reason #76 to love Des Moines

Today over my lunch break I walked to the new downtown library in Des Moines. It was a sunny beautiful day, despite a little construction noise in the background (not too much has changed here). I have always loved libraries. There is something so satisfying about walking into a building full of books that you can borrow for free. And now that the new library is within easy striking distance I am finding more and more excuses to go browse the stacks when I feel the need to get away for a while. So next time I'm feeling unsatisfied about where I am at the moment, I have to remind myself of these little joys, like walking to the library over lunch and eating my peanut butter sandwich outside on a bench watching kids splash in the water.

what's your love language

Adam and I are reading the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and going through it with some other young married couples. I had heard people talk about their love languages before (they are: Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service and Gifts), but I had never considered what mine was. After reading through the first few chapters and taking a quiz in the back of the book it is obvious that my love language is quality time. When I announced this to a close friend, she was like yeah, you are all about quality time.

It's not really a life-changing discovery, but I am definitely aware now of how important quality time, especially one on one time is for me in my relationships with others, not just Adam. I have always loved going for walks with my mom, because that was a chance for the two of us to talk. I love meeting girlfriends for coffee or having lunch dates during the week. Any intentional time that I spend with someone or someone spends with me fills up my "love tank"

Adam's love language is physical touch (It seems this might be true of all men). The book says it is natural for us to show love to others through our personal love language, but it's important to know what your spouse's (or friend's) love language is as well. I feel loved when someone spends time with me so I try to spend lots of quality time with Adam, but that won't necessary be love to him if he's looking for physical touch and visa versa. Just some interesting things to think about.

creative spirit

Sometimes I hit a creative rut and find myself wishing my job were less creative and more cut and dry, but then I find quotes like this and remember why I love what I do.

"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right
the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon." - Robert Cormier,
novelist.

east of eden

I am reading John Steinbeck's epic East of Eden. I wanted to feel like I was in an English class again, so if anyone wants to discuss the themes with me and contemplate the Biblical references I'd love it. Here's a quote to ponder. The story takes place in the early 1900s and this quote is from a servant:

"I don't know where being a servant came into disrepute. it is the refuge of a philosopher, the food of the lazy, and, properly carried out, it is a position of power, even of love. I can't understand why more intelligent people don't take it as a career-learn to do it well and reap its benefits. A good servant has absolute security, not because of his master's kindness, but because of habit and indolence. It's a hard thing for a man to change spices or lay out his own socks. He'll keep a bad servant rather than change. But a good servant, and I am an excellent one, can completely control his master, tell him what to think, now to act, whom to marry, when to divorce, reduce him to terror as a discipline, or distribute happiness to him, and finally be mentioned in his will...My master will defend me, protect me. You have to work and worry, I work less and worry less."

I have no experience living with or working with "servants" I guess there are maintenance people at work who clean, deliver mail and take out the trash, but it's not quite the same as what people were used to 100 years ago.

food for thought.

magazine days

I guess every day in my life has magazines in it in some shape or form, whether I'm at work (where I'm a magazine editor), browsing the headlines in the check out lanes or reading one of the 5 magazines I currently subscribe to. But for me, one of my favorite magazine days is when I get home from work, check the mail, and find a new issue waiting for me.

Today I was greated by the July issue of Esquire. Don't be deterred by its target male audience. This magazine has some of the best writing out there and for that reason I look forward to each new issue, even if I have to settle for some less than flattering covers. Even though I already have the magazine in my possession, I can't help but read the coverlines and wonder which ones do they think will get people to pick it up off the newsstand.

Then, depending on the magazine, I flip through to find my favorite columns or stories. I always read the editors letter (does anyone else do this? or is it just me, the magazine geek) Then I check out the contributors page (again, I think I'm the only one who does this, although my co-worker Sam claims to enjoy this page as well, we just can't seem to sell our editor on its merit) Then I usually flip to the back page to see what clever thing is there, check out a few departments and then settle in to read the features. This month in Esquire I'm looking forward to the American Taliban story.

And when I finish it, I'll add it to the pile and wait for next month's.