Since I am taking Photo One this semester we have been spending a lot of time at Calagaz, the best camera shop in my time. We have been there three times in the last two weeks and are quickly becoming regulars. On Tuesday we picked up a nice yellow filter for my Nikon as well as an adorable vintage Yashica camera; brand new for a perfect price. We also got enough film to last us for a while for both cameras. I was reluctant to look at the camera straps since I never find one that I like but this trip they had an incredible vintage Mickey Mouse strap. It doesn't fit my camera but I think I can figure out a way to get it to work.
In our excitement of buying a new point and shoot camera I quickly began searching for a good camera bag to carry it in. We found a great deal on a vintage Yashica bag that is the perfect size for our camera. Whom I have decided to name Yoshi. However the bag isn't even the best part! It also comes with another cute Yashica camera. I really hope it works because I would love to have it for myself since Kyle has claimed Yoshi. I didn't tell him that I actually ordered it so I am hoping to surprise him with it whenever it arrives. I can't wait for it to get here and I can't wait to use it if the camera really does work.
After we left Calagaz we went to Hobby Lobby (I hate giving them my money) because they are the only craft store in town that actually had the size of Newsprint I needed. I also picked up a new sketchbook and a brayer for printmaking. Thankfully there was a sale going on so I was able to get a somewhat reduced price.
I already have several drawings I want to put into my new sketchbook and I would also like to decorate the cover, although I am not entirely sure how I will..
Our next stop was Hawsey's Book Index which is a very magical and cozy used bookstore. I have been shopping here with my family for years, but Kyle had never even heard of it before. We have been trying for months to visit and we finally took the time to look up the directions!
We were able to talk to the owner while we were there and she gave us some of the history of the store. She talked a lot about the impact that e-books have had on her business. I own a Nook myself but I mainly use it for the books that I can't find at either Barnes & Nobles or Hawsey's. I like to know that I am helping, even if it is only a little bit. I usually buy between five and six books when I go; the most I have bought was at least seven.
I usually search for the oldest copy on the shelf, since they normally have several versions of the same books; some older and some newer. I always grab the dirtiest and dingiest book. I love how worn they are and I enjoy being able to see and imagine how many people have thumbed through the pages and stayed up late reading the story. I like for my books to have a visible history and I want to be able to contribute to that history.
I picked up four books on this trip to the bookstore and I am excited to read them. I am starting with The Shining and it is so hard to put down. I am very eager to read The Search for Wondla, as well.
Kyle picked up some other interesting books that I think I might have to borrow one day.
- Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and Hard Times by Charles Dickens
- Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
- The Nursery Rhyme Murders by Agatha Christie
We both had a wonderful time together and we are already excited for our next trip. We are hoping that these new books will encourage us to take more time out of our day to sit and read together. We have done so a few times; sitting out on the back porch with our plants. I would like to try to read for at least ten to fifteen minutes before bed. However we have been watching a lot of tv before passing out in bed around midnight...
Thank you for reading.
