Inadvertant Design

You wouldn't think it, but being a Librarian has given me way more variety than I ever thought possible. Obviously the whole reference question thing is the basis of it all... but it only blooms from there. One minute I'm a computer tech and the next I'm an event planner.

Our latest event has turned me into something completely different - a fashion show coordinator. This is, of course, something I would have never expected. Particularly as fashion is obviously not my forte. Though, perhaps I can claim craftiness.

But thankfully it's not just the fashion thing (I love Project Runway as much as the next person... but I'm no guru. Obvs). Of course, I didn't realize how much more it would take to plan a fashion show rather than one of our regular programs. It significantly more, actually.

To be specific, the program is going to be BUBBLE WRAP FASHION!!! YAY! What a great idea, huh? I can't claim it - is was one of my coworkers. Genius, I say! (ps i have no idea who this chick is... it was the only non-risque pic of someone wearing bubble wrap.) Anyway, this program is going to be awesome.

That is, if I can get it together. This means picking music, decorations, prizes, etc. so much more than I really wanted to get myself into... but there it is.

It just reminds me so much that being a Librarian (specifically for teens/kids) is just tons more than just answering reference questions. I guess I'm thankful for that - at least, I will be when the stress wears off from doing these programs.

Whew! Fashion design, here I come!! w000t! :)

Fall is Upon Us!

Contrary to what you may believe, I do actually pull my head out of books sometimes. Today I've realized that Fall is upon us. I am, of course, shocked by it... because I'm pretty sure I was thinking about how hot it was days ago. And when I say "days," it's possible that I really mean "weeks." That's how time is moving for me at the moment.

I suppose it hit me mostly this morning when I woke up freezing - and then came to work to hang my Fall-themed sign for a display. Go figure. The taking-out-of-the-AC-unit yesterday only gave me a vague notion that it might not get hot anymore... but it still didn't hit home. I guess I'm unobservant like that.

Of course, Fall means that work is back in the groove of having our after school kids coming in... and then being kicked out. Always fun. I've only been cursed at twice so far - so I'm doing pretty good! And our programs and stuff are about to kick off (which has been stressful, but it will be a nice chance of pace once we get things going).

I'm really not used to needing a coat in the mornings - which has resulted in me being very cold walking to work. Maybe I'll start hanging some sort of coat on the door handle so it's impossible for me to leave without one. Knowing me, that probably won't work... but doesn't hurt to have good intentions.

Speaking of good intentions - I've given up candy. This doesn't sound like that big of a thing... if you don't know me. Lately I've realized exactly how much candy I'm attacking and it's just not good. My teeth are pretty much going to fall out, I'm sure. But yeah. I'm on day four right now - and it hasn't been easy. The darn vending machine at work has decided to be stocked with some of my faves. It's totally against me. But I'm staying strong and hoping I don't die of lack-of-sugar-poisoning :). I'm sure that exists.

Complaints, Etc.

There is something so brain-numbing about waking up early for work. By early, I mean 6:30am. I'm used to doing 7:45 or 8... but this early stuff is killing me. Especially when I worked till 9pm the night before...

You know, I used to get up early every day. My previous job was in a school, so I was always up around that time. Sure didn't take me long to get used to sleeping in. I think one of my other problems with this early stuff is that I only have to do it once a week. Meaning, I'll never get in the habit of doing it. I'd rather not... but still.

Enough complaining. This weekend I went to see 9.

Honestly, I really liked it. I didn't know much about it - but really the trailers don't give much info. I thought it was really well done and I'd definitely recommend it if you're into animated movies.

It was a lot more "steam punk" than I expected it to be. Kind of a what-would-happen-after-humans-are-taken-over-by-machines story. It was more in the action/adventure/almost thriller.

Anyway, I liked it and recommend it.

I'm really just writing about it to keep my brain-juices flowing and not drop my head on my desk for a nap. It doesn't help that our office is FREEZING. As in, I almost brought in a scarf and cap to sit in the office with. Unnecessary blowing AC is very unfortunate. I'm hoping I don't get sick from it. Alas.

I'm off to get some work done, I suppose. Wish me luck!

Milestone Time!

I've had a bit of a milestone around here. Yesterday marked two years that I have lived and worked in New York. Kind of exciting, huh?

Luckily that anniversary is pretty easy for me to remember. On my first day, there was a special activity that only happens once a year - the staff appreciation breakfast. It always happens around the same time - so really.... the breakfast is for me to celebrate my yearly anniversary.

Some days I really can't believe I've been here that long. Others, I feel like I've been here much longer. I suppose that's how it is everywhere... and everyone thinks that... I was just having my moment :).

Reading Challenge

In past years I've tried to set a number of books to read in that year - really it's taken the place of my "new years resolution." Last year I read 80 books... and i was pretty proud of myself. I think I'm still just excited to be able to read without having school stuff get in the way. Everything I've read is because I want to. It's a wonderful freedom.

This year I found an online book challenge to give me a different sort of goal. The 999 challenge. Sounds daunting, doesn't it?

The whole thing is that you read nine books in nine categories in 2009. That would be a total of 81 books - giving me a little lead on last year's number... but some people also took another level of the challenge and tried to do it by 09/09/09.... yesterday. I almost made it. I lack two books (both classics, of course). But I've read more than 9 in some categories... so perhaps it still counts as complete. Right? Right.

I figured I needed to branch out of my fantasy/sci fi/favorite authors stuff and read something else. And I have to say, it has made me a better librarian for it. I've actually been able to talk about books that I wouldn't have had any idea about before. I would totally recommend doing this to anyone who is an avid reader. It totally broadens your scope.

So I guess I'm going to write my book list here. I'll put stars next to the ones that I loved the most :). Those aren't the only ones I recommend though. Enjoy!

Young Adult Fiction Challenge

Realistic Fiction

Caught Between the Pages - Merlene Carvell

Undone - Brook Taylor

Cracked Up to Be - Courtney Summers

Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta

Peeled - Joan Bauer **

Beauty Shop for Rent... - Laura Bowers

Boot Camp - Todd Strasser

Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress - Maria Padian

Same Difference - Siobhan Vivian **

Mystery/Adventure

Dead is the New Black - Marlene Perez

Dirty Laundry - Daniel Ehrenhaft

School for Dangerous Girls - Eliot Schreiber

Dead is a State of Mind - Marlene Perez

Max (A Maximum Ride Novel) - James Patterson

Death By Bikini - Linda Gerber

Princess of the Midnight Ball - Jessica Day George **

Gentlemen - Michael Northrop

The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong **

Death by Latte - Linda Gerber

Science Fiction

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins **
Skinned - Robin Wasserman **

GemX - Nicky Singer

Dangerous Days of Daniel X - James Patterson

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Leviathan - Scott Westerfeld

Neptune's Children - Bonnie Dobkin

The Carbon Diaries - Saci Lloyd **

The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Mary E Pearson

Fantasy/Horror

Dragon's Keep - Janet Lee Carey

Generation Dead - Daniel Waters **

Gregor the Overlander - Suzanne Collins

Lord of Misrule (A Morganville Vampires Novel) - Rachel Caine

Shadow Kiss (A Vampire Academy Novel) - Richelle Mead

Sucks to be Me - Kimberly Pauley

Fragile Eternity - Melissa Marr

Persistance of Memory - Amelia Atwater Rhodes

Impossible - Nancy Werlin **

City of Glass (Mortal Instruments Series) - Cassandra Clare **

Hunted: a House of Night Novel - PC and Kristin Cast

The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan **

Evermore -Alyson Noel

Historical Fiction

Ivy - Julie Hearn

Envy (A Luxe novel)- Anna Godbersen

The Season - Sarah MacLean

Newes From the Dead - Mary Hooper

The Red Necklace - Sally Gardner

The Smile - Donna Jo Napoli

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing...- M.T. Anderson

Ten Cents a Dance - Christine Fletcher

A Voice of Her Own - Barbara Dana

Graphic Novels

Watchmen - Alan Moore

Breaking Up - Aimee Friedman

Plain Janes - Cecil Castellucci

Life Sucks- Jessica Abel

Cairo - G. Willow Wilson

The Good Neighbors (Kin) - Holly Black **

Japan Ai - Aimee Major Steinberger

The Umbrella Academy - Gerard Way

Heroes (Companion to the TV show) - various authors

Urban Fiction

Hot Girl - Dream Jordan

Work What You Got - Stephanie Perry Moore

Tyrell - Coe Booth **
Shortie Like Mine - Nini Simone

Hotlanta - Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller

Push - Sapphire

Jason and Kyra - Dana Davidson

Shooter - Walter Dean Myers

Messed Up- Janet Lynch

"Chick Lit"

At Face Value - Emily Franklin

Girl v. Boy - Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

Jet Set - Carrie Karasyov

Gamer Girl - Mari Mancusi **

Being Nikki - Meg Cabot

The Girls - Tucker Shaw

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks- Lauren Myracle **

Oh. My. Gods. - Tera Lynn Childs **

Audrey, Wait! - Robin Benway **

Classics

Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

1984 - George Orwell

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest - Ken Kesey

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

A Separate Peace - John Knowles

The Stranger - Albert Camus

(two more classics to be added... once I read them :))

Sorry for the length... but that's how it goes, I suppose :).

Danger Cart Activities

I've been meaning to write about this for a while now. It's something near and dear to my heart. You see... my Danger Cart and I have been in a great, working relationship for over a year now.

And it just baffles me when I see Danger Carts being mistreated.

Seriously, I love my Danger Cart. For those of you who have cars and whatnot, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Some people call them Granny Carts... I believe the official term for them is "laundry cart." But mine! Mine is the Danger Cart!

It may not look so dangerous, but don't be deceived. It's totally dangerous in it's own way. It can totally run people over. I know. I've done it..... Kidding. Kinda.

Now, I do realize that the advertisements for such carts say things like, "has countless uses..." or "for a multitude of chores..." But there is one thing those advertisements need to specify (as silly as it may seem).

THIS IS NOT A RIDE FOR CHILDREN!!!

I know it may look like a stroller (use your imagination), but it's really not. Lately I've been noticing an increasing number of children riding along in their parents danger carts. This is NOT OKAY! We have begun to affectionately call it "Rollercoastering." The kids sometimes look like they're having too much fun.

Let me tell you - it's pretty hard to get a picture of this without looking like a stalker or something. But boyfriend extraordinaire pulled it off. I don't know if you can see it, but there are THREE kids in that poor danger cart.

I don't have proof cause my little camera phone couldn't hack it, but I have actually seen a DOG rollercoastering. It was in a kind of scared/surfing stance and pretty much frozen with terror. I would be too, little dog.

There is one other danger cart activity that I would like to take issue with - Columbusing. It's mostly seen in this area, but it's a bit disturbing. The image you are about to see could cause mental damage. View with caution.

There are people in this neighborhood that do a version of dumpster diving that has apparently been accepted as okay around here. I suppose it's easier as everyone's trash sits out on the sidewalk on trash days (twice a week).

You may be looking at this cart as a great recycling tool - look at all those cans! But in reality, those cans are going to be traded for coins. This is how you know you don't live in the most high income area. Ahem.

The moral to the story is...
If you see danger cart abuse, please report it. We've got to work together to save these useful and wonderful creatures. They don't deserve this treatment. Won't you call to sponsor a danger cart today?

Birfday Week!!

Back when I was making my vacation schedule, I did something smart. I took off an entire week for my birthday. In past years, I have taken off the day of, or a few days surrounding it... but never the whole week. And let me tell you... it's been blissful!

The first few days, we just took delight in sleeping in and playing video games and reading (well, the reading is just me). I think I've finished four books on this vacation - and started a fifth... ahem.

Then on Monday we opted to get out and go somewhere.... namely Coney Island. I had been down there before - but that was all before the big move to the city. Boyfriend extraordinaire had never been there and was anxious to see it - even though it did make him nostalgic for living five minutes from a beach (which he has had his whole life until now). We didn't so much get into doing a beach day as we did walking the boardwalk and people watching - of which there is TONS. We also found an arcade that has his ultimate, favorite, most wonderful arcade game ever... it's an xmen six player game. Apparently we're going to own it one day. Ahem.

Tuesday was really a shopping day - my choice... which it usually isn't. But I had some coupons (of course), so I decided to treat myself. So we shopped and that night we went to see Bruno. It was... uhm... interesting. That was the boyfriend's choice, but he was also a huge Borat fan. I'm indifferent, I suppose.

Wednesday was my actual birthday - and we went down to the Lower East Side to go to a restaurant I've been wanting to go to. It's called Peanut Butter Co... everything they have is some type of peanut butter sandwich. yum!!! We also went to a video game store that specializes in old stuff... and there's tons of it. Boyfriend was in heaven. I also got one of the worlds best fruit tarts for my "birthday cake" slash treat. This is why I love Martha's Bakery!!

Anyway, on Thursday I did a massive amount of laundry that I had been putting off... then I spent the afternoon being pampered. Hello mani/pedi! The place was wonderful and fairly inexpensive. I'm totally going back sometime. Then I had to pack and pack some more.

On Friday I traveled to Nashville to visit with my family for a few days. I got to see everyone I wanted to see... which is a miracle :) - even if some were only for a moment. I also got to see my lil' brother's new pad... I am jealous of all the space in their apartment... but alas. I did birthday dinner with the whole fam, which was awesome. And it was made even more awesome by chocolate mousse crepes with raspberry puree... my prefered birthday "cake." I also had the charge of going through some of my boxes that I left down there - mostly of books. I went through a few, but the boxes seem never ending. But I suppose that's the way it is sometimes.

I had the flight from Hades last night trying to get home... let's just say I finally got back about an hour and a half later than we were supposed to. I'm just glad I had a good book to get me through!

Now I have one last day to be lazy and peaceful before I throw myself back into work - which is not at all going to start off slow. It will be more like being shot from a cannon. Looking forward to that. Ahem. I'm off to enjoy my last day of freedom!