I'm just a girl who can't say no...

So I'm working ref again tonight. Wake me when its over. :)
PS Happy Valentine's Day

The Winter Olympics

The Olympics are here again! As much as I don't really understand why, I am addicted to watching this stuff. Maybe its being able to root for the little guy, who by the way is not usually the American. (You know, like the Jamaican bobsledders in Cool Runnings). Its really interesting to see the upsets too, when the favorites don't quite live up to the hype. I really feel the tension watching these guys ski or skate or sled. And I feel the excitement when they win. Of course, I also yell at NBC for the stupid stuff they sometimes cover, and the "in your face" things like "how do you feel that you screwed up in your big chance with the whole world watching?". But all in all I enjoy it.

The photography guy

Here I was, desperately worried about doing the black & white photo workshop I foolishly thought I could handle. I was procrastinating putting together a plan of action. I was terrified of my lack of confidence in teaching adults, even though photography is something I feel near and dear to. Enter the photography guy. I think God answers prayers in different ways. I mean what is the likelihood of a patron coming in to ask about photo support groups in Webster while I was at the ref desk? I mean, I'm only out there 12 hours a week (it just feels like more). And yet there he was: (seemingly) knowledgeable, enthusiastic, creative, and available to teach on Feb. 11 too! What remains to be seen is how well he can follow through. I have to admit I'm still a little nervous about the whole thing, but at least talking to him gave me the confidence to follow through with our ideas and get moving. We are meeting this morning to get stuff ready for tomorrow. My only other wish is that some patrons would actually sign up...

Opinion Question

Hypothetically speaking; you inadvertently witness a coworker's embarrassment by another coworker (you work in a small place where sound carries...).
Do you:
1) Ignore it and pretend you don't hear, so you won't further embarrass the first coworker (who is also your friend).
2) Offer support after the fact and/or out of earshot of the embarrasser.
3) Step in and speak up in favor of your friendly coworker who is being unfairly maligned.

You make the call.

Its snowing!

We have had a relatively warm and snow free winter so far. Here we are in February and finally a snowy forecast. It is so pretty and just in time to take some great black and white photos too!
But the funniest thing is that at the sign of a few flakes last night (well, okay an inch or so) people were already talking snow day! I find it highly amusing. And you know people will spend the day complaining about the "rotten weather". But be honest, we knew it would come didn't we? Dress warm and enjoy it!

Dude!

So what is it with "Dude" these days. I frighten myself sometimes it comes so easily to my lips. As a name, a comment, an exclamation, a declaration of victory, a term of endearment. I guess it must be passe in the rest of the world now that I've made it mine. But, dude, it makes me happy!

Super Bowl XL Menu

Spinach calzones (pre-game)
Veggies and dip (Veggie dip , of course)
Cream cheese and cheddar stuffed mini peppers (sweet and HOT)
Little cocktail wiener pigs in a blanket
Fruit bites (cut up fruit cause no one wants to eat a whole apple)
Tortilla chips and the obligatory guacamole
Cheese puffs (healthy ones from the Nature's Marketplace dept.--no MSG)
Cheese and crackers (mostly for show...I mean look how much other stuff there is)
Chocolate cupcakes with banana frosting (decorated at WPL this afternoon)
Cream soda
My daily vitamins

What I missed:
Frozen daiquiris (the bartender must have been too absorbed in the game)

My one year anniversary

Things I've learned:
Oh it is hard to keep up a blog!
Reading blogs is easier than writing them.
I am more awed than ever by watat.
I crave audience participation.
I thought I didn't.
Yet I'm still too shy about blogging to publicize it more. (Fear of rejection?)

Becky had a baby and I'm feeling...

My friend (and Siamese twin) Becky just had her sixth child, Gianna Therese. And I am a jumble of mixed emotions. I am so joyful that there is a new healthy baby in the world. And relieved that the birth went well, as I know pregnancy takes its toll on a woman's body (esp. the "more mature" woman). But I'm not surprised that Becky had a quick labor, her body knows how to have babies (unlike mine which always needed help). I am grateful for my friend's unselfish example of commitment to family life. It gives me a place to look for support when the going gets tough. I'm very frustrated right now at being too far away to offer help with meals and housework. And to drop in and hold that beautiful newborn for a little while. Which leads to the scary fact that I'm just a little bit jealous. There is nothing more special than caring for a brand new baby. (Yeah, I know they grow up. And they are still special then, but in a different way.) I am also feeling a little bit guilty because although I am jealous, I am not willing to have another one myself. I guess that's my selfishness again. But I do congratulate Becky and wish her all the best, including a good night's sleep!

Its hard to blog these days

I think I've succumbed to the need to have comments. I can't keep convincing myself to blog for blogging's sake. I need the support and sustenance of comments. Actually my audience is rather small anyway, so maybe I should just get down and dirty and not worry about negative consequences. And urge the lurkers to comment too. (I know there is at least one of you out there, Matthew). Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a writer and haven't quite figured it out yet. I like what some other folks are doing with their blogs, but I feel guilty stealing ideas. And yet the "top ten" style lists might encourage comments, and force me to think about my day or week. And I do like "quotable" blogs, but I always feel the need to elaborate on those too. Also that implies that I've found something worthy to quote. It is a dilemma. But perhaps I can try a little harder. Tomorrow.

Lean, Mean and 13

Well my baby (I mean, my youngest child) is now officially a teenager. Hard to believe its been thirteen years already since my last experience of childbirth. Those memories still seem fresh. But there have been so many more wonderful things too! The sumo wrestler fat baby. The precocious toddler speaking in full sentences. The suave woman-charming little boy. The sports loving, book reading, game playing, trivia spouting young man of today. The chick magnet of tomorrow. Oh, the things we still have to look forward to! I thank God often for sending me such a terrific kid, especially as I had just asked Him for a sign in my life. Josh is a pretty clear sign that what I still need to be doing is taking care of my family. (And maybe letting them take care of me, too.) Hey God - thanks again!

That Eric Garcia can write!

"I'm not one of those women who feels the need to shop every time the going gets rough. In fact, I often prefer to make my purchases when I'm in a good mood; a beautiful pair of shoes enhances a natural high and brings it to a level that's probably illegal in some states."
-Cassandra French's Finishing School for Boys by Eric Garcia

The cover of this book had me worried that it would be really raunchy, but in fact it is just slightly naughty and highly amusing. I have to admit to liking Eric Garcia's work. It is definitely high on the list of unique fiction. I read a lot of whodunits and am rarely still in the dark at the end. But I have to admit that with a mere 8 pages left I had no idea how this book would end. What an interesting twist Garcia puts on life! (Come to think of it, I was surprised by the ending of Matchstick Men as well). (And then the dinosaur detectives. Hmmm...) It is interesting to note that Garcia wrote this from Cassandra's point of view, and if I didn't know he was a male author I never would have guessed. He did his homework well. Just look at the shoe quote above. I venture to say that is not a man's attitude. Yes he's showing the stereotypic fashion-obsessed woman (as do many female authors) but it is wickedly funny at times. It is LA after all. And then there are "the boys". "I don't know what I would do without them. No matter what's going wrong in my life--my job, my relationships, my hair--they're a bright spot in every day. One day, they'll be gone, back into the world that made them. That's the goal after all. All I can hope is that they will come back now and again to thank me. Then they'll probably ask for another shot of morphine."

Maybe not for everyone, but a unique and enjoyable read!

Adventures at the ER

Josh woke me yesterday morning with a rapid heartbeat and the shakes, although no fever. He has been complaining of stomach pain and generally not eating or drinking for the last 4 days. So being finally freaked out about it I took him to the Doctor. They decided that perhaps we should go to the Pediatric ER at General for an xray. So off we went. (The biggest mistake was that I was too hurried and nervous to eat beforehand myself, so made do the whole day with just a couple granola bars and a glass of water). Well the ER doctor did not think his pain warranted an xray because it was "not localized", i.e. not appendicitis (good news, but not surprising given the lack of fever). What they did do was blood work, and put him on IV to rehydrate him. To ward off evil thoughts, and to distract us, I read to him (and we worked on a crossword puzzle), and it made the time go faster. I had an evil sinus headache, so what I really wanted was to have him move over in the bed so I could take a nap with him. (Actually, the nurse said that its not unusual for that to happen). Josh asked lots of questions and found out about IVs and monitors and such. After the first 500 ml of saline he finally got some color into his cheeks and perked up a bit. Enough to be able to stand without feeling light headed. I had a discussion with the doc about what symptoms to look for with real inflammatory bowel and or irritable bowel syndromes. It was not terribly busy so I wonder if that's why he spent time to explain things...Or maybe doctors are better at that stuff than I thought, esp. if you ask the right questions and act ignorant enough. He gave Josh instructions about what to start eating (clear liquids, bland foods etc.) and sent us home. The final diagnosis (although it sounds like a symptom) was "non-specific abdominal pain". It was a very long 5 hours...at least to me, and I was exhausted when I got home. I guess he was too, but I'm not sure he expended the emotional energy I did. Especially the part about worrying about work, even though I knew that was in good hands. Well, I hope to not have to do that again soon.

I Love Travelogues

Despite the bother of taking down tables and setting up all the chairs, getting the coffee and tea and juice and cookies, I still love travelogues. I guess its because we get to see great pictures while hearing a virtual adventure. And most of the presenters are very nice people and easy to work with. But best of all my regular travelogue attendees truly appreciate what I do. I get tons of positive feedback, and the people keep coming back for more. I think 90% of the 65(!) who attended today were repeat attenders. And that makes me feel great too!

Books, Books and more Books

I spent all afternoon updating my books of authors I like to read, and all the books of theirs I missed, or need to watch for. Anyway, all I need now is lots of time to read. :)

Positive Affirmations

Here are my thumbs up experiences (that could have been downers) from the last week:

• Making gel candles with a bunch of teens. I was terrified of all the things that could go wrong (esp. the fear of setting off the sprinkler system in the library with smoke). But none of the terrible things came to pass, the candles turned out great, the teens were happy and good natured, and I slept very well that night (from exhaustion and relief I guess).
• A patron complimented my hair. We actually had a discussion of how our mothers both suggested that we color our hair. In my case I just am too lazy to put that much effort into my hair (not to mention that done wrong it could look very bad indeed, and I have no skill in that area). But it was a good feeling to know that not everyone thinks I look old and gray. In fact I get just enough good hair compliments to keep me going even on the worst of hair days.
• Teaching Basic Internet to a class of 13. Through some fluke that will probably never be understood 13 people showed up for my Tuesday morning Internet class. I was expecting 6. The miracle is that it went very well. And while I did not get fabulous comments, no one walked off in a huff either. And I got some supportive comments from coworkers that made me feel I'd done a great thing indeed. Earning that respect was the best part.
  

Very Interesting!

You may not have noticed, but I have blogger's block. I want to post, but nothing seems interesting enough to say. Until I got an email today with some pictures from this site:
http://www.canstruction.org/
Check it out. Lots of cool sculptures made out of cans of food. Its a design industry charity to help fight hunger. And the artisitic results are incredible. Use the Competition tab and look at winners from the last few years. They are amazing!

January Blues

It's happened again. That terrible post holiday slump. I am so tired, mentally and physically, that I can hardly function, and yet...I must. I have traveled and seen folks who I miss (and always miss more just after seeing them). I took a week off from work, but came back to the week from hell. 15 hours of busy reference time that was unbelievably stressful (moreso because of the aforementioned mental fatigue). Of course we also need to factor in the Seasonal Affective Disorder. One sunny afternoon does not make up for 10 days without seeing the sun, or even a lightness in the sky. How can we function if it is always twilight? I have new respect for arctic dwellers. So anyway I have not made resolutions either. I would have broken them all already since I still have all my bad habits from last year...and then some. I have yet to get my body back to the pool, or to any exercise. I just can't seem to get the enthusiasm worked up. Nor can I easily get my pants zipped up, so squeezing back into the bathing suit is not something I'm looking forward to. My procrastination gear is on High. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Oh, okay, even the spirit is weak...

Red Sox fans respond to Damon's move to the Yankees

Torture

Well I haven't been posting due to technical difficulties (i.e. not getting my turn, being out of town, and the PC sounding like it has black lung disease) , but I could not let the opportunity go by to complain about the dentist. I don't really care for dental visits. They are usually uncomfortable and always give me a headache. Not to mention the tension as I lie waiting for something to hurt (whether it does or not is irrelevant, I still get tense). I do like the feeling of nice clean teeth, but today I wondered if it was worth it because I had to listen to Country Music while I had my teeth cleaned. Aargh. That just adds insult to injury.

Rant over. Happy New Year! Maybe I should resolve to floss more. I always do after a dental visit, but then it wears off.