Ok, well, I found two pennies yesterday. But what I want to write about is the new book I'm reading ... besides the fascinating texts I'm reading for my Presession Primatology class (we went to the zoo yesterday to observe. I love primates...) Anyway, I've begun reading Glen Duncan's I, Lucifer. I LOVE IT! Now, if anyone is offended by anything connected with religion, spirituality, etc., this book is not for you. Being raised a Catholic who has now "fallen away" I find great pleasure in this novel. I know all the uproar Dan Brown's novels have caused and I plan on reading them soon, but Duncan's book is right up there in terms of a somewhat Catholic/Christianity critique--and it's FUNNY! Told from the point of view of the dark angel, the book is clever, intelligent, witty, and thought provoking. I can imagine the entire text being performed as a monologue for an audience. "Lucifer" speaks directly to the reader in a manner very much like the narrator in Waterland. He trails off, interrupts himself, asks questions seemingly expecting answers. It's great. And he definitely borrows from Milton rather than the Bible itself. I always say that if the men who wrote the Bible really wanted to reach everyone and convince them of a Divine presence and all that, they should have written as Milton did--beautiful rather than dull language, details, interesting dialogue ... the list goes on. And now we have the other side of the story (with modern day experiences as well) in Glen Duncan's novel.

Ok, I found a penny today. A big deal for me, but no interesting story to surround it. The reason I'm documenting it is to tell of my dreams of late. For the past couple of months, I've actually dreamed of finding pennies! Usually in the dream, there is quite an abundance of them and it is so exciting. Last night, I had a dream where I came across a bunch of coins--dimes and nickels as well as pennies. A guy from grade school was there and he was trying to pick up the pennies too. I kept telling him, "You can't pick up the pennies. They're mine." He was telling me that it was free game and that he had an obsession with pennies. I was so angry and told him, "You can't have an obsession. That's my THING. That's what I'm known for and you can't have it!" Weird I know, but it must mean something. I have very vivid dreams and although not all of them have meaning, they still resonate and have a strong impact on my life.

Well, since I still have not begun to embark on my summer reading, all I can write is of my latest penny adventure. This morning while walking to a final exam for school, I was cursing Starbucks for ruining my coffee order and hoping that it didn't serve as a sign for disaster on my test. I like to walk next to parking meters, knowing that people tend to drop change when fishing for money to feed into them. (I've also recently noticed within myself that I walk with my head down and eyes pointed to the ground rather than my former walk with head up and shoulders back). Anyway, this morning it proved to be a good thing because as I was walking by said parking meters, I spotted a penny and as I made my way over to it to pick it up, I saw another, and then another! Now, I do not think of pennies as bringing luck, they just make me happy so it helped to make up for the coffee. Anyway, right after picking up the pennies and continuing on my way, I heard steps behind me. I realized that someone had seen me go out of my way to collect the three cents. I don't usually let that stop me. Unless I'm going to cause a traffic accident I will pick up the penny regardless of who is watching. That isn't too say that it doesn't make me feel self conscious. I tend to receive strange looks and sneers and overhear snickering. I guess people just can't appreciate the value that I feel pennies possess. I stated in my last blog that I believe I have discovered a reason for this obsession and that I would eventually tell it. But it is too soon to present my philosophy on the matter. Till then ... happy penny hunting. Lo

Wow, first I'd like to say that the new design of the blog page is rather posh. Moving on. As you'll notice, this site is about the life of Lo ... me. As described, I will be writing about life, literature, and my obsession of pennies. As I have not yet read any new literature since I created this blog, and have no new incites on life, I will begin by explaining the penny preoccupation. For many years now, I have been excited at the notion of finding pennies. I realize all children are, so this excitement may not seem especially novel. However, I am 27 years old and my infatuation with pennies grows stronger everyday. Just to provide an example of what I'm talking about here, let me take you back a couple of years. I was at the Cleveland airport three summers ago. Standing on the curb outside, on a cold and rainy morning, I espied a penny in the lane where the cars drive up to drop off travelers. The traffic was steady, but I really wanted that coin. I would have to step in a puddle, amongst moving cars to get it. I couldn't take my eyes off it. My husband said, "You really want that penny, don't you?" I smiled sheepishly, and before I knew it, he had leapt out into the road, over the puddle, between moving cars to pick it up for me. That's when I realized that it wasn't just enjoyment or excitement when I found a penny, it was necessary. So, the latest instance of penny finding happened Saturday afternoon. My brother and his girlfriend came in from L.A. to surprise my mom for Mother's Day. We were all out visiting little shops and as we were leaving one of the stores, two pennies caught my eye. I picked them up, disbelieving that I had almost missed them. In the parking lot, I heard another coin drop and my brother was laughing. Apparently he had dropped the pennies for my, recently learning of my obsession. Well, I found that he had dropped a nickel. I picked it up and threw it at him, saying, "I don't like nickels!" It's just pennies. And I've just discovered the reason for it. But that will have to be explained later, as it is time to sign off. Lo