Official Geekdom Achieved

Sometimes when you need a lift the universe will supply one. Today did not start out well and I’m sliding further into the unemployment blues so even volunteering at the library did not feel as great as it usually does. Until…

One of the librarians came by with news about the adult reading summer program. No, it is not a porn club (or my husband would know about it). It is a contest for grown-ups along the lines of the kids reading programs. I read 8-10 books a month so I will rock this one and kick some ass. I can hardly wait until my shift is over before running upstairs and signing up. When I do I get this cute free bag with a zipper on top (which has real meaning when you’re leaving the library with an armload of books in the midst of one of Portland’s downpours). But I’m not finished. I’ve signed up and gotten my little passport (travel theme this year) when the librarian says, “You can also get started by choosing a free book from the cart over there.” Book? Free? To keep? I know how tight money is at the library (or they wouldn’t need so many volunteers to get everything done) so I’m guessing these are really old beat-up books. I walk over and what do I see? TIM. GUNN. My hero. The only man I would let see me in my underwear because he would then take me shopping and my whole life would change. I ADORE Tim Gunn!!!!! I am so happy I practically skip out of the library but manage some semblance of calm until I get home. Then I start jumping around (literally) in my husband’s office squealing about ‘a reading club, free cute bag, Tim Gunn’. Thankfully, we’ve been married for over a decade so he just sits there and smiles rather than calling the psych squad. He even agrees that this is, indeed, a huge day.

There you have it. My sad little geek flag is flying all over the place right now. If you had any doubts about me they’re gone. I’m a zoomer, nerd, weirdo who thinks reading is the best thing ever and getting library swag is almost as good as getting free make-up or jewelry.

And because I am a library fool you should check yours out. Lots of them do this sort of thing in the summer and…they need your support. Public libraries are the lowest rung on the food chain of government funding. One more thing that people really like but don’t want to pay for and if you have to choose between police protection or access to free computers and all the books/DVDs/CDs you want, the library usually loses. Which is just not right. They’re both important.

Can’t write anymore. Have to go stare at my TIM GUNN book.