Congratulations to Stu and Kathleen!

Congratulations to Stu and Kathleen! Shane has a new cousin, Cole. My sister's son was born yesterday near noon. He had been content to sit in there cooking, but I guess even he figured it was time to move things along. Shane and I are going to go visit the hospital tomorrow and hopefully say "hello."

Tonight, my Jama is also flying in from Beaumont to stay with my parents. They converted the first level office into a bedroom for her so that she can avoid the stairs. Unfortunately, there's no bathtub or shower on the first level, so she'll still have to tackle the steps from time to time. Nana and Jama are thinking about driving up to the hospital tomorrow to see Baby Cole, as well. It'll be nice to see Jama again.

It's a good thing this is a three day weekend, because there's a lot going on! I need to go get my measurements taken for my brother's wedding. All the groomsmen are renting something specific, and Matt wanted measurements in by the 27th, I believe. Carrie's working Saturday and going to a horse vetting afterwards, but we've got to get packing and cleaning. Eleven days to go. I have a big box of old Palladium RPG books I'm gifting to my friend, Mike D. I have a bunch of old TMNT, Robotech, Heroes Unlimited, and Rifts books. I even have a severely beat-up Ninjas and Superspies. Ah, the good old days. Mike must be doing something right as a father, because he still finds time to dabble in Rifts and goes to their open house each year.

I've been thinning down my book collection a lot. It's painful.

Whenever I clean, I like to get rid of stuff. My hoarder instinct only activates when it comes to paper filled with words. I'll pick up a book and start to reminisce. Scenes and characters flash in my imagination. I remember parts of the plot, and stop to think "What if I can't find this book again?" I won't have read the book for years (or even a decade), but as I sit there holding it, I can't help but wallow in nostalgia. I also have a bunch of older series that I loved, but never became universally loved classics like the Dune or Foundation series (to name but a few). I have the Bazil Broketails, almost every BattleTech ever printed, the Myth series, Mobile Suit Gundam (yes, it was a book and it was better that way), and a slew of other books. Some of the more contemporary series like Honor Harrington and the Wheel of Time are probably safe to donate and check out from a library, but parting with books is like parting with friends.

Heck, I didn't want to donate my old textbooks. The damned things filled two bankers boxes and nearly blew out the bottoms when I took them to donate. I can't say I have many fond memories of Calculus, but it's still knowledge. What if I or someone I know needs to learn it? What if?

The pain persisted, but I've been thinning the collection. Carrie still doesn't believe me when I tell her that she's only seen a fraction of what I used to own (the first great purging could've built a paper-mache golem). I found a home for some of my old comics and mangas with a friend in Washington. If Shane gets into comics and books, I would rather he come into it gradually than stumble across more adult comics that I've had like Sandman and Fables. I can't bring myself to get rid of my Fables trades yet, but that may happen one day. I have to teach him the traditional fairy tales, before he can appreciate the twists on the characters the Fable series presents.

Enough book ranting. If any of my friends are reading this and they want anything, just ask. I have no hesitations gifting any of the books I have to a good home. I worked in a library for enough years to know that a majority of donated books find their way out back rather than onto shelves or book sales (at least around here).

Shane's been waking up pre-6 AM lately, so if I want a chance at a decent night's sleep I have to turn in now. It wouldn't do to be too tired to walk him to garage sales in the morning.