Cover to Cover

I’m out-of-town this week. I wouldn’t classify it as a vacation but, being on the Atlantic coast of southern Florida, it feels like it should be. Either way, being away from home on a trip that isn’t included in the list of TR’s Upcoming Appearances affords certain luxuries that I don’t seem to indulge when living the day-to-day. And I’m not talking about anything extravagant. I’m talking about something as simple as reading a book.

By the time this trip is over, I will have finished at least three books. I know this because I’ll finish the second one later today (Wednesday). The inspiration for today’s post is found in two previously mentioned sources: my un-vacation and the soon-to-be-finished literature...

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max.

Don’t take this post as either a book review or a recommendation, as the book is NOT for the faint of heart. Just trust me on this one. Even if you consider yourself to be experienced in the sometimes foggy-memory aspect of life, you will be repulsed during at least one point in this book. If you think you can handle it and choose to read it anyway, be prepared to cast judgment while laughing for all to hear.

If you’ve already read this book and find yourself thinking, “How did Chris ever find a safe-for-work blog post in this?,” you should probably know that my mind sometimes connects dots that weren’t meant to be connected.

But, if you’re not on your own un-vacation and aren’t reading this book, let me give you the Cliff’s Notes version of the thought running through my head:

“You’re not taking advantage of the time given to you, and it’s not even time that needs to be given special advantage.”

It took leaving town to actually create the space in my life to simply read a book. Really?

Yes, really. And I have a feeling that all of us do that with way too many things. Things we love to do, things we need to do, things to accomplish that don’t require the coordination of multiple schedules.

People, we need to occasionally stop. Put the phone down and read a few minutes. Take a lonely walk. Fill your mind with thoughts that aren’t your own, thoughts that aren’t caused by Monday and its four friends.

It shouldn’t take a special occasion to enjoy the things you enjoy. The occasion is special enough already.