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December 29, 2010

Happy Birthday...

Today is my darling boyfriend's birthday, so I spent the day eating various meals with him and different family members. It was a nice day, but I'm full of the oddest food right now.

December 28, 2010

Random Day...

Today was full of randomness. I woke up to find my sister's car blocking the width of our street and her trying to get her car unstuck. I got dressed and went outside to help her to no avail. We had people driving down the block, give us bitch face and reverse back down the street without helping us. My father eventually came home from work with a coworker to help. Once it wasn't blocking the street and parked we were told we weren't allowed to move our cars again -- We're both in our twenties!

In the afternoon Phil came to pick me up and what did we do on my day off from the library? Went into the library so that Phil could print things out. There is no keeping me out of the library... Aside from print a copy of his résumé and cover letters, we faxed them, went to Starbucks and went to the store to buy me some new snow boots because I broke the zipper on my Uggs® when I went to help my sister.

When Phil dropped me off he too got his car stuck in front of my house. While he was stuck an SUV drove down the block and the guy actually got out to help us. Eventually my father looked out the door and noticed that Phil's car was stuck and he begrudgingly came outside and got the car out.

Later on in the evening my sister and I walked down to the main road so we could get picked up by Justin and Erin to go to our other friend's grandfather's wake. We got Phil and headed over to the funeral home. We hung around the wake for awhile and then we went to get wings & beer.

That was my random day. Cars stuck in the snow, coffee, shopping, dead people, wings and beer.

December 27, 2010

Snow Day...

As I said yesterday the library was closed today because of the blizzard that has raped the tri-state area -- Not that it mattered because I'm off almost all week. So today Erin, Phil and I took pictures in the snow, walked to a local diner for lunch, drank hot chocolate with booze and watched Clue (1985). It was a nice snow day, but it was a pain in the ass to walk around because it was so windy out.

Librarian In The Snow...

December 26, 2010

Snowy Sunday...

Despite there being a blizzard outside today I had to go to work. And what did I do at work? Nothing because all of five people came in and they just came in for DVDs, so they didn't even ask my Department Head or I anything. We did get to close all of 45 minutes early. Going into work was a total waste of my time today.

I did get a phone call from the wrong side of the phone chain about the library being closed tomorrow -- I used to be a Clerk so on the old list I'm on the clerical side, but I haven't been a Clerk for a while and they put out a new list last week. I had to tell the person calling me that I wasn't on their list so I had no idea who was next and she'd have to call someone else.

December 25, 2010

Books For Christmas...

I saw this the other day on the Huffington Post and I have been waiting for today to post it. I thought it was great because I give Justin's sisters books every Christmas and they are always like "Why do you always buy us books?!"

Merry Christmas...


December 24, 2010

Library Articles...

President Obama Signs Museum and Library Services Act
Library Book Returned After 76 Years
Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Over Library Patrons' Records
A Fine Line Between Library Rules, Rights

It's A Wonderful Life...

I was just watching It's a Wonderful Life (1946) with my mother and I heard the following library stereotype, so I had to post the wonderful quote.


Nochebuena...

Seeing as I am Cuban (and that I live in a house full of lapsed Catholics) Christmas Eve is way more important than Christmas Day, so we've been celebrating all day.

My darling friends Erin and Nicole joined my family for our traditional gluttonous Christmas Eve meal of seafood paella, pernil, etc. -- Of which I was in charge of cooking the paella and FYI, it was banging. We had a lovely meal, great conversation and tons of fun. We took about a ten minute break after dinner and then we had coffee and desserts -- We ate a lot of food, before we even sat down at the dinner table we ate four different appetizers.

Official 2010 Nochebuena Menu
Appetizers
  • Fried shrimp with dipping sauces
  • Steamed mussels in a garlic seafood broth with bread
  • Baked clams
  • Lobster bisque
Main Course
  • Seafood paella
  • Pernil
Dessert
  • Crème brûlée
  • Apple walnut cake
  • Almond cookies

After dinner my sister, Erin, Nicole and I exchanged gifts. As we were doing so Maria showed up with a gift for me -- It was half for Christmas and half for baking her over three dozen cupcakes between midnight and 2:30am (Short version of this long story: she lied to her boss and said she had to leave early to bake cupcakes for a party at work, she didn't really do it and I ended up doing so at an ungodly hour because I make the bestest cupcakes). Here are my lovely gifts...

Nicole: Love Spell Book • Erin: Matryoshka • Maria: Ed Hardy Makeup Palette

Once we finished exchanged gifts and hugs, I busted out the cranberry vodka mixture I made and we mixed it with some Moët. We drank, took some pictures, talked before the ladies had to exit to go to Maria's house for Nochebuena dinner because she is Chilean/Argentinian -- Luckily, they have their dinner madd late and we have ours between 5:00pm & 6:00pm. But when they are done with dinner they should be coming back to drink boozy hot chocolate and to watch The Muppet Christimas Carol (1992).

Weezer Website Picture...

Justin posted this link/picture from the Weezer website on my Facebook.

As you can see, I circled myself and Justin. It isn't as awesome as the photo Karl (Weezer's webmaster, etc) took at the Foozer Tour where Justin is totally visable screaming in the front of the crowd.

Celebrate...

If you read the blog on the regular you know that I finished my class work for my MLS like two weeks ago. Well, today I finally got my grade and I passed. Now I can actually celebrate that I finished. I am over joyed and I cannot wait to change the blog's banner to say "Librarian" instead of "Librarian Trainee."

Links, Links, Links...

I found these the other day and I thought they were great.
Bookshelf Porn
Asians Sleeping in the Library

December 22, 2010

Day & Night...

I actually went to work today and there was hardly anyone at the library. I don't know if it's because people are getting ready for Christmas or what, but there were minimal people in the Youth Services Department -- The majority of these people walked in and/or walked out with screaming children.

After my extremely dull day I went home to get ready to go out with some of my friends. While I was home I found out my mother told off a neighbor the day before and my father went to the police station about said neighbor today -- They were both heated when they were talking about it, it was amusing.

I left my crazy parents to pick up Erin from her house so that we could go meet our other friends. We headed over to the bar and waited for a bit for people to show up. Eventually the three of them arrived and we just hung out, drank and ate a bit. After a while more people showed up -- We ended up with like fifteen people at the restaurant/bar, we had to move to a table on the restaurant portion of the place because there were too many of us to fit at the bar. Phil, Erin and I hung out for a while after the extra people showed up and then we found the need to duck out. Phil went home, but Erin and I hung out for a few hours after we left.

All in all, my work day was a waste. But at least I had a nice evening.

December 20, 2010

The Three T's: Tea, Trees & Tripods...

I had the best day today. "Favorite Page #1" and I went into the City for breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup. It was wonderful, we had buttermilk scones with raspberry jam and cream, crêpes and tea. It was all delicious and the staff was really nice, I'd go back again.

After a very long breakfast we went to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. We were unimpressed, but we took pictures anyway. When we were done with the tree we went to B&H so I could buy a tripod for my camera -- I'd like to say that I've walked past B&H tons of times walking to the Javits Center and I had no clue how big it really was, it was like camera heaven. $60 something dollars later (I bought a cheapish tripod, obviously) we headed back towards Penn, but not before stopping in a few shops. Once done wandering we went into Penn and we had pizza at Rose's before hopping on the LIRR.

It was a great day and I can't wait to do it again when it is warmer out.

December 19, 2010

Party Like A Rockstar...

Today I spent my day at Justin's sister's 6th birthday party, which was panda themed. It wasn't terrible, mainly because she and her friends are getting to the age where they can entertain themselves. I spent most of my time with Justin and the other grown ups while the kids did their thing -- I basically ate macarons and drank champagne for a nice portion of the party. The other half of my time I spent taking picture of the kiddies. All in all it was a decent time, I mean I would have rather have slept in than run around doing various things but you're only six once.

Weezer Memories Tour...

I am a super lucky girl, my boyfriend got us tickets for both nights of Weezer's Memories Tour at Roseland Ballroom in New York City. And here is how both nights went down...

Blue Album Night (12/17/2010)
We got into the City early so that we could go to Roseland Ballroom and find the person that my patron had told me to ask for -- See Bad Thursday entry for the back story. We found said individual and they gave us bracelets so that we could watch the concert from the mezzanine balcony. Once we got inside we ran up the stairs to see if we could get some prime seating. And we did we got a table front and center, and we didn't move all night.

The concert started at 8:00pm with the opening band Free Energy. I hate opening bands so I didn't really pay attention to them (I was busy taunting my friends via Facebook). A little after 9:00pm Weezer came on and played the following setlist.

Setlist
:
  1. Memories
  2. (If You're Wondering If I Want You to) I Want You To
  3. Troublemaker
  4. Pork and Beans
  5. Beverly Hills
  6. Keep Fishin'
  7. Photograph
  8. Island in the Sun
  9. Hash Pipe
  10. Falling for You
  11. My Name Is Jonas
  12. No One Else
  13. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
  14. Buddy Holly
  15. Undone - The Sweater Song
  16. Surf Wax America
  17. Say It Ain't So
  18. In the Garage
  19. Holiday
  20. Only in Dreams
The show was awesome and we both had a great time.

Pinkerton Night (12/18/2010)
We got to the City super super early because we were planning on having dinner at Victor's Cafe. When we got there the chick in front told us they were booked until 9:00pm, we said screw that and we walked around the corner to this little Mexican restaurant. Justin and I were there for a while, we figured instead of freezing our asses off in line that we'd just hang out in the restaurant until the doors at Roseland opened.

A little past 7:00pm we walked over to Roseland. Once inside we went to check our coats. We get to the coat check lady and Justin hands her his jacket with his zip up inside of it and she tells him it is $3.00 per item. He demands his jackets back and walks away -- Later he told me he contemplated taking my jacket too. After the coat check debacel, we found ourselves a nice little spot behind the sound booth to watch the show from. Once there we basically just hung out there all night.

Again Free Energy opened and again I ignored them. Weezer came on about the same time they did the night before and they played the following setlist.

Setlist:
  1. Memories
  2. Pork and Beans
  3. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived
  4. Perfect Situation
  5. Dope Nose
  6. Hash Pipe
  7. You Gave Your Love to Me Softly
  8. Susanne
  9. Jamie
  10. Only in Dreams
  11. Tired of Sex
  12. Getchoo
  13. No Other One
  14. Why Bother?
  15. Across the Sea
  16. The Good Life
  17. El Scorcho
  18. Pink Triangle
  19. Falling for You
  20. Butterfly
This show was way better than the Blue Album show, but only beacause they played songs I'd never heard them play before. This was my 8th Weezer concert and it was the first time I'd ever heard them play "El Scorcho" -- I would have heard it in 2005 during the Foozer Tour if it wasn't for breaking my ankle the day before the concert, thus causing me to miss it. They also played "Susanne" and "Jamie" which were awesome.

I did want to punch someone tonight, while Karl was showing the audience a slide show he was talking about Carli and Mykel (for those of you that don't know, they were in charge of Weezer's fan club and they died in car accident in 1997) and this chick laughs, then said "Oh, they died" and continued laughing. I don't know, it made me mad. But aside from that ass the concert was awesome.

December 17, 2010

Bad Thursday...

If you follow me on Twitter you already know that the first half of yesterday sucked. I got to work to discover that the internet was still down (we were without internet access for twenty-four hours), my back was still hurting me and there was foolishness going on. I had to deal with stupid questions, patrons taking down our decorations so their kids could play with them, the new dress code policy and "Julia's" stupidity.

"Julia" called around 10:30am asking if our Department Head was in. I told her she wasn't and I asked her if she could go to one of the local preschools for me at 1:00pm because my back was still hurting me and holding a picture book properly for a half an hour wasn't going to help my situation. She said yes and I said to her that I'd see her a 12:00pm. Fast forward an hour and a half, she calls back and tells me she didn't realize that she had to be in at 12:00pm and it would take her about an hour to get in from where she lives (at this point I'd been alone in the department for an hour sans internet). I got pissed and called our Director's office to tell him what happened. He decided to call the preschool t0 tell them that we were short staffed and that we wouldn't be able to come read to the kids. He came down to my department to ask me questions and write a note to the Department Head about "Julia" being late. As he was sitting there with me guess who strolls in? She showed up at 12:45pm and there was a frantic conversation about the preschool visit that ended with her running out to go to the school.

I hate that she doesn't seem to understand the repercussions of her stupid behavior. Her coming in late left me the sole librarian in the Youth Services Department, forced me to have to take a later lunch break and she caused me to have a headache.

The day started to get better once I got back from lunch. The internet came back on, I met "Favorite Page #1" for a quick coffee break before she had to come in for work, she gave me the cutest pink earrings that she made for me, we ate the chocolate peppermint cake I made and we made a date to go to Alice's Tea Cup.

Another bright spot in my cloudy day was when one of the patrons I know found out that I was going to see Weezer at Roseland this weekend and he told me he does security for Roseland and he was gonna try to hook me up -- I actually have to call him later.

After work I went home to get ready for my father's work holiday party. I must say I had way more fun at his party than I had at mine. The food was wonderful, they had an open bar with good booze, a great DJ and I knew tons of people. I got drunk, danced with friends and even a few patrons. It was a good time.

December 15, 2010

No Elevators Or Internet...

Today was my first day back at work since my unfortunate injury. Thankfully it was a slow day, this was mainly attributed to the fact that the library's elevator broke and our internet was down for hours. It was awesome telling all of the bad teens I deal with that no they couldn't go on the computers because the internet was down. A few got pissy with me, but the majority of them just up and left. I think we should start telling them the computers don't work on a biweekly basis.

Also, I only had to answer the question "How did you hurt your back?" about six times, which was way less than I expected. Huzzah! All in all it was a decent day. "Julia" and "Amy" left me to my own devices and I finally got to see "Favorite Page #1" (we went out for lunch) who returned from college on Monday. Very good day minus random back pains.

Library School Get Swingin'...

Library Articles...

Books About Gay Issues Vandalized at Harvard Library
Mobile Library of Congress Exhibit Visits Michigan
Digital Public Library
10 Books Most-Often Borrowed From Seattle Public Library
Seven Amazing Libraries

So Long, Farewell...

I forgot to post that the Circulation Clerk that I hate, the one that was trying to get the job in my department quit. I was in all my glory when I was told -- I feel like it was a little victory. I'm so happy I don't have to deal with her Annie Hall looking self anymore.

Library School Hurts So Good...

December 14, 2010

Terrible Books...

These lovely books were found on the shelves by a volunteer working on a list for us and we decided to get rid of them -- You can probably guess why.


Title: Who Shot the President? The Death of John F. Kennedy
Author: Judy Donnelly
Copyright: 1988
ISBN: 9780394899442
Call Number: J 364.1524 D


Title: (Man-made Disasters) The Ozone Hole
Author: Jane Walker
Copyright: 1992
ISBN: 9780531174050
Call Number: J 363.7386 Wal

December 12, 2010

Library Vocabulary...


Library Article...

At Your Library: Borrowing eBooks

Weekend Recap...

Friday night was the Library's holiday party. As soon as I punched out at 5:00pm I grabbed Lenni and we headed over to the restaurant where the party was being held to have "apéritifs" before hand with a couple of other people. My sister showed up a half an hour after we go there to join us and by 6:00pm everyone that was coming was there. I thankfully got to sit at the cool kids table this year (the last time I went to a holiday party Justin and I somehow ended up at the reject table with one of my friends). My table had fun, the food was alright and there was unlimited wine and beer, so it was a good evening.

Saturday I worked from 9:00am to 4:30pm with "Sarah" and the Department Head. At some point in the day I hurt my back, which ruined the rest of my weekend.

Today I was in so much pain that Justin had to take me to the local emergency room. I had x-rays taken and I sat around for hours for them to tell me it was muscular and that I needed to rest for a couple of days (I have a doctors note stating that I can't go to work until Wednesday). I did get a shot of something in the arm and a Vicodin at the hospital, plus prescriptions for 600mg Motrin, muscle relaxers and some emergency Vicodin. The meds have kicked in so I'm feeling a lot better now, but I'm sleepy.

December 9, 2010

I Finished My MLS...

Today I attended my final class for my Masters in Library Science and I am overjoyed. I cannot believe that after what has seemed like forever that I'm finally done. I'm so happy. I cannot wait to get my grade so that I can go celebrate.

December 8, 2010

Libraries Will Survive...

Foolishness...

Yeah, so the new woman (aka "Sarah") is too demanding for me. As I stated, on her first day last week she tried to talk our Department Head into giving her Tuesday nights -- Tuesdays belong to "Emily" and I, thank you very much. She did it again tonight. Lady, I know for a fact that when they interviewed you for the job that they told you that you'd be working Wednesday nights, so sit down and shut up.

In addition to the Tuesday night bullshit, she was trying to change her Saturday hours. Everyone is assigned one Saturday a month and the part time employees work from 10:30am to 3:30pm on their Saturdays. She was trying to tell our Department Head that 9:00am to 1:00pm would work better for her. I wanted to walk up to her and say "Honey, you have worked here less than two weeks. You are still on probation. Sit down, shut the hell up and take the bitch work because you are low man on the totem pole. Oh, and I'm head bitch in charge here." The minute she was done stating her demands I texted the Department Head "This bitch sure has a lot of demands..." She laughed when she saw it.

Honestly I will put this woman in her place if I have to. I'll keep you updated on the situation, especially since the holiday party is on Friday.

9:00am - 7:00pm...

After sleeping for a total of three and a half hours last night I went to work at 9:00am and spent the all but the last hour of my work day (I was scheduled to work from 9:00am to 7:00pm) writing my final paper for my class tomorrow night.

The last hour was dedicated to my book discussion with four rowdy 5th grade boys. At one put during the discussion a girl walked in and asked us what we were doing and I asked her if she was a boy, she said no and I said this is Boys Book Group peace out. The boys all looked at me and were like, you're a girl and I was like yeah I am but I'm also the coolest Librarian in the building. They nodded and said yeah, so told them to stop talking about randomness and discuss the book. It was good though, we all had a fun time. I look forward to having next months book discussion.

December 7, 2010

Return Of The Prodigal Librarian...

Today was my first full day back at work since I got sick last week. It went by relativity quickly because I spent the majority of the afternoon reading "The Gollywhopper Games" by Jody Feldman for a book discussion I'm having tomorrow night and the other half of my shift working on my internship journal for my class on Thursday. So I really didn't do much, but I did have to yell at and kick a girl out for picking up a chair and going after a boy with it -- She claimed that he threw it at her, thus she picked up to go beat him with it. The security guard knew that her mother was in the building so he went to tell her what had happened.

Also in todays news, the new woman (I think I shall call her "Sarah") started asking my Department Head about the holiday party on Friday and decided that she was going to come and sit with us. This woman started working at the library last week and she wants to come to the holiday party?! What the hell?! I'm totally not sitting with her. I will be seated with my sister, my work BFF, "Leslie" and a few select other individuals that do not include the new woman.

In other news, my Department Head actually told "Sarah" that I was so loud because I am Cuban. I mean it is totally true, because Cubans have no idea what inside voices are. But I just couldn't believe it. I guess this one will have to go up there with my Director calling me a pink haired bitch last month.

December 6, 2010

Gift From "Leslie"...

I would like to thank "Leslie" for giving me a Quick Pod™ set yesterday! I came with a monopod and a mini tripod -- Maybe I'll try my hand at vlogging when I feel better.

Are You Tired, Run-down, Listless...

Again, I went into work today to do my Department Head's bidding then I left to go home to go to sleep. I also finally went to the doctor and she said that I'm at the tail end of a virus. So, hopefully soon I'll be a happy peppy person once again.

December 5, 2010

Sick Sunday...

Despite still being sick I went into work today. To be honest, the only reason I went in is because I get paid double time on Sundays. Unfortunately it was a Sunday with "Julia" but as soon as she came in I made it a point to tell her that I was still sick so that she'd leave me alone. And leave me alone she did, actually just about everyone left me alone the four hours I was at work (They probably thought I was an outbreak monkey). So it ended up being a pretty peaceful day, but it was a long four hours. I slightly regret going in because I totally could have slept all day, but my student loan bills came in and I need the money.

Library Articles...

Libraries Adapt To Meet New Challenges
Just Renovated School Library Missing One Thing - A Librarian!
Libraries Can Help You With Social Networks
Libraries Stay Current, Serve Community Needs

December 4, 2010

Misfit In The Stacks...


Lenora took this of me in the stacks the other day right before we were about to close. I really love my new camera. If you're in the market for a DSLR the Canon® EOS Rebel T2i is awesome.

December 2, 2010

Not Home Sick...

I am an idiot who goes to work when she is sick because I'd feel guilty if I call out. I blame this on every other individual in my department -- "Amy" & "Julia" plus several others because they never are on time, so someone has to be and because of my Department Head, who constantly talks about the importance of not wasting sick leave blah blah blah.

As you can probably guess, I'm still sick. It has been over twenty-four hours and I still have a sore throat, cough and some chest pain. I really hate the people at the library at this point in time.

December 1, 2010

Split Shift...

Today sucked. Not because anything particularly bad happened, but because I had to work a split shift and I got sick towards the end of the first part of my day. So I ended up going home, making soup and falling asleep on the couch. This slight bit of peacefulness was interrupted by multiple text messages from various people at the library saying that my Department Head was looking for me. Apparently she forgot my exact hours and thought I was supposed to come back at 5:00pm instead of 6:00pm, because of this I ended up leaving my house earlier than I wanted and went back to work to bitch at her -- She felt bad. I spent the rest of my split doing nothing. I basically sat at my desk for three hours feeling crappy. Split shifts suck!

Happy Hanukkah...