bookstore evangelism

This week, because of our fundraiser at the B&N, I have received so many comments about the evils of B&N.

Some friends told me I should have had the furndraiser at one of our local bookstores (which is not a bad idea, but it's certainly easier to have a fundraiser at a place that already has a structure for the event vs. a place where I'd have to invent the details). This is an idea that I will likely pursue, but the vehemence with which the suggestion came was a little, well, annoying.

Another friend passed by me, cocked her head, and intoned, "Barnes and Noble?"

I understand all of the arguments against B&N and for independent bookstores, but the preaching gets tiresome. I find the evangelical enthusiasm for independent bookstores particularly surprising around here where everyone is so uptight about the evangelizing of a certain religion.

I did make a deal with a friend that I would stop shopping at B&N if he stopped eating baby carrots (which I personally find ridiculous and are often produced in sweat-shop type conditions). That seems like a pretty good compromise--one pecadillo for another.

a little gift to help with the time wasting

I'm just blogging today because everyone is blogging today--and getting comments--which means that everyone is in that first day of school zone where there is so much to do, but still so little you must do, leaving ample time for blogging and sending endless strings of emails about the Love Boat, etc. So I just want to be part of the back-to-school-time-wasters-blogfest.

So read this and leave me comments.

Then get back to work!

a few things I'd rather be doing next week

My syllabi are done. I whipped them out in one very productive day. I have no idea what I will do on the first day of class, but I'm sure I'll figure that one out. In the meantime, I can keep daydreaming about all of the things I would rather be doing than heading back to the classroom next week.

1. Running a pie shop. I really think Salt Lake needs one of these--a place where you can buy pies of all types and flavors.

2. Opening a gourmet popsicle shop. This was inspired by my making cucumber-chile popscicles this week.

3. Starting a granita shack. I worked in a snow shack when I was a kid, but those shaved ices are just too sweet. Adults want frozen treats!

4. Camping. Why didn't I camp more this summer? Oh well, I'm getting in one last weekend.

5. Making jam. I've probably already made more than we can possibly eat in a year, but I need more!