Trip to the Library

Yesterday, I went to the public library. I had three books due, so it was absolutely necessary. Sadly, I hadn't managed to finish reading any of them; I hadn't even started two of them. I expect to do better with this batch. Since I've already finished one and started in on two others, I think the odds favor me this time.

Three of the books I got are about ancient Egypt so that I can start work on the LARP for GenCon. I plan to use the public library for the basic research and then head for the university library to get more detail after I select an exact dynasty and Pharaoh to build my stories around. I want to avoid the Pharaohs that everyone has pet theories about such as Ankhenaton or Hatshepsut, and I think the book I'm working with now will give me some ideas. It's called Chronicle of the Pharaohs and is written by Peter A. Clayton. I haven't gotten very far into it, but it's a reign by reign list with a small amount of information about each. I hope to find something about which there's enough to make an interesting start without having enough to let players who've done more research than I make assumptions about what should happen.

Going through the non-fiction section did remind me of the odd contrasts between the various libraries I've frequented over the years. The town where I went to high school had an old Carnegie library. The upstairs was a single room which held everything except the children's books (which were housed in the basement). When writing a paper for class, I could count myself lucky to find more than one book on a topic. From there I came here and plunged into using the university libraries. The selection of fiction sucked, but the non-fiction… Wandering through the stacks was a way to find books on topics I'd never imagined. Since we lived in this town when I was in elementary school, the local public library was the first that I knew. Compared to the university system, it's tiny; compared to the Carnegie library, it's huge. Sadly, that means that it lacks both scope and hominess.

I wandered into the children's room while I was at the library. It's something I haven't done in a while because I always feel a little strange doing it. I'm not accustomed to being too tall for things, but 5'2" still makes me considerably taller than the shelves in that room. My visit was a little disconcerting because I think the number of books in there has decreased (It's been a few years, but I was through college last time, so it's not a question of my having grown). I know there used to be more shelves of science fiction, for example, and more paperbacks. I did encounter a number of old friends as I browsed the shelves, though. I checked one of those out, Behold Your Queen by Gladys Malvern, a retelling of the story of Esther. It's sadly battered, and the pages feel softly frayed and show lots of little tears. I'm sad to think that it won't last much longer, especially since I know it's out of print (It's on my short list of books I hope to find copies to buy some day at a reasonable price. Every now and then, I wander through some used book sites to see what I can find in that direction).

I keep getting to the library and thinking that I should see which of the books I have on my wish list they own. At that point, I realize that I haven't printed my list out and can't recall much of it off the top of my head. Perhaps I'll work on it later today… I need to separate out the things I want to buy so that I can read them from the things I want to buy so that I can own them since there are a number of books on the list that I've already read.

Still Dieting...

I'm still working hard on the diet. I know I mention it here from time to time in a sort of off hand way, but it takes more of my attention than that would indicate. Sometimes I feel like I'm just barely keeping to it (and my diary comments are more likely to mention the lapses). The temptation to make "one" exception tugs at me each time I have an opportunity. Yesterday, for example, I ended up at Denny's while waiting to see my psychotherapist (she works from her home and has no waiting room, but the bus gets me there at least 20 minutes early). I stuck to what I could have while keeping the diet, but it wasn't easy. Part of my mind whispered that having French fries "just once" wouldn't hurt much. Or onion rings…

I sort of have to take this one meal at a time. Each one I manage properly is a victory of sorts, and the defeats only really become important if I stop losing or start gaining again. Going out is very dangerous in some ways, especially if I'm alone. I've found that I do better if the most tempting foods simply aren't around. It's much easier to decide once not to buy something than to decide over and over again not to eat it when it's in the cupboard or fridge. I suppose I should be glad that Scott and I don't have much in common when it comes to snack food (He like saltines, pretzels and popcorn).

Of the foods I can have, the hardest to manage in moderation is fruit juice. I'm big on texture in eating and drinking, and the juice we keep around is much easier for me to swallow than water is (Yes, I know this sounds strange. It's true though). Sometimes, when I get thirsty, it feels like my throat is blocked, and it's hard to imagine getting water down. When I can't imagine it, I tend to avoid trying until I realize what I'm doing and force the matter. Adding a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to the water helps considerably in texture (though not in flavor. That's way too much unsweetened lemon for the amount of water!).

It's an odd thing. Cranberry juice works, orange juice and lemonade also. White grape juice is about like water in terms of ease of swallowing. Purple grape juice is worse; it seems to make my throat fill with glop. (Apple juice causes acid reflux, so I haven't had any in years and can't really say how it works or doesn't for this.) Soda pop tends to go down fairly well (pity I'm allergic to nutrasweet. Diet pop might solve some of my problems). I suspect it's a question of acidity. Why that should make a difference, I don't know. It's something I plan to ask my doctor about once I'm sure my insurance is straightened out.

In the meantime, one day, one meal, one serving at a time. I'm halfway to my original weight goal. I don't like thinking about another eight months or so of this, but… I can do this. Really.