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September 29, 2011

Men Of The Stacks...

I posted a link to an article about the Men of the Stacks calendar in the last post of 'Library Articles' and I loved it so much that I decided to make a post about it.

About the Calendar From the Men of the Stacks Website:
We know what people think: Dewey, glasses, shushing, books, hairbuns, Party Girl and card catalogs. Yes, we know what people think. We know that the American, library profession is approximately 80% White and 72% female; and we know that tens of thousands of librarians are expected to reach age 65 in the next 5 years. We also know that this is not us.

There is an entire population of professional librarians out there who disagree with the way the library profession is perceived in contemporary media outlets and in the historical consciousness of the American mind. Different people and different associations will use different means to try to change those perceptions. This is ours.

The Men of the Stacks project was first conceived a couple of years ago after learning of the publication of another library-themed calendar. Our first reaction to that calendar? “Well, cool but…where are all the men?” There was another, earlier calendar that featured only male librarians, but we felt it didn’t quite capture the way we saw ourselves. In both cases, either the stereotype was reinforced or it didn’t go far enough in breaking free of it.

One of our models, Von, captured the spirit of this calendar beautifully:

“We can’t just leave it to others to tell the people who we are; that’s why the stereotypes about librarians continue to flourish. We have to be the ones to go out there and tell people who we are. It’s not enough to complain about inaccurate images of librarians; we must be able to present alternative, positive images in movies, books and, yes, blogs.” — Filipino Librarian

Now, he adds, calendars should be added to the list. So, who are we? What do we want to tell you about who we are? What are these alternative images? Easy. We are, or course, professionals. We are educators, programmers, project managers, entrepreneurs, program coordinators, contractors, consultants, and speakers. We are academics. We are authors, diversity officers, historians, administrators, deans, professors, and researchers. We are creatives. We are musicians, bakers, painters, and storytellers. We are athletes, yogis, gym-rats, runners, and hikers. We are passionate. We are dog-lovers, radicals, conservatives, Christians, and Buddhists. We are in our twenties. We are in our forties. We are in relationships. We are perpetual bachelors. We are privileged beings who try to use their advantages to better the lives of others.

The price of the calendar is $19.99. All proceeds are being donated to the It Gets Better Project™.

Lunch Break Bullshit...

At this very moment I am stuck all by myself with tons of patrons in the department because "Julia" found the need to schedule her physical therapy for the middle of a work day. I know you're thinking she gets a lunch break, but she claims that she needs to be at physical therapy for two hours and that she still needs something to eat. That is some bullshit! The fact the my Department Head allowed this is unbelievable to me and I cannot believe that she didn't schedule someone else to work because school is out for Rosh Hashanah. I'm really annoyed right now.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 212...

Library Articles...

Dead Bedbug Interrupts Good Read At Library
Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Librarians Checked Out In 'Men of the Stacks' Calendar
New Cedar Grove Librarian Hoping To Reach Teens

Paper Fortunes Tellers...

I love my job and I love the things that I get paid to do. I just taught two girls how to make paper fortune tellers. Initially they walked up to "Julia" and asked her if she knew how to make them, she said no but that she'd print up instructions for them. At this point I walked out of the office and told them I knew how to do it and I'd just show them how to do it because it would be easier that way. They didn't really get it at first and I ended up making them each one, but they each tried again and eventually got it.

Who would have thought that I'd ever use the random skill of making paper fortune tellers that I learned in elementary school and that it would ever come in handy at work.

Here are instructions on how to make them for those of you that don't know how to do so...


September 28, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 211...

My Favorite YouTube Videos...

Somehow for the past two days I've ended up having conversations with various people at work about YouTube videos and introducing them to some of my favorites. So, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you...




Getting Yelled At...

"Marie" just informed me that both she and "Julia" walked in late this morning and our Director ended up yelling at "Julia" about being 10 minutes late. But as they were walking up the stairs together "Julia" was talking about how he had yelled at the two of them. "Marie" said she responded with a snarky "I have legitimate reasons for being late..." and "Julia" didn't get she was being mean. But good, she got yelled at. She deserved it because she is a useless useless woman.

Pawned Off Patrons...

"Julia" is ridiculous. She literately just pawned off a problem patron onto "Amy" by saying that a person had just called wanting to sign his child up for a program and when she put them on hold the call was lost, but she had to go on her break now. "Amy" just had to deal with this patron not knowing what they were talking about, not having their child's information in our files and the person giving her an attitude about bringing their child's birth certificate in to re-enter them in our files.

I'm tried of this "I have to take a break now" bullshit. You don't have to take a break at the same time everyday. Do your God damn job and stop stuffing your fat ass with crap from Starbucks. "Julia" is a manipulative bitch who pretends to be stupid and someone needs to call her out on her bullshit. God I hate this woman.

September 27, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 210...

Library Articles...

Gun Report Triggers Search Of Los Angeles University Library
Kindle Library Lending: Good Deal For Everyone?
Library Closures Challenge Begins In High Court
Pioneer Library System To Buy Borders Bookstore Building In Norman
Shuttering MLK Library On Sundays Is Close-Minded
Main Street Public Library

Reading Irresponsibly...


"Unshelved" by Gene Ambaum & Nill Barnes (September 29th, 2007)

Library Articles: Banned Books Week Edition...

School Districts Pull Books From Shelves
Bye, Bye Ban: Mark Twain's 'Eve's Diary' Formally Restored to Library
Top Ten Banned Or Challenged Books Of 2010
Banned Books Week Celebrates Its 30th Year
Ten Books About Censorship For Kids & Teens
Alabama Prisoner Sues Over Book Censorship
Banned Books Week Reminds Us That Censorship Is Alive and Well In The Internet Age

Foo Fighters...

Yesterday I saw the Foo Fighters for the fourth time -- Should have been fifth but I broke my ankle the day before the Foozer concert in 2005. Justin and I decided to get last minute tickets and drive out to New Jersey to see them play at the IZOD Center. As always they were awesome and I look forward to seeing them again in November at Madison Square Garden. The only disapointment of the night was the fact that I borrowed my sister's camera and it wasn't working so I really didn't get any good pictures -- I really need to buy myself a point and shoot for everyday use because I can't bring my DSLR to things like this. I mean, I took some with my iPhone but they aren't so great. Oh well, next time.

Setlist:
  • Bridge Burning
  • Rope
  • The Pretender
  • My Hero
  • Learn to Fly
  • White Limo
  • Arlandria
  • Breakout
  • Cold Day in the Sun
  • Stacked Actors
  • Walk
  • Monkey Wrench
  • Let It Die
  • These Days (with Krist Novoselic)
  • I Should Have Known
  • This is a Call
  • In the Flesh (Pink Floyd cover)
  • All My Life
Encore:
  • Long Road to Ruin (Dave Solo Acoustic)
  • Best of You (Dave Solo Acoustic)
  • Times Like These (Dave Solo Acoustic/Full Band Electric)
  • Dear Rosemary
  • Breakdown (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers cover)
  • Skin and Bones
  • Everlong

September 26, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 209...


Sorry it's such a crappy picture. I borrowed my sister's camera and she failed to tell me that it was kinda broken -- I wanted to kill her.

Filth From The Library...


"Americus" by MK Reed & Jonathan Hill (2010)

September 25, 2011

September 24, 2011

BBW 2011 Poster...


T.G.I.F...

I had another one of those nights last night. Obviously I'm not making this post at 2:00pm so I'm way better off than I was last weekend, but even though I didn't stay out all night last night or close the bar down I still had a good time.

Erin and I decided that since I was free again last night that we should go out to our favorite bar with a few of our girlfriends and hang out. Erin's friend "Jackie" (Who is now my friend because she likes me so much she invited me along with Erin to her 30th birthday wine tasting party in November -- Yay! I'll be able to tick go wine tasting off of my "No Regrets" List!) was there, she is dating/banging the bartender, and we had yet another interesting and free booze filled evening.

Randomness Of The Night:
  • Some guy just jumped into our game of 31 without telling us his name and just informing us that his swagger was too much for any of us to handle.
  • The dude that I'm not sure if he is gay or not that I went to high school with (I saw him in Fire Island on Cherry Grove a few summers back and I assumed he was flaming, because he seems it but he claims to have a girlfriend. Not sure whats going on...) sat down at the table I was sitting at while playing 31 and said "A.C. Slater is in the house bitches..." Then he jumped out of the seat, gave me a kiss on the cheek and lifted up his shirt to show me his abs when I asked where his pimp cup was and he ran out of the bar.
  • I was told by one of my friends that she and Erin are happy I'm not the "skinny one" because I'm really pretty and if I was the "skinny one" no guys would talk to them.
  • "Jackie" and I almost got into a fight with some bitches because they wouldn't stop running their mouths.
  • While Erin was trying to dump the drink "Jackie's" boyfriend gave her down the drain so she didn't have to drink it (She wanted to get rid of it so we could go home) she was given an earful by a drunk woman about DWIs, fines and being arrested because this hot mess of a woman has a criminal record because of alcohol.
  • My sister's best friend's sister (Who is also good friends with her) was trying to get me to help her find perfume because she lost her ID and wanted to get into another bar by spraying her other friend's bar stamp with it and trying to transfer some of it onto her wrist.
  • My sister's other friend introduced me to her "Agent" who is going to make her famous.

Banned Books Week 2011...



About Banned Books Week From The American Library Association:

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.

About Banned & Challenged Books From The American Library Association:

The ALA promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) promotes awareness of challenges to library materials and celebrates freedom of speech during Banned Books Week. This event is observed during the last week of September of each year. Banned Books Week 2011 will occur September 24 through October 1. See Banned Books Week for information and resources for getting your library or organization involved in this event! OIF compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted to us by librarians and teachers across the country. For more about books challenged over the last 20 years, as well as information about classic novels that have been challenged and/or banned, please see Frequently Challenged Books. OIF also offers support for librarians facing challenges to materials in their library. Please see Challenges to Library Materials for resources and information to help you prepare for and respond to challenges. If you would like more information about banned and challenged books not covered in the website, please feel free to contact the Office for Intellectual Freedom at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4220, or oif@ala.org.

Yearly Lists of Challenged and/or Banned Books:
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2010-2011 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2009-2010 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2008-2009 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2007-2008 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2006-2007 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2005-2006 (PDF)
Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2004-2005 (PDF)

September 23, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 206...

Library Articles...

School Libraries, Like Public Ones, Are Being Transformed By Technology
Libraries Rethink Digitization Effort After Authors Sue
State Senators Consider Rewrite Of PA. Library Law

It's Official...

My Director and Department Head just agreed to let Lenni and I go to New York Comic Con next month and I am so excited. The minute I heard it was confirmed I ran upstairs, grabbed Lenni and had one of the Payroll Ladies buy our tickets for us. So I officially have my ticket and I will be attending October 13th for professional hours and on October 14th for myself.

Now that I have the tickets the biggest question is should I get dressed up again this year. I'm thinking that I'll go in jeans and a t-shirt on Thursday, then on Friday I'll do it up. I'll have to think about it. I'll let you know what I decide...

Another Visitor...

"Favorite Page #1" surprised me and came to visit me today! I came out of my storytime to find her sitting at my desk waiting for me. She didn't stay very long because she has things to do with her family, but I was really happy that she came to see me. While she was here I gave her all of the books that I was planning on mailing out to her later on today and we made plans to go into NYC when she comes back for her break at the end of October -- Obviously we're gonna spend that day getting tea at Alice's Tea Cup and wander around the city. I can't wait!

Ninja Library...


"Savage Chickens" by Doug Savage (December 5th, 2007)

Library Articles...

Wisconsin Library Loans iPads For At Home E-Reading
Massachusetts Library Lifts 1906 Ban On Mark Twain Book
Kindle Connects To Library E-Books
Bookworm Scofflaws Get a Break
Man Arrested After Filming Up Woman's Skirt At Colonie Library
The Most Annoying Thing About My Job: Librarians Tell All!

Library Dominoes...

September 22, 2011

Why Pay? Go To The Library...

13 Things You Pay For That Your Library Has For Free From ILoveLibraries.org
  1. Read for Free
    Libraries are known for books, offering fiction and non-fiction hardbacks, paperbacks, and eBooks. The eBooks can be downloaded into nearly any format to fit your computer, eReader or other device. The downloaded books will expire at the end of their loan period so no returns necessary. Overdrive is one provider of download services to libraries. Take a look to see how simple it is: www.overdrive.com. The cost of an average hardcover book is $18.99, an average children's picture book is $12.99, an average paperback book is $6.99 and an eBook download is between 99 cents and $9.99.
  2. Magazines and Newspapers for Free
    Magazine titles from Reader's Digest to Vogue to Hot Rod, including back issues are available for loan. Local newspapers and the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times and others are available for reading in the library. The average cost of a magazine (monthly) is $5.99 and the cost of an average newspaper subscription is $60 per year.
  3. Listen for Free
    Music CDs from classical to rock and roll are waiting. If you need music for a children's party, wedding, anniversary or just listening while relaxing you can find it here. If you prefer your music downloadable, libraries offer MP3 downloads with a limited loan period. The average cost of a music CD is $10.99
    You can also check out audio books on every subject for your commute to work, for waiting on your kids at various sports practices or to listen to while you walk. The average cost of an audio book is $21.99
  4. Free Periodical Searches
    If you are a high school or college student, you will be required to cite sources, footnote your thesis, or find some obscure fact for a class. If you find you need an article that appeared in Time Magazine on global warming from 2004, the library will have it on a database. The only cost would be for print/copies. Here's a quick look: EBSCO Periodical Search.
  5. Librarian Access 24/7
    If you can't find the answers you need, libraries await your question. In Ohio, they have Know it Now, (your local libraries will have different names for this feature) which gives 24/7 access to an online research librarian.
  6. Internet and Wi-Fi
    You can have free internet access and Wi-Fi, all you need is a library card. Be aware that most libraries utilize "censoring" programs for juvenile users, and parental consent may be required to use the Internet. The average cost of internet service is $22.00 monthly.
  7. Watch Movies for Free
    Libraries offer children's movies like "Sponge Bob," "The Magic School Bus" and Disney movies to informational DVDs from National Geographic and the Travel Channel, to How-To instructional videos as well as major motion pictures. The cost of an average movie DVD is $12.99, and $3.99 for a DVD rental.
  8. Learn a Foreign Language - Free
    Traveling abroad on business or vacation than check out the free foreign language learning databases. Using a service from BYKI, patrons can choose to learn over 70 languages. Their interactive learning site offers individual learning, flash cards, and words of the day.
  9. Job Preparation for Free
    Learning Express enables you to study for hundreds of tests including civil service, military entrance exams and preparation tests for SAT/ACT, MSAT, LSAT and dozens of others. You will find practice tests at all levels. You can practice, save your test, see your results and try again all for free.
  10. Find Your Family History for Free
    For family genealogists, libraries offer free access to search programs such as Ancestry.com, and HeritageQuest.com. These databases usually require you to search in the library, but occasionally some libraries will allow you to search from home after logging in with your library card number. Some libraries also have research librarians and genealogists on staff to assist with your search. The cost of an online genealogy membership is $25.00 (monthly).
  11. Free Books for Parents
    The library is a significant resource to parents. Where else could your children find a free summer program that encourages reading, allows them to take home armloads of books free and usually gives them prizes for encouragement? Throughout many summer programs, authors, wildlife experts and a myriad of others drop by bringing their special knowledge to share.
  12. Free Auto Repair and other Databases
    For those who don't like to read for recreation, there are practical free databases in auto and truck repair provided by ARRC, reference databases such a Kelly Blue Book, Antiques Weekly and Standard & Poor.
  13. Other Free Services
    Many libraries have a notary on staff (there may be a fee for notary services), offer tax forms, have dedicated internet computers to the IRS and Social Security sites, voter registration forms, test proctoring and fax services, and larger metropolitan libraries offer passport processing.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 205...


I left this note on top of the copy of our newsletter that I was proof reading today for my Department Head to see because it looked terrible. I love using my "Dislike" stamp.

Welcome Visitors...

The girls came to visit me at work and the oldest one decided that she wanted to come to Video Game Night so she stuck around with me for the rest of my shift. We went out for pizza and frozen yogurt on my dinner break, she helped me set up and take everything apart for Video Game Night and then I brought her home. I had a really nice night with her and it totally made up for the fact that I didn't get to go with my father to Sounds of Brazil (SOB's) to see Los Van Van in concert.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 205...

September 21, 2011

Outlet Shopping...

As I mentioned in my 365 Days Of Pictures: Day 204 post I went to the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park to do a little shopping with Erin after I got off from work. Our mission was to find boots and unfortunately for me it was unsuccessful. We bopped into a bunch of shops, but I only ended up buying a few items from the Cosmetic Company store -- All of the things I bought were M·A·C products. Erin ended up with a pair of booties and Betsey Johnson earrings, so for here the trip was a total success. The highlight of the whole shopping trip for me was finding that twenty dollar bill I posted a pictures of.

After shopping we had dinner and decided that we were too tired to go to the gym tonight. So we each went our separate way after eating. It was a good choice because I am so tired right now. I'm honestly just really happy that I don't have to be in at work tomorrow until 1:00pm. I think I'm gonna go crash now.

Death Wish...

While I was doing one of my programs today I had a mother grab my camera out of my hand and she started taking her own pictures of her child. Her excuse for taking my camera? She claimed that she has three of her own DSLRs and she knows what she is doing. I wanted to kick her teeth in so badly, but I stopped myself from going ape shit on her.

When my Department Head came in I told her about it and I told her that if anyone else ever takes my camera out of my hands again that I will beat the shit out of them and that I will never again take pictures for the library ever again. She didn't know what to say. We'll see what happens next time I have this program.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 204...


Twenty Dollar Bill, Serial# IB018---65B Series: 2006

While I was out with Erin shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park I found a $20.00 bill just chilling on the ground. It wasn't until I busted it out again did I notice that it had a stamp from Where's George?® and obviously I had to see where it had come from. It was originally entered in Clarksville, MD on February 22nd 2008 at 7:17pm (3 years, 212 days, 2 hours and 10 minutes before I entered it) and it traveled 220 miles at an average of .17 miles a day. I am the only person in 3 years to enter it into Where's George?® and I think it's kinda sad. I hope the next person who gets it enters it.

Party In The Library...

This was really lame, but it made laugh...

Library Articles...

Kindle Library Lending Feature Nears Launch
Bush Library Fundraising Has Surpassed $300M Goal
Struggling Libraries Find Ways To Survive
Tennessee County Bars Sex Offenders From 19 Libraries
Digital Bookmobile Promotes Fairfax Libraries Digital Book Services

September 20, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 203...


Googly eye minus the googly.

Typewriter Tantrum...

Honestly I thought that I was going to be walking into a war zone today when I got into work at 1:00pm. Tensions have been mounting between "Julia" and "Marie" as of late. The recent drama is revolving around "Julia" leaving a book on "Marie's" desk asking her to type out a new label for it and "Marie" responding by leaving a note on the book stating that she isn't her secretary and that she will not do anything for her. "Julia" went and complained to our Department Head, so I thought she was going to say something to "Marie" but she didn't thus no chaos. I seriously contemplated telling "Marie" about "Julia" complaining about her and starting a fight. I didn't do it today, but maybe I will tomorrow depending on how bored I get.

September 19, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 202...

Nobody Likes You...

I just found out that "Julia" had a conversation with "Emily" and she was complaining that no one in the office is talking to her. According to "Emily" she has no idea what she did wrong and can't understand why no one is speaking to her. Silly bitch, you done fucked up and we all hate you now -- I always hated you, but I hate you more so now than before.

September 18, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 201...

Dinner Disaster, Dessert & A Fight...

Last night Justin and I went out with our friends for dinner. We went out to this new restaurant that Justin and I had tried last week and which we enjoyed last weekend, but it was horrible this time around -- Their food was, mine was fine. Justin and our friends all order burgers and they were burnt beyond belief, people refused to eat anything else, blah blah blah... It was bad.

After getting out of there we went out for ice cream, which was thankfully fine. But while we were out for ice cream our friend slipped that he and Justin were going upstate next month for a boy's weekend with Phil and some of the other guys. Justin had not informed me about this so I was pissed -- Our friend's girlfriend knew already and couldn't believe that I didn't know because I know everything. It also slipped while we were eating ice cream that the boys were planning on going to Boston in November, yet again minus us girls. We were pissed. I almost broke Justin's thumbs.

Even though I was pissed with Justin for not telling me things, when we were done with ice cream we headed over to a restaurant-bar to watch the Mayweather fight. We each paid $10.00 each to get into the place because our friend said the fight started at 10:00pm (It didn't...) and we were scrambling to find somewhere to watch it, when we could have spent an extra $10.00 and watched it from the comfort of Justin's apartment. It was a cheap sucky fight, but it was something to do. Justin and I didn't talk to each other, but I had wonderful conversations with my friend.

All in all, it was an eh evening. We'll just have to do something next weekend to make up for this one.

September 17, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 200...


My root beer float exploded all over the table.

Last Friday Night...

Honestly, I just woke up about ten minutes ago. Why did I wake up 10 minutes ago you ask? Well, I didn't go to bed until 5:00am because I was out with Erin having the oddest night.

Last night Erin and I decided to go out to the local bars since I was free and she didn't have any other plans for the evening. We started off at the bar having ladies night, had a few drink and got bored with the place -- We didn't know anyone in the bar and the DJ was playing terrible music (i.e. -- "Butterfly" by Crazy Town). We decided to leave and check out what was going on at the other bars. As we were walking past another one of our normal haunts we saw one of Erin's friends and she beckoned us into the bar for a drink and we ended up staying at the bar until after it closed.

While in this bar we met a married 40-year-old U.S. Border Patrol agent who lives and works in Maine. Erin and I were both perplexed as to why Canadians would want to sneak into the United States and why there were U.S. Border Patrol agents in bumble fuck Maine. He informed us that there is a problem with Canadians that have criminal records in Canada sneaking into the United States to met up with their internet boyfriends/girlfriends. So they basically spend their time catching people who are in the U.S. for a booty call. Interesting huh?

In addition to Border Patron dude, Erin was being hit on by twin Mexican coke heads whom she yelled at in Spanish for lying to her about my whereabouts and who were "Berry berry jealous" of the dude she was actually talking to. There was also a local cop, a dude with his friend named Billy who he was trying to introduce me to, a psychic bike riding Chinese food delivery woman and a whole other cast of characters.

Randomness Of The Night:
  • Learning how awesome Twisted Tea® from the weird machine thing was.
  • Erin confusing the hell out of the Border Patron dude by speaking to him in Spanish.
  • Being told about myself by the psychic bike riding Chinese food delivery chick.
  • Getting free drinks from Border Patron dude and the bartender.
  • Being told I look like I'm 22-years-old (Yay!).
  • Erin getting eye raped by the twin Mexican coke heads.
  • Being handed random frozen drinks that I had no clue what was in it by the bartender.
  • Erin making out with the local police officer.
  • Having to hear about the psychic Chinese food chick's fucked up relationship.
  • Being told I had to sit down because I'm a woman by the twin's coke head friends.
  • Being harassed by Billy's friend who kept asking me if I thought he was cute.
It was an odd night and I couldn't make up any of what happened if I wanted to. I honestly cannot wait for our next evening out and what chaos we'll deal with then.

September 15, 2011

September 14, 2011

Forgotten Weeding...

I was looking through my picture files and I found these. I actually weeded these about a month ago and I forgot all about them. But never the less, here are some bad books...




Scared Of Libraries...



"Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz

Library Articles...

Tupac Shakur Collection Opens At Atlanta University Library
Officer Says He Showed Patience With Mom Tossed From Library
Police Investigating Library Vandalism
Bookmobile Spreads Word Of e-Books In Libraries
Authors Sue Universities Over Google Books Digital Library
Ban On Sex Offenders Entering Public Libraries May Be Unconstitutional
City Manager Grants Toronto Libraries Reprieve
Librarian Of Congress Has No Plans To Retire

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 197...

Temporomandibular Joint Issues...

I didn't end up going to work today because my temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) has been flaring up since the minute I woke up. My whole face is killing me and nothing I'd done as of thus far has really helped -- I took like five Aleve® and in an hour or so I'm gonna hit the Vicodin because the Aleve® didn't do shit. The only good thing is that is isn't messing with me equilibrium today -- It really sucks when your equilibrium is all screwed up.

For those of you that don't know anything about TMJD here is some information...

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw.

Common Symptoms Of TMJD Include:
  • Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide
  • Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
  • Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain)
  • A tired feeling in the face
  • Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite – as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
  • Swelling on the side of the face
Other common symptoms of TMJD include toothaches, headaches, neckaches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitis).

September 13, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 196...

Uh Oh Someones In Trouble...

The minute I saw my Department Head today I made a point to tell her about the bullshit that "Julia" pulled yesterday. Apparently "Amy" had told her in the morning when she first saw her and she was pissed about it. On top of the phone thing, "Julia" pulled her normal bull of calling in sick and showing up a few hours later today, so our Department Head was extra mad at her.

I really hope this bitch finally gets what is coming to her because EVERYONE in the department is mad at her and she doesn't even realize. We're all done with her and her crap, and we just want her to reap what she has sowed.

September 12, 2011

Don't Go Making Personal Calls...

"Julia" has once again proven that she is a piece of work. For some reason she thought it was okay to sit at the reference desk and make a forty plus minute personal phone call (I think she was dealing with her "car accident") on the library's phone. As she is doing this myself and a few of the others were actually trying to do work and we all needed a phone to do said work. "Lori" was on the desk on a work call, "Emily" needed a phone to call one of the Clerks about books for a book group because the patron in charge of it was there annoying her, I was trying to answer a buzzed in phone call to register a child for programs and "Amy" was also trying to do something phone related. We really don't have many phones in the department. We have two phones on our reference desk and two phones in the office, one of those phones is buried underneath crap on our Department Head's desk and is hard to get to. So, it was extremely difficult to get these calls made.

The whole time we were running around trying to make the calls "Julia" was oblivious to what was going on. She had no idea what she was doing or that she was even doing something wrong. Once she was done with her long ass call she looked at all of us and was like "Oh... I'm gonna go to dinner now..." and she left. We all could not believe what had just happened, but you can bet that we will be informing our Department Head tomorrow when she comes into the library.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 195...

September 11, 2011

10th Birthday Party...

Today was Justin's sister's 10th birthday -- Yes, she was born September 11th, 2001. So we basically spent our entire day doing birthday related things. The party was at his mother's house, so we headed over there early to help them out.

Before we actually got to the house we went to pick up a birthday cake because Justin's mother texted me yesterday and ask me if we could pick a cannoli cake up for her. When we got to the house and I went to put the cake in the fridge there was already a cake there. Apparently she texted Justin and told him not to get a cake because she was gonna do it, he didn't see the message and they ended up with two cannoli cakes and another random one that his sisters made. Can we say communication fail?

After the cake thing Justin and I set up a little photo booth corner for the kids to mess around with -- Yes, I used the same photo booth props that I made for the Teen Reading Club Party and unlike that party, the kids (And the adults) loved the whole photo booth thing and they took tons of photos.

The guests started to arrive around 4:00pm and they spent the majority of their time messing around with the photo booth props and playing Apples To Apples Junior (Which was actually a lot of fun, I need to go pick up the regular edition) until it was crêpe time. Yes, Justin's little sister demanded crêpes as the food of choice for her party.

Justin's mother set up a little crêpe bar for the guests to create their own crêpes. She had Nutella, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, bacon, powdered sugar, raspberry jam and lemons. It went over really well, everyone enjoyed creating their own crêpe concoctions.

The party lasted a few hours and was extremely successful for a random at home party.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 194...


One of Justin's little sisters was born on September 11th, 2001 and today was her 10th birthday. Who said nothing good happened on September 11th, 2001?

Bye Bye Borders...

I got to hit up a Borders this afternoon (It's the finally week that the store is going to be open) and I ended up getting $82.22 worth of books for $17.56, which was amazing. I kinda wanna go back and see what else I can find in the humor section, which is by far my favorite section.

These are the books that I decided to pick up...

  • How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino - $3.00 ($14.99)*
  • The Book of Useless Information by Don Voorhees - $2.95 ($12.95)
  • The Perfectly Useless Book of Useless Information by Don Voorhees - $2.59 ($12.95)
  • Street View: The New Nylon Book of Global Style - $4.99 ($24.95)
* I bought two copies of this book because I'm planing on giving one of them to Phil because he has a thing for garden gnomes and I thought he'd enjoy it.

September 10, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 193...


Justin and I were walking through a parking lot on our way to get dinner when I noticed a syringe just chillin' in the middle of a parking spot. Obviously I needed to take a picture of it...

What I Feel Like Saying...


Bookmarkless...

Last night I was sitting on Justin's couch reading One Day by David Nicholls (2010), while Justin was reading Blockade Billy by Stephen King (2010). We both decided around 11:30pm that we were tired and that we should probably go to bed. I didn't have a bookmark, so I just shoved a napkin into my book to hold my place. This prompted Justin to mock me because a librarian should have a bookmark.

I honestly thought it was pretty funny because for the past week or so I've been walking around with various items I've found in books that people were using as bookmarks in my bag waiting to photograph or do whatever with them. So, I've decided that whenever I find something random in a book that someone was using as a bookmark that I'd take a pictures of it and/or scan it and post it.



  1. The pink piece of paper I found in a paper craft book
  2. The Pokémon cards I found in a young adult novel

Library Articles...

Vista Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Stealing Library Books, DVDs
Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Library Book Thefts
Patrons Picket To Save Detroit Library Branch
Role Of Public Libraries Expands To Match Need
Senate Restricts Attempts To Privatize Libraries
NYLA Posts List of Hurricane Irene-Damaged New York State Libraries
Notre Dame Librarian Tries To Bring Halt To Snooping
The Daring Librarian: Wikipedia Is Not Wicked!
Librarian Charged With Hacking Email, Facebook Account Of Woman Who Rejected Him

Lending...


"Frank and Ernest" by Thaves (March 17th, 2009)

September 9, 2011

Birthday Presents & Photos...

Seeing as I'm the Saturday Librarian tomorrow I was off today, but I didn't really do anything special. All I really did was go out with Justin to buy his sister presents for her 10th birthday which is coming up on Sunday (We got her crackle nail polish, regular nail polish, various nail tools and a $100 iTunes® gift card) and then we headed over to his mother's house to hang out with his family.

While I was at the house Justin pulled out boxes of photos that his mother had found and saved before the hurricane hit. So I honestly spent my entire time there looking at old photos of him that I had never seen before and pulling out my favorites to scan to put up on Facebook. It was kind of a dull day, but I enjoyed myself.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 192...

September 8, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 191...


This is a craft I've been working on for the past couple of days. It is for surfing themed storytime we are having next week. I cut out pieces of cardboard into the shape of surfboards (Which was a pain in the ass to do, but "Mini Page" helped me out and made a few) and I was going to have the children decorate their own using acrylic paint and other various items from our craft closet.

September 7, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 190...

All By Myself...

If you follow me on Twitter you know that I had a slightly chaotic day because half the staff in my department called in sick, while the other half was just late. As always I arrived before 9:00am, which was a good call on my part because as soon as I was settled down my Director called up to tell me that "Amy" was going to be late. Not even five minutes after I got that call, "Marie" called the department to let me know that her daughter wasn't feeling well so she wasn't going to come in.

Eventually "Amy" came in spouting out the lame excuse that her daughter missed her bus for the first day of school or something. But after she arrived, "Emily" called up and said that she wasn't coming in because she wasn't feeling well. In reality her friend from out of state came to visit and she wanted the day off to hang out with her.

On top of all of this, "Julia" wrote in her own personal leave and instead of coming in at 9:00am like she we scheduled to, she came in at almost 2:00pm because she went to the doctor. I really cannot believe this woman gets away with this crap. I honestly cannot wait for her to use more time than she has, so that she dips below her scheduled hours and is forced to become a part-time employee thus losing all of her benefits.

Where was my Department Head and "Lori" you ask? Well, my Department Head wasn't scheduled to come in until 1:00pm and "Lori" wasn't due in until 5:00pm.

So, I basically spent the entire morning alone because "Amy" is very much so useless. When the custodian found out I was all alone (Before "Amy" actually walked in) he started singing "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen (Céline Dion did a cover of it in 1996, which is probably the version you are more familiar with) to me, which was honestly the highlight of my day.

I know you are all thinking, "Don't you normally like to be left alone?" Yes, yes I do. But not when it is raining outside and everyone and their mothers comes into the library to escape from the nasty weather. I don't like being by myself when there are tons of people that need help. I like being alone when it is nice outside and no one actually comes into the library.

September 6, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 189...

Barbiturates & Bulletin Boards...

I survived my afternoon with "Julia" but it was painful because I can't stand being around her. Eventually "Emily" came to work and "Julia" left, but not before making a bunch of phone calls to various doctors trying to get her hands on some pain medication again -- I'm starting to think that she is addicted to pills, as well as being an alcoholic.

Oh shit, I just realized that I forgot to post about how on the Friday before the hurricane "Julia" spent the day calling doctors trying to get them to call in a prescription for pain medication and muscle relaxers for her without going into an office for a check up. It was ridiculous and everyone who was there that day thinks that she has a problem, wait until they hear about today. I can't believe that I didn't write about this. Probably because I was worrying about my own hurricane survival.

Back to today... "Emily" and I ended up having a super slow night. We really didn't do much. I mean, "Favorite Page #2" and I finally got around to making a Library Card Sign-Up Month bulletin board -- My Department Head will be happy to see that it is done when she walks in tomorrow. But that was really all we did because no one was in the library.

Mr. Bean At The Library...

FML...


I'm mean and I'd totally do something like this to a person I didn't like.

Stuck With Stupid...

At this very moment I hate everyone in my department because everyone has off today and I'm stuck alone here with "Julia" until "Emily" shows up at 4:00pm -- I wish I had known this before I got here, because if I did I would have called in sick until 5:00pm and left her ass here alone. Orignially "Amy" was scheduled to come in at 1:00pm and because she is a divorced idiot without child care she is constantly taking off from work to deal with her demon spawn 7-year-old daughter -- Can't you tell that I'm just so very fond of "Amy's" daughter????

Thankfully "Julia" is on lunch so I don't have to deal with her annoying stuttering self until 2:00pm rolls around and then I have to keep myself busy for two hours so I don't end up trying to strangle her. Wish me luck.

Library Articles...

Are Libraries Breaking The Law?
9/11 Remnants Delivered To Richard Nixon Library
Family Place Libraries Initiative Expands In Maine
Area Libraries Making Popular Shift To e-Books
Libraries Invite Patrons To Have A Coffee, Stay A While
Libraries Get The Miss In Age Of e-Reading

September 5, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 188...

Pardon Me...

Here is a video I took of Incubus playing "Pardon Me" at Jones Beach on Saturday night. I took it on my iPhone, so it obviously isn't up to par with something I could have taken with my DSLR.

September 4, 2011

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 187...



September 3, 2011

Incubus At Jones Beach...

I just got back from seeing Incubus play Nikon at Jones Beach with my sister (I bought the tickets as a birthday gift to her a few months back). We really enjoying the concert, which means a lot considering how much my sister and I both disliked their new album. We decided that when the songs are mixed in with classic Incubus it isn't that bad, plus they only played four new songs out of twenty.

The band Young The Giant opened for them, but we missed them due to the fact that we were out to dinner for Nicole's birthday while they were playing -- I personally dislike 95% of opening bands so I wasn't sad about missing them. We actually had the best timing ever, we finished dinner and made it to the theater just as they were ended. It was awesome, I would love to be able to do that before every concert I go to but it probably won't happen -- Next concert I'm going to is Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden in November, so it definitely won't be happening with our general admission tickets.

Back to Incubus... They came on around 9:00pm and played the following twenty song setlist...

Setlist

  • Pardon Me
  • Wish You Were Here
  • Adolescents
  • Anna Molly
  • Promises, Promises
  • If Not Now, When?
  • Circles
  • Consequence
  • Are You In?
  • Vitamin
  • In the Company of Wolves
  • Defiance
  • Talk Shows on Mute (Acoustic)
  • Punch Drunk
  • Look Alive
  • Dig (Remix)
  • Drive
  • Nice To Know You
Encore:
  • Megalomaniac
  • Tomorrow's Food
It was a decent and solid setlist, but I've honestly heard them play better ones -- This was the 6th time I've seen them perform live. What we both got excited about was that they played "Vitamin" because we didn't think they'd be playing anything off of the album S.C.I.E.N.C.E (1997) -- Which is their first and best album! Honestly, I love them and they can do no wrong live.

365 Days Of Pictures: Day 186...