Standing in Fiction Stretched High on Bare Feet

Anyone who even remotely knows me, knows that I am rarely without a book to read. Clearly if you have been reading this blog, and have cast your eyes to the right, you would have noticed I list the books that I read over the year. It is indeed an aim to read 50 books in a year, but so far I have fallen short - but I will get there. Further, I will admit to having a few issues with purchasing books in the past. I seem unable to say no to certain things when shopping. Shoes, handbags, DVDs, CDs and, last but certainly not least, books.

In an effort to staunch the constant flow of finances from my wallet, I have been cutting back on my shoe purchases. I have only bought one handbag in the past 6 months. DVD purchases have virtually gone to a standstill, and CDs have slowed significantly, somewhat related to a massive lack of storage. But, until now, books have been my source of solace. Caressing their new pages, hearing the crack of the spine when you open it for the first time, smelling the inky newness from the page. All these things make it hard for me to say no to a book, or ten, when I enter a bookstore. My last trip to the USA found me scrambling in the airport to fit as many books I could into my on-board luggage (it was a combination of a fantastic AU Dollar and the ridiculously cheap prices for paperbacks in the USA that was to blame!).

So it has as a huge surprise to me of late, that I am not aching to spend money on books like I used to. In fact, I was in a multinational bookstore on the weekend, with a collection of books that I was eager to buy, and walked out purchasing none of them. Of course, the piles of books that litter my bedside tables, floor, corridors, double stacked on the bookshelves, etc, do give one a sense of pause when about to buy more. But nay, the main culprit that has halted my incessant book purchasing need is a new discovery I have made. Apparently, there are locations, all around this fine city where they will let you take perfectly good books, and read them for free. FOR FREE! Why I never! I can even put an order in, online, and then go and get the book at a later date. And when I have finished reading it, I can take it back for someone else to enjoy (what ho, is this recycling?) and not have it cluttering up my house. I know, seems to good to be true. But yes, such a thing exists. Apparently I am a bit slow to jump on this latest trend, but look about you and look for these strange places called "Libraries". It may just change your reading, and spending, habits!

One small garment to a man. One near orgasm for womankind.

I may have mentioned it before, but I have been on a diet. And it has been successful - thanks for asking. In fact, I have lost about 15% of my body weight since starting. And strangely enough, some of it has even come off my breasts.

Now I am a well endowed woman, so bra-shopping is always fraught with fear and frustration. There are pitifully few bras that are both pretty and functional for the, ahem, larger bust. Fewer still that are at a reasonable cost. I came to the realisation that I seriously needed to buy some new bras, and whilst it is sale time, it could be an opportune time to look. Subtle and I were out shopping when I decided to look. Ok, I was shopping, Subtle was being a really good boyfriend. When it came time for me to head to the lingerie section, I asked him if he had any preferences for colour or style. His only comment? "Will they come off?". Ok, so he is easily pleased. He begged off and left me to my own devices.

Buying bras without the assistance of sales staff, or a runner, means that everytime one doesn't fit, I have to redress and dash around the floor collecting new sizes and styles. This may have happened a few times since not only did I not know what size I was, I was different sizes in every bra I tried on.

Finally I was proud to have a delightful collection of some practical, but also some VERY pretty bras. One bra was particularly comfortable and on sale and all bunches of happy boobs resulted in its wear. So happy am I and my mammaries with this item, I subsequently rang other stores in this state looking for more of the same. A reconnaissance mission was started to purchase every last remaining bra in my size. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't have to enlist Subtle to pick one up for me. Apparently, he feels somewhat sheepish, and a little pervy going into the lingerie section. For someone who likes to perve on women.... he is surprisingly coy. But pick it up he did - and I was most grateful, and he didn't even complain too much.

But apparently I went over the edge in eliciting the help of my parents who live interstate in acquiring more of this joy-making brassiere. I rang a store, paid for the items and got my parents to go and get them for me. Subtle, I believe, was more than a little perplexed. He sees only a foundation garment. I see true happiness in supported and caressed breasts.

All day, every day.

No extremes are too great in the search of the perfect bra.