Hi all,
Yesterday I found out that my local library has a fax machine for public use. I don't mean that you can stand there and fax any ol' thing you want. First, you have to get through the tall, wiry, and might I add, stern-looking woman who will fax documents for you at one dollar per page. I don't know if this is common practice in libraries, but as a person who hasn't figured out how to install her printer at home which has fax/scanning and printing capabilities, this was awesome news. Please don't tell my local library if it's not 'normal', I love it!
After I faxed my documents (so easy!), I trudged upstairs to the computer room and decided to see what it would feel like to enter a strange room, write a new blog on a strange computer (to me) among 20 strangers.
As I waited to get assigned a computer, I scanned the room. Much like I do in a crowded restaurant while I wait for the host/hostess to seat me. I want a nice table and not in the middle of the room, thank you very much. The computer room was packed with people of all ages. The only free computers were right smack in the middle of the middle aisle of three aisles. Damn! People on all sides. I don't like sitting in the middle of any room. I've always liked my back against the walls, so that I can view YOU :)
NOTE: I've worked in residential treatment centers for kids...you don't turn your back, ever. I learned that quick and it has stuck with me.
I didn't have to stay in the computer room. I have a perfectly lovely red laptop at home. I could have left any time after faxing my documents. But something pulled me upstairs. I'm curious, intuitive and I happen to reading "The Alchemist" for the third time. (My daughter gave me her Kindle and the book happens to be on her list, so I started at 4:30 am when I couldn't sleep.) Yes, 4:30 am. Well, I love a good challenge and I wondered if I would meet anyone interesting in the computer room. Would I meet someone with a message for me about my novel? Would I meet the Alchemist? The King? The Englishman? A talking camel? Who knows, but I'm open to new experiences.
I was up for the challenge, but writing my new blog in this computer room was posing an internal challenge for me. I could do it and I would! I would accept whatever computer was offered to me and not worry that someone was looking at my screen. That was it! I was feeling 'naked' and spied upon and I hadn't even sat down.
I pushed through it, looked to my left and right several times (just because) and looked behind me because the guy was having a conversation with his rental office. Highly annoying. Someone else had their music blaring and I could hear the rap music through his head phones. Very annoying.
I pushed on! I checked Facebook, checked my two email accounts and replied so some emails and I wrote this blog :) There is ALWAYS a lesson and a lesson learned in every situation and experience that we have. I usually learn something new from a brief conversation with a neighbor or someone in line at the grocery store. I truly believe that. You have to be open to people, places and things. I usually am.
What did I learn this morning during my writing experience at my local library?
Writing at home is freakin' awesome :) I can't wait to walk home and fire that baby up and write to my heart's content. Make your writing experience crappy, challenging or just interesting enough and I guarantee you that your computer will look awesome to you when you get home.
Peace out,
Ellie
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