The Internet Book Database of Fiction

I love to teach myself new things all the time ... it's something of a hobby. Every day I learn something new is a good day. Anyway, I figured this might be good fodder for a perpetual thread, so that people can occasionally mention something new they learned.

I'll kick things off ...

Today I learned how NOT to make mayonnaise from scratch. The egg yolks must be fresh, and the oil must be added to the food processor slowly, or the emulsion won't form.

I made quite a mess.

Today I learned that the joy of the chase is not in the capture, but the pursuit.

(ive been chasing this girl for a while now, and now we're together she doesnt seem so interesting.)

OMG, am I that shallow?

I learned that when you add a large amount of fruit to a muffin mix, it will no longer fit into just 12 muffin cups *blush* Well, it fit, but it wasn't as tidy as I like it to be (overflowing the muffin papers, etc.). *sigh*

I also learned that when children wake up to the smell of fresh laundry and baking muffins, it puts them in a VERY good mood (good to know, since my new job is within walking distance, and I start later than previously).

(great thread idea, Brad!!)

Today, I learned a new way to brew tea ... {snip}

Brad wrote:Here's a good site on brewing Chinese style gourmet tea with a "Kung Fu Cha" set.

I just learned that you can use a pine cone as a scourer to clean your cauldron if you're doing the washing up in front of the public at a re-enactment show.

I learned that I own at least 20 boxes* worth of books.

On the other hand, almost my entire wardrobe fits into a single large suitcase.

No question about where my priorities are, now is there?



* File storage-size -- or more precisely, girl scout cookie box-size. Anything larger and I didn't want to try to carry them.

spip:

Well, yesterday I learned that carrying 23 boxes of stuff plus one hugeass bag full of all of my clothes 1/4 mile to my new dorm room sucks big time.

Only two of them were books. The other ten copy paper boxes are in teh garage (On the other hand, four of them were computer stuff).

Scott

The best boxes to pack books in are exactly that size. I use photocopy-paper boxes I steal from work (I have 35 of those in my apartment, full, with at least 3 full-size bookshelves and two smaller bookshelves full, and that's after a big purge LOL)

I know what you mean though... books have always taken priority over clothes for me LOL My daughter, unfortunately, does not feel the same way.

Today I learned that the Westfield MA library is NOT very good.

Hi all

I am new to the group, and thought that I would introduce myself by posting to a couple of the threads in which I was interested. Look forward to getting to know all of you!

pamleidt wrote:Today I learned that the Westfield MA library is NOT very good.

That's frustrating. Have you checked to see whether they offer interlibrary loan?

Today I learnt that book shelving is incredibly expensive.



I've been researching the costs of replacing some of the shelving in my sci fi society's library, and the cost for the section of shelving that contains the videos, DVDs and oversized books comes out at around £850 (approximately $1700, if that helps people translate.)

Western MA has interlibrary loan, but the entire western half of the state is pathetic when it comes to material. What they have I either already own, or have already read. There are a few books that I am interested in, but for the most part... I was spoiled when I lived back home - The Denver Metro area of CO has some pretty good libraries. What can you do? Move? I'd love to go back home, but hubby doesn't really care for CO

You could try to find a good used bookstore but that can be a challenge.

I have tried that - I tried that first - but it seems that there is no such animal in Western MA. When I was home, (Denver Metro area) there were seven or eight used stores that I would go to, but here, I can't seem to find a one.

I have already informed the husband that when we go back to CO to visit, we will be taking an extra box or two for all of the books I intend to buy! (I have to do a lot of make up for the personal library I had to abandon when we moved cross country.)

abandon???? woman, that's what the trunk and back seats are for!!!! (and hubby's seat, if he's not nice LOL)

Today I learned that you can't teach a lazy dog new tricks. Old dogs, yes. Lazy ones? Forget it.

LOLOL

I agree with you, and I did bring a box of books - but my personal library had somewhere close to 5,000 books in it - and I drive a Chevy Metro...

U-Haul trailer? I would leave my husband behind before I left the books behind... Come to think of it, I did!

Moving from CO to MA was a strange, new experience for me. Things had gone downhill, and husband had done some things that he shouldn't have... We ended up evicted from the apartment that we lived in. I was livid, but I also still loved my husband, and knew that he could do better. (And I was right - he is doing better.) I ended up with no money to move on - and a tight schedule. I had to sell most of the books to get the money for even the gas - not to mention the fact that when we got here, we had to move in with his parents (whom I had never met) til we found jobs... (and his parents are old time New England - his mom still makes me anxious...) I still find myself wanting to re-read a book that I used to have, and I get a little mad even now 3 years later when I find out that it is no longer in print...

Sorry to have gotten so wierd, but that was the way it was.

It's all good though - I miss my books, but because it was his screwup that lost me my previous library, he NEVER puts up a fuss when I want more books!

ah well.... there's always abebooks or powells Even Amazon can sometimes help you find stuff. and if you look it up here, there are even links to the individual booksellers to search for it.

I love abebooks - haven't tried Powell's. I will click the link and see where it takes me... BTW: I also use half.ebay.com a lot. Thanks for listening!

Today I learned that holding the ladder while husband is on it placing sheeting over a dog house is much more interesting when I have a book in one of my hands!!! (he called for my help when I didn't know what he wanted - so I wasn't prepared)

Kvetch:

I know what you mean about expensive - even the cheap, pressboard bookcases from discount stores will put you back if you have to buy more than one. AND - take it from experience - if you do use them, and double shelve or anything else, the shelves WILL bow after a very short time! My advice would be to become friends with a carpenter ((I married one) and then ask them to help you build some...

Today I learned that I am willing to drive to another town to save on gas. I drove my kids to karate in the next town over this morning, noticed that gas was 90.9¢/litre... drove them back to pick up their dad, gas was 98.9¢/litre. I was dropping them off at their granddad's, which is in yet ANOTHER town, and gas was $1.09/litre. So I drove all the way back to the first town they had karate in to buy gas LOL

Today, I realized I am just to lazy. I spent the entire day wanting to read a book I left in my car but actually going out to the car to get it just seemed like too much effort.

Today I learned that when your alarm clock goes off it is impossible to turn it off and say "I'll just lie here for a few minutes, then I"ll get up" without actually falling back asleep. So, I overslept. I decided to just stay home instead of trying to get to the station in time to catch the last train to DC.