Duct-tape addiction

I’m addicted to duct tape, and it is all the library’s fault. During Teen Read Week, I put together some duct-tape programs, and had so much fun looking at the amazing creations that teenagers came up with and making my first-ever duct-tape wallet. I also found out about CLEAR duct tape–and now, I am addicted.

With clear duct tape, you can tape over just about anything, and it shows through. Here’s an example. At our library book sales, I buy the 25 cent books that no-one else wants. The old Golden books with torn pages. The old school books featuring Tom, Betty, Susan, Flip, Bunny, and Pony (the Canadian version of Dick and Jane). Those old books have the most amazingly colourful illustrations in them. Fine literature they are not, but as far as children’s book kitsch goes, they are the best. So — close your ears, non book-alterers- I then cut out the pages, and cover them with clear duct tape, and I make cool things with them. Wallets. Purses. Bookmarks.

The best part though, is that this is exactly the kind of activity that I can do while listening to a book. This is my second year on the Notable Recordings for Children committee, and I’ve gotten creative in my listening times. I can’t just sit and listen–my hands have to be busy. Cutting pages from old books and covering them with clear duct-tape is just one of the many activities that keep me from falling asleep. Last year it was removing 8 layers of wallpaper from my 100-year old house (when I look at my now-smooth painted walls, I still remember Enchantress from the Stars, which I listened to for an entire layer). In the summer, it is weeding the garden and painting trim on aforementioned house. In winter, it tends to be crafts. Making tassels for bellydance costumes, sewing, baking, cleaning house–all are done with earphones firmly glued to head. My husband says I’m like a teenager–except I’m not listening to the latest hip-hop tunes, I’m jamming to baby jazz or Jim Dale’s dulcet tones.

I’m already starting to worry about what happens next year–when I’m no longer required to listen while awake–when I no longer get those massive boxes of books on CD and actually have to wait for them like the rest of the world. I’ll still be addicted to duct tape…and maybe then I can listen to that copy of The Golden Compass I have stashed on the audioshelf. Because it is hard to read a book with sticky tape in your hands.