You think you procrastinate?

by Marjolein Robertson on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 7:55pm

 

So I have taken to writing a ‘note’ this is a new form of procrastination I have not experienced before (save my ‘facts about me’ but those along with questionnaires have been filling my time since I was 13.) No today I’m writing about how I feel the coming to the library is pretty much (if not exactly) the same to as climbing a mountain, say Everest.

Now I have never been up Everest but I’m pretty sure the process is all pretty much the same as the steps in this analogy. Oh and I saw a documentary once, a while back, on some mountaineers up Everest. So I’m sure enough qualified in the matter. So, on I go with my analogy of the similarities between climbing Everest and studying in the University of Edinburgh library.

(Sorry about my poor introduction, but you’re going to have to get used to my rubbish writing style!)

Firstly, you have to travel to the library, you may live close to it, and you may live far (as in bus ride’) away. I live a decent length of time by walking and I have to accommodate my time to get to the old bibliotheque carefully; as I would if I was travelling to the Himalayas. (Spot any differences thus far? No, I thought not.)

Next you need your student card to get into the library; or in the Everest expedition case: your passport. This whole process is similar to customs – you try and smuggle anything into this building (a grande caramel latte with 3 shots of coffee) and you will get caught by the security.

Then we have to stock up supplies. Oh we’re not total idiots (all the time) we (usually) arrive at the library with our most essential needs, the usual list is:
LIBRARY CARD
Pens
Paper
Water
Mobile Phone
Slippers (seriously try it once you’ll never go back)
Pen drive

However the library too provides us with necessities:
HUB RESERVE BOOKS
And
MALTEASERS
(You will need money for the latter)

So before we can begin the ascent we have to make sure we have what we need. However as soon as we have our supplies we must make sure to complete this epic voyage before they run out (3 hours) so onwards and upwards with our journey!

(There are also library/mountaineering experts at ‘ground base’ who will help you. And if you’re lucky you may meet them on your way should you ever need assistance.)

One of my favourite aspects of travelling is meeting other visitors and discussing our experiences, sharing travel tips and generally laughing (often remorsefully) about the drunken night before. So as we journey up through the bases remember to allow time for chatting to all the other students.

Now I’m not sure how computers fit into my analogy but I’m pretty certain you couldn’t go the whole 2 weeks* it takes to get up and down old Everest without Facebook… you need to update your status about it, and profile picture, and comment on your friends page about your ‘super time!’ and then look who else has commented on their page. Then check those people out and oh! They have new pictures of their puppy! – Didn’t even know they had a one! Well I do know, and how enriched my life is for looking at an unfocussed photo of their 7 month old Labrador looking away from the camera!... I wonder if my crops are ready to harvest on Farmville?
God bless facebook.

Where were we? Ah stairs. There are lots of them. You could get the lift. Yeah I get the lift when I’m going to fifth but it’s not the same. You don’t get that feeling of how awesome you are if you simply get the lift. So in this, this lift is no longer going to be mentioned. Stairs, like Everest there are base camps and these are the floors between the stairs. First we have to get to a computer to print off stuff to read on fifth, in other words, go to base camp.

First floor –No free computers, I could stand here for a bit longer but I’d rather just try second.

Second floor –Under construction, try third

Third floor – No computers free, maybe fourth?

Fourth floor – No, there are ones free but they are macs and I’m a PC and I’m just not compatible, but never fear, there a group of computers on fourth known to few and there’s usually several free.
By now I’m way too tired, I log in print off what I need but the pressure is getting to me (or in Everest terms ‘lack of’) I have to move down to a lower altitude, there I can get some more supplies. I head back down now and wonder then this analogy switched to first person?

The folio section. There is no way I can relate this to Everest so I will just say I get my journal; by first checking the library catalogue and much searching between the shelves. After travelling to a lower altitude and thus curing myself of my mountain sickness I am ready to make my way to fifth.

Fifth – the heavenly peak
(This is assuming there is no sixth because I went up there once and was asked what I was doing by the receptionist and so never returned)
I walk into the quiet, tranquil room, peacefulness, sit down at a desk and survey the wonders outside. And like Everest it’s been snowy lately. (Will the comparisons never cease?)

And so, at the top, I try to remember what Morgan Freeman said in the Bucket List about the stillness/music of the mountain or something but I don’t remember. Instead I look out the window to Arthur’s seat and thank fuck the library isn’t up there.




*Once again I’m no expert but I will make it up as I go, 2 weeks sounds like plenty of time to me.