Over the past couple of years, I've commented about the focus on teens and a lack of library service to young adults--which by my definition is people over 18.
Following the discussions I had with people at ALA last summer, I kept editing and working on a draft about what kind of programs to offer, what focuses I saw missing, and this general issue of a lack of outreach to a big part of our tax base.
This morning I had the chance to express my feelings on a broader level. I entered the LISNews Essay Competition with the following: Don't Forget About Us.
I wrote that essay for myself, for the Blonde and the Brunette, for AudioGirl, My Friend the Lawyer, LibraryChic, Sibling-the-Elder and Younger, and the other friends who look at me like I'm crazy when I suggest that they use their local public library. It's sad when my friends will call me--two time zones away--rather than reach out to their local resources. Not that I don't appreciate the validation that they think I'll be able to find the impossible, but they have free resources closer to home.
Showing posts with label sibling-the-younger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sibling-the-younger. Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 07, 2009
A Tiny Taste of Spring
When I left the house at nearly 2 p.m., it was nearly 40 degrees.
These high 30 degree temperatures are ones where I'll willingly go outside! And, since once never knows truly if within three days we'll be faced with a foot of snow and nothing but grey skies, I headed for the walking trail.
Alongside a drainage ditch (I assume...it's about 10' high and concrete but there's a little water draining into it from somewhere) and the train tracks, there's a very nice walking trail. It's not a picturesque forest trail, situated as it is between the backs of houses and the train, but there are trees and a little bit of grass on either side and it's peaceful and it's located just across the street, which is really most convenient.
Armed with earphones, my Rose-Hulman mug of tea (courtesy of Sibling-the-Younger) and-wonder of wonders--only a jacket, it was onward. The listening was Cast On, a knitting podcast by Brenda Dayne. I'm woefully behind on all but one of my pods but I'm starting to work through the near gigabyte of backlog.
Today was obviously the first day of really nice weather we've seen in six weeks. I've never seen the walking trail that busy. Not that we were tumbling over each other but there was a steady stream of couples, dog walkers, people out jogging, a pair of tweens--one with heely-shoes, and a biker. And, of course, me, headed generally south and geeking out on a knitting podcast.
It was a pleasant walk for all the navigating people. There were dips where water covered the walkway and I'm hoping the rain due for Monday will wash away some of the remainders the dogs have left behind. I acknowledged a couple of people, no one I knew, but each of us firmly determined to get outside today and enjoy a little bit of sunshine. There was a general sense of well-being and yes, we would get outside again and we were going to embrace these warmer temps!
Returning home an hour later, I had only one little complaint. I'd neglected to wear any sort of glove or mitt and the jacket I'd worn wasn't especially meant to help keep my hands warm. So my hands were stiff with chill and even yet are a little sore. I've been pretty good about wearing heavy gloves this winter, though not even fleece seems to ward off the arctic temperatures we've had. Once some of the current projects are done, perhaps I'll get to some mitts for myself.
Tomorrow looks to be another nice, albeit cool, day. Perhaps I'll get out again. Spending time outside like this is such a necessity, especially as we've not hit March yet and I don't think winter's blown her last breath.
These high 30 degree temperatures are ones where I'll willingly go outside! And, since once never knows truly if within three days we'll be faced with a foot of snow and nothing but grey skies, I headed for the walking trail.
Alongside a drainage ditch (I assume...it's about 10' high and concrete but there's a little water draining into it from somewhere) and the train tracks, there's a very nice walking trail. It's not a picturesque forest trail, situated as it is between the backs of houses and the train, but there are trees and a little bit of grass on either side and it's peaceful and it's located just across the street, which is really most convenient.
Armed with earphones, my Rose-Hulman mug of tea (courtesy of Sibling-the-Younger) and-wonder of wonders--only a jacket, it was onward. The listening was Cast On, a knitting podcast by Brenda Dayne. I'm woefully behind on all but one of my pods but I'm starting to work through the near gigabyte of backlog.
Today was obviously the first day of really nice weather we've seen in six weeks. I've never seen the walking trail that busy. Not that we were tumbling over each other but there was a steady stream of couples, dog walkers, people out jogging, a pair of tweens--one with heely-shoes, and a biker. And, of course, me, headed generally south and geeking out on a knitting podcast.
It was a pleasant walk for all the navigating people. There were dips where water covered the walkway and I'm hoping the rain due for Monday will wash away some of the remainders the dogs have left behind. I acknowledged a couple of people, no one I knew, but each of us firmly determined to get outside today and enjoy a little bit of sunshine. There was a general sense of well-being and yes, we would get outside again and we were going to embrace these warmer temps!
Returning home an hour later, I had only one little complaint. I'd neglected to wear any sort of glove or mitt and the jacket I'd worn wasn't especially meant to help keep my hands warm. So my hands were stiff with chill and even yet are a little sore. I've been pretty good about wearing heavy gloves this winter, though not even fleece seems to ward off the arctic temperatures we've had. Once some of the current projects are done, perhaps I'll get to some mitts for myself.
Tomorrow looks to be another nice, albeit cool, day. Perhaps I'll get out again. Spending time outside like this is such a necessity, especially as we've not hit March yet and I don't think winter's blown her last breath.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Facing a Fresh Landscape
There's a fresh layer of snow dusting over the older snow outside for the new year. While, if at all possible, I have absolutely no intention of leaving the building today, it is a good time for a bit of reflection and planning.
Last year was in two pretty distinct sections:
Before August
After August
Before August was mostly focused here in La Crosse and on work. I orchestrated our Knitting in Public Day, started a kids knitting group, went to PLA, did summer reading in La Crosse, worked on my databases and went to Sibling-the-Younger's graduation. I went on two different yarn diets. I made one flying trip out to New York and a couple down to Chicago to hang out with the Kickers and AudioGirl, but beyond that it was a pretty mellow spring.
And then August hit. My immediate supervisor retired, I flew to New York for a wedding shower and then flew out to Colorado to spend a week with the Tech Sergeant. I came back, drove to the Incredibly-Patient-Mother's for a dress alteration, flew back to New York for a wedding, took on the care and feeding of the chapter book collection, went back to Chicago and caught up with a lot of people I see only sporadically. I started NaNoWriMo though I didn't finish, got braces, and cut a foot off my hair. I flew to Atlanta and bought a tea and coffee pot, knitted until my hands nearly fell off, and went back to the Incredibly-Patient-Mother's for a week at the holidays.
This year lies before me with a lot of potential. Certainly today is not all that different from yesterday but with a new January ahead of me, there seems to be many fresh options.
Goals for 2009:
1) Use things -- I have tea, yarn, books...so many things that are here waiting for me. When they start feeling like clutter rather than things I enjoy, it's time to use up or get rid of rather than hold on indefinitely.
2) Knit for myself. I talk a lot about knitting but almost always it's for other people. Call it selfish but I want some warm woolly things for me.
3) Write for more than just my blog audience. I need a better collection of rejection emails and letters and possibly some acceptances too.
4) Scrapbook old papers. Not the incredibly matted, decorated, and beribboned, just the "here's a paper, here's something from junior high" with some notes on the side about why I kept it.
5) Survive braces....20 months to go.
6) Get my books into LibraryThing.
I wish you big and conquerable goals in 2009 and good health for the new year. With hugs, best wishes and a clean but already filling calendar,
Happy 2009
Abigail
Last year was in two pretty distinct sections:
Before August
After August
Before August was mostly focused here in La Crosse and on work. I orchestrated our Knitting in Public Day, started a kids knitting group, went to PLA, did summer reading in La Crosse, worked on my databases and went to Sibling-the-Younger's graduation. I went on two different yarn diets. I made one flying trip out to New York and a couple down to Chicago to hang out with the Kickers and AudioGirl, but beyond that it was a pretty mellow spring.
And then August hit. My immediate supervisor retired, I flew to New York for a wedding shower and then flew out to Colorado to spend a week with the Tech Sergeant. I came back, drove to the Incredibly-Patient-Mother's for a dress alteration, flew back to New York for a wedding, took on the care and feeding of the chapter book collection, went back to Chicago and caught up with a lot of people I see only sporadically. I started NaNoWriMo though I didn't finish, got braces, and cut a foot off my hair. I flew to Atlanta and bought a tea and coffee pot, knitted until my hands nearly fell off, and went back to the Incredibly-Patient-Mother's for a week at the holidays.
This year lies before me with a lot of potential. Certainly today is not all that different from yesterday but with a new January ahead of me, there seems to be many fresh options.
Goals for 2009:
1) Use things -- I have tea, yarn, books...so many things that are here waiting for me. When they start feeling like clutter rather than things I enjoy, it's time to use up or get rid of rather than hold on indefinitely.
2) Knit for myself. I talk a lot about knitting but almost always it's for other people. Call it selfish but I want some warm woolly things for me.
3) Write for more than just my blog audience. I need a better collection of rejection emails and letters and possibly some acceptances too.
4) Scrapbook old papers. Not the incredibly matted, decorated, and beribboned, just the "here's a paper, here's something from junior high" with some notes on the side about why I kept it.
5) Survive braces....20 months to go.
6) Get my books into LibraryThing.
I wish you big and conquerable goals in 2009 and good health for the new year. With hugs, best wishes and a clean but already filling calendar,
Happy 2009
Abigail
Monday, December 01, 2008
Holiday Wool....
The more I knit, the more ideas I get of things I should knit for people for Christmas. So then I cast those projects on and think of more things. It's a loop that is set to run right up until around 6 p.m. Christmas day--when I'll probably have seen all of the people who are receiving Christmas knits. At which point I'll have to start after-Christmas knits (maybe some stuff for me?) because a) I live in freezing Wisconsin and b) my hands will be so used to constantly knitting that I'll have to work on something to maintain my sanity.
No, unfortunately I'm not joking. I knitted pretty much non-stop last year in December and by the time I finished the holiday projects I was quite literally unable to just sit and converse. Fortunately, the Incredibly Patient Mother had some knitting tucked away that I could work on to keep from just sitting in a very fidgety manner.
Things to note: I never want to knit another pair of gloves ever again in my entire life. Sibling-the-Younger requested a pair and while this was a first from a family member (knitted request), I don't think I'll be doing more of these any time soon. I can do a pair of fingerless mitts in about 8 hours. With fingers nearly doubles the time and I had 9 double pointed knitting needles in one glove at one point.
I am trying a new pattern for a number of gifts this year: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. Jared's patterns have been received with high acclaim and this one is pretty addictive. Of course, I did have to come in this morning with one of the finished products and track down a couple of male coworkers to double check size but I certainly would recommend this pattern! The rest of the knitting world is doing the Noro scarf (again, Jared Flood) --- I'm making hats. Hey, they only take 3-4 hours. Another coworker seemed stunned when I mentioned how long they take to make. Yes, there's time involved, which is why I'm knitting mostly for people I am closely related to. But it's four hours of time at home, with an audiobook or a movie or a friend on the phone. When I finally catch up with the Tech Sergeant, it's good to be able to sit down and knit something moderately mindless while I'm hearing all the details.
So, that's my plan for December. Me and the wool.
No, unfortunately I'm not joking. I knitted pretty much non-stop last year in December and by the time I finished the holiday projects I was quite literally unable to just sit and converse. Fortunately, the Incredibly Patient Mother had some knitting tucked away that I could work on to keep from just sitting in a very fidgety manner.
Things to note: I never want to knit another pair of gloves ever again in my entire life. Sibling-the-Younger requested a pair and while this was a first from a family member (knitted request), I don't think I'll be doing more of these any time soon. I can do a pair of fingerless mitts in about 8 hours. With fingers nearly doubles the time and I had 9 double pointed knitting needles in one glove at one point.
I am trying a new pattern for a number of gifts this year: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. Jared's patterns have been received with high acclaim and this one is pretty addictive. Of course, I did have to come in this morning with one of the finished products and track down a couple of male coworkers to double check size but I certainly would recommend this pattern! The rest of the knitting world is doing the Noro scarf (again, Jared Flood) --- I'm making hats. Hey, they only take 3-4 hours. Another coworker seemed stunned when I mentioned how long they take to make. Yes, there's time involved, which is why I'm knitting mostly for people I am closely related to. But it's four hours of time at home, with an audiobook or a movie or a friend on the phone. When I finally catch up with the Tech Sergeant, it's good to be able to sit down and knit something moderately mindless while I'm hearing all the details.
So, that's my plan for December. Me and the wool.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Congratulations Are in Order
To Sibling-the-Younger who, last night, was named Valedictorian of his high school graduating class. This is an amazing accomplishment and I am incredibly proud. There will be a hedgehog venture to commencement ceremonies soon.
CONGRATS!!!!!
CONGRATS!!!!!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Random Quote Sunday: Staging the Room
Along with observing a duck who seemed to be doing spring house cleaning of her feathers, taking a detour through MN that lasted a little longer than planned, and schlepping around PLA: I bought living room furniture. Thanks to Sibling-the-Younger--it's assembled too!
And yes, I do say these things:
"I keep having visions of gracious rooms and Ektorp Tullsta."
(Come on--if you've been to IKEA, you have thought that too. )
And speaking of setting up--while trying to impress upon various people why I don't want lots of tables at the Knit In:
"I want some cozy sitting areas, I don't want it to look like a junior high lunch room."
And yes, I do say these things:
"I keep having visions of gracious rooms and Ektorp Tullsta."
(Come on--if you've been to IKEA, you have thought that too. )
And speaking of setting up--while trying to impress upon various people why I don't want lots of tables at the Knit In:
"I want some cozy sitting areas, I don't want it to look like a junior high lunch room."
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Random Quote Sunday: A Fabulous Excuse
The Incredibly-Patient-Mother and Sibling-the-Younger are in for the weekend. While there is definite quote potential tomorrow, I'm reaching you early for now.
When next you need a reason to call in sick?
"I'm sorry, I won't be in.... my ears are fatigued." (Evan @ Popgadget)
Thanks Evan :)
When next you need a reason to call in sick?
"I'm sorry, I won't be in.... my ears are fatigued." (Evan @ Popgadget)
Thanks Evan :)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sharing in Google Reader
When I first started using Google Reader, I didn't really pay much attention to the "Share" option at the bottom of each post. Other than accidentally hitting it, I wasn't using it to "share" with the world--I didn't figure the world cared that much about what I was reading.
With the upgrade that Reader made a while back, I still didn't really think much about using it. Google Reader skimmed the addresses book of my Gmail account and synced up my shared with my email inbox. Again, I don't share much so even the outrage this created with people not wanting everyone to see what they are sharing didn't really faze me.
While I understand wanting to be selective in what you're sharing--the option before this version seemed to be "share with the world" and now it's "share with the people you already email." Hmmmm.... reading the article linked above, it looks waaaaaaaaaaay too complicated trying to figure out how to reorganize so some people see stuff and others don't. Personally, I'm going to hold to the same rule I do for my blog: If the Incredibly-Patient-Mother would have a strong objection...
But I have found a few interesting surprises that are pleasing about the share option. My-Friend-the-Lawyer is into house music in a big way. I enjoy it but can't keep up with it the way he does, so instead I'm occasionally pestering him for names of who I should be listening to. Add Google Reader Share and a half dozen feeds with house mixes that he already subscribes to and tada! Now he just marks whatever he thinks I'll enjoy and we're off! This is also how he alerted me that, yes, I could now order Pizza Hut via my cell phone. While I doubt that will be happening any time soon--I can't remember the last time either of us actually ate Pizza Hut pizza but still, I'm up to speed. (Personally, I still prefer ordering pizza online when I need my half black olive/half bacon fix.)
Similarly things have been trickling in from Sibling-the-Younger (gadgetry stuff mostly), David, and a couple of other friends to whom I can't give link love.
Anyone else had interesting experiences?
Afternoon update: Apparently lots of people are interested in what's being shared--Shared items are now their own blog. Thanks to the Lovely Lady of Research Buzz!
With the upgrade that Reader made a while back, I still didn't really think much about using it. Google Reader skimmed the addresses book of my Gmail account and synced up my shared with my email inbox. Again, I don't share much so even the outrage this created with people not wanting everyone to see what they are sharing didn't really faze me.
While I understand wanting to be selective in what you're sharing--the option before this version seemed to be "share with the world" and now it's "share with the people you already email." Hmmmm.... reading the article linked above, it looks waaaaaaaaaaay too complicated trying to figure out how to reorganize so some people see stuff and others don't. Personally, I'm going to hold to the same rule I do for my blog: If the Incredibly-Patient-Mother would have a strong objection...
But I have found a few interesting surprises that are pleasing about the share option. My-Friend-the-Lawyer is into house music in a big way. I enjoy it but can't keep up with it the way he does, so instead I'm occasionally pestering him for names of who I should be listening to. Add Google Reader Share and a half dozen feeds with house mixes that he already subscribes to and tada! Now he just marks whatever he thinks I'll enjoy and we're off! This is also how he alerted me that, yes, I could now order Pizza Hut via my cell phone. While I doubt that will be happening any time soon--I can't remember the last time either of us actually ate Pizza Hut pizza but still, I'm up to speed. (Personally, I still prefer ordering pizza online when I need my half black olive/half bacon fix.)
Similarly things have been trickling in from Sibling-the-Younger (gadgetry stuff mostly), David, and a couple of other friends to whom I can't give link love.
Anyone else had interesting experiences?
Afternoon update: Apparently lots of people are interested in what's being shared--Shared items are now their own blog. Thanks to the Lovely Lady of Research Buzz!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The hedgehog has the hiccups**. Nasty violent ones that involve full body shudders and mistyped words with each one. It's a good thing I type fast and use spell check.
What a lovely holiday! My only traffic snafu was fog on the way to Chicago and drivers on the bumper who thought I should be exceeding the speed limit by far more than I was. There were moments of doubting the sanity of other drivers as we drove through patches of pea soup. Other than that though, I missed the snowstorm that dumped a foot of snow on La Crosse and instead spent a few days in Indiana--where we had a 40 degree Christmas.
It was awfully nice to be home, curl up with the family and find things to laugh about to the point of inability to breathe. Few people can make me laugh that hard anymore, but Sibling-the-Elder, Sibling-the-Younger, and the Incredibly-Patient-Mother do it every time. I also had a chance to prove my ability to still do a pretty decent job with trivia games.
With a full car, I returned yesterday (nine hours and a numb posterior later). I'm now the proud owner of a purple elephant massage toy with heating/ice pack. If you can say that one three times fast, you're doing much better than I am. (Hiccups, you know) The Incredibly-Patient-Mother outdid herself yet again, I could never possibly have expected that. Just for clarification--that is NOT my elephant on Ebay, that's just the only picture I could find.
I've nearly finished a pair of fingerless mitts for a chum. They're toasty and as soon as I can figure out how I screwed up the thumb on one of them (I didn't but I have to redo it anyway), they'll be off. Off course, all of this holiday knitting has rendered me utterly unable to just sit. I don't--I can't. I took knitting to a holiday gathering and finished an old project of said mother's because I needed SOMETHING to do with my hands. So much for sitting quietly and looking demure. Fortunately, my Godfather didn't judge and IPM just handed over the needles and yarn and watched as I turned out my 29th washcloth of 2007.
Well...I recommend the comments posted to my Christmas Wishes post. Jennie left me chuckling for quite an extended period as well as possibly discovering a new need for more bath stuff. Did you get any "you smell, have dry skin, and need better lighting gifts?" I admit to giving soap, a blow dryer (at request), and many washcloths.
More library stuff soon, lots of things coming in 2008. Just enjoying the midweek, still unpacking and holiday cheer.
Happy Week Between Christmas and New Years!! (Hic)
**These hiccups are sponsored by an out of sync breathing pattern and having nothing to do with beverages of an alcoholic nature. Please remember to breathe responsibly.
What a lovely holiday! My only traffic snafu was fog on the way to Chicago and drivers on the bumper who thought I should be exceeding the speed limit by far more than I was. There were moments of doubting the sanity of other drivers as we drove through patches of pea soup. Other than that though, I missed the snowstorm that dumped a foot of snow on La Crosse and instead spent a few days in Indiana--where we had a 40 degree Christmas.
It was awfully nice to be home, curl up with the family and find things to laugh about to the point of inability to breathe. Few people can make me laugh that hard anymore, but Sibling-the-Elder, Sibling-the-Younger, and the Incredibly-Patient-Mother do it every time. I also had a chance to prove my ability to still do a pretty decent job with trivia games.
With a full car, I returned yesterday (nine hours and a numb posterior later). I'm now the proud owner of a purple elephant massage toy with heating/ice pack. If you can say that one three times fast, you're doing much better than I am. (Hiccups, you know) The Incredibly-Patient-Mother outdid herself yet again, I could never possibly have expected that. Just for clarification--that is NOT my elephant on Ebay, that's just the only picture I could find.
I've nearly finished a pair of fingerless mitts for a chum. They're toasty and as soon as I can figure out how I screwed up the thumb on one of them (I didn't but I have to redo it anyway), they'll be off. Off course, all of this holiday knitting has rendered me utterly unable to just sit. I don't--I can't. I took knitting to a holiday gathering and finished an old project of said mother's because I needed SOMETHING to do with my hands. So much for sitting quietly and looking demure. Fortunately, my Godfather didn't judge and IPM just handed over the needles and yarn and watched as I turned out my 29th washcloth of 2007.
Well...I recommend the comments posted to my Christmas Wishes post. Jennie left me chuckling for quite an extended period as well as possibly discovering a new need for more bath stuff. Did you get any "you smell, have dry skin, and need better lighting gifts?" I admit to giving soap, a blow dryer (at request), and many washcloths.
More library stuff soon, lots of things coming in 2008. Just enjoying the midweek, still unpacking and holiday cheer.
Happy Week Between Christmas and New Years!! (Hic)
**These hiccups are sponsored by an out of sync breathing pattern and having nothing to do with beverages of an alcoholic nature. Please remember to breathe responsibly.
Monday, November 05, 2007
My Own Desk and a Pile of Paperwork
It was Day 2 at LAXPL today. I got my library card! I also started taking things in to decorate my desk. I have my own desk that I can clutter up as much as I'd like.
So there's a hedgehog there: this guy from my mom. He's very adorable. Along with that is some Diddl Maus stuff and two very cute animals from coworkers. All I need are some plants to round it out as well as an overstuffed pen cup and a dish of sugary pick me ups.
It's incredibly nice to have my own space there at work. I think sometimes we don't value personal space enough, yet even at CST they understood the need that everyone have a little two feet square of space to squish something into and leave it during the show. Here though, I can decorate and acquire cute things. I see myself taking tons of pictures with friends and liberally sprinkling my desk with them. Perhaps it's time for a new family photo...hmm-- my siblings may disagree with that.
It was also benefits orientation day. What's that you say? I actually had something involving an HR rep and orientation on various benefits? I was provided with detailed information about retirement account monies, health insurance, prescriptions, and things like that? I was? What a novel concept. It was 3 hours but you know what-- as my managing editor would say when she sent us rather unwillingly to hear about the updates-- that's a big reason of why we work. To make money and to attain these benefits. Very glad to have that orientation today, even if my head is reeling just a touch.
And I think I'm going to be taking up Runescape. I'll let you know when I burn my first shrimp.
So there's a hedgehog there: this guy from my mom. He's very adorable. Along with that is some Diddl Maus stuff and two very cute animals from coworkers. All I need are some plants to round it out as well as an overstuffed pen cup and a dish of sugary pick me ups.
It's incredibly nice to have my own space there at work. I think sometimes we don't value personal space enough, yet even at CST they understood the need that everyone have a little two feet square of space to squish something into and leave it during the show. Here though, I can decorate and acquire cute things. I see myself taking tons of pictures with friends and liberally sprinkling my desk with them. Perhaps it's time for a new family photo...hmm-- my siblings may disagree with that.
It was also benefits orientation day. What's that you say? I actually had something involving an HR rep and orientation on various benefits? I was provided with detailed information about retirement account monies, health insurance, prescriptions, and things like that? I was? What a novel concept. It was 3 hours but you know what-- as my managing editor would say when she sent us rather unwillingly to hear about the updates-- that's a big reason of why we work. To make money and to attain these benefits. Very glad to have that orientation today, even if my head is reeling just a touch.
And I think I'm going to be taking up Runescape. I'll let you know when I burn my first shrimp.
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