Hommage á Jessica

Though you may not know it, you have given me the drive to force myself out of my daily grind and "hard-work" mindset to accopmlish things, and get back to the simple intellectual pleasure of reading for readings sake.

Textbooks, manuals, study guides, and even emails. These were my daily reading materials, and they have become increasingly dry to the point of mental dehydration. I clearly remember a time, after high school, secluded to my room, reading. Reading not to study, not to learn, but reading to experience and live. To live through the writers pens (or typeographs) was the vacations and getaways that made that turbulent time in my life somewhat bearable.

Now at a point in life where the situation can be easily viewed as comparably dire, I recognize the escape and serenity that reading for pleasure can bring.

However, being set in the grind for such a long period of time has recessed my brain to reject the "absurd" idea of wasting time spent on pleasure that could be better spent on getting things in order and taking care of business.

I have just finished the book I have been tossing around my car, the office, my bedroom, for the past year. And the relief I feel for not only finally finishing it, but also the insight it has given me, even to its mere lowly topic, is exhilarating.

It wasn't until Jen introduced me to you, Jess, for the purpose of meeting someone that also appreciated the value of reading. Without directly convincing me, you would describe the various books you were reading day to day, and the pace you can absorb them would astound me. I still had that interior knowing that reading could save me, at least to the level reading can, but seeing you has inspired me to train my brain to absorb books once again. Not for the mere intake of facts and memorization quota for the day, but to truly enjoy reading, and living through the reading. To inspire ideas, to develop brain patterns necessary for more indepth proccessing, to encourage the development of a more accomodating vocabulary when the need arises.

So, Jess, for the inspiration and motivation ...

Thank you.