Whirlwind visit

My grandmother and great aunt came by the house yesterday. This is a big thing as they both live over 6 hours away. They were down for their sister's birthday... which is today actually. They came by in the evening and we had supper. After dessert I spontaneously decided to take my grama for a ride around town. It worked out great. We saw everything that she loves: sculptures, birds, spring flowers, fountains and interesting houses. It was wonderful to just do something with her. I don't think I've ever really had the opportunity to just experience a moment in her presence. All family gatherings are such a production and a carefully choreographed event that even going for a walk almost needs to be agreed on by comity.

We got back and she was so happy. We looked at photos from her 80th birthday on my laptop and she was beaming and practically giddy the whole time. She said she was beginning to understand how people could love being on the computer for hours.

We said good night. And this morning I woke up a little with a kiss goodbye from her on my forehead. Such a lovely visit.

Eight

This is the number of boxes my dad has brought back into the house from the garage for me to sort. When we went away I cleaned out a bunch of my shelves and closet of books, so the people staying would have room for their things. Now that they're back in the house I have to wonder what I'm going to do with them all. And here I thought I was getting the hang of my room once again. There are just so many textbooks that I can't bring myself to part with. Will I ever really read them again?

So for the most part I've been going through them and pulling out books of interest... but that gets a little grey when I've been accumulating books specifically because they look like they'll be an interesting read.

Trying to save a little of my sanity I've been getting together the books I've been missing since I got back. These are the ones that I've actually reached for before I remembered were packed away. I pulled those out of the boxes first thing and they're already up on my shelves along with my note books and sketch pads. I re-arranged a bunch of shelves and now have a section for my favourite books that are of a specific height... sounds strange but it works. (short shelf that doesn't really hold anything but a specific height of book)

So now just to read 2 library books and 5 loaned books, then start cracking into the boxes and deciding which will stay or go.

Talking

I'm having an introspective day. Well, that's not to say that the day is just me thinking of me but taking things around and analyzing what I'm thinking about it. Also I've been hyper aware of the word "Your" these past few days. Such as: What does "your" mean when it doesn't actually apply to me, as in adds. "Your future home" ...no it's not.

I was just listening to CBC radio and heard people talking about their experiences with a new show at the Guggenheim. They were talking about discovering what a conversation is all about. I found myself feeling incredibly sorry for these people out there that need an exhibit to have a good conversation. How to have someone disagree with you is this radically new way to talk to people. That it can be called a conversation even if you're not having your opinions validated... Your friends fail...

Again that wording. Someone out there... maybe, will read this and think "My friends don't fail" so it doesn't apply to them so what does... I'm getting off topic.

Anyways thinking in regards to this Guggenheim show about interaction and progress, I like the concept. Or, I like the idea that I'm assuming inspired this. I see it, as giving people an open space to talk and someone there to actively start the interaction. Maybe I should start something that uses this idea. I'm thinking of little booths with a couple of chairs and having people be seated by a host. Maybe a little box with conversation starters and a place for people to write down their own ideas. People have to talk for a minimum of maybe 3- 7 minutes. And then they can decide when to break off from there. I'm not talking about speed dating or anything, just meeting someone new and having a conversation. Most people I've started talking with randomly in the street seem almost desperate to talk to someone but never know how to start a conversation or find an appropriate setting.

I think there could be a common room or some larger area where people could take their discussion if their time got to ..20? minutes and they wanted to keep talking. Like a coffee shop with emphasis on talk...

I should think about this.

Goals for today are to find my other slipper and return my library books.
Really ambitious goals for today I'm sure, but I'm not feeling very well so I'm going to take it easy.