Ego Sum Lux

Too Tired

2006-04-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

To bitch much. Wednesday I drove to Austin to see a concert (Franz Ferdinand/Death Cab for Cutie for those curious ones). Great, great, great show. Of course, I love FF so they could have sucked and I would have enjoyed it. After the show I drove back to Loserville and went to bed at three a.m. I worked the next day and then watched the pilot episode of Firefly and the first episode. Stayed up reading till 1 a.m. (BTW - Firefly=excellent and I kick myself for never having watched it before). Friday I worked AGAIN and then went to see Franz Ferdinand/Death Cab For Cutie AGAIN in Dallas and AGAIN they were excellent. After the show I returned home and watched another Firefly. In bed by 2 a.m. Now I am at work again and strangely enough I am being really nice to the patrons. I think I am too brain dead (although not physically tired) to make an effort to be superior. Tomorrow I am getting up at 5:30 to go watch a friend run a half marathon and then I get to work again. I will then work everyday until Thursday and then FINALLY have a glorious Friday off with nothing to get up early for and nowhere planned to go. To steal McDonald's jingle- I'm Lovin It.

Going Round and Round

2006-03-23T09:38:00.000-08:00

A patron recently came in to use one of the four study carrels we have. I took his information and went over to unlock the door of the carrel I signed him up for.
Patron: Is study carrel B available?
Me: Yes it is, would you rather have that one?
Patron: No this one is fine.
I get the door unlocked and turn to go.
Patron: Is study carrel B open?
Me: Yes, would you like that one?
Patron: Yes please.

Did he just entirely miss where I had answered him before? Hello people, please pay attention. Do not force me to look at you for several minutes blinking because I can't believe how dumb you are.

We have a payments desk downstairs (we don't charge fines, just for lost or damaged books) and we often have to send people downstairs to get change when they have anything larger than a 5. For some reason it irritates them to have to ride down on the elevator, walk about 15 ft. and get change. You would think we were sending them across the Sahara.

We charge 10 cents a print. I often have people come up and ask if they can use a debit card. WHY, OH WHY?!?!?! Why would you want to put 20 or 30 cents on a debit card? If you have no change, go hang out by a toll booth. People miss the toll basket all the time and you can gather the change and come get your prints. Then you could use the left over change to get lunch.

We have a reservation computer but for the first 10 minutes of the day we have a sign on it that says "Go to any computer and sign in with your library card." I had just watched this man walk over, read this sign, and then come ask me how to get a computer. Why do we bother with signage? No one reads it and the people who do read it don't understand it.

Last one - Again with the reservation computer. We have 34 computers with internet access for patron use. They are arrayed all in one area close to the reference desk. I often have people ask how to get a computer so I walk them to the reservation computer and the first thing they snap out is "I have to stand here and use it?" 34 computers all within sight and they ask this. I have to explain (and I do this at least 10 times every hour when I am on the reference desk) that the reservation computer is to make RESERVATIONS, not to use.

I really like being a librarian, I really, really do, but the elitist snob in me wonders why I have to deal with so many willfully ignorant people.

That Feeling That Something Is Wrong

2006-03-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

I had that feeling this morning. It wasn't that I had left the windows at my apartment open and it looked like it was going to rain (I went back and shut them), it wasn't that I left late because of the windows, it wasn't that the people at Einstein Bros were sullen (they usually are), and it wasn't the crappy drivers who go 35 in a 45 - IT WAS THE ELECTION SIGNS STUCK IN THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY AND ALL OF THEM WERE FOR REPUBLICANS!!! Am I wrong in thinking that it appears as though the library supports one political party over another? Does this mean I can talk politics at work?

In other news, I taught a blogging class Sunday. Six people showed up and they all asked questions. I like getting questions, it's like they actually want to learn something.

Stinky Man is getting worse since it is getting warmer outside. Sweet Jesus on a Saltine cracker, I wish he would take a bath or run through a sprinkler systems or follow a fire truck to a fire and get hosed down. Today one half of the upstairs area smelled like him. I wish patrons would complain so we could do something about it.

We had brownies the other day. One had nuts, one didn't. Another librarian asked me what the difference was. I thought a second as to whether I should share the first answer that popped into my head. I did. "Those are boy brownies, and those are girl". He laughed, I was safe.

***This just in Dumb People Doing Dumb Things Is it me or is this just slightly rediculous?

Thanks, Pop Culture Librarian

2006-03-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

I was going to use this as a comment on Pop Culture Librarian's blog (it won't let me make a link, sorry, use the link on the right) but then I decided I wanted to make a post out of it.

I always wanted to be an assassin growing up because it looked so glamorous in the James Bond movies but then I saw The Professional and changed my mind.

In the January 2006 issue of Library Journal there was an article called "No Problem with Problem Patrons" and after reading that, I realize I was a librarian all along.
The author, David Isaacson, says "Let's face it: some of us librarians are shy bookworms, misfits who are not cut out for conventional jobs outside the sometimes excessively rule-bound world of libraries" Now I am not so much a shy bookworm, I am a talkative, outgoing one, but I am a misfit who happens to really like how libraries afford me the opportunity to be messy, slack off at times, work really hard most times, be creative, talk to patrons about subjects I would never have even know about otherwise, and to just be me.

If you get a chance, check out the article and let me know what you think.

Score One For Me

2006-02-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

I taught my first class tonight...Basic PowerPoint...and I have to say that I think I did quite well. I had 8 people show up (the classroom only holds 10) and they all seemed to have had a good time. The class was supposed to have been 2 hours long but I finished up in one hour and let whoever wanted to leave go early. I had one lady stay the whole two hours and went over some other computer stuff with her.

In other library news, I got one sponser and a judge for my Edible Book contest coming up at the beginning of April. I have never had to solicite for donations but it went pretty easy. I think the promise of free advertising really helps to win business people over.

I had a lady get irate over the fact that we had withdrawn a book she wanted to read but I calmed her down by telling her about interlibrary loan and showed her how easy it was to get that book from another library. She was happy about that and left in a much better mood.

I now have to get ready to teach a class on blogging and one on Basic Word. I also have to design flyers for my Edible Book contest (this is fortunately almost done), find a few more places willing to donate prizes, and place an order for the books I want to order for my little part of the collection. So for all those people who think being a librarian is just about sitting at a desk answering questions, I would like to just say HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The Unbearable Lameness of Programs

2006-02-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

Programming is a great thing, sometimes. Why is it so hard to get people to come to library events? What does it take, handing out $5's at the door. Promising them a four course dinner? Perhaps the programs just suck so much no one wants to come. Maybe the program wasn't advertised. Why am I whining about this, you ask? I whine because I am in Community Relations. It is part of my job (and really every librarian's who works here) to come up with wonderful, sparkling, fresh programming that will get the people of the community to come out and see us and hopefully go home with a renewed sense of what their library a) looks like and b) does for them.

My first program, which is really a contest but it involves community support and participation, is an edible books contest. This international contest is held every year and involves making something literary using only food items. The entire submission has to be edible (other than the pan or board it is placed on). To see what I am talking about but can't explain very well, go here.

On another note, you know what makes librarians so great? Patience. We have the patience to go read FAQ's, search an entire website page, and click on every available link to find an answer whereas anyone else would have just given up and gone on (or come to the reference desk to complain to us that they can't find the information and can we just do it for them, which we do ON THE SAME PAGE THEY TRIED TO FIND IT ON). I love when someone tells me, "nah, nah you can't find it on that page, I already tried looking there" but then you, the librarian, do find it. I love stomping on other people rectitude.

Strange

2006-02-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Within a few days of its appearing, my last post has evidently been eaten by Blogger. No great loss, it was boring anyway.

I don't know how some of you do it. I always end the day with things to blog about on here regarding the library but by the time I actually sit down to write, all those things are forgotten. So instead I will fill you in a bit:

I am a new librarian. I worked for a year as a GLA at the university I attended. It was fun and I loved working in the academic environment. At the same time I was attending class and working as a part time GLA, I was also working full time at a place called Majors. We were a warehouse and distribution center for medical books of all publishers. I liked working there until the minions of hell (aka Baker & Taylor) bought the company. Everything went to shit and as soon as I graduated I got the hell out. I now work for a public library and I love it. It's very strange to put the things you learn in school ( at least some of what you learn) into practice. I am currently working on a community analysis project which is part of the library long range master plan. I have never done this stuff before so it is slow going but I am learning quite a bit. I also do collection development for the 500's (yessiree, Dewey). I am also taking a part in programming, community outreach, technology planning, and oh so much more. I always want to smack people when they ask me why I had to get a master's degree to be a librarian. HELLO?!?!?! There is more to being a librarian than telling patrons where a book is. Sometimes I actually have to get up and show them. Damn that is hard work!!

My two biggest complaints are the 'pooter users (I had a patron pronounce it that way today as in 'I don't know nothin bout pooters.') and our stinky patron. Now the stinky patron is a really nice guy and from what I can tell pretty smart but he smells like he hasn't bathed in ummmmm not just days but weeks, possibly months.

I resent when patrons who want to use the internet toss their cards at me. I leave it on the desk and get up to go to the reservation computer, leaving them to pick up their card and follow me. I resent rude patrons who need my help but are jerks when I try to help them.

That's all for now. So until tomorrow's rant (provided I remember it), I am so out of here.

I Haven't Forgotten

2006-01-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

I still need a new header, have to talk to my designer about that.
Yesterday, while at the reference desk, our Mr. Stinky stopped by for a long visit and when he left I turned to the librarian who had helped him and congratulated her for holding her breath for so long (at least 7 min which every minute spent in his proximity is like spending 15 min swimming in a cess pool). Needless to say, the second he was out of sight I ran for the Oust. What's really horrible about Stinky, is that he always goes into the computer lab (which is a smallish room that holds 10 of our public computers) and proceeds to spread his stench for an hour. We did install a TimeMist air sanitizer in there but I don't think it helps much when he is in there.
After he left I got to help bad breath mouth breather who wanted me to find some information on the net about emphysema. (I spent much of the time with the back of my hand against my nose so as to cut the stench with the scent of my hand lotion.)
Now let me state this: I like helping people, it is why I wanted to be a librarian (that and the ego feed which I will post about later). However it is not my job to do personalized, hour upon hour of research for the patrons. This gentleman wanted me to find EVERYTHING I could about emphysema on the net. I had to point out to him that there were over 4 million pages covering the subject. I finally got him out of there with about 10 printed pages of material and an address for the National Emphysema Association. Annoyance crisis averted.

A Change of Scenery

2006-01-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

I am going to change my blog and turn it into a job-oriented (read that library story telling time) blog. I have been visiting a lot of librarian blogs out there and love love love reading what my fellow workers in the profession have to say.

You may think libraries are those boring places full of dust and decrepit librarians but take a look at the stylings of foxylibrarian, Tales of the Liberry, and the Vampire Librarian. Good times, good times.

Coming soon...

A Tagging from Tragedy This Time

2006-01-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

15 iPod tunes. I can't really say these play constantly, but they are some of my favorites...

1) Everywhen - Massive Attack
2) Better Luck - Scissor Sisters
3) Tempus Vernum - Enya
4) End - The Cure
5) Everyday I Die - Gary Numan
6) In the Backseat - The Arcade Fire
7) Wires - Athlete
8) Alive - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
9) Pure Morning - Placebo
10) Public Service Announcement - The Bravery
11) Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
12) Crystalline Green - Goldfrapp
13) 40 ft - Franz Ferdiand
14) Somewhere a Clock is Ticking - Snow Patrol
15) Running Battle - Kasabian

This list is by no means exhaustive of course. There is no mention of Radiohead, Coldplay, Ozzy Osbourne, and the hundreds of other songs/artists I like. It's just a quick snapshot. Hopefully it says something good about me but you just never know. I guess it depends on the judge and jury, eh?

4 of No Kind

2006-01-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Four Jobs You've Had in Your Life:
Librarian
Receptionist
Whatever I was at my last job
A "would you like fries with that?" worker

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
Shawshank Redemption
The MST3K version of Track of the Moon Beast
Shreck 1 or 2
Clerks

Four Places You've Lived:
Wichita Falls, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Tulsa, Ok
Denton, Texas

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch:
CSI: Las Vegas
Daily Show
M.A.S.H.
Modern Marvels on the History Channel

Four Places You've Been on Vacation:
The UK (England, Scotland, Wales)
Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide)
Canada (both sides)
Cancun
(And all over the US)

Four Websites You Visit Daily:
DailyKos
Runner Susan
World O'Crap/Tbogg
Dooce

Four of Your Favorite Foods:
Filet Mignon
Haigh's dark chocolate
cheese of almost any kind
asparagus

Places You'd Rather Be:
London
Playing Thief
San Diego
Vermont

Four Albums You Can't Live Without:
Anything by Snow Patrol
my Celtic Mystery cd
Franz Ferdinand's debut
Seven and the Ragged Tiger - Duran Duran in case you forgot

Four Random Things About You:
I would rather play Thief than eat or sleep
I sing songs to my cats (they are a captive audience of sorts)
I think being a librarian is the best job in the world
My desk at work is covered in VHS tapes

A Message to the Coach

2006-01-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Coach:

Thank you for the workout plan, so far I have walked up and down my stairs about a thousand times because I have not yet worked up the energy to go to the workout room. Fret not, these feet will be fleet.

On a happier note, the diet part is going well. Eating right and only one or two slips in the form of a half a piece of Starbucks lemom pound cake and a cookie on Monday. I made pink stuff, remember pink stuff. That creamy confection of dairy delight.

Tonight I will hit the treadmill, the elliptical hellbeast will have to wait. (I sincerely doubt that a minute and a half on that thing will make a difference anyway.)

That is all I have to report.
Soon to be skinnier,
Linda

Happy Merry Holidays Christmas

2005-12-24T16:30:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and yours the very best...

Here's what the jerks in my house got this year :

Where the whercat takes its mousy prey to shred it:

I don't know why but I am singing Toto's "Africa" right now. Could be the warm weather?

Here is what snow in Texas looks like, you can buy it at Bath and Body Works and plug it into your wall. Oh, and snow here smells like vanilla. HO HO HO

In the Hall of the Fantasy King

2005-12-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

While we are wishing...

1) I would like a week free of Lexus drivers and asshole SUV drivers (not you Susan, you aren't an asshole)
2) I would like my cats to clean my house while I am at work. I supply food and poop supplies, can't they at least dust?
3) I would like Mystery Science Theater 3000 to start airing again, preferrably not at 7am on Saturdays
4) I would like to donate part of my big ol' butt to someone (or someones) who want bigger boobs. I got enough for several chests!!
5) I want Brandon to come back to work at my Starbucks, just so I can look at him.
6) I want a black Volvo S60.
7) I want the stinky people in the library to get water and soap for Christmas
8) I want my friend Tommy to get better, at least better enough to go out of the house
9) I want Kate and Susan and Sarah and Tukisha and all my friends who read this to have really great lives. (And if you aren't my friend, well I wish for a great life for you as well!)
10) World peace, cure for cancer, and all that stuff...

That is all for now.

Sounds Like A Challenge To Me

2005-12-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

Susan said I probably wouldn't do this but I am going to do it now cause she said I wouldn't! So there!!

5 Random Facts About ME:
1) I have performed two weddings acting as a minister (which I am, just like dear old Susan)
2) I have no less than 55 pairs of shoes in my closet
3) I like playing violent video games so I can pretend they people I am killing are the people who pissed me off while driving (take that Lexus driver, and that SUV driver, "What? No blinker? OFF WITH YOUR HEAD")
4) I like singing "Baby Kitty" songs to my brown cat
5) I own close to 700 books, half of which I haven't yet read

There five and that was hard. I hate trying to think of things about myself, that is what the Playstation and the books are for, so I don't have to think!!

Oh What Fun It Is

2005-12-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

To make people jealous. hehehehehe
Lookit what I got, kids...
And this will possibly be Susan's reaction...

The Good, The Bad, and the Crappy

2005-12-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Good -
1) My lights are working outside. Maybe I will post a picture.
2) I am still a librarian

The Bad -
1) I am babysitting a friends cat, my cats don't like her
2) One of my cats has decided to show his dislike of my actions by peeing on the carpet. Little Bastard.

The Crappy -
1) Due to circumstances beyond my control I have lost (?) several friends. I love my friends, please don't stay gone.

Oh What Fun It Is to (not) Drive

2005-12-07T19:17:00.000-08:00

Made it home in a little less than two hours today. Go Me!! I was going to post last night about my Christmas lights but blogger wasn't working and neither were my lights. The plug outside doesn't work, just my luck. I get the lights up and no juice to run them. I suppose I should have checked the plug first but you just rely on those things to work, don't you?!?
Anyway, here is a picture of the lights I do have up:
This is the little village my grandmother had for years and years so when she died it was one of the things I wanted. Sentimental reasons and all, you know.

And these are the lights (blue and amber) that won't light but they would be really pretty if they did.

And this is an electric candelabra that was my grandmothers as well.

The view from my balcony on a lovely sleety (we get ice, not snow) night.

On the way home I had to go over a huge hill that was also an overpass. There were cars lined up at the bottom of the hill waiting while each car in front of them made it up and over the slippery hill. I even got to watch one SUV try to go up and not make it. When my turn came I simply drove in the sand on the edge and middle of the lane (instead of trying to drive in the slick, already melted tracks of the cars that went up before) and went right over the hill.

Upon Where I Mention Bird Poo – A Lot

2005-11-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

I am, as you all know, a librarian. Part of my job is weeding the part of the collection I purchase books for. (Just so you know, weeding makes me sad because I have to get rid of books. Yes, they are for the most part boring (science, math, etc…) but they are still BOOKS!) Currently I am working through books written by nature writers and I have a few questions:
1) Do these people not work at all? Their sentences start with “I woke this morning and lay staring for hours at the small birds building a nest outside my window and I contemplated Nietzsche.” Or this “Whilst walking around the pond from sun up to sunset, I observed several species of birds pooing in the mud.” I want to be a naturalist. I can watch birds poo in the mud.
2) Why do so many people from the city become naturalist? Barry “Bird-Poo” Cranzhofstettelner was a high power broker raking in six figures a year when one day he spied a bird pooing on his $70,000 dollar Mercedes. He writes in memory of this occasion “At that very moment I realized that all the fancy cars and beautiful women were nothing compared to living in a falling apart lake house and watching birds poo all day long.”
3) Why do the city ones always sound like THEY just discovered nature? “Look, people of the world, I have found nature, right outside MY window. I don’t think it was there last week.”
4) Why do they always sound so smug?
5) How do they make 8 hours of watching birds poo sound enjoyable?
6) Why are they always walking? “I was walking the other day…” or “Whilst walking…” Don’t they ever amble, shuffle, or jitterbug through nature?
7) How do they contemplate for hours on end and are they really thinking of nature the whole time or that really hot man/woman they saw at the bait n’ tackle shop? I have to read or play on my PlayStation, or shop or something.
8) What are the requirements to get on the payroll for this sort of thing?

A Bit Of Poetry

2005-11-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

Some great lines:
See the happy moron
He doesn't give a damn
How I wish I were a moron
My God, perhaps I am
~ John Gay

"We all have faults, " he said, "and mine is being wicked."
~James Thurber

That is all for this weeks installment of Poetry Corner with the Busty Librarian.
You probably thought I didn't have it in me to quote poetry, did you?

Back on this lying, busty, underage-boy-chasing librarian person. I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectable librarian who just happens to know what a ball gag is.

HAPPY THANKSMAS (soon to be Thanksmasween)!!

2005-11-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksmas - The new holiday comprising the overeating of Thanksgiving with the overconsumerism of Christmas. Next up - Thanksmasween, where candy is added to them mix.
Do any of you remember these as three separate holidays? You know, where the Christmas crap went up AFTER Thanksgiving, not before Halloween? Do any of you remember when everything was closed on Thanksgiving?

I checked the ads today for the supposedly "excellent" sales events going on Friday. Not a damn thing that would make me roll out of bed at noon much less get up at 5am to go purchase.

I have seen Harry Potter twice so far and I have one thing to say. YUM TWINS!!!

My what big eyes you have.
Deviant thoughts BE GONE!!

Christmas list:
The above set of redheaded twins (who actually have brown hair) and one of these

As long as he comes with one of these:

*INedible Amber Orange

2005-11-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

I am buring amber incense and orange spice oil in two different rooms but as my apartment is not that big, the scents are mingling and it smells magically delicious in here.

My mom and sister are off to Merry Olde England tomorrow. Am I going? Noooooooooooo, I had to get a new job and be happy! Damn me. HAHAHAHA I like London but not so much that I would give up my career. Librarian - that's me.

Strangely enough I can think of a million things to blog about when I am not sitting in front of a blank Blogger box but once I get here, I am at a total loss and tend to ramble on about inconsequential things. I do however like to write really long sentences so as to make Kate's head spin.

So instead I am going to share the coolest email message I ever received.
4/21/1998
From: McrwavSafe
...nomenclature, and how that rose fairie was pink and looked like a rose and the forget me not fairie was lavendar and looked like a forget me not I was sitting on top of the building with shredded trash bag wings and covered in rainbowsgreasy gas puddlerainbowsthrough. The city fairie...schizofuckmia. And thats how I found it interesting that you mentioned sodium light. That stagnant high pressure sodium bulb, I knew even before I admitted it to myself that was the icon of my lore. Is that why you mention sodium light. Ill have you know I associate a highly subjective experience with those lights.

Interesting, no?

*I fixed it just for you Sarah. Unedible, Inedible - blah blah blah

Work

2005-11-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

I was going to blog from work but then the Archangel Dooce flashed into my head and I decided to wait till I got home to write anything longer than this one lenghty run-on sentence.

Through a Blog Darkly

2005-11-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

So today I was thinking I was forgetting something and you know what, it turns out I was. I was supposed to go to a meeting today at work from 2-4 but since I neglected to put it on my calendar, I missed it. I did remember to go to work though so that is a plus on my side.

Today I found out that John Cusack (yummy) is a liberal and that makes me love him even more. (Unless it is all a cruel joke that he has a few posts on a liberal site which would still allow him to remain hot but he would lose a few cool points.)

To my friends:
Kate - get Tukisha's baby gift done and no whining.
Susan - glad to hear the colon blow is working well for you. I did notice that you were looking trimmer.
Tukisha - You just keep on taking care of that big headed baby cause she will be here soon!
Sarah - Can't wait to see you. Get directions to the Public Library main branch.

No crappy drivers worth mentioning but stay tuned.

To my other readers (esp Naked and Tragedy) - I have been REALLY lazy about checking blogs but I swear I will catch up one day and be the most super duper poster ever!!!

Opinions: So Easy to Come By, So Hard to Forget

2005-11-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

Posts are all about someone elses opinion on a topic, right?

No new traffic asshole yet so I thought I would give you my top five worst offenders (in other words, the people most likely to piss me off.)

1. Lexus Drivers - do they give you asshole lessons when you buy one of these overpriced Toyotas?
2. SUV Drivers - I know my car is small but if you hit it, I can still get insurance money out of you.
3. Anyone with a W '04 sticker on their car - Instant asshole, just add conservativism.
4. Anyone with a Christian fish (especially the ones with the big fish and the little fish following them) - God loves me, so I can be an asshole to you cause you probably don't and if you love God too, you will forgive me.
5. Lexus or SUVs with a W '04 or Christian fish - the only thing worse if if they have W and the fish.

I saw Pride and Prejudice last night. It was pretty good even if they did drag it out. Kate wasn't impressed but what can you expect from an person with a Master's in English? Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) was damned hot in this movie but I am going to borrow Kate's BBC (?) version staring the ever delicious Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I also watched Constantine recently which I liked although it was stupid at the same time. I KNOW Keanu Reeves isn't the greatest actor ever but I think he has a rather pretty face and I can't help but watch the movies he's in. (That was my secret confession of the day.)

Kate, this is for you: Red or White? It's not that hard a question.

How I Love Me, Let Me Count the Ways

2005-11-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sigh, no new Traffic Asshole of the Day as of yet. Well, actually there was the dipshit in the Mercedes last night at the Depeche Mode concert who was shoved so far up the SUV's tailpipe in front of him that he wouldn't let anyone merge into the traffic trying to leave the show. Oh well, the nice people behind him let me in and then I let a few people in. Just the way it should be.

The concert - Depeche Mode with the Bravery - was GREAT!! First of all, we were supposed to have seats in the nosebleed section (and it was 50 bucks for those) but instead they moved everyone in the 300 level down to the 100 level (the $75 seats). The Bravery sounded weird at times but over all did a great job as an opening act plus they played my favorite song by them, Public Service Annoucement. Depeche sounded excellent, like always! Martin G. sang Home (which I love) and it was so spot on! They played a lot off their new CD, which I still haven't downloaded on my iPod, but they also played a ton of older stuff. They did two encores, in the second one they played Never Let Me Down Again (which is my absolute favorite song by DM) and I had to dance to it but unfortunately I was limited in dance space cause of all the fools who were leaving after the first encore not realizing they were going to do another. NEVER LEAVE UNTIL THE BUILDING LIGHTS COME ON!! Morons!

Kate finally posted about ME! Cause it's all about ME! Lovely post so go read it if you haven't already. And speaking of me (my favorite subject), I now have two people to supervise which sounds really good except for the fact that from what I understand supervising here means filling out the lenghty appraisal review for each person I supervise. How fun is that?!?! Oh well, looks good on a resume!

I just finished Winds of Change by Martha Grimes. If you like mystery, I highly recommend her Richard Jury series. I am now finishing The Folded Leaf (William Maxwell) that Kate lent to me and then I will finish the Master and Margarita (Mikhail Bulgakov) which Kate also lent to me. I am thinking that if I return her books to her, I will get mine back along with my CDs. Personally I think she is working to steal my entire collection of books and CDs. Bad Kate!!

Another Day Another Bunch of Dollars

2005-11-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! One week of work done and another one starting. I watched several movies this weekend: Shreck 2 and Amadeus. Excellent movies both, of course, what else would I watch (keep the comments to yourself, Kate). I bought a bunch more: Clerks, Shreck 2, Ice Age,
Labyrinth, and the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (I love when Gene Wilder is singing so calmly while the boat hurtles through the acid flashback invested chocolate river).

Sorry for no post on Friday, Tukisha, I actually worked most of that day. Also, there was no asshole to post about although I did see plenty of them this weekend, I just didn't get any license plate number. I will try to do better next week.

Oh the Things You Deal With On the Way to Work

2005-11-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new feature (let's see how long I keep up with it) TRAFFIC ASSHOLE OF THE DAY

Traffic Asshole of the Day - Grey Honda Odyssey - license plate# - N19 NRF
Thank you for almost hitting me because you were in the wrong lane to enter the highway. (I didn't back down, I made you get behind me!) Thank you also for not using your blinker to enter the highway and for cutting in front of me. You, good citizen, are a dip shit.

I wasn't feeling very angry this morning. On my next Traffic Asshole of the Day feature, I will try to do better.

Other wise, I am really hoping to learn some more stuff today so I have more things to do. I was really excited yesterday (be prepared for dorkiness ahead) when I got to show someone how to use the CLC (contemporary literary criticism). It was actually something I learned at the University Library I worked at. GO ME!!

Oh, and another big thank you goes out to my neighbors for letting their kids fuck with the garage door opener this morning which is right under my bedroom. Halfway up, back down, halfway up, back down. I don't get up at the same time so I got to lay there and listen to it. Acutally I don't know if it was the kids or the fact that no one in the family knows how to work the opener correctly. Oh well...

My Butt Hurts

2005-11-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

I have a chair here at the library that makes me feel like I am sitting at some elementary kids desk. I am 5'10, I need an adult sized chair. Also, the padding on this chair has gone the way of cassette tapes (in other words, not worth crap for keeping your butt from the metal plate under it). OUCH.

Thankfully though the Tech Services person is going to move my computer tomorrow so I won't be in pain because I had to work at a table that is about 5" too short for me and I can raise the chair up so that my legs won't be bent uncomfortably any more.

Other than that, I love this job. I can't wait till I know more and have more to do. I think the biggest downfall (other than not knowing any one here except a friend I went to UNT with but she only works part-time) is the fact that there is not a Starbucks close by. The closest one is about ummmm 7 miles or so. Woe is me.

The Librarian

2005-11-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, so far, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new job. For the last two days I have been following people around while they show me all the things I will have to know. I did get to help two people today, utilizing the knowledge I learned yesterday. GO ME!! I also got my very own library card!! GO ME AGAIN!!

The only downside so far is the fact that I have to go to lunch at noon or 1 and I am used to going to 11am so by the time I get to go eat, I am starving.

Yesterday I had to go to a human resources orientation to learn about all the different insurance choices we have. I am SO confused. I never understand that stuff. While we were in the meeting it started pouring outside so that when it was over I had to run through the rain to get to my car AND it caused my hair to be horribly frizzy for the rest of the day. Thank God it was Halloween and hopefully my new co-workers thought the frizzy cloud on my head was for that and not how I normally come to work.

Later this afternoon I am going to learn telephone reference and then I am going to be put on the phones for an hour. Unfortunately I forgot my login for the Horizon system and I don't know how I am going to look up stuff. WAY TO GO, ME!!

Here is why I like you...

2005-10-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Because no one likes me enough to list why they like me (woe is me)...I will do it for them.

Kate:
I like you because
1) You are super, super smart and that is so cool
2) You have read all those classics books and find them totally interesting
3) You laugh at my silliness
4) My shy cat likes you
5) You cook for me (or bring me dinner)

Susan:
I like you because
1) You are a hoorriiiibbbllleeee driver (so says Sammy Terry)
2) You can eat as much as me
3) You are so girly and so gross at the same time
4) Of the scary face you make
5) You support my addiction to Starbucks (esp when Brandon was still there)

Tukisha:
I like you for:
1) Your evil giggle
2) You aversion to germs
3) Your Birthing class stories
4) The look on your face when certain people are near
5) That you visit Kate so she won't get lonely

Sarah:
I like you because
1) You came to Dallas visit Kate and me
2) You are not afraid to let anyone know how you feel (hungry? gotta pee?)
3) You, too, know the about the faces Kate makes
4) That I have a new friend
5) That I now get to come see you in Austin

If I missed anyone who reads this let me know and I will do another post special for you!!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2005-10-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I finally got a job in a library. GO ME!! I am going to be a librarian at the Irving Public Library. Pretty exciting stuff I tell you, or at least it is to me. I get to escape my dead-end, go nowhere, shitty paying job and go use my Master's degree! I will however miss my friends at Majors, I just won't miss Majors or the assholes who own it now.

Thanks Sarah for coming to see Kate and me (Kate, note the proper use of me and not I). We had a lot of fun and hope that you are feeling better. Well, I hope you are feeling better, I don't know about Kate. I wish you could have gone to IKEA with us.

Today I bought two more pairs of shoes. I need to stop this, it's out of control. I feel like, like, ummmm SUSAN!!! However, they are really cute shoes and if I wasn't so lazy, I would take a picture so everyone could share in the joy of my new shoes.

Uh Oh! Tagged by Tragedy

2005-10-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here is my first post ever (I don't actually have 23 posts yet) - 5th sentence:

I need Starbucks...

That pretty much sums up my daily thoughts.

Rules:1) Go into your archives. 2) Find your 23rd post. 3) Find the fifth sentence (or closest to it.) 4) Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules. 5) Tag five other people.

Tagging: Kate, Sarah, Tukisha, and I would tag Susan but she's already been gotten and so has Naked and Tragedy so I have run out of people.

Home Again, Home Again But I Am Not Jigging

2005-10-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

Not jigging cause I have to go back to work tomorrow. What a perfect way to end a vacation, with a reminder of why you go on them in the first place. Did you know in Australia you get 4 weeks of vacation a year and that doesn't include your sick days of which you get about 10 of those. Yeah, if I were president there would be a few changes I would make...

Melbourne was great, my favorite city (no offense Stacie). I don't know why though. It's a huge shopping city but I don't really shop much (unless there are shoes or books involved), it wasn't much different appearance-wise from Sydney, maybe it was just the general feeling of the city. Oh, and the Starbucks there stayed opened until 10 and past on some nights.

All in all, Australia is a great place to vacation (barring the long, excruciating plane ride to get there and back). It's beautiful, nice people, and very relaxing. And if you ever go to Adelaide, YOU HAVE TO GO TO HAIGH'S CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Seriously, you have to, I mean it!!

Mom, me, and Stacie with a Koala

A wallaby trying to eat my jeans

It's only a model (Monty Python, folks!)

Pretty things you can see on the beach

Not-so-pretty things you can see on the beach

To Melbourne Tomorrow

2005-10-11T05:55:00.000-07:00

Leaving Adelaide tomorrow for Melbourne so this is the last post until I get home, so enjoy!

Look up in the sky, mummy, it's a... mummy??

Mom and Jake after the jump

Henley Beach (I hope that is the right name, its late)

The beach was really pretty and it was such a lovely day. Best of all it wasn't humid at all and my hair didn't frizz up into a bush! I will post more pics soon. It takes quite a while for them to upload here so I will do it at home on Sunday. Hi to all my friends back in the states, see you soon!!

Sometimes It Is All About Me

2005-10-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

I don't know why they won't let you pet the dingos

Yes, I was thisclose to a Wallaby

Me feeding a kangaroo and mom being happy

More to come!!

More Pictures Cause I Can, Can, Can

2005-10-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am now a library card carrying member of the State Library of New South Wales (Sydney). Envy me, mortals! (I am a librarian, so this is exciting to me). Anyway, after you finish laughing cause I am such a dork, here are some more pics to enjoy...oh and you can envy me because tomorrow I am going to feed kangaroos and cuddle koalas!! So NYAH NYAH NA BOO BOO!!

City view from the AMD Tower

Lazy koala providing a butt view for your viewing pleasure

I Blog From a Land Down Under

2005-10-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

Finally near a computer where I can share some pics of my vacation so far. I have seen many things so far in my travels through Australia. Crocodiles, Opera Houses, sharks, giraffes, etc... Here is a short run down of the trip so far:
25 hour flight - two hour delay from Dallas, medical emergency caused a turn around and return to Honolulu, had to land in Brisbane to get a new crew (old crew had been in air too long), and then finally Sydney.
Sydney - Saw the Australian orchestra perform Mozart and Britten in the concert hall at the Sydney Opera House, went to Taronga Zoo, went up in the AMD Tower, walked all OVER the place (lots of hills). Got a really cool pair of suede tennis shoes.
Adelaide - Went shopping, went to the South Australia Gallery (lots of beautiful paintings including Circe Invidiosa by Waterhouse.
But enough of that, here are some pics:

View from the hotel room (note the ugly building on top of the pretty one on the right side of the picture)

Starbucks here looks like Starbucks there...wow

Me and Stacie at the Opera House

The Opera House

NEMO!!!!

The Promised Pictures

2005-09-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I promised didn't I? Here is what I thought of the heat...

And here Kate and I are enjoying the shade...

And here is the reason we even went to the festival...

Yes, it's those Franz Ferdinand boys. Alex better be careful about jumping off of things, at his age he could break a hip!

Oh, by the way, the official temperature on Sunday was 108. I have some more pics but Kate wants to use some so I don't want to overlap. I will try to post more later.

I already know I don't post a lot but for the next two weeks I will be in Australia and I will try to post but I make no promises. However, if I do post, expect pictures!!

Austin City Limits Music Festival Without Rita

2005-09-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

No Rita = HOT HOT HOT!
Had a great time. Got to see Kasabian, Keane, Bloc Party, Ambulance Ltd., and of course the band that actually got me to purchase a ticket to stand in the sun in 105 degree weather - FRANZ FERDINAND. Loverly, just loverly. Beautiful boys!!! Best show ever although rather short. (Got pics but Kate has them right now so I will put them up as soon as she sends them too me).

For bands we just sat in the shade but didn't actually "watch", we heard Doves, Death Cab for Cutie, and some of Kaiser Chiefs (before the people around us got too noisy to hear them, really sad I missed them though cause I really like them).

I wished we could have seen The Bravery and The Arcade Fire but crap happens and that crap was waiting for three hours with for FF to come play (we were REALLY close though)! During those three hours I almost got into a fight with some little shit who wouldn't be still or shut up, had to endure Jason Mraz fans, had to endure Jason Mraz (not so bad but his fans were annoying), stand in the heat, BUT it was worth it all to see Alex, Bob, Nick, and Paul! Before the show started I was watching the boys milling around behind the stage but I don't think anyone else noticed but I was nice enough to point it out to Kate who got to watch Bob milling about.

All in all it was a really great weekend, I got a light burn and got to see some really great bands, however I think next year I will go to a festival in England where the temperatures are far kinder.

Thank you to Kate for enduring the sun with me and I am really glad you got to see Bob and his little smirky smile.

Thank you to Sarah for being as nice and funny in person as you are on your blog.

Thank you to Susan for putting the Bush countdown on my blog so I can remember that everything comes to an end.

PS - I tried to give them a chance but the Fiery Furnaces really sucked. I did sit through their whole show (in the shade of course) but it was really horrible. I would liken it to Karen Carpenter trying to sing punk. Even Kate got annoyed which was really, really amusing! Thanks, Kate!

Austin Vs. Rita

2005-09-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

I was happy to hear that Rita (for the most part) missed Naked Boy. However, I am going to Austin this weekend for the Austin City Limits Festival (starring tons of bands including Franz Ferdinand and Coldplay) and the rains from Rita are supposed to pass through on Saturday. This will make for a very wet crowd BUT who cares, THE BANDS, MAN, THE BANDS. Kasabian, Keane, Aqualung, Franz, Coldplay, Ambulance Ltd... The only thing that could make this weekend more perfect would be for Snow Patrol to be playing.

Say, Do You Happen To Miss The Most Wonderful President We've Ever Had

2005-09-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

And if you did, are you cryin now? I read an article today (Sunday) on comments Clinton made about how the current administration has handled the whole New Orleans disaster and it makes me admire him all the more. Why, oh why, do people think Bush is a strong leader. I seriously doubt he can find his way out of the Oval Office bathroom without the help of Rove and Scotty.

Why do people like Bush? Cause he is a Christian? Bullshit, he's not more a Christian than my keyboard is. He's a Christian Opportunist.

Is it because he is one of the common people, a guy like everyone else? Only if everyone else was a millionaire, owned a chunk of Texas, and had ties to the Royal Saudi Family.

A strong leader, maybe? Do strong leaders hide in their homes and let daddy do all the talking when thousands of people are killed in terrorist attacks?

Tell me why...

Stellastarr* Cannot Be Found

2005-09-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Sad times are a happenin' boys and girls. Went to Target to get the new Stellastarr*, didn't have it. Went to Best Buy, didn't have it. I live in Loserville and there are no other stores that might have it other than Barnes & Noble or Border and while I LOVE Stellastarr*, I can't see paying $20 for a cd I can get for $12 somewhere else. Bastards.

Chock Full O'Wingnutty Goodness

2005-09-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you Naked Boy for the Robertson post. I would probably never have heard about that if you hadn't blogged it. The man is completely bonkers. For more wingnutty fun visit World O'Crap .

It's very strange that I can think of hundreds of things to blog about before I actually sign onto Blogger but once I am there, I go blank and the only things I can think to blog are things I can't really talk about on here. For instance, I can say I make crap at my job but I can't really go into the full rant and bitch here just in case someone "important" happens upon this. You never know...it happened to Dooce.

I like this picture, there's something powerful about it. Probably because I am a librarian and I hate when people try to ban books.

Gah!! I have nothing to say. Stamp me as lame and send me to Kansas.

Susan is a Sneaky Little Creep

2005-09-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, yes, I know I have been quite remiss about posting. I did really good for a week and then just let it slide. Sarah wants a long post so I will try to do my best.

I am proud of myself, not only did I book tickets to the Australian Symphony but I also booked the hotel for Sydney. It is hard to book a hotel in a city you have never been too. I had to go online and read a million reviews but I found a cheap hotel, close to everything (including a metro station), and it had way more good reviews than bad. Plus the bad ones mainly had to do with not liking the staff. Hey, if no roaches cross you in the night, then it's a pretty good place as far as I am concerned. I am not moving in, I am just sleeping there for three nights because I will be spending the days out in the city.

WOW!! Next weekend is ACLF. Unfortunately Kate has to work a half day and we will miss Kasabian (and the baby jesus) but I got to see them not too long ago so I am ok with that. However, it just gives me one more reason to hate my where I work.
We will not miss Franz Ferdinand though. I don't care what is going on - Flood, Fire, Famine, Street Preachers - I will not miss seeing Alexxx, Bob, Nick and Paul. I had to miss them last year when they were in Dallas. I really want to tuck Alexxx under my arm and run off with him. He's built like a 2x8, tall and narrow, and he can't be that heavy. (Stealing pictures is wrong so I would like to credit this picture to Getty Images, which is who I borrowed it from without permission, Thank you very much.)

Someday I am going to find my seventh grade picture and post it so you can all have a good laugh. Someday I will take pictures of something interesting and post them too so my blog is not all text and boring.

I think that is all right now. Rather random and extrememly unfunny but sometimes that is me.

Hi, my name in Linda and I don't know how to post

2005-09-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Mini Vs. Nano

2005-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

I JUST got an iPod Mini. I love it. I also have a Dell Pocket Jukebox. I love it too but this is an Apple post.

So now they have this Nano thing! It's small and has a colour screen (Hey, look, we put colour on this one, look at the pretty colours...). It also only has a 2GB or 4GB drive. However that drive is a Flashdrive as opposed to an actual hard drive. But why would I pay $200 for a 2GB Flashdrive? Cause it has colour? Cause it's a miniscule amount smaller than the mini? No, I would only do it because it comes in black. Black plastic that is which mean I would immediately drop it and crack the case.
I love my 6GB Mini. It's little and it's silver. AND I JUST GOT IT!! So, for how long will they have the accessories for the mini? Should I go buy everything I can right now?

Technology, what a bastard!!

Kate and the Giant Peach

2005-09-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

I pick on Kate cause it makes her blush and say "LINDA!!!" and "What is wrong with you?!?" which i think is funny. I am rotten and I like it.

Anyway, Kate likes peaches, especially the smooth ones although fuzzy is ok too. I like peaches too. I think everyone who reads this post does.

I also like the part in Willie Wonka (the new one) where the grandma says, "You smell like peanuts, I like peanuts." but it sounds like penis which makes it something I went around for days (and still occasionally do) repeating.

However, when it comes to talking to a guy I am interested in, I can't talk to him. What is up with that?

To tie all this together - I can pretty much say anything without getting embarrassed but I can't talk to someone I am interested in because I have no confidence. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

Tagged by a Naked Gay Boy

2005-09-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Naked Boy so here are my 7's and my taggin. Boy, taggin is hard work (whining like the Preznit of the US, I am).

7 things I plan to do before I die:
Sleep with the boy who works at Pazzo’s
Visit all of Europe
Get a job as a Reference Librarian
Learn a foreign language
Go back to Rievaulx Abbey
Have something published
Learn to play bass

7 things I can do:
Write
Cook anything
Be goofy (or bitch a lot) to make others laugh
Help out my friends in need
Sing like crazy in the car
Walk in really high heels
Fix minor things on my car

7 things I cannot do:
Stress out for more than 10 minutes
Use semicolons and commas correctly half the time
Walk away when it's over (I stole this one from Naked Boy. I wish I could do this)
Forget Brandon (the little bastard)
Pee standing up
Walk out of my job without having another (damn bills)
Be mean to people

7 things that attract me to the same or opposite sex:
Beautiful hands
Spikey hair
Tall boys
Sense of humor
Intelligence
Pretty faces
Kindness

7 things that I say most often:
Assorted curse words (most often said while driving)
I hate my job
I want a grande iced decaf Americano
I want those shoes
Peesh
I’d like to bite him
Here’s some advice for you…

7 celebrity crushes:
Alex Kapranos
Eric Szmanda
Shawn Christensen
Gary Lightbody (when he sings the word dear, I just want to melt)
Rupert Everett (so what if he’s gay, hot is hot)
The naked boy on the rock in the Jeff Palmer’s Temptation
The Sprint Guy

7 people I want to do this to:
Kester
Runner Susan
Masson Family (but only the ones who can type)
Leigha's Mom
Adamentyne
and sadly I don't know any more people with blogs

(Liberal) Blogger Respect and Grande Orders of Funk Ass

2005-09-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

I love Starbucks, even more than high heeled shoes. I love my Starbucks cause they love me and know me. I like that. I also like when we discuss drinks called Funk Ass (caramel apple cider made with inferior apple juice) in the drive thru window.

I have suddenly discovered a newfound respect for bloggers (the liberal sort mind you, the rest of them are still on the list o' poo spewers I don't like). It's really hard to post something everyday and make it as sparkling and witty as all my previous post have been. It really cuts into the time I spend staring into space or playing PS2. Life is so hard.

Today is Kate the Great's B-Day

2005-09-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

Today Kate is 27. Kate is so close to being REALLY old you can almost hear her bones creaking. Kate has Bob in her cubicle and he brought her a package. Ask Kate what is in the package. Pictures will be posted later. Stay tuned.

Otherwise, for once I have nothing to bitch about. Write it on your calendar, this doesn't happen very often.

Posting and Making Dough

2005-08-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Mood: Just here. Listening to: some little shit in a squeeky chair.
The library is fairly quiet tonight. Nice. It is my last night here which makes me sort of sad. Not sad that I won't have to drive 40 min in rush hour traffic to get here, not sad that I am not still in school which would enable me to stay here (making 15 an hour to answer questions and to post on here), but sad that I won't be in a library environment anymore. I think I have to go be sad now for about 15 min and then do some OT for my other "job".

Spam Live

2005-08-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Mood: Good as it can be at the moment. Listening to: Kasabian - Cutt Off.
Well, thank God for word verification. I didn't get a visit from the spam fairies but everyone else did. Of course, I don't have porn words like tongue (Susan) or finance (Kate) in MY profile. Take a lesson ladies and list the fact that you are a minister. No one messes with God!!

Less than a month until ACLF!! Life is good.

Hurricanes, God's Love, and Voting

2005-08-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

Current Mood: Just here. Listening to: Kasabian - Bang
So, here's a question--when the tsunami hit Southeast Asian it was because God hated them (according to our televangelists and the insects that follow them), so when hurricane after hurricane hits the southeastern United States whose fault is that? It's definitely a sign that you should not vote republican.

Forced Posting

2005-08-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

Mood: Pissy. Listening to: Office noise.
No Starbucks as yet today. I have this love affair going with that place. It's a good thing there are 5 within a 2 mile radius of my apartment.
I wanted to blog about crappy drivers but since my morning commute went from 40 min to 30 seconds, there's not a lot to talk about there.
Susan is making me post. Mean Susan.

Piss and Moan

2005-08-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I do a lot of that in real life so you can expect that I will do it here as well. Anyway, thanks Susan for the header. No, I am not really a goth (anymore) but I play one on blogger. I have no idea what to write at the moment so I guess I will just post this so Susan and Kate will have something to read. I need Starbucks...