Enchanter Tim's Journal

10:17am: A few hours from now, I will be EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD!!

I don't feel ready.

9:31pm: Hello hello! Due to strep throat and general laziness I hadn’t gotten around to answering Janet’s interview questions, but this is the post in which I shall make amends, to wit:

1. Pick a literary character whose life you would like to live. Explain why.

I’m surprised how difficult I found this question, given how much I read. (Maybe that’s because most characters have lives of terrible adversity…otherwise it would be boring.) But let’s see. There’s Hazel, the heroic rabbit from “Watership Down.” (To be honest, I’d just like to experience being a rabbit.) And, let’s see…Howard Roark comes to mind, and NOT just because this is for Janet. According to the Meyers-Briggs test thingy I have an Architect personality, of whom Roark is an outstanding example, and I have yet to encounter a character so single-minded in pursuit of aesthetic perfection. There’s the scientist played by Jodie Foster in “Contact,” the book form of which I have just obtained and intend to read, because honestly, what’s more exciting than searching for intelligent life in the depths of space, actually FINDING it, and then going on a magical mystery space odyssey? And to round out the list, I pick Gandalf, because he rocks. And has the Red Ring. AND I wouldn’t mind hopping around the galaxy like Ford Prefect…hmm, I guess I have just defined “a” to mean “many.”

Wait a minute, there’s also the King of Dreams…though I believe I already mentioned him, once upon a time.

2. Do you spend all day at the library shelving books? I imagine that must get boring.

No, I actually do a great deal more than that—although it’s often my first job when I come in the door. In the first place it’s not *just* books—there are audiobooks (of both CD and tape varieties), DVD’s, VHS’s, and magazines to replace in their proper shelves. In the second place, most of my employment is spent manning the desk, which of course involves the slightly monotonous task of checking stacks of books in and out by running them under the laser. (And then, if checking them in, placing them on a wheeled cart or, if they are destined for another of the seventy-odd SAILS libraries, placing them in a plastic crate with a stamped destination slip inside, with delicate items encased in either padded envelopes or encircled in rubber bands. Which brings me to the topic of “trapping” the books and sundry other items that people in other libraries have holds on, which involves hunting down a list of sometimes elusive items that can run to several pages.) Of course, working at the desk does have its perks, in that I get to meet people, and more importantly the occasional cute Pomeranian. What else is there? Oh—I call people up to give this little speech: “Hello, this is the Raynham Library calling to say that there is a book available for so-and-so.” Whereupon I place the book on a special shelf. Another of my behind-desk duties is, of course, helping people find what they need, using the computer system as well as good old-fashioned library expertise. In somewhat modified form, these duties are the same as what I perform when filling in downstairs in the children’s section. You would not believe how many kids come in needing information for a report on turtles or foxes or what have you. On Saturdays I typically brave the cold to retrieve the mail. Another thing I do is make copies of those slips that tell the shadowy delivery service which town a book is to be shipped to: MIDDLEBOROUGH, WESTPORT, SWANSEA, and who knows what else. When activity is scarce, as it sometimes is, I am relegated to straightening the wavy, gap-filled, out-of-order stacks. And that’s my job in a nutshell. It’s hardly ever boring, mainly because there’s always something else to do, but I also see all kinds of interesting reading materials that I duly note down in my little book. I typically leave with more items than I brought back. Let me tell you, it’s a great place for movies—like my own private, free Blockbuster’s. (Not everything there has redeeming educational or artistic value, to put it mildly; case in point, “American Pie.”) And there are additional perks…but my amazing psychic abilities are telling me that anyone who’s made it this far is now incredibly bored.

3. If you had to chose between being blind and deaf, which would you pick, and why?

I’d choose deafness, because it wouldn’t stop me from reading. Also, I respond more strongly to visual beauty than to, say, music. I’m afraid that, musically, I’m a bit like the kid who only eats peanut butter sandwiches. (Or my sister, who, when she was younger, would always go into a restaurant and order grilled cheese, clam chowder, and root beer.) I tend not to try anything new because I basically have very little idea of what I like.

Pimping out of music I’d like is hereby encouraged. (There’s a website that does that for movies, based on a personality test [whattorent.com]; there must be the same thing for music SOMEWHERE, right?)

4. So you say you are Enchanter Tim? What's your favorite thing to enchant?

I like to give fangs to fluffy bunnies and a Scottish accent to myself. And raise firestorms that look suspiciously like missiles. And bring stained-glass windows to life. And journey the spirit world in a trance. And divine incredibly specific information from pigeon guts. And inflict the Curse of the Bogies on anyone who annoys me. And…I think you get the idea.

5. Remember how Arthur Dent spent his entire intergalactic journey looking for a good cup of tea? If you embarked (or were forced to embark) on a similar journey, what would be your tea? In other words, what's the one thing from home that you'd spend your time trying to replicate?

I’d try to replicate Earth’s works of art and literature. To me, one of humankind’s most precious assets is civilization itself, and the words, sounds and pictures we make are perhaps the tastiest fruit of civilization, as well as our chief reminder that it actually exists. (Which, in daily life, one is sometimes tempted to doubt.)

Those are my answers. Well, you know the drill—if there’s anyone left who hasn’t been interviewed and wants to be, just leave a comment. And send a jumbo box of chocolates.

Oh yeah:

Marriage is love.

11:50pm: Hey, it's me (at last)!
Heh—I haven’t posted in longer than I care to think about. Silly me. Some of you must undoubtedly be wondering whether I’m still alive. Well…surprise!

I’d like to give a very belated shout-out to the Christmas Hug Monkey, Bearer of Cookies (alias Kathy).

So, what have I been up to? Well, going back to before vacation, there was the Drama club play, which was awesomeness, as Leah and Meg (among others), having seen it, can attest. Also, for over a month now I have been !EMPLOYED! at the Raynham Library. Yay paychecks! Which I have yet to spend. Needless to say I now check out way more items than previously. Which is saying something. Among them: the movie “Gattaca,” which despite being sf I suspect Leigh might enjoy, since it contains both Ethan Hawke and an arrogant British guy. I, of course, loved it. Being short, weak, myopic, and left-handed, I am glad that genetic discrimination does not exist to the extent it depicts.

Have just started my second semester of Russian, which is helpful in deciphering the Slavicisms of “A Clockwork Orange.” (Droog = friend.)

Hmm. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else I’ve done…

ATTENTION ALL BOHEMIAN CAFÉ MEMBERS: We must meet!!!! I, the great and powerful Tim, command it. And there shall be much rejoicing. Spread the word!

To anyone interested in a neat concept: I have registered four books on BookCrossing.com. The way it works is this. If you are interested, I will give one to you; after reading it, you log onto the website, enter the book’s ID number, and post comments about it. Then you pass it on to someone else, who does the same thing. And so on. Objective: to make the entire world a gigantic library. Here are the books:
The Golden Compass
The Evolution of Useful Things (such as cutlery and safety pins)
Night of the Crash Test Dummies (a Far Side collection)
The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book
If none of these appeal to you, there’s plenty more where they came from.

Now comment, or taste my squirrely wrath!

Oh: I would like to do the interview meme, but I forget who had it last. Someone interview me please?

8:13pm: In case I failed to tell anyone, I'd like to post (as an epilogue to last month's endless posts about conflicting schedules and such), I'd like to state that I *L*O*V*E*D* "The Matrix: Revolutions." In fact I want something like
this.

That is all.

4:04pm: Two small items I forgot to mention.
First--I had to play the piano at Breakfast With Santa today. (I was more than recompensed by the availability of donuts and coffee. ^_^) While there, I bought special Christmas trinkets for some of you........let your curiosity be piqued!

Also: soon I will start working at the Raynham Public Library!

2:06pm: Guess what, kids! It's...
Meme time!

Ask me anything you want. Please do so. You don't want my life to be meaningless do you??

6:09pm: iconnnnn
Yes. Here it is: my first actual *animated icon.*
Don't I feel special.

6:51pm: Okay.

For anyone interested in seeing Leigh's and my play, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged]" (and you KNOW you want to see it. Come on, admit it), both of us have tickets to sell. It's at B-R on December 18 and 19 at 7:30. (That's Thursday and Friday people.) Get 'em while they're hot!

That is all.

9:30pm: In the same vein as Janet's post about soup, here's another opportunity to help good causes for FREE:

Digital Charity

So please...take a minute or so to visit this site. The rainforest, pets, and a whole bunch of other people and things will be happy you did! (Just be forewarned that not all the links work.) Thank you!

7:56pm: Canada and Vermont are NOT the only cool places on the continent!
I'm sure I'm not the only one to first hear of this news on LJ...

Once more, the revolution has begun in good ol' Massachusetts! *pats Court*

Oh, and Bush can stick the "sanctity of marriage" where the sun don't shine.

10:07pm: A teensy reminder to Mai and Shelli
We shall be taking in the 1:00 screening, which means that we should all be at Showcase Cinemas by 12:30 in case we want to get snacks or something, or just to chat and stuff. Oh, and I decided it was pointless getting tickets ahead of time, so just bring money. :)

That is all. YAY MATRIX!!!

9:32pm: Attention J, K, L, S, and M
Afternoon screen times are noon, 1:00, 3:15, 4:15. Take your pick. (And, of course, please inform me of it.)

10:17pm: Oops...
Problem. Apparently they check ID's *before you enter the theater,* NOT when you buy the tickets.

So we're back to the original problem.

Someone please volunteer a parent!!!

8:41pm: Listen up, movie people.
Leah, genius that she is, has come up with the perfect solution to our lack of viable chaperonage: buying tickets online.

So here's the deal. I'll buy the tickets; you just have to show up with money to recompense me.

Savvy?

L, S, M, J, and K: please comment to confirm that you are in fact going, so that no unnecessary tickets will be procured.

That is all.

4:40pm: Yet another change people...this time a GOOD one.
I hope Sunday is still open for you guys, 'cause now it's all right for me too. (Due to unforeseen circumstances, I _will_ have a ride.)

HOWEVER--I need at least ONE of you to bring a willing parent so that we can dispense with the whole are-we-old-enough brouhaha.

I'll be calling/IM-ing you guys, so watch out!

6:35pm: Another change people.
How would you react if I told you I'm not from Guildford after all, but a small planet in the vicinity of Betelgeuse?

OR if I told you that we could catch an afternoon showing of "Revolutions" this Tuesday (day off)?

Since, as it turns out, next Sunday is not gonna work for me.

Unless someone else's parent wants to get us in.

Yeah.

[Edit: Lunar eclipse tonight!]

1:33pm:
Which Member of the Endless Are You?

Yeah...looks like the movie will be Sunday the 16th. (The people have spoken.) Maybe we should, like, call each other on, like, the phone? And, like, work out all the details and junk? Cuz that would be, y'know, nice?

7:10pm: As you can see, I've finally decided to put a little variety in my icons...

4:23pm: Movie again
OK people: What theater, and what time of day?

Kathy and Janet, Leah, Mai and Shelli, you better start making carpool arrangements...

At the moment, nothing interesting is happening whatsoever.

10:39pm: Movie
Okay everyone...sad to say I must postpone. How does Saturday the 15th sound?

REPLY IMMEDIATELY!

(Please.)

2:57pm: Forgot: my sister and I carved the pumpkin by ourselves. It was a perfect pumpkin and it made the perfect jack-o'-lantern: a spooky evil bunny rabbit! ~^o^~

1:15pm: All Souls' Day
IMPORTANT NOTICE: All who want to join in seeing "The Matrix: Revolutions" should comment on when they would prefer to go! I'm running on insufficient data here!

Didn't do much last night. Everyone else in my family was out, so I was left to hand out candy from my magical dream-dust pouch. There were actually a few kids this year! (We turned on both porch lights so that our house would not be avoided like the plague as in earlier years.) During the long pauses between them I watched Friday night standup. Woo-hoo. Welp, I guess I must wait for Leigh's party tonight...

5:12pm: Odd meteorological thingies!
There was a pretty rainbow a while ago. I could see both ends but not the middle.

And if it clears up tonight, the solar storm that's going on could give us a glimpse of Northern Lights!

10:30pm: Leah and I are getting a group together to see "The Matrix: Revolutions" when it comes out next month. Anyone interested should leave a comment.

I got Endless Nights today which is GREAT!!!

In other news, today I sewed a multicolored stuffed mole.

10:47pm: Just a few quick notes, as I have to get up early AGAIN tomorrow AAAGGGGHHH.

Well. I took advantage of the Columbus Day holiday (and have I mentioned that Columbus, the bastard, doesn't deserve a holiday?)to go on--ta da--college visits. Scarily, it is just about time to start thinking about that. So, my parents and sister and I drove down to Providence to walk around the campus of Brown. It was...interesting. Predictably, there was lots of brick and wrought iron and marble and statues and whatnot, because if you're a big, important [RICH] university, you have to look the part. I couldn't help being impressed, and a little intimidated; I really don't think I could ever afford to go there. (At this moment I'm hating myself for being cowed in the face of money. But who the hell isn't?) Anyway. The whole excursion was a little pointless, since we already knew there weren't any official tours that day. But I did get an idea of the sheer size of the place, and how it's practically inside a major city while still appearing untouched (in my mom's words, a "different world"); and some notices and posters and whatnot were enough to demonstrate that there is practically anything there you could possibly want. Which to me is good, since I am notoriously indecisive and also curious about way too many things.

After that--bit of an anticlimax--we went to Stonehill, which is puny by comparison. I'd probably get kicked out of a Catholic school for heresy anyway...

And after that, we went to one of our favorite restaurants, a place in Taunton called the Dragon Lady. Coconut soup--mmm. Predictably, my sister got pad thai. Also predictably, I decided to have something wildly different. Result: I tasted duck for the first time in my life. What does it taste like? Well, like goose, mostly.

That was all on Monday. What else has been happening? Well, as you may or may not know, with my recent birthday I finally completed my full set of The Sandman. (With a nice addition by Janet. Somehow I'll make it up to L&L Leake that I can't keep their present...) It soon transpired that I needed a new fix of Gaiman. Where to get it? I knew of no comics shop where I could get "1602"; and even if I did, what interest had I in the proto-X-men? BUT! Guess what came out last month--ENDLESS NIGHTS! Yes--more stories about Destiny, Death, Dream, et al.! Even as you read this, that book is headed my way in the mail. When I first glimpse it I know that I will SQUEE uncontrollably.

Leigh's mentioned our school's drama club. Well, I'm in it too, and, as the Bard himself wrote, "One man in his time plays many parts." Yes--I am, at various points, a long-winded narrator; Mark Antony; one of a Spanish Duke's six beautiful and virginal daughters; and Laertes, which means I get to duel Hamlet, aka Leigh! Now y'all have double the reason to come see our little production.

Oh. Today. I. Got. My. PERMIT!!! I never thought I'd be excited by this--after all, it opens up a whole new vista of problems and responsibilities. But somehow I AM. It's as if I see driving for the first time as the equivalent of playing with a shiny new toy. Another squee!

I think someone could have told me that the permit test is computerized. Maybe I was supposed to assume that it was, I dunno.

One final thing, before I tiptoe off to the twilight world of Morpheus. I rented "Memento" today. That is one SERIOUSLY screwed up movie. But in a good way. Amazing.

Hmm. That turned out rather longer than I thought.

That is all.