Tuesday, February 27, 2007

What I Need To Know

I have this very small collection of vintage reference/instructional manuals that I keep on my desk. I sort of think of this collection as my rules to life.

I am very selective when it comes to aquireing new volumes. I think everyone knows that I have hundreds of old hilarious books everywhere for the porpose of collage, but these books are special enough that they don't even get cut up. Amazing.

Today in the used book sale at the lovely library I found my next book. So now my rules to life consist of 1) Standard Handbook of Cosmetology, 1977, Livestock Judging Handbook, 1947, And The Good Housekeeping Needlework Encyclopedia, 1947. The Needwork Encoloypedia is the book I purchased today, and it begins with the absolutely charming sentence, "Women will always be interested in neeedlwork." This pleases me more than I can say.

I envision someday having a whole set, covering all sort of varied subject matter. Then I will know everything I need to know. What will the next be I wonder?

I love the weird used book sale at the library. Besides that gem of a needlework encyclopedia, I also took home a very strange Japanese English dictionary, a copy of by Nicholson Baker, and a copy of The Will To Change by Adrienne Rich in hardcover. All for only $5! Yay.

Can you tell from this entry that I have a show to hang on Thursday? And have 10 paintings in various stages of completion sitting around my room looking at me accusingly? And that Ive been up all night for the past two nights sitting on the floor cutting and gluing and painting over things? And naming. The naming is also important.

Back to work, lizzy.

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