I'm a Stranger Here, Too

No Excuses

2012-01-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

I have been in a cave for the past several months. This morning I went to the Doctor for a physical and yes, it has been confirmed, I have gained 20 pounds over the past year. No wonder my clothes don't fit any more. The Doc's answer to my woes, "get out and exercise, that will recharge your energy levels." Apparently, running around at work doesn't count as exercise in his book because your stressed at work. And the activity isn't sustained long enough to do any real good. Geez, aren't they saying small doses are as good as big doses these days. But I guess he has a point because I have GAINED 20 POUNDS, have no energy and feel exhausted ALL THE TIME. Some of that is probably also the crappy diet I have been subjecting myself to, so today I actually stopped and got some fruit and fresh vegs for lunch. I have until I go back in mid march to get myself back in control of me.

Back on Track

2011-11-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

After 5 weeks and it seems 15 pounds, I have returned to the gym. It was a good workout. It seems that I gain weight just breathing. Is that possible? No wonder the clothes that fit in October are a tad uncomfortable--read this as deep lines in the belly. Damn thyroid condition. Ok, yeah Damn Hagan Das, damn cheese, damn pizza, damn being in a rut, too. Work through it, other people have, I can too.

All You Need is Friends

2011-11-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think about all the people I know. Some have been with me a long time, some not as long and some come and go. I have been blessed and seem to have a group of The Usual Suspects. Right now in California, I have M, the sisters, Y, and J. I don't get to see J as much as I used to because he moved and got a girl-friend and doesn't seem to have time to go drinking with me any more. But I do get to see him at family gatherings--good thing I introduced him to M's neice and he is part of the family now.
M is a teasure, she was assigned to me as my mentor when I first became a Library Manager. What can I say she took her job seriously. She taught me everything from how to do annual reports all the way to playing slots in Vegas. A couple of years ago, I asked if she could be my emergency contact. Here I am all by myself with the nearest family 1500 miles away. If I pass out in the doctor's office, somehow I don't think my mom or my brothers could come and take me home. Mind you, I hope that the doctor's office doesn't have to call M either. What I like about M is her easy going nature. "Just roll with the punches" she told me early on. She is also very detail oriented and gets it right. I really appreciate this because sometimes, I just seem be scattered all over the place. I would drive me crazy if I were my own friend.
The sisters are great. V & V are twins and I call J my sister. Sometimes you recognize yourself in someone else. The twins have commented that sometimes J and I will be talking, we are nodding and in total understanding, they on the other hand don't have a clue what we are talking about. I think somewhere in the primodial ooze our spirits were fragmented. Sometimes several people hold pieces of a single spirit. When you meet them you can recognize each other. In much the same way that I can recognize in other those traits that I don't have and can really appreicate them, there is a comfort in knowing that there is someone who can understand you because that is who they are, too.
P is also a kindred spirit. P has just returned to my life this past month. I met P in Hawaii. We shared a house with a tall Woody Allen lookalike up in the jungle of Palolo overlooking Waikiki. Sometimes things would get crazy in the house, but I could go out to the converted garage and chat with P while he was doing tech work for our roommates Internet start up. After a while, I left for saner pastures and moved in with C, J, and M--Three's company before M finished college and dubbed the Luv Shack after she finished college. For a little while P and I lost contact but then one night at the Thai restaurant we ran into each other. It turned out that P was living in the same apartment complex that the Assistant Director at the language school lived in. Talk about small worlds. For the next few years, P and I hung out pretty regularly, I would go over to his after work and we would lace up our running shoes for a trek around Diamond Head with a stop over for water at the fire station to watch the yummy firement playing volleyball or basketball. Sometimes C would join us and sometimes a teacher that worked for me and then later worked with P would join us. During this time, we were all fit and into the race scene. Niketown on Wednesday nights, Monday night Diamond Head Run, Friday night Diamond Head Runs and then Kaimana Beach to watch the fireworks, Saturday hashes and Sunday long runs. During this period, P, C, and S were my most frequent running partners and in someways even though not everyone was with me for all these runs, in my memories they are all tangled up together. I can't think about one without thinking about the others.
So P is here now, we are both at a low point in our fitness and we have made a pact that we will get better. The plan is to run either the full or half marathon in March in LA. Yesterday we walked from Venice to Malibu and back catching up. In many ways its like we were never apart. I am so glad that he is back.

Fried Green Tomatoes

2011-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

During my commute I listen to audio books. Right now I am listening to our January Book Club selection, School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. It's a good story and I am enjoying listening to it, I should finish by Monday and it will be with reluctance that I will go on to the next book. Some books, I just can't wait to get it finished, but this is a story that I would like to linger. On the way to work this morning, I heard "This is an heirloom tomato, usually we only get them in July and August but today we are lucky." Immediately my mind conjured up the this memory.
I was home from some place far away for a few weeks before I went someplace else far away. It must have been from Japan to San Francisco because it was September, tomatoes if they were still on the vine were heavy with juices and saturated with color. I was at my aunt's house out in the country. In the backyard near a water line, I spotted a rogue tomato plant. On closer inspection I realized that the tomatoes against all odds were still green. Not quite believing my eyes, I quickly snatched them from the vines before they could either disappear or change into crimson before my very eyes. I took them into my aunt's kitchen. She looked them in disbelief questioning where in the world I came up with green tomatoes at this time of the year. We cooked them up for noon-time meal, called dinner in these parts. I retold the story to my cousin, uncle, and the hired hand as we tucked into this last remnant of summer goodness and my good fortune.
I love friend green tomatoes. There is something about the tangy sweetness that sings to soul and makes me grateful for being born Southern. Mom would always make sure that the first tomatoes in the grocery store of the summer wouldn't be left to ripen but would rather end up being dredged in seasoned flour and cornmeal with a stop over in the frying pan before making their way onto the dinner table.
When I was in Japan living in a seaside city with agricultural land nearby, one of my students who had spent time as a cowboy in Washington state and worked for the local branch of the agricultural ministry surprised me one evening with a bag of green tomatoes. He was visiting a farm earlier that day and noticed that the tomatoes on the farmer's vines hadn't turned yet. He asked if he could pick some for his American teacher. He told me the farmer looked at him like he was a crazy but then muttered something about foreigners being a strange while conceding that he could take some of the green tomatoes.
I was over joyed and cooked them up that Friday night when my boss and I would take turns cooking dinner while we waited for her husband, my other boss, to finish his day. We would watch Iron Chef--it hadn't made its way to America yet--afterward we would re-enact our own version in her kitchen. I don't think that Goji ever really understood our giggles and laughter at the table with our critical commentary as we savored the dishes.
So these were the memories that kept me company on the way to work. I will have to go back a couple of tracks on the audio book this evening because I am afraid that I missed a few chapters. In my mind this is definitely the sign of a good book.

Re-joining the Digital Divide

2011-11-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

On Monday, I decided that I had enough of me wasting time watching TV and playing Bejeweled on Facebook, so I walked down to my local AT&T Store to see if I had a contract and if I didn't what I needed to do to get rid of ATT Uverse. Turns out that you can't find that info out at the AT&T Store. You can set up the account but you have to call an 800 number for everything else. Hmph. I returned home, found my often wayward iphone and called the 800 number. I didn't have a contract so I could disconnect my service with no penalties. I was transferred to the proper person and he began to initiate my disconnect. First he asked me if it was too expensive. I said no out loud but was saying yes, yes, yes, in my head. But really this wasn't the reason I was disconnecting so I didn't want to negotiate my way into keeping the service. The service guy with a strong Southern accent couldn't really comprehend that I just wanted to turn the service off. He asked..."Are you switching providers?" I replied no. Clearly I didn't understand his question because he followed up with "You're getting service from someplace else?" I replied no. He querried again "You're not going to have TV and internet at home." I replied yes, that is right. I'm tired of wasting my time watching TV and surfing the net. He still didn't want to let this go, he added, "Do you want to see if we can get you a better deal." No but thank you, I said sticking to my guns. I could almost hear him thinking "What kind of un-American nutcase doesn't want TV reception at home?" But he took in a deep breath clearly shaking his head on the other end of the phone and started the disconnect proceedings. I had one more day of TV left. After watching my final Big Bang Theory episode and playing a few Begjeweled games, I turned off the TV and computer. Got my book out and enjoyed a quiet evening on my sofa with Misha as a tummy warmer. I was ready to get back to my quiet apartment again.

Dental Woes

2011-11-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night I was cleaning up after Movie Night when I spotted a vanilla Tootsie Roll left in the Halloween candy I had put out as part of the refreshments. I unwrapped it, popped it in my mouth and chewed for a bit when I came across a hard piece. I thought it was just the end piece of the candy where air had gotten to it. That thought lasted for about 1 minutes when my tongue touched up against my tooth and it felt very wrong. I tentatively explored around the tooth and sure enough the hard piece of candy that I had just tossed into the trash can was in reality my filling that I had gotten the last time I had gone to the dentist when I had lived in Japan. There wasn't any pain but I hurriedly put some stuff in a basket and placed the basket in the AV Room. I wanted to get home as quickly as possible because I had visions of impending wracking pain and didn't want to be on the road when such pain visited me. I got home, called M to let her know what had happened. She sent me the phone number for Delta Dental so I could call them the next day to sort out finding me a dentist.
Ironically, I had decided on Monday that I would look for a dentist on Thursday. One of my New Year resolutions for this year was to go the dentist, since the year is quickly fading into last year, I thought I needed to get a start on this resolution before it became yet another one crumpled up and discarded in the corner. So I pondered the timing. So the question is did I curse myself or have a premonition? I have had a couple of other examples of this very same thing. One time, I decided to wear my bicycle helmet while cycling on a hot summer day. I tended to be pretty bad about where the helmet on hot days because it got hot and itchy. Put on this day I put it on. It was also the only time that I had a bike wreck where I actually bang my head. Hmmmm? Then one morning I was at K-mart and made an impulse mini first aide kit buy before I went up to the Aiea Loop for a run. All is going well, then I tripped over a root and found myself splayed out with the wind knocked out of me, my ankle twisted and abrasions on my knees, elbow and chin. I was able to hobble to my car and with cancel out the visions contracting leptosprirosus drifting through my head with the newly purchased first aid kit. So hmmmm? Am I psychic? Dunno? Anyway back to the story.
The next morning I call Delta Care and get a number for a dentist. I call and get an appointment with Dr.David Pham with the Valencia Dental Group. I gave them the heads up that they had a high maintenance patient on their hands. The receptionist told me that the team was really good with putting people at ease. Buoyed a bit with this information, I had a very carefully consumed lunch before I turned up for my appointment. Dr. Pham came in an I recounted my dental nightmare at the tender age of 5. I went to Dr. Derryberry for a tooth extraction on my first ever visit to the dentist. He didn't numb me enough and when I cries of pain and panic couldn't be controlled he told me that little girls like me had mothers that left them forever. Six months after my visit, Dr. Derryberry was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Dr. Pham asked "You remember that experience from when you were 5?" I returned "Yes, of course, it was a lasting impression." I was left with a lasting near debilitating fear of dentists. As a result, I have only been to the dentist a handful of times in my life. They asked what I had before and if I still had it. No I returned, it was in the trash but what I had before was like the one behind it. I thought what I had was a crown but was quickly disabused of this thought and informed that I had an en lay which is not as complete as the crown. Once the Dr. got inside my mouth he said that the work from my Japanese dentist was quite good and that he took a fairly conservative approach to dental care. He then told me that I had a really small mouth and that they had to squeeze the child size mouth opener into my mouth. I amused myself for a bit with future comebacks to "You have a big mouth."
The doctor excited, the account manager entered, this little trip was going to cost me $800 out of pocket. I wondered what the insurance was paying and she said about $500 which made me instantly glad that I had at least some coverage. Ouch. After signing waivers the accounts manager exited and the dentist returned. We were ready to get serious. He drilled a bit and cleaned a bit, and told me that he wanted to put a temporary on because it wasn't clear if I would need a root canal or not, so please come back in a week to ten days or if you have a lot of pain sooner. I made an appointment for Monday, November 7.
Then this morning as I was eating a cranberry scone for breakfast, I pulled out a tough cranberry which I quickly determined was not a cranberry but rather the temporary. Grrrr....I called the dental office and it turns out that they can fit me in at 1:00. Oh, how nice. I go get a cup of coffee and realize after a few sips that I need a straw because it is sensitive. Dr. Pham welcomed me back and asked how I was, I responded that I have spent my last two days off visiting him. He said that he would give me Saturday and Sunday off. Funny guy. Numbed up, he tells me that it will take about 15 minutes for the new en lay to be cemented and then polished. All is going well but then I start feeling a bit of pain along my gum line, I try to ignore it but then he pings me again and I jerk. He jerks and we all have to settle down before he can continue. Then it is over and I go out to the receptionist who wants to make an appointment for a full work up. I must have looked shell shocked enough for her to ask if I wanted to have a month off. I quickly jumped on that and we set up an appointment for the 3rd Thursday in December. Merry Christmas to me. Woohoo!!!

Day 5--Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

2011-09-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

K and I got an earlier start this morning because we were going further afield. I had my coffee and we got ready to head out. We decided that we would have lunch on the way. The first stop was at a camera store in Golden to see if they had a lens cap for my camera--mine got misplaced somewhere in my apartment. They didn't have one but I did enjoy seeing K's eye glass over in desire for all the cool gadgets on display. She restrained herself and we continued on our way. I spotted a cafe in a strip mall a few miles further. We had already committed ourselves when I spotted the medical marijuana clinic next door. Hmmm...I thought...it might not be so good, with many customers having the munchies you probably didn't have to rely on quality to build your rep. The breakfast burritos were OK--the green chili was very tasty--but I chose veggies for mine. On the list of choices was potatoes, I didn't choose them but later found that all the breakfast burritos have potatoes. Don't have it as a choice then!!! Oh, well, I can't say that it wasn't good, but I doubt that if I lived nearby I would return again. K agreed with me.

Our next stop was Estes Park. We pulled up to the scenic stop and I spotted this blue flash. I got all obessive about getting a photo of this blue bird. I thought it was pretty cool. It seems that it was actually a Stellar's Jay. I spent about 10 minutes getting this photo because everytime I would locate the dang thing with my zoom he would flit away to the next spot. Grrr!!!

K shot quite a few photos of the chipmunks. I took a few as well, here is a pretty decent on of the little guys. K's photos were a lot better, she has much more patience than I have and better equipment. I think I have a pretty good eye but with photogprahy you really need to get beyond just snapping. The best photos come from taking the time to set up and analyze the scene.

Nearby there was a sign that said do not feed the animals but the old couple next to us had come prepared with a bag of nuts. Back in the car, K and I discussed how we wanted to point out to them that they should feed the animals but clearly the damage had already been done to these animals, we both felt to inhibited to chastise our elders and it probably wouldn't do any good anyhow. The next car probably came prepared with goodies as well. It seems that most people or at least enough to cause damage don't think much beyond what entertains them.
Once through Este's Park, we used my National Park Pass to get into the park. Wow, immediately, I realized it was beautiful. We started to climb elevation, for the most part I wasn't overly panicked. We turned in a got a few photos. Here is a great photo of the valley below.

And I spotted K doing her thing. I really like this photo because it makes me feel that I have a true photo of her in her element.

We hung around for a bit longer. K got some good photos of a bird in a tree. We also chatted with a guy that had a pretty powerful lens on his camera and he and K discussed shots, big animals etc. In the mean time I was able to get this photo of what I think is a Clark's Nutcracker. He stayed for quite a while letting us take his portrait.

Back in the car and on up stopping at pull-outs along the way finding the temps and the the weather changable at each turn. Here we stopped an enjoyed the glacial lakes below. We kept spotting yet another lake. I don't think either of us were successful in getting all the lakes in one photo, he is one of my attempts.

And I loved being high enough to view the winding river below. It looked like a mythical snake winding its way through an enchanted valley.

On up and I got a bit itchy to get out of the car and have the cool air carress me. Especially after days of hiking in hot arid Utah. We stopped and I explored a little. I went out to an outcropping and walked around it. Here we were in the tundra so I stayed on the trail to protect the fragile ecological system. I was fascitnated by the colors and the height. Breathtaking and not because the air was thin.

Still we continued to climb, the next stop was my first view of an actual glacier. To think that this water in this place in this form has been right here well before English immigrants even thought of constructing a country to call their own. There are no words to express exactly how awed I was by this.

We had reached the 13000 foot mark when I got out for a little hike across the tundra to see what could be seen. The temperature was fairly brisk and about 3/4 of the way to the end it started to rain a bit. I picked up the pace because I wanted to get this shot before I had to make it back to the car.

Once the photo was taken, I began to make my way back to the car, then it began to sleet and I sprinted back. I was thinking two things. First that I could actually sprint at this altitude and not feel like I was likely to keel over and two that here I am running in the sleet when just two days before I was feeling overwhelmed by sun beating relentlessly down on me and I just wanted to push on the walls of the 105 degree air pressing down on me. I made it back to the car and had a chance to thaw out before we stopped at the summit lodge for lunch. I bought a couple of Christmas gifts to leave with my younger brother to dole out at the appropriate time.
We also enjoyed watching a family of marmots playing outside the lodge. The ranger said that there was a mom and four kids in the group. I couldn't seem to get the photo that really wanted so this one had to do.

After lunch we headed down out of the tundra and back below the tree line. Here we stopped and I realized that we were in the valley were I saw the winding river.

I walked out a little bit and found the Three Wise Men formation. Quite different from the one that I had seen at Arches. Each spectacular in their own way.

We had been in the park for hours with our eyes wide open on the look out for big game to shoot. Nothing, just birds, chipmunks and marmots. I was resigned that I wouldn't see anything this trip we were on our way out. And then...off in the distance, I spotted something moving...a herd? cows, wait no...hey K I was saying as she was pulled off the road. She had spotted a car stopped on the other side. I hadn't been watching the road at all, I was looking out across the field. We got out and spotted the elk, a full herd.

As we angled around to get a better view of the herd, more people were joining us. I felt like a little kid at Christmas. K spotted the fully racked bull lounging in the grass first. It took me a while to see him but once I did, wow, this is great I thought.

We watch for a while longer, then the bull got up rounded up his herd and they mosied off. Almost like they were saying show's over folks, time to go home. And it was. It had been a full day and I had a full day of driving ahead of me the next day. I was going to drive across Kansas and into Oklahoma. A night in Stillwater to see my brother and then home to Mom. The entire purpose of setting off cross country was near at hand.

Day 4--Idaho Springs & Mt. Evans, CO

2011-09-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I have been extremely slow in getting these posts updated. I'll blame it on South Eastern Oklahoma's connectivity. I went to McDonald's to use the wireless and the connection was so slow that I wasn't able to upload photos. And all my time most days when I went was taken up with just checking my e-mail. I hate coming back to work after a long vacation with a gazillion e-mails in my inbox, so I always try to log in and check it when I can. But anyway back to the regular programming. Today's schedule event is Mt. Evan's--the highest paved road in the world. Mt. Evan's is one of Denver's near by 14ers meaning 14K feet where the air gets quite thin but the views become proportionately beautiful.
K lives in Arvada which is between is about equidistant between Denver and Golden. Since K has lived in the Denver area for over a decade, I just refer to where she lives as Denver. K bought a new house last year, so this was my first time to see her new place. So far, I think I have visited most of her abodes in CO.
I slept in a bit and finally dragged myself out of bed when I heard K rustling around. She got out her mini coffee maker--bless her--and a selection of coffees. I hooked myself up as she checked the pastries in the oven and got omelet preparations underway. Wow, I love being a guest. What hospitality.
During breakfast, we discussed what to do. Since it was pretty warm in Denver, higher elevation was recommended. K said that we could hit the casinos--but I really didn't want to go to a casino. After some negotiation we settled on Idaho Springs for lunch--I had stopped there the evening before to call K and get gas. I glimpsed an interesting side street. K said that there was an amazing place for Pizza--Beau Jo's Pizza. After lunch we would head Mt. Evan's way.
Setting the plan into motion, I showered and we were off. On the way off we turned into a scenic view and snapped a few photos. After days in the desert, the evergreens and rushing water sang to my soul.

We had to round the parking lot several times before finding a space. Beau Jo's was hopping, but so was the town in general. Clearly I popular Sunday outing destination. We ordered our pizza--enough for leftovers and I ordered a beer. I asked if Tommyknockers was a local brew--yes--responded our waitress--the brewery is next door. Alright then, lets have a Tommyknockers. Since the selection was hoppier than I favor, I asked for lemon to accompany my beer to cut down on some of the hop flavor. I worked so well, I requested another. Stuffed and a bit tipsy. K said that she thought I was sedate enough to take up on scary mountain roads. Several years ago, I visited K at the beginning of December. We went up to to another weekend destination for lunch and then on to an outlet mall. On the way back, there was an icy spot that caused a bit of fishtailing. I nearly came unhinged and K pronounced that she would never take me up in the mountains again. But here she was against her better judgement, but I assured here since it was summer and ice wasn't likely, I would probably be OK.
On the way up to Mt. Evans, we discussed the entrance fees. Then I remembered I had a National Park Pass and it would probably work here as well. Sure enough, I racked up another $10 on my pass. I was quickly on my way to saving $ by getting it.
Our first stop was Echo Lake Lodge.
We stopped at the lodge--no lodging available--to look around the gift shop and to use the facilities before heading up. Mt. Evans, passes through 3 climate zone and climbs well above tree level. K assured me that we wouldn't go up the last 5 miles of road which is extremely narrow and full of switchbacks and drop offs. This section of the road is also closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The day was overcast and the temperature was already in the 50s. Again after hot days in the desert this was a refreshing change. Our hope to was see Big Horn Sheep and Mt. Goats. K said on previous trips up she had always spotted mountain goats. I love the way they look and really really wanted to see one. Did we? Negative. The best we got were a couple of marmots.
In the car, we headed up. There were spots that I didn't like but I trust K so I was OK and was able to keep any images of us careening down the side of the mountain to myself. Really the views were worth any anxiety on my part. We got out often to walk around a bit and check out the views. At this point, I was still OK in a sleeveless top and shorts. Once again after being so uncomfortably hot the previous days, I was reveling in natural air conditioning.

K has been into photography for awhile now. She takes some amazing photos. One of the things that I appreciate about her is her patience and meticulousness. I operate in broad bold brush strokes and as such, I can really appreciate the finer detailed ones of K. I have no patience to line up the perfect shot, to figure out how to set my camera to cox out the best shot. I see, I shot, I move on. We think that this is the main reason our friendship has lasted so long. We compliment each other. At times K high jacked my camera and directed me for photos. Here is me between a rock and a hard place.

On up we went to Summit Lake--ten miles from Echo Lake. Here I had to don my sweatshirt jacket to be comfortable. It was misty and the temp was down in the 40's.

We walked around for a bit, although I was breathing a bit heavier than normal, I felt OK to walk around. I spotted this view and wanted to take a closer look. K was feeling the thin air a bit more, she told me to go ahead and she would take photos of the lake. To me it, looked a bit like a a proud eagle carved by nature.

I walked around a bit, crossed over and spotted some glacial lakes. My breath was taken away. I don't think I have ever looked at something and thought Glacial Lake. I was reminded of Plato's Theory of Forms. We have this internal knowledge of the perfect form. As a crude example, when does a cup stop being a cup and become a glass? We know this innately because we have a knowledge of the perfect form of each. I had never seen a glacial lake before, but I knew what it was when I saw it. I was amazed enough to pull out the philosophical toolbox and open it up for a few minutes as I enjoyed the majesty of it all.

I hiked around for a little while enjoying the vast beauty and also appreciating delicacy of the vegetation at this level. I love wild flowers and always have. Some of my fondest memories as a child were going out into the pasture and happening upon Indian Paintbrushes. I also loved to run into daffodils as remnants of house places long forgotten leaving a pasture with a carpet of yellow to remind us that once upon a time someone had made a home here. This mossy spot captured my attention.

After a while, we decided to head back down, we had gotten a late start, and lingered over lunch so it was getting late in the day. We got in the car and started down with drop offs on our side of the road, then an entire murder of crows flew over us. We both felt a little freaked and hoped that it was not a dark omen. Thank goodness we weren't characters in a movie because we would have certainly been done for. On the way back, we stopped again at one of the scenic spots and I took a little hike.

If we had thought about it, I could have hiked down to the nature center and had K meet but then I would have missed this view of Echo Lake.

We stopped back at the lodge on the way back down for sodas, facilities and to browse the gift shop again. On the drive back into Idaho Springs, we were discussing the lack of wildlife sightings when a low flying red tail hawk almost collided with K's windshield. Wow, talk about proving us wrong. The hawk was weighted down with its dinner. I had the impression that it was a weasel of some sort because dinner had a very long bushy tail, The next day we thought that it might have been a marten.
Back in Idaho Springs we decided to stop for dinner at a hole in the wall BBQ restaurant. Yum. Once again, I was stuffed to the gills with good eatens. Over dinner we tested out my night settings, because K planned to take me up on Look Out Mountain to look out over Denver. Here was my first try.

It'll win no photo contest, but I like the reflections. Outside the restaurant, I fell in love with the cigar smoking pig mascot. I wished I had gotten a photo going in when there was more light but I didn't and this is what I ended up snapping.

Then off to Look Out Mountain. Of all the miles traveled this day, I felt the most anxiety on Look Out Mountain. I am not sure why, maybe it was just the sheer numbers of switchbacks, maybe I had peaked with my tolerance, maybe it was the wind buffeting the car, or maybe I just needed more beer. Whatever the reason, I was sitting on my side of the car trying to quietly mask being a basketcase. But again, the terror was worth it all. Because the wind was pretty brisk with wind chill, I didn't tarry long, but did get this overview photo.

And this zoom photo of the brewery at night. I am impressed at how well the zoom works on this camera.

Photos taken, back in the car we headed home to K's house. Tummy full, legs exercised, memories piled up, it was a very good day. Thanks K for the tour.

Day 3--Arches Nation Park, Moab, UT

2011-09-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

After breakfast, I headed to Arches National Park about 3 miles north of Moab. I presented my handy dandy National Park Annual Pass and drove up to the Vistor's Center. I got out, used the facilities and checked out the map of the park displayed. I looked at and commented to the person next to me that it looked like Arches was more of a driving to views national park than a hiking national park. He said that he thought there were some hikes. I looked again, saw a couple of around the rock and back things but then Devil's Garden annouced 18 miles of trail. I'm not that ambitious but I thought I might get out for 3-5 miles. I got into my car and headed out.
The first stop was Park Avenue. I got out to look from the viewpoint where I noticed that there were stone steps down a ways onto the canyon floor. I decided I would head down there. On the way down there was a notice that it was a primative trail and to follow the cairns--stacked up rock way markers. I like the idea of cairns, at the first one I added a rock to one and gave a silent thanks for having the ability to enjoy the view and go for a hike.
I walked out a ways with the wall of the canyon shielding the sun which presented a cool stroll. In the distance, I saw a natural oblecisk formation and wanted to see how it would change as I approached it.

I continued on my way and noticed this water puddle and thought it was intriguing because I could get a photo of the canyon wall in the reflection. This reminded me of one of my favorite photos that K took in Montreal, so in homage to her photographic skills I took this. To me the puddle is shaped like a fish and the sedimate is positioned perfectly for his mouth. Pretty cool, huh?

On my way out I met a few people but for the most part I was on my on in the vast gradeur. Perfect. It was quiet in the canyon and I felt at peace with nature's wonders surrounding me. I met one person who said that around the bend she thought you could see The Three Wise Men and that she had walked out until she saw the road and the next parking lot. I headed out as she headed back in.

After I got out to where I saw the road and the Courthouse, I headed back in. The sun was beating down, it was after 11 in the morning. We were in for a hot day.

On the way back in, I noticed a formation I thought was pretty darn nifty. It looked like a giant had dropped a stone between the two rocks.

Once on the road again, I past the Courthouse turn in since I walked all but about of a 100 feet to it. The next stop was the Petrified Sand Dunes. The marker informed me that this was actually a misnomer because only organic material could actually become petrified, sand isn't organic. This reminded me of my first visit to the Petrified Forest. I was naive enough to imagine that all the trees had turned to stone upright. I was a bit disappointed to realize that they were bits and pieces of longs that had washed away millenia ago. I don't know how I throught that upright trees could become petrified--looking upon the gorgon Medusa? Once over the initial dispointment, I found the Petrified Forest magnificent in much the same way I was awed by the Petrified Sand Dunes--organic material or not.

Next on the route was Balancing Rock. This was a very short out and back stop--one that initially had me concluding that Arches was not a hiking attraction. Balancing Rock is pretty cool, but personally I prefer the rock between the two pillars more so.

Back in the car, time was ticking down before I had to get into town for a late lunch and then on the road to Denver. I passed the turn off for the Delicate Arch hike rather opting for the shorter viewpoint of the Delicate Arch hike. I wanted to make it all the way to the last stop--Devil's Garden. I parked, grabbed my water and headed up the short less than half mile trail. The trail was pleasant enough--and hot enough. Once to top, I looked over at the Delicate Arch. Awesome. Then I saw people hiking over to the arch--it looked like they were walking on a moonscape.

I developed a sudden and intense urge to go see it for myself. I wanted my body to be walking on the moonscape. On the way back down I began to fomulate plans to stop and do the Delicate Arch hike. I chatted for a bit with some on my fellow desenders and verified that the hike was 3 miles round trip. Hmmm, 3 miles, I should be able to do that in an hour, right? I walk 20 minute miles. This apparently was to become my first lesson in how long a vertical mile actually can take.
I backtracked to the Delicate Arch parking lot, grabbed a powerbar and water. I got to the trailhead when I realized that I had left my camera in the car. I briefly considered going on without it but then reminded myself that if I did I would inevibily kick myself for not taking the 5 extra minutes to retrieve it. Needless to say, I was right. At the trail head, I looked up, saw little ants scrambling on the side of the mountain. I told myself that was where I had to go, the Arch was just over the horizon--boy was I ever wrong. In reality the top marked about halfway.

One the way up, there was a family with a 5 year old that just was not having fun. It was hot, steep and really just no fun. She was protesting in a most vocal way. I felt her pain, but unlike her, I could vizualize the payoff--I had seen it from the viewpoint. I debated with myself for a bit whether I should intefer or not and decided, I really didn't want to listen to the little girl in so much distress. So I yelled out to them that they needed to take her mind off her discomfort. Huh? they responded--how do you do that? they added. Here let me show you how, I introduced myself to the little girl and told her we were going to play a game. I had her pick up a rock and throw it as far as she could up the side. Once she did that I told her we were going to now walk to the rock. We did, then she got to throw it again. She calmed down, got into the game and I realized she was also helping me take my mind off my own discomfort and internal monologue to turn back. I told here that once we were at the top, I wanted to take a photo with her. And we did.

Once at the top, I crossed over a low lying rock wall to walk around to the Arch. The way out was at a slight incline which ended in a pretty big drop that I had to get my head around.
I told myself, that the traction was good, I could stay about 20 feet away from the drop off. I thought about one time in Hawaii where we had to go up a short rope to get to the next level and back on the trail. I balked and balked, all I could focus on was the 20 foot drop if I happened to let go of the rope. I argued with myself, Why would you let go? I don't know, but you might? But really would I given the result? But something could happen to make you let go and then you would DIE. But really I wouldn't let go. But when you are on the rope maybe you will want to let go. And on it went, the only thing that got me up on the rope and to the next level was when the dog made it up before me. Really, a dog scrambled up without the actual aide of the rope. Geez. So once out on the ledge, I had to keep telling myself that there was no reason for me to fall down the hole and I also kept reminding myself that I might. Again Geez!!! But I did it, I made it to the Arch. Well worth all the effort.

With a few photo ops. A couple of fellow hikers and I exchanged camera so that we could get each other. With time a ticking and belly a growling, I headed down.
I knew that I would get a brief respite on the way when the trail lay again the canyon wall which blocked the sun. I rested for a bit here and finished my water. Here is what I don't get about myself.

The drop off on the trail here was pretty signficant but I didn't mind walking along it at all. As long as I have a trail wide enough for me to walk and wobble a bit and don't have the sensation that I might fall, I am perfectly OK. It's not a fear of heights that I have but rather a fear of falling.
On down the trail, sun beating down, I was out of water and entirely thirsty, hungry, uncomfortable and getting a bit wobbly. Finally and not a minute too soon I made it to the car. I broke out my emergency water and downed some. Still a little shakey I got into the car. It was well past almost 3 and I needed to get on the road. I stopped off at the Visitor Center and grabbed a cold PowerAide. Once I downed it, I felt a little more right with the world--enough so to make it into town for lunch. I decided to have lunch at the local brewery. There I had a Greek Chicken Salad and three small samples of the local brew. All very good. I thought I could safely have a couple of samples.

Gas and then on the road to Denver. The drive was uneventful for the most part. I had hoped to make it to Denver before Sunset but that went out the door the minute I decided to hike to Delicate Arch. I was perhaps a bit thankful, I couldn't see clearly because it seems that a signifcant part of I-70 is elevated and attached to the side of the mountain. I know this because I saw tree tops off to my right. Better not to know sometimes. I made it to Arveda and then to find K's house. I made a few wrong turns but eventually I made it in before 11. K said she was a bit surprised in the direction I came in. Then she quickly added--I don't want to know. Which is good, because I have not idea how I did it either. So very good to see K again. K is one of my dearest friends. She was the first person I met at Oklahoma State after my roommate. She was my next door neighbor, eventually became a roommate for a short period and has visited me in almost every place I have lived. She probably knows me better than almost anyone else. To this I am thankful. And she took me on a couple of very good tours which are forthcoming.

Road Trip--Bryce Canyon, Utah

2011-08-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day yesterday. I came into Moab, UT last night about 9:30 with complete sensory overload from the day. I got out and about slightly earlier than the previous day, yesterday I was on the shuttle to enter the park at about 9:15. I got off at the second stop where the bus driver suggested if you wanted to get on with your with hike for the day. The weather was a georgous 70 degrees. I started down the road to go about 2 blocks--what ever that meant in Utah terms--before hooking left to catch the trail. The people ahead of me stopped and looked at the map. When I got to them, the guy said that he thought we missed the turn off and if we just cut up about 15 feet through the brush we would get the trail. Normally I don't like to get off the trail because I don't want to mess with the ecosystem any more than I already am. But I could see what he meant and I follwed suite. Once up at the ridge line the Hoodoos came into view.

I read in the park newspaper that the Native Americans of the area considered the Hoodoos people that the cayotes turned into stone. I love this bit of lore and would love to find the entire story.
I hiked along the rim for a bit to the camp ground. I got to a scenic look out and noticed that people were headed down to the canyon floor. I wanted to do that and started looking around for way down. The sign suggested hiking boots--I had on trail shoes today so I though I would be OK. The newspaper suggested that the Navajo Loop was + Queen's Garden was one of the best trails and a must do if you have the ability. I started down. Amazing views down through Wall Street--each view more fanstatic that the next.

I turned around and looked up at and go this photo.

I continued on through the wall and made it around to a cross roads. I looked at the trail markers to the left indicated that I could go on down to Queen's Garden or I could go straight and hit the Peek-a-Boo Loop. The guide indicated that although quite scenic it was a strenuous trail with elevation changes and was rated as being difficult. I briefly pondered what the newspaper would consider a difficult trail. Maybe difficulty was like spicy--it really depended on who was rating it. Too spicy for me means something entirely different to someone else and then I considered what something was marked spicy for the average American, I generally think it is simply a notch above mild. I regularly walk 5 mile stretches which is about 4.9 miles further than the average American so I might be OK. At any rate I could always turn around. So I crossed the river bed and headed up the trail, there was a couple of guys ahead of me, I look around pondering the big rock over to the side--maybe I could duck around it and relieve my bladder. But being too shy, I though maybe there would be a place a bit further on a little less al' naturale . Up head, there was trail marker indicating that I could go either way on the loop. I met up with the two guys and we briefly discussed the trail. They also wanted to do the Queen's Garden, I pointed out since it was a loop it would bring us back to the other side of the marker. One of the guys asked in English which way--since they were not native English speakers, I considered that he was including me in the decision making. Since the guide was silent on which way to take on the loop, I suggested clockwise. I asked if I could join them, they agreed and we headed off. Gradually we go to know each other and about every five minutes we stopped to take photos.

I was fascinated by what I called Dragon Doors. This is one that I got to see from all different angles.

Eventually we came to another trail marker. This one pointed up to Bryce Point and down to complete the Peek-A-Boo Loop. We met a couple that was coming down from the Point and they raved that the mile and a half was beautiful but up. We would need good breath. We looked up--way up to see people at the look out. Nicki looked at me and Sven and said--we need to do that. We agreed and headed up.
Again each step shouted out that we needed to take another photo. We go up to another doorway in the trail and took a group photo.

A little further, I looked across and saw a formation that looked like a head. I wondered aloud if it was natural or if someone gave it a little nudge. But Nicky pointed out that it would have been really difficult to get out there--or at any rate now--maybe in an earlier time the way there was more accessible. But I had a feeling that this stone was standing guard over the Hoodoos below.

Once at the top, we were about done for. There was a shuttle stop there but we decided to walk along the rim for another mile or so to the next stop and then we would go our seperate ways--Nicky and Sven to their RV for lunch and me on into town for lunch and to get on my way. Along the rim we watched a Turkey Vulture sore and circle. At times he came very near us. It was a fantastic trail--well within my abilities--especially since we were stopping every 10 to 15 feet to enjoy the view.
Back into town, I grabbed lunch, topped off my gas tank, enjoyed a scoop of icecream and go on the road. I decided to take the scenic highways--SR 12 to SR 24 for about 170 miles before hooking up to I-70 for a short distance. And what a good idea this was. I saw deer, free range cows along the side of the road. Moved from the painted desert escarpments to Ponderosa Pine forests.
The road got scary for me in places but for the most part it was just a beautiful scenic drive. At one point I ran into a pretty serious thunder storm where the quarter size droplets bounced off the road like marbles. I slowed down and crept along knowing once again that I didn't want to find myself off the side of the road with no cell phone reception and sporadic traffic. In fact for long stretches I was the only car in sight. But disaster girl did not have to go into worse case scenario mode.
Eventually I ran into another National Forest. I can call forth the name at the moment but it ran along a river valley. I would like to return to this place on a bicycle and enjoy some of the trails. It is less popular than Bryce, Zion and Arches but not because it is less beautiful. It just seem to have a quieter beauty. Eventually, I came to a sign that said Petrogylphs so I pulled over to have a look. Wow, these were the best glyphs I have seen yet.

The long day was beginning to wear on me and I still had some miles to cover. I made one final stop to use the facilities and get a few snacks before getting on I-70 to Moab. The store I stopped at was actually a cave. Very cool.

Road Trip--Zion National Park

2011-08-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to bed until about midnight last night. At about 6:00 this morning, I briefly considered getting up and getting to the park on the first shuttle at 6:45. But my relief from not having a pesky Siamese demanding breakfast and play made me roll over and go back to blissful sleep until 8:45. I roused myself up and went down the road to an organic apple orchard that also offered coffee. I got a couple of very tasty apples and coffee, sat down at the park bench outside and enjoyed breakfast. It was already getting hot so I knew I was in for a hot day. I went back to the hotel, checked out, got ice and water in my tea jar, and got myself together take the shuttle to the park. As I walked out of the hotel plaza, I noticed the flags and the incredible view ahead of me. I thought, this is what America is about, these broad paint strokes of nature that indicate the vast potential that each of us can harness the energy from.
Once at the park, I decided to go ahead and purchase the annual park pass. By the time I get back to California I would already have paid for the pass and it might, just might encourage me to go to a few more parks in the upcoming calendar year.
I made my way to the As park shuttle, got on and got off at the second stop which promised a river walk. But it seems that I went the wrong way because I found myself down at the river with not much of a trail.

I even went into the water thinking maybe if I rounded the bend in the water, I would find the trail. But after the bend, there wasn't a visible trail. I was game enough to continue in the water but decided that I didn't really want to go hiking in the water alone. As my mother's daughter I had pictures of me slipping on the rocks, banging my head and getting myself in a fix knowing that she would never forgive me for getting myself in such a fix. So I turned around and hiked out of the water. Up on the bank I had to tromp through sand, some of which hitchhiked in my socks and later rubbed my ankle raw a bit in the back. Grrrr.

I hopped back on the shuttle to the next stop which was the Patriarch's Plaza--Ok, so it wasn't Plaza but that's all that I can pull to mind at the moment. I hiked up about 50 feet to the view point which was amazing.
The next stop was the lodge and the Emerald Pool Trail. I headed across the lodge lawn to reach the trail head. The trail was well marked and fairly easy to hike. At 11:30 it was well over 100 and the brief shade along the way was extremely welcome.

Eventually I made it to the refreshingly cool Emerald Pool located about about 100 feet below, a misting waterfall poured down the overhanging rock above the trail and into the pool. Rather than turn around I decided to hike on down to the Grotto Trail head about another mile or so along the path. It continued to get hotter as I went along but I was enjoying the walk. I had time to ponder.

On my walk, I thought about the Camino to Santiago and I realized what I would hope to get from as I became aware that I believed that I was doing at the moment the reason we came down out of the trees and became upright--to locomote-to move across inhospitable terrain in search for the more hospitable. I felt a sense of oneness with myself and all that was around me, my body was doing what it had evolved over the millinia to do. I felt complete listening to the sloshing of my ice water in my back pack and the riotous bleating of the tree frogs. Yes, this is why I want to walk 500 miles and why I think the Camino has become increasingly popular in the last few decades. I think that people feel the need to reduce themselves to the essentials of movement, food, water and shelter--the things of the body and not the mind--to regain perspective. It is the mind that wants more and more often to the detriment of the body when the mind is allowed to run without check and society today isn't doing a lot of check the wants and desires of the mind these days. Yes, I was a bloody philosopher today. I reached the end of the trail with the next section called Scout's Look Out and then on up to Angel's Flight which was tagged with enough warnings of impending death that I knew that Scout's Lookout would be the end of my hiking for the day. I headed down the trail which began to climb in elevation. I realized I felt that the heat had wrapped me up as it it were the walls of a cocoon. I got up a steep section and had to stop to let my heart rate slow down. I began to realize that I would have to turn around soon because this body of mine in this heat was not up to much more. A breeze began to blow and I made it about 1/4 of a mile further along. I rounded a bend and realized that the next part of the trail was even steeper. I had to turn around. I didn't have enough water to go any further and if I tried I might actually get myself in distress. It was 1:30 and I needed more water and lunch. I headed back down, caught the shuttle back to the lodge where I had some much needed water and a salad before going back into Springdale to get my car.
I relaxed for a bit in Springdale but about 3:45 I went back into Zion to go on the Bryce Canyon an 86 mile, 3 hour trip.

I started up the road and quickly realized that it just the type of road I find terrifying. Steep drops, switch backs and no guard rails. Ok, I told myself, you can do this, slow and easy that's all you need to do.

I got out at a turn out, looked at the sheer cliff face, noticed the cut out above and the sound of cars. Ah, that's the tunnel up there, that is where I will be soon. At the tunnel we had to wait about 8 minutes for the oversized traffic in the opposite direction to get through. About 10 cars were lined up behind me and the one car ahead of me when a van comes barreling up on the wrong side of the road. The ranger stopped he and said "Hey buddy what do you think you are doing?" I didn't hear his answer but she said, "Well, you can't go any further unless you want a head on, pull in up there and stay there until I say you can go." Geez, there is always someone, right?
After the tunnel, the switchbacks and curves continued for about another 7 miles and then the road evened out into my favorite type of highway--rolling and scenic. What gorgeous verdant landscape. I also noticed that the temperature was also dropping the closer to Bryce that I got. By the time, I got to Bryce it was 65 degrees and sprinkling. What a relief. I checked into the Best Western, called Mom to let her know I hadn't done myself in and went across the street to have dinner. When I came out into the almost twilight I looked up to find a rainbow. Then on closer inspection I realized that it was actually a double rainbow. Life is good.

I'm Off Then

2011-08-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of my Road Trip 2011. Sasha got me up at 4:30 for his breakfast. I fed him and then went to sleep on the sofa until about 6:45. Then I finished packing and somewhat ordering the apartment. I started loading up the car at about 8:00, then I had to go to the bank, get coffee and gas. At 9:00 I got on the road.

First stop was Acton to the library so that I could drop off some library materials. They would have been seriously overdue by the time I got back.

Then I stopped off in Lake LA to see Mary. Then I got lost for a bit, I ran around on the back roads of San Bernadino County for a while before I pulled out the Iphone Map function to find myself. I got back on the right track, stopped for a late lunch at Mandalay Bay in Vegas. The lunch buffet was tasty--I stuffed myself on shrimp, salmon, and seafood paella. Yum.
Then back on the road for Utah. One more turn around before I made my way to Springdale which is at the mouth of Zion National Park. I didn't mind this turn around at all.

I went through the very quaint town of Toqueville and then when I turned around to come back, I stopped to take a photo of the view and watched a covey of quail cross into the wash below. One after another they followed each other down, chirping the entire way. These sort of things are why I don't really get upset for constantly getting turned around.

At about 8:00 Mountain Time, I checked into Zion Best Western. After I checked in, I went walked over to the Sports Bar for a Veggie Burger and a beer--I tried the Polygamy Stout local brew.
The drive was good. I listened to The Swan Thieves on audio book. It's an interesting story. A couple of weeks ago, I was going through the donation pile and this title caught my eye. I checked the catalog, it's one of those borderline cases where, I could add it but I would need to send in a item correction because I had the trade paperback but the catalog entry is only for the hard cover. So it has been sitting on my desk for the last week waiting for me to decide if I really will add it or put it back into the donation pile. I looked at a few reviews and was intrigued but it is pretty hefty and I already have about 20 books to read. Then on Saturday I saw that we had The Swan Thieves in audiobook format on the shelf. Then I noticed that Treat Williams is one of the readers. I had such a crush on Treat Williams in Hair when I in Jr. High School, I have a soft spot for him to this day. And at 17 discs it promised to hold me through a couple of states. And it has. And what serendipity, I am in the midst of all things art with our Season of Art library programming. Also I have recently read The Greater Journey: American in Paris by David McCullough and I Am Madame X by Gioia Diliberto about the subject of John Singer Sargent's controversial painting. The Swan Thieves is about a brilliant artist who has had a mental break because he seems to be obsessed with the subject of a French painting for the late 1870s. Part of the book is set in Paris in the 1870s. This book coalesces brilliantly with what have been reading and what my current professional interests are. I love it when things fall into place!!

A Challenge to Myself

2011-08-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a dress I used to wear to work. Classic black dress. This was during my marathon-Nike Town--Hash--Diamond-Head-Friday-Night-Running days. I've come a long way since then.
Here is me wearing this dress today.

Hmmm...don't quite think it would fly at work. What do you think? Yes, I have come a long way. A long way through the drive-through lane of about every fast food joint that you can imagine.
Here is a dress I bought on uber sale.

It is several sizes up from the Classic Black. I will call it Platinum Pretty.
Here is me wearing the Platinum Pretty.

A little bit better in the front.
But here is the back.

Hmmm. Not quite ready to walk out the door with this one, either.
But I will be. I plan to wear this dress to the Holiday Tea I host in December.
I have 4 months to inch the zipper up about twelve inches. Wish me luck!! And what every you do, if we go out to eat, don't let me eat too much.

Stories from around the World

2011-07-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Summer Reading theme this year for kids is One World Many Stories. When we were planning the programming, I decided I wanted to do a storytelling program. I have been interested in storytelling for a while and during the last Mother Daughter Tea, I flexed my skills with stories about my mother. When you are the boss, I guess you can call the shots, so I chose a date and added it to the children's programming schedule. In May it seemed so long in the future. Gradually the idea bloomed and I decided I would tell 3 stories from 3 different countries. Since Estonia has a special place in my heart for stories telling that was a given. Also, Japan was automatically included, not only because I lived in Japan but also because this week's programming revolves around Japan. That left one more country. I thought about a Cinderella story of some sort and explored that for a while, but then I ran across the book Forty Fortunes by Aaron Shepard. I thought it was such a charming story, I decided that this is my third story. Then I decided to put together a Powerpoint presentation with some cultural notes and images from each country. I also added a few words in each language. Ok, I was almost ready to tell the stories: The Old Traveler from Estonia, The Crane Wife from Japan, and Forty Fortunes from Iran.
Then last night, I got a bit panicky that I would make a fool of myself. What ever was I thinking. But I calmed myself, went over the stories in my head and remembered that all I needed to do was to envision the story and tell what I see in my head. Stories have a natural progress and repetition.
Last night I thought Oh I should take the kids on a magic carpet ride, I could take my rug that I bought at Goodwill last month that my dining room table is sitting on top of. And I could wear my haori, that would make me look a bit special, I need to get into character. --yes, black tights, black shirt, black haori, and my heels--that will give me confidence.
So this morning, I dressed and rolled up the carpet, then I had the idea of taking my flameless candles and their containers--all Goodwill purchases as well. When I was getting dressed this morning, I was deciding on my jewelry when I happened upon a round cystal barrette. Oh, maybe I'll put this in my hair. Oh, something streaming from it would look exotic. I know, I have some wired ribbon. So I ended up making myself something of a facinator with ribbon and my barrette.
I came to work, and began to set up the room, I set up a table with the computer, added a bird nest wreath to cover up the computer, added the flameless candles and some other flowers, dimmed the lights and set up a CD playing new age music. I was ready for my storytelling adventure.
I practiced unfurling the carpet, it worked like a charm--that is until I did it for the program. Instead of rolling out, it thudded to the floor still half rolled up. I kicked the carpet all the way out, sat on the carpet told the kids to shut their eyes and repeat after me: By the light of day, by the moon at night, let us hear stories of magic and delight. We were off. Only a few little mix ups, I couldn't remember what my not-a-fortune-teller-fortune-teller was actually eating. I said, He took a fig, a prune,...a date?, yes, a date at one point.

The Camino de Santiago

2011-07-24T08:08:00.001-07:00

I don't quite know when I decided I want to walk the Camino de Santiago--a 500 mile pilgrimage trail from Saint Jean de Pied in France to the Santiago de Compestela Cathedral in Spain--but I would assume that at least the germ of the desire began during my Sophomore year at O-State when I wrote a paper on how the pilgrimage kept Spain European during the 700 year Moorish occupation of Spain. Quite a long time for an idea to germinate if you ask me. But I guess the full blown desire to walk the route has been with me for about 7 years now. I don't know when I will be able to fullfill the desire--there are some complicated praticalities involved such as bills, job, cat care, etc. I would need at least 30 days to do the walk and probably at least 5 days to travel and recover. Let's just go with the sufficient amount of time bibicle number of 40 days. That is not an easy amount of time to just take off from my everday life. If I get a different job, then I could do the pilgrimage between the two jobs--but then timing is a factor there since the route crosses the Pyranees and much of it is at higher elevations winter includes ice and snow. I have no desire to walk 20-30 miles a day in the freezing cold. Part of me wonders why I want to walk 20-30 miles a day in any weather but I think that it best not to explore that. If I ever get on the route, I will have ample time explore this train of thought. So in the mean time let's just say that I want to do it suffice.

This month, I have chosen The Camino by Shirley Macclaine as the selection. I wanted to do a Camino book, but I was unsure about Shirely. I hadn't read any of her books, but the reputation alone made me wonder if my book club people would respond to her. But we only had enough copies of The Camino for a book club so I opted for this title. Last week, I started the book and right away I began to question my choice when on her first day the Angel Ariel gives her advice. Trippy. And it continues to get trippier and trippier all the way to the end. But my real complaint is that about 65% of the book is about the visions she has on the trail, 10% is about get accosted by photographers, leaving only about 25% of the book about the trail itself. So I felt really short changed. I decided I would approach next month's book club slightly differently, rather than read one book and discuss it, I would order what ever copies of other books about the Camino and we could discuss the topic and how it was broached in each of the books.

Can't Believe It Has Been So Long

2011-07-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

We are in the midst of Summer Reading which is one of our busier times of the year. I have been co-subbing for the Teen Summer Reading Programs. So far we have done African Masks, Tin Can Lanterns, Retro Stuffies, and Yoga and Smoothies x 2. We have a core group of teens that are waiting at the door when we get started. K-chan won't be back until the fall--and I sincerely hope she misses adult conversations by that time and feels that she can part from the twins for 10 hours a day.
I will be losing my Ref Librarian sometime in the near future. He has interviewed for a Manager position and it seems that they are only waiting for other things to fall in place before announcements are made. C has been a real asset to me. But he is ready to go and he will do well. I have raised him well.
I told my supervisor that they need to get me another good one and I would be pleased to train them up for promotion as well. We will see how far that goes. With the hiring freeze, I don't know what they will be able to do.
I don't quite know why I have been avoiding writing on this. I guess, I have just been another funk. Will I ever get out of them? I found out that I really am allergic to cats. I have been telling my mom for years that I thought I might be, because everytime I go visit I feel like the fur is bothering me. I went to the eye doctor and he said that my eyes were extremely angry. He showed me the handy dandy visuals of what a normal eye looks like and then pointed to what mine looked like. Hmmm. Not good. So I am taking eye drops in the morning.
I decided that the reason I was having such a big interaction when I went to the eye doctor was because I have had the apartment closed up with the AC on and I haven't vacuumed in a while. So yesterday I spent all day cleaning up cat hair. While I was getting all the hair off the bed--one of their favorite hang outs, I felt like a bunch of sand had been thrown into my eyes--confirmation for the theory. I swear I got an entire small trash bag full of hair out of the place. Right now I have the balcony door open. As a result my eyes look less angry today. But I will be using the drops for a while, I think.
Must go vacuum again before I have to get ready for work. I am obsessed now!!

Sick Kitty Again

2011-05-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

At 6:00 this morning Misha woke me up meowing. He usually nuzzles me with a loud purr. No purr just insistent meowing. I got out of bed and stepped in diarrhea. "Oh, no Sasha." I run to the bathroom, pull off my pajama bottoms which got soiled, grab some Kleenexes, clean up the mess, then back to the bathroom for the pet stain remover all the time calling Sasha. I pull on shorts--with images of finding s very ill Sasha running through my head and feeling the need to be decent when I run out of the apartment to the emergency clinic.
I run to the living room, no Sasha. Misha is under the chair looking very worried. I am not sure if it was worry for Sasha or worry that his human mom was suddenly acting like a maniac. I go back into the bedroom and under their window stool, I find Sasha acting very quiet. We sit with each other for a bit and then he gets a cramp and low rider runs into the living room. Not much with this one. Seems like he emptied his system. I spray pet stain remover on the new spot, go back and clean the stuff before.
I get out his pipe cleaner and notice that he is perky enough to play. I decide to go on the Internet to see what I should do. This isn't the first time on the Internet with this for him. I run through my head and remember that he ate some cheese the other night--maybe that was the problem. Well, I didn't really give him the cheese as much as he took the cheese. I stopped giving them cheese after the first bout because I suspected that his tummy could no longer handle the lactose. So it seems that this also might have been the case. At any rate, the Internet says that if the diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours then take him to the vet.
So far over an hour without incident. I can only hope that I don't have shell out another God knows how much. Sasha tells me to say that he is fine now and there is no need to get the carrier out, needles, prods or anything else. He just needs his tummy rubbed, ears scratched and a little bit more playtime with the pipe cleaner, that's all.

Madder Tea and Trivia at Lee's

2011-05-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

I started the day off yesterday at Walmart picking up Scotch removeble hangers for the meeting room at the Canyon Country Library. There isn't a hanging system installed and since I wanted to hang garlands and pictures on the walls, I opted for the Scotch solution--what a fabulous time we live in! Ten years ago I would have been out of luck.
I headed for Canyon Country Library, spent about an hour and a half putting up the wall decorations, then I had luch at Baja Fresh. The manager remembered me from the many lunches that I had there when I was manager of the library. He is such a friendly guy.
After lunch I headed for the Goodwill to do my normal checking to see if there were any bargains to be had. Indeed there was. I got the final piece of art for my apartment. It has three French shops. I don't think it is a real oil. I think that it has been scanned onto canvas and then touched up with oil to give it some texture and dimension. When I was checking out one of the customers, oohed and aahed over it, lamenting that she missed it. She even took phone photos of it so that she could show her artist mother what she missed.
The tea party was a success. People always seems to say that I should become an event planner and that I missed my calling. I enjoy it as a hobby and I always get nice satisfying compliments that make me feel good. When you do it as a job and people are paying for it, they tend to be picky and sometimes they get very testy. I wouldn't want to walk into the landmine profession of event planning at all.
In the evening I walked over the Lee's Wine Bar, they have trivia night there on Tuesday's. A couple of weeks ago I stumbled on it when I had the odd Tuesday off. I usually work late on Tuesday, so it wasn't an option. But I had such a good time, I am switching my evening shift so that I can become a regular. Finally, I am widen my social network some. We won a bottle of wine last night. My team--Dale and I--came in second place. It was a very smooth Castle Rock Pinot Noir.

Count Down to the New Santa Clarita Libraries

2011-05-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

No one is clear what is going to happen in the coming months. The seamlessness that the Mayor talked to me about months ago quickly unraveled. The County plans to close the libraries on June 18th. The Santa Clarita website says that all three libraries will open on July 1st. This means that Santa Clarita will be without library service for a minimum of 13 days. But a LSSI told a candidate that interviewed with them that it is possible that the only library that opens on July 1st will be Canyon Country. The city wants to spruce up Valencia and the talks for Newhall were in a stall so the city might not purchase the Newhall Library property and may instead open up a storefront library until the big new library is opened. Another new hire admitted that LSSI and the city don't seem too terribly organized and seem to be flying by the seat of their pants. Yet, another new hire hasn't heard anything about anything and isn't scheduled to report until July 1st--the day the new libraries are supposed to open. Hmmm...I am still concerned. July is going to be a very interesting month for Library Service in Santa Clarita. I am interested to see what will happen.
Last Wednesday, I had the day off and took all my tea stuff to Canyon Country. Dot and I set up the meeting room for the final farewell for the Friends of the Santa Clarita Libraries which has decided to dissolve because the city and LSSI never actually sat down with them and made them feel that they would be a valuable organization in the new system.
I am looking at starting a PhD in Information Science and see this as the perfect case study on the future of library services.

Was My Guardian Angel on the Job Today?

2011-05-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

This morning when I arrived I work, I found a 12 pack of broken beer bottles in the parking lot. I thought, "I need to call this in" which was followed by "It's Saturday...sigh...I'll have to clean it up." I went inside to get the day started there before I gathered up the broom and dustpan for the broken glass. Shortly after arriving we got a phone call from Newhall Library see what our coverage at the library for the day was like and would it be possible for me to cover the library? After a little bit of problem solving, I called back to say that I could cover the library and would leave soon. I got my bag together and headed out the door. I got into the parking lot among the broken glass and realized that I needed to get that cleaned up before I left for the day. I went back inside, dropped by handbag off, and retrieved the broom and dustpan. Many of pieces were still pretty large and a customer dropping off items in the bookdrop got out of her car and picked up the cardboard six-pack holders and put them in the trash can. She tsk-ed in dismay that someone would be so irresponsible. I agreed and thanked her, she responded..."I know you guys work really hard and do a good job, but you don't get paid enough to do this." What a nice thing to say. I finished the job, in all about 7-8 minutes worth of work. I got in my car and headed for Santa Clarita.
Right before the 118 near the Wheatland exit the cars started to bunch up. A CHP unit rolled by, lights flashing on the shoulder. I looked up head to see that the freeway was closed due to an accident. Sitting in my car, I realized that the accident happened about 7-8 minutes before--the radio said three cars were involved. All traffic was being diverted off the freeway at the Wheatland exit. Twenty minutes later, as I rolled past on to the exit, the Lexus SUV was being righted. It had clearly rolled and was in bad shape. If I hadn't had to stop to clean up the glass in the parking lot, I would have either been just past the accident when it occurred or right smack in the middle of it. Although I would have preferred to have been the former than stuck in traffic for 30 minutes, I clearly preferred the inconvenience of being stuck than to have chaos swirl around right in front of me and quite possibly involving me. So kudos to my poor overworked Guardian Angel that keeps vigilance over me.

How Very Strange Revised

2011-05-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, I don't get it. I went to my blog in Firefox and there was the post from yesterday. I signed in and it wasn't there. What up with that? I just don't know.

But anywhere here is the Feline Follies post

Last Wednesday, I was home no more than 10 minutes when Sasha started to wretch. At first I thought he was hacking up a hairball but all that came up was some clear saliva. About 10 minutes later he started meowing in distress and vomited up more saliva. I walked around the apartment and realized that he had been throwing up for a while. Poor baby. I tried to give him some water but he wasn't interested in that. What to do? I thought about it for a while and decided that I might need to take him to the vet. My concern was that if he became overly dehydrated he might have kidney failure--cat systems are pretty delicate in this area. I didn't want to come home after a long day of meetings to a seriously ill cat. I looked on line and found the Emergency Pet Clinic in Newhall, I called and they said to bring him in.
I got out the kitty carrier and brought it inside. I shut the bathroom door and the bedroom door. Misha looked at the carrier with curiosity but no real worry. It seemed that he processed that he was not sick, there was only one carrier out so it wasn't intended for him. Sasha seemed to process this same information with the same conclusion because in the corner of my eye I saw Sasha slink under the sofa to the sweet spot where he was just out of reach at all angles. I pulled the sofa out, he moved, I pushed it in, moved again. This repeated for a while until he went under the chair. I had better access to the chair.
Basically with him kicking and screaming I got him in the carrier and got him in the car. Pitiful meows responded to what I hoped to be soothing "It's going to be OK." He seemed to be saying "No, it's not. I'm OK really let's just go back home. Please. Please." We got to the clinic just as the people ahead of me put their dachshund on the counter. The preliminary diagnosis was rattle snake bite. This meant that it would be a while before the vet was freed up to see Sasha. Later, the tech took him into the examining room and started with his vitals. The vet asked me if he had gotten into any poison, drugs, little items, etc. etc. I answered negative to my knowledge. She said that they could do x-rays or just give him fluids and a couple of shots. I opted for the shots and said that if he didn't perk up then I would go for the x-rays. They put a hydration pack under his skin, gave him two shots to calm his tummy and presented me with a bill for $250.
I got him home and he seemed to already be perked up. Sasha is my delicate cat. With his sometimes whisper meow and rabbit soft fur, he has a sensitive tummy. I had had the boy cats for about 2 months when at Christmas he seemed very listless and unresponsive. I took him to the vet who suspected that he had ingested a piece of Styrofoam or so something. Apparently he gets lots of these case during the holidays with all the various packaging that pets can get into. Then came the bouts of constipation and the worse bout of diarrhea. After that I change their dry food to Sensitive System food and things seemed to settle down for him.

The next morning as I was getting ready for my long meeting, I heard retching in the kitchen. "Oh, no he's still sick" ran through my head. I went to investigate, I found Sasha as right as rain but Misha had just vomited up clear saliva. I looked at him and said, I don't have another $250 to spend on you--you have to get well. I left the AC on which I hadn't the day before in hopes that if it had gotten too hot for them the previous day and that was why Sasha was sick, they would be nice a comfy that day.
I came home and both cats were back to normal. Whew!

How Very Strange...disappearing entry

2011-05-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I posted an entry about the trials I had with Sasha last week, I even viewed it last night to check how much needed edited. All there but today when I thought about posted another entry--yes, I am on roll, yesterday's post was gone. Did I accidently delete. Always possible. Well enough of this. I will try to repost the travails and come up with another post tomorrow. It has been a long day and I have a DVD in the player.

Tea Party Part II

2011-05-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

The preparation for the tea was a process. At first I thought for the craft portion of the program, I would have them make felt butterfly magnets. I borrowed a multi-piece die from Lancaster Library. But when I tried to cut out the felt, it failed to cut all the way through. So I had to rethink my craft. I decided rather to have them make greeting cards using the butterfly die cut out of craft paper, felt mini-flowers, felt and paper mini hearts and felt and paper mini butterflies. It turned out well. I was pleased with the proto-types I made.

The party favor. I don't even remember what options I considered, there were many. In the end I settled on paper flowers made out of heavier two sided scrapbooking paper. I also decided to make them into magnets rather than putting them on to floral wire. This save a pretty good amount of time. Recently I requested a book on paper flowers and had already planned to do a program on how to make them. I realized while creating a couple of flowers for the program that I could use them as the party favor and advertize for my program next Monday evening at the same time.

Then came the food for the program. Thankfully my former supervisor Josie let me know through the grapevine that she would make me some of her famous lemon squares and brownies. I gladly took her up on the offer. I wanted to do something a bit different from my usual fare of Sam's Club mini quiches and a couple of other frozen nuke and serve dishes. This time I roasted some mini potatoes and then threaded them onto skewers with mini tomatoes and then popped them back into the oven for a bit. I also found a fast recipe for haricot vert (French green beans). At first I planned to grate carrots, and cucumbers and then add cranberries and mint for a refreshing spring salad but on the day of I realized that the carrots were too thin to grate so I improvised, cut them into large matchsticks and sauteed them with butter and brown sugar. I garnished them with fresh mint. Of course I made tea sandwiches but to add a little bit of variety I made (or rather had the volunteers make) grilled ham & Colby cheese sandwiches.

I bought a mini tea cake pan that I wanted to try out. I had the thought I might have time to do them up proper but in the end Friday night after picking up last minute ingredients I didn't have time to make the glaze for them. The recipe that came with the pan was a little bit too thick and I ended up with overflow that I had to cut off and bubbles, but they were cute. Instead of the glaze, I just dusted them with brown sugar. By the end of the tea, there was one lone potato and one tiny tea cake left on the table. So I am assuming that it was all pretty good or maybe I just didn't make enough!
I had fully planned to make a variety of scones for the tea but a night in kitty emergency (I will elaborate in the next entry)threw my timing off. But fortunately, my adult volunteer contributed scones for the fete.
The biggest success was the punch. I don't know where I got the punch recipe, I have been using it for a while now but everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. I used one can each of frozen orange, pineapple and lemonade concentrate thawed. I added two bottles of lemon lime soda--this time I used Squirt because it was on sale and then added about half to three quarters cup of grenadine to give it a nice hue. I added ice and water to fill up the punch carafe.

For entertainment I told stories that I titled "Stories My Mother Told". I talked a bit about growing up with bedtime stories that my mother wove for my and my brother. She would call Nightmare the luminous dapple gray horse to our bedside and take us to Nappies Town where we would run into literary creatures such as the Owl and the Pussy Cat, the Gumdrop Tree with the Chocolate Cat and Gingerbread Dog. We would always end our visit with milk and cookies at the Wise Old Owl's house where we could ask one question. I also talked about the time my mother sewed up the Easter Bunny when he fell and hurt himself on the barbed wire fence. My mother took the broken eggs off his hands for our baskets. I then told them that I host the Mother Daughter Tea in honor of my mother because I think she is an amazing person. I believe that my love for literature, librarianship and travel stem from those early bedtime adventures sprinkled with literary references that required no passport.

The last portion of the program is a free raffle. I collect little gifts either from donations or things that I pick up fairly inexpensively. I give each attendee three slips of paper, they write their name on the slips and then they place the slips in the the cups next to the prize they would like to win. At the end of the program I draw out the winning names. It is fun. This year the big prize was a Disney gift with a Tinkerbell butterfly shaped bag filled with a Cinderella Barbie and a fairy necklace. The daughters of the mother who won the prize almost came to blows over who got what. So again, I will assume that it was a success.
Now I need to start planning the winter tea party!

Spring Mother Daughter Tea at the Library Part I

2011-05-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

This spring was my third Mother Daugther Tea that I hosted at the library. I host them in both the spring the Saturday before Mother's Day and in the winter a few weeks before Christmas. The word is getting out that this is a good program to come to. This year I set sign up to begin on April 27th, the participants could e-mail me, call me or come into the library. By 1:00 pm the sign up list was full and the waiting list was being generated. I set the total at 21 mothers plus and daughters, granddaughters, grandmothers, etc that there might be. I actually increased the number to 24 mothers before I shut the list down--I have a hard time saying no!

There was one initial concern, we had a mother call to sign up right at 11:00, she wanted to register her and her son. I didn't quite know how to handle this, I explained that it was the Mother Daughter Tea but she insisted that she should be able to attend with her son if she wanted to. Yes, it is a library program so it is open to the public. Since this is billed as a family program and she is a family therefore she falls into the category. I told her that I needed to get with my supervisor and then I would call her back. I decided to check with other libraries that host Mother Daughter Teas. I trolled the internet for a couple of numbers, one was in Lousiana and the librarian there told me that sometimes they get mothers and sons but she just explains that if the son will be comfortable in the atmosphere then feel free to bring them. I also called Santa Monica who has been doing the tea for about 5 years, the librarian there said that she hadn't run into the problem yet and that she felt that the title of the program was self explanitory.
Why a Mother Daughter Tea? Why not just a Mother's Day Tea? I've have pondered this and other than well, it sounds catchy, feels right, and other people are doing it, too, I haven't gotten very far without getting philosophical.
Gender issues are always complicated. The whole reason I have put the tea together is that I would love to attend one with my own mother. I remember the times that my mother and did events together and still do, these bond us, create memories, and we can do girly things, talk about girly things. Yes, gender differences are alive and well in my mind. I don't think that gender differences have anything to do with actually equality. I personally think that there are certain areas that women wrongly and dangerously use their femaleness to their advantage--but I might explore this at a later date.

At any rate the mother and son duo was a no show. Oh well, I had wondered how I would handle this situation if it arose and next time I will be able to handle it better--it's all a learning process. I am still fairly new at the hosting the tea. Each time, I get a little better and the overall product is smoothers and more professional. One volunteer that helped me last year during the first tea, was astounded at how much better prepared I was this year. I still have a bit more polishing to do but again it is a learning process, I am figuring out when to get things started to minimize the chaos on the day of the tea. This year I had 68 people in attendance which is the maximum number of people that I can handle in the room.
In the winter, I have decided that I will handle the sign ups by lottery. Because the sign ups closed so quickly and a number of the attendees were repeaters that knew that they needed to get in quickly, I want to give other people that haven't heard of the tea a chance. So in the winter, I will have the entry time over a period of a week, then I will do the drawing, contact the winners and then hold the others on the waiting list. I think that this will be easier for me and the staff. The first 3 hours of Monday the 27th was chaos with people. I believe I will also be able to manage the list better. This year there were a couple of snafus in the list that I had to sort out during the seating period of the tea. Again it is a learning experience.

Silver Sapphire

2011-04-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, I commuted to the Library Breakfast with a collegue in his new Subaru Forrester. I was totally J because a couple of weeks ago, I noticed one on my way home and thought--my next car will be a Subaru. All day Thursday I thought about the car and again on Friday I thought about it and did a little bit of research about All Wheel Drive vs Front Wheel Drive. By yesterday at 5:00, I had racked up enough reasons to go test drive a few cars. I stopped by Galpin on my way home, just to have a look. I didn't really have in mind that I would end up with a new vehicle--honest. Well, I guess, I thought that I might, I know that when you go look for a car, they really try hard to get you in one. I thought if I could get one with no outlay from my pocket and with payments around what I am already paying, then why not.
I thought it might be reasonable to upgrade for the following reasons.
* The RAV 4 had over 100K on the odometer, I was beginning to get concerned a major repair would be in my near future.
*My tags were due in June so I would have to lay out bucks for them.
*I needed to replace my windshield. I had a crack fixed in Oklahoma two years ago but I noticed that it began to run in a different direction and I had a star that might have caused a problem.
*I changed out my brakes last year but I have had them tightened up 3 times since and stopping on the downhill always made me nervous--I have to stop on a pretty steep incline when I leave work to get on the road.
*My rear shock was leaking and needed to be replaced.
*The right fender was loose and when I drive on the freeway with high wind, it flaps.
*I want to be able to drive back to Oklahoma to see the family and my RAV 4 was making me feel that it might not make it.
*I commute to work and need a reliable vehicle.
And at the dealership they showed me the car fax which said that the first owner wrecked the RAV 4, Toyota bought it at auction, spruced it up and sold it to me. Grrr...this little fact meant that my trade in wasn't as nice as I would have wanted it to be. Grrr....
At about 3:00pm this after noon, I walked away with my new 2011 Subaru Forester that I have dubbed the Silver Sapphire. When I set up my account on line I had the option to name the new addition to my family so this is what I settled on.
Good-bye to my faithful RAV4. It was a good ride for me. I really did enjoy driving it around for the last 5 years. I really enjoyed driving cross country twice with it. It moved me from Sylmar to Palmdale to Canyon Country to Valencia. I carried tables, books, and all kind of stuff around in it.
But it was time to move on. Now I can plan my next trip to Oklahoma with a lot less anxiety. This fall, I want to drive back with a side trip to Chaco and maybe up to Mesa Verde.

I'm Back, Tax oDay and Other Musings

2011-04-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got a text asking if something was up because I hadn't posted in a while. When I logged in this morning I was surprised that it has been about 6 weeks. What can I say, not much, I have been lethargic for a while. Better than I was at the end of last year but still in a bit of a rut. I think that it is because I have completed a big goal and am now somewhat goal-less or at least without a goal that I can really sink my teeth into. For a bit I tried to hang my hat on really cleaning up my eating habits and getting my health and weight in line. I outlined a plan but then I didn't fall off the wagon so much as I never seemed to have actually boarded it. It went off on it's own while I was having a QP at McDonald's. Hmmm...
I decided that I was trying to do too much at once and that my habits are in such disarray that I need baby steps to get myself down the path that I want to be on. So the first step is to incorportate at least 2 pieces of fruit in my diet each day. That seems to be going fairly well. I have missed a couple of days but for the most part, I am on target. I thought about joining Jenny Craig because I haven't been cooking and on Jenny you just have to prepare salads for you/rself. I am giving myself one more chance before I go to Jenny becuase I really want to cook--now that the roach problem has been solved (more on that later).
Roaches! Gross! A couple of weeks ago, I had several people over for dinner. Both the oven and the stove top was on. Sister was putting buns in the oven (hahaha--I tickled myself) vc';p (sasha wanted to write something here). Back to the horror show--I looked at the digital read out and I saw a roach under the panel. Then suddenly, I saw two, three, four, five, more swarm under the panel. I recoiled in disgust. Sister saw it and wished she hadn't. On Monday morning I went down to cxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx`1 (Misha's contribution) the Management office and arranged for an extermination. That deserves it own recount. I have two impatient cats and I have to go pay my taxes before I head to work so I will sign off now.

Morally Opposed

2011-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

I have often stated that I am morally opposed to LSSI (Library Services and Systems Inc) that is taking over the management of the Santa Clarita Libraries. I don't think that it is in the best interests of community to have public money used for a for profit group that uses volunteers to enhance its profit margins and does not disclose what those margins may be. Would you volunteer for Walmart? I also do not believe that a for profit group that has a history of not paying its bills on time and tries to guilt public sector librarians into feeling like they are dirty and wrong for having a retire package is acting responsibly. I put money in for retirement. I don't necessarily believe that it will be there for me when the time comes in the same vein that I have been told from day one that Social Security won't be there for my generation either. Yet I put money in hoping for Vegas Odds. I also regularly go to Vegas with the same hopes. Maybe one will pay off in the end. Between you and me, my money is on Vegas, though. But what is wrong with building your career and hoping that eventually you may have a secure retirement?
In the parking lot outside Valencia Library, I had a brief chat with another employee. We are getting a lot of comments from customers as we get closer to the wire of change. Customers are concerned about the future of the libraries. We don't say much, other than that they will have to wait and see. I just say that I understand their concerns. There is no turning back but I have hopes that the City will opt to build their own system without LSSI.
The more that I think about LSSI, read about about sustainabilty and the Military Indurstrial Complex, I beleive that LSSI is a symptom of the the dangerous path that America is traveling down. LSSI is essentially the professional equivelent of an industrial farm hiring migrant workers to keep prices down, avoid providing health insurance and actually living wages to its employees. The more I ponder this, the more I become convinced of the connection and the more I feel that I need to be more responsible with my own buying power. The more I ponder this, the more I see clearly exactly why I am opposed to LSSI. I have heard that the average retirement for LSSI employees is 25K a year. This is shameful. The big guys at the top make the money and the workers on the bottom are treated like bottom feeders. For all the reasons that I feel am being to believe that the military industrial complex with its pesticides, mono-culture farming, and contained animal feeding operations is eroding the future of American agriculture, the more I am able to understand that doing business the way that Walmart, LSSI and other industries of the ilk are eroding the rest of the United States. I am not quite sure how I will make changes but I see them coming. For my health, my well-being and for the future of the next generation.

Being a Librarian

2011-02-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

Earlier today a friends sent me an e-mail telling me that it looked like I found the perfect job for me. I guess in many ways she is right. I enjoy what I do. Yes, of course there are frustrations, stresses and at times burn out. Before I went back to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, I was in desperate need for a get away. I was traveling down a road of half empty glasses. But I took some time off, and then had a long New Year's break to get myself into perspective on the glasses. I came back refreshed and recharged.
So why is this the perfect job for me. One of the best things about my job is the sheer variety of each and every day. No two are exactly the same. And even an average day can turn on a dime--but usually not in a good way. I like that there is always something to do. Some other thing that can be imagined. I spent a year in Japan bored out of my gourd sitting at a desk for the 25 hours that I had to be there without actual work to do. It was the worst working year of my life. I don't have a strong enough imagination to entertain myself. My personal battery winds down and I don't feel like doing even the little that I have to do. Fortunately I learned this about myself early on and have only had one such job in my life.
Being a librarian means that the day if filled with fitting a variety of projects in to the day--sometimes they fit smoothly and sometimes they don't. Programming means beginning able to use creativity and imagination to provide interesting--we hope--activities for the community. Answering information questions is a dual pleasure when all goes well--I get to help someone and I learn something as well. I like to help people and I am a people person. Of course, I don't care to deal with unpleasant people and of course I don't always handle them in the best manner. But I try and I want to provide the best service whenever possible. I like connecting people--whether with other people or information. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone functions on this level. I want the people I know to know each other. It always surprises me when people want to keep their friend groups seperate. On one level I can understand this but in reality it is a alien concept for the way I actually function. It pleased me when my college friend Karen and my Hawaiian friend Lillian took a vacation together after I introduced them. So if I can hook someone up with information they need at work, I am well satistified.
One of the things I get to do that I probably enjoy the most is problem solving. Almost everything I do, involves chorographing solutions to usually mundane but sometimes extremely exotic situations. Of course my daily hope is that nothing serious happens that will cause the house to tumble down around my ears. As always I hope for the best but as worse case scenario girl I plan for the worst.

The Lost Art of Being a Middle Class American

2011-02-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

I suddenly feel like I am a middle-class American. I don't know that I have ever really felt this way before. I have been a lower middle class Hick, a starving college students, a gaijin, a backpack traveler, a haole, a broke American drowning in credit card debt, and a struggling perhaps not very American trying to live within her means. But now, suddenly I have broken through all those barriers and find myself solidly in that coveted--or maybe only historically coveted--category of Middle Class. Why do I feel this way. Well, I am educated. I have a professional job that has pretty good benefits, I am living in an upscale urban living community. I have a TV that now has cable reception and Internet at home. Within the last 24 hours I have bridged the Digital Divide that kept me on the other side. I have a car that doesn't have duct tape on it--yet. The back fender could probably use some but I want to stay in my little cocoon of middle class sensibilities for a few days.
And perhaps what I feel is the most middle class sensibility that I may have developed recently is the feeling that I don't need THINGS as much as I used to need them. Yesterday, I found some flannel pajama bottoms for WOW WHAT A BARGAIN--$7.91 for TWO PAIR. I picked them up, considered them, almost got them but then thought, "But you already have enough pajama bottoms at home." I put them back knowing that old me--struggling me--would have put them into my shopping cart and carried them home feeling I just got a deal--yes, my bank account was short $9 but WOW WHAT A DEAL!! I am so happy. This is the sort of attitude that I think growing up not having enough can breed. Just wanting, wanting all those things that you could have when you were younger, all those things that you had to do without but all your friends had or at least all the cool kids at school had. For a long time, I used to justify purchases by saying that this is what a middle class person has. But that isn't true, I think that a middle class American is mostly that way due to being frugal and smart with their purchases and money. Working hard, spending for quality rather than quantity, and spending for those things that that really improve your quality of living. This quality over quantity is probably the most difficult concept for me to grasp--me, the bargain basement queen. Me, the collector of Last Chance 90% off items. I still have a long way to go.
Some of what is adapting my behavior patterns are Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver's books. I just finished The Omnivore's Delimma and previously read In Defense of Food. Right now I am reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. My current health concerns has brought me around to trying to sort out how I feel about my culture, my upbringing, and my consumption with how I actually are and how I want them to be. I realized that I treated the way I feed myself with the way I bought things--some times with great abandon, and usually trying to get a lot for not very much. End result: waste and unhappiness. By trying to right the way that I think about how I feed myself, I am realizing how interconnected I actually am. How I feel about feeding myself is exactly the same as how I feel about housing myself, clothing myself and entertaining myself. I am coming to realize that it isn't about getting a lot more that you pay for. Rather it is about getting value for what you spend and appreciating what you have. I think that being a Middle Class American is a lost art and I really want to recover it for myself. American's spent the last decade of the first millennium and the first decade of the second, chasing after trappings of upper class consumerism. This got a bunch of us in a lot of trouble--present company included. I doubt I will ever own a Louis Vuitton of luggage and more and more I simply just don't want to. A sturdy set of Samsonite is looking a bit more reasonable and my current mismatched set of red and pink are OK for a while longer.

The Week in Review

2011-01-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that the week is over. Monday was a holiday and Tuesday was my day off. So the rest of the week, I had a hard time figuring out what day it actually was. Monday, I hosted my first event down in the Rec Room. Mary and the twins had birthdays this month, so the usual suspects got together to wish them a Happy Birthday. I made a variety of salads and yaki-tori (teriyaki chicken on skewers) as well as having humus, shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers. For the most part I tried to keep things simple and mostly healthy. The chocolate ganache birthday cake, though, was squarely unhealthy.
Tuesday, Mary and I went to see Black Swan. What a powerful performance by Natalie Portman. And very disburbing. It took a while to recover from the film. Seeing madness creep into her life was un-nerving. Being left wondering what was real and what was imagined does not sit well. In some ways it reminds me of Robert Parsig's books Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintance and Lila: An Inquiry into Morals.
I also picked up my new furniture from Urban Home on Tuesday. I got a dining table, daybed to use as a sofa and an end table. Of course parts got left at the store and required an additional trip back to Stevenson Ranch. I am pleased with the furniture.
Tonight I go pick up a TV from Sears which means that once again I am flat broke until payday but this is the last high ticket item I want for a while, so beginning February, I should be able to tuck some $ into my bank account.
Wednesday was a normal work day--shipment, shelving, avoiding the pile on my desk. Thursday was our Regional Library Manager meeting in the morning and then in the evening Town Council. This makes for a long day. And leaving for work on Friday morning at 7:00 am after getting home closer to 11:00 pm. But I made it. Repeat of Wednesday. Shipment, shelving and problem solving.
Saturday, I did not shelve books--well, only a few--mostly straigtening shelves. I did not check in books, I did not have shipment to do. Rather, I spent one of those rare days of doing mostly Librarian work which included spending 5 hours on the reference desk, setting up a display, making staff schedules for February, and preparing for a Valentine's Display and the One Year Anniversary Slideshow that I plan to fun during the Crescenta Valley Jazz Band Performance.
I made a half sheet that says I heart My Library Because... I will post them as part of the Valentine's Display but I am also transfering them to my Powerpoint and will alternate photos with the the quotes. So far my favorite is... I am 6. I like I can play in the kid section. I also liked: The staff is really kind and professional and most importantly FRIENDLY, not like the staff at that other libray. Ok so that one will get a bit of editing before it is added. Lot's of kind words for the staff.
It is always busy but next week will be busy getting ready for the 1st Anniversary. We will have a Puppet Show, the Jazz Band with the Powerpoint, and birthday cake & punch. Last year, I was in a total fog most of the day. I was so thankful that Elaine the FOL president organized the Jazz Band and the Crescenta Valley Women's Club organized all the refreshments and Mike Lawler the Historical Society President organized the Medallion Dedication in the evening. It was a long but realitive easy day for me and I am positive I would have been completely overwhelmed. Thank you to my wonderful community, I have enjoyed the year working with the community and getting to know it better. I look forward to many more.

Did We Attend the Same Meeting?

2011-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Today in the Santa Clarita Signal, Tammy Marashalian wrote and editorial on the Thursday night meeting The Making of a Library System. I got a completely different take on the meeting. The article sounds all warm and fuzzy and that Mr. Dubberly was a competent individual--which clearly he is not. As one observer said, "This man makes slightly less sense that I do...When I'm drunk."
Ms. Marashalian makes it seem as if, there were no frustrations amongst the committee members with the process and the city. Clearly this was not the case. I don't remember seeing Ms. Marashalian at the meeting, so I suspect she got her information from Mr. Hernandez--the city mouthpiece.
This is what I heard at the meeting:
* "We are frustrated that the City is making decisions without giving us a headsup that they are coming or asking for our imput."
* "We are frustrated that city is not updating us on what is happening with the libraries."
* "We are frustrated with not having information provided to us for the meeting before hand."
* "We are frustrated that the city is up to it's same old tricks."
* "We are frustrated that we haven't been given a clear vision of what this committee is all about.
* "We are frustrated that Mark Smith has to jump in and answer a question directed at Mr. Dubberly who clearly did not understand the question.
Last Tuesday, the City approved joining the Inland Empire Library consortium. The city plans to truck books across LA County from San Bernadino and Riverside Counties. I am so thankful that the City of Santa Clarita is looking after its carbon footprint and is extremely environmentaly in their decision making. Wait while I clean up some of the dripping sarcasm.
Speaking of economics and environmentalism, city fails again on the economics of scale. The Inland Empire Consortium will not let out it's new title for about the first six months of ownership. Santa Clarita plans to do the same. Santa Clarita plans to use their enhanced book budget of 100K to buy additional copies of titles. Here is where the economics of scale comes into play. Let's say the title is super popular. The County has 85 libraries that share their materials. If an item is very popular each library will receive a copy and some may receive two copies. In all there would probably be at least a 100 copies available. Let's say that the item has 1000 people waiting for it. Mind you 1000 people on a waiting list does happen but when it does we usually have far more than 100 copies available--this is just for the sake of arguement. That means that these 1000 people would need to wait for 10 cycles for the item to go out and back. Let's say that 100 of these people were from Santa Clarita--this is not a way off figure because the Santa Clarita Libraries are among some of busiest in the system. Let's say that LSSI bought 10 copies of title so satisfy the demand--still we have the same math--100 waiting for 10 rather than 1000 waiting for 100. But when demand dies down and all these copies are no longer needed with the County, most libraries will keep their one copy and some of the larger ones may keep two or possibly three depending on demand. Economy of scale means that there is little waste. However, when demand dies down at least half of the Santa Clarita copies will be sitting unused on the shelf. This translate as waste. One hundred thousand dollars do not translate to much in the world of books. Santa Clarita will need this amount and possibly more to keep up with the same demand that a larger system is able to handle more economically and conservatively. Go Green Santa Clarita!

Even More Concerned Now!

2011-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to the second City of Santa Clarita Citizens of Public Library Advisory Committee. It was a without a doubt a complete train wreck. I don't know if I can get all my thoughts on the fly here in the remaining minutes of my lunch hour but I'll try. Dubberly is at least one step below competent. He attempts to fall on his folksy Gomer Pyle Gosh by golly style to cover it up. But I'm not fooled. He needs to retire and stop calling himself an Information Professional.
*He clearly did not look at the agenda. If he had then he would have know that the first item was to Distribute and Review Revised Schedule. At the end of the evening a concerned task force member asked about it. He asked "Didn't you already get it?" Inside voice responded "No, you have been here as long as everyone else--did you see it handed out?" Then a Santa Clarita Official came through with "It's on the table next you." The pile of paper that is hanging out there.
*He clearly does not make logically connections. He holds up a huge pile of Vision Statements in his hand and says everyone take yours out. Inside voice again: "If you are holding them, how can they possibly already have them.?"
*After everyone took a few minutes to introduce themselves, he had them all go to that evenings task which was to create SWOT--Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats--of the vision statements. I know what a SWOT is, I have used them in creating Plans for the Institute of Intensive English for accreditation. I know that they can be valuable. But for most people, they may not have run into this planning animal before, so a little background on what the tool is why the process is helpful would have been appreciated. This was evidenced by his instructions which essentially amounted to "OK, hop to it." Hop to what? There were several questions about what they were supposed to do and how they were supposed to do it. Eventually everyone got on task and completed it. No help from Mr. Dubberly thought. I suspect that those members that have had previous planning experience lead the others through it--making the others feel rather stupid for not knowing.
Meanwhile. My little group of 4 sat at the back and talked about the SWOT of what the City was doing. Michael Wilkerson of SaveSantaClaritaLibraries.org made a very significant comment: The threat is that we will end up with less but save $400K dollars. The threat is that we will end up with less and not save any money. The threat is that we will end up with less and it will actually cost more. I think that this is very well put.
My comment on the SWOT was that before the City proceeded with hiring LSSI they should have done due diligence and hired an independent--non LSSI affiliated--consultant to lay down the SWOT of leaving County Service and going with LSSI or building their own system from scratch. Oh, yes, they did that didn't they--IN 1999!!! The world is a very different place now that it was then. These things have a shelf life. If the City had done this crucial step then I might actually have some respect for the decision do go with LSSI--which I am morally opposed to.
I'm about half way finished but must go meet the day.

Musings

2011-01-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

We are a week into the new year. I have been flat broke since the end of last year and can't wait until payday on the 15th. Some people are good with money--Karen and my younger brother and some people aren't. I fall into squarely into the AREN'T category. I am trying and I am making some improvement but when you start in negative territory then some improvement doesn't seem to even ripple to the pond. I can't even blame it on "Well, I was never really taught." because my younger brother clearly learned. Maybe I was out shopping when that lesson was introduced. I do plan to make 2011 a better year in the fiscal department. I am out of debt so I should be able to move at least some of that money into a savings account.
The cats are back to waking me up at well before 6:00. Last Tuesday night, Misha became inconsolable at 2:30 in the morning. The only when he took his aggressions out on a paper shopping bag did he calm down. Since then they have been alert from about 4:30 wanting attention. Jeez, we were doing so well for a while. Yesterday the sisters asked me when they slept. Here is a picture of them comfortably napping in the chair when I came home early one afternoon. Obviously they save all the good stuff up for when I am home.

Diet seems to be going better. I am making an effort to reduce the fat in my diet. I haven't noticed any weight loss--DRAT--but that isn't the point. The point really is my insides need to come clean. I haven't gotten the exercise down yet. But I feel that I am usually so busy at work that I really get enough there. At least I hope so.
Speaking of work. We are taking the time to do some weeding now that we are in our slow season. Our shelves are beginning to get packed so we are removing some of the items that haven't checked out since before we opened the library. It's slow going. Last Saturday, I spaced the shelves in the Children's Fiction a little wider. We try not to use the bottom shelves of the stacks in many of the areas. I lowered the second shelf to as far down as it would go and then spaced the other shelves so that some of the taller books that were laying on their sides are now upright. I had a volunteer help me with the project that took about 1:45 to finish. I gave the shelves a good dusting as well. They are beginning to get grimy behind the books. At least our janitor does seem to keep the open end of the shelves fairly dust-free.

Goals for 2011

2011-01-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

I am refraining from the word Resolution because, I always think of the Japanese phrase Mikakan bozu which roughly translates into a Three Day Saint. I don't want these goals to spiral down the drain before the week is out.
My first goal is to lower my cholestorol. Right now it is freakishly high and I have been prescribed some very scary medicine to lower it. I would prefer not to need the meds. The only way this is going to happen is if I radically change my diet into one that includes more than fat and sugar as the major food groups. One that I take the time to think about.
My second goal is to get out of the funk that I have been in for longer than I care to remember. This is of course tied to the first goal because when I feel bad about myself, I abuse my body by eating the wrong food, not excercising and spiraling down deeper into the funk. No more of this self-abusive behavior. Just good things for me.
My third goal also tied into with the above to, is to exercise more. The better I eat, the more I move, the better I feel about myself. That is all there is to it.
My fourth goal is to make KISS--Keep It Simple, Sexy--my mantra. I chose to substitute Stupid for Sexy because my final goal: Number 5 is to end a lot of the self-abusive running interal dialog. For obvious reasons Stupid just doesn't jive. I like Sexy better anyhow.
What have I done to prepare for this. First to get myself out of my rut, I decided to get a simple-easy-to-take-care-of haircut. I cut about 10 inches off. I used Emma Watson's new haircut as a guide. Then to jazz me up a bit--I went ultra-blonde. I have never been ultra-blonde. But I was a blonde once upon a time, so I thought that I could probably carry it off. So here I am doing a double take in the mirror now. But that is good. I have been taking the time to put make up on--which is something I forwent for a while on my days off. Heck, even a shower on my days off was a stretch--that is how far gone I was.
Second, I have cleared a lot more of my extras out. I am getting rid of everything--well most everything--that I don't use on a regular basis. Keeping it Simple, Sexy--I have gotten rid of most of my notebooks--I am a paper addict. It is true. Show me a cute notebook and I covet, I want those fresh blank pages of possiblity. So I have kept one at home and one at work and that is it. No more!! No more buying fresh possiblities--I need to create them for myself.

Mother Daughter Tea

2010-12-19T13:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had my first annual Holiday Mother Daughter Tea. I did another tea earlier this year during Mother's Day. I guess it is a semi-annual program. I can only have a certain number of people in the program. In the spring I put the list out a month in advance--it filled up and there was a signifant waiting list. However, come Tea Party day, I had quite a few no-shows. I learned from this experience and just posted the sign-up list 12 days in advance. The result, I only had one no-show totalling 2 people. I had a total of 55 people in attendance.
The room was nice. I got garland at Michaels, and the Town Council let me borrow there garland and stockings. I brought in some stuff from home to complete the look. A Town Council member also let me borrow poinsettias that I festooned with ribbon and became the center pieces for the table.

I served a selection of sandwiches--trimmed of crusts, boxed heatables from Sam's Club, mini pigs-in-blanket, mini cresent rolls. Last week I baked a selection of scones--my favorite being the butterscotch scones. It won out for ease of baking coupled with a great flavor. I also baked some tartlets, almond cheesecake squares, tea cakes, and brownies There was only one small plate of leftovers.
For beverages, I served a variety of teas, hot chocolate--which disappeared flat right away, and hot apple cider. We attempted to make more hot chocolate but there was a slight snafu when the eggnog rather than milk ended up in the pot. Very interesting--we thought the only way to save it would have been to add rum but that wasn't possible--County property, minors and all.
I had bought some gingerbread house kits with royal icing. I was trying to take the easy simple way out by buying ready made easy to assemble kits. But --these proved to be a bit of a challenge to get together--next year I will do the old graham craker, frosting, milk carton route. Several people presented their Southern California Gingerbread Houses that had more or less been flatten by an earthquake. Thank goodness for our natural disasters.
Everyone expressed their thanks and gratitude. I enjoyed putting it together but like all parties for 60 people it takes a lot of effort and energy to make it come off. At the end of the day, I began to evaluate my programming efforts. I may just do book club and the two Teas next year. I went to bed last night at around 8:00 and didn't really stir much after 10:00 until 5:30 this morning when the Sasha and Misha decided they had had enough of me not paying attention to them. Sasha layed down on my face while Misha purred in my ear.

I'm Very Concerned!

2010-12-12T12:59:00.001-08:00

Last Tuesday I attended the first session of the Santa Clarita Libraries Planning Committee as a public observer. I left feeling very very concerned about the future of the libraries in my city. The Library Planning Committee consists of 31 people who were hand-picked by McLean and Ender. All most all are white and none seem to have been people who were opposed to the city take over of the library nor who had had experience with the County System. This in itself is not terribly worrying, I think that most of the people will try to offer their best during these sessions. What has big question marks and @#* signs going on above my head is LSSI (Library Systems and Services Inc.) the for profit group taking over the management of the libraries.
Here are my thoughts and observations:
1) With all the brouhaha in Santa Clarita, it seems that LSSI should be putting their best foot forward and at least making an attempt to be moderately professional which I didn't really see at all. I'll explain why in the next points.
2) The facilitator of the session, a Mr. Ron Dubberly, claims that he is a librarian with more than 30 years of experience, yet he also claims that he is severely technologically challenged. We are information professionals, technology is the main point of dissimination for technology during this technological age which has been in full force for at least 2 plus decades which encompasses the a good part of Mr. Dubberly's career. Shameful, shameful, shameful.
3) So essentially LSSI has a lackluster dinosaur leading the Library Planning Committee in developing plans for Library Services in the 21st Century. Yes, this really does inspire a high degree of faith in what is to come for Santa Clarita.
4) LSSI is taking over 5 libraries from two different systems at about the same time. From experience I know that opening, reopening and/or relocating businesses requires a tremendous amount of time, effort, energy and organization. LSSI cannot get out a simple MS Word document which only required a simple amount of editing. Insert City of Santa Clarita into the template instead of the last city they worked with. How are they ever going to manage a "smooth transition" in 7 months?
5) All this makes me wonder if LSSI is biting off more than it can chew with the Santa Clarita and Ventura libraries? And I question why they would even try? Again from experience, when companies aggressively go after contracts like there is no tomorrow it is because there isn't one if they don't. I have a bad feeling that LSSI is likely in financial straits and is gobbling up contracts with the hopes that down the line their bottom line will even out. Since LSSI is a private company that is publicly we don't know what kind of shenanigans they are up to with the account books. But I have a very very bad feeling about it all. Because I can read the writing on the wall quite well, my hunches are usually pretty much on the mark. We shall see. We shall see.

Home in Idabel

2010-11-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a nice vacation so far. I had an exceptionally smooth flight and enjoyed chatting with Bev my fellow train traveller and Trisha my seat mate on American. I don't often meet people traveling that I really enjoy talking to but this trip started out well.
My older brother picked me up at DFW. I had just walked outside, and was talking to my sister-in-law when I saw someone that looked like my brother cruise past. I asked if they were driving a Yukon, she said yes, and I yelled, stop. What great timing that was.
Brother was having a major toothache and back, hip, shoulder pain. He was not in good shape at all but like most Wiggins' he sucked it all up and drove us all the way back. Yes, I feel very guilty.
On Saturday, Mom and I went over to Foreman antique shopping. Mom told me she wanted to go to the Little Old Lady's store. We went in and sure enough it was a little old lade--Mom said that she thought he was 94. The little old lady, said "Look around and if you see anything you want, I'll give it to you." Apparently she sells Avon and then gives everything else away. Mom said that if she wasn't up to her ears in Avon she would buy some more. We left the store with some little Christmas ornaments.
After Foreman, we went to another antique mall in DeQueen before heading back to Idabel.
This afternoon we went over to Broken Bow for lunch the Chinese Restaurant. We stopped at Mostly Memories another antique mall. I found this very very cool, Native American piece. It is a turned wooden bowl on a slab of limestone that appears to have petroglyphs on it. It is a beautiful piece and as the woman at the shop said it would probably cost a lot more than $30 in California. Will post a picture as soon as I am can.

Update--Going Home for TG, Rose Bowl & Being Overwhelmed

2010-11-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I have been terrible about updating my blog. Last entry--I hate moving. I have been moved for over a month now--still waiting on my deposit to be returned from the ghetto. They are currently researching it. Whatever.
Work has been crazy busy. This past week, I have played mostly children's librarian with mine being out of the country at this time. Can't wait until the end of the month when she gets back. This week, I have done two class visits at the library, one outreach at a school, one children's program and a judging of the Pentel Bookmark Contest along with notifying the winners and putting together their prize bags. So not only am I doing my Manager job, but I am also doing both part-time positions. We have a daily circulation of between 1000-1300 items. That means that every day about that many items comes back and needs to go on the shelves. Right now, only about 35% of my staff has no mobility restrictions. So it is tough with the excess workload. I have an excellent staff but there is just too much for all of us to do. I come from strong peasant stock, and even I find myself pushed to my limits sometimes. In the end I come home exhausted wanting to stare at my walls.
Next week, I will be going to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving. The last time I went for Thanksgiving was 10 years ago when Mom called me home to say good-bye to my dad. That was a tough Thanksgiving for obvious reasons but also it was a time of disaster because one of the pipes broke in my parents house the week before when she was at the hospital with my dad. When she came home the house was completely flooded. When I came home the old carpet had been all pulled out but the new hadn't been laid down--holidays and all you know. But on to other stuff. It will be nice to be back and I need a break.
This morning Jess, my sister in spirit, and I went to the Pasadena Flea Market. The Pasadena Flea market is one of the three biggest in the US. It is pretty awesome. I ended up getting a gold occassional table for the apartment. I want to get nice furniture for a change but I don't really know what kind of style I am shooting for. Modern is about all I have gotten to. But the priority right now is to get a mattress set. I haven't had a decent one since I left Hawaii. I miss all my furniture in Hawaii. I had a nicely put together apartment in Hawaii.
The flea market was amazing. We got the Rose Bowl at about 10 to 8:00. We paid addmission of $10 each and then scoped out the RV's that were on display until 8:00. RV camping is not what it used to be. One was fully kitted out with a bedroom, bathroom, a good sized closet and recliners. I wouldn't mind roughing it in one of these.
At 8:00 we lined up to go inside the Rose Bowl. Everything you can think of was on sale. Right away, I found a booth with a couple of sisters from Arizona that came up. They had very nice items. Most of the things that I looked at were already sold. But there was a gold table for $50 that was still available. I opened my pocket book and SOLD was written next to my name on the tag. Just as the tag was completed, the person who was scooping up all the items, said "Oh, that was on my wish list." But the owner said "But it wasn't on your final list." and she said with a smile, "Yes, there is enough to go around for everyone."
I found a number of things that I liked but since I still don't have much in the way of cash flow, $50 was about my limit. I must focus and save for a mattress. Focus!! Very hard for me to do.

I Hate Moving

2010-10-03T15:53:00.001-07:00

I started moving yesterday and already feel overwhelmed. How did I end up with so much stuff. I feel the urge just to call The Salvation Army and have them come and pick up everything. I want to purge. But then I start looking at stuff--especially clothes that don't fit me anymore--I think, I love this XXX, I want to wear it again. So alass, I have more than my allotted share of belongings.
On Friday night, I had my all purpose "I'm Out of Debt" party which piggy backed on the facts that I started moving the next day and it is my birthday month. Note that I have a birthday month--not just a day. The entire month is mine to use as a justification for any behavior I might want ti display.
It was a fun party, I got lots of loot--thanks everyone! You are fantastic. I had the dinner at Bucca di Beppo--and I still have leftovers in my fridge. We had a good time--at least we got full.
However the next day when I checked my account, my available bank balance was short in the the tune of $275. In a panic, I waited until the staff at Bucca arrived and spoke with first the Chef Manager and then the General Manager. They tried to tell me that this happens all the time, the server entered the wrong amount the first time, cancelled it, and then ran it again with the correct amount. Meanwhile the bank debits both amounts and it takes up to 5 days to show that correct available balance. What?? I called my bank First Hawaiian, the very pleasant rep told me and the manager that the manager only needed to call their merchant services department, get an authorization code, call the bank and the money would be immediately available. The manager acted like this was my bank's fault but really if there is a fault it lies with the restuarants merchant services. I waited for a call back but nothing, then on Sunday afternoon, I went to Bucca and the Chef Manager at last got the authorization codes, called my bank and then let me know that the funds would be available in my account again. Geez!!

Kicking the Credit Card Debt

2010-09-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it is official. I have paid my last credit card payment. I am so excited, it has taken me 4 long years to get them all paid off but at last. Everything seems to be changing for me. I will move out of ghetto land on October 2nd. I get moles removed on September 30. I host my first debt free party on October 1. The next month will still be tight due to the party and moving but at last I can see some $ staying in my bank account between paychecks.
Last night I was invited to the Ladies' Club Spaghetti Dinner by our Friends of the Library Treasurer. There was an "Opportunity Drawing" for gift baskets. I bought 15 dollars in tickets which meant 45 tickets to place in bags for about 20 items. I randomly selected about 12 items doubling up on most of them. When the drawing started, they started with a Christmas Basket and called my number. I wasn't very surprised because I noticed when I put my 3 tickets in the bag there were only 2 other tickets, I had a better than 50% chance for that basket. But then they called my number again and again and again for a total of 8 items. I was really embarrassed by the end. I got a wicker picnic basket, an Italian baskets, some jewelry items, and other things. At the end someone wanted to take a photo of me because of the all the loot. What fun that was.

Finally I am Moving!

2010-09-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

At last I have decided to leave ghetto-land and upgrade my circumstances. On October 2, I will sign a lease, pick up keyes and begin to move me and the two cats across town to Valencia Town Center. I have decided on The Madison. I am excited that I will be leaving Diamond Park. Living there has just gotten me down. Living above the drug dealer really ruined it all for me. Not to say that I won't be living next to a drug dealer at the Madison but at least he will have a higher class of clients. I used to have to walk through coversations about getting out jail, fights and other conversations that men who have too much time on their hands have.
I am looking forward to a kitchen that doesn't have roaches--a going away present from the drug dealer and his family when they moved out, a broken garbage disposal, a stove that I am afraid to use and a dishwasher that I never used because it didn't look like it would work.
I will be paying extra for the upgraded--granite counters and all stainless steel appliances. Yes, the rent is way too much but I looked for similar places in Glendale and would have paid almost twice as much. And after ghetto-land, I need something to soothe my sensibilites. Also, I am hoping that I can expand my social network and get out of the funk that I have been in so long.
So right now I am looking at selling some of my stuff--namely my fridge, desk and microwave as the new place comes with all three. I am also trying to get things packed up and cleaned up so that I can make the move as smooth as possible.

Inner and Inter Library Loan Difference

2010-08-30T11:50:00.001-07:00

Here is the letter that I am sending to the City Council. So much misinformation swirling around about this issue.

August 30, 2010

Dear Council Members:

Please take a few minutes to education yourself on the difference between an Inner-Library loan and an Inter-Library loan. It was clear that during the Public Hearing on August 24, 2010 it appeared that Darren Hernandez was grossly misinformed about the difference and therefore misinformed you.

General Definitions:
1) Inner-Library loans are loans between one branch library and another. Since the items are owned by a single library system, use one catalog and have the same borrowing policies procedures requesting and delivery are generally streamlined. An example here would be a book in the Canyon Country Library is wanted by a patron in the Valencia Library. Patrons are usually able to request items been branches seamlessly and on their own.
2) Inter-Library loans are loans between two different library systems. The items are not owned by the lending library and must be acquired from a other system. The catalogs are not shared between the libraries; the two systems my have different lending policies; requests are usually handled by library staff; and delivery is generally handled by the US mail. An example here would be the new Santa Clarita System wants an item owned by the County of Los Angeles System which is part of the South State Cooperative.

Lending Periods:
1) Inner-Library loans are governed by the policies of the unified system. Patrons usually have renewals if no one is waiting for the item, a standard loan period for the type of item, and a standard overdue fee rate set by the system.
2) Inter-Library loans are governed by the agreement between the two individual systems. Usually there are no renewal of items, the overdue fees may be different and the lending periods may be different for items obtained from different systems because the agreements are different.

What Gets Lent:
1) Inner-Library loans are generally comprehensive. What is owned by the system as a whole is available to all the card holders in that system no matter which branch owns the items. There may be a formula for priority on branch-owned items for branch vs. non-branch users for items in high demand. Video, Audio, best-sellers, and other items will be sent out within the system.
2) Inter-Library loans are highly depended on the system that owns the items and their own policies for lending items to other outside systems. Generally best-sellers and newly published items are not sent out on Inter-library loan. Always the owning system will give priority to their own patrons before sending an item out to an outside system. Some systems do not lend out audio or video.

Right to Refusal:
1) For inner-library loans a branch usually does not have the right to refuse to send an item requested by a patron of another branch. For example if someone at the Canyon Country Library wants an item from Valencia Library and it is available, the patron can be assured that the item will arrive shortly at the Canyon Country Library.
2) For inner-library loans a system has the right to refuse to send a requested item out to the patron at an outside system library. For example, if a Valencia patron in the newly formed Santa Clarita Library system wants an item owned by the County of Los Angeles System, the County has the right to refuse sending the item, therefore the patron cannot be assured that the item will arrive in a timely manner or at all. The Inter-Library Loan Personnel may have to approach several libraries for the requested item before finding a library willing or able to loan the item out.

Lending, Requesting Limits and Fees
1) Inner-library loans are governed by the internal policies of the library system. A system may or may not charge fees for picking up requested items or they may be levied fees for not picking up requested items. However, the system is uniform.
2) Intra-library loans are governed by the policies of the owning library and not requesting library. The requesting system may choose to subsidize fees so that they are uniform on the surface for the customer. However, library systems generally do charge the customer some fees and/or set strict limits due to the volume of paperwork involved, tracking required, and submitting the information to the state for reimbursement from the Public Library Fund to defer costs. The Public Library Fund by the way has been hacked away and hacked away by the State and has rarely been fully funded.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or need more information on the difference between Inner-Library loans and Inter-Library loans. That one small letter actually makes a pretty big difference.

Santa Clarita, CA City Council Are Complete Fools

2010-08-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, August 24, 2010 after 4 hours of residents speaking out decided to ignore their pleas to slow down, think and let us have a voice in the decision and voted 4 to 1 to withdraw from the County Public Library System and hire a for-profit contractor to run the three Santa Clarita Libraries.
I am appalled and astounded that the democratic system failed so miserably on Tuesday night. Below is the speech I gave as part of public comments on Tuesday night. Never have I spoken truer words than that this was a Done Deal. After the meeting I saw the LSSI Rep give a Good-Ole Boy Slap on the Back to Darren Hernandez telling him what a good job he had done. Yes, a good job in mis-informing but I guess since the City awarded the contract to LSSI, a good job was indeed done by Darren Hernandez in his point of view.

Good evening Mayor Weste and members of the City Council,

I have been a resident of Santa Clarita for two years. During this time I have had occasion to attend city council meetings and I have often been impressed with the work the Council does and the well balanced decisions that you often make with the best interests of both the city and citizen.

However, tonight, I have come before you because I believe that you may make a decision that is neither well balanced, carefully thought-out, nor in the best interests of the citizens of Santa Clarita. The decision to withdraw from the county and for the city to run its own library system or contract it out to a for-profit group is simply put a politically motivated maneuver

I hear rumors that this is a Done Deal; you plan to contract with LSSI (Library Systems and Services Incorporated). And that anything my fellow citizens or I may say about the matter tonight is meaningless. However, I have to speak. I have to hope that you will listen to the voices from your community.

The most important thing in a library is not the books, the videos, or the magazines. The most important thing in a library is the Human Resources. The people, who work in the library, organize the materials so that they can be found but more importantly these people are in touch with the community, know what the community needs and provides quality programs and services to that end. With the County you have that. The people who staff the Santa Clarita libraries are dedicated professionals that have for decades served the community through understanding its past, current and changing needs.

You are seeking to break the backbone of the Santa Clarita Libraries by removing the most vital piece of Library Services. You propose to replace the backbone with contracted employees that most likely will not have a stake in the community and who are also most likely going to be looking for a better gig with benefits because your cost saving proposal hinges in undercutting the libraries’ human resources.

If you leave the County system you will be losing hundreds of years of dedicated cumulative service from the dedicated library professionals that staff the Santa Clarita. I urge you to reconsider your positions. And as citizen after citizen that I have spoken to have suggested—If it isn’t broken don’t try to fix it. Do not sell us a bill of goods that we do not want.

If you do chose to leave the County I can guarantee you that you will get what you deserve. However, this is not what my fellow citizens and I deserve. We deserve the quality library services with a strong tradition in serving us that we are currently receiving.

Thank you.

Day Light Savings Time

2010-08-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

The days are getting shorter. Last night I walked out of the library in the evening to a rapidly darkening sky. I love long days with short nights. I feel more alive and energetic. I hate to see Standard Time come in the winter but know that it is a has to be, because as much as I love long days, I hate dark mornings. I often run into people who tell me that they would prefer that we not have a time change. But I have lived in a country and a state that does not change the time. And I don't mind because the benefits are greater than the first couple of days of adjustment.
Hawaii doesn't change time and in a sense it doesn't need to. It is at the perfect location where winter days are longer than on the mainland and summer nights are only slightly shorter. Oh, but I would have loved to have daylight until 10:00 in Hawaii. But the rhythms are different there and I moved around much earlier in the morning than I do on the mainland. I often was up and and had my 6 mile morning run in well before 7:30, back home and ready for a shower and a cup of coffee. But then even if I wanted to sleep in the trash truck was banging around bright and early at 7:00 on Saturday mornings. Grrr!!!
Japan which is much more similar to the US mainland in latitude desperately needed Daylight Savings Time. And appearantly they got it shortly after I left the country. But I longed for longer summer days and for sunlight not to invade my sleep at 4:00 in the morning. I understand that if you don't have a time change, it isn't going to be year long Daylight Savings Time but rather a year of shorter summer summer days and longer summer mornings.
But then again as my friend pointed out, I have never had a baby and babies don't know nothing about Daylight Savings Time

What a Summer

2010-07-22T15:05:00.001-07:00

This month has been marked with both technical and mechanical failure at the library which has been a source of frustration for both staff and customers alike. As a new facility, the AC remained untested until the first hot days of summer. There was no passing with flying colors, more like the stale stuffy air of failure. For 4 days, the staff endured sweltering tropical mugginess until it was clear that we were not able to continue on with ever growing dread and uncomfortableness as the temperatures crept up outside, inside and within us. It was during the initial AC failure that we also experienced a systems failure with our computerized Integrated Library System. Searching, checking out, checking in--essentially everything that we do all day long--suddenly became a frustrating headache for almost 10 days. I walked around in a perpetual state of irritable stickiness. Since library work is rarely quiet desk sitting work but rather pushing heavy carts, lifting heavy boxes, running from one end of the library and back again and again type of work it is easy to become uncomfortable fast. At the end of the first week, with tempers short and fuses quickly burning down, I asked that we close the adult area and leave the rest of the area open since it was in the adult library that the AC had failed. I got permission but when I tried to put the gate down to shut off the adult area, the gate failed. Defeated, we closed the library for 3 days until we could get some fixes, firs the gate and then the AC.

For a few days we thought the fix was holding, my office was a welcoming cool haven. Then we noticed that the areas that were previously comfortable were now quite the opposite. And then Monday morning I walked through the door of my office and into a thick heavy wall of air. All the units were compromised in one manner or another. I shelved one cart of books on Monday morning at 9:30 in the morning with sweat trickling down my brow. The thought of having hundreds of bodies heating up an already uncomfortable space was unbearable. We closed for the day. We are still having problems with one of our AC units--one is down for the count until parts arrive, one has been tinkered with to run until a more permanent fix arrives. For 2 1/2 days we had the adult area shut down with the rest of the library open. I have just reopened the adult area. Temperatures outside have abated leaving the airconditioningless space bearable if movement is limited. The staff will work the area in a limited capacity--no all steam ahead until parts arrive and are installed. But at least we are open and people can use the space for as long as they are comfortable.

Fire Flowers

2010-07-05T09:57:00.001-07:00

Hanabi is Japanese for Fireworks which translates as Fire Flowers. I love this translation. It is poetic and speaks of the fascination we have with pyrotechnics. Last night I saw the 4th of July Fireworks Display at the Aliante Casino in North Las Vegas while attending a VIP Pool Party with a complimentary open bar. I was M's sister's guest. We had a lovely time. Anytime I see fireworks, I think about other displays I have seen and I end up missing both Japan and Hawaii.
The Japanese hold their annual displays in August and they are fabulous. They go on and on and on for what seems like a full hour, but is probably less. Just when you think the Grand Finale has arrived, it gets even bigger.
One year, I headed over to sacred island Miyajima with friends for the show. We caught the first bursts while on the ferry over. I would have loved to spent the entire show on the ferry watching with each burst reflected in the water. Something magical about this. We arrived at the dock and made our way down to the water for the rest.
Another year, I spent the first part of the day in the city but left at dusk to find a spot on the river. I was riding my bike along the river path when the show began. I pulled over and watch with a few others who made their way to the empty spot I found on the river path. It felt like my own private show. The warm night became magical and I was en rapt.
Being of an Asian bent, Hawaii offers up some pretty spectacular displays. My first experience was on New Years Eve 1999. I had just arrived in Hawaii two weeks earlier to start the new century with a new life in a new place. Everything was falling into place for me then, I had a new job which would eventually become the conduit to my rapid rise in Los Angeles. I had just purchased my very own first car, and I had already established a new budding social network. With new friends we headed up to a house party in the hills of Manoa Valley. With a panoramic view of Waikiki and Downtown, we were treated to a firework show that lasted for hours. At about 11:15, Waikiki was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. In 2000, there was a crack down on illegal ariels, so the Milliemum was the last year of spectacular self sponsored displays.
Every Friday night in Waikiki, the Hilton Hawaiian Village put on a display for the tourists. I spent a many of a Friday night with a group known as the Old Farts on the beach at San Souci (Kaimana) have a few beers and talking story after a run around Diamond Head. I miss these evenings tremendously.
I never knew how much of my weekly rhythm the fireworks had become until 9/11 put a stop to them for months and months. 9/11 made the entire country stop, wonder and worry. But in Hawaii, an island that depends on tourism, we were in struggle to maintain our livelihoods. The absence of the fireworks, suspended due to low tourism and slashed budgets, marked weekly how much our lives had changed during that fateful day. For days afterwards, the sky that was usually dotted with aircraft bring tourists and their dollars to the island were empty. I remember running around Magic Island on Thursday after the attacks to see a lone airplane in the air. What a welcome sight and my first thought was maybe now I will get some mail.
What a relief it was to all of us when the Hilton Hawaiian Village announced that it was going to resume the firework displays. Each and everyone of us felt that our lives were finally returning to normal after a long drought of tourism.

Sasha is Out to Kill Me

2010-06-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Only he doesn't realize that if he is successful his meal ticket and chest scratcher also disappears. Why do I think he is out to get me? Let me build up my case. Three weeks ago, I was laying on the sofa with Sasha on my arm. His head was in my outstretched arm which put his back feet perilously close to my face. So close in fact when a motorcycle drove by and scared him, he used my face as his spring board towards safety. I received a nice slice in my cheek. I jumped up and ran to the vanity mirror, looked at my face to find that the bottom of the scratch had about an eighth of an inch of open flesh. Much to my surprise the room began to darken and I realized that I was going to pass out. I quickly got down on the floor to let the feeling pass. Gradually, I began to feel OK again--sort of. I decided that I needed to turn on the AC because I had a sheen of sweat coating me at that point. I got up and made it over to the thermostat before the second wave to darkness descended. Once again, I got down low into to child's position until the sensation passed. First a cold sweat, then chills and then nausea that sent me to the bathroom. Once, all this passed, I decided I might need to drive myself to Urgent Care for antibiotics, a good washing out, etc.
Urgent Care was pretty straight forward, I walked out with antibiotics and a script for the inevitable yeast infection following a course of antibiotics. Several hours later, I arrived back home. I was lazing on the sofa when I thought, "That's strange, I smell gas." I got up and walked over to the stove to find that one of the burners was turned about half way on. What? Sasha! He turned the gas on.
This on Thursday he got me again, this time in my calf and once again with his back claws again. The story this time is not quite so dramatic. Sasha was out on the balcony. I wanted to bring him in, he didn't want to come in. Sasha the angel cat wasn't using weapons at this point because he is a good cat. As I had him between my legs moving him into the living room, my arm brushed up against the trash can which happened to be at about ear level for him. The resulting rattle sent him in a panic, once again using my nearest body part as a push off point. My calf looks like it has a sewing machine running stitch with a very nasty bruise surrounding it.
I rubbed it with Neosporin as pondered if I should either wear cotton wadded clothing when handling the cat or invest in Neosporin?
Then last night it happened again, I smelled gas and found the gas on. Sasha looking very angelic denied getting on the stove. Since I really don't cook, Misha isn't that interested in the stove, Sasha loves to get up there and hang out, and I don't think I have a polergeist he is the likely culprit. I have since removed the knobs to prevent my from waking up in ghostly form one morning or entering into a fire ball because the friction of the key in the lock caused the gas build up to ignite.
If something happens to me, please someone make the police take investigating Sasha seriously.

Library Donations

2010-06-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

This morning when I was doing book drop I got a couple of really good donations. One a new book with a long waiting list. I love these donations. I did a little dance of happiness this morning. The library really does depend on donations through being able to add items to our collection and the funds generated by the Friends of the Library book store and book sales. We are always happy to see good donations. However, not all donations are created equal and some really do generate a groan and sometimes cries of disgust. Lay your hand on a bug encrusted moldy book and listen to what pops out of your mouth.
What makes a good donation? Well the following:
1) DVD's are always welcome as are unabridged audiobooks. I try as hard as I can to get DVD's into the library. We also like popular children's books that are very gently used (this is hard to come by). Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, Captain Underpants, Geronimo Stilton--they all put a smile on our faces when we get these in good enough shape to add.
2) Books in good condition and I don't mean ones that were in good condition 20 years ago but have sat in a dusty garage for the last 18 years.
3) Books that are not out of date. No one really wants the 1999 college guide. Trust me on this.
4) Books that have not been eaten by vermin or left out in the weather.
5) Books that are not falling apart. A good rule of thumb is that if it is falling apart and is not a Dead Sea Scroll no one is really interested in it.
6) Donations that do not include encyclopedias, condensed novels or National Geographic. These things are heavy and take up a lot of space. Encyclopedias get out dated easily. Condensed novels have very low interest and everyone saved 30 years of National Geographic and wants to donate them. We have been saturated with enough of these items, the small market for these is just not active enough to justify back aches and space constrictions that they entail.
7) Donations that are reasonable in size--2 or 3 boxes are not a problem. But even pretty good donations can cause stress when they come in massive quantities. And beleive me the day that someone decides to bring in a big donation is the same day that at least 3 other people have decided the same thing. We like to go through the donations to see if there is anything that we can add to the collection, but when we have 20 boxes and a small amount of time, good things might get passed up.
8)Paperbacks that are not yellowed and with spines in good shape (uncracked is best)are welcome and may often find themselves in the collection.
9)Old books that are in good to excellent condition and might be able to be sold online as a rare book that can generate more than the average $1 or $2 that a used book usually fetches.

Sometimes we get donations and people want to see them on the shelf. We can't promise this--we have to evaluate the item and the determine if our collection actually needs it and if we have a record for it. When we add items to the library we have to link them to a catalog record so that they are searchable. If there is no record then it is difficult to link them because a record has to be created. This is time and money and one lone donation that is 10 years old and in questionable condition. Even if a book is new, that doesn't mean that I can add it to my collection. For example recently I have received 5 copies of 9 Dragons. The first 3 I was able to add but the other 2 I didn't because 3 copies meant that one would probably always be on the shelf and I don't have enough shelf space for a lot of duplicates. If I have a copy sitting on the shelf and it only goes out 3 or 4 times a year that means that I don't need two copies of the same item. Of course some things are season and we will keep extra copies--especially in the children's area because of cyclical homework assignments when we have a total run on things.

So feel free to bring in your donations but do look at them, if they are ugly, smelly, moldy and generally gross the best place for the item is in the recycle bin. Moldy items or items that hold insects can infect our collect and we would prefer not to have them in the library.

Checking in

2010-05-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

I still do not have a fix for my computer. I am in holding pattern with that and am enjoying not having fight the cats for computer time. The cats however do miss the computer and frequently urge me for a solution. We will see. The other day I looked up Balinese in a cat book--I got the following quote "The only thing low maintance about these cats are their long silking coats" Yes, I am well aware, well aware. I still get 4 am wake up calls.
Last Saturday I had my Mother Daughter Tea. It was a success with many happy faces. I would have been in a real jam if my volunteers didn't help out. As it was, I was exhausted by the end of the day. I would like to do a bigger and better job next year but with much more delegation early on. I spend a number of days preparing the flower pens that I had as party favors.
Speaking of the flower pens, I did a test run several weeks ago to see if the flower pens would work. They were attractive so I decided to put them at the Customer Service Desk at the library because we were losing pens right and left--about 2 dozen a week. That is a lot of pens walking away. It also generated a lot of frustration because everytime I looked to use a pen that desk I couldn't find one. I would have to go to another desk to root around for a pen or walk back to get a new box. Wonder of wonders, with the new floral pens, no one is taking them. We haven't had to open a new box of pens in weeks. Amazing. All the left over pens from the Tea--I made 75 of them so I had about 20 extra--now decorate all of our service desks.
Yesterday we had so much going on at the library--the meeting room was booked out to a large group. We also had a Historical Walk that started and ended at the library. Then in the afternoon we had Korean Dancers dancing outside. Oh yeah, also there was a bicycle safety check at the library in the morning--but I didn't have anything to do with that. So once again I was tired when I finally arrived home.

So Very Tired

2010-05-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

I will never have children again. The feline variety is about to do me in, I can't imagine years of being awoken at odd hours. Last night the two monsters decided that they were bored at 2:00 in the morning. They believe that 4 hours of leaving me alone is more than enough.
Recently I have gotten a water bottle. They learned fairly quickly not to hop up on the bed to get a belly rub in the wee hours. But they are now crying at night. I aim the water bottle at them but they are out of range. I lock them in the other room, they claw at the door. I lock me in the other room, they claw at the door. As my Mom says cats know that Paradise is on the other side of a closed door and they want to be on that side, until they are...
I am dreaming of going to a hotel room and getting a full nights sleep. There is a reason I never had kids...I am barely cut out to be a cat's owner much less the parent of a child.

Broken Computer & Recent Reads

2010-04-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Alas, my computer has succumbed to either Bejeweled or the cats. The power is out and I am questioning whether I want to purchase a new power cord that may or may not work for $100 or purchase a new mini computer for $400. Hmmm...what to do? What to do? While I am in indescision limbo, I am without a computer at home. Oh, well, this means that I am not constantly on Facebook playing the very very addicting Bejeweled. I have heard that I can get it on my Iphone but I don't even want to go there, so I haven't and don't plan to. But at the same time, I realize that I am not on Facebook, keeping up with friends. But then again, I do have an Iphone that I have used for Facebook before. I am just being lazy.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have read a couple of books for Book Club, which is going very well. YEAH!! And a couple of books for myself.
Here is the listing:
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahme-Smith

This book took me almost 6 weeks to get through. It isn't a book that I was actually interested in. This was strictly for professional development. It seems to be a growing genre of either adapting a classic like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen into a modern horror classic like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Abraham Lincoln as a vampire hunter was midly interesting. I only wish I actually new more about the famous president so that I could better determine what was fact and what was fiction--I mean other than the vampires. For example, did Lincoln really befriend Edgar Allen Poe? Was his father really a lazy drunk? So now I will have to find me biography of Lincoln to try to answer some of these questions.
Her Fearful Symentry by Time Traveler's Wife author Laura Niffenegger

Again this book almost took me a full month to get through. It was slow, overly detailed and then ended abruptly. It was almost like the author was as tired of her characters as I was and tried to tie up the story neatly. It is a bit of ghost story and ends bizarrly. Someone in the Book Club said that they read in a review that abrupt ending might have been due Ms. Niffenegger being under deadline pressure. In a way I was relieved that the book finally ended. I was entirely ready to be finished with it no matter how strange the ending was. There are much better ghost stories out there.
A Dangerous Road by Kris Nelscott

What a relief to pick up this title after the above two. This book is next month's Book Club selection. Since we have a limited number of copies in the system, I needed to read my copy quickly so that I can get it out to the next Book Club Member. I truly enjoyed this fast paced mystery set around the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, TN. I read this title in hours as oppossed to days or weeks that the other two books took. Since I read The Help by Katherine Stockett recently, I thought that A Dangerous Road made a good companion piece. Nelscott's characters were likeable and I had a sense of time and place. The book is from an African-American man's point of view which made it complimentary to the women's viewpoints in The Help.

I have also read the first of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, One for the Money. It is cute, quick, and I understand why she is now on her 16th or more Stephanie Plum book.
This evening I will finish Sue Grafton's A is for Alibi.

Also the first of her Kinsey Milhonne. The writing is fresh, fast-paced and interesting. It is no wonder her alphabet novels are best sellers. I do wonder what she will do when she is finished with Z is for...? Will she start with AA is for...? or switch over to numbers? Certainly double letters would make coming up with titles rather difficult. I can only think of batteries and bra sizes that have double letters. Hmmm... DD is for... might make an interesting book--but maybe not one in Ms. Grafton genre. Also it would be tricky for her to switch over to numbers because Evanovich is already using ordinal numbers (1, 2, 3..) and James Patterson has the cardinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd) nailed down pretty tightly. So perhaps Z will be the end for Kinsey and she will be ready for retirement.

Attila The Hun

2010-04-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Early Sunday evening, we returned from Disney. It was a good weekend but after 3 days of fun, it was time to go home and cultivate some sofa time with my kit-kats--who by the way did not totally destroy my apartment--just mildly. I only found my chair tipped over, the small table beside it tipped, a couple of pictures knocked off the TV, and a wrapping paper roll, I left laying around, shredded. Pretty good for 2 and a half days alone.
Yesterday I had the day off. After a trip to the Goodwill to look for some tea cups for my upcoming Mother-Daughter Tea, I just lazed around home finishing up one of the several books I am currently reading: Attila: The Barbarian King Who Challenged Rome by John Man.
A highly readable account of one of histories most notorious characters. I am interested in history and read quite a bit of historical non-fiction so this fit right into my comfort zone. Of course, for Western European stock, the very name Attila evokes ruthless, warlord of the sort that leaves its resonance after more than a millennium. But when I worked at the Hungarian School in Slovakia for the ill-fated short time, I was almost unnerved every morning calling roll because I had at least one Attila in every class. It was at that point that I put together Hun as Hungarian. But really the Hungarians are Mygars who settled Attila's old stomping grounds about 400 years after his death and his people scattered to the winds. But this left me thinking that Attila is obviously viewed quite differently in this part of the world. I mean, to me naming your child Attila is almost like naming him Hitler. But not to the Hungarians, he is a hero of sort.
When I came across Attila by John Man, I was happy to pick it up and learn more. Several months ago, I was pleasantly surprised by Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. I had no idea that the other big historical villain was a thoughtful nation builder that instituted laws, trade pacts and a succession system. He has only been brought down to vilified because his nation building just happened to cross over the unwilling backs of Eastern Europe to Western Europe's door as they quaked at the thought of being ruled by an Eastern barbarian that was if anything more enlightened than their feudal governments were. But victors write history and historical prejudices are passed from generation to generation until we believe without question. Both Attila and Ghengis are readable historical accounts that do not read as texty. In Attila, Man also takes us along for his research and introduces us to people modern people such as Lajos Kassai who has revived the forgotten skill of mounted archery--a skill that launched Attila to the forefront of history and terrorized those on the receiving end.
Attila was no Ghengis. He was a brute, pillager, warlord. But then again this was the time of the Vandals, Visagoths, Ostrogoths, and countless other Barbarian tribes that were flexing their muscle and knocking on Rome's door during the waning days of their Empire. Attila was a nation builder and through sheer personality, tactical genius, and brute force he forced an unwilling decadent Rome to take him seriously. This is an underdog story if there ever was one.
I can now understand why Attila is a popular Hungarian name and just as my favorite Oklahoman, Paul Harvey used to sign off: ...And now you know the rest of the story.

The Happiest Place on Earth

2010-04-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, that would be Disneyland. This is my second annual participation in the Reyes family reunion. Yesterday, M and arrived early, checked in and then headed for Orange for lunch. Hmmm, the five mile trip to Orange turned into a 10 mile adventure with a few u-turns. Sometimes I wonder how I made it around the entire world. Well, admittedly there were more than few lost moments during those travels. And more than one time I just gave up getting to where I wanted to go and started following people because Douglas Adams once wrote in a book, that you should just get behind someone who looks like they know where they are going, you may not end up where you want to be but you will end up where you should be. Yes, I have found that this Karmic view of getting places has saved much self-abuse.
Historic Orange is a quiant area filled with good restaurants and expensive antique shops. M and I ate at the Cuban restaurant on the corner of the roundabout. It was a beautiful day and very good food.
Later we met up with others in Disneyland. I ate a massive piece of Chocolate cake and promptly understood that I overdid it. It was like a brain freeze with icecream only in the pit of my stomach while most others were riding Pirates. I guess that the cake is still with me because as I am writing this I am in the lobby drinking coffee to try to settle my stomach. I know that this goes again all logic but I think it is because I put so much creamer in my coffee. Breakfast does not even sound remotely interesting right now.
After dinner last night, we went into first California Adventure until it closed at 10:00 and then into Disneyland. M and I were pegged out but we had Mal with us who as any 12 year old boy is on holiday, full of energy. He went off with the cousins and M and I found rides that allowed quiet repose such as the Tiki Room and the Jungle cruise. Mal and the cousins stayed on until the bitter end, so it was almost 1:00 before we found ourselves in the hotel room.
Coffee is finished, and I think I will take a walk out while everyone else is having breakfast. More later.

The Help

2010-04-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Katheryn Sockett's first book is a highly readable story of women in a turning point of American and particularly Southern history. Women caught on both sides of a cultural divide. The most obvious divide that is still there today is the racial divide. Black and White. But there are other divides, rich and poor. Of course the maids are stuck on the poor side but we also see Miss Celcia, white trash that married above her station struggling with the lines that Aibileen comes to realize are just in our heads. Also the rich white girl Skeeter toes another line of the time. She is not settling down, marrying and having a brood of her own that will require Help to take care of. Her mother wonders if she my be a lesbian and has her drink a specially brewed tea to cure that possible tendency. Because Skeeter is questioning her own expected place in society she is able to look around her in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi and question the order. And in the 1960's the world had their eyes on Mississippi and their struggle at time with violent and ugly results to keep traditions from crumbling into a new era without Jim Crow.
Being from Little Dixie, the only part of Oklahoma that is actually Southern in culture. I was able to recognize some of the characters. Things in the world had changed by the time I was growing up in the 70's and 80's but not that much. Integration on the surface was a fact, I know that there was a Black school in my town but it was closed down by the time I was school. So I grew up with Black classmates, but I cannot say that I really had any black friends--I had to wait until college for that to happen. No reason really other than it just wasn't done. I was friendly with my Black classmates but my circle of friends were just like me, lower middle-class Whites.
Conitinuing with my thoughts, I was raised by a mother with an open world view. When I came home from schoool telling my Mom about the poor Soviet children with no choices that I learned about, she quickly let me know that what I was hearing was propaganda and that the Soviet children were more like me than not. My mom told us of her Black friend in Conroe, TX that used to come and go by the back door no matter how my mother asked her to enter like her other friends. But her friend said that it was better her way, would rumple feathers in the town over either one of them, I am sure. My mother often cited that trash and decency comes in every color, no culture, color or creed has a monopoly on either one.
But I also grew up in a tense time, our little town had a race riot incited by the appropriately named Willie Warhop, half Indian, half Black and pure thug. For three days the school was closed, my younger brother and I were shipped off to the country, a good man and cop, Rueben Farmer, lost his life and countless building burned down all over an incident that happened at the nortoriously trashy nightclub Black Cat.
My father 10 years older than my mother, had different sensiblities. In basic terms he was racist. But wrapped up in thatknee jerk racism of his era, he befriended people who were worthy of friendship. One junior officer Earner came to call my mom and dad just that Mom and Pop. Heads would sometimes turn in the store with this very black man and my parents would exchange greetings in stores. I have a special place for Earner in my own heart. During the rough rough week that my mother called me back to Idabel so I would have have a chance to say goodbye to my father who was fading fast, he lasted less than 5 more weeks, Earner came by and spent some time with my father. During a time when my father wishfully mistook me for my sister, and confused things in the present with the past, Earner gave me a glimpse of the man my father was before the illnesses consumed him. He laughed and his eyes crickled in a way that I only had a memory of, only Earner, sitting at the kitchen table, that bleak November evening, was able to bring my father back for a glimmer.
Somethings change and some stay the same. Bi-racial relationships are still frowned on in my town and probably across much of America. They happen but no one seems to like them. A friend's sister and her Asian husband and mixed children moved to Hawaii from South Carolina in search of a more welcoming environment. Perhaps it is no mistake that our first African-American president is from Hawaii. It's not that racism doesn't exist in Hawaii. It does. When a co-worker and I overheard another co-worker explaining to a student that Hawaii wasn't racist, we jumped all over him. What was he talking about, Haole's, Flips, Japs, Local this and that, etc. Local author's Lois Yamanaka's are often banned on the mainland for containing blantantly racist dialogs. Our co-worker amended his statement to "Well, Ok, we are equal opporunity racist in Hawaii." That I would agree with and perhaps that is our hope. Race is recognized along with the often cultural nuances that goes with it, but it generally doesn't get in the way of letting people live their lives.

Why I Write...

2010-03-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Something happened that has made me reconsider why I write this blog, what I write about and who I am writing it for. Of course I don't have quite the same lofty reasons as George Orwell. I am slightly more pedestrian. The who is easy, I mostly write for myself. I used to write a day trip column for Hiroshima English Language The Outsider magazine. My travel log was titled Trippin' Out and then later I wrote some interviews titled "On the Couch with..." If I call up one of those articles, I am able to recall all the nuances of the day the event happened and when I sat down to put pen to paper (and that is what I did then--I was very computer un-savvy at the time. Of course, the secondary reason that I write now as I did then was for other people that I know would know what I was up to. This was and still is my primary way to stay in touch with friends, family and other acquaintances from around the world.
I remember the first time that someone came up to me that I didn't know to tell me that they had taken a day trip that I recommended (and that I forgot to mention that you needed to take sleeping bags to stay in the cabins--OOPS!!!). I was shocked that someone read what I had written that didn't really know me and then felt really really bad that someone READ WHAT I HAD WRITTEN and had had a bad experience. Let's just say I feel a big sense of deja vu right now.
So sometimes I forget that the who I write for can be much bigger I expect or even know. When I write, I do try to relate the facts or to try to put as positive spin on events as possible. Except for that really awful book The Year of Eating Dangerously by poofter Tom Parker Bowles. I still think that it is the most awful book I ever read. But now I am digressing.
Let me focus on what I write. Obviously, I write about what ever is on my mind at the moment. I try to write about things that I want to remember or think is interesting. Much of what I write would be classified book and movie reviews. I write these because I think they are interesting. A portion of what I write is what is how I view what is happening in my life at the moment. Like I said, I try upbeat most of the time except for that poofter's book--no positive spin there, ever.
That leaves the why--or have I already answered that. The big why is that I would love to be a writer but don't have it in me to be one. I have tried to keep journals time and time again but they always devolve into a shameful sop that I feel the need to toss in the garbage lest someone--myself included--happens across them someday. Writing this blog keeps me away from the heavy introspection of moment.
I considered giving this space up. But then I thought again, no need. I just need to be more careful to keep the good bits and avoid the rest. Unless Tom Parker Bowles or someone like him writes a book or does something that I just can't abide by. I will un-sheath the big guns then. Watch out.

Jammed Packed Week

2010-03-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday, last week started off with me getting my Probationary Performance Evaluation on Monday. Monday night I stayed late at the library with the Glendale Stamp Club. This month was the club's first meeting in their new home. On Tuesday, I had the book club on Tuesday. I had another good turn out for that. Then on Wednesday afternoon I went to the charity luncheon "Smartathon". I was on the 4 person CV Library BookWorms team. My team didn't place in even the top third. We were not so boned up on general trivia. "What percentage of American never was their car?" I don't know, I guess we missed that on as well. I chose 15% over the 5% and 1% choices. It was fun, though and I look forward to next year's chance to prove that I do know a lot of useless facts.

Thursday was my day off but had to come in for a bit more than an hour for Audio Visual training. Our meeting room is kitted out with state of the art systems that we had to get taught how to use. Over the past 2 months I have been pressing buttons, hoping for the correct response and then forgetting which button got me what I wanted, thus repeating the cycle of push and hope.
Since I was on this side of of the world anyhow, I decided that I would drive over to Forest Lawn in Glendale and spend the day with dead people. It was a very relaxing and wonderful day with beautiful weather. Sometimes, the dead are just the right people for you to be around. I enjoyed walking the Labrynth, seeing the David and the Last Supper rendered in Stained Glass. Forest Lawn is more than a cemetry with a muesuem, art work and relaxing vistas.

Friday evening, I went to the local Catholic Church's fish fry. St. Clair has been hosting this charity fish fry since 1978. On Friday's during Lent, St. Clair serves up tasty fish and chips for the hungry locals. It is a community event with about 300 people in attendance. I go with Diane and her family and who ever else drops by the table.
Saturday, I took the Wheel of Reading to Two Strike Park for the annual Arbor Day celebration for the La Crescenta community. The kids love to spin the wheel for little prizes and books.
At the end of a quick 2 hours, I returned to the library, had some lunch and got ready to go up to St. Luke's to meet the Historical Society Bus Tour. We boarded the bus and was led on a two hour tour of the local historical sites in the area. I never knew so much history was packed into this valley. We were led by the local president of the Historical Society Mike Lawler who invited me along and his friend, historical film maker John Newcombe. They took us along the route to see parts of Newcombe's film Rancho Canada Then and Now. The highlight of the tour was a trip up to The Sacred Heart Academy that was bought by the Catholic Church for $120K after it failed as a hotel in the late 20's and early 30's. Overall, It was a fantastic trip and a good week. I am in love with my new community after my week of events.

The LA Flower Mart

2010-03-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

There are times when life speeds up and events seem to domino one after the other. This Spring is shaping up to be one of those times. Monday morning I had my Probationary Performance Evaluation with my Assistant Library Administrator that retired on Friday. I passed with "always met and sometimes exceeded expectations". It is nice to be appreciated. Last Thursday, I left home at 6:00 am to get downtown for the opening at 8:00. LA Flower . I had to consider whether I wanted to try to get the flowers on Thursday morning (the flower market opens at 6 on Thursdays) for optimal freshness or on Wednesday for optimal sanity. I chose sanity over freshness. I recommend this choice. I got down to the Flower Mart, paid for parking, $3 and paid for entrance $2 and then walked into a floral wonderland. I was amazed and wanted to just browse but I remained focused because I had the Library Commission visiting my library mid-morning for a meeting. I wanted to make sure that I back to work ASAP. I quickly purchased 60 stems of peach roses, 60 stems of small chrysanthemums, and 40 stems of a small purple flower quickly fell apart but I ended up with enough for the arrangements. I also picked up some greenery and floral foam. All for around $100. I got enough flowers to make 10 regular centerpieces and one guest of honor centerpiece. I love the flower market. It is fabulous and I can't wait to go back down. However, I don't know when that will be, going down and finding my way caused more than a few honks because I was inevitably in the wrong lane and had to squeeze into the right one. And then on the way back, the normally good Glendale Freeway had a major crash and my expected 15 minutes turned into almost an hour and a half. I hate freeways. But I did arrive in time to realize that most people for the Library Commission Meeting were caught in the same traffic jam so I guess I timed the adventure right. In the afternoon, I went to Canyon Country Library to put the arrangements together.

At first I thought I was creating floral tragedies but after sizing the stems down a bit, it began to come together. The only thing I needed to do was go get some ribbon to put around the little containers I bought at the Dollar Store. I ate lunch at 6:00 pm on Wed.
Thursday was a long long day for me. I first arrived at the Canyon Country Library at 8:00 am to finish up the arrangements with ribbon and to help with getting everything in order before our 9:00 meeting. I ended up burning myself with the hot glue gun about 10 times before I successfully added the ribbon and bows. If only I had thought about this before I put everything together I would have saved myself some blisters.
The luncheon went off without a hitch. I got a lot of compliments on the flowers.

Suzanne and I coordinated our colors and decorations perfectly. After most everything was cleaned up, I took a few hours off before I headed to my library. The third Thursday of each month is both our Regional Meetings and La Crescenta Town Council. I will be forever working splits on these days. I got back to the library at about 5:00 and helped close up. Then I went upstairs to prepare the meeting room for the Town Council. I don't mind these meetings and I fully expect to be there until 10 or so. True to my expectations, I didn't get out until almost 10:30 and home until after 11:00. Thankfully Friday I was off.
I will miss my Administrator Andrea. She always offered advice and wisdom that I will take with me throughout the rest of my career. She listened to me yet also put me back in place when I needed it without too many rumpled feelings on my part. Since I am quick to react and overly sensitive although I strive quite unsuccessfully to be neither, this says a lot about her tact and skill as a mentor and supervisor. She will be greatly missed.

Committed

2010-03-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

No not me to an psychiatric ward, although there are days that I would happily go there. That would be upgrading my desire to crawl under my desk with a bottle of booze to bouncing around a rubber room with lots of good drugs. Not a bad idea.
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage is Elizabeth Gilbert's new bestseller after her Eat, Pray, Love climbed the charts and optioned into a film starring Julia Roberts. I kicked off my book club in February at the library with her first title. It seemed like a suitable title for February and since it will be a movie soon, I wanted to offer it before the request list gets a mile long. Movies generate request lists. I try to push books that are coming out as movies but not on the general public radar as--Oh, I should read this.
When I initially read Eat, Pray, Love about 2 years ago, was it really that long ago? Eat, Pray, Love was a difficult read for me. Not because it was poorly written or that I didn't think that her story was a good one to tell, but because it hit too close to home. It seemed that every single flaw in her personality that she pointed out was one that I could identify with. It isn't easy reading an expose of yourself via someone else's life. I struggled through the book and in retrospect, I didn't think it was the best travelogue that I had ever read but it was the best book about me that I had ever read.

For several months Committed stared me in the face every time I went down the book aisle at Sam's Club, enticing me with the question--could this one also be about you? After the book club last month I decided to go ahead and buy the title. So I purchased it and Committed first road around in my front seat for about 2 weeks, and then sat on my desk for the next two weeks. Finally, I picked it up a few days ago because book club is tomorrow night and I wanted to give them some feedback on the new title.
Yep, she pretty much nailed me on the head again. Not that I have ever been divorced. The book is once again pretty good. I didn't find it painful to read this a time because obviously I am not in a position to get married. But for a long time now I have realized that I have a definite fear of commitment and that women with a fear of commitment act very differently from men with that fear. In a sense, Gilbert explored all those thoughts I have had kicking around in my head about marriage and relationships and why I am terrified of being trapped in one despite the contradictory urge to go out and get into one. Gilbert spent hours and hours finding the answer to all my questions. How nifty is that? I wonder which of our neuroses she will explore next? Can't wait.

Balinese not Siamese Thank You Very Much

2010-03-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

It seems that with a little search on the Internet, I can call my mixed-tabby-black-long-hair kitties Traditional Balinese rather than Siamese. Sasha and Misha have fairly long hair and gorgeously plumed tails. Sasha is a seal point with silky creamy fur where as Misha is more elegantly darker. Misha's hair is longer but not as fluffy as Sasha's. They both have a few beigish tabby stripes on their legs and a dark spot on their tummies. Misha's tummy spot is darker. The Balinese website says "The Traditional Balinese (aka Applehead Balinese) cat combines the unique personality and intelligence, robust body type, pointed coloring, and the minimal shedding of the Traditional Siamese, with a softer voice and a silky coat." Well, Sasha has a softer voice and his coat is as soft as rabbit fur. Sasha sometimes has a whisper meow. Misha on the other hand grouses around quite a bit more like a Traditional Siamese.
The website says that Balinese are loyal and will follow you around. Yep, they do--even to the bathroom. When I take a longer than usual shower, without fail, I get a cat looking around the curtain telling me to hurry up--shouldn't waste water.
Sasha and Misha also love the computer. They have learned how to turn it on and actually know how to do things that I just don't do--like change my screen resolution for me--they like to see bigger pictures, and pause the game Bejeweled--I need the occasional pointer and tip on how to get a higher score.
Traditional Balinese used to be called Long-hair Siamese until sometime in the 50's when Californian Mary Dorsey began breeding and showing the longer haired Siamese. She decided that Balinese was more elegant and reminiscent of the lithe elegance of a Balinese Dancer. Since Sasha is my graceless wonder--I might not want to push the Balinese moniker too heavily though. Decide for yourself. Here is a photo of a Traditional Balinese.

My Own Personal Sex in the City Plan

2010-03-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

I'll Be Hanging Out in Canyon Country for a while longer. Apartment hunting really got me down, so I decided "Hey I don't have to move." I don't mind the commute, I have so much going on with opening the new library and I am just plain tired. The only thing I really don't like is Mr. Drug Dealer downstairs and his posse. But we have co-existed for almost a year now so I guess, I can put up with it for six more months.
In October, I finish paying off all my credit cards. Then I will be in a better position to rent a place that I really like and won't have to wheel and deal with the likes of Jerry the Apartment Guy. So once I formulated this plan, I felt so much better.
I have also decided to do a little Sex in the City-esque thing as well. Actually, I thought it up way before Sex in the City aired the idea [Season 6, Episode 83 A Woman's Right to Shoes]but since the series made it famous, I won't protest too much if people think that it wasn't my own original idea. But Some people get married, some people have babies, some people buy a house. I have celebrated in all these life-events for other people for years gladly and happily. I have bought countless wedding, baby, and house warming gifts for friends and family. Now, I have decided, it is my turn. Seeing as my male prospects are cavernously dark, I don't foresee wedding vows anytime in the near future and quite possibly never. I have never wanted to have kids and the option to change my mind continues to slim into eventual non-existance. Although, the nester in me sometimes thinks it would be nice to own, when I stop to consider how much that thought terrifies me, I quickly list all the advantages of renting. I am not the settling sort. I am part gypsy and wanderer. The life events that other people celebrate are not mine. So I have decided to make a landmark occassion on one of those things that many American never see--the end of CREDIT CARD DEBT. It has been long in coming but the light is at the end of the tunnel and I want to celebrate. I want everyone to celebrate this life event with me, too. So I will take this opportunity to send out invitations, plan a big shindig, and shine with my accomplishment. So expect your invitation in the mail, with details on my Gift Registery. I promise, I will not add Manolo Blanik's to the list as Carrie did. Rather expect to see Target, Willam Sonoma and Macy's.

Apartment Hunting Blues Part I

2010-02-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

I really wish that finding an apartment was easy and straight forward. But it is not. This morning I looked at some of the classified in the Glendale Newspress online. It seems that I might be able to get something comparable to what I have now for not much more or possibly even less. YEAH! But now I have Sasha and Misha and I need to find someplace that accepts cats. Some do, some don't, some want Cat Rent some want Cat Deposits and some want both. Some want a full month's rent in deposit and some anywhere from $300-$800. Then comes the looksey process which I dread and then deciding how much in overlap rent I want to pay.
Let me state right now, I am tired of paying overlap rent. I have paid up to a month every time I have moved and it gets old especially considering how often I have moved in the last 4 years and then of course factor in the big move from Hawaii and I have spent a lot in moving expenses. Why can't this be cheaper and easier?
My main thing this time is that I want quiet and no drug ealers living below me. I am tired of having questionable people hanging out socializing with my neighbor on the stoop that I have to roust them up from so that I can get to my apartment. I also would like to have a nice kitchen that has lots of space.
Tomorrow afternoon, I might go see a space near the library if the people have moved out. The deposit is $700 plus I have to give the guy $200 for each cat that I will never see again. He says it is a deposit and I guess he is right, it will deposit the money from my account to his. I am not keen on this. Then in the evening I am going to go see Jerry and a couple of his units in Glendale, he wants a full month's rent as deposit and says we will have to talk about the cats. Then on Tuesday morning I am going to North Hollywood to see Freda's apartment. This one requires $800 deposit and she really likes cats so I guess there isn't a cat deposit or rent. It is a two bedroom for less than $1300. I wouldn't mind living in North Hollywood which is kind of in the thick of things but still on the edge. It would be about a 10 mile commute which isn't bad.

The Hot Dog Dog

2010-02-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

Two Sundays ago during my weekly calls Mom announced that she thought something had happened to Jack, the vagabond dog that roams the neighborhood and enjoys staying at my mom's house a good part of the day.
Jack has been coming around the better part of 4 years and Mom has become fond of him. It says a lot when a dog is able to squeeze into her cat filled heart. He is truly a gentle giant with an equally gentle soul.
For years now, he would show up at Mom's house for his daily hot dog. She kept him well supplied. Then he was gone. A very worried Mom even called the Dog Catcher to see if he picked him up. Since Jack is a gentle dog she thought that he would be a good target for the local Dog Catcher that is afraid of dogs. But no he wasn't in doggy jail so she couldn't go bail him out. I don't know how she would have explained that no he wasn't her dog, he was the local stray but the entire neighborhood loves and they want him back so bring him around and drop him off at the corner. But if he had been there my mom would have gotten her way. She is that kind of lady.
Then last Sunday, Cheryl the neighbor called and said he was sending his wife over to her house with a gift. Mom rushed around getting decent for the neighbor. When she opened the door, there was Jack wagging his tail. Mom reached down to give hime a big hug with tears in her eyes. The neighbor said that he had shown up a few minutes before at their house so after their greetings, they brought him straight to Mom. Jack nosed into the house and laid down while Mom fixed him a can of cat food. The hot dogs had been sadly given away to a friend's dog the week before. Then out of character, Toby, the extremely shy Siamese, went up to Jack, sniffed him, let him sniff her and then rubbed herself on his shoulder. The best that can figured about this unusual greeting is that Toby understood that Jack was the prodigal son returning and was giving her best cat welcome to him.
So the Hot Dog Dog is back and all is right with the world. Everyone figures that someone picked him up and it took him almost two weeks to get away from them so that he could make his way back to the neighborhood that truly loves him and would never pin his free spirit up. Jack does have legitimate owners that he does seem to go home to late in the evenings after a day filled with socializing. But Jack is a smart dog and knows where the hog dog vendor with a heart of gold is located that adores his doggy nature despite herself and lets him protect her when she needs it. But that is another story for another time.

Political Hugs & Kisses

2010-02-19T08:19:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Congressman Dreier arrived at my library with his entourage for a library tour of the facility that he raised the initial $1.3 million for. Last night was the first Town Council meeting at the library so Supervisor Antonivich was present. He ponied up the additional $21 million needed to complete the library. I don't have a lot of experience with politicians. A few Japanese ones that are a completely a different animal and former Governor Ceyetano of Hawaii. I went on a trade mission with him and other business people to Korea one year. I didn't have much interaction with the former governor, only a few pleasantries during course of several days. Ceyetano was super laid back but I was mostly impressed by his speaking skills. An extremely good orator. So essentially I doubled my politician experience this week.
On Tuesday I felt like a celebrity. The Congressman came complete with cameras. I don't know if people actually knew who he was or not or just that fact that he looked famous but a number of the patrons were whipping out their cell phone cameras as well to record the moment. My first experience with pseudo-paparazzi. The visit started out with a firm a handshake that lasted longer than I was comfortable with. I am always awkward and unsure when it comes to touching other people that I don't know. I prefer the Japanese bow. Even in church my order of preference for offering peace is a bow and then a handshake. I have to steel myself for hugs if that is what the church does. And saying Our Father, I do not like to hold hands with the people around me if I don't know them. So Congressman Dreier's handshake quickly ratcheted up the meter of discomfort especially when he gave me a slight pull in towards him. Completely unnerved, but I kept the smile pasted on my lips. Later, at the end of the tour I did actually get a hug. Super awkward on my part. I felt I was doing a dance move, handshake, in for the hug, and then swing out. I almost lost my balance.
The last night at the end of the Supervisor's words he made his way to to back of the meeting room where I was seated a table. I got up to shake his hand and then he pulled me in for a cheek kiss. Fortunately, I am more comfortable with cheek kissing after years of teaching students from other countries and living in Hawaii where male acquaintances seem to often cheek kiss and closer male friends will actually lip kiss. I had about 3 male friends that would plant me a big one whenever we saw each other. Again my discomfort meter is triggered when I don't really know the person at all. I have been to many events with Supervisor Antonovich present, ground breakings, job fairs, dedications, etc. Also I am greeted by his smiling face every time I check the time. There is a photo of him posted under the clock at the Customer Service Desk. I almost feel that I know him. So thankfully the cheek kiss went off without a twinge on my part. But I did note that I seem to have crossed from a member of the crowd to someone that can be kissed.
I am beginning to feel a bit like a celebrity myself. I have had my photo in the paper and stories where I was quoted no less than 4 times in the last month. I am kind of enjoying all the attention, perhaps I need to start getting out of my comfort zone and offer people more hugs and kisses myself.

Glad to Be Free of Time Warner

2010-02-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I got a surprise when I opened my cable bill. It doubled in the space of a month. Apparently my offer expired. The offer that the cable guy told me would not expire--well except for the Showtime that I haven't watched in 8 months. I don't even know what channel it is and it is too far in for me to surf to.
So I called Time Warner to see what was up with my bill. I expected to see a rate increase in January but that didn't happen. It happened this week.
The call system was very frustrating, It kept looping me through with I'm sorry I didn't understand that. It took me 4:20 to get into the cue. Then I got the service rep from Hell. When I complained about the automated system and that it took me an uncommonly long time to get into the cue, she said We have a lot of people waiting. What? Instead of saying I'm sorry that must be frustrating, we are working on the system to provide excellent customer service, she didn't want to hear that the company she works for has horrible automation. Well, I guess, they hire the same sort of employees as they do machines.
Then she continued to dispute with me on this issue, I said, if you will listen to me then we can get to my problem and you can get to the next customer. Finally, I explained my problem. She looked at my account and said That is your rate. What? No it wasn't until this month, what happened. This took another 3 times explaining before she looked into my account to see what happened to make my bill double.
The I explained that Time Warner has two options they can either reduce my bill back to my former rate or I can turn my cable box in. Then she went on about something, I don't even remember. When I asked to speak with a supervisor she refused. Then I got fed up with her and explained that I wanted to speak with a supervisor about the lack of her customer service skills. This took another 3 minutes of explaining to her that I wanted to complain about her so I needed to speak with someone. Finally, she put me on hold and I spoke to the supervisor which she had previously explained to me did not exist. To be fair the supervisor was professional.
The end result is that there were no special rates and Time Warner would rather not have my business. Which is fine with me because after yesterday's interaction and the fact that the last two times I went to the local store during their business hours they were closed, I am happy to be without TV.
TV is something that I don't really need. For me $50 was a fair price for me to get TV and internet. (Turns out my neighbor has a wireless network that I can cockroach on so I don't internet) But more than $50 crosses what I deem as a fair value for my perceived needs. TV for me is a convenience and not a necessity. When the cable guy knocked on my door offering me the deal with immediate hook up (no being held hostage in the apartment waiting for them to come in the window and then failing) I did a quick value calculation in my head. The cost matched the value I was willing to pay, so it worked. Now the cost exceeds the value so back to the cable shop. If they are open that is.

Jonathan Swift Promoted the Eating of Children...

2010-02-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

...to solve the famine woes of Ireland. I have an equally intriguing solution to for library budgets. Like many libraries across the nation and around the world, my system has had one shortfall after another since the economic meltdown under Bush.
Last week we learned that in the next FY our system has an anticipated budget gap of $8 million dollars. Our fearless leader explained that they have to either find the money somewhere or they have to cut out of the budget. In libraries 80% of our budget is generally allocated to salaries. We are a labor intensive organization because basically we are a service organization. Books although expensive do not add up to the cost of someone processing them, retrieving them, checking them back in and putting them back on the shelf. The cost of each book is a one time fee, the cost of the people touching that book is a recurring fee for the life of that book. That is assuming that the item is something that people want and not something that languishes on the shelf for an indefinite period of time.
So what to do? The first step happened several months ago when 40 part-time people were laid off. That was black day for me because I lost a good employee. Our materials budget has been trimmed about as lean as it can really get. Once again this isn't where the bulk of the budget is anyhow. The next step is probably cutting service hours. But I have run a business before and I know that there is no real savings in just closing the building some hours a week. You are still paying rent and there has to be some climate control because there are computers that require a degree of comfort. And since we do not live in Alaska but in a Mediterranean climate that requires cooling for a significant part of the year. No real savings there. So once again we are back to people. By cutting hours you can start enacting more aggressive lay-offs. I am not looking forward to this next FY at all.
Here is my solution to meet the budget short falls that library systems in general are experiencing to prevent further lay-offs. Libraries like to have people leave them $ when they pass on. The Waikiki Library in Honolulu unexpectedly received $2 million dollars when snowbird who used the library on his trips to Hawaii passed away. What a windfall. So libraries do pursue donations of this type and try to make people aware that you can will your money to libraries in much the same way you might to an animal shelter.
So here is where we get creative. Library Systems can develop a crack teams with two prongs. The first prong would be the business suited smooth talkers. They identify people in their service area that have substantial resources and are library users. They approach these people and convince them to sign their trusts over to the library upon their demise. Once a reasonable amount of time has passed to lower suspicions, then the second team is activated. The purpose of this unit would be to make sure that the donors met an untimely accident. The library system become the beneficiary and hence valuable jobs are saved. Budget problems solved, end of story.

New Year Musings

2010-02-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the convergence of the Chinese Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day on a long President's Day weekend. How often does this happen?
I am renewing my resolutions and hope they stick this time. The first 6 weeks of the solar year was just practice and a dry run right?
The library is now open and we are beginning to settle into a rhythm. It has been incredibly busy with lots of details that require my attention. We have had over 2,000 new card applications so that has taken up all the staffs' time. This past week, I put in extra hours due to programming and community obligations. I am so ready for a long weekend.
My apartment has been out of control for a while now. Since I will be moving at the end of next month, I spent the morning weeding some of my stuff and establishing some order.
The cats are growing and are a joy. Well for the most part. 4:00 a.m. requests for belly rubs from Misha are wearing me out. And Sasha's insatiable curiosity gets frustrating. Nothing and I mean nothing can be left out without it coming to his attention. He gets up on everything and then pulls things down for Misha to play with. Misha seems to be a jewelry thief as I find him carting earrings and necklaces off for his personal enjoyment. And their love of cheese--what more can I say.
So it is New Year's again. The year of the Tiger. The last Year of the Tiger had me in Japan (which celebrates it with the solar New Year). So many things have happened over the past dozen years. Moves from Hiroshima to Honolulu to California. Completing my Master's. New jobs, marathons, the loss of my father, new friends, health issues, some steps forward and some steps back.
What do I hope the next year holds. I hope to finally GET IT RIGHT!! All those things that I want me to be but just am not, I want to become or to forget. So in other words I want to realize who I am and who I am not and then live true to this person. That's all, not much to ask right?

Count Down to the Soft Opening

2010-01-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

Since the first of November, I have been working on opening the new La Crescenta Library. It has been an interesting and tiring adventure. The library is very nice and the public will enjoy it without a doubt. But there were some very frustrating moments in getting the library up. Some of the problems stem from the fact that we never have enough space for what we want. Also, since the library was literally carved out of the side of a mountain, the footprint is a bit awkward. About half of my adult fiction stacks were reallocated to additional parking spaces some where in the planning process. Since parking is important and people won't use the library if they can't reasonably get to it, I do not begrudge the decision--often. Since the library is 3x the size it used to be, I doubt that anyone will really notice. Then I ended up with a massive amount of audio visual shelving that had to be converted to regular shelving, I am still changing shelves out and the soft opening is next week.
Why so many audio visual shelves? Well, the building plan called for a 30/30/30 mix of children, adult and audiovisual materials. A collection of this mix does not and I repeat DOES NOT translate into the same percentage mix of shelving. Children and AV items are slim and sleek, Adult materials are usually 3x or more the width of Children books and DVD cases. Hmmm... oops...
But hey, the glass is half full here, I look at it this way. If everything had gone along swimmingly smooth, I would have learned a lot but not nearly as much as I have. If I ever have the opportunity to be involved in another library opening, I will be more prepared.
I like my library and I think it will be a strong asset to the community. I think I will have a great staff and we will have the chance to try out new and innovative ideas. Also I will have the chance to reuse my bag of tricks and programs that I have built since becoming a library. Always love the chance to try old stuff on a new audience.
On Saturday, Jan 16. we will open the doors to the masses. This is our soft opening but since people have been chomping at the bit for the new library, I suspect we will have a flood of people and not a trickle. Our grand opening is at the end of the month.

Digital Divide

2009-12-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

This morning on my way up to the Antelope Valley, I'm a visiting librarian in Lancaster until my computers and network are installed. The moving in process just keeps dragging on. Back on topic. This the radio reporter told me that cell phones are replacing landlines in many homes. OK, no big surprise, then he went on to say that the rate of rich people giving up landlines outpace poor people. At first blush this seemed to contradict other reports that have stated that the world's poor are by passing land lines and going straight for cellphones with Internet capability.
As the miles passed I chewed on this facts only to digested them into a reason both could be true.
First, America's poor are not the same as the world's poor. Many countries where the majority of the world's poor live just does not and probably never will have the infrastructure to support wired technology. These people can only hope to connect to the rest of us via wireless technology, so in other words these people will out of necessity jump ahead in the technology cue. America's poor on the other hand tend to live in rural or remote areas where wireless coverage, despite AT&T and Verizon's claims is not ubiquitous. On the other hand, wired coverage is--even the party lines of my rural youth are mostly a thing of the past these days.
Rural-ness is another reason not to give up that ole landline even if a wireless provider is available. Wireless telephone does not mean wireless Internet coverage. My Iphone Internet capability was as non-existent as my savings account this summer in Idabel, OK. And Idabel is technically town. Cable internet through Time Warner or other providers is not any more available than cable TV. Rural America is dotted with satellite dishes for this reason. With this fact, dial up is a sad reality for many of America's ruralites no matter their own personal income.
Something else to consider that keep America's poor tied down is that landlines are often subsidized by us. For those poverty level incomes, we pay a portion of our phone bills to allow them to have very reasonably priced phone service. Phone service but not health care is seen as a basic necessity that should be available to one and all. With adequate documentation, a family can apply for the subsidy annually.
And finally, the rich have few children, and can afford family plans for their progeny. The poor may not have means to provide each and every one of their offspring with cellphones.
One question that did spring to mind as I walked past the line of less than homed individuals in front of the Lancaster Library. What is the rate of cellphones among those poor who are homeless vs those who are poor and aboded? Is there a bigger percentage? Do these people have the wherewithal to get and maintain a cell phone? Do they have people to call?

Musings

2009-11-10T07:06:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. Lots has happened in the past three weeks. I am still trying to adjust to having kittens. Sasha adjusted right on schedule and is now a Graceless Wonder and Nosey Parker. However, Misha is still suffering PTSD and has yet adjusted. I spent all day Sunday trying to tame him. I checked the Internet and the advice says "Small Room Containment". First I lured them into the bathroom. Sasha and Misha stayed there for a while and I handled Misha frequently with rewards of Kraft Singles and baby food. Later I put them in the pet taxi while I cleaned the bathroom, took a shower and prepared the closet.
All went fine and well until about 9:00 when they start getting revved up for the evening's play time. Sasha got restless, Misha was still hissing at times. I kicked Sasha out but that didn't work because he just scratched at the door and meowed. Then I put both of them back in and that didn't work without me because they just scratched the door and meowed. I gave up and let them out so I could go to sleep and not get kicked out of my apartment nor pay damages when I move out.
Misha is a tough nut to crack and I think my options as the clock is running out, is to either ask the Vet for some Kitty Prozac to get him over this phase or take him to the ASPCA and ask them to try to socialize him for a donation. When I take them to the Vet on Saturday, I will ask which is the better option.
On a different note, I have started at the new buldi89g (Sasha's contribution). There are a lot of hurtles to cross before January. Also it is clear that the architect and everyone else involved in the project did not really get the feedback of Librarians. So many things are what people imagine a library should be like but is not actually what we want the library of the 21st Century to be nor what actual users need it to be. So we are trying to remediate these facets or learn to live them.
Two big problems, we don't have enough shelving for adults and have had to work around that. The previous manager did not like to weed at all. So right now we have the old collection (All of IT), all the materials that have been bought over the past two years while it was closed for rebuilding, the Opening Day materials and some reassigns. I am bursting at the seams with just the old collection and have had to spend time weeding out shabby, and unused materials before we try to absorb the new collections (]=kl Sasha again) onto the shelves.
The other big problem is that the art work in the children's area is scary. There is a dead or rubber chicken on the clock shoot that sends lost toys away. There is a guy powering the clock wearing a ram's skull on his head while riding a bicycle with saw blades. There is a Zombie looking sombrero wearing guy that is pulling a cart and a guy that is half fish, half something else with a long bird beak mask on. So now the Powers that Be need to sort it out and see if they can get the artist to adjust the artwork. The concept seems to be from an old Wizard of Oz book plate but MY GOD those things can be scary. I would have nightmares if I were a 7 or 8 year old looking at it. I get creeped out as it is and I am an adult.
More later.

Pobrecitos

2009-10-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

My little ones are still shoved into the corner of my closet looking like refugees. They probably feel that their world has dropped out from under them. However, the bowls of Gerber Chicken baby food were licked clean this morning, the litter box was used and their crunch and soft snack bowl had only a few tell-tale bits of crumbs left. At least I know that they are fed. Patience and probably by next week they will be running around the living room.
Last night after I dropped them off at the apartment, gotten scratched and realized that these babies are wild. I gave them a piece of cheese-the only suitable cat like food I had in the house. I didn't think they would care for the applesauce or pasta. Then I headed to Walmart. My free kittens quickly added up to $75, but they have a fleece cube, a scratching pole, litter & litter boxes (multi-cat small spaces), enough food for one more day, a brush, a couple of kitty toys. As I was piling everything in the cart talking to M, I said now you see why I never had kids--there is a reason.

I'm a New Mom

2009-10-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Well, right now I probably seem more like the grim reaper to my new charges but hopefully we will get to know each other soon and they will come out of the closet.
The photo attached to this posting is not a photo I took because right now the little ones are too frightened of me to come out of the corner.
This afternoon one of my regular patrons came into the library asking for a pet shelter that she could take her cats that are now too much for her to handle. She started with 2 and they have now multiplied to more than a dozen. I found her the locations and I started to query her about what kind of cats she had. She mentioned that she had two Siamese looking twins that were still quite small. I decided that if she would bring them to me, I would take them. So this evening before the library closed she brought them to me in a small cage.
Once I got them home I quickly realized that these little one's are actually quite wild. My patron said that she caught them when they came out to eat, so with their behavior and her statement, I deduced that they haven't been tamed, yet. Poor babies.
They are adorable. One is more shy than the the other. The dominate one is fiesty and I have yet to get a look at him/her. I think probably a her since the smaller, more timid one seems to be a boy. I have to think of names for them and I am considering Misha and Sasha for them no matter the gender. Misha is Russian for little bear and I think I will probably call the fiesty one Misha. Sasha although can be a girl's name also is the Russian diminutive for Alexander so can be for a boy, too.
My family has had a Misha before--he was a beautiful long hair Russian Blue that took over the parenting of the twin Siamese that my dad brought my mom for Valentines one year. The Siamese were named Lucy (girl) and Nikki (boy). My dad named them after my nicknames. This is how I knew that he really missed me after I went away for college. Mind you it caused some confusion when I heard "Lucy come eat" when I was home only to go down to the kitchen and find a bowl of cat food on the cabinet.
Our first Siamese when I was growing up was TK. He was Velvet's first litter when we moved to town and she was still living with us. Siamese are white when they are born. I remember expressing my fascination with the white kitten but my mother told me that it would turn out to be just a common yellow cat. Much to our amazement, he developed points and turned into a Siamese. TK was a cool cat that we loved until the neighbor shot him.
Velvet was still cavorting with her Siamese beau after she moved herself to the youth shelter because out of a later litter we got Tisha which my mother adored. Tisha was typical high maintenance Siamese and without a doubt my mom's cat. Tisha produced my long hair lilac point Tasha that was sweetness. One day my brother's friend was visiting my mom. Tasha was sitting on top of the TV, when she finally moved after about an hour, Keeva gasps, "She's real." Tasha's role in life was to look beautiful.
So I am looking forward to getting to know my little ones.

Sex Goddesses, Exploding Toilets & Bad Ju-Ju

2009-10-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

I am never short a story and this week is no exception. Here are a few stories that I will file away for future purposes.
1) During the book sale this weekend, I learned something about Santa Clarita's early days. This all started when someone said "Did you see that the Sex High Priestess is here?" What? "Oh, yes, in the 70's her husband spent a few years behind bars for pandering." Really! "Yes, the defense claimed that it wasn't pandering but a religious rite for their church--the judge didn't buy it and he spent some time." They pointed her out and she is a regular customer that looks a bit like a grandmother. Wow, you just never know, do you? I also found out in the good ole days when Mr. Newhall ran the newspaper, there were some pretty wild editorials and the DUI list was published every Monday.
2) I went to a going away party on Saturday after the book sale for one of the Assistants that got a job in Montana as a library manager. Her husband was driving back from Montana to California. He stopped in at a McDonald's, went to the toilet stall and sat down. He said he noticed that the commode seemed to drop a few inches and then suddenly with his pants down around his ankles water came forcefully gushing out. He was trying to get the door open but it opened in rather than out so he had a hard time. By the time he got himself decent enough to get out, he was drenched. The management decided to comp his meal because his bills were too wet and they didn't want to accept them. So it seems that spilling hot coffee on yourself earn you millions at McDonalds but having to narrowly escape drowning yourself with your pants down around your ankles gets you a 5 buck meal.
3) Yesterday I asked a gentleman to stop holding his crucifix up in the library. He asked "Is it illegal?" Before I could craft the answer "No, but proselytizing in the library is not allowed." He slipped the 7 inch cross into the Star of David necklace he was wearing with the statement "It is part of my outfit." The manager and I both said "That's fine as long as you are wearing it." The man sat back down to his computer. The manager and I looked at each other and agreed that he was a new one and hadn't been in either of our libraries before. A little later he asked to speak with the manager and the end result was that he was trying to cleanse all the bad ju-ju that people were bringing into the library. Thank you, I guess.
And finally 4) I was scheduled to do a walk through of my new library with my regional administrators. Y calls them the Three Fates. They are all great and I have learned a lot from each and everyone. One is very particular and exact. She always has well coordinated suits and has the right thing to say and do. Yesterday she was wearing a white jacket. After the walk through we went to lunch. I had ravioli with marinara sauce. Do you see where this is going? As she was sitting next to me, she was in direct line of spray when a ravioli slipped off my fork and back into the pool of bright red sauce. Mortification ruled my day. She took it very well, whipped out a Shout spot cleaner and proceeded to dab at the multitude of blood like spots. The only thing that could make me feel even marginally better was that my jacket and white shirt were also spotted although not as deeply. Oh, I am a total mess. I always find a way to sabotage myself in the worst way.

Sometimes My Job is Fun

2009-10-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

I have a regular patron that is an actor. I didn't quite realize that he was one. But he came in one day with a different facial hair so I asked him what was up. He explained that he was working on a Mentalist episode. Cool. I won't disclose his real name, although it is a famous one. He can't use his given name because SAG nixed it. He rather uses his grandfather's. He said I could check out some of his stuff out on You Tube, so here is one of the links. I love the dread's.

OMG

2009-10-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I woke up at 6:00 so that I could leave by 7:00 to get to Downey by 8:30. At 6:55 I sat down to my bowl of cereal. I heard a buzzing down in the wall. What in the world? I walked into my mini hallway. I noticed that my vanity lights were flickering. What? I turned the lights off. I opened the breaker box and saw SPARKS. Heart rate instantly jumped up. I quickly flipped half the switches. The buzzing stopped. Relief. Then I started hunting around for my the Apartment Office number. I was in such a state that I wasn't making much sense to myself. Suddenly I had to pee, so I thought I might be able to think better if my bladder wasn't full. I accidentally flipped the bathroom room switch which instantly began to flicker and I heard the buzzing in the wall again. I no longer had to pee. OMG! I went back to the breaker box which was sparking once again, so I threw the other half of the switches.
I finally located the office number and called. The woman that answered didn't seem as alarmed as I was. She asked if there was smoke. When I said no, she said she would see IF someone could come check it out after hours. I let her know that my freezer was defrosting at the moment and I would lose all my stuff. I swear I heard her let out a sigh when she said she would work on it.
Completely freaked out, I loaded up jewelry, computer and some clothes. My parents had an electrical fire where they lost a bunch of stuff. I would have loaded up more but I coxed myself out of being WORST CASE SCENARIO GIRL and let it go with what I had.
At about 7:30, I was calm enough to get in the car. I was deciding if I really wanted to go for training or not. Maybe I needed to be near the apartment. But then I decided that I would do no one any good being near the apartment. If it burned it burned. The training had to be done and I might as well be at a long Power Point reading day with a frazzled mind than actually trying to do work. I got in the car about my coffee to make my way to Downey about 50 miles away. I knew I would be late and since it took me 10 minutes to make it to the first stop light from my apartment which is less than a quarter of a mile, I knew that I was really not going to make it on time.
At 8:00 I called the library and asked the Assistant to send Bob an email to let him know I was going to be late. I was at Freeway cruising speed which was about 30 miles an hour. Then, I made a mistake. Just past downtown there is a jumble of freeways. The 5 cuts down to two lanes from five but it isn't the right two or the left two, it is somewhere in between. I thought I was in the far lane to stay on the 5 so I just followed the road, but I wasn't and ended up on the 10. Once I got off I was in Vernon--where ever the Hell that is. I couldn't find my way back to the freeway. Eventually I ran across a surface street that I knew ran near where I wanted to be, got out my handy Thomas Guide and found myself. About 30 minutes later I ended up at LHQ (Library Head Quarters)--a full hour late.
On the way in I called the Apartment Office and spoke with Marvin the head Groundskeeper. I explained the problem. He said that sometimes breakers are thrown when there is too many things connected. Exasperated, I explained that that was the problem the breaker didn't throw--it was sparking. Oh, he said, let me go check it out. Yes, I responded, please do.
Later I called and yes, the other guy saw the sparks too. Somehow a wire wasn't grounded and was shorting out. Fun. He fixed it, turned my lights back on and I came home to a safe apartment, feeling a bit sheepish as I got my stuff out of my car.

Simplifying

2009-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Finally the heat has abated. This past weekend, I realized that my sweaters were all packed away. With the current state of the space between my ears, the change in weather, and an up-coming birthday, I decided to evaluate my collections--shoes, books, clothes, etc. I also have to admit that I have been watching Horders on A&E on Monday night. Well, technically I haven't finished an episode yet. I get too weirded out and have to turn the TV off.
This past weekend, I got down to business. I rounded up all my shoes from the coat closet, the bedroom closet, the shoe basket in the living room, under my bed, etc. I decided that I did not need over 60 pairs of shoes. OK, that was a really hard decision to make as I longingly touch each pair. Thinking--"I wore these in Vegas for my 40th birthday", "Cam really liked these--when I wasn't wearing much else." Each pair with a story and a memory. And then realization struck--horders have to touch each and every thing. I steeled myself and set down criteria--If they hurt, if I hadn't worn them in 2 years I had to get rid of them. I quickly put on the two above mentioned pair of shoes--thus saving them. In the in 17 pairs well actually only 16 pairs--I pulled one more pair out of the pile--will go to Single Mother's Outreach and their Career Closet.

Next came clothes. In my storage closet, I had boxes of clothes packed up that I used to wear and a few that I had bought hoping to be able to wear in sizes 10, 12 and 14. I can't fit in any of them at the moment--well some 14's but not many. I had suits, slacks, blouses, all of them probably bought on a credit card that are now essentially useless to me. I brought them from Hawaii in hopes that I would be able to shed some of the pounds and get back into them. I have been here 3 1/2 years and that hasn't happened yet. So out came the boxes and I packed them all--well most of them--into the boxes. I came up with several trash bags full to go to the Goodwill as well.
I also paired down my cookbooks and some other books. In the end, I have probably gotten rid of a car load of stuff. All stuff that I don't really use. I understand why I have a huge debt that I chip away at each month. Like hoarders, I have a compulsion to acquire things. However, fortunately, unlike them I have an aversion to clutter. I feel that I am truly a Libra on this issue with the scales swinging to and fro on acquiring and shedding.
J asked me if I was as ruthless weeding my own things as I was weeding books from my library. On this, I guess I am for the same reason. There comes a point that if you haven't used it for a period of time--it is no good and maybe someone else will find it more valuable. If you can't see it because it is under a bunch of other crap it is no good. If you can't fit anything else into your space then you got to do something because piles are unacceptable and being jammed in makes it inaccessible and thus no good. Essentially, I feel that if these things are true then you really don't have it and when you have too much then the things keep you from enjoying the things that you could or do use. A well trimmed collection like a well trimmed hedge is enjoyed more than an unkempt one.
But I do know that women that I trying to get back into the job market will have far more use of my size 10, 12 and 14 business clothes and shoes sitting in my closet than I will. If I get back into them, I can assure you that I will find an excuse to go on a spending spree of joy at getting down to those sizes again.

Transitions

2009-10-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

At dinner on Saturday night in the Antelope Valley, J reminded me that I haven't been posting much lately. Yes, I agreed. I am not entirely sure why but I have been in a bit of a funk lately. I will be transitioning to a new library next month, so part of my time has been going through the Civil Service process--testing and interviews to do that and the rest of the time has been spent wrapping my head around the coming transition. Don't get me wrong, I am ambitious and I pursued the promotion. It is a brand new spanking library that I have the opportunity to get on the ground floor of how things are done. No coming in to "this is how we do this at this library". Setting up the library is a fantastic professional development opportunity that is not lost on me. All those building built in the 70's had a shelf life of 30-40 years so this is a valuable piece to have in my professional tool box.
Nevertheless, I have had to get my head wrapped around it all. This will be my 5th library in less than 4 years. I am comfortable with the known. I am getting to know my community and I like them--well most of them. I enjoy not commuting. I can walk to work if I want to and sometimes I do--when the ole heel isn't giving me hell.
Here is my main concern. I have never been at one job for more than 4 years at any one time EVER! I have left and returned to almost all of my jobs. I guess that says something good, but what else does that say. I get bored and feel the need to go do something else, get bored and go back to what the now new old position. Wash and repeat. Hmmm. I am concerned that I am at a point in my life when I need to think about stability and the future. Retirement is usually contingent on staying in a position long enough to build it up. Since I have moved up so quickly with the County--and I am grateful, I don't have much further to go. My concern is that I still haven't had the chance to see if I have stick to it power. Also, I am quickly realizing that all this moving that I have done most of my life--I am convinced that I am part Gypsy--has a financial strain. While living abroad, I took to carrying a spatula with me because I had bought so many during my years of being in and out of Japan that I had probably spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $50-70 (pre 99cent and 100 Yen stores) on this very inexpensive necessity. I got tired of getting rid of and re-buying so many things that are just not valuable enough to take but nevertheless needed. For some reason I drew a line with spatulas and started packing one in my suitcase.

My brother Dave and I were talking on the phone this weekend. He doesn't like change--he moved to Stillwater for college and never left except for a brief disastrous go at living in Dallas. Me, I can't seem to keep the same hair color for more than 3 months. Maybe Pop was right all those years and he wasn't my father but a policeman dropped me off at the door. But then again, he was a trucker and traveled all the US Highways. When I road trip I think about him. I am a cross between him and my mom. I love being in the car for hours, just watching the scenery go by. I have a destination in mind. I push myself onward like my father. But I also see all the interesting things along the way and want to stop. So during my two road trips, I have accommodated both styles. One the way out, I push ahead. The long road in front of me. My thoughts drifting in a Zen like experience with the gradually transitioning landscape hour after hour across country to my destination. My return trip is seeing all the pretties that I noticed on the way--the stop at the museum, the overnight in a destination.
Change is on the way for me. Will this be the last one for a while? No, I have to move in March. Maybe, I will be able to test my mettle in this next move. See if I have staying power. Time will tell. With the change of weather and the change of season, I have regained my purpose and am now embracing the upcoming transition. More posts soon.

What I am reading

2009-09-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up 100 ways to Simplify You Life by Joyce Meyer. It was new title that came in, so I checked it out. Over lunch at Baja Fresh, I started this title. Quickly I discovered that this was based on Christian doctrine and thought about tossing it back into the bookdrop but thought "No, I am opened minded, I will go through it there may be a few nuggets, then I got to page 1 and I read the follow quote: "It's like removing an egg yolk from the egg white--both can be used separately." This stopped me in my tracks, I said wait a minute: yeah the yolk plus egg white is OK if you are talking about an omelet, but what about a meringue--that is only good if you have egg white and what about custards--they are only good with an excess of yolks.
And I do love my custards!! Creme Brulee--Heaven in a Dish!! I spent hours trying to fix this analogy but couldn't. Some times an egg whole is fantastic and some times the part make something better and sometimes they combine to make something more. That is life.
So I gave up on this title and still have gotten over the bad analogy yet, just ask my mom. I ragged on the analogy this morning during my weekly phone call. My mom said "Well, the book wasn't for you." What words of wisdom, I was trying to be open minded and it failed because the other side simply could not see that the constituents can come times be stronger than than the parts but other times stronger.

Otherwise, I finished Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. The Masonic tradition is taken Ok. But if you have watched What the Bleep Do We Know then you are ahead of the game here. Dan Brown is a good story teller taking fact and fiction, meshing them together in a compelling story. I can't wait to visit one of my favorite cities and see all the landmarks talked about. I love DC, it is among the most European cities in America. But I visited during a time with the only days above average temp were they days that I was in a workshop. Yet, I loved running along Embassy Row in the morning and into George Town. In the evening we search out the best Sushi the restaurants had to offer. Dave showed me Sushi as I never saw it in Japan and I introduced him to Caviar at a Russian Fusion restaurant. Little did we know in May that by October that our lives would become so inextricably entwined.

But what I am really enjoying right now is The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. This is a young teen series that I love. I am impressed that I am on book 4 and still find the series interesting and still with turns and twists that I couldn't have imagined. The depths of course could cause controversy, God, the Architect a woman? It segues well with the Dan Brown new title. I am having fun here.

This is why I hate...

2009-09-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Get anything done to my car. I go in for one thing and then there is a gazillion other things that need to be done. Ok, so I admit if I were more regular about getting things done, I might not have a gazillion things to do but that is not my point. My point is that I know that I needed a new set of rear tires. I go to Sam's Club to see if they had any that would fit my car, they didn't but in the mean time the guy tells me I probably need new shocks. Great! Then I go to the the garage down the street to talk to them. They have tires that I need but I am also told that I need an alignment. The guy asks if it has been more than 6 months since the last alignment. Hmmm, yes, I would say never falls into the the more than 6 months category. So we come to a deal, it will be about 20 minutes and he will call me.
I get a call about 20 minutes later. Because my reception is soooo bad--AT&T are not my "I Love This Company" list at all. More bars in more places--but not anywhere I need to talk. Anyway, I run down to the shop and am told that yes, I do need new shocks, that is $119 and look at this brake "It is missing a piece"--OK so that explains the squeal when I back up. That would be $50 each so total--$250. Not today I tell him, next payday, I know where some of my $ are going. Just what I always wanted for my birthday, new shocks and brakes. Plus, I still need to get 2 other new tires. So here I am waiting for a phone call that should come in about 40 minutes. I love how 20 minutes became an hour and a half. Yes, that makes me happy. My schedule is blown now, I am looking at $500 more in car stuff.
But since I will probably start commuting again next month, I need to make sure that my car is OK, so that raise I will probably get for a promotion that I am most likely to get, will go for gas. Probably won't even cover the gas. Joy and happiness. But we do what we have to do and I can't say no to a promotion, soon enough my lease will be up (in March) and I will be able to move if I want. I am lucky that I don't have a mortgage and am fixed with all the moving around I have been doing since I got here. I have been told by my supervisor that I will be at this library for a while. Yeah, right that is what she said the last time. But I think I might, I can't go much higher. Honestly, there is only one more step before you become an Administrator. Please, off on the 4th floor for a while, thank you very much.

Sunday, Sunday...

2009-08-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

I have been restlessly unmotivated lately. I keep trying to latch on to stuff that I hope will pull me out of this rather extended funk. I want to make the most of this clean bill of health that I have been given. I need to find a new way of doing things. Drag myself out of my self-imposed rut.
Yesterday, I went to confession at St. Clair's, the first time in about 11 years. I was in Hiroshima. I became Catholic at 18, so confession is very awkward for me. But I want to make more connections with myself and my community, so I figured going back to church would probably be a pretty good start.
I wasn't sure how the Confession would go, I mean if I took the time to recount every misstep in the last 11 years I would still be there right now on about year 6. As it turned out I was pretty much able to sum up the last 11 years in about 2 minutes without resorting to "I've been bad, very very bad." Confession over and done with, I took my camera to Sam's Club to print some photos.
So, this morning I woke up, made coffee, called mom and started working on the first of two photo projects that I am putting together. First the digital frame. I loaded some photos on it several weeks ago, but realized that the frame cut off some of the photos which annoyed me. To fix this I decided to load the photos into a power point presentation and change them into jpegs. Here is a sample of what I did...

I surfed the net for images and quotes that inspire me and culled through the photos I have on my computer to put together a presentation for my digital photo frame. I was pretty impressed with the result.
This morning, I worked on the digital frame project, almost talked myself out of going to church, talked myself back into going to the 9:30 mass, arrived at the church at about 9:25 to find out the 9:30 mass is at 9:00. Went home, continued to work on my project until the 11:00 mass, came back home at noon, finished the project, hoped in my car to go to work from 1:00 to 5:00.
At five I got home and straightened my apartment. I wish my apartment would learn to pick up after itself. I tell you, I am the only one that does anything around here.
After tidying up a bit, I fixed dinner and poured myself a glass of Cab/Sauv as pictured below

After my tasty dinner, I decided to embark on my other art/photo project. Several weeks ago, I bought some pictures at Ikea for less than $2 each. Once I got them home I discovered that they were pictures and not simply frames which required pulling out very long staples to disassemble them. I put on my thinking cap and decided that I could glue fabric onto the backing to cover up the pictures, then I could glue on bullnose clips and hang some of the photos I took this summer. The real challenge to this project actually turned out to be procuring the bullnose clips. First I had to figure out what they were actually called, then I went to every office supply store imaginable to find the right sized clips without magnets. In the end I prevailed at Office Depot in Sylmar.
Here is the end result of my project. I am pretty proud of the installation if I say so myself.

All and all, this has been a good Sunday and I guess a good start to the week ahead. I have my Librarian IV exam on Wednesday afternoon, I could use a good start.

Libraries Never Have Enough

2009-08-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

There is never enough space, time, staff to do what we really want to do or have what we really want to have. We are limited in so many ways and with this economy we are becoming even more limited at a time when people really want and need more from us.
This past week I have been shifting collections. I shifted the adult audio book collection, our books on CD have outgrown their space and the books on tape are shrinking due to collection priorities. We are no longer collecting audio books on cassette nor are we collecting VHS tapes. Our children's audio visual collection also needed shifting for the same reason. Throughout the year there are times when people return more items than are taken out, our collections swell and we need to find space for those items us. Between the end of summer and the beginning of fall is one of those times. It is a delicate dance with the only constant being that our physical space only changes when there is a renovation of some sort.
But the big move this week was expanding the space for holds. These are items that customers have requested from other libraries. Last year, I moved the hold shelf from 3 ranges (a range of shelves) to 6 ranges. Then on Thursday morning, I shifted the hold shelf to teen area giving the holds an additional 3 ranges. We moved the teen area to the hold area and part of the classic section. The classic section moved down and around into the reference section. The reference section is being weeded to either get the books into the regular circulating collection or removed from the library. Friday afternoon, I saw a packed hold shelf and got a major headache. Less than 24 hours later and it seemed to have already outgrown its space.
So needless to say, this took a lot of work and right now my reference section is a total disaster. We have a lot of books to absorb into the regular collection
I told the teen librarian that worked with me on this project to not worry about the reference collection because no one really wants to use it anyhow. We can help the few people who might need something out of in the next month find what they need.
Today, I need to work on my classic collection. First I back shifted and then I forward shifted with the unfortunate result that Dickens does not have a home. Dickens was a prolific writer so now I either have to tighten the shelves up on the gamble that more stuff will go out than come in or I can weed the collection down. The classic section is in pretty dismal condition so weeding would theoretical be easy--I could pare it down by at least half but then students often come in needing the book today because they have to read it tonight for the project due tomorrow. My head is already hurting but I can't leave Dickens homeless so I will probably do a combination of both tactics to hedge my bets.

There Should Be a Warning Label

2009-08-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

By now I know what to expect but the first time it happened, I nearly died of a heart attack. I was in Hong Kong alone suffering travel sickness. I had traveled to Hong Kong with my friend Jackie after which she planned to go to Thailand and Southeast Asia before heading back to Canada. My plans included China, the Trans Siberian and Europe. On the day of her departure, I woke up in the cheap fleabag we were staying feel very wonky. We decided that I should upgrade to a better class of fleabag while in Hong Kong the next 2 days alone. The next few hours were spent in search of a hotel that I would feel moderately safe entering on my own and some tummy medication including Lomotil and Pepto Bismol. The grips of travel sickness were gradually tightening; by the time Jackie got off to the airport, I was in pretty bad shape.
I popped a couple of Pepto tablets and fell into a sleep that only sick people have. Time drags by as awareness of how sick you are pervades your consciousness. Sleep is uneasy and fitful. After a few hours of discomfort in the bed, I drug myself to the bathroom--blessedly not shared with a hall of other people now--wondering how there could still be anything in my system. I finished my business, went to the sink, looked at how sick I was in the mirror. Inspected my tongue and almost scared what little sh** I had left out of me. MY TONGUE WAS BLACK!!

I raced back in panic to my guide book, looking for the dreaded black tongue disease. I though Bubonic Plague--I have that, it turns your tongue black...when you're dead...I am I dead? No, what is this? Do I have to fly home? I don't want to have an awful illness alone in a foreign country...please please please...
I gradually collected myself, went back to the bathroom mirror for another inspection and realized that the black scrapped off. What a relief. I realized that the Pepto did this. I rationalized that it was because I was dehydrated and had only had a little Coke that day and somehow the Carmel coloring stayed.
I have since learned that this is a reaction that some people have to Pepto and generally stay away from it. Apparently Pepto + sulfur = black tongue. But recently my niece was here with an upset tummy so I got her some Pepto. Last night, I woke up with an odd bout of acid reflux, so I popped a couple of her leftover Peptos. Result was as expected--black tongue. No bubonic plague. Sigh.

Intrigued

2009-08-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

This picture has a ton of condition issues yet it intrigues me. I have it hanging in the little tiny hallway that enters from the living/dining space into the bedroom suite. I can see the painting from my dining table. This is an excellent place for this artwork for two reasons. First it doesn't have to compete with the rest of my decor which is called Asian Modern by me and might be called as Eclectic Bargain Basement by everyone else. I prefer my moniker of course. At any rate the painting doesn't really go with anything else. And second, I can see this enchanting scene whenever I eat. I feel compelled by this piece for some reason. I feel that I want to walk up the drive, knock on the door and have a nice glass of tea with the owners out on the veranda. I don't drink ice tea but I would at this home. Maybe the owners would be gentile enough to have mint juleps. Now I do drink those.
My mom sent this painting home with me when I went back to Idabel this summer. She has had it for about 3 years. I said that I was super fascinating by the scene several times. Next thing I know it is being wrapped up in an old quilt to be packed with my other stuff to take back to California. I felt super guilty but Mom said that she wanted me to enjoy so it now hangs not in her bedroom but in my micro hallway.
The provenance of this painting is somewhat interesting. We kind of don't know where it comes from and kind of do. Here is what we do know. About 3 years ago, my mom was helping her friend clean out Auntie's house. This is pronounced A-ni where I am from. It took me years to realize that this was actually Auntie and what we have always used for a courtesy aunt and not their real name. Anyway Auntie was going into an assisted living situation and the treasures she took a life time to accumulate had to be pared down to virtually nothing. During on the of the clean out days, my mom went over to the pile destined for the landfill. She found the painting on top and grabbed it up. Her friend's husband had declared fit to be reclaimed by the earth. Mom, instantly enchanted with the muted tones, asked if she could have it; with the yes answer the painting came to hang on my mom's bedroom wall and eventually made its way to California and my wall.
There is a bit more known about the painting because someone wrote some enigmatic words on the back that we have yet to fully understand. This is what is inscribed "Memory Contest Prize Grammar Room Won by Ruth Templeton for possible 50 years. Age 78 years old May 22, 1831." Was Ruth the artist and she was remembering a scene from 50 years ago? Did Ruth win the painting 50 years ago and now at the age of 78 in 1831 she or someone decided to memorialize the event by noting it down on the back of the painting? What exactly is a Memory Contest anyway? It does seem that the painting was executed in either 1831 or 50 years earlier around 1780.
Last Sunday I carefully wrapped the painting up and I took the painting to a the antique appraisal booth at the local flea market. The first Sunday of the month they have the booth. Of course this was no Antique Road Show event so the appraiser could offer me few more clues that it had huge condition issues (which I already knew) and might retail for $150-$200 (which I suspected). My main question was should I try to clean it and the appraiser answered that I shouldn't because part of the charm lay in the condition issues and would cost a fortune to boot.
I would like to know more but this does not seem likely. I tried to search some photos on the internet of homes that were similar. It has a wrap around porch and seems plantation gates. It should be somewhere in the South due to subject matter the fact that is was in Oklahoma for part of its history.
What ever its history, I love this painting and am somewhat relieved that it isn't worth more than I thought it is because now I don't have to worry about having to get and pay for special insurance. I would be devastated if something happened to it so no amount of insurance money would ever replace the fascination I have with this piece of our American history.

Julie & Julia the books and the movie

2009-08-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

During the first quarter of 2008, I set a goal for myself that I would only read books on cooking for the first 3 months of the year. The first book I read was The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. This turned out to be an excellent choice as it gave me a general background on the movers and shakers in the developing the American palette. I had of course heard of Julia Child and of the Galloping Gourmet but James Beard ?, Alice Waters? Ruth Reichl? These and others were names that I would become intimate with in the following months. But the woman who towered above them all was of course Julia Child.
For some reason, I felt intimidated to read a book on Julia. I am not quite sure why but I felt great reluctance. I saw My Life in France on the shelf day after day but always put it off for another time. The in late January, I picked up Julie Powell's Julie & Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen. I thought the cover was whimsical and decided to give it a go. Once I opened the book, I delightfully plunged into Julie's world of neurosis and and search for meaning in a world that a times appears to be unraveling at the seams. Julie had wit and a rough edged charm and I found myself laughing madly out loud. I devoured the book and then encouraged everyone I knew to read it--even a 70 year old man that politely gave it back to me. I dubbed the book as Sex in the City in a tiny grimy kitchen.
Through Julie & Julia, I learned a bit about the Grand Dame herself and became intrigued, so I picked up the My Life in France audiobook--I was still worried that I just wouldn't get into it. But Oh, how wrong I was. Paul and Julia had a fantastic marriage and love affair. Julia's story is beautifully told by her nephew Alex Prudhomme. I instantly became a fan of Julia Child. What woman wouldn't be when it became clear that she didn't even start cooking until she was almost 40. Clear proof that at any point we can be who we want to be if we can only imagine it and try hard. Julia and Julie truly inspired me.
Needless to say, I was excited when I heard the movie was coming out. I added a copy to my collection and marked it New although by it clearly wasn't. I also added it to my Recommend list on our digital photo frame in the library. And this summer, I had a book club discussion and pot luck on the book as part of the Summer Reading Program.
All this but I was afraid that I wouldn't like the movie. I know that Nora Ephron is entirely capable with titles like When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle under her belt; but when I found out that Meryl Strep was going to play Julia Child in the movie, I just didn't get it. And then I realized that the movie was actually going to be based on both titles covering both Julia Child's and Julie Powell's stories. I became hopeful that all would be good. And indeed all was good. This is an excellent film, well told and leaves you feeling generally good about yourself. This is a movie that proves that even with set backs when you are determined and have the support you can accomplish great things. I highly recommend this film and the two books. They are all very good. Each can stand alone but are best when enjoyed together.

What a Relief!

2009-08-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

All the drama of the past 2 months has dissipated with a huge sigh of relief. The doctor says that Louise is shrinking and may disappear on her own. I don't have cancer and that the bleeding was probably caused by a polyp that he may have gotten during the biopsy. I will go back in 3 months for another ultrasound to see if Louise is still packing her bags and vacating my abdomen. So for now, I am OK! I am so happy.
Yesterday, I had a few moments of panic when I checked in. Usually they just have me verify my birthday and last four of my social to make sure it is me. But yesterday, they asked to see my ID and my health insurance card and had me sign a paper making sure that everything was correct. I asked if I was the only person she was doing this to, but all she said was that she wanted to check to make sure everything was right.
Of course here I am thinking that the worst and that I might be asked to directly to the OR to take care of what ever they found in the biopsy. So it was with some trepidation that I entered into the cubicle to wait for the doctor.
The one thing I noticed was that everyone asked me "How are you today?" Somehow our social conventions seem weird and awkward in situations like this. "Hmmm...well I don't really know, you are hold the answer to that question not me" is what I wanted to say but I just meekly said, "fine" and added "I think" to the end.
But what a relief to be able to answer the question without thought a few minutes later.
I of course called my mom who has been on pins and needles waiting for the results. She even said that she would drive across the huge desert alone and brave the LA traffic to come to see me--although she wouldn't actually have to brave LA traffic due to the fact that we are on the East side of LA, but it is the thought that counts--she doesn't know that you hit Santa Clarita before LA. But I was so happy that at some point I laughed while I was talking so she couldn't understand what I was trying to say. Mom said "Stop giggling and talk to me." My poor mother has had to put up with the strange and varied sense of humor that all three of her children inherited from their father. My poor mom has to put up with so much she really is a saint and I am so proud to have her as a mother.

Library Fines Redux

2009-07-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

I get sob stories. Yesterday I had two that bothered me. The first: "I have $80 in fines and I am a single mom with no income can you take care of my fines." I worked with this customer and reduced the fines because with a change of policy. Previously children's items checked out on adult fines had lower fines but when we changed our system over, the card rather than the item dictated the rate of fines. So I adjusted her fines on the children item as I do with most people that come to me with these fines. This left her fine well over the $10 threshold that allows you to use the library but manageable. Still it was clear that she thought that based on her being a single mom with no job and on assistance I should take care of the rest of her fine. But here is what rubs me, if I am on a limited income, I take care of what I am doing. The library is free as long as you are responsible. If you don't have the luxury of paying the fines for irresponsibility then BE RESPONSIBLE!
Second: I get a call from a man who tells me up front that he has contacted the Board of Supervisor's office and they sent him to the library. Then he explains that how he just lost his job and how this year his wife has been sick. Apparently, now he needs to use the library. I look at his account and he has some fines. And they are relatively manageable, so it is an easy fix to get him to work with him to get him under the $10 threshold. But at the same time I am thinking. These fees are from 18 months ago before your wife got sick and you lost your job. Only now are you thinking, I might want to use the library and you are asking me to forgive your irresponsibility. As one of the Assistance often says, "I would like to go to the electric company and say, you know I kept my house very nice and cool on hot days and now my bill is bigger than I want to pay, please reduce it."
I do understand circumstances and I do understand people being caught unaware of library fines--especially when there has been a change in policy like we have had.
I had one guy come into my office that was in his early 20's and explained that he had just gotten married when he got the notice saying he owed the library hundreds of dollars from 4 years ago. He explained that he was young, stupid and didn't know how to use the library. He wanted to know if there was any way I could work with him to get his bill paid. As it turned out the bulk of the fines were lost items that would be much cheaper to replace. He contacted me several times via phone to let me know that he was working on getting the items replaced was having a hard time with one thing. I gave him some alternatives--the item was a book on tape and we no longer collect them, so I asked him to find me an unabridged book on CD. He turned everything in. I worked with him some on the actual over due fines because it was clear that he was taking responsibility for being young and stupid. These are the people that I am inclined to work with.
I want to treat everyone one the same, if I can ethically and fairly reduce someone's fine then I will, e.g. doing an adjustment on an adult's card for children's books. But I feel that it is unethical for me to reduce fines just because someone comes to be with a sob story and does not want to pay library fine. If I give someone a reduced fine just because they come to me with their story, why don't I reduce everyone's fine?

New Concept: Books that are Overdue Incur Fines

2009-07-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

You would think that this is a no brainer, right? I grew up in society with libraries. One of the basic rules is that there is a due date and when you don't renew the book before the due date or bring it back to the library, you get charged a fee for each item each day that you didn't bring it back. Seriously, I learned this lesson when I was 5 and my mom would gather books up to take to the post office to send back to the Choctaw Nation Library's books by mail program.
So I am always astounded by the pronouncement: "I owe money? But I returned everything!" Well, yes you did, 9 months late so now you have a $10 fee for each thing! "Can't you take care of that? I returned everything." "No, I am sorry I can't, while you had those books other people couldn't check them out and it is important for us to know where our items are." "But you have to do something, I can't pay $35--I returned them." And around and around we go. Repeated daily sometimes multiple times a day.
So how is that so many people do not understand the concept of fines at the library? It is such a basic part of our society that library fines are discussed in books, TV and numerous other interactions. It is such a basic concept that I have to wonder do these people come from a different planet? Seriously, I'd like to know.

Hosting a Chocolate Tasting

2009-07-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

All I can say is Thank God for the Internet! For some reason, I got the bright idea to plan a chocolate tasting this summer as an adult program. I have done two Chocolate Extravaganza programs for teens that featured a chocolate fountain (which is sitting on my balcony at the moment). The kids enjoyed trying all kinds of things in the chocolate including the surprisingly tasty chocolate & broccoli combination. But all that oil really puts me off chocolate and I hate cleaning up the mess the fountain makes. Also enticing a group of adults to try veggies with their chocolate didn't strike the right chord of what I wanted to do with them. So I decided a chocolate tasting would be fun. I had two months to figure out what I needed to do. And then...Louise happened and we had record breaking days at the library with a short staff and one drama queen.
Saturday, before the program on Tuesday, I started searching the internet. I found this life saving site: Savor Chocolate which included a handy tasting placemat and tasting guide. All I had to do was read up, prepare some chocolate trivia games and purchase the chocolate which I picked up a good selection on Monday during lunch at Target--success!!
I had 26 people come to my tasting which is a good attendance for an adult program. Everyone expressed their happiness. I actually had two chocolate connoisseurs at the tasting. I am glad I didn't know about them beforehand because I would have been quite nervous, but they said they had a good time and pointed me to a chocolate shop that has real chocolate tasting.
Now the site also has instructions on hosting a choctail party which as soon as Louise and what ever else is going on with me is sorted out, I plan to host. Today, I have to figure out how to decoupage bowls for Tuesday. I haven't decoupaged anything since I was 7 years old and my mom showed us how to do magazine collages.

I'm Concerned

2009-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

The African American Dr. Henry Gates story of being arrested by a white cop for disturbing the peace after his white neighbor phoned police to report a possible break-in is getting bigger by the minute. Our president has even weighed in on this. I am concerned, riots begin over things like this with lines being drawn in the sand. Apologies demanded, apologies refused. I recently listed to an iReport commentary on CNN that made me think that maybe there are some sane people in the world that view this incident the same way as I do--RIDICULOUS!!
I have no doubt racism exists in America, I know it does. I am from a small Southeastern Oklahoma town known as Little Dixie. A race riot shut the town down for 3 days in the late 70's over something ridiculous because the people living on the other side of the tracks--black--were frustrated. And things have not changed much in the intervening years.
But this incident should not have happened. Dr. Gates from the start made this a racist interaction by questioning the police officer who asked to see his ID with "Why, because I'm Black?" Now, I have been a minority for many many years as a Gaijin and as a Houli. I know without a doubt when I was pulled over by a Japanese police officer, if I had started out with "Why? because I am Gaijin?" the interaction would have gone south immediately. And this in a country that generally but not always likes foreigners of the white variety. Provocation will get arrested no matter what color you are. I will give Dr. Gates the benefit of the doubt, he was tired, jet-lagged and had years of frustration built into that moment. He reacted badly, maybe the police officer could have been more diplomatic and tried to de-escalate the situation that he had been thrust into but in this case he didn't.
The fact that our president weighted in on the side of Dr. Gates automatically concerns me. I am disappointed.
I realize that I don't truly understand the plight of minorities in the US. But wait maybe I do, I am a woman that has to work an additional 2 months into the following year to make the same as a man. But I don't truly understand the plight of African Americans with the history that clothes them. But I do know about being a minority--I lived years as a Gaijin and while in Hiroshima, I made sure that I avoided streets that costumed groups of wannabe mafia/right-wingers were marching. There were restaurants and bars that I was told that I wasn't welcome in. There were times when Gaijin was said maliciously. And in Hawaii, I walked into a job interview with a panel of local Asians knowing that my chances of getting the job was very very slim. I didn't they hired another local. Perhaps she was equally or more qualified than I was, perhaps not. Maybe the interview panel was being racist, maybe they weren't. No matter, I will always have my lingering suspicious that it was and that in the end is what is important. I realize that enough of these events happen then you start getting a knee-jerk reaction to them no matter what. I think that this is what happened in the Dr. Gates incident. But here is the crux of the matter, enough knee-jerk reactions back will cause equally knee-jerk actions on the other side. And in the end, we have not made any progress. As a foreigner and a minority, I often realized that I represented all foreigners to the people I had interactions with. It was a burden and it is a burden for all African Americans but this is also the reality of being a minority.

Female Sleuth

2009-07-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

We all have a story and memories regarding the most famous teenage female sleuth. You know who she is, either you love her or hate her but chances are you have read at least one of her stories. And your mother, and perhaps even your grandmother and if you have one, your daughter. Since the 1930s, timeless Nancy Drew has been thrilling young readers. Women of consequence like Sotomayor, read them as a child and is apparently re-reading them as we speak.
Nancy Drew's Granddaughters was sent to me at work. It's an article from the New York Times, that discusses the influence that Nancy Drew had/has on so many girls lives.
Many felt that in the constricted, protected & traditional environments Nancy gave them the strength to test boundaries. That there was another world out there and that they could have it.
Whenever I pass by the the row of bright yellow covers in the library, memories stir inside me. My first exposure to Nancy Drew was in maybe the 2nd grade. We were allowed to check out one book at school from a very small library and I latched onto a Nancy Drew book. I chose the Secret of the Wooden Lady, I took it home and much to my disappointment my mom pronounced it too difficult for a six year old to read. I declared right back that it wasn't and set about doggedly reading the book. I quickly realized it was indeed too difficult but I was exerting my rights to disagree with a parent so I persevered.
In the 4th grade, my family moved into town. Joy of joys the library was just down the street. With my fresh new library card, I would bee line to long yellow row of perfectly bound books. I love the way that they have substance and are so uniform. Spellbound, I would browse the titles in search of ones that I hadn't read. From the 4th to the 7th grade, I found comfort as I was growing and my world was changing, my place in the library did not shift. Beacons, the yellow covers called me and I yearned to own my own row of mystery. I felt an undying envy for Karen Wessels who owned the entire set when the most I possessed was 4 that I received as birthday and/or Christmas gifts.
Perhaps Nancy and her cohorts did illuminate my way out of Idabel and into the wide world, I am not sure. But my thirst for adventure was definitely stoked if not born with Nancy. By the 7th grade, I had exhausted the library's choices, there were still two mysteries that I hadn't read but they were unavailable. For months, I would comb the collection hoping that they would miraculously appear. With a degree of sadness, I moved from Carolyn Keene's Nancy to Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne and his other Cold War intrigues. Nancy will always be a friend and have a warm place in my heart.

Weekend of Magic

2009-07-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

On Friday night after work, I headed up to Lancaster to spend the evening with the sisters. They serve the BEST green chili chicken enchiladas ever! If ever asked the official questions of New Mexico--Red or Green? (Chili that is)My answer will almost always be green. M also came over. The sangria flowed and the conversation was good. After the week I had this was what I needed.
Saturday morning, I slept in for a while and woke up to sister J asking me if I wanted green chili scrambled eggs and the rest of the enchiladas for breakfast. No brainer on that one. Later I went up the street--only went the wrong way once--for Starbucks.
We relaxed a bit longer before heading down to the new Cinemark multiplex in Lancaster to watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
This is the much awaited release that was supposed to happen last Fall but Warner Brothers decided to postpone the release date because they were not cash strapped after The Dark Knight and could. Also, putting out HP last fall would have coincided with the release of Twilight. Tween pockets are only so deep, so it made sense to release the movie later. Although the vendors who were cash strapped sitting on a load of HP products that they wouldn't be able to move for 9 more months was a heavy burden. But alas the 9 months have passed, a million new future fans for Harry have been born in the interim.
The movie was as good as anticipated. It is darker, but so is the book. The wizards have discovered sex, as teens are wont to do. The tension was handled very well. Harry gets one kiss and Ron is pretty much snogging throughout the film.
I am impressed at how well the cast has evolved and grown into their roles. The kids have matured as actors, which is good because the story demands more and more as they have to pack up their childhood and meet the demands of a world in crises. In this sense, I feel there are direct parallels between the wizard world on the screen and the real world that our teens have been left. These are uncertain times for our youth.
Personally, I loved Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. His actions and words are terse but entirely effective. He has honed his craft into an art with this character.
Even if you aren't into the the series, this movie is good on its own. Hope you enjoy it.
I spent most of Sunday on my sofa, trying to accommodate Louise and her demands. As a house guest she keeps me worn out. I was able to finish The Dragon Heir by by Cinda Williams Chima. This teen book is the recent addition to The Wizard Heir and The Warrior Heir. There are wizards, warriors, enchanters, and others belonging to the 5 magical guilds walking among us but they are mostly in Trinity, Ohio. The weir (wizard) have for centuries controlled the other guilds. But their abuses have gone to far. Can the young heirs reverse the tide or will they plunge not only their world but also that of the anawier (non-magical you and me)into chaos and destruction. Magic, love, action, betrayal and coming of age make this series a good read.

The Doctor Tells Me..

2009-07-15T20:14:00.001-07:00

I have a mass and that I need to play the wait and see game for another 3 weeks before we can form a plan. The ultrasound I had earlier this month showed the mass. It is 5 cm. Apparently if a mass is between 5 & 8 cm then there is some wiggle room. Greater than 8 spells immediate surgery. The mass, I will call it Louise,well, Louise doesn't seem to be complex, that is a good thing. However, Louise does seem a little more solid than a simple cyst that might go away on her own. So right now my abdomen has a house guest, the test did not indicate exactly where Louise is staying but she isn't hanging out in my uterus. So a wild party she might have thrown last month is not responsible for the bleeding. Something else is, I need to wait for the biopsy results and the next ultrasound results for us to formulate a plan to evict Louise and any other unexpected guests, if any. I hope Louise is the only guest I am hosting right now.
The Biopsy. This morning at about 6:00, I inserted a little pill that was suppose to help me through the procedure today. From 9:50 to 10:10 I was alone in my little room, I took the time to meditate and calm myself. Something worked because the doctor punched through the cervix on the first try and didn't have to break out his armory of barbs and hooks that were waiting in line. The pain was intense, the most surreal intense pain I have ever felt, but it was short lived. He had to go back for a better sample but the second time was only mildly uncomfortable compared to the first punch.
I have been evaluating my feelings all day today. I feel introspective and a bit subdued but I haven't had a melt down. I am hopeful that this is nothing, a good chance it is. I may have to have surgery to remove the mass and they may or may not be able to save my one surviving ovary. My left one was removed on my 21st birthday. Whoohoo was that ever a memorable birthday.
But at this point there is no need for me to worry, either it is something or it isn't. If it is then I will have to deal with it, if it isn't then I need to count my blessing. There isn't much more to think about it, really. So I won't!

Just One of My Many Pet Peeves

2009-07-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

The library is free, yes that is true but the library is not a free stationary store. Seriously. We provide golf pencils and slips of paper for people to write information down on. Why golf pencils? Because no one in the world wants a golf pencil. Why slips of paper? Because we try to cut down on waste and recycle as much as possible. All the time I used libraries before becoming a librarian, I never once asked to use anything. Well, maybe a stapler, maybe--but probably not.
Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask to use a pen, lined paper, the stapler, a highlighter, whiteout, blank paper, etc. etc. etc. I have about 10-15 people ask to use the phone. Probably in the Fall when the Swine Flu returns with a vengeance, I will have to rethink handing the phone over to just anyone after dialing for them.
Yesterday, I had someone ask for a red pen, my teen librarian rooted around our tummy drawer until she came up for one for her. Then today, someone asked for a pen, when I showed her the cup of pens, she said no, she would prefer a marker. What? I explained that that ink pens are what we have for the public. The ink pens that disappear on a weekly basis. We probably go through a couple hundred dollars a year alone in ink pens that people borrow, promising to return but never do. These are probably the same people that checked out the GED books, the ASVAB books, and a Child Called It--the books I never seem to have on the shelf because people don't ever return them.
OK, I feel better now. But seriously...