A Fitting End!!

Ok - it's New Year's Eve - and the Library is closing early. It's five o'clock, the last two customers are checking out (of course they both have problems that prohibit using self-checkout!!), the man who left the empty LLBean backpack in the lab comes running back in at the last second to get it (YEA!) and I'm ready to lock the doors

WHEN

the security guard calls that there's ONE MORE IN THE BATHROOM!

I vaguely remember seeing a tall man (actual size and race, etc. undetermined) enter the men's room but I hadn't really been watching. Now I ask if he's still in there and if he knows we're closed. She said he's not responding to her calls, so she and I venture into the public men's room - an adventure devotely to be missed! - and I yell and she bangs on the locked stall door. No reaction at all - all I can see are feet!

Back out to the Help Desk where a cold wind is blowing - OH NO - the automatic door isn't automatically closing!! - and a call to 911. The dispatcher and I chuckle over the fact that there's a man locked in the men's room stall who won't respond to banging or yelling. At her request I have a male staff member check over the door to ensure the man is breathing - he comes back to say the man's passed out with his pants around this knees!

Minutes later the fire department and the police arrive - firemen with sledge hammers and various tools to break down the door. Luckily that's not necessary - the police are able (somehow) to rouse the man, get his pants up and out the non-working automatic door!

I turn off the automatic door, pull it closed, secure it with our high-tech bike chain and lock and we're FINALLY off for New Year's and 2008!

It had been such a quiet day! Goodbye 2007!! A fitting end!

Pa$$w0rd$

Have you realized just how many passwords we all have?? There are the ones for our personal email (or emails if you have more than one and who doesn't??!!), the passwords to log into the network (and maybe your home computer!). Passwords for blogs, wikis, webpages, banks, shopping, SO MANY PASSWORDS!

And the requirements for some of them - upper & lower case, numbers and letters and/or symbols - not to be repeated for at least 7 iterations. Is it any wonder that we get one or two and use them over and over and over again! All security type people, just cover your eyes and deal with it! The alternative is to write them all down (and then remember where you kept the list.)

This all came up because it was time for me to change my network password. The system kindly lets me know about 14 days in advance of the "oh no you can't use THAT anymore!" message and I've been thinking of what one to use. I know that I'll be typing the old one for several days so I wanted something that would fit all the requirements yet be easy for me to remember. I know it's supposed to be random and not easily guessed - well all I can say is that it can't be too random or I'll never remember it!

The network password has been changed - whew - and so has the password on my phone which goes and gets email from work (that reminder was MUCH more annoying than the one from the computer at work!) so all should be well for the next few months - until once again I have to come up with a memorable yet random and not easily guessed password of at least 8 characters!

The Kennedy Center performance of My Fair Lady was very good - the lead was Dana DeLisa - what a beautiful and powerful voice! Henry Higgins was good, but Tim Jerome as Alfred Doolittle stole the show! He was wonderfully funny and has a great voice!

Our seats were great - except for the woman in front of me who had to adjust everything all the time - hair, necklace, collar, jacket off, on, off again! Anyway there were a couple of times I couldn't see too well but for the most part everything was wonderful!

I'm really looking forward to the next production we're going to see - Lion King!!

Podcasts, Vodcasts and Libraries

I looked at various libraries and how they're using podcasts and vodcasts and was impressed with much of what's out there. I was most impressed with those libraries that formatted their pages in such a way that no additional software was needed. For example - clicking on a podcast of a book review at Denver Public Library opened Windows media player and began immediately - no need to go to iTunes or Juice or anywhere else!

I think it's important that we make any podcasts available as easily as possible and, to the best of our ability, not require any additional downloading.

I think that using this technology for book reviews - during Summer Reading Club especially - would be wonderful! Vodcasts could also be used to market various parts of the collection - maybe collages of travel pictures and books with reviews by people who've actually traveled there!

Podcasts of the monthly programming schedules at the library could allow customers (especially those with limited vision) to keep up with lectures, training, and special events in the library. Having this information pushed to customers automatically would increase the scope of our publicity and increase our program attendance.

It's a brand new world out there and, despite the fact that I don't listen to them, I can easily see the virtue of the Library using podcasts to reach out to customers.

Podcasts

I know they are out there - I've read the articles and looked for some podcasts - but, to be honest, I'm just not interested! I listened to podcasts from Meet the Press and I prefer the TV show! I don't listen to the radio, (unless I don't have an audio book!), I have an iPod and barely use it - although I do have some audio books on it!! (One of the NPR podcasts I did listen to was this one!)

(I don't want to have to download any client(s) or have another account anywhere - I mean really - Google, Yahoo, Meebo, PBWiki, Wikispaces - I'm having trouble keeping up with user IDs and passwords as it is!!)

I can see where having podcasts of lectures would be helpful for training purposes - for example, LCDT sessions that people couldn't attend might do well as podcasts or vodcasts. I think it would benefit us to video the main speakers at All Staff Day (with permission of course) and extract YouTube videos as well as podcasts and vodcasts.

Personally, I'll stick with reading webpages and watching TV!

(Example of what I was thinking: Conversations with Stephen Abram)

The Adventures of Super Librarian - YouTube

I chose this video because I saw it at the YouTubey awards at Computers in Libraries 2007! I think that YouTube would be a great place to advertise programs or even virtual tours of the libraries. It would also be a good place for some tutorials - perhaps on RFID tagging, self-checkout etc.

I subscribe to the Common Craft videos and have registered with the Royal Channel (love those Christmas broadcasts from the Queen!!).

As with other Web 2.0 sites, tagging is important and allows the user to find videos based on keywords or subjects. I've found LOTS using Library, Library 2.0, Web 2.0 etc. Not all are worth watching but there have been some gems!

I also like this one! It's a little long - but reminiscent for those of us over 50??!

One More Thing!!

I just had to play with this image generator before I left for DC - how fun!



If you click on the cover, you'll go to the site I used - choose the "Dummies book cover"!!

Year-End (almost)

The year is almost over – and, although it means another year older, I'm pretty happy that it's almost done! It's been a roller coaster year and, although it's ending on a upswing, there's always that fear/anticipation of the free fall at the top of the hill!

My mother's health is good – much improved over the middle of the year when she was in the hospital and the outlook was grim. She's home, mobile and doing well. We just have to appreciate every day that's left to us and cherish our time together.

My personal life is doing well too! We're getting things settled in at home and, so far, the commute hasn't been horrendous for Don! (And I'm enjoying the TRUCK!!). My children are well - happy and healthy - and I can't ask for more than that!

I am buying a new hot water heater for the townhouse (very unexpected) but hopefully that will cure some of the leaking problems Scott & Michelle have had to deal with over the year. (Of course we thought it was "cured" before! Darn QUEST piping!!)

I have plans for the house – pending budgets and time and all the planets lining up in the right order!! We'll see how much actually gets done at this time in 2008!!

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year and a prosperous 2008!

Now - I'm off to get my hair cut and go to the Kennedy Center to see My Fair Lady!

December 26 - continued

Ok - so now I'm at the drive-up window on a cold, windy, rainy night - and no one's driving up! So I'm playing with some of the Flickr programs that permit playing!



And having some fun!!

PS - I used the same program to add Karly's name to the Christmas Eve post about her!

December 26

It's the day after Christmas and I'm back at work! Battling wind, rain and post-holiday shoppers I made it on time!

Christmas was fun - good time with the kids (men) and good food and vegging most of the day - who knew that Survivorman would have a marathon!!

I got to see my favorite Christmas movie (see the picture) and have even seen where you can buy copies of the "leg lamp" - maybe next year!

A Christmas Eve Baby!

Karly arrived at 2 on Christmas Eve morning - 7 lb 4 oz - healthy and well!

What a wonderful gift!

A New Baby

We just had word that there's going to be a new baby in the family very soon!

Mommy & Dad are on the way to the hospital and a little girl is on her way into the world!

Mom sounded well, happy and excited (Dad was driving!!)

Looking forward to the pictures for sure!

A Trip to the Vet

Today, Lady Cleo had to go to the vet for a regular checkup and a rabies shot.

She was extremely good - no hissing, spitting or growling! But the news wasn't all good! The madame weighed 17 lbs. 11 oz - up from 16 lbs at her last checkup a little over a year ago!

Soooo - the vet uttered those fateful words "she needs to be on a diet!!" She asked if we were "free feeding" her (answer: no) and if she had lots of treats (answer: no). So the next step was reducing the amount of canned food she gets from 1/2 of a small can twice a day to 1/4 of a small can twice a day - to be mixed with some drops to improve her coat! And her dry food will be measured (as it is now).

We're to weigh her every two weeks or so to see if we're on the right track - otherwise it may have to be prescription diet food instead of the Iams Weight Control!!

The good news is that she's been chasing Quincy around and, since they eat the same thing, Quincy's also going to be on a diet! (So he won't look like he swallowed a bowling ball!!) Hopefully the added exercise with help them both!!

Hmmmm ....

Someone - who shall remain nameless - thinks that my "little" Quincy is going to look like this before too long!

I THINK NOT!!

He has "filled out" some since coming inside from under the house - but he's not FAT!

Oceanfront Library

Oceanfront Library,
originally uploaded by VBDiane.

In my other post (with Quincy's picture) I totally forgot to include the picture that I tagged with VBPL_L2 - silly me!

I'm blaming it on the holidays - that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Take_a_seat

I want these chairs!!

Extra Extra

I really enjoyed playing with the mashups and additional apps available for Flickr. I particularly enjoyed Delivr - it lets you create e-cards with your pictures by simply adding a line of HTML to the picture description. Then, if someone clicks on the picture there is an option to create a card!

Fun!! I added the link to the two pictures of the library - old and new! Try it out!

Tag You're It - Flickr!

Tagging allows people to organize their photos in a very personal way. The words used are important to the person using them - making it especially easy to find the material again in a sea of photos! The use of common words and phrases rather than a pre-determined list of words makes finding commonalities all that much easier.

Tags mean I can type in Oceanfront or Library or "Virginia Beach" or VBPL_L2 (or better yet all of them) and find a nice picture of Oceanfront Library on Flickr! Using the Library tag means I'll find that picture (eventually) as well as the rest of the self-described community of Library photos! I'll also find a pretty good picture of the old Oceanfront Library!!

Try it and see for yourself!

Quincy

Quincy,
originally uploaded by VBDiane.

This is a terrible picture of the Q Man but it was one that was on the flash drive I had at work!! So - while I was creating a Flickr account, and uploading pictures (for some reason the work computer would let me upload photos fine but not a separate icon for my account). It forced me to upload the photo and then move over to the icon - not impossible but more work!

I like Flickr - I like all the photos but I'm not a good picture taker (and I certainly don't want MY picture up there more than absolutely necessary) so I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I do have some pictures on my MySpace page too - so many pages so little time for upkeep!!

Tagging is critical and I love the fact that I'm not constricted by pre-determined tagging. I add lots of words in hopes I will be able to find what I'm looking for again! SIGH!

Less than a week until Christmas!

What a great picture!

I found it at anvilcloud.blogspot.com!


The black kitty looks a lot like Quincy (except Quincy would NEVER let me put a hat or collar on him!!) The second cat on the left looks a lot like Cleo but, again, hats and collars would get me bloody!!

Web 2.0 Award Winners

An interesting list - and I think the most interesting part was that I've actually already used or experimented with many of the tools listed!

• Del.icio.us
• Facebook
• iGoogle
• Technorati (as mentioned before - not comprehensive!)
• Bloglines
• Library Thing
• Google Docs
• Meebo
• Feedburner
• PBWiki
• Flickr
• Rollyo
• YouTube
• Netvibes

I particularly like iGoogle - it keeps important things all together - on my home page is my Google Reader, the weather, and special gadgets for important dates - birthdays etc. iGoogle also has tabs (always good!) and I have a tab for news, fun things (I'll admit to People Headlines), and one for mail where even at work I can see the preview of my GMail. It's also my home page at home and, since it's web-based, what I add at home shows up at work!

There are tons of things to add - but I think I have enough!!

Technorati

As I said, I've not spent a lot of time "playing" with Technorati - I do have an account, I have claimed my blog and I actually have a watchlist - although I must be honest and admit I don't "watch" it very much!

This post is to try the tagging as was suggested in Thing 18 of the 30 Things! We'll see how it works and if it's something that I want to do in the future!

Technorati tag: VBPLL2

Tagging

I've been using delicious for a few weeks now and have to admit that it's so much easier to have my bookmarks online and available at whatever computer I happen to be using. I also enjoy looking at bookmarks others have collected - although I haven't actually bookmarked anything for anyone else nor have I had someone bookmark something for me! (I have high hopes though!)

I particularly like the fact that I don't have to worry about organizing the bookmarks as I'm adding them - the tags take care of all that! I don't have to worry about alphabetizing or making sure that the bookmark is in the right folder (as I do on the browser - unless I want a huge list to go through!). The ability to have multiple tags (descriptors) for each site also helps to ensure that I actually can find a site again!

I'm very pleased that the delicious buttons installed easily at work (as a toolbar that can be turned off and on) - it makes adding things possible and keeps me from forgetting where things are! I have been known to email myself URLs so I don't lose them!!

(I've also been able to save the Google Reader "subscribe" button in the favorites "links" but that's another story!)

As you can see in the sidebar, I've added my badge from delicious - feel free to look at my bookmarks and, if you want, please add me to your network! From the sidebar, you'll also see that I have a Technorati account too - but I must admit I've been lax in exploring all aspects of that site. Soon I hope!

Shopping - UGH

Today was the first time I've been to a mall (actually walking around and shopping) for over two years - and I remember why!

Too many people, too frantic, too much noise (screaming children, yelling children, discordant music - some Christmas, some rock).

I did some shopping online before going to the mall - MUCH nicer way to shop! Oh well, I have more trips to make!

Happy Holidays!

Shopping in 1999

Too funny!

Friendship

I had a terrific evening with some special friends - a great time talking, complaining, explaining and commiserating! All the things that friends are for!

My wish for everyone this holiday season is for you to have good friends like mine - celebrate them!

Animated Quincy

He's gone - but not forgotten! It was fun and I enjoyed having him but the beauty of blogs or MySpace pages or webpages in general is that change is inevitable! There were other things I've seen that I thought might be interesting or fun to have on this page, but there's a limit before things look a bit crowded!

I still have the site on delicious and can reinstate him at a later date if I choose!

I'll just have to bore and (possibly) annoy you with something else for a while!

Technology - AARRGGGG!

I love technology and I HATE technology!! Whew I feel better now!

After a busy day of Service Awards - congrats to that team! - I came home to find that my laptop was connecting to the router but no futher - bummer! Restarting the laptop didn't help - double bummer! Resetting the wireless router - still nothing - now I'm getting "upset"! Checking the dsl modem - all green, but there's a switch up there too - hummm that looks suspicious - so reset all of those - switches, routers, modems - EVERYTHING. Still nothing!

Let me see - most of my neighbors have secured networks - but I do know the password to one - let me try that - NO GO!! Trying to connect but not! Wait - there's an unsecured network - let's try that - NO - starting to want to slam the computer!!

Finally looking to see what networks are available - and mine (really strong signal!) flashes: acquiring IP address, connected with limited access, connected!

YEA!! Happy Days!!

Question - what happened?? Answer - who knows?? But for now computers are connected! Yippee!!

My MySpace - My Facebook

I have both a Facebook and a MySpace account. (unfortunately I can't give a link to the Facebook account, you have to be registered to see it!) I had the MySpace first and, maybe because it was originially used mostly by younger people, I find it easier and more fun to use. My profile on MySpace is much more "evolved" and complicated although I've joined some library-related groups on Facebook. There are tons of layouts available for MySpace and add-on apps for both.

I don't play games (either on social network sites or otherwise) and I'm not big on a lot of those kind of additional apps, but I like being able to post videos that I like and have music that I like.

I use MySpace to keep in touch with friends and family, although I'm just as likely to send email! For kids, I can see this as a progression from the telephone. When I was a teen (yes, we did have telephones then, and they weren't all black! but they did have rotary dials) talking to your friends on the phone was what we did - now the kids can text, IM or comment online. Since MySpace has IM, email and blogging - everything is in one place - they can use that easily (and they don't have to be at home!).

MySpace - YourSpace

The question for "Thing 15" is "Should VBPL have a MySpace account?"

A better question to ask first is - "What do we want from our MySpace/Facebook account (since we really might as well have both!)?" Until we answer why we want a MySpace account and what we want to do with it, having one becomes just another case of "we have to have it because it exists" and that's just not a good enough reason!

If we want to go where our teens/tweens and adults are - then a MySpace/Facebook (don't forget Ning and all the others!) may be viable - but that begs the question (again) - what do we want to do with it(them)? (And, coincidentally, who's going to do all the maintaining!)

Simply being there. without constant monitoring and updating, is a waste of the time it took to create the page and would only serve to make VBPL look dorky in the eyes of the very people we want to attract!

So - should VBPL have social networking accounts? Yes but ONLY after the questions have been answered.

(PS if you click on the picture of my MySpace account above, you'll go directly to my MySpace page! Enjoy - be aware that music does auto-start!)

To Everyone!

More Free Graphics at pYzam.com

Book A Month Challenge

You learn such interesting things reading RSS feeds in your reader! I found a link to a link to a new blog and a new idea! Book a Month Challenge.

"Welcome to the Book A Month (BAM) Challenge. Right around the first of the month, every month, we’ll be posting a theme. All you have to do is read a book that corresponds to that theme and post a review, either on your own website/blog and comment with a link to it or in the comments for the post itself. Pretty simple, right? This is perfect for those looking to fulfill their New Year’s Resolution of “read more books”. See you around January 1st!"

This sounds like such fun - and a good incentive to read new things and keep on blogging!

Human Filtering

In this case, the library won!

Director's Station & JAVA

Whew - three hours of an on-line training and an 80+ page manual! But what a fascinating program! It's going to be interesting to get in and play with it and see exactly what kind of information is living in our ILS database! That's Director's Station!!


The Java Client is up and running and doing well - there are some glitches - but they're small ones and relatively easy to work around. The display is wonderful and so much better than the old C Client! And scrolling!! We now have REAL scrolling!!

Lots of training and changes this week! (I just need to remember to configure the printers at each computer I log into!!)

Open Lab Day @ Oceanfront

Today is one of our Open Lab days - we have a lab - we're going to use it! It's great to see 6 staff members (friends) busily working on their Library 2.0 Things!

We'll have more in the future! Check our wiki for the days & times!

Links & Tool Bars

My browser's bars are getting crowded! I use IE7 most of the time at home (mostly because it plays nicely with the City's web Outlook!) and I've been adding favorites to my links bar to make them easier to find (it's faster than favorites) and, while I like the tabs, I find too many of them are just annoying!

In addition to my favorite blogs & wikis (the one's I contribute to mostly!) I've added the Google Reader "subscribe" button (heaven help I would have to find an icon or copy a URL!!) and, of course, the delicious buttons - I do love having my faves all online and available wherever I go!

BTW - we discovered that the delicious buttons can be added to the browsers at work - we've been madly adding them to the "manned" computers at the help desk and the drive up window for those times we find just the right site! (I haven't tried adding the Google Reader subscribe button but I will!!) I like the fact you can share bookmarks (favorites) and see what others are saving! (I think we get to social bookmarking later in our Library 2.0 training - but I really like it and just couldn't help talking about it now!!)

AH TECHNOLOGY! Geeks are me!!

UPDATE: I was able to add the "subscribe" button from Google Reader - I'm a happy (lazy) camper now!!

Settling In – Settling Down

We're getting there, slowly but surely!

Don's stuff is here (we cleaned the garage in anticipation of the move – I enjoyed seeing the floor for that brief time!!) and today is the first day of his "commuter life". He's on the road to Richmond and work. Yesterday he worked from home while I worked from - WORK! The cats were happy because they didn't have to wait until 9:30 to eat – down to just one night a week for that now! He'll be back Thursday (if no crisis occurs that requires him to remain in Richmond) and work from home again on Friday (and Saturday and Sunday if necessary!!).

Helping clean the apartment and pack has been an inspiration – we got home and I cleaned out a cabinet in the kitchen and Don cleaned the pantry – three bags of garbage later … ! Honestly, it's amazing how much "stuff" accumulates when you aren't looking! The cabinet wasn't one that I really "use" all that much but still was full of what I must have thought was vitally important stuff at one time! But I'm definitely in a "clean and clear" frame of mind – "when in doubt throw it out" has become my motto! Especially if I haven't used (or even seen) the thing in months or, more likely, years!

If I truly need that item in the future (whenever that might be) I'll just have to go get another one! (BTW – that's probably why I have more than one anyway – I couldn't find the one I already had, so I went out and bought another one and somehow they "found" each other in the cabinet!) It's a conspiracy – it must be – it certainly isn't MY fault!

Reader's Advisory Wiki

This was interesting as I've not used Wikispaces before and I was interested in the differences (which were actually few). I found the layout easy to navigate and editing straightforward. I like the tabbed display.

I don't like ads (sorry) and I appreciate that Pbwiki allows the creation of "educational" wikis without ads. I didn't research Wikispaces to find out if they have a similar option.

I'll be going back to see what others contribute as staff picks - I'm always looking for new books/authors!

Wiki Wiki Who's Got the Wiki

This week we're learning about wikis and how they're used in various settings. Two teams that I'm on have had wikis for approximately 8 months and I've found them very useful.

• Available from any "connected" computer
• No additional software needed
• Easily edited
• Great place to keep a variety of information together - forms, minutes, ideas, etc.

I've been using a wiki during this Learning 2.0 at the Beach program to gather all the readings, links and videos in one place! Blogs are chronological and posts will "fall off" the page (into archives to be sure, but not "seen"!) while a wiki can organize the materials into logical pages. Our wiki is a fast way for anyone to go back to find readings, videos and other resources without having to search archives or remember dates. Our wiki is open to everyone but it does require a password to edit. Our password is: Library. Feel free to edit away!

I can see wikis becoming more and more important to teams in the library - as collaborative tools that could take the place of some face-to-face meetings, especially when planning events or programs. Having a "holding place" for all the ideas and suggestions that occur during brainstorming is wonderful - without the need for flipcharts or smelly markers! The ability to add information, edit and re-arrange material without having to leave your building will become more and more important as staffing becomes tighter and tighter! (NOTE: Wireless will become more and more important as we start to use this technology. It may be that a couple team members can meet in person while other members are remote - wireless would allow the meeting to occur where people were most comfortable and not crammed around an already crowded desk! - my editorial comment is now over! )

In addition to internal use, wikis could be a wonderful tool for our "external" customers too. As other libraries have done, having a wiki that allows customers to add content (Best Books, etc.) would be wonderful. It would allow the library to truly connect with our customers and could help in developing our collections to provide the materials our customers want! I would like to explore how other libraries are using wikis in combination with their ILS and online catalogs! Something to think about for the future.

Christmas Trees and Quincy

It's been a very long time since a young cat was in the house - and I'd totally forgotten how inquisitive and funny they are!

My old tree was beyond help and went to the dump - so it was definitely necessary to get a new one. I set it up yesterday and immediately Quincy was part of the action! He was batting at the branches and hiding underneath the tree whenever he was out of the box! (Luckily he didn't try to actually climb the tree!)

Later, when I was putting on the ornaments (not a complete job because of so much "help") he was fascinated with the dangling things! And some made noise too - how fun is that!?? It fairly put him into a frenzy - racing around the downstairs in excitment! He wanted in the ornament box - not happening - and he wanted to see everything - and I mean everything!

This morning there was a round ornament on the floor - surprise!- and Quincy was on top of the chair acting innocent! I'll have to make sure all the ornaments near the bottom are unbreakable, but since he jumps so high that might not save anything!

Another "Blonde" Moment

One of my favorite videos - even tho it does give blondes a bad name - good thing I'm not blonde then huh??!!

Pets at Thanksgiving

I've been remiss - probably because of all the moving and stuff - but I wanted to let everyone know how the cats and dog got along on Thanksgiving.

It was actually quite funny. Quincy & Cleo were hanging out - Quincy on the ottoman in the family room, Cleo on the floor next to the sofa. The doorbell rang - Scott, Michelle and 7 arrived. 7 was somewhat of a surprise because I'd been told she was probably going to stay home! But she's a good girl and always welcome!

Quincy took one look and bolted for upstairs - hardly touching the stairs on the way up! Cleo, who met 7 last year, actually walked up to 7 and went nose to nose. She (Cleo) carefully raised one paw and barely reached out to 7 - they were bonding!

Cleo then turned her back on the dog and walked into the kitchen. 7 being the curious dog she is walked up behind Cleo to do the "doggy hello". Cleo looked like a ninja! All 20 pounds of her went straight up, did a 180 degree turn and slapped that dog right across the face with a hiss and a spit!

7 was, of course, startled and backed up (momentarily). Cleo bolted for upstairs (and her other enemy - Quincy). 7 started to follow but was called back!! She promptly forgot about cats and focused more on turkey, ham and other goodies!

I later went looking for the cats (since they hadn't been down for a long time) and found them both under the king-size bed - one under the upper right corner and one under the lower left corner! They were turned away from each other under the premise that if they couldn't see each other it was ok!

Once 7 (and Scott & Michelle) went home, both cats came downstairs and went immediately to their food bowls!

It was a very funny moment - and a bit of excitment in a relatively quiet day (if you don't count the football games which I don't!!).

PS - in case anyone's wondering - 7 is not named for the character on Star Trek - her name comes from the fact that she is pet number 7 for my son!

Winter at Arlington

While we were in Northern Virginia, I made the trip to Arlington Cemetery with the Christmas wreaths for the graves. My father, my step-father and my husband are all buried at Arlington and it's an annual trip to decorate their graves for Christmas.

My step-father's grave is fairly easy to find (he's buried with his first wife). My father is buried near the old ampitheater and also fairly easy to find but my husband's grave is in a newer section across from the Pentagon. When he was first there it was very easy to find his grave - three headstones apart from the others by a tree on MacArthur Blvd. Over the past 6 years, however, Arlington has been filling in the area and it's harder and harder each time I go to find his grave. So many new graves each time.

In fact, there were two full-military funerals while we were there. The crack of the rifles echoed over the area, the white horses were pulling the caisson and the flags were snapping in the breeze. It is so moving, so sad and, for me, very emotional. There is such pain at Arlington - and such beauty. And no matter what time of the year I go (and I go often!) there are visitors walking around the cemetery - the Tomb of the Unknowns, JFK's gravesite, RFK's grave and, of course, Arlington House itself. President Taft's grave is there as are so many famous (and not-so-famous) people.

As I said in an earlier post - I like cemeteries and, to me, there is not another one like Arlington. It is so beautiful and so sad.

IM & Me

I've used Instant Messaging for years. I use it to keep in touch with people who aren't "in the neighborhood" and to save money on long-distance telephone charges (that used to be more important in the days before free long-distance on cell phones!!). I use it because it's more immediate than email - more like having a conversation, not writing a letter (or a journal entry!).

I have been part of the IM work at VBPL also. I have worked several IM sessions and find it fun and enjoyable. I'm hoping that business picks up with increased publicity about the service, including word-of-mouth from those who have ventured to ask questions!

The questions I have received have been good ones - primarily basic ones - with some exceptions! One question even led to an additional statement in the Adult Registration Policy to say that people with Powers of Attorney may get library cards for the named individuals - now there's an example of IM at work! This was a busy mother of 4 who may not have had extra time to spend at the library asking questions, but who was looking at our webpage and noticed that we were online and asked!

IM is poised to become the "ready reference" desk and who better to answer those "I wonder what ..." questions than library staff?? After all, we'll research our answers and give sources - and allow follow-up questions!!

IM & Us

Libraries need to meet their customers where they are - that's certainly not a new or a particularly inspired idea! IM is just one way of our doing that! Along with our telephone services, our 24/7 online resources and our "bricks and morter" facilities, IM allows us to reach out and provide information.

IM is a tool - nothing more or less than that! As we learned to adapt to email (and the telephone for that matter) we can adapt to using IM! It's actually fun! and although our customers may be faster or more in-tune with the jargon (well, for some of us of a certain age that may be more true than for others!) there's no reason we can't answer questions and provide needed information online as well as in person or over the telephone!

Libraries need to be significant in the community - to matter in order to remain part of the community and to continue to be funded with taxpayer money. Libraries have to take the extra steps to reach out to all our customers - and that includes using Instant Messaging. This isn't cutting edge technology - it's reality!

Moving

Thanksgiving is over and the weekend has been busy! Since Don is going to be telecommuting for a while we've been moving things! On Saturday we came up to Richmond and got things ready - Sunday packed the truck (or rather the packers who were here for carrying the heavy stuff and worth every penny) packed the truck.

Don & I drove to Northern Virginia Sunday night - a nightmare drive that normally takes about 2 hours and took over 2.5 hours - and unpacked Monday (again with wonderful unloaders who were worth their money!). (We're staging his townhouse for sale (hopefully in the spring) so some things (like extra tables & bed) went up there.)

Monday night we even got to sleep in the bed (and not the air-mattress on the floor!!). Tuesday - and we're back in Richmond and all the stuff going to Va Beach is in the garage waiting for the truck (another one!) tomorrow. Packing the truck and heading south! No packers this time - mostly boxes and a couch for a kid!

Then unpacking and Don comes back to Richmond to clean the apartment (not much to do there!) and move a few things to a room he's rented in a house near his work!

So, boys & girls, that's how I spent my Thanksgiving vacation!!

Thanksgiving

Today is a day for relaxing with family & friends, enjoying wonderful food and giving thanks for all the good things we have. So here are the things I'm thankful for:

I have a lovely Mom, who's doing well, a great brother and sister (his wife!) as well as a terrific niece and nephew.

My boys (not really boys any more but grown men with lives of their own!) are my favorite people in the world! Better people would be hard to find! And they're finding great people to be with them in their lives.

My friends are fantastic people who help me celebrate the good times and weather the bad ones! It's such a blessing to have such friends - to be able to call and say HELP and know they'll be there - thank you!!

I also have a partner who's good for and to me - and I'm very thankful that he's going to be living here more often! Next step - working down here! Hopefully soon.

Anyway - whenever I get "snarky" I remind myself of all these good things in my life and realize how well I have it!!

PS - Oh yes, and I can't forget the four-legged "people" in my life - Cleo & Quincy - they certainly make life more interesting! And "7" my Grand-dog - she's sweet and young and just wanted to play with the kitties - honest!!

Week 4 - and the Fun Continues!

We're in week 4 of our Learning 2.0 training - and it's increasingly fun to see how people are getting into the process and getting into blogging! Adding their friends' blogs into their readers and finding other blogs and sites of interest. There are so many out there! It's fun to find new ones to read - but after a few days it can seem like way too much information!! Have to love the "mark all as read" button! I'm looking forward to next week (and all the upcoming weeks)!!

It's a short work week - Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a wonderful day with all their family and friends. My family will be over for the traditional turkey, ham and fixings - we'll all eat more than we should and veg in front of the TV! I'm hoping there's something on besides football - but I bet that's what the boys will want to watch!

(I can't wait to see how Quincy and Cleo get along with my son's dog!! Cleo met her last year and after one look went upstairs and stayed under the bed!! I have no idea what Quincy will do when he meets her!)

Happy BIrthday to my Mom!!

I'm so very glad you're here and doing so well! Many, many more! I love you!

Finding a Feed

This week we were to look at various ways to find feeds to put in our brand-new readers! I looked at Technorati and Feedster as well as the Bloglines search tool. All of them (except Feedster!) gave me new feeds - and access to new blogs. Unfortunately, Feedster is undergoing a change/upgrade and wasn't available for viewing or searching! Oh well!!

I liked the listings I got on Technorati - and the fact that, in addition to the actual blogs, it gave lists of the tags (labels) used so I could broaden or narrow my search! I haven't created an account on Technorati and don't know that I will - but it's an interesting concept!

Some of the most unusual and some of the best feeds I have found have been inside other feeds! If I find a blog or site that is of particular interest, I try to follow links located in the posts. I often find another blog or source of good/funny/interesting "stuff". I then add that to my reader! Additionally, I read the blogs of friends and they will often have links, either in their posts, or as a list on their website of sites they like to read. I will check out some of those and frequently come up with new feeds that way!!

My reading is broadened considerably and the amount of work/time that it takes is less because of feeds and readers! LOVE IT!!

RSS - What a Relief!!

This week in our Learning 2.0 we're learning about RSS Feed Readers. There are two very popular ones - Bloglines (it's been around longer) and Google Reader (part of the huge Google empire!).

I have accounts in both - for comparison purposes - but I have to admit a bias toward Google! I think it's easier to use, more intuitive and gives a better interface! I think, too, that Google Labs will continue to update and improve the Reader at a faster rate that Bloglines can achieve. My shared account at Google is here.

Having said that!! My shared account at Bloglines is here - but I'll be very honest - this is only a SMALL fraction of the total number of feeds I have at Google!! There are almost 50 there!! I do share some of the posts from my Google Reader on my blog - it's a simple process and allows me to add only those posts that I think might be of interest to others!

I appreciate RSS more every day - technology, libraries and the world is changing so fast and there's SO MUCH out there that's there's no way anyone could possibly keep up with the changes and advances that are happening. RSS allows me to quickly read headlines (or full posts) to determine if it's something that's pertinent to what I'd doing at the moment. I can keep up without spending tons of time searching (sometimes fruitlessly) through the Internet.

The one problem I've had is that some sites have SO much published all the time and I've found myself deleting feeds that are just too much or not enough on the topics I want to follow. For example: I signed up for the Today Show feed - but there was SO much that really didn't interest me that I gave it up!

As for Bloglines vs. Google - either works - I simply prefer Google! I also prefer a web-based reader. I have Internet Explorer 7 at home as well as Outlook 2007. Both of those, as well as Firefox, gather RSS feeds. The problem is that those feeds are only available from the computer with those programs!! Google & Bloglines are available anywhere and that's vital in the world of "on the go"!

PS - I've added a playlist of some of my favorite songs at the bottom of the blog - it doesn't aut0-start but feel free to listen or choose the song you'd like to hear!

Cat Cartoon

In case you haven't seen it!!

Animated Quincy

Ok - I had fun with the poll and I truly appreciate everyone who voted on whether Animated Quincy should stay or not! Of the people who voted - everyone thought he should stay (to one extent or the other!!) so he's here for a while longer!

The non-virtual Q has been a real pill today - he picked a fight with Cleo (she was sleeping on the bed - OH NO!) and he's been relentless in wanting to go outside!

(This picture was taken before he moved "inside" for life!! or until he escapes again!)

What a Great Idea!

I was reading archived articles in a blog and found a report from YALSA on the positives of Social Networking! Down around page 6 (of this 23 page report) I found this:

I recommended tailoring school assignments to incorporate new technologies. Instead of a traditional 5 paragraph biography report, have middle or high school students create a MySpace style page for an artist, writer, scientist, etc. What would Honest Abe's page look like? Who would be in his friends list? What kind of music was popular in his era? What were his interests? What would his blog of daily life look like? And, of course, sources for all info would have to be cited, and music and photos and quotes would have to be used in accordance with fair use... such an assignment would meet our teens where they are and create an opportunity to discuss "what does it mean to have someone on your friends list?" and "how does one obtain permission to add a song or photo?" and "what measures could Abe take if he didn't want to be found in this directory?"

What a fun project this would be!! And how much more enjoyable for the students (and the teacher!!) to do and read!

Young Adult Library Services Association

A Division of the American Library Association

yalsa@ala.org - 800-545-2433 x 4390 - www.ala.org/yalsa

See the rest of this great report here!

Too Too Funny!

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What a Picture!

This picture was sent to me in an email - I haven't researched ownership and I can only hope the person doesn't mind my sharing! I just love it!

Excitement!!

I'm so excited - there are new blogs popping up and it's fun to see them!

It's going to be fun to see all the different ways people will have to personalize their blog.

Can you tell I'm so pleased that we're moving forward with Library 2.0, Web 2.0 - whatever you want to call it!

21st Century - we'll get there sooner rather than later!!

Veteran's Day Vandals

This is just so sad. Regardless of anyone's political leanings, or feelings about the war, this was a memorial that could speak to everyone.

If you are against the war - the number of flags is truly amazing - and a visual reminder of the losses suffered.

If you have lost someone in this war - the flags are a memorial to their loss and your pain.

Either way, the flags were a peaceful, powerful comment on our collective loss and the price we're all paying every day.

As the article said - it was probably kids - and I can only hope they can come to realize the horror the rest of us feel at their actions. I hope they feel the full weight of guilt and pain that others who see the destruction feel.

(And I hope, if their parents find out about their involvement, that punishment will be swift and effective. This is NOT acceptable by anyone!)

Learning 2.0 Week 2

Well, I've had very 2.0 discussions about Library 2.0!!

In addition to talking face-2-face with people, I've had email discussion with more distant friends!! It's interesting to see how much we think alike - using our own words and phrases!! And, using email, we were able to build on each other's thoughts - and, at least for me, to further clarify my own opinions!

My idea of what Library 2.0 is/can be/should be: (adapted and clarifed with conversations!!)

Library 2.0 means connecting with our customers in the ways and at the times that the customers want. It means having the information they want in the formats they want. Library 2.0 means using the tools available to connect with our customers - of all ages and it also means adapting to new technologies as they come! We do not need to be the first, necessarily, to test new technologies, but we should not be the last either!

Library 2.0 means keeping current with new trends and being able to evaluate the ones of value to the organization and the community. Library 2.0 is acknowledging that the customer may actually know what he wants! I think a goal for Library 2.0 would be to have the Library realize it can no longer be the arbiter of "what the customer should know" but rather it must become a provider of "what the customer WANTS to know"!

Holiday Weekend

It's the Veteran's Day holiday weekend and I must admit that I'm very glad that I have all three days off!

I've already booked repair people to come in on Monday - I'm truly hopeful that the refridgerator isn't "dead" just "sick"!! I am hoping (someday) to redo the kitchen and that would include new appliances - but I'm not ready to do that now and not piece by piece!! Oh well - we'll see what happens.

In the meantime - I'm going to use this time for reflection on the sacrifices that the military men and women have made for our country. I'm so very grateful and so proud of all of them. I hope we do as well for them as they have done and are doing for us.

Relaxation

We had a fantastic relaxation 1/2 hour today! A very nice woman came and spent a large part of the day with us - giving up to 3 staff members per 1/2 hour a warm neck wrap, hand massage, rejuvenating eye pads, and lip exfoliation!

It was GREAT!! And truly relaxing!! I'm hoping she can come back in late spring!! I was able to get several Christmas gifts too!

Everyone, including some of the men on the staff, enjoyed the change from our usual routine and everyone said how relaxed and refreshed they were afterwards!

SIGH!!

Cleaning

Cleaning is NOT one of my favorite things – in fact, it's something that I try to avoid whenever I can – however, I do know how to clean and can clean fairly well! I just need motivation!! In the "old days" the motivation would be family coming to visit or a ship's social gathering – but neither of those has happened for a very long time!

I did have motivation tonight though! I asked a few friends to come to dinner tomorrow – and that gave me the momentum I needed! I must admit, though, that I did think of begging off – of suggesting we go out somewhere instead – the work just seemed so much! But I didn't and I'm glad.

The whole house isn't clean or even picked up – but the main areas are and, with a quick run of the vacuum tomorrow, and a "de-hairing" of the chairs of cat hair all will be ready! We'll have a great time and my house will look fine!

Now I just have to find the motivation for upstairs!! J

True Musings

There are days that just wear me down! Today wasn't actually one of them - but it certainly had potential!

I love my job and I like the people I work with - very much - but sometimes it seems like its the "neverending story" and it's up to me to make a break. (But when you have a (somewhat!!) controlling, compulsive personality letting go is HARD!!

But I do have a great family and good friends and they certainly help create a balance. Today I actually took some time off - I did have things to get done (still do) but part of the time was spent just relaxing and not reading email!

Maybe I'll have to start declaring "No Technology" hours (days would be TOO hard!) once in a while just to regroup and refresh! (Wait - make that "No Computer" hours because I like my BBCAmerica on TV!!)

Election Day

Today is election day - and I almost didn't vote! It's a state election - Senate and General Assembly - and the campaigns (and ads) have been so negative and nasty that I just didn't want to participate!

Originally I said I would vote for the person who campaigned without smearing the opponent - well that wasn't possible! So I chose another tactic - I just voted against all incumbents - not always the wisest path but I wasn't happy with the way they'd been working for "me" so I decided to make a change. We'll have to see what the results are.

On a side note: I REALLY dislike campaign workers outside polling places! It's an insult! It scares me to think that our elections are determined by people who haven't done any reading or listening and who may rely on handouts as they are walking into a polling place!

Today, I kept my head down, didn't make eye contact and when offered a pamphlet, said (nicely) "No, thank you". Well you would have thought I'd spit in their faces! (Note to campaign workers - I don't want your handouts and I'M NOT DEAF - so please keep your opinions of me to yourself!) Humm - next time I should take the handout and vote against whoever is giving it! There's a thought!!

Learning 2.0

Well, we're off and running - I read the articles, watched the videos and registered for the training last week.

I think there are two things that will be hard for me - one is information overload - there's just SO MUCH out there and a finite amount of time in which to read, think and do something with the information! The second thing is that I want to spend time doing all that and have to be careful to prioritze the importance of "2.0" with my "1.0" world of work, family and friends! (Oh, and patience is not one of my strongest virtues!! - waiting is never easy but the experience will be better for it!!)

The easiest part of this is the actual doing - it's fun for me - I enjoy playing and exploring on the computer. I like to try new software and fiddle with stuff!

Looking forward to more next week!

Library Land - Part 2

Another interesting day, yesterday, at the Library!! Not unusual, not really a bad day - just interesting!

It started with a co-worker looking out of the window at the drive-up. "Oh NO" she said - "I don't believe he's doing that!" Of course the rest of us in the workroom said "WHAT?" "He's going to the bathroom in the bushes!!"

Good grief - there he was standing between the drive-up and the delivery entrance with his back to the window - but it was very obvious what was happening!! A quick call to the dispatcher, a really good description (especially after he completed his toilet, turned and nodded when he saw us in the window!!) and our day began!

It was pretty quiet the rest of the day - 2 hours of IM reference - NO QUESTIONS!!

I'm sure that will pick up - and I did get other work done during that time!!

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OK - my score is getting higher since the first time I took this quiz - then it was 47%!! I guess I must be having fun or I'd stop doing it!!

Widgets

Another morning of playing!!

I discovered Widgetbox.com - go there and enjoy! That's where I found this Kitty - he follows your cursor and, if you touch his head he meows. If you touch his tummy he purrs! He may not stay long but for now, he's cute and has Quincy's coloring!!

I haven't explored there very much but it looks like they have LOTS of stuff - so I'm planning a "re-visit" and some exploring!!

IMing

Tonight I'm "manning" the virtual library desk - I'm the IM person from 5-7 tonight! We've only been doing IM reference a little while and it's going to take some time to catch on. I did have a question from someone who wanted to know who I was and how I happened to pop up in his IM!! (I'm assuming this person was a HE - could definitely be wrong!!)

Anyway - I gave the Library's name and said I wasn't sure how I just popped into his IM but I'd be happy to help answer any question I could! Apparently the name meant something because he just said OK, Thanks!

Other than that it's been a slow IM night! Maybe next time it will pick up!!

It was simply a beautiful day today - warm, sunny with a light breeze. A great day to be alive!

Halloween

I like Halloween - at least I always thought it was one of my favorite holidays - along with Thanksgiving (which is now my favorite holiday) because it was fun to dress up (not too elaborate) and run around the neighborhood like a gang of hoodlums after dark and get bags and bags of candy!!

Now I must say that I find myself pleased that it's my night to work - I won't get home until the sanctioned Halloween time is over! I did remember to turn off outside lights before I came to work! I'm sure it's age - but this holiday just doesn't seem as much fun anymore!!

But in case Halloween is one of YOUR favorite holidays!

BOO!!

In case anyone's wondering - I'm cleverly disguised as a mature adult!! No one will ever figure that one out!!

Library 2.0 Kickoff!

It's started! Today was THE day! The first day to register for the Library 2.0 Training at the Beach! My number is 19!

Learning 2.0 at the Beach

Click on "30 Things" from the list on the right of the Learning 2.0 @ the Beach blog and join in on the fun! All VBPL staff who complete the training will receive an MP3 player! Should be fun - I always have fun learning new things and exploring technology!

This Weekend

Wow - this was a busy weekend with a LOT accomplished! My garage actually has a floor and it's almost (not quite but almost) ready for - wait for it - a CAR to be inside!! That's something that hasn't happened in years!!

Two trips to the dump (in the rain), including two boxes of old paint and junk and a full garbage can and lots of sorting! Now I just have to get busy on the room over the garage!!

Cleo was thrilled this weekend because her "Daddy" was home!! She spent most of the weekend with us in the family room - and allowed Quincy to be there too!! She wasn't really happy with the bath she had to have - long hair on cats is not always a good thing!! But she shook off that indignity and still stayed with us!!

Then came Sunday morning - he had to leave - and she sulked the rest of the day!! Oh well - she finally did come downstairs to have a couple of bites of food! And, of course, she can't resist her treats!

Playtime

I've been having fun with widgets, gadgets and all things fun and somewhat useless!! So far I've added a clock that looks like a watch, a map of viewers (of which I have none!!) and a playlist of a very eclectic list of songs! The playlist is on my MySpace page! If anyone's interested:

www.myspace.com/deedle1950 Enjoy!

I've also added SnapShots - I'm not totally convinced of the utility of this gadget but it's fun!!

On the Kitty Front:

Cleo is in the family room with Quincy & me. She's actually lying on the cardboard scratching pad - it's one of her favorite places apparently, but hers is a wide one and this one is narrow - so I'm sure she's not very comfortable!! Hers will be here tomorrow so I'm sure she'll be happier!

Quincy the coward is on the sofa next to me but facing away from Cleo - if he can't see her he's hoping she really doesn't exist!!

Anyway - such is the Life & Times of Diane!

Your Life Work: The Librarian

I love this - it's a bit long - but very funny!

Progress

Maybe I should rename this blog to: News from the Kitty Front! Oh well, just shows how mundane my life can be doesn't it?!!

We're definitely making progress on the Kitty Front - Cleo is downstairs more and more each day and has staked out a chair in the dining room as "her" chair. It's closest to the front door and a window (should she desire to look outside) and it gives her a good view of the living room where Quincy has established a spot on the wing-back chair!

Good thing there are so many rooms and desirable chairs!

Cleo & Quincy

Cleo

Quincy

Detente

If you thought the Cold War was between the US and the USSR - think again! Cleo vs. Quincy is the New Cold War!! Cleo has come for an extended visit - it, hopefully, will become permanent and her initial meeting with Quincy was "strained" at best!

She wasn't happy with traveling and not thrilled to be here at all - but then to have a new CAT in the house - well that was just too much for a girl to bear!! There was much growling, hissing and spitting!

Everyone withdrew to neutral corners - it's an advantage to have a room over the garage!! And, in the past week, everyone has declared the kitchen a DMZ!! Both eat there - although at opposite ends of the room - and the water fountain is there! Litter boxes are separate (to my dismay!).

Cleo comes down frequently - although not as much as I would like - we'll be working on that!

Too Cute & Too True

Back Home

I just got back from a trip to Florida - to visit another "side of the family"! The weather was beautiful - low 80s, sunny and breezy - and the family was fine!

During the long weekend, we made a trip to the cemetery - and this is a lovely one - to put out flowers. After brushing off debris and helping to wash off some of the stains on the headstone, I took a little walk around - reading names and trying to figure out relationships!

(Did I say I like cemeteries??!!)

A little ways down the street was a headstone that obviously hadn't been cleaned in quite a while. The Powell stone - Hobson died in 1963 but his wife only had her birth date listed. If she's still alive she'd be in her 90s. I don't know if there are/were any other relatives, but it was obvious that no one had been out to clean the stone in a long time.

We had to leave but that stone stayed with us - the next day, before we went to a family lunch, we went back to the cemetary with a brush, the rest of the papertowels, fantastic and water. It didn't take long, but by the time we were done Hobson was "looking good"! Clean and bright with the inscription shinging in the sun.

It only took a few minutes, but it certainly made me feel good all day long. A small thing - but it was the right thing to do - and a lovely way to spend a beautiful morning.

New Light Bulbs in Plain English

Flag Pin or No Flag Pin

Is that truly the most important question we, as Americans, are facing this year?? Wow - and here I thought we had other things to ponder - like how to get out of a quagmire in Iraq (almost wrote Vietnam - but that just shows my age!!) and how to provide children with affordable health care. But apparently I'm wrong and a Flag Pin is more important - along with the rantings of a strange Rush Limbaugh about "phoney soldiers".

I worry that we are actually listening to Rush - I know years ago I would occasionally listen to him and, sometimes, even agreed with him. But he lost his credibility with me long ago and I now just sigh and shake my head in amazement that he's allowed such influence. I certainly don't think his musings deserve Senate time! Nor do I think it's critical or even relevant if a Presidential candidate does or does not wear a piece of metal on his jacket.

I don't agree with Barack Obama on everything but I do agree with him on this - having a pin on his jacket isn't as important, to me, as the words coming out of his mouth! His views, ambitions and plans for America are more important for us to hear (agree or disagree!) and more supportive of the ideals symbolized by the American flag than the actual wearing of a pin. (And the last time I saw Senator Obama on television, he was in shirt sleeves - no place for a pin!!)

Oh well - I'm sure we'll get through this election phase - BTW I'm not watching any debates until after the conventions!! - and we'll have a new President and a whole new list of problems to debate, pontificate about and worry over!!

Mortality

The past few months have been difficult for me. It's hard enough when you realize you're getting older but it's even harder when you realize your Mom is! We had a bad scare in June and, although she's doing much much better, we've all had to face the reality that time is slipping away. It's hard on her children and her grandchildren because she's always been such a dynamic force in all our lives!

A New Addition

Early last month I discovered a cat outside in my back yard - looking a little lost. I went out and he disappeared! Later I noticed a little face poking out from a vent cover under the house. I called and he came out to be petted and rub up against my leg. I went in to get him some food (left from a visiting cat!). The next day he was still under the house (and preferred being under there) although he ran out quickly enough for food!

I checked with the neighbors - not theirs. I brought him inside after a week and took him to the vet. He's a two year old neutered male who was apparently abandoned.

He's now an indoor kitty (not always to his liking) who's in the (relative) lap of luxury! And he has a new name: Quincy!

This picture was taken the day before he "moved inside" as I left for work!

Library Land

It's fall and, unlike most of the area libraries, we're slowing down. Our busiest season is the summer - when all the tourists and foreign workers come to Virginia Beach for sun and fun. After Labor Day they all go home and we get back to a slower paced "normal" until spring. Our "regular" customers come back in force and our computer use slows down (a little)!!

Most people wouldn't believe the stories that can be told about public libraries - the people and the situations are just to bizarre and would probably be called fiction!!

For instance - last Monday evening - not long before closing - we discovered that we had sewage backing up into the drive-up bookdrop room from the floor drain there. More exploration found more backups in the public restrooms - all in all a terrible smelly mess!! It was fixed and cleaned successfully the next day!!

BTW - note to all renovating or building libraries - do NOT put carpet in the same room as a floor drain!! Our book drop room is carpeted - not a good combination with sewage backup!!

See I told you no one would believe Library Land isn't fiction!!

Web 2.0

We're going to get started next month on a 12 week course on Web 2.0. We've taken some baby steps and it's time to move forward with more staff getting involved.

I think it will be fun, interesting, frustrating and totally enjoyable!! I'm not a very good journal keeper - I never have been but I will try to keep this active! Part of the coursework includes creating a blog and commenting on others. I've done both - but I'm usually reluctant to voice my opinions on other people's blogs!