Revisiting Old Treasures

What an experience to be had!
Here I was perusing articles and journals this afternoon on A&M's "library" system the only way my generation knows how, using the inter-web, when one particular book kept showing up. So naturally I attempted to find it on the web in a .pdf or other down-loadable format. As the Lord would have it, the only version of it available to me was the PRINTED version in the true "library" - you know, the one where you walk in the doors and there are actual books and periodicals around you?
So, using the knowledge ascertained via the inter-web and remembering where the elevators were thanks to having to go in there to meet Josh once or twice before I found my way to the 5th floor. Thankfully the web not only had a map of the facility so I could find the elevators, but also a map of where on the 5th floor my book would be located!
By this point I am beginning to feel a little proud of myself for thus-far accomplishing such a feat (finding a book in a library). Why, you ask, is this of any consequence at all? Well allow me to tell you: this is the first book I have checked out since the 6th grade when I used to frequent the library to win points for the "AR" program at my school! That is right, not for high school, my undergrad or even my masters had I been required to check out a book. Everything was either available electronically or it was not required for extended use so I could simply borrow another's for a couple of hours.
After searching the shelf for a few minutes and seeing many other interesting titles, I found it!!! Oh the feeling of pulling it off the shelf! What accomplishment! Job well done!
Now the dilemma -- where do I check out?
I searched around the 5th floor briefly before I figured there was no place up there for a check out station and it wouldn't make sense because what if you got your book on another floor? So I made it down stairs and figured it must be near the door. This is where the library personnel, yes even you Adam, think it is fun to play games with people. You see, near the door there are THREE different desks. I felt like those shows where you have to pick behind a door to see if you win the prize. After slowly walking around them I noticed a little sign that said "Check-Out Desk" above one of them. Whew! Embarrassment averted!
Further amazement came when the young man, (I can say that now since I am quite a dignified adult now with my book-checking-out abilities), informed me that I had until May 15 to enjoy my hard-copy. I could not believe my ears! Apparently that is one of the benefits of being on A&M's faculty. Nifty - I may try this more!
I eventually managed to make it out of the library and head back over to my office, book in hand. The feeling of pride and giddiness so radiating from my very essence, I felt the need to share it with you.
I hope this story finds you well and perhaps one day you too shall feel the victory and glory I felt by checking out a book.

Eric

A few notes:
The book I checked out today - "Jay Cooke's Gamble" by Lubetkin...it is about Jay Cooke and the financial Panic of 1873
The books I used to read when I was a top dog in the "AR" program were the Tolkien books, Redwall Series, and whichever other books could potentially give me the most points (Anne of Green Gables, Lord of the Flies, Moby Dick, etc).
The last book I read cover-to-cover was "Sea of Glory" by Nathaniel Philbrick about 6 months before Theresa and I got married on a trip to North Carolina with her mother and sister to Emerald Isle. Matt was stationed at Camp Lejune at the time.