2010: New Year, New Goals

On Saturday, Chris and I woke up with the crescent moon and crept over in the dark to the train station. We were whisked off on the local commuter train to meet up with our friends Dorothy and Hobgoblin, who live a number of cities west. The four of us, now under a cold but bright winter sun, traveled on another train to New York City to see the Morgan Library's exhibit on Jane Austen.

Having read Pride and Prejudice only once, I was anxious to learn more about Jane and her world, and what makes her so popular that the spin-off books and movies continue to fill the shelves at the Big Bookstores. If her letters displayed at the Morgan are any indication, she is much more feisty and witty than perhaps I have given her credit for, similar to the Louisa May Alcott portrayed in the recent documentary. I'm not going to be able to do the exhibit or the library justice, so I recommend a visit to Dorothy's blog for a more informed description. I have one more chapter of my Agatha Christie to finish, and then I'm going to immerse myself in P&P!

After our museum visit, we braved the frigid temperatures to do a bookstore crawl. Chris and I had never been to The Strand, and I was dying to explore a place where you can buy books "by the foot," as one decorating magazine advertised. While I find that sacrilegious, it did capture my attention! The Strand does not disappoint. Unfortunately, it was so crowded that I got a little light-headed, and couldn't look way up or way down on the giant shelving. Believe it or not, I didn't buy a single book there!

Our next stops were a mystery bookstore, Partners & Crime, where Dorothy tempted me into a Ngaio Marsh (Artists in Crime), and Three Lives, which had an excellent selection of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. We had hoped to go to the Housing Works Used Books & Cafe, but it was closed for a special event when we arrived at its front doors. There is always next time! I am proud of myself for only adding one new book to my shelves -- I still have so many to read from our book trips this past fall, and Christmas! Which brings me to...

2010: New Goals and Projects

I want to keep it simple this year, and fun. Here are a few areas in my life where I hope to spend more time:

• Riding my bike regularly, on the indoor trainer until spring
• Continuing to look for a job, and working on my little business
• Continuing to write, and submitting essays to magazines
• Planning and completing more home decorating and gardening projects
• Reading, especially the wonderful non-mystery books I've collected
• Knitting, especially the new yarns I've collected this fall

My Coral Reef poppy seeds and seed starting tray have already arrived, but it will be a few more months yet before I can do any large tasks in the garden. For now, I'm looking forward to more time in front of the fire with Chris, our cats, books, and knitting projects that need finishing. The first wristwarmer is almost bound off, and I promise a photo soon!

Comments

[Beth]

It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I just bought the A&E version of P&P (my favorite) and it arrived today. I can't wait to watch it again!

[Chris]

Definitely sounds like a good weekend, other than getting lightheaded in a bookstore! Probably the crowd made the book fumes overwhelming. ;)

[Sarah]

What a great trip! I love museums and exhibits about authors; my favorite to date is still the tiny, creepy Edgar Allen Poe museum in Richmond. I need to re-read P&P!!

Horray for 2010 goals! :)

[Pam]

Have you read any Ngaio Marsh before? I love them, & suspect you'll enjoy them too.

May you make good progress toward your goals!

[Sara]

Museums, bookstores - wonderful places to be. Your goals sound realistic!

[Kara]

I am so jealous of your trip to see the Jane Austen exhibit...

And your goals are so great. I bet we can keep each other motivated!

[Dorothy W.]

I think you are absolutely right about Austen's feistiness and wit. I realized that when I read Claire Tomalin's biography of Austen, which emphasized how surrounded by people she was and how much energy and humor she had. She's not the docile, demure spinster people sometimes think she is.

Your 2010 goals look very good!

[Sheepish Annie]

I was never an Austen fan, I fear. I'm almost ashamed of that, but she and I never clicked. At least not until I read Pride And Prejudice And Zombies... ;)

[Jane]

What a wonderful trip. I always assumed Austin was a feisty woman, because so many of her characters are, and it's nice to know that's true. Have a wonderful 2010. My resolution is to be a better blog reader/commenter!

[Robin]

Love the 2010 goals - a great balance of crafting, personal, and career goals!

[Kristen]

Congratulations on your progress 2009 goals. Hoping you achieve all on your 2010 list, especially landing a job.