Making things "new"

This is the last time Blogger says it will let me in without switching to the "new Blogger". I really like this one. I know how to use it. I don't have to think. But now they are going to force me to change. I can't handle change right now. I just recently set up a Google Reader account to try and keep me posted on new blog updates. I don't even have that set up the way I need it yet. And of course the new Mac, forcing me to think backwards (or something) when I try to close a window. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but it takes some getting used to. I have been invited to the new j blog at Wordpress, but I'm not jumping into that yet either. I don't like what I've seen of it so far, and am not prepared for the immersion method. (Obviously I'll have to deal with Blogger or Wordpress or something if I'm going to keep blogging.) (That's a whole nother issue). And just in case you thought that was all, Yahoo! keeps pushing their new version of mail. I tried it for 3 minutes once and HATED it, so I went back. But I suppose they will be forcing me to change soon too. The world should know better than to try and change me during hibernation season.

In other news, at least I finished my Adult Programs brochure yesterday at work, so I feel greatly relieved. And I finally finished putting away Christmas decorations today, so that's another relief. Whew.

Scrubs

While at the Penfield library the other day I HAD to stop and look at their DVDs. So I brought home the entire first season of Scrubs. I'd never seen an episode, but based this decision on the fact that I read they had an entire musical episode the other night. I thought that sounded fun (thanks to Buffy) and so here I am watching (and enjoying) season 1. The show is fast paced and funny, but also serious and even touching at times. The best thing I can say about making another commitment like this is that at least they are 1/2 hour episodes, so you can watch lots in one night. :)

Word Play

I've been a crossword puzzle addict for as long as I can remember (that's at least 5 minutes right?). I'm sure well before I hit college, since even then my friends gave me crossword puzzle gifts. So I had to see the movie Wordplay when it came out. The thing that happened from watching the movie was not just having to do more puzzles, but finding a need to time myself. Its actually scary since I'm nowhere near as fast as the pros. But its fun to race the clock (when I can) although I don't often do a puzzle at one sitting. (Well except those easy Monday & Tuesday puzzles that only take 10 minutes)(when I bother). Anyhow, the point is that I am now addicted to the Yahoo! Daily Crossword. It times me without me having to pay attention to the clock. I'm thrilled to say that I average about 12 minutes. The flip side is that I get bummed out when it takes me more than 15. But its fun, and relatively harmeless! Yahoo for crosswords!

Subject of much speculation

The alleged Starbucks is shrink-wrapped; to protect from the weather, or to prevent espionage? You decide.

Heaven help me...

I feel old. And tired, despite the long afternoon nap. And achy. But loved. (Egad, I'm starting to sound like the Velveteen Rabbit).

I can't decide

Is the reason I keep doing things for teens, like making gel candles with them, or creating scavenger hunts, because I hope it will keep me from getting old? Or is it just to make me feel old faster? Ask me how old I feel tomorrow.

High Anxiety

As I get ready to go to work this morning for the all staff meeting, and then ref meeting, I'm finding myself highly anxious. Don't totally know why. And I don't like it. But I like my job don't I? And my co-workers? So I'm sure things will be fine. I guess I better get a move on so there will be someplace left to park. ;)

End of an era (?)

Well its the end of the Christmas gingerbread cookies anyway. I ate the last one. A cute little penguin in a tux with a blue bow tie. Yummy! It is time to bake valentine cookies yet? Or maybe Super Bowl cookies? Or maybe to start the diet.
Oh wait! There are still biscotti! Life is good.

Birthday Calculator

Try this cool birthday calculator. It tells you lots of fun things about your birthday. Try it on your friends too, so you know if you are "compatible".

The real deal

Well I found out the solution to the persistent headache is real pseudoephedrine. In order to protect me from making meth in my home lab, the government has set limits on how much pseudoephedrine is available OTC, and many products have been reformulated so they contain another chemical that doesn't make meth, and that you don't have to ask the pharmacist for. But apparently this other formula also does not work as well, at least in my body, as a decongestant. The downside is the fact that, while it works great as a decongestant, pseudoephedrine also keeps me awake. All night. (Except for the weird dreams). But being headache-free for the first time in weeks is well worth it.

Loud Wednesday

(N.B. I'm going to ignore the fact that I have not posted in weeks and just talk about Wednesday). It was in fact a very loud Wednesday at WPL. We had to deal with sawing and banging from construction outside the front windows (and on the roof?) Not to mention the rumble and backup beeping of the construction equipment. Then there was the alarm system tests that had high-pitched beeping,constantly, or so it seemed. Add to the mix of kids crying, Jack C teaching AARP (we closed the door), phones ringing and patrons complaining. No wonder I found my head pounding too. The only scary part was when we also saw sparks flying outside the window, and smelled something burning. Hmm...Never did find out what that was. Anyway I hope today will be a little more sedate, but I won't count on it. At least I've spent a quiet morning at home willing my persistent headache to stay away.

Post staff day evaluation evaluation

In retrospect I see that my staff day evaluation was not really correct. What I see in hindsight that I needed, without realizing it, was a confirmation, or validation , of the philosophy I have about working in a public library. First off I found out that not all my coworkers share my feelings. And secondly, I find it very disconcerting. And also the answer to some of what has been subtly eating away at me every time I step into the building. I have often considered how much the public service aspect of my job means to me. I've spoken of it as ministry, and some days I truly feel that way. That's not to say I don't complain about the nasty or scary patrons sometimes. But I realize the degree of empathy (thanks X.) that I do have and it makes me feel good that I focus myself there. But now I realize that there is room for improvement, and we could all use a little help (or a lot) learning to figure out just what the patron in front of us needs, and how to give it to them the best way. So that is the training I really think would be helpful. It would also be a wonderful thing if we really had a consensus in the building that the patrons come first. Not the "woe is us, we're too busy" attitude I sometimes get angry about. I see signs of hope in some of the newer clerks, who do truly want to do the right thing for people (and aren't jaded yet). If only there were not a few who sow discontent. We really do need to be looking in the same direction! So perhaps some training at taking the larger view; seeing the library as a community place. Explaining to each other what we really try to do with our jobs. Its so hard to do your job when you are always apologizing for it (to some people...).

The long awaited list

I got tagged weeks ago, but quite frankly I had trouble thinking of 5 things people don't know about me. My life seems to be an open book. (Well, except for the secrets I won't admit to here anyway.) So I've rewritten this list in my head a hundred times to make it interesting without being depressing.
Here goes:

1. When I was a kid I used to wet the bed.

2. I went to the Junior Prom with my best friend's ex-boyfriend. (Singularly the worst experience of my life.)

3. I talk to myself in the mirror. (Usually trash talk, sorry to say.)

4. I have an over- sensitive sense of smell. I find things offensive that others don't seem to notice.

5. My secret desire is to be a hermit.

Terry Pratchett quote of the week

It is in the nature of things that those who save the world from certain destruction often don't get hugely rewarded because, since the certain destruction does not take place, people are uncertain about how certain it may have been and are, therefore, somewhat tight when it comes to handing out anything more substantial than praise.
~~The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett

The party's over

Chai for breakfast
leisurely morning at home
bread and milk for Frances
wearing my pretty new shirt
Milanos for a birthday treat
cards, gifts and birthday wishes from my wonderful coworkers
busy ref shift
an E hug
pouring rain
out to dinner (yum)
Advisory Board meetings for Josh and I
chocolate birthday cake (double yum)
boo to Carlos for not giving me that home run
nighty night

Venting

I guess I should have blogged earlier when the steam was coming out of my ears (or perhaps my nostrils), but I guess I gave enough people an earful that I got over it. Sort of. Its almost not my business, but it is, at least marginally, my problem since it affects how I feel about my job. At least some days.
Okay, I've said enough for now. Gotta go knit off some stress and watch the rest of the game.

Lily who?

While I do know a Lily or two, its not a name I come across very often. But when I read Whales on Stilts and realized that Lily was the main character, something clicked. There's Lily Kane, Veronica Mars' best friend, and Lily Moscowitz, best buddy of Princess Mia in the Princess Diaries I've been listening to. And I have the nagging sense that there was another Lily recently as well. Where have they all come from?

I'm supposed to be packing

Honestly, I have no time to blog right now, but here I am. We are heading down to Pennsylvania to pick up Elizabeth and then to West Virginia to hang out for the weekend. I'm looking forward to it, hoping I can focus on the fun stuff. I don't like sleeping in a strange bed, or feeling like I have to make every minute count. I just want to relax...and not think about the messes I'll come back to. Okay that I live in, but just that they will still be here. Boy am I rambling. Must need to ingest more caffeine. Anyhow, I am looking forward to an enjoyable weekend with my family. Who could ask for anything more?
Off to finish packing and hit the road. Bye now.

Repeat after me...I am an addict

I am an addict. Why can't I do something once, have fun, and then let it go for a while. No. Not me. If I listen to one Princess Diaries on CD, I have to listen to them all. And the whole thing as fast as possible. Then there's Veronica Mars. I practically beg to get my hands on the next disc. And fresh delicious bagels...How can I eat just one? A game of Spider? Must keep playing till I've played an even number, or have a win streak, or make up some excuse here. I am an addict. But why can't I get addicted to vegetables, or exercise, for cripes sake?

Interesting patron question

So I had an older gentleman yesterday ask me about WiFi. He said he had a laptop and his son gave him a little box to stick in it (for wireless), but the question was this: why would I need/want to use it? I explained the concept of wireless, i.e., not having to plug your computer into a network. And I gave him the flyer we have with the info on setting up the wireless card for our network. He's using dialup at home, so I told him this would be faster if he wanted to do a lot of stuff online. I explained how it made his PC portable, so he could take a meeting at Panera, say. And mentioned how college kids like taking their work with them, outside or wherever. He looked very thoughtful, gave me the flyer back, thanked me, and went off with a rather bemused expression.
Another satisfied customer.