Complicated

Today I am frustrated with things that are overly complicated.

It has taken me a long time to learn how to say my favourite Starbucks order in 'Starbucks language', but even so they still ask for clarification. Maybe I should just write my order on the cup myself. Just hand me a cup and a pen please.

I had to leave my new crackberry with Ray to setup for me, because I lack the time or the patience to figure out how to do the things I want. Now it is lovely! (thanks honey!)

But my major frustration today comes from a visit to the bookstore. Now I love the bookstore. I have gone to Chapters no less than 3 times in the last week. I almost never buy anything, if you think of the number of times I go in there, but I just like to browse. Books make me comfortable. I wander through the aisles glancing at titles and running my hand along the spines, almost like you would in a fabric shop, testing out the feel of new thing you see. Waiting for one to catch your eye or spark your senses, forcing you to stop and take a better look. I am so thankful that my parents instilled in me such a passionate love for books and a comfort in reading and learning and language. But now I've gotten all nostalgic and off topic....

The main issue here is the complication of having many versions of the same book. Case in point - the Bible. I went to church on Sunday, and was once again sparked to go back and read some actual sections and books of the bible. Which then sparked my interest in buying a new bible. I have a Children's version (the obligatory simple one with some pictures) and a Student's version (with side notes and interesting facts) but I have never bought a bible for myself. I felt the need to invest in one that was mine. One that spoke to me. To take the initiative and say - I want to read this and think about it and sort through the grain and the chaff. Something not just kept on the shelf because someone told me I should.

There I stood, in front of an entire shelving unit of different bibles. King James version, New International Version, Today's New International Version (how is that even different?), Catholic version (they have their own version?!). And then there are themes - bibles with the words of Jesus highlighted in red, bibles printed on organic paper with linen binding and words about the earth printed in green, bibles for women, bibles for men, bibles for learners, bibles in large print. I'm surprised there wasn't a bible for pets with pictures of animals, or a Chicken Soup for the Bible Reader's Soul right along side this melange of options.

But you know what they didn't have? A plain one. Something without footnotes or side notes, no words in different colours, no gold or silver edging, printed on real paper. That tissue paper thin stuff is awful because it is so fragile, you can barely read for seeing the words on the back of the page, and when you try to highlight - it seeps through at least 14 pages and smears all over. And maybe even in paragraph form instead of columns. I just want a simple bible.

I feel like this is the trouble with lots of things today - you specialize and try to make different versions of some product for every possible person, in every possible mood or frame of mind, but in the end no one is fully happy. Let's simplify. I dream of a world with plain old books where I can highlight and write in the margins, throw it in my bag, and actually read it.

Lots of love
Pamela

Currently listening to: Juanes, Malika was reminding me of Central America :)
Currently reading: nothing! cause there are no simple bibles!...hahaha...ok I'm done ranting now.