Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Returns

1. What was the last item you returned or exchanged at a store?

   I can't even tell you when I would have done this. I literally NEVER do this, especially at brick-and-mortar stores; too much hassle. I think I have sent stuff back that was mail-ordered, though. Just nothing recent.

2. When did you last leave the house and then turn right back around and go back inside?

   I'm sure it was this week sometime. I do this all the time. My mother used to tell me I'd go off without my head screwed on if it weren't attached.

3. What’s the latest you’ve ever returned a library book?

   Months. And yes, I work in a library, so I seriously have NO EXCUSE! 😏

4. What location among places you’ve traveled would you most like to see again?

   I would love to go back to Ydra. I'd move to Ouray in a hot minute if I could. I would like to see Russia in summertime.

5. What’s an unlikely movie sequel you’d like to see?

   I think we've had enough sequels. I'd like something original.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Bookish Questions

1. How long did it take you to finish your last book?

The last book I finished was Private Down Under on audio. Now I can say I have read Patterson. It took me 6 days of commuting to work and back to finish this. I'm not impressed.

2. How many times do you stare at your bookshelves each day?

Huh. At home, I rarely look at my books on shelves. What I'm reading isn't on a shelf. At work, I stare at books all day, hoping they'll all get cataloged, magically, without my intervention. Hasn't happened yet.

3. How many GoodReads friends/books do you have?

Friends: I have 78 friends, and I follow 44 people. There are a few that are on both lists.
Books: I've got 3,511 listed. Almost 3,100 of those are books I've read. There are four more I'm currently reading, 351 I'm waiting to read, 46 on the "next" list (absurd to have that many "next" I know), and 13 title I will never (willingly) read. The last category is so GoodReads will stop recommending them to me because I "should" be reading them, I guess. I'm sure I could go through YA and children's sections and easily double the "books read" amount given several hours of free time and nothing better to do.

4. Do you ever quote books in public?

It has been known to happen. Unfortunately, I don't always remember specific quotes well enough to say them at the appropriate time.

5. Do you ever re-read books?

Not too often. A few. And sometimes I find myself partway through a book and realizing that the reason it's so familiar is because I've read it.

6. Do you judge a book by its cover?

I do. Kind of. There is a bit of publisher-coding that goes on with covers. Anything covered in flowers gets passed up by default. Almost anything with horses, ditto. Half-naked people? Nope. Having said that, I can think of at least one title in each of those categories that I've read and loved. It's not foolproof.

7. Do you take pictures of your books before you read them?

Nope. It wouldn't have occurred to me to do this when I start a book. I do, sometimes, take pictures of my To Be Read Pile.

8. What are your biggest distractions from reading?

Facebook, and the internet in general. Sleep. Puzzles and games.

9. Where is your favorite place to buy books?

I rarely buy books, but when I do I prefer to shoot most of my money to my local independent bookstore. I do use Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well.

10. Do you always have a book with you?

I've begun carrying a book with me in the car now that I'm chauffeuring Beast around and having to wait for him on occasion. And I subscribe to BookShout! on my phone so I always have something to read there if things really tank.

11. Do you read during breakfast?

I read whenever, wherever, all the time. During meals, in the car (audiobooks), before sleep, in the middle of the night (hello, insomnia). About the only time I can't read is while the TV is on because I can't concentrate. Oh, and riding in a car is out as well because I get carsick.

12. How many hours a day would you say you read?

If we're straight-up talking about printed material (books, audio, emedia, magazines, journals) probably at least 3-5 hours a day. But really, i spend the whole day reading, and then I come home and read some more. It's just that a lot of that is online stuff: social media, catalog records, web pages for reference questions, etc., etc. If I include that, I'm probably reading, conservatively, 12 hours a day.

13. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?

Feels like slightly less. I've just realized that I never did a year-end summation on my book blog last year as I've done every other year. So, the stats for the previous 15 years are as follows:
number of books read in 2014: 105
number of books read in 2013: 90
number of books read in 2012: 88
number of books read in 2011: 69
number of books read in 2010: 67
number of books read in 2009: 85
number of books read in 2008: 93
number of books read in 2007: 75
number of books read in 2006: 77
number of books read in 2005: 127
number of books read in 2004: 102
number of books read in 2003: 100
number of books read in 2002: 118
number of books read in 2001: 83
number of books read in 2000: 128
I guess I'm reading a little more than I was 10 years ago. I did 110 last year according to GoodReads. I had some slow years there while Sparky was in middle school and high school.

14. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?

I read fast, but I'm not a speed reader. I just spend a lot of time reading.

15. Do you read in bed?

Yes.

16. How old were you when you got your first library card?

I got it, I expect, pretty much as soon as I was allowed. I was 6. I later worked at that library, and they still had my registration card on file then! That was weird.

Thursday Thirteen

(Link in meme-roll)
Reasons I Like My Job*

1. First and foremost, the people. I know it's easier to whine about the idiots, but there are way more interesting and fun people. I learn something from the patron almost every day. Some days it's behavioral, some days it's factual stuff.


2. Solving a weird question. Yesterday I found a request for a CD that someone else had worked on without success. It turns out the patron had the [Spanish] title slightly wrong, and the "band" name meant "recorded live" (more or less) in Spanish. I found two or three possible recordings that might be the right one and I left it for someone to catch the patron--he's in the library almost every day--and ask him what he actually wanted.


3. I get to help people who, in many cases, really need a kind and helpful person to get them through the day. Every librarian has stories about this. Yesterday, a woman came in to register for a rewards program for a local theater online. No computer skills. As it developed, that program requires an email address, which she didn't have. So we went to yahoo and signed her up as firstname.lastname @ yah00.c0m (i.e. jane.smith @ yah00.c0m). She had to get her ID out to enter the "last name" field correctly. I knew she'd never remember her email password so I wrote it on a slip of paper: "first.last @ yah00.c0m -- password" (not the actual one of course). When she went to fill out the theater form, she typed her email addy as "firstlast @ yah00.c0m" so I had to explain again that she needed to use HER first and last name with the dot. Of course, she'll be back and not know how to log in, so I told her to be sure to hang on to that piece of paper. She was really a nice person, just not very smart.


4. Most of the people I work with are wonderful. Almost all of them are dedicated to making the library better and helping people. We get along pretty well together generally and, having worked together for a long time, we understand each other's foibles and tics. Like Maniac's regular swings from hyperactivity to relative normalcy.


5. Kids. I get to see and talk to kids of all ages regularly. I like kids. A lot. But not in a creepy way. They just inspire the hell out of me without even trying at all. Like the dude who comes in often with his dad asking for books well above his age-level on various topics (dinosaurs, chemistry, rockets...) who has a trach tube and is occasionally hard to understand because his breathing is tricky.


6. I like books. A lot.


7. The hours are somewhat flexible. I get Wednesday mornings off, for instance. Then again, I work till 9 on Wednesdays, so there's that. But if I need time for a doctor's appointment or haircut, it's not (usually) a hassle.


8. It's comfortable. Indoor plumbing, HVAC that (mostly) works. Some light lifting and carrying, but not the sort of thing that is generally dangerous or difficult.


9. Every day is different. Right now I may be cleaning up vomit, but in ten minutes I may get to give a kid her first library card, and later on I may be having a good conversation about the local conservation area with someone who is thrilled to find out about it, and then talk to an older person about finding out where her grandfather's store was in town 80 years ago.


10. I get to be smart for pay. But I don't have to learn DEEP details about too many things, which is good because I find trivia far more fun than study. ;-) Like how a siphon works: I don't care about the reason it works, but I can find you information how water is moved from one side of a mountain range to another.


11. Cataloging, how I love thee! I love sorting out where to 'store' an item, how to make it findable in the catalog or the building, how to describe it so people can find it when they want/need it. I like the freedom within the rules that librarians have developed over time--and continue develop--even when I don't agree with them.


12. I love the technical, repetitive, somewhat boring but also rhythmic tempo of moving newly-purchased items from delivery box through preparing them for patrons to use. The minutiae, the process, the organization....all that stuff is like air and food to me.


13. I love the fact that at MPOW at least, we're fairly free in what we wear to work, what we can keep on and around our desks, and how we arrange the time we spend on projects. Of course, there's always the bigger schedule to keep in mind--who is at which service desk at what time--but in terms of overall time management, we get to decide if today is the day to order books or a day to cut buttons out for storytime or a day to create an Excel file for budgeting...or a day to post on Facebook (work-related stuff!!).

*I chose this topic because right now I'm so hacked off about work I actually took a sick day rather than plow through another day of being sick at work. There are some personality issues among the staff right now that I'm not enjoying. In fact, when I called the scheduling person to tell her I wouldn't be there today because of illness, she gave me a hard time. WhatEVer--that's WHY I'm not at work, because she's being a total bitch about stuff.

Dewey

I'm sure I've done this before, but it's still plain old silly fun:

Cat. Ster's Dewey Decimal Section: 
223 Poetic books of Old Testament 
Cat. Ster = 3109058 = 310+905+8 = 1223
Class:
200 Religion

Contains:
The Bible and other religious texts, books about the general philosophy and theory of religion.

What it says about you:
You don't mind thinking about the unknown or other very big ideas. You will never feel like your work is finished. The 200-series is dominated by Christian topics, so you may feel like you're constantly surrounded by Christians.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

Well, yes, actually, this is pretty accurate.

My full legal name gives this result:

[Full Legal Name]'s Dewey Decimal Section: 
137 Divinatory graphology 
[Full Legal Name] = 258181080500549383186 = 258+181+080+500+549+383+186 = 2137
Class:
100 Philosophy & Psychology

Contains:
Books on metaphysics, logic, ethics and philosophy.

What it says about you:
You're a careful thinker, but your life can be complicated and hard for others to understand at times. You try to explain things and strive to express yourself.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

Uhm, it seems that way to me for sure, but I have pretty much stopped trying to explain it. The people who ought to be interested--i.e., family--but aren't, aren't likely to change. This slammed home hard today. My family just isn't supportive. Moving on...at least I have a large group of people I can rely on.

POST #6500

Horrifying!!

That is a lot of memes over the past 9 1/2 years!

And back to(wards) the beginning I go for this one. My original answers are in italics:

Librarian stereotypes meme

1. Own a cat(s)? Nope. Not at all interested in owning a cat because.... Nope. Allergic. More of a doggy person anyway.

2. Drive small sensible, economical car? Hellz no! I drive--as a coworker said when he first saw it--a tank, a.k.a. a Ford Edge. It gets decent mileage though, about the same as... Nope. Truck. (but it is small...)

3. Wear comfortable, sensible shoes? Comfortable, yes. Sensible, not always. And I buy a lot of shoes Some days. Today I'm wearing new shoes so they pinch a bit. I love shoes. There was a point--young-marrieds, no cash--when I was not even allowed to be near a shoe store! I've given up on the 3-inch heels and mules, though. ;-)

4. Read constantly? Less than I'd like, but,... Well, yeah.

5. Never goes out? Who am I kidding--I'd rather stay home. I like my couch and there's plenty of work to keep me busy. Or TV, or memes, or whatever.  Define "out." I go out all the time: to the store, to Little League games, to work, etc. OK, seriously...actually, I'm going to a bar this Friday. Otherwise, I don't have that much time to "go out." Because, see, I'm married. With a kid. And I work full time.

6. Sexually inexperienced? Less so than last time even. ;-) See the end of the last answer. Married. Kid. So....no.

7. Friend are all librarians? Nope. I know a lot of librarians, but I have "other kinds" of friends too. NO! In fact all my relatives are librarians....ok, only 2 others, the rest are teachers. My friends are bookkeepers (the $$ kind), chemists, small business owners, stay-at-home Moms, consultants, ComEd repair techs, and a few librarians.

8. Could care less about fashion? Yes. I really think fashion is ridiculous. I like to laugh at fashion. I don't like "girly" fashion, but do like comfy fashion: cargo pants, Tshirts, hoodies, jeans...

9. Lean to the left when it comes to politics? I don't just lean left... Yep. Got me here.

10. Was a nerd in high school? The older I get, the more I think there are only about 8 people in this country who didn't feel like nerds in high school. Got me here too. Hopeless nerd. For which I thank my stars!

11. Wear hair in a bun? Hair's too short now, but it is increasingly gray. Sigh. I'd actually like to figure out how to do a bun... But no, although in almost every other style I can figure out!

12. Am constantly covered in dust? Absolutely not! I'd be dead if I were around that much dust! Cheetos dust only.

13. Librarian by day/Bacardi by night? ...sigh... Nope. Not so much anymore for sure. Heh. I drink Bacardi. Not sure I have the tan for the ad campaign though...among other 'issues.'

14. Wear glasses? Not that they help much, but... Yep.

15. Female? In every way. Yep. Last time I checked the DNA.

16. Abilities in the yarn arts? No change here:  I can knit, but not particularly well. Don't know how to crochet. Or tat. Waiting till retirement to take that up... hah

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Awkwardly Intriguing Questions

1. What's something you hide about your personality?

I have always been prone to downplaying my intelligence. How many women do that, eh? Not a surprise. I don't worry about it anymore as much. My new goal is to keep my temper in check.

2. How do you deal with criticism?

I probably get defensive unless it's handled pretty tactfully. However, I'm better than I used to be, and I try to keep my temper. (I'm sensing a theme)

3. What's something sweet you'd like someone to do for you?

I'd like to go on vacation alone somewhere far away from anyone I know. Not a long one. Just somewhere nice, and quiet.

4. Which fictional character would you most like to have lunch with and why?

Having just finished this book and I think lunch with Allan Karlsson would be absolutely hysterical.

5. Who would you say is your "anti" role model? Someone who serves as a warning rather than an inspiration?

There are a lot of Hollywood-types of this variety. A lot. My age or older though...how about Liza Minelli or Judy Garland?

6. What's the most infuriating thing your parents (or caregiver) do?

They are pretty easygoing these days. Before they DIED they were just up to the the typical old people things.

7. Which movie character do you most identify with and why?

I really like Trinity in the "Matrix" films. I should only wish I were that cool, though.

8. You’re an Action Movie Hero. What's your weapon of choice and the line you scream when defeating your arch enemy?

I'm already pretty good at tongue-lashing people, so I'll just work on honing that skill. There would be no screaming though. Quiet threats are more effective.

9. What's the oddest term of endearment you've ever used or that someone's used for you?

I call Sparky "Goober" all the time. My brother called his son "Hooter" when he was little, which made no sense at all, but was funny as heck.

10. What was something you used to enjoy, but was ruined for you? What's the story behind that?

I think I'll use my pass on this question. It's been a rough year for this.

11. Which mythological creature are you most like? Why? And if you could be any mythological creature, which would you want to be? Why?

I can't even begin to think who or what I'm most like. Maybe Medusa, at times.... I've always liked the Pegasus concept so that would be cool; however, I don't remember the ending of that story but it's probably bad knowing mythology.

12. Describe your dream library.

Big. Cleaned daily by very fussy people. Full of fun, good books and plenty of very comfy seating and good lighting. And bloodyQUIET!

13. If you could design an amusement park ride, what would it be like?

It would be very boring. I'm not really a big amusement park fan.

14. Do you have any "rules" about food?

lol yes...it's really hard for me to eat one thing. I like to keep the sides of my mouth even, so I chew the first whatever on one side and the second on the other side. EVERYthing, from candy to french fries to bites of steak. Been that way for about 4 decades. Kinda weird.

15. What's your opinion on age differences in relationships?

I have no opinion, though I don't understand how it works.

16. What's something you want to do that you'd be embarrassed to tell other people about?

What makes you think that if I'm embarrassed about it I'd post it on my blog?

17. Describe a time/event in your life that you're nostalgic for.

Being a little kid was pretty awesome.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Two Memes in One Meme Meme - Happy Easter!

1: Who is your favorite Musical Artist from when you were a teenager?

I really loved the Bee Gees. And Billy Joel. Hey, I still do. Or, if they aren't Musically Artistic enough for you, I'll go with The Alan Parsons Project.

2: Who is your favorite game show host?

Chuck Woollery, of course. Though I loved Peter Marshall on Hollywood Squares and Gene Rayburn on Match Game. Burt Convy was pretty good too, even if Tattletales was really bad. And Alex Trebek on many of the really old, bad gameshows...and of course Bob Eubanks on The Newlywed Game was outstanding. No one since has matched him blank stare for blank stare.

3: Who is your Favorite Blog hosting service?

More German-style Capitalization....
I've used Blogger since I started back 9 years ago or so. I tried Wordpress and a few others, but always have come back to Blogger.

4: If you could meet anyone again from your childhood, who would it be?

Sticking with those likely to (mostly) still be alive, I would love to have a church youth group reunion to see what some of those clowns are up to now. ;-)

5: Where did you want to live when you were growing up?

"Far away from my parents." Mom and I clashed too much for me to want to stay in the vicinity. And everyone else in my family had moved away from the area when they grew up, so I guess I thought it was the "done thing" for us. I didn't take into account that I'd miss the mountains at least as much as I missed my parents.

6: What is the most interesting piece of Trivia that you know?

I'm a librarian: there is no such thing as boring trivia!! C'mon--my knowledge is miles wide and an inch deep, so I know random strange facts about everything from how siphons work (and the general principle behind moving water over mountains) to the author of the Dork Diaries. [two recent reference questions] I also can tell you who wrote "the fairy books" (Daisy Meadows) and the "Alphabet Mysteries" (Sue Grafton) and what the call number for basketball is (796.323). And that Sandy Koufax was left-handed, and where all the czars but one are buried (the church in the fortress of Sts. Peter & Paul near The Hermitage, a.k.a, the former Imperial Palace, in what is now St. Petersburg again).
Bored? Not me. I could go on and on....but I won't.

7: If you could live in any point of history when would it be and why?

Now. I need the meds, and as a woman things haven't ever been better.

8: What is the most interesting job you have ever had?

My current one is hands-down the most bizarre. Most interesting in the "well, that is off the list of long-term careers" was the summer I temped: both receptionists and food industry (hard-core food prep) workers have impossible jobs; one because it's beyond boring, and the other because of me being a klutz and the real possibility of injury from burns and sharp things.

9. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.

I don't have post-able pictures from that era (thank God!!). Mrs. White's 7th grade English class--for which we had to memorize a list of about 70 prepositions: about above across after against below beneath beyond....--was great fun. I sat near my crush, Joel, at the time who was "cute" in all the late-70s-appropriate ways. He brought a whoopee cushion to class one day and several people (NOT me) were subjected to mega-farts prior to the bell. That thing was flying all over the room before people got settled...and then Mrs. White confiscated it for the duration of class. In spite of looking like she would eat you alive if you didn't get your verb-noun pairings right, she was actually a very cool teacher.

10. What's your favorite Beatles song?

Depends entirely on the day. I like "Rocky Raccoon" and "Let It Be" and "She Loves You" and all of Sgt. Pepper about equally, to name a few that pop in to my head.

11. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be?

Pajamas. I have some unbelievably comfy flannel PJs....

12. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?

I prefer hosting, generally.

13. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?

I think there will a place for both in the future. In the immediate future, paper books will continue until the ebook platforms standardize enough so that there's none of this Kindle-jacking of the big-names: books only available through Amazon, or readable by a Kindle. And of course publishers have to figure out the business model for ematerial. Right now, there are 6 major publishers that essentially are trying to screw over libraries over digital rights since libraries can keep books forever especially electronically. So why would 'we' (libraries) ever buy the same book again? We'd never have to replace anything because it wore out or whatever. It's a mess, and publishers are where the music industry was about ten years ago playing a losing game of Keep-Away while their profits dwindle.
Another topic you probably don't want me to get started on, eh?

14. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing?

If it's a task that I need to learn, it's all about doing it; watching and listening doesn't really work for me. If it's a concept, I'm good with hearing or reading, but both is better.

15. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)

Being a sexist pig is a death-knell.

16. Snacks. Salty or sweet?

Yes. Not at once though. ;-) You all know I'm a sugar-fiend. Give me iced sugar cookies or give me death!

17. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?

Hmm, I seem to still have Amy's Who Are You? book....guess that should go back to her someday. Otherwise, I'm pretty aware of the stack o' shit which needs sorting out and tidying before the house gets full-on cleaned tomorrow.

18. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?

"Risky Business." No close competition. "Sometimes you just have to say, "What the fuck?"

19. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?

Give it to the women's shelter. Or just finish it up.

20. Your favorite spring comfort food?

Uhm, see #16. I'm not really a seasonal eater.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Thirteen Good Reference Questions From the Last Week (or so)

1. Amelia Bedelia books
2. Duct tape crafts (yes there are books on this, and we have at least one)
3. Good series books for a 12-year-old--with dragons (I say a silent prayer of thanks for Librarian E's now-three-years-old pathfinders)
4. Dragonology is checked out, but we do have Monsterology on the shelf, which will serve till the dragons return
5. When is the new George R.R. Martin book coming out? (we end up on Wikipedia where it says it'll be another 3 years, give or take)
6. Native American rugs, collecting, prices, etc. (considering where we live, it's not a surprise that we have nothing, but I did end up finding something sort of helpful online)
7. Books on Richard Feynman (our copy of Surely You're Joking... has disappeared; we should probably replace it, but in the meantime, I found some other stuff for the guy)
8. New Dr. Phil book  (we've already established that right now this is only being sold via his son's website, so we're stymied, but I take her name and we'll try to get it from Amazon when they get ahold of it)
9. "This is a strange call number; I don't know where to look" : 006.7 (yes libraries are weird: we start counting at 0)
10. How to hang wallpaper
11. Phone book for [county]; map of [city] (I tell him the street he's looking for is one block south of the library and if he follows that street toward the outskirts of town, it changes names to the one he's looking for. This city is weird)
12. "Game of Thrones" on DVD and books 1 and 3 in the series--all of which are currently checked out, so I place holds; also, "Pillars of the Earth" DVD, which is here!

Having done this meme, I now recognize that most of what I've done the last week or so is technology training and basic clerical stuff.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. L is for LACTOSE: What’s your favorite dairy product?

That would be cracking cheeeeeeese, Gromit! I love cheese, with a few exceptions--anything runny or mold-filled or really stinky is right out. In fact, I'm happy to have crackers and cheese for multiple meals every week. Throw in some grapes or other fruit and it's actually not completely unhealthy!

2. L is for LANGUAGE: If you could learn any language that you haven’t already studied in any way, which one would you choose?

Ancient Greek, and/or Hebrew.

3. L is for LAUGH: Who is the last comedian to make you literally laugh out loud?

We watched part of a couple of Jeff Dunham specials on Thanksgiving--when my idiot niece had control of the TV and turned off the football game instead of helping clean up after we ate--which made me laugh. Granted, some of my laughter was watching people who hadn't seen the shows before.

4. L is for LEATHER: How many items made of leather do you own?

Quite a few. I do love the smell of leather. One leather Harley jacket (Beast and Sparky have their own, plus one Sparky had when he was about 3), a couple of leather work-bags, gloves...seems like we might have a leather hat around here somewhere....my wallet is leather...that's it off the top of my head. Remember the (brief) fad for leather neckties in the 80s?? lol

5. L is for LEFTOVER: Which specific food leftover from Thanksgiving dinner do you tire of the fastest?

TIRE of?? Are you on crack??  :-D  The turkey lasts the longest, but only because the potatoes and stuffing are way more popular and get eaten first.

6. L is for LIBRARY: How often do you visit your local library?

Uhm, Patrick, REALLY??? I was there yesterday, I'll be there at 7:30 tomorrow...

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Today

1. Hard to get up this morning, but then Beast's phone did the Fox NFL song for his wake up. He snoozed it about 10 times before turning the damn thing off--his snooze is set for about a minute.
2. I forgot to put on deodorant. Discovered it sitting on the counter when I got home tonight.
3. When I was ready to leave, I boosted Beast to tell him. He told me he didn't feel good, "hurts all over." [Great]
4. Did my usual bacon-bagel-and-diet-Coke at McDonald's run on the way to work, and even though I left late, I arrived about 1 minute before the library opened. On time.
5. Spent 3 hours dealing with continuations, everything from travel books to Master the GMAT to the latest criss-cross directory. I even went and found all the old editions so the person who deals with all this can just do everything at once.
6. Got a call on my cell from one of Beast's coworkers, with whom he was supposed to have lunch. Having not heard from him, and after 4 calls to the house phone (his phone was off, remember?), he finally answered. I called his coworker back and excused him.
7. Lunch. Taco Bell. Sat in the park to eat part of it.
8. Lists of things in processing for awhile, both with and without holds. Found 80% of them, left the rest for others to look for.
9. Cataloged the giant stack of things on my desk that have holds. Then did a few more that I came across. Then did a few large type books. I swear to God, we get more of those than we do both the sections of nonfiction I buy for. That is very depressing.
10. Discovered that the Library of Congress has released its new updated subject headings list so I messed with it for awhile and got it ready to check in our catalog.
11. Checked the old lists of subject headings.
12. Sat in the children's room for an hour trying to stay awake.
13. Came home, collected the garbage and dragged it out to the street, changed clothes and woke Beast up to see if I could get some food or water into him (nope). Did get some Tylenol in, after I took his temp and he checked his blood sugar.

I left out the gossip and commentary about marathons and 10K races and annoying and creepy patrons.

Friday Fill-Ins, past and present

(Link in meme-roll)
Last week's:

1. So I ran, I ran so far awa-ay-ay! (I know, it's "And I ran..." but wevs, eh?
2. On the other hand, only idiots or the truly desperate are running anywhere around here this week.
3. There is no reason for it to be as difficult as it is to download ebooks from our library, except for publisher greed, and nerdy programmers.
4. Virtually any kind of fruit pie is my favorite birthday dessert.
5. What represents happiness to me: being left alone to do what I want, when I want, without having to justify it to anyone.
6. As Dave (my SO) says, the early bird is the one everyone complains about in the morning.

This week's:

1. I am happy Beast's back is really, definitely, better!
2. Corn and are my favorite summertime fruits and vegetables.
3. To help me eat better, I really need to hire someone to make all my meals so I don't have to go to the store and be tempted by all the foods I shouldn't be eating.
4. Figure out some stuff about a few of my personal relationships is the one thing I want to do this summer more than anything!
5. Just the other day I was saying "It's been a really, really messed up week / Seven days of torture, seven days of bitter" (name that tune).
6. Some things keep coming up over and over again. It's way more than just a little bit frustrating....
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Bombay Chicken, tomorrow my plans include work (blergh--but with good people, which is nice), and Sunday, I want to try to get to church before another cooking extravaganza!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Never Ending Meme, Part Two

21. Did you go to your high school prom?

Nope. Beast went to three his senior year, so I think this household is covered. Sparky only went as a sophomore.

22. Perfect time to wake up?

When I'm fully rested. Could be 5 a.m., could be noon.

23. Perfect time to go to bed?

When I'm tired. Usually about 10.

24. Do you use your queen right away in chess?

I haven't played chess in probably 10 years, but no I don't think I usually do.

25. Ever been in a car accident?

Sigh. Yes. Two. No injuries, except pride.

26. Closer to mom or dad…or neither?

More like my mom in personality and outlook, but appreciated my dad more as a child, and I suppose as an adult.

27. What age is this exciting life over for you?

Pretty sure that's not for me to determine, at least not now.

28. What decade during the 20th century would you have chosen to be a teenager?

Is there EVER a good time to be a teenager? I dunno, I'd eliminate the 10s, 30s and 40s (war, Depression, war) right off the bat. The 60s were pretty damn exciting, but also rather scary. The 70s were just weird. The 80s brought us AIDS. So, that leaves, what, the 00s, the 20s, the 50s, and the 90s. Of those, the 20s win. For me.

29. Favorite shoes you have EVER owned?

These, though mine were blue. SOOOooooo comfy. Followed by my red pumps--gone but not forgotten--and these* are my current favorites. I walked all over Italy in them and not once did I have sore feet!

30. Do you have an article of clothing you have had since you were in high school?

I have a couple of outfits, but I'll never wear them, since I seriously doubt I'll ever be 110 pounds again. I've saved them because my mom made them and I wore the shit out of them at the time.

31. Were you in track and field?

Nope. No sports. But I used to like to run, before it was cool. So yeah, like almost 40 years ago.

32. Were you ever in a school talent show?

{{{{shudder}}}} Yes. Mortification resurfaces at the mere thought.

33. Have you ever written in a library book?

Every day, baby!! (and yes, even as a patron, but I use(d) pencil and erase(d) before I return)

34. Allergic to?

Let me count: mold, dust, pollen (grass and corn), timothy, dogs, cats...eggs? Not sure about the eggs, but I'm having trouble with SOMEthing breakfasty over the past year or so.

35. Favorite fruit?

Bananas for year-round use, but there is NOTHING like an apple right off the tree, or a peach.

____
*edited to add link

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. While going through old boxes, you find an old library book of which you are very fond, but you realize that it was a library book. You assume that the library has long-since written the book off as a loss because it has been boxes away for 20 years or more, and the book carries a great deal of sentimental value for you. Would you return the book or keep it?

Really, Patrick?
I'd probably keep it at this point, but I would call the library and see if it's still on my record there. The reality is that when people DO this with any regularity, their credit rating goes in the dumper and it may mean stopping in the middle of buying a house to run to the owning library to make restitution for the materials they've STOLEN. This happened to someone I know while buying a house in California. Moral: don't steal.

2. You visit one of your closest friends who is battling a terminal illness. It's clear he or she will not survive, but is in a lot of pain. Your friend begs you to briefly disconnect life support long enough for death to come. If there is no way your intervention could be discovered and no way you could face any kind of prosecution, would you grant your friend's request?

I would call hospice, and an attorney, and in the meantime ask why my friend hadn't gotten around to creating a Medical Power of Attorney, a DNR order at the hospital, and/or a Living Will . Had s/he done this, s/he would not have been connected to any intrusive live-saving equipment in the first place.

3. You have the chance to be in a parade and ride on a float supporting a cause you believe in, but you can't appear in any kind of disguise or costume: which cause's float would you most likely be comfortable selecting?

Look, if I believed in something enough to appear in a float in a parade, I wouldn't bother with a disguise in the first place. That goes for the parades I have marched in with Little League and Girl Scouts and my church, and Bigger Issues like Feminism, Peace, LGBT, etc.

4. Your company's top executive team arrives for a surprise visit, and selects you and a handful of other employees to meet with one-on-one in an attempt to get the pulse of their employees and to uncover any problems within the organization. How honest are you likely to be about your answers when they ask about specific problems you know exist, even if it means that friends you work with could lose their jobs over what you say?

I wouldn't be dishonest in that case, but I also would choose not to answer directly. If the big guys are in town on a fact-finding mission in this economy, they are looking for which heads to chop off, so I'm just keeping mine down.
IRL, this wouldn't happen because a) I work for municipal government, so there IS no "out-of-town" big shots, and b) they've already sliced well into the bone in terms of cutting so I'm saying nothing about anyone who is left!

5. You find yourself slated to be a guest on a talk show: which host, living or dead, would you most like to be interviewed by, and why would you choose that host?

I loved Phil Donahue; he was serious, honest, passionate and smart.

6. Your church decides to take part in a political protest, and it seems that nearly everyone feels the same way about the issue. You, however, do not share their view. At the risk of being ostracized, would you deny to participate, or would you search for a way to quietly assist, without being out in front?

Count me out. I'm not gonna conform, ESPECIALLY in church, if I feel something is wrong. If I'm ostracized, AT CHURCH, for refusing to participate in something morally repugnant to me, then I'm changing churches. Why the HELL did I stay in this church in the first place?!

Follow Friday Four Fill-in

(Link in meme-roll)

1. When I have people over for a big meal or a party, I feel that all the work cleaning the house beforehand paid off

2. I just realized that I'm totally not stressed about tonight's party.

3. My books mostly come from the public library. [and then are returned to it, as well, of course]

4. If I had a hammer, I would hammer in the morning. :-)

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Thoughts I've Had This Week

1. My boss is annoying. That sentence is the biggest understatement of the month, and possible of the year.
2. We have a genetic problem in my bloodline that involves getting lost every time one of us approaches the City to the West of Us. Latest victim: Sparky. Beast seems immune.
3. I love working the Reference Desk!
4. ...except when Crazy Patron Hour arrives. Actually, that can be sort of fun, too--"Hindus and Jesus! Hindus and JESUS!! He was in India, you know?!"--depending on which brand of crazy is on offer.
5. "Great Books" means Stuff Written By Dead White Men At Least 125 Years Ago. Still, the library probably should have one free-standing copy of each Shakespeare play, and "Origin of Species" as well.
6. How much do I value my free time? Is now the time? Do I mind if the offer is never raised again? Ugh.
7. Sparky finds his parents deadly boring. We are. OK, moving on.
8. Beast's back seems to be getting better. So are some other things. Finally. Yay.
9. The problem with revolution is that one never really has control of things after the first gunshot.
10. Ghost Whisperer has been renamed, by Beast, Ghost Eyelasher, which makes me laugh a lot. And I can't stop watching this ridiculous show, so laughing is good.
11. Some people are addicted to drugs; I'm addicted to Bejeweled.
12. My family isn't nearly as dysfunctional as other people's families are.
13. Smoke detectors that need batteries sound VERY MUCH like CO detectors that need batteries, especially at midnight, in one's bedroom.

W.T.F.

(Link in meme-roll)
Harry Potter ends while the media ignores other important topics

1) Who has the capacity to make you angrier than anyone else in your life, and what in particular does he or she do to make you so angry?

I'd say it's a toss-up between Sparky and Beast. The particulars vary. Pouting and refusing to talk make regular appearances, though.

2) If you could mix three animals together, which ones would you choose to make the ultimate animal?

I think we have something like this going already in the platypus. And judging by that one, I think I'd sit this question out.

3) What is the last thing you regret buying?

The ice cream I forgot about during the party on Sunday. Now we have, like, 6 gallons of ice cream in the house. Sigh.

4) The final "Harry Potter" movie opened in theaters across the United States today. Did you attend a midnight showing overnight or do you plan to see the movie in a theater at some point in the future?

I probably will go sometime in the next week or so.

5) Some people have made the "Harry Potter" series a large part of their lives and are now depressed that the series is coming to its end. What is your take on the "Harry Potter" phenomenon overall? Are you a fan or do you not even care about the series at all?

I love the books. I like most of the movies. I think it's really cool, as I read elsewhere this week, that my son was fortunate enough to come of age during the craze. I still don't quite understand what is so (ahem, sorry) magical about these books. They really are pretty amazing.

6) What topic does not receive as much mainstream media coverage as it should?

Actual news. NOT gossip, not speculation, not screaming-at-each-other-talking-heads, not spin: actual NEWS. For instance, how many people in this country know that there's been a war going on in the Congo for ten years?

7) Did you ever keep a journal? What types of things did you write in your journal? Was it just written words or did you make drawings in it?

I did keep a diary off and on from age 10 through high school. I only wrote, and only sporadically. I'm not so good with follow-through.

8) What non-banking related card in your wallet/purse is the most valuable to you (library card, store loyalty card, business card, etc.)?

In theory, I would say my library card, even though I haven't actually used the card itself in years (I'm pretty sure the expiration date on it is 2007 or so), but I check stuff out at least 3 times a week on average.

9) Does your full name make any interesting anagrams (an anagram is a word, phrase, or sentence formed from another by rearranging its letters in case you didn't know)? You can use this link if you need help.

This one made me snort: "roach waltz thorns tutor."

10) Do you remember any of your recent dreams? Tell me about one (the weirder the better)

All I remember is that I'm having lots of dreams about college, have been for months. Don't remember anything specific from this week, though. I haven't been sleeping very well, but it's not the dreams keeping me awake.

W.T.F. Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
This Thursday comes with a disclaimer

1) These days almost everything comes with a disclaimer. Sometimes the disclaimer on TV commercials is longer than the description of the product itself. If you came with your own personal disclaimer, what would it say?

"Generally, this person is pretty forgiving, but she doesn't suffer fools gladly, so your mileage may vary. Watch for the explosive temper."

2) You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up?

Oh, any random NYC banker who was involved in the collapse of the economy will do.

3) Last week the Federal Drug Administration approved new packaging for cigarette packs that it hopes will discourage people from smoking. Some of the labels are very graphic. Do you think this is going too far or do you think the FDA is doing a good thing by making these labels?

Seriously, is ANYone going to read these and think it actually applies to them? Yeah, I didn't think so.

4) Many people I've known have lost their TV remotes only to find them later in their freezers or refrigerators. Where is the weirdest place you've left your TV remote?

Uhm, the kitchen, I guess, but just on the counter where I set it down when I went out there for a snack or something.

5) What is something you do when you're sad/depressed that really cheers you up (or at least helps bring you somewhat out of your funk)?

Listening to happy music helps, as does talking to people I like.

6) If I asked your past romantic partners if you were emotionally open, what would they say about you?

I have no idea. It's been 25+ years since I had a "past romantic partner" and I hope to hell Beast isn't going to talk to you about this!!

7) Sonic Drive-In has created a bunch of theme hot dogs for the summer (including a Chicago Dog, an All-American Dog, Baja Dog, New York Dog, and Chili Cheese Coney). With the Fourth of July coming up, surely many people will be eating hot dogs. What toppings do you eat on top of your hot dog?

I like cheese, onions, mustard, and ketchup. Yes, I am perfectly aware that makes me a heathen.

8) If Love Potion #9 is an elixir for love, what is your potion for moving on and dating again after a bad breakup?

I don't have a fucking clue. Really, think this through in light of the answer to #6. I guess my best advice is not to do anything stupid.

9) You have been given the opportunity to create a TV show of your own design -- any genre, any demographic, limitless budget. What is it called and what's the premise?

I'm sure there's a sitcom about libraries--note that I did NOT say "librarians"--out there that's just waiting to be done.

10) Last week a 14-year-old female Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix named Yoda won the 2011 World's Ugliest Dog Contest. Do you think she's really the world's ugliest dog or do you find some cuteness in her?

I like dogs. This one is amazingly wrinkly, but still kinda cute. Sorry, I'm a sucker for doggy eyes.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things in the Jumble at Work Today

1. Started with cataloging the "big books" of the cart that's been waiting the longest.
2. Moved on to kids' nonfiction series.
3. IM'd with Beast about various things.
4. Listened to Stereomood and found lots of new songs to add to Jango.
5. Talked to the boss about a couple of issues around reclassing adult graphic novels.
6. Sent a couple of emails 'assigning' that project to a coworker; we ended up emailing back and forth a few more times.
7. Ate random food at random times, but nothing horrifically unhealthy. Yay, me!
8. Talked to the circ supervisor about a possible change in the coding of DVDs suggested by the boss; circ person and I agree that this is a lot of work for not much real payoff.
9. Cataloged a LOT of music: new stuff, old stuff, kids' stuff, jazz, pop, rock, folk....
10. Cataloged 4 sets of travel DVDs--28 discs total.
11. Texted Beast a lot about the registration/orientation events he and Sparky were attending.
12. Worked on the Dead Deweys list from DDC23. Am confused about updates, since many are not in WebDewey. WTF?
13. Baked. It's hot and humid in the workroom (only) for some reason.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
What I Did Today

1. Update catalog stats report for Library Board
2. Update blog with stats
3. Create new counting sheets for T. and me + new withdrawal counting sheet for V.
4. Update list of new OCLC/barcode #s
5. Delete expired order records and forward list to section CollDev people
6. Run NEW THIS MONTH lists in Millennium
7. Run list of ITEMS IN PROCESSING BY DATE
8. Run DUPLICATE ORDER/ITEMS list (Bib list, order 19 = w AND item 79 HAS [us]; use current On Order list)
9. Clean up On Order Spread Sheet—delete all ‘red’ items
10. Compile numbers for collection development budget spreadsheet—copy into Excel budget worksheet for the month, then sort by cart name (and mat type for media) (don’t forget to check for multiple copies!!!)
11. Check subject headings list
12. Check closed death dates
13. Check Names/Dewey/LC/Typos/Series listserves

See why I love Stats Day?!

Seems familiar

found this at Library Tavern, and it looks familiar but I can't find that I've posted it before, so...

My online persona:

Cat. A. Loger's Dewey Decimal Section:
121 Epistemology

Class:
100 Philosophy & Psychology

Contains:
Books on metaphysics, logic, ethics and philosophy.

What it says about you:
You're a careful thinker, but your life can be complicated and hard for others to understand at times. You try to explain things and strive to express yourself.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

My real name:

016 Bibliographies of works on specific subjects

Class:
000 Computer Science, Information & General Works

Contains:
Encyclopedias, magazines, journals and books with quotations.

What it says about you:
You are very informative and up to date. You're working on living in the here and now, not the past. You go through a lot of changes. When you make a decision you can be very sure of yourself, maybe even stubborn, but your friends appreciate your honesty and resolve.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

Not sure which is closer to reality.