jaysaint Getting it all down on paper…

This is only an entry-ish as I am feverish and miserable with a cold. I don’t get sick that often, so I’m unafraid to complain complain complain when I do. But I know that’s boring, especially when you don’t get the full effect of my ruby-red nose. So I’ll keep it to a minimum here.

You know the best thing about this virus? It didn’t hit until late Sunday night. So while it is upending my work week in a really bad way (I actually drove home today to lay on the couch for half an hour and then drove back to my office.) it did not interfere with the colossally fun time we had in Atlanta.

Highlights include my first face-to-face with:
— with her fine, fine cakes and a snake-charmer effect on Alden.
— ‘s all-in-one-piece self plus P, Anya and Ezra who were all kind enough to be exactly as appealing and clever as I envisioned.
— brought her laid-back cool and her I’ll-see-you-one-darling-boy-and-raise-you-two.
Also a much needed catch-up with:
, , as I had never even met their lovely daughter. I also enjoyed a dinner visit from and a surprise appearance by .

And that doesn’t even begin to dig into all my friends who aren’t on LJ.

I had the best time. And if your name is listed above then you are why.

Last night we were happy, though, to be back in our bed. Every time a train went by in the middle of the night Alden would stroke my cheek until I opened my eyes and then he would whisper “go go,” which I’m pretty sure is his first crack at “choo choo.” I would whisper, “Yes, choo choo” and then he would smile and go back to sleep.

Hey Friends, we’re in Atlanta today. If you’re so inclined, we’ll be at Ru San’s in Midtown for dinner tonight at 7. Leave a reply here or shoot me an email if we should be on the lookout for you.

1. If I see you at a buffet-style restaurant and you are making an enormous mountain of the most expensive food they have on offer, I will judge you.
2. If I see that Damon has Tivo’d something obnoxious I will delete it if I think I can get away with it.

I have an conundrum:

In the course of my unpacking, I am unearthing quite a collection of Bibles. Some of them even have my or Damon’s names engraved on the cover. I don’t want all these Bibles. I suppose I could stick them in the back of a closet, but I feel resistant. I love my old family Bibles, but these newer ones are reminders of a time in my life that wasn’t particularly good. Or, rather, it was chaotic and terrifying.

That said, it wasn’t the Bibles that made it so. They were innocent bystanders.

I’m aware of some of your (plural) feelings about religion/Christianity/Bibles. And I might even agree with some or all of it. I’m not religious. I don’t believe it’s the infallible word of God or anything inherently mystical. And yet, I can’t just throw them in the garbage. It also feels wrong to just chuck them on the Good Will pile.

I’m a big believer in treating things sacred to others with respect. I wouldn’t throw a Koran or a statue of Buddha in the garbage. I do not like “hilarious” or otherwise ironic religious art. I know there’s a line somewhere for me, and I’ve never bothered to define it. I wouldn’t have a problem pitching a copy of Dianetics, for example.

So. What do I do with these Bibles? I do know that I seem to be dismissing every possibility. My last option (the Hail Mary, you might say) is that my oldest friend is coming to visit soon, Perhaps I will hide them in his suitcase. I think he would understand, and have the good sense to never mention it.

On an entirely different note: We’re going to Atlanta next weekend! I’m excited for many reasons, and seeing old (and new) friends is at the top of that list. Sunday afternoon we’re going to take up residence somewhere for a few hours to invite anyone interested to come say hello and meet Alden. Any suggestions for locations would be much appreciated.

I’ve seen ‘s passing references to Paperbackswap.com. (PS — I said you gave me the referral so maybe you’ll get a prize!) It rose to mind as I unpacked box after box after box (after box) of books. I admit that I am still unwilling to part with most of them. But, do I really need to hang on to The DaVinci Code? I do not. Neither do I need all my pregnancy books or some of the various works of minor non-fiction that I will definitely never read again. I did find myself thinking “Hey, I’d love to read some other books by Mark Helprin/Margaret George/Edward Rutherford/etc/etc.” So. I signed up. I’ve mailed off two books (some random week-by-week pregnancy guide and Female Chauvinist Pigs) and am thrilled to say that I’ve got a copy of Prince Caspian on its way to me. I have my old Chronicles of Narnia in its little cardboard case, ready to go onto Alden’s bookshelf. But somewhere along the way I lost Caspian. And I haven’t been able to find one that matches the others. I don’t want a new set. Both because I’m cheap and because I want him to have the old books. I’ve poked around for that book for a few years now, and Paperbackswap has saved the day.

I’m overwhelmed with the possibilities. What else should I have my new friends mail to me?

Is anyone else on PBS?