PITA

Ok – I was thoroughly disgusted that ORF (Norfolk Airport) charged for Internet access – it wasn't a great deal but more the principal of the thing! Then I get to Jacksonville with enough time to actually do something online or at least pass the time online and their network would only give limited access. Now the computer logs on easily at home and had no trouble at Norfolk so I'm thinking the problem is with the Jacksonville Airport's network – BAH!! I'll check again at Tampa – I'll need a break in travel and I do need to make sure it's the network and not the computer (I don't have good experience with built-in wireless!) but this one is WAY too new to be messing up this bad!
Hopefully I'll get to post this sometime today!
4 pm – Bradenton Florida – computer effortlessly connected to a wireless network so obviously the problem was not with the computer – deep sigh of relief!
Weather is beautiful here – about 80 and sunny (of course). Flights were good and, since the Enterprise agency had "lots" of Priuses I got one of those – WOW what a different experience! But interesting! Not really comfortable seating for a longish trip but great around town. Shouldn't need much gas that's for sure!

New Beginnings

Time to find out who's going to be in the cabinet - very interesting times!  I've been watching re-runs of West Wing (still one of my favorite TV shows) - it offers interesting insights since the recent shows have been dealing with the election of Bartlett's replacement!  That Sorkin guy was good!!

On my way to Florida tomorrow for an overdue visit with Mom - she's doing well but I really shouldn't have put off the trip this long.  It's supposed to be nice down there the next few days - about 80 - so it should be nice.  I do need to take something a little warmer because it will probably be in the 50s when I get back (in the evening!). 

Need to figure out what to pack - computer for sure - although finding access will mean trips to cafes! Decisions, decisions!

The New Baby . . .

is doing well - smaller than the 17" of course but I think I'll be able to actually move this around more easily and use it as a portable and not a desktop alternative!

A New Computer

Definitely wasn't on my list of things I needed or wanted right now but I've really gotten used to having a laptop!  Last night I shut down the computer (old laptop - 2 whole years old!) and all seemed fine.  Off I went to work today and, still, all seemed well.  When I got home I opened the laptop, pushed the power button - lights came on and immediately winked out!  Hummm - not good - try again - same result - BLAST!  No monitor at all - not even a flash  :-(  A quick check online and off we went to the new Best Buy down the street.  Now I have a nice new Toshiba - smaller, lighter and easier to haul around!  Spent the rest of the evening taking off all the "stuff" I didn't want and adding the stuff I did want - and configuring Outlook to get my mail for me! 

BTW - check out this Flow Chart from The Huffington Post - too funny!!

Last Week

I had a great time in Arlington at Computers in Libraries but I wasn't able to accomplish all I hoped. I don't want to whine (you know there's a but coming!) but I don't know how to say that this stupid cast was annoying, somewhat painful and kept me from totally enjoying (and blogging) about CIL without whining!

I was with some terrific co-workers - some newly met! - and saw some great presentations - me and my "little (green) friend"! It's difficult to always have to really think about what to order for meals - I REALLY didn't want to have to ask anyone to cut up anything!

My room was terrific - very comfortable and the wi-fi was great although I wasn't connected to the hotel's wi-fi!! One benefit for me was the train that ran behind the hotel next to National airport - the train whistles were very reminiscent of my Grandma's house!

The Second Annual Youtubey awards were great too and I'm hopeful that not only Virginia Beach but Oceanfront will have entries in next year's contest!

I plan to have more on specific sessions and ideas for us later!

Rainy days and Saturdays

Another Saturday - another NCIS marathon (yipee) - and more rain. Best news of all, my taxes are done and filed!! I'm waiting for an acceptance email, I sign a form verifying I am who I am (and no I couldn't immediately find last year's return) and then wait for the money!!

I'm getting ready to pack for Computers in Libraries next week - it's always fun and educational!! So many interesting things to learn about - and bit by bit we're starting to implement some of them at work! It's going to be a bit more difficult with one arm but that's the way it's going to be this year! Maybe next time!!

Speaking of casts (ok I really wasn't but I am now!) this one is worse on the inside than the other two - it's almost gummy (yuck) but fans help. The pain is a little more because of the arm rotation - I REALLY have to remember to take it slow (not a strong suit) and be assured that it will be better. 3 more weeks to my next appointment - splint time I hope!

Unfortunately there's no "group" meeting this month -- watch out May!

Taxes, Cooking and Misc.

Get your attention?!

Today has the potential to be a very busy day - and I'm basically a very lazy person - SIGH.

My intention was to have my taxes finished in February and, when that didn't happen, to have them done by mid-March. However, I decided to throw myself down on the porch and break my wrist instead. Thoughts of taxes flew out of my mind but now it's the end of March and I don't think the IRS will care about my wrist ordeal! I have my stuff together so I need to sit down with Turbo-Tax and get busy (but first a blog post!!).

I'm also making a pot roast for dinner. I discovered that peeling (or whacking) garlic isn't easy with one arm at a permanent 90 degree angle - nor is chopping up an onion. Luckily help was at hand and the roast got properly browned, garlicked and onioned and is now roasting away. The potatoes, carrots, celery and more onions will be added later. Since the weather today is cold and rainy, this comfort food dinner will be great! Not to mention the leftovers!

Next Sunday I'm off to Arlington and the Computers in Libraries conference. I've checked the weather forecast and, right now, it's cast friendly! Tomorrow I hope to get a new, smaller cast, but cooler weather is always better with plaster I've discovered! I always enjoy this conference and am anxious to go again!

Back to Work . . .

Today was my second day back at work - and I want to thank everyone who suggested I go back part-time! Four hours seems to be the limit my arm and I can handle!

Monday I did too much with the arm - I had the sling but not the waist band and that just allowed me to do more than I probably should have.

Today I had the waist band but I was still tired enough and my arm ached enough that when I came home at noon I took a pain pill and had a nice nap!! This evening has been much better!

I know that slow and steady is the way to go but I don't have a lot of patience - I'm sure that will come as a complete shock to my friends! - and it's hard for me to wait - - but, of course, I will!

PS: to my bank, co-workers for whom I've signed leave slips, etc. - that's not a forgery . . . it's my poor attempt to write with my left hand!!

PPS: kudos to the programmers who created an easy way to switch mouse buttons!!

Time moves on

It's hard to believe that it's March - even with an extra day February seemed to go fast! And March looks (on paper) to do the same! There aren't as many meetings or trainings scheduled (right now) but that may change in the next few days!

There was a big push to finish Learning 2.0 and I think everyone who registered and wanted to finish was able to complete the training. We had several labs and worked to give people time on the schedule to complete their work. It'll be interesting to see the final numbers!

Next month I'm going to the Computers in Libraries conference in Arlington - this will be the 4th year I've been able to go - it's a great conference and I always see a lot of new things and learn stuff too! And I get to have fun with co-workers who attend also!

Can't believe that Daylight Savings time starts next weekend! Time certainly will FLY then!!

Just another day at Oceanfront

Today was a good day for me - tired and all!! I got lots cleaned up - shredded, recycled, filed and generally cleaned. I also got an evaluation written (YEA!!) and have plans for some others that need to be written.

But along with all the good things that happened, we had the rescue squad twice (for the same person) today!! One of our homeless customers had a seizure outside the building (the first time) and we called the rescue squad. However, when they got to the library, the customer was awake and refused treatment. Unfortunately he had 3 other seizures during the day and after the last one we again called for help! This time he was taken out on a stretcher.

On another note: we discovered that some ingenious folks have discovered a way to circumvent the software we use to log people onto the Internet. We require a library card and PIN to log into one of our computers. These busy people found a way around that (and our session timers!). Luckily for us, some of them were willing to tell us how they did it!

A call was made to our IT department - and we're waiting for the fix to close this new loophole!!

SIGH!