This is one of the reasons I took my walk along the high street in Plumstead when I ventured out to that part of the city on Sunday. I wanted to get a picture of this bizarre little...shop? Or whatever it is. I saw it from the bus when I was there several weeks ago on my previous Green Chain walk. I'm not sure it's still open. What a combination, though -- haircuts with a bang!
I wound up being late for work again yesterday. I don't know what it is but I am having a terrible problem with time management in the morning, which is very unlike me. I can't really get ready for work until Dave is out of the bathroom, which usually happens around 7:20, and then I get dressed and have breakfast and I can't bring myself to leave the house until the dishes are done and the bed is made, and basically I often find myself extremely crunched right around 8 a.m., when I should be on my way. (I'm supposed to be at work by 8:30.)
I was lamenting this fact to Dave yesterday and he said the school's senior managers have said they've noticed we're all suffering in our organizational skills -- something to do with all the stress we've been under, with Covid and our institutional drama and whatnot. So that's my excuse. At least it's not just me. All we have to do is get through this week and we'll be on break until Jan. 10.
I managed to order some flowers for my mom for Christmas, so it feels good to have that done. I hope she likes them. It's so hard to buy a present for someone who doesn't seem to have much of a sense of time or awareness of anything or anyone not immediately in front of her. But I sent some chocolates too, and I know she'll go for those. Chocolate always wins.
Here's where I am on my Newbery challenge -- these books are the last of the 100 winners that I still have to read. I'm down to such a small number that I decided to check them all out and bring them home. It's interesting that I've put off reading "The Grey King," "The High King" and "The Hero and the Crown" -- it was entirely subconscious but as you can probably tell, monarchical fantasy isn't really my thing.
That third book up, with all the tiny writing, is "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. And the book above that, "The Story of Mankind," is the non-fiction winner of the very first Newbery Medal back in 1922. I've been saving it for last. I'm dreading it, but I've heard it's not as stale as it sounds, so fingers crossed!
The title, "The Story of Mankind" does not sound at all "stale" to me. It sounds like a tale of adventure, achievement, invention, war, culture, procreation, tragedy, laughter and the passing of time. Of course the final chapters remain to be written - "Climate Change" and "Extinction". Do the red stickers mean that those particular books are pornographic?
ReplyDeleteIf that was the case I'm sure the books wouldn't have been available to sit on Steve's table:)
DeleteYeah, if they were porn I'm sure they'd be checked out CONSTANTLY.
DeleteThe red dots actually mean just the opposite -- that the books are suitable for our younger readers. We only use them on fiction, which is why "The Story of Mankind" doesn't have one. I don't know why "The Grey King" doesn't merit a dot. It probably should.
Dark mornings may have something to do with it too
ReplyDeletePossibly. It IS hard to get motivated when it's still night outside!
DeleteI always found myself dragging myself to work this time of year. Covid would make it so much worse. I’d avoid that barbershop. That’s how my hair ended up like this. Come to think of it, the warning comes too late for you, as well. Should it have been Cut Price Barber and Expert Fireworks?
ReplyDeleteNothing good can come from going to a barber who sells fireworks.
DeleteGood luck with your reading challenge. I’ve often thought about just starting at the A’s in my library and reading to the Z’s, but I fear I’m just too picky.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a LOT of books!
DeleteMy theory is if the job gets done, the time doesn't matter. But I agree -- I think Covid has wreaked havoc with our organizational skills in general. What an odd little shop!
ReplyDeleteI think that's true for many jobs, but part of my job is basically customer service, so I need to be at the desk at a certain time in case any kids wander up needing help.
DeleteLet's throw into the mix that there is so little we can control these days that we are all probably trying to hyper-control whatever small things we can. Such as making sure things are tidy before we leave the house.
ReplyDeleteA theory? I have a million.
That's an interesting idea, and entirely possible! I've always been a neat freak, though.
DeleteI've always wanted a trim with explosives.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very...effective.
DeleteAgain, I admire your ability to read boring books. I just can't.
ReplyDeleteI've encountered very few that are boring from first to last. Most of them, if they start out boring, get better as the pages turn.
DeleteBest of luck finishing up the Newbery 100. Love Kate DiCamillo's work. If you get a chance, read Ann Patchett's essay about DiCamillo's writing (in AP's latest book of essays--These Precious Days).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with time management. At this point, I think most of us are devoid of management skills. Not necessarily a bad thing.
I'll look for that essay! I believe we have that Patchett book in the library. DiCamillo is one of only three authors who won the Newbery twice, and I loved her other winning book, "Flora and Ulysses." So I think I'll probably like this one too.
DeleteAt least The Story of Mankind has been updated. Would hate for you to read old news.
ReplyDeleteI wonder HOW they've updated it...?
DeleteThis is how I make the bed...I throw the covers back up but then disarray doesn't bother me. I will after a week or so formally make the bed right before I climb in to mess it up again. I don't think my organizational skills have been impacted except maybe they're better since I'm home more and have time to organize. Mostly I'm just keeping the studio tidy, cleaning up after each particular activity.
ReplyDeleteIt just feels so much better to get into a made bed. At least I think so.
DeleteThat building in Plumstead is well worth going back for a photo. What an odd combination for one building. I also see that CCTV is watching things there.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you should mention the time management issues. I've noticed it too. Back when I was going into the office, I was there at 7:00 AM every morning. These days I have trouble getting from the bedroom to my desk by 7:30 or 7:45.
CCTV is watching things everywhere! I do think Covid has knocked all our clocks out of sync.
DeleteI'm glad that the senior managers understand the stress of these times and that it is taking a toll in so many ways these days. Just a few more days of work and then off until January 10th! That's a lovely long stretch of time to just relax and read the rest of those Newbery books. Hope your mom loves those flowers and chocolates, sent with so much Christmas cheer!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! I'm looking forward to seeing her in February if the Covid situation calms down.
DeletePlumstead barber! If you had hair you might try it- Fireworks are an interesting way to get short back and sides.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading three of those in your stack and enjoying them. Walk two Moons, A Year Down Under, and The Tale of Desperaux were all fun reads for me back in the day when I worked in an elementary school library.
ReplyDeleteHow fun for your Mom to get some Christmas treats delivered! Good idea!
Thanks for the good reviews on some of those books! That's encouraging!
DeleteI love a reading challenge but have a very poor track record for completing them. I have two. I started reading a biography on every American president but have only made it through Andrew Jackson. I also am trying to complete National Geographics 100 Greastest Adventure Books (https://www.listchallenges.com/national-geographics-100-greatest-adventure-books) and last time I checked still had around 20 or so left to go. The ones left are all out of print and hard to find and thus why I am slow reading them.
ReplyDeleteThe Newberry challenge would intrigue me if there weren't a lot of fiction.
Well, to be honest, I think things probably get pretty boring after Andrew Jackson. Who cares about the inner life of Martin Van Buren or John Tyler or James K. Polk?
DeleteSome of those Nat Geo books are terrific ("The Snow Leopard") but some of them look really tedious.
For the most part, they have been excellent and I can see why they are on the list but yes, some of them haven't weathered time as well as others and are a bit tedious by modern standards. I'm guessing much like what you are finding in your Newberry challenge.
DeleteThe Hero and the Crown was one of my favorites growing up!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I'd never read it or even heard about it before I took up this challenge. Now maybe I'll look forward to it a bit more. :)
DeleteDo you think that is where the word 'Bangs' meaning a fringe came from, ha ha
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Ha! I wish I'd thought of that!
DeleteI have that same problem in the morning. But I can't blame mine on Covid. You probably just need a good rest. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteCould be! I am looking forward to some down time. :)
DeleteCould Dave maybe get up 10 minutes early? Or would your tasks just expand into the newly available time window. I hate having to be anywhere at a given time.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't entirely blame him. I can't eat breakfast BEFORE I shower, for example. So part of the delays come from my own ideas and preferences about how to begin the day.
DeleteI was late for work today too - and I'm NEVER late. However, my problem isn't tidiness - I hit snooze for a full 36 minutes. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you that you're near the end of your Newbury quest - you'll probably knock those out during your winter break :)
I'm not sure I'll polish them all off. I'll probably end in January or maybe even February.
DeleteCongratulations on being almost there with the Newbury winners! There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of a completed challenge. Some of those remaining titles look quite appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think they'll all be pretty good, to be honest. One thing about reading medal winners is there are very few stinkers.
DeleteThat’s quite an achievement! As I recall my son rather enjoyed The High King in middle school.
ReplyDeleteOK, good to know! I love this positive encouragement!
DeleteI really do not like the combination of fireworks and haircuts. It just ain't natural.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Right?! Who thought that was a good idea?
DeleteI can't imagine what you'll read once you've finished the Newbury's.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can. I have a huge stack of stuff waiting.
DeleteLooking forward to hearing what you think of the final Newbery books. I expect your mom will love the flowers and chocolates. That shop was well worth returning to - did you rattle the knob to see if they were open?
ReplyDeleteChris from Boise
I didn't go near it! LOL
DeleteHero and the Crown is a great book but I sort of like The Blue Sword better. The Grey King is the fourth in a five story series and you really should read them in order. It is interesting to hear your take on these books. I will admit that I haven't read most of them.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm going to have to rely on the ability of "The Grey King" to stand on its own. My Newbery project can't expand to take in all the books in a series!
DeleteMaybe you can make it into the bathroom before he does. Yes, are we getting reviews?
ReplyDeleteThere's a blog on the school web site where I'm leaving short reviews:
Deletehttps://www.asl.org/program/libraries/what-to-read-next/newbery
And of course I'll write some kind of wrap-up when I'm done, naming my favorites (and least favorites).