How do you Library?

My local library, Boyden Library, Foxboro, Massachusetts. 

How do you use your local library? If your like me it becomes something to get lost in. Like a kid in a candy store I look at all the books I can take out and for free too! Like that kid in a candy store I've had a tendency to take to too much all at once. You see so much and temptation takes over. 

Of course This past winter I've started actually using my local library a lot more than I have in the past. Some of it had to to do with the record breaking snowfall we had this year. What else better than being cooped up inside with nothing else to do? My problem was that I wouldn't just pick out a book, it would be two or three at a time. I just couldn't help myself. To further this issue was that I'm not a fast reader in the first place. Secondly I already have many books in my own personal library that are waiting to be cracked open. 

It was fine at first but after awhile I began to notice these books collecting dust on my shelves while I got more from the library. Books I'm already reading were many times put lower on my priority list as the pressure to finish books before they had to be returned mounted. Don't get me wrong all this indulgent behavior could be directed at a lot worse things. Perhaps though I could temper it a bit and use it a lot more wisely.

 I've sort of come up with a new strategy in using the library. 1. Used it to supplement a subject I want to write or research more.What better place for this. It was the place for it before Google. You'll still find stuff that isn't on a search engine. 2. Try it before I buy it. Some books are still expense do to newness or rarity. Libraries are of course inexpensive to "test read" a book before buying a certain book. I've done this already. 3. Use library as a quiet place to read, study, write or just a place to chill out. Many of us can't get a ny quite time at home. Taking an hour or two at the library I've found it easier to focus without distractions such as family, pets, friends and so on(although I love many of them). 

How do you use your local library?

On the run again

This past week I finally gotten back to running again. Here in New England we've had quite the winter which put a huge damper on my running on the road. I wasn't too keen on running on narrowed roads due to six foot high snow banks coupled with temperatures hovering in the single digits a lot of the time didn't make it too enticing to bundle up and run a few miles.

Before the 100 plus inches of snow I had signed up for a couple of 5k's this month thinking I'd be able to do them no problem. Was I mistaken. Of course I procrastinated getting back to running until the last minute. I could have used the gym and hit the treadmill but that also fell victim to my procrastination.  Needless to say I was totally not ready to run anything close to 3.1 miles(5k). I had ran a total of one mile the whole month of February. Even going back to January I was only doing a mile or so mixed in with some walking.

Not only was I not in running shape I had gained back the weight I lost year in a short amount of time which has pissed me off. It has given me added incentive. This was my original motivation to running in the first place.

I had also noticed I was more tense and irritable than I usually am. I was prone to outbursts at times which. I think part of it was i missed the release and endorphins that relaxed me after a run. I had missed running which is quite new to me. Since I've started these past couple of weeks I've been more relaxed. It's a good tension reliever for sure.  

Finally these past two weeks I've finally hit my favorite running spot in Mansfield, Massachusetts along a paved bike path that the snow and ice finally retreated to safely run. Just yesterday I finally hit the 2 mile mark for the first time since December. It also was the first three run week in 2015. Very happy to be back hitting the pavement. Already have a few 5k's in mind and hopefully won't miss anymore.

Until next time, cheers!

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I became interested in this after hearing about the hype of the movie release recently. I did hold out to read the book before seeing the movie. This is an up close look at the war American soldiers faced in Iraq. Chris holds nothing back as far as details and his own feelings. He did his job as he was trained to do and doesn't apologize for it and I don't feel he should have anyway. War is brutal and shouldn't be sugarcoated or glorified which Chris does neither here. Also covered is how it changed him at home with his family and friends. Now I can't wait to see the movie.

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Captain Jerry Yellin

Post by DVIDSHUB.

Every Breaking Wave - U2 Cover (Acoustic)

Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Video)

Tom Petty - You Don't Know How It Feels (Video Version)

Garbage - Vow

Garbage - Stupid Girl

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

A Short History of Ireland

To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing by Simon Garfield

To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing by Simon Garfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting look at the history and lost art of letter writing. Not the ones sent by email or text these days. On paper and sent by post office. Some simple correspondence or sharing life events. Others away at war time or pining away for a far away lover. Letter writing tends to be a personal private look inside a person as it's usually only intended for the addressee. I enjoyed this one a lot.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens Special Extended Trailer