monkey, have you read The Globalisation of Addiction yet?
Finola, okay, you got it, I’ll write about the creative writing class.
Lynn, I just ordered it tonight. I’m going to take Carmen’s advice and toss The Lovely Bones aside, and read The History of Love instead.
Bruce Alexander, I was so excited to see that you’d left a comment. The Rat Park guy! The Globalisation of Addiction guy! I had your book on my Amazon wish list since the day it was published, and I was trying to wait for the paperback to come out. Then, in a weak moment, I pushed the button, and two days later I had it in my hands. I’m only about 50 pages in, but I like it very much so far.
Carmen, The Lovely Bones started out well, but it seems to have bogged itself down in tedious high school trivia. You’re right – I don’t need to finish it.
Life is too short to read books that make you go meh.
I was going to ask you to write more about the class but Finola beat me too it. So I am doing the classic blog comment no-no: Chiming in to say “what she said.”
Word on the street is that Hartman’s Piano-themed street art is coming…
Laurie, I like those kind of comments too.
Elmaks, that’s very exciting and what a brilliant idea – I can’t wait to see it.
I just went to Chapters and bought The History of Love today because of this post. Thanks!
Yay Meagan! Let me know what you think of it. I’m reading it now, and I am completely, utterly charmed by it.