Friday, April 4, 2008

Who Can Break the Spell?

Once upon a time there was a Girl who enthusiastically read novels at bedtime.  She stacked these books neatly by her bedside, spines facing outward, and promised them that one-by-one they would be loved.  She told them she would smile at them, laugh with them, and even shed tears that dripped tenderly onto the pages.  She would make tiny little dog-eared corners at the tops and bottoms to bring her eyes back for future visits.  She told those books she loved them.  She told everyone she loved her books.  Her husband started to wonder if she loved those neat stacks better than him.  Sometimes the Girl whispered to her books that she did.  The Girl loved her books so much that she put them on special bookshelves, organized by author and genre, and even grouped them together by color occasionally.  She couldn't bring herself to borrow a book from the Library, for fear that the book would feel less-loved.  She wanted to purchase them, to hold them forever, to lend them out and see how happy they were when they were returned home, to their special shelf.

One day the Big, Bad Laptop made its appearance into the Girl's home.  The Big Bad Laptop was sleek and pretty.  It made little beeps, tones, and pictures.  It introduced her to the Villain of the story, we'll call her Mrs. Blogh (with an "h" to protect the innocent).  The Girl set aside her pretty books, but just this one time, she told them.  The books pouted on her nightstand for the night, but they knew she'd be back.  They knew her love for them could not be replaced.  

But the next night The Girl toted her Big Bad Laptop to bed.  She lifted the top, smiled, glanced at her husband, and became enrapt in a new world.  A world that one measly little book could not offer, for the Big Bad Laptop offered hundreds, and millions of stories.  And it weighed much less than hundreds of millions of books.  The books got sad.  They never knew they had to worry about their weight.  They pouted some more, and began to weep.  Unfortunately the Girl did not notice their weeping, for the dust collecting on these books hid their tears.  

The days and nights went on.  The stack next to the Girls' bed grew.  She made more promises.  I'll be back.  I'll visit you, and you, and you ... but she kept forgetting.  

And so, as with every classic Fairy Tale, not the Disney kind the Brothers Grimm kind, the Villain wins, and the Big Bad Laptop sweeps the Girl away.  They fall in love.  They make little Blogh babies and they live in a dark forest far, far away.

The End

Unless ... the sweet and quiet strength of those books happen to pull the Girl out of her spell.  Could it be?  Could they forgive her, invite her back, show her how to balance life, family, hobbies, and Mrs. Blogh?  Maybe the Girl needs something from the Self-Help section.

35 comments:

Wendi said...

Very clever Jamie...very clever!
You had me at "spines facing outward". I. love. it. I live this same sad story.
Please oh please let me know if you find that "special book". The one that will help me balance it all. I was reading a book entitled "How to have a 48 hour day".... but I could't find time to read it! Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy said...

Wow, I feel exactly the same way! I don't read near as much as I used to.I still find time for it, books are definitely an escape for me! But I am getting a lot less sleep. Maybe if you joined a book club that would help you read more?

Happy Days said...

I think we all need a 12 step program! Very cute post!

Anonymous said...

i bought a book yesterday, i carefully peeled off the price tag, took it out of the bag, and it became mine, a part of me. there is something about the weight of a book, the act of turning pages and marking passages - the physical act of reading. its a passageway to someplace, a well traveled path to someone. . .
it can't be replaced

CC said...

TOTALLY LOL!!!! I hear you sister! And I know not the cure. Maybe a kiss from a handsome Prinse (with an "s" to protect the innocent).

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I still commune with my books--it's just not quite as frequently. I, too, feel guilty.

San Diego Momma/Two Funny Brains said...

Can't most books be downloaded and read online?

Problem solved!

Deb
sandiegomomma.com

Ice Cream said...

Or maybe you could find a self help blog.

I loved your personification of the books because it is exactly how I feel about them.

Misty said...

Do I dare rain on the parade?

I hate reading. Hate it, I really, really do.....

But..... I loved your post. And I love you.

That makes it ok, right?

T. said...

Your beloved books wouldn't be nearly as disappointed as your millions of readers would be, if you decided to cut back your time spent with the BBL. Just don't do it. The kids will be grown and gone before you know it and then you can go back to reading books. If your books start acting desperate, just print out your blog, bind it and put the spine facing outward on the shelf. What could better company for them?

Jenelle said...

Hmm...I'm new to blogging...should I quit while I still can? Actually, I think it's too late. I find time to read when I'm on the treadmill--IF I find time for the treadmill!

Lindsey said...

So creative. I understand your "fairy" tale. I totally get it. I miss my books....but I sure do love to read blogs!

OHmommy said...

clever.

very clever.

Laski said...

Oh--I am so with you. I check out a half dozen books from the library with the intention of reading them. Intention . . . that is never, ever realized. *sniff*

I also have way too many library fines because I can't rip myself away to return them . . .

What a witty post! Love it!

Casdok said...

Yep i can relate!! My books are sitting there looking at me, they will forgive me one day!

Anonymous said...

I know what you're saying. But you must resist the relentless temptation of the sexy laptop. Don't fall for it's seductive ways because, eventually, it will leave you. It may come back after the crash, after the rebuild. It may have a new glow, it may seem new-and-improved. But it will leave again and again, each time costing you, financially, emotionally and spiritually. And each time you're left with only a power cord, those books will be there; a shoulder for you to cry on. Sure, you'll never turn away the lovely laptop as it returns with promises of "never again will I fail you." Forgive but don't forget. Realign the pecking order. Remember who loves you unconditionally. Give your books the attention they deserve.

Misty said...

So. It's 3:40 AM......... Guess what I am doing?

Waiting for Olivia to GO BACK to bed.

Holy crap.

I love you.

Courtney said...

Put down your laptop and cuddle up to your hubby...

Miss Lisa said...

I feel your pain!
This too is my life.
You are one creative mommy :)

Amy said...

This was really cute. I am the same way about my books. The funny thing is that I haven't read for months!!! (other than blogs, of course!!!)

Since my husband is working all night, I think I'll go up to bed now with my book. (and laptop!)

Cheers, my friend! =)

Amber M. said...

You can do both! Seriously. Takes a little juggling, but you can do it, sista!

My name is Amber and I am a bloggin' book-a-holic.

Angela said...

When I lost my vision I mourned for my books, but now that I have books on tape and blogs to read I don't feel so sad.

~Swankymama said...

Blogging has taken over watching GMA and reading the Sunday paper for me. I get up, pour me a cup of coffee, and go through my reading log. *sigh* What will it be next?

Kellan said...

What a cute post!!! It is so true and I just loved this post!!

I hope you have had a good weekend - see you soon - Kellan

Burgh Baby said...

I've done the exact same thing. But, I've decided it WORKS because short stories are much easier to balance when you are super busy. It's so much better to know that you can come back and reread a short blog post than to constantly get interrupted when trying to read a novel.

(Don't anyone dare argue with me, either. This is my story, and I'm sticking to it.)

Angela said...

I answered your question
Hope your weekend was super

Wendi said...

yep... just as clever the second time! Love it!

Kellan said...

Hey Jamie - Hope you had a good weekend - see you soon - Kellan

Kat said...

Wonderfully written! You are so clever!

Anonymous said...

*sigh* A lovely post.
My books became sad when I went off to college and had to actually study. Oh, sometimes we return to one another and have a torrid affair, doing nothing but holding one another for days at a time, ignoring my need for sleep, but my family then feels ignored.
Balance is tricky. I will read more when the kids are grown (at least some of them) and I have fewer responsibilities. Perhaps you can explain to your books that blogging is like a new baby that takes a LOT of your time. And then read a chapter every night.

Molly said...

Somehow, it's my housework that suffers from blogging, not my reading! Guess I'm selfish like that!
Seriously, I have felt things have been a little unbalanced lately with all the blogging too. I probably need to force myself to back away sometimes.

Misty said...

Where is my #1? I miss you.... *sniff**

Melissa said...

ha ha....this is sooooo true. My husband makes fun of me because every night he asks, "can we go to bed?" and I ALWAYS say, "hold on I am almost done with my post" it is a horrible cycle :)

Anonymous said...

I love the post. I agree with you. I have been blogging for less than a year, but I find that I read far fewer books. I've been sucked into the lives of others through blogging.

Chevy said...

I can relate. Instead of falling asleep with a good book at my side, I fall asleep with my laptop gazing at me from the other side of the bed.

I need to either pick up a book or pick up a man! HA!

Loved this entry, Jamie!