"It was like chloroform but she did it wrong."

On the 11th my dad turned 70 so today myself and all my siblings went out to the cabin to help him celebrate.

Many pictures were taken.

Most against our will.

I'm sure it will be all over Facebook eventually. Mom races everyone to put her pictures up first.

It was a lot of fun. I worked all day - started off at the home branch with Joe Studley then got off early so I could go to the farm. Picked up the boyfriend on the way. We had steak and hamburgers, corn, potatoes, smores, cake and all that. It was awesome.

And since it was my particularly snarky and sarcastic family many memories were made.

I don't know why but every time Bubby and I are at the cabin we have a tendency to quote Finding Nemo.

Not the whole movie, just two lines. "You touched the butt." and "You guys made me ink."

Pretty sure I covered that here: I Speak Whale

So that was constant.

And then of course, the boyfriend likes to tease me.

And there's this freaking electronic horse that Dad has at the cabin that moves and like looks at you and stuff.

Here.



Anyway, I'm convinced that it's eyes just follow me around. Like literally, I'll walk in front of it and its head will follow me.

So I shared my creeped-out-ness with the boyfriend and then when I'm not looking he picks up the freakin' horse from hell, stands behind me and waits for me to turn around. I, not realizing this, turn around and come face to face with it and scream bloody murder.

It was not very ladylike.

But it was censored.

Which is rare in terms of my screaming.

So there was that.

Also, the boyfriend has decided that since I make more money than he does that he's going to quit his job and become a stay-at-home dad.

I'm fine with that. He can stay home and clean the house and change all the diapers.

Though when he starts using the phrase, "hey kid, bring me another beer and i'll give you a candy bar" that may change.

Oldest Sister says there aren't enough candy bars in the world because he would also be eating them.

One day I'll come home and he'll have gained 100 pounds.

Maybe I should reconsider that offer.

Also, Mom has decided we need to take new family pictures cause the last ones we had professionally done were when Bubby was 2.

He is now 13.

We are supposed to pick different colors for our sub families.

So like the boyfriend and I are supposed to wear a color and then Oldest Sister's family will wear a different color and then Second Sister's family will wear a different color, etc. etc.

So the debate is who gets what color.

The boyfriend wants pink.

Remember how much I hate pink?

And how he likes to tease me?

At least I hope he's teasing, otherwise I'd be worried.

Brother has black.

Mom has red.

Bubby says he wants his family to wear rainbow wigs.

I'm thinking blue.

Or green maybe.

I don't know, suggestions?

Anyway, it was a lot of fun. Dad got some cool stuff. I gave him a Duck Dynasty book and some snacky food. He loves snacky foods.

And yesterday was Oldest Sister's birthday so I brought her present as well. Couple of books - "Why Mommy Drinks" is my favorite of the two cause it includes drink recipes along with parenting horror stories - and then Ripper Street on DVD.

Quotes of the Day:

Bubby: "It was like chloroform but she did it wrong."

Brother: "It's not made for this. Neither are my shoes."

Boyfriend: "Showing a lot of leg there."


and one overheard at work:

"See, doesn't that remind you of bondage?"

not even gonna try to explain that one.


Song of the Day: Song You Know But Forgot You Knew It

Hand in My Pocket - Alanis Morissette


heard this one on the way back and jammed out.

and then one played at the cabin

Four Wheel Drive - CW McCall



don't hit that fella with the banjo.

It's only fear after all.

Yes, I know I didn't post yesterday but I was all ranty and no one wants to read that.

Despite being all ranty the workday wasn't awful.

Spent the morning at the work branch and then the afternoon with Joe Studley at the home branch.

The other person on duty went home sick so they moved me over leaving only 4 people to cover the entire 4 floor building. And when I left 2 of those 4 were at lunch so...

That had to have been fun.

Joe and I had fun, but we always have fun.

After work I watched some Wipeout, did some more editing, and caught up with Sketch.

Today was much better, as you can tell I'm not all ranty so that's always a good sign.

Finally got to see the boyfriend after like a week. Our schedules have just not matched up. If he gets moved to second and it's like this on a regular basis I'm going to be ranty all the time.

We watched Dream House.



It was messed up, Scale of Awesome says 6/10.

I was entertained but confused about many things.

But it's okay, the movie was good for something as immediately following filming Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig got married.

Yes, she's officially a Bond Babe now.

After that got over we watched a little of Mr. and Mrs. Smith - which I love and I'm going to force him to watch the rest tomorrow if he's able to come up here. Again, I hate scheduling.

When did dating become about scheduling? It shouldn't come down to that, you know? Part of me wants to get married just so that it's easier on us.

Though the other part of me remains a girl about the whole thing, but it's his job to ask so I'm staying out of it.

Where was I?

Oh yeah, today, so I'm a nerd.

Which you knew.

And since it was slow today I took the opportunity to work on some booklists. This round's topics are:

-Spunky Old Men (gonna have to think of a better title for that one, but it goes along with my spunky old ladies booklist, you're smart what would you name it?)
-Banned and Challenged Nonfiction Titles (to go with Banned Books Week in September, everyone does fiction list but I'm up for the challenge)
and my personal favorite as suggested by the Old New Guy
-Million Dollar Crazies (you know like Million Dollar Baby except this is about crazy millionaires aka Donald Trump, Howard Hughes, Joan Rivers, etc.)

I'm having far too much fun looking for titles.

And that was my day.

Well, days.

On to the music and then I'm off to finish up my editing.

Song of the Day:

Fear - Stop Making Friends (acoustic)




i'm sorry but i find this highly entertaining:


though it helps to know what they're saying.


okay off to edit some more.

excited to have tomorrow off.

"Thought he could blindside me with marinara, didn't he?"

I love it when my friends are like, you have a blog?!

Yeah.

2 and a half years, 833 posts and 59,000 views later...

Thanks for the support.

It is the longest non-family relationship I've ever had.

Minus perhaps the MxPx bag.

But you can read about that here: New Shoes, the Cheese Speech, Warped Tour and MxPx

Yes, I have a blog.

And yes, for once in my life I have the patience and persistence to follow through with something.

Even if it is just rambling on virtual paper.

I know that is shocking to some people, especially since I was such an introvert when it first started.

Though years of working in public service seems to have changed that.

Which I didn't realize until it was pointed out to me.

I don't even remember how it came up, and I'm sure it's on here somewhere, but I was talking to Joe Studley and I was like, "but I am shy!" and Glee-Loving Boss just appears out of nowhere and goes "since when?!"

Ha! I found it. Go here: "I'll meet you there, I'm gonna go jam out to Gwyneth Paltrow!"

Perfect timing.

But I guess he was right.

And that was 2010, it's only gotten worse now that I'm in charge of stuff.

Speaking of being in charge of stuff, sometimes that sucks.

I had 2 people call me yesterday about volunteer work and another 2 call me today.

Yes, things do pick up in the summer, but not that much.

I have one coming in to train on Tuesday, another on Wednesday and after that I am just out of space.

Cause I already got a new one started last week!

So the suckish part is having to turn people down. Though I usually just direct them to a different branch.

That's the joy about working in a library system.

Another joy about working for a library system?

Getting to go to fun library conferences.

I know, some of you think that's an oxymoron, but I'm actually excited about this next one.

And it has great timing and placement.

Big teen event put on by the SLJ - School Library Journal, it's a magazine - it's basically a big online thing with a bunch of Young Adult authors. They talk about their books and then there's Q&A with the authors.

Gonna be fun, and guess where our session is being hosted!

The boyfriend's library.

If he even has a card there, I don't know, I haven't asked.

I should ask.

How have I not asked?

Anyway, I'm going to the library that just happens to be in his town and it's an all day thing which means I can go out there the night before and bring my cat with me cause the week after that IS CAMP J!!

I'm sure my mother is thrilled to read about that.

She just loves watching my cat while I'm gone.

But he likes the farmhouse.

And he doesn't bite there cause dad will stick him outside with the mean outdoor cats.

Plus he loves his grandma.

She hates it when I call her that.

But then she gives him Christmas presents and signs them "from grandma" so she really brings it on herself.

I don't know where I was going with this post.

Blog.

Home branch memories.

Volunteers.

SummerTeen event.

Carter.

None of those were my actual intention for this post, though frankly what was I've already forgotten.

Today was boring as the library was dead.

Came home and watched the rest of Doc Martin season two.

I'm liking it.

Mostly because it has Ash in it from Murder in Suburbia - Catherine Catz - but also because the doctor is just so rude and oblivious to all that's going on around him, it's highly entertaining.

"The Baker. The Colonel. Do these people have no names?!"

I have mentioned my amusement earlier right?

British show.

Created by Craig Ferguson.

I know, big surprise why I watch it. Watched his late show every night for like 3 years.

Anyway, grumpy doctor, used to be a successful surgeon suddenly can't stand the sight of blood, moves to a tiny town and becomes their general practitioner.

But it's hysterical, you should check it out.

Just finished season two, will have to request season three.

Think we have at least though season 5 at the library. At least I hope so.

Gotta love library DVD's.

Gonna put in another now as I fall asleep.

Though I'm exhausted - have been all day - so I won't last long.

Song of the day:

Love Jenny Lewis especially when its her and the Watson Twins.

I Met Him On A Sunday - Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins / Cold Jordan - Jenny Lewis & Johnathan Rice 


this is hysterical.

but my favorite by them is probably still...

You Are What You Love


pull another rabbit out of your hat.

she's quite good live.

i know, i'm sorry for overloading you with more of my indie music.

maybe tomorrow i'll go with something you'll recognize but you'll be missing out!!

i'm singing along like there's no tomorrow.

Find this video highly amusing.


So I posted it on Squirt's wall cause she likes accents.

Coolest Aunt, 15 years running.

Just saying.

PS - She got her Learner's permit the other day, makes me feel SUPER old.

Wordie says he's gonna put foam all around his car just in case.

Stay off the sidewalks people.

I told her not to take driving lessons from her uncle.

He gave me my first driving lesson.

Here's how that went.

Ready?

"I just did three illegal things, what were they?"

Speeding.

Changed lanes in an intersection.

Did it without signaling.

I have a lot of weird early driving memories.

Second Sister parked her car in the ditch once - she and Favorite Sister-In-Law had a place in town - and Mom was coming so she wanted to convince Mom it was my doing.

Then there was my brother-in-law - the King of Useless Knowledge - letting me drive a car for the first time.

aka putting it in neutral and letting it roll like 3 feet in a driveway, it was AWESOME!

Hitting a deer with Smo and Shel in the car. With cappuccino. Yeah, those went everywhere. Best part we were like 1 mile from home. Called Dad, "does it run?" "yeah." "drive it home." To be fair it was like 10PM.

Driving over a hill with an ex and the yoyo in the cupholder flipping over and landing in place.

Dirt road in the rain, slid off that one with same ex and friend Jess.

Getting pickup stuck in mud at brother's place whilst attempting to go swim in his pond with friends.

...

I'm sensing a trend.

...

Perhaps these incidents were not my fault, there's always people involved.

Been in 3 accidents - none of them my fault.

Once on the farm, got hit by some dude my age who had - the month previously - put the same car in the ditch (in a giant snowpile) about half a block from where he hit me. My brother pulled him out. He suggested we not call the cops, because apparently, not only was he just in that ditch a month before but he also hit his friend's car not long before that and it was a cheap fix. After convincing him that I was calling my parents - well, my brother - he decided then was a good time to tell me his life story. Apparently he had a kid. Guess how he found out. "Merry Christmas, I'm pregnant."

That text came after they had broken up.

Meanwhile in my head I'm screaming, "where the hell is my brother?" If he were at home he could have been there in 30 seconds but instead he was in town with my mother so it took 10 minutes.

While that may sound like a super fast response time, it really doesn't feel that way when you're hearing someone's life story.

Cops showed up, gave him a ticket and he paid for the damage.

Accident number 2 was here, way north on 27th, got rear-ended by a guy named Kory.

Yes, he spelled it with a K.

Think his number is still in my phone.

Anyway, it was barely a scratch, more of a shock factor than anything else. I told him I'd have my brother-in-law look at it and then contact him.

3rd one Mom was driving. We were driving through Oldest Sister's neighborhood on ice, dude coming in opposite direction was going too fast, couldn't slow down, ended up spinning and hitting us.

Got to call the non-emergency number.

Again.

Good thing I work where I work.

Otherwise it would have been 911, emergency.

You learn so much from working at a library filled with crazies, drunks, and other festive personalities.

He was like half a block from his house, sad day for him.

Mom's car sat in my parking lot for a while 'til it could get checked out.

It snowed and someone made a smiley face on the hood.

Oh the joys.

But none of them were my fault. Much more cautious now with the new car.

I used to speed, a lot. Now I don't really see the point - not that I did then, it was just something you did when you're a teenager and stupid.

But now I have to watch out for freakin' cops who hide in alleys, then walk in the middle of the road pointing their speed gun at you and then point to a sidestreet you're supposed to turn off on.

Or the joy and excitement that was my birthday last year when I got pulled over in Second Sister's driveway. "Happy birthday, here's a warning." That was an adventure. But the speeding wasn't intentional, thought it was 35 when it was in fact 25.

No, I actually don't speed now cause I have to pay for the insurance, ha! And as much fun as Stop Class is - been there twice - I can really do without another 8 hours of "don't speed" "wear your seatbelt" "don't drink and drive" "don't text and drive" etc. etc. Although, the more recent one was more like watch these amusing video clips because the cop who's supposed to be here is sick.

How did I get here?

Oh right, Squirt and her driving capabilities.

They need to take her out to the farm and let her loose.

I never took Driver's Ed. I actually got my license when I was 14, or was it 13?

Cause you get your school permit at like 15 but then I could get it when I was 14 cause I lived more than 10 miles away from school and then instead it was 13 cause I lived on a farm too or some weird law thing.

I don't remember.

I was supposed to do like 50 hours of supervised driving but I'm pretty sure the parentals just signed at the bottom and called it good.

Speaking of signing, apparently the Library Goddess has perfected my signature. Good thing she knows how to spell my name. Ask her about that later.

And as for the parentals, today is Mom's birthday. I called, yay me.

And also Abby Cadabra's birthday. I called, yay me.

I asked her if she wanted me to sing and she replied, with absolutely no excitement whatsoever, "sure". No faith in my birthday-singing skills. So I sang anyway.

It was amusing, we - as siblings - banter frequently.

So this morning I get this text from my brother saying:
"Don't forget today is Mom's birthday. As I have already given her the continuous gift of having a child with her birthday no call is necessary. You less thoughtful children must call."
To which Oldest Sister replied:
"U r taller than ur hair." (We give him crap cause he shaved his head in college and the hair never grew back.)
And then Second Sister added:
"I don't claim to be the most thoughtful offspring, that much is certain. Just the best looking."

I WAS WORKING so being the responsible adult that I am, refused to participate. (actually I didn't get them until lunch and by then we had moved on to talk of burning farm ground so we can start from scratch. on purpose don't worry.)

Apparently the only skills needed to participate are being able to beat stuff with a stick with a mud flap on it.

And there must be beer on hand.

No, we're not redneck whatsoever.

I missed out on last time so I'm hoping to make it this year. Last year it was just the boys. Driving 4 wheelers around the fires.

Taking a break from their day jobs.

No, we're not idiots whatsoever either.

but that's enough family hijinks...

is it hijinks or hyjinks?

either way i'm getting those annoying red edit lines.

Got to see 2 of my favorite home branch friends today as they made an appearance at the work branch. Does that mean I can call them my "homies" cause they're from the home branch? or would that make them the "home branchies"?

I like "homies" better. Congratulations.

Didn't get to talk to Joe Studley for very long but it was good to catch up with Sensei as I haven't seen her since working at the home branch on a regular basis, cause she used to come in and check stuff out even after she retired. So that's what like November of last year, not like this past one though, the year before that.

Really?

Has it been that long?

Geez.

But I guess yeah, cause I started May 2010.

Alright, on to the music before I find something else to ramble about.

Up to the last of Maroon 5's greatest hits, so take like 11?

Heard the first one live, would have loved if they sang Doin' Dirt, that's one of my favorites.

Love Somebody


amateur music video, but cute.

Tickets


catchy.

Doin' Dirt


love it.

Beautiful Goodbye


fitting end.

Aaannd I just realized that I don't work tomorrow.

So I don't have to go to bed immediately, whoa.

All day yesterday it felt like Thursday. Now that it is Thursday I don't feel like I'm off tomorrow.

Weirdness.

Oh well, taking advantage. Will sleep in, do some homework, watch some movies and hopefully see the boyfriend at some point.


Oh, and Carter and I made snowpeople.






The one on the left is Norman. Haven't decided on a name for his friend yet.

"I'll deck your halls."

Big day for a Tuesday.

Worked 9-6, got to spend the morning at the home branch jammin' with Joe Studley. We're both such goofballs so the time flies by. Drive thru for lunch and back to the work branch in the afternoon. Check-in and supplies in the afternoon.

After work was a different story. It's the boyfriend's birthday today so we went out to eat with his parents. Got a hot beef sandwich - one of my favorite meals, though it's hard to beat tacos - and then we came back and watched the last part of The Grudge.

Nightmare-worthy but I like Sarah Michelle-Gellar so it was fine. And there was Seinfeld as well - finally saw the Soup Nazi. I've seen a few episodes but I was never a die hard like some of my cousins. Perhaps I'll order a few seasons through the library.

So I was there 'til 11, got back at midnight and then watched THE VOICE FINALE which was EPIC. Lots of duets with famous artists and they brought back a lot of singers - they let the finalists sing a song with singers of their choice. Gonna Rock and Roll All Night was my favorite - Terry brought back Michaela, Amanda, Bryan, and Rudy. Nicholas brought back Amanda as well, along with Dez and Trevin. Cassadee went with country singer Liz, unique artist Melanie and vocal powerhouse De'Borah.

She also performed with her idol - and mine - Avril Lavigne. And then turned into an excited mess immediately following.

Which leads me to the winner.

Major spoiler alert - if you hadn't figured that out already - the winner is....

*dramatic pause*


*insert crazy girl celebration* my number one actually pulls it off.

lasted much longer than last year, and while jordis still does rock cassadee is my favorite of the two. mostly cause i liked hey monday before the voice and that just carried over.

But I'm so happy she won, though I would have cheered if it had been Terry too. Nicholas would have been interesting as well.

Aside from the winner being announced I think this was my favorite famous artist duet.



just cause i'm a nerdy fan for both of them.

The bring back performances were alright, as were the super group ones but nothing spectacular so I'll move on to the Christmas music and post them later.

Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck: Day Five


Oh Little Town of Bethlehem - Frank Sinatra


again with frank on a classic. last year's was Sarah McLaughlin, she's always great with christmas music.


Silent Night - SNL Choir


no words. last year was aly and aj but this is better.


What Child is This - Carrie Underwood


rockin' country chick. last year's was charlotte church.

For last year's Day Five go here

did i mention it's not only my boyfriend's birthday today but also cassadee's boyfriend's birthday? and xtina's? so sad she's skipping next season but she'll be BACK!

oh well, i will attempt to stop talking about it for a while. next season doesn't start up again until march anyway so take a well-deserved break from my rambling...on that topic.

here's the preview for next season.


my shakira, how you've changed.

and she's out.

just realized that timothy hutton is very similar to ryan o'neal. thoughts?

"Hi, my name is Adam and I'm gonna sell you a car right now. I NEED you on my team!"

I kicked it old school today, jammed at the home branch with the Queen of Awesome and Joe Studley with special appearances by Sensei and John Boy.

Was cool, got to do the whole deal, bookdrop, holds list, opening, delivery, lunch break, covering for a lunch break, then help John Boy prep for a computer class and took off at 6.

Righteous man, I miss it there.

It's a totally different atmosphere.

As cheesy as that sounds, it is completely different.

This is a neighborhood library, small building, small patron base, slow pace. The work branch is the complete opposite. 4 floors, huge patron base, frantic pace, and there are other branches that are even bigger and more frantic.

Was great going back, had flashbacks.

So here are your reference fact or crap for the day.

-Racecar driver Lee Petty once left a pitstop and did a full lap at Nascar with a pit crew member still on the hood.

- In West Virginia you cannot fly a red flag in front of your house if you are disappointed in your sheriff.

- In Hong Kong a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her cheating adulterous husband but she may only do so with her bare hands.

- Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest.

- Bees have five eyes.

- Farmers in England are required by law to provide their pigs with toys.

- Plastic law flamingos outnumber real ones in the US.

- Virginia Woolf wrote all her books standing.

- At the end of the Beatles song "A Day in the Life" an ultrasonic whistle audible only to dogs was recorded by McCartney for his dog.

- According to a study men prefer white bedrooms and women prefer blue ones.

- When movie directors don't want their names to be seen in the credits they use the pseudonym Allen Smithee instead. It's been used over 50 times.

- Apparently the boyfriend thinks unpacking groceries is sexy.

Not.

But I did get some good food at Target, plus some camp stuff woohoo! Then came home to watch The Voice, Juliet all the way! Though I'm thinking it'll be either Tony or Jermaine.

Sad to see Katrina and Jamar go, but they'll keep going. Now that they have fans. Lots of artists from the first season got record deals. I'll look forward to Jordis'. I'm attempting to get Rockstar INXS from Interlibrary Loan as they highlights were put out on DVD. And she was on it, got 5th, with dreads. But cut 'em off after all that.

So my cat is giving me a massage. It's amusing. He does this frequently, then he bites me. As kind of a hello, I'm still here. In charge. Just cause you think you're the boss doesn't make it true.

Okay, well the fact or crap is my humor for the day. I'll hit you with more tomorrow.

"Oh Darling" Juliet Simms
gotta show some support. dare you to find one person who isn't completely blown away by this performance. or Roxanne. love that Adam gets really into it. i love her voice, it's just so different and gravely and awesome.
Team Cee-Lo is actually pretty dangerous with her, though I'm not sure she can beat the fanbase supporting Tony Lucca or Jermaine Paul. Would be interesting if the operatic Chris Mann wins it.

As for now I'm for Team Juliet, even though Christina is my favorite. Adam and Blake come in at a close second.

Sail on, Silver Girl

All day at the home branch with Joe Studley. He would have rocked it at trivia night, he's all about that stuff. It'd be interesting to do a library version of that. I'm already thinking about doing one for camp.

It was a good day, flew by pretty quickly. Usually, Saturdays are pretty slow, but today was ridiculously packed with people. And always when there was just one of us at the desk.

But Mom stopped by with some food for my fridge. She rocks. Or maybe she's just worried about my eating habits. Last time she checked my fridge it was filled with nothing but liquor. But that's cause I rarely drink it so it builds up.

Anyway, she brought me food.

And pop.

Best Mom ever.

After that it was movie night with the boyfriend. Or, TV on DVD night with the boyfriend.

Chuck Season One.

Cause it's awesome.

I miss this show, it was my life for months, got all the way to season three but had to wait for season four. Somewhere along the way I got distracted.

Anyway now I'm exhausted, so I'm out.

Songs of the Day:

"Jet Airliner" Steve Miller Band


"Bridge Over Troubled Water" Simon & Garfunkel

I've got the moves like Jagger.

Dear Blogspot,

Today I rocked it.

Got to use my new coffee machine this morning, well, my parents' old one cause they got a new one, but it's NEW TO ME so I'm calling it new. Anyway, it has a timer so it was ready when I woke up, awesomeness. Grabbed some fruit and hit the road.

Opened up first floor, finished up the YA project, worked at the desks, answered reference phone calls, restocked the displays, did supply rounds, wrote up a book recommendation, checked in 6 carts in an hour, then stopped by the home library after work to see Space Cadet and my Trainee.

Was good to have the Space Cadets reunited. I haven't seen her since I worked there. Like, as in the last time we worked together. Which has probably been months, since I was just down to Tuesday and Thursday nights for a while - neither of them with her.

Anyway, I walked in wearing my "Tundra hat" - present from the Cool Aunt that Slim Shady says makes me look like I'm headed for a tundra, i like it - and Space Cadet did the best doubletake ever. It was nice. Walking passed with a cart as I walk in the door, looks over, keeps walking, stops walking and looks again. HI!

We talked ipods, family, cooking, library stuff.

She enjoys that someone bought me a subscription to a cooking magazine, and claims it wasn't her. I still have no idea who did it, but once I do it's on.

I miss my home branch.

It's a completely different atmosphere there. I got to know my coworkers there a lot more than my current work branch ones just because it's slower there so you talk more. Plus they have longer hours.

And I'm getting to know my current ones, they're fantastic as well.

I draw mazes for Slim Shady on my breaks. We go out for movies and food.

Fearless Leader likes my Firefly t-shirts. We talk blogs, books, movies, and dating.

Info-Man and me talk Huskers and recommendations.

John Boy teaches me all about comics, I'm learning people.

Mentor tells me all about the joys of working with teens, and shows me the ropes to talking over teen programs.

The Reference Queen always checks in to make sure I know how to do things, aka processes that I wasn't exactly trained to do but am still doing them because no one else is.

Queen of the Known Universe always makes me laugh, we talk Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory, and crazy people.

Super Librarian Status always gives me good philosophies for life, such as "it's not possible to drink all the liquor in town, i've tried it."

Big Brother always watches out for creepers staring at me and gives me excuses to leave the desk when one approaches.

Girlscout and I talk derby, food, library everything and somehow she's always hard at work in the staff room whenever I go in there.

Superwoman is always watching out for me, period.

The New Guy and I joke about anything that's going on at the time.

The New Girl seems to always ask me questions about processes instead of other people, I'm flattered.

Cabin Fever who I joke with about writing a book about life experiences entitled "What Was I Thinking: The Hindsight Bias" and told me to tell creepers I talk to snakes so they're scared away.

The Aides and myself always joke around and talk about starting an Aides Union - as I used to be one and now I'm an advocate.

So yes, I do like my new coworkers. But I miss the old ones as well.

Sensei who I talked The Closer, Criminal Minds, NCIS, really any TV show.

Glee-Loving Boss who calls me to tell me that Temperature Tuesdays have started at Runza.

Queen of Awesome who lets me hold Maximus Awesomus, aka the Spawn of Awesome. And goes out for sushi and drinks.

Joe Studley who I can talk to about anything, and who does impressions just to cheer me up.

Space Cadet who's always teasing me about cooking. We talk about my tech-nerd-ness and her no-tech-ness. And occasionally yell out "you want an e-reader!" for no reason.

Trainee who I actually occasionally get to see since she's doing now what I was doing before, except I was an aide at the home branch and an LSA at the work branch. She's that in reverse. We talk sports, life, crazy people, etc.

Yes, I like my coworkers. All of them. That's why it's hard to leave. That's why I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.

I'm actually looking forward to inservice day so I get to jam with everyone at the same time.

What was I talking about before this whole rambling things got started?

Oh right.

Today.

I think we're finally off vacation-mode since we're fully functional.

Or seem to be.

Today was just weird reference-wise, I had this phone call asking for an address and everywhere I looked gave me different information. At first the addresses were different, then the middle initials were different, then the phone numbers were different, then she wanted to talk to someone else cause apparently I wasn't helpful. Though she didn't say that, she just said is there anyone else there. Info-man to the rescue. He told her the same things that I did and she listened to him!! Seriously? Then she called back!

Anyway, aside from that I rocked it. Though technically I rocked that since he just said the same things that I said. Maybe I need to sound more experienced. Or authoritative. Or something. Distinguished.

I'll work on that.

In the meantime,

"Moves Like Jagger" Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

dig it. my niece - the youngest one, she's like two - sings this. "got the moves like jagger, got the moves like jagger, got the moves like jagger..." i taped it and put it as my ringtone. hilarious.

We'll see if I'll still have moves like Jagger tomorrow.

Here's the Red Green philosophy for the day:
The faster you go the more you miss. As you get older you're gonna realize that we're all pretty much heading for a brick wall. The question is, how hard do you wanna hit it?


OUT!

Dashing through the melted snow, in some untied tennis shoes

YES! My shoes are untied!

And I'm AWARE of it!

You don't have to tell me this, I'm aware that they are untied because they've been untied ALL DAY!

Because everytime I tie them they just come loose again anyway! So I've just stopped tying them!

The number of people letting me know about this has become exponential. At first it was amusing, up to 8 people in one hour - but I work public service and am constantly walking all over the floor, stocking the displays and helping people find things - now it's like, I'm aware but I still say,
"ah man, should really work on that." Cause I'm tired of saying
"woops, i'll fix those."

Mom actually called me out on it at the home library a few weeks ago. She showed up and they weren't tied, she said she wasn't surprised cause they were never tied when I was little either. Some things never change. I trip over things whether my shoes are tied or not. So what's the point in tying them if they're just going to become untied 2 minutes later and I have re-ty them again? Plus, that whole double-knot thing? Too obnoxious to get untied when I actually need them to be untied.

Totally bummed, it was my last official day, well night, at the home library. I won't be scheduled there unless either someone calls in sick, or Superwoman decides they need an extra night person. Which was what I was doing before, but now people are hired and all that stuff has been sorted out. Sad day. Not sad that they have new people, that's good, but sad that I won't get to spend my Tuesday nights there, jamming out with Joe Studley. But I'll still visit. Especially once the QofA comes back, which should be some time in January. Plus I gotta stop in to see Space Cadet and talk about all her new technology, I'm so proud. But Glee-Loving Boss can continue to give me crap about flu shots, because I will now see him since I'm in Youth Services and all that jazz.

It's a whole different place there anyway, since Sensei is gone, and QofA is on leave. Plus I never see Space Cadet since we're never scheduled together and I only catch glimpses of Glee-Loving Boss. So it was basically just me and Joe Studley, though I did run into the Awesome Temp when she left and I got there. The new shelver is fantastic. She's also an Aide at the work library so it's cool to get to talk to her about home library stuff. I think she's got it all figured out, they're all caught up so I'm talking to her about projects and stuff I did when there was nothing to shelve.

Otherwise, I was totally productive today. Got all the way through the supply cabinet in the workroom, which sounds like it's a small thing, but it took over an hour and a half to just to sort through and list everything that was on 3 shelves. After that it was lab desk supplies and second floor desk as well. All that's left is all of first floor... basically the supply desk in the backroom, the public service desks, youth services, the basement, and then everywhere where this is a printer or copier or supplies for a printer or copier. But I have tomorrow and Thursday for that.

Aside from that I wrote out my Christmas letters, I just need to send them, then ordered my textbook for class in January and some cool t-shirts plus Second Sister's Christmas present - I'm actually excited about that one. Not that I'm not excited about my other presents, it's just this one has a whole story behind it. I'll post more about it after she's opened it.

Alright, on to the rec's of the night.

Christmas Music that Doesn't Suck: Day Seven

"Jingle Bells" Glee Cast version

love the changeup on this one.

or you could listen to this version:

"Jingle Bombs" Achmed the Dead Terrorist - Jeff Dunham

"and then my favorites SILENCE! night."
okay, in order to understand that you should probably watch this: Achmed the Dead Terrorist If you haven't already.
and if you like that there's a new one where you meet his son AJ Achmed and AJ I especially like when his feet get messed up and they make Guitar Guy come fix them.

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland" Dean Martin

he's a classic.

alright, out for the night. long day tomorrow. hard to believe it's already the 20th, christmas will soon be upon us. i'm actually glad we're not having our family christmas until the 1st, it's like christmas won't be over right away after the 25th. it's cool to have it extended.

OUT!

I'm so glad we had this time together.

Well, that sucked.

I learned today that I'm a crazy emotional girl.

So I spent the majority of my day doing what crazy emotional girls do.

I figured it was my last day, so I had an excuse.

And I had this whole thing planned out to say. About how we're a family. Now it just makes me sad, but I should say it anyway.

The father (Glee-Loving Boss) who watches out for everyone, teases them about getting flu shots, jokes with you about Glee.

The mom (Sensei) who's a genius about family histories, and who you can joke about anything with, especially anything involving The Closer, Criminal Minds, or Jay Leno.

The cool aunt (Space Cadet) who you debate about things like sea cows and snow leopards. And bond over things like breadsticks, pizza, and morning shifts.

The older brother (Joe Studley) whose knowledge of movie and music trivia will make your head spin. Who'll do voice impersonations just to make you laugh.

The older sister (Queen of Awesome) who keeps you sane in times of crazy, who you can count on when you need someone to talk to or a night out for sushi.

The younger brother (the Quiet One) who makes you laugh and steps up when you need them to.

And now we've adopted another older sister (Trainee) who you can talk derby, basketball, football, booze cakes, library, practically anything with. Someone who's proud that, when a derby girl walks in and comes to the desk, you're able to remain professional and withhold going all fangirls until said derby girl has left the building.

Originally, I was the shy younger sister. Too afraid she was going to screw up to stand up for herself.

But, with the assistance of everyone listed above, I've definitely grown into something completely different. And I'm grateful for each one of them and their guidance and support for more than a year now. I will miss them all.

And I know, I'll still be around a few nights a week, but that's different.

Walking out of there tonight was different.

Tomorrow is my first full day as a 40hr professional.

But I'll always remember my first day as an Aide. Spent half of it in the back room, three-hole-punching the bottoms of plastic bags, because apparently tiny children might think it's fun to put them over their heads. I can still hear Glee-Loving Boss saying, "I know this is ridiculous, but..."

That was just the start of what became a crazy and exciting year-and-a-half long journey to where we are now.

And I'm grateful for the experience.

"This Time Together" Show Finale


I figured, for the night, I'd hit you with a collection of some of the songs I'd sing while shelving.

I'll call it "Songs of the Shelver" much like those collections you see advertised late at night or on Who's Line is it Anyway, except these have their actual lyrics.

"All My Ex's Live In Texas" George Strait


"6 Months" Hey Monday live/acoustic


"Where Oh Where" HeeHaw


Random assortment, I'm aware. But those are just three of the many. Perhaps tomorrow I'll post some more.

Tomorrow.

Big day.

A year and a half in the life of me.

Five years ago, if you would have told me that I'd be working full-time in a library, and getting my Master's in Library Science, I would have just stared at you. Heck, if you would have told me that two years ago I probably would have stared.

It's just not where I saw myself going.

Not that I really had a plan.

Or a backup plan.

I didn't like to think about the future and what it entailed. My high school roommate and I actually lovingly referred to it as "the F word" because I hated it so.

I'd try to make lists of places I could go to college, jobs I could maybe tolerate.

Librarian was nowhere on my list of things I might consider doing in the F word. (which sounds vaguely dirty but really isn't.)

It's amazing how much one person can affect your life.

Especially when you don't even know them.

You meet them at your cousin's graduation party and you talk for half an hour about the Library Science Program. Get along so well that you plan to meet up for coffee a few weeks later. That's when you learn about their caffeine addiction which you don't exactly hinder by bringing them coffee every class period.

Soon you're sending in a resume and an application form, not expecting to get three different phone calls about coming in to interview. You're used to sending out resumes as a part of a Placement Seminar Class that requires you to participate in fake interviews with real professionals. Find references. Build a portfolio.

Be an adult.

It's that class that got you the job.

Well, that and the Library Goddess.

So you go in to interview. Ramble a lot, fidget with your clothes. You know, do exactly what you were told not to do in an interview. Although you did cut down on the jewelry, black fingernail polish and hand gestures.

And then you wait patiently by the phone for a few days waiting to hear back, when you get the call offering you two jobs instead of one.

Which shocks even you.

Because you didn't expect the same woman to be supervisor at both branches you were interviewing at separately. (You later hear stories of "you can't hire her, I was going to hire her!")

You remember this next part in detail because it was kind of a big moment in life.

You're on the phone with the woman you will in the future refer to as "Superwoman" and jumping up and down in your bedroom, then remember that you're on the phone so you sit. And fidget. Because that's much quieter than knocking something down in your sudden fit of energy.

After you get off the phone you run outside to find your mother, who's about half a mile from home, doing her usual morning walk. She speeds up when she sees you, knowing exactly why you're walking quickly toward her.

"Which one did you get?" she yells.

"Both!" you yell back.

"WHAT?"

Yeah. You were confused too.

The next call you make? The Cool Aunt. These jobs are in fact her fault. She was the one to introduce you to the Library Goddess in the first place. You had plans that night with her to see "Date Night" and eat sushi. You nonchalantly mention your previous phone conversation and she flips. It would be a serious celebration evening. "I don't want the kids to live with your mother, she's awful!" quoted repeatedly on the way out of the theater.

In the meantime you've called both sisters, your brother happens to show up at the house - which he often does since he farms with your dad and lives half a mile away. After hearing the news he looks at you, says "you must really interview well" referring to your utter lack of work experience, and goes out to work. Thanks for that, by the way.

So you go in, sign all the paperwork, move in with your sister, start work at one branch first, putting books in order on carts, shelving books sideways with colored tags sticking out the sides to be checked they're in the right place. A few weeks later you start at the second branch, finding it more chaotic than the original. You got the slow mornings where no one really expected you to be a morning person although you suspiciously became one, and the fast afternoons to keep you busy and entertained by all the crazy locals.

And that's when you realize that these were the places you were meant to be.

With these people, in this town, in this library system.

You find an apartment, move in with your big fat cat. (your parents secretly cheer because lack of a certain feline means they can get new carpet) Order cable and internet.

So, you work at both branches for over a year. Get offered a full time position at one of the branches, forcing you to leave the other. Your home library. Sure, you'll still be a special guest star there every once in a while, couple nights a week for now. But it won't be the same.

No more singing George Strait while shelving in the jNonfiction section. No more morning Space Cadets with Space Cadet. Listening to storytimes by your Glee-Loving Boss. Hearing about endless trivia from Joe Studley. Joking around with the Queen of Awesome. Talking TV with Sensei. Shelving with the Quiet One. Sorting out holds for the lone adult volunteer. Who now, when she calls, asks to speak with you.

You're a family. So that sucks.

Tomorrow's your last day as an Aide.

Which means you'll be an emotional mess.

And it's not that you're not happy, grateful, even excited for your new job. You love those people and that place too. But it'll never be your home library. Your first real job. Your first real work family.

You try to rationalize, that you're not actually losing your home library. You'll still be there a couple nights a week. Be the first one on the list to go cover if someone is sick. Can stop by since you're off at six and they don't close until eight.

And that's fine.

Or, it will be fine.

You'll make it fine.

So you'll be there tomorrow, 2-8. For your last day.

Trying not to cry in the jNonfiction section.


"No Envy, No Fear" Joshua Radin


"Bring on the Wonder" Susan Enan

This time I'm not leaving without you...

"What should I post about?"
"Your favorite candy bar."

Twix. I like Twix. Or anything with caramel. And nuts. Like snickers. Although, for some weird reason, I've started to like Almond Joy's. and I hate coconut, so it doesn't make sense. Unless someone has two coconuts and they're banging them together. sorry, monty python reference. "message for you sir!"

Oh and M&M's, I'm a fan of those as well. And rolos, laffy taffy's, what's the name of those giant taffy bars that have a strawberry flavor and they're covered in sprinkles? Milk Duds. Maybe some Reese's. I used to hate them. No reason whatsoever. Weird chocolate prejudice. Now I love them. How could you not love chocolate and peanut butter?

Quote of the day:
"If you think your memory is bad the rest of the world is doomed!" JS, always good for my ego.

Glee-Loving Boss is back, huzzah! We missed him. Plus now there will be less of me running around with my head cut off. Or maybe that was just another excuse for my crazy. "You're always here!" (patron said to me tonight. yes i pretty much live there.) And before today I hadn't been to the other branch in like a week. and I only went there today because more people were sick. As long as they tell me where to go it's fine. And never boring.

"stale chalk. right.... i'll put that in the blog. how do you spell stale?... that's not how you spell stale."
see, i am paying attention to our phone coversation. totally awake enough to be coherent.

We'll go with "songs of the midwest" maybe i'll make it a midwest week.

"You and I" Lady Gaga

video doesn't make sense bit creepy but whatever. orgy filmed in nebraska.

let's switch it up a bit.

"Kansas City" Beatles version

just ignore the crazy screaming fangirls.


out!

I got chills, they're multiplying....

It's Musical Monday. You've been warned.

C'mon, it's better than Mourning Monday? Right? Well, for most people.
Fearless Leader holding up a copy of Legally Blonde the musical: "THIS! Is why I HATE musicals!"

It should be Manic Monday. or Manic Monday Morning at least. Slept through my alarm, then Carter had issues, and then my shoe finally broke as I attempted to run down the stairs. You think they'd notice if I duct-taped it back together and wore it anyway? I freaking liked that pair of shoes, dangit! Now I'm stuck with my half-laced, covered in gravel, black shoes. Not that I don't have other options. But I'm too lazy to go and get them out of my closet.

Summer Nights

love 1:40. that was always my favorite. but john travolta's dance moves and high notes make the movie. seriously.

So, shelved for four hours today. We scanned all the paperbacks as the haven't been scanned since February and I'm sick of seeing "4/27" on the Last Seen Date when I'm running lists. This way if it says "9/19" I'll know I need to keep looking. With 4/27 it's usually 70/30 that it's not there.

After all that fun I came home and took a nap. And it was fantastic. Watched some SVU, and after watching depressing case after depressing case I had to switch it up with some musical clips.

"You're the One that I Want"

niiiice. more dancing greatness.

Aaannnnd, the awesomeness that is Castle came back tonight for season four. Crazy that it's been four years. I've been with it since the start. And...I ain't saying that I was right....but read this My Life in Closed Captions: *Spoiler Alert* ....and without giving away too many spoilers I can say....I wasn't wrong. About Castle. The other shows haven't aired yet. And what's with Bones not coming back until November? Was that an Emily's pregnant so we need more time kind of thing? Oh well, it'll be worth it.


"We Go Together"

i want a flying car. just hope they didn't end up in the womping willow. we know what happened to that flying car....well, actually, i guess we don't. cause it crashed. but then it came alive again to save them from spiders, but then it disappeared again. probably buried somewhere in the forbidden forest.


Tomorrow is split shift which means, running errands, cleaning apartment, watching more SVU, oh and working. twice. Which is going to happen more and more in the future. It's amusing because I'm only 20 hours and I'm technically not supposed to work at that branch, but I still work more nights there than the 40 hours do. Except Joe Studley. I think I actually get to work a night with Joe Studley again. AND THE QUEEN OF AWESOME! I'm stoked! Until she leaves me to have her baby. Which, I guess, is allowed. Not that I'm complaining about the night shifts. I'm actually ecstatic! I get to sleep in! My screams of joy almost lost me points, but we were in the backroom so it didn't count.


Summer Nights 2010 cast reunion at the DVD release party

"we're going to attempt summer nights" haha nice. still got it.


I'm out! for more SVU.

I'm the butler, I like to keep the kitchen tidy.

I love that someone typed "exploded babysitter" into google and got to my blog. That's fantastic. Also amusing, another person's search for "O Lord of Light" ended up with 2G's version. Hope we didn't scar them for life.

Wore my 2G shirt to work today. Well, tonight anyway. I usually wear jeans and a nice shirt if I'm headed to the main branch since I'm like a professional there. Or para-professional. Their words not mine. This is why I love camp. Got back to my roots and wore t-shirts and sport shorts the whole time. That's the actual me. I used to wear tear-aways, t-shirts and a backwards hat every day to school for years. This whole jeans and a nice shirt thing is like prom to me. Every day. Which is why it's nice to throw in a superhero shirt or funny reference one every once in a while when I'm just an Aide.
Besides, I've learned not to wear those shirts at the other branch. If they're going to stare at my chest I would rather them do it in silence and get it over with instead of staring and overwhelming me with conversation about the symbol emblazoned across my chest. That's just awkward.

Staff meeting this morning where my Koha Whisperer thing was made known. Now I'm just nervous they're going to ask me actual questions. Go to someone smart. I'm just a cronie. After that it was covering at the other branch while they had their staff meeting. Okay, I'm calling favorite cause at which branch does she bring pizza to a staff meeting? Yeah. But I got two pieces. Cause it's my branch too. And it was my lunch hour. And that branch is obsessed with all things bread. I blame Space Cadet. Her baking skills got us hooked. They're constantly finding recipes in books and trying to bribe her into making them. It's amusing. She says she'll slip me a few easy recipes that I won't burn down my apartment with. That should be interesting.

After all that fun it was lunch hour - yes a whole hour! that I didn't have to spend finding parking! - so I ran back to the apartment and watched Bonekickers - "like graveyard jenga down here" c'mon you knew that was coming - then went back for three hours and shelved in my bright orange shirt. Joe Studley said I needed to turn it down. It's that bright. I'm proud. Then dinner with Second Sister, got my leftovers in the fridge! I'm stoked for chicken tikka and rice at 3AM. Yes, small children sleep more than I do, get over it.

Then we hit up Barnes and Noble which...okay I used to make fun of it because it was a big bookstore and then they started selling all this other crap and I was like, "get that out of my bookstore!" Now I work at a library, so they can sell whatever they want. Anyway, so I go in, and okay, remember how I'm a nerd. And I got a raise. So what does a nerd do when they get a raise? They buy a wand. That lights up. And is awesome.

Yes a raise. It's interesting in these budget times but I'll take it. Another fun work thing - got my year evaluation! Which is amusing cause I still haven't gotten my 6 month one yet. Again, I'll take it. As long as he doesn't say that I suck. Which, I don't think I do. People are generally glad when I'm there. But I'm a nerd and make them laugh so maybe that's part of it.

Anyway, right, so in between the chicken tikka and the wand-buying was the driving from place to place and I pulled out of the parking lot following her and she's driving and suddenly pulls in the parking lot and starts waving all frantic and flailing. "Why are you following me?!" She was lost. And technically I live like less than a few miles from the place so I guess it would make more sense if I were to lead. So, I led, and got us on the right road and I'm calling Oldest Sister to see if she can meet us and I see Second Sister pass me in the lane next to me. I was like, "What?! She's in the wrong lane!" like chanting it, "She's in the wrong lane, she's in the wrong lane" all while being on the phone with Second Sister when we pull up to the stoplight and she turns...which makes me realize that it was me in the wrong lane. It's another one of those zombie moments, you know when you're driving on a road you take often but to a different destination and you're just used to driving to that place. Anyway, she turned but I was able to switch lanes and turn behind her. Meanwhile Oldest Sister was probably making fun of me the whole time.
OH! BTW - she has threatened to come to my apartment and steal a piece out of all my puzzles. That's just mean. I don't need any help from you to not finish the thing.
"Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of the other guests?!"
"You don't need any help from me sir."
"That's right!"
name that movie. if you were at camp you'd be all over it.

I blamed my poor sense of direction on being on the phone. "I can only remain sane when not involved in actual conversation." quote of the day. true story.


It was a Lily Allen kind of day. Yes, I've posted a lot of hers since she's my favorite, here are a few new ones.

"The Fear" Live version at The Sound on BBC 2

"Smile" official video
awful. love 2:21. was she eating candy with the wrapper still on it? i totally have those headphones.
these are both two of her biggest hits, yes she's british but she's awesome. we like british people, they're cool and have fun accents.


"But he was your second husband. Your first husband also disappeared."
"But that was his job. He was an illusionist."
"But he never reappeared!"
"He wasn't a very good illusionist."

OUT!

Since you've been gone my world's been dark and gray...

Gonna keep this short so I stay motivated to read tonight.

Shelved the day away, literally. The other aide is on vacation so I've basically been playing catch up nonstop. Which is fine actually because usually I shelve everything and there's nothing left but shelf-reading.
Anyway, did the morning shift then came back and finished book #9, huzzah! Will work some more on book #10 tonight then hopefully get that finished tomorrow. Then tonight I went in for an extra hour and it was the end of an era! No more night shifts with Joe Studley. It was a sad sad day. Next Tuesday I'm with Space Cadet for our second round until August. But we have a lot of fun so I'm excited.

Quote of the day:
-Anonymous Library User: "I do it for myself, not for anyone else!" about riding a bike without a shirt. I about died on the spot. But I think that's one of those tone of voice have to be there kinda moments. Still funny.

Songs of the night:

"White Liar" Miranda Lambert
I actually like her quite a lot. She has some excellent lyrics and catchy melodies plus she's not a completely unlikeable snot. Bonus points! This one is often in my head... I enjoy 3:10. There's actually a backstory to this video's casting, you can find the behind-the-scenes stuff here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S3pOaa1hMQ

"Picture" Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow

"I was headed to church..." "I was off to drink you away..."
love love love this song. and i'm a fan of both artists so it's like win win. plus the video's pretty cool in that behind-the-scenes kind of way.
She actually wrote a book and we have it, it's called "If it makes you healthy" which makes me laugh as it is a play on words to her song "If it makes you happy."



okay, gotta read some more so I can go see Wicked tomorrow without stress.

Hello Koha!

And Ziva, my first official post from my shiny red laptop. Although it's not actually all that shiny anymore. I've had it since like I don't even remember, like 2 years ago and all I've used it for is camp stuff. Forms, schedules, website, pictures, etc. Now I have all my files transferred over - music included, that took the longest - all that's left is to hook up my ipod and it will be official. Except it can only be synced to one computer at a time and if I switch it to here it deletes everything. Which is fine because I have everything on here now. But it like deletes my playlists too. Which bites, because I have a lot of them. I know, my life is so rough. *I can hear my sister's voice saying that to her dog...or cat...who's dumb as a post...* I'll figure it out.

Okay, first day with Koha, our new fancy system at work. Yeehaw? Well, so far we're only on its offline component since not everything has transitioned from the other system. So I got to spend the day staring at barcodes. No names, no titles, just barcodes. Oh, and I hit "enter" a lot. That was exciting.
Plus sent out the motherload of all explanation emails. But no one else was doing it. I mean, Superwoman set us up with some basic guidelines but then she left and all this other stuff came up. So I man-ed up. Or Woman-ed up. Let's go with that. Female solidarity and all that crap we say when we're playing softball. "Back up! Their women can hit!" my favorite quote from another team's pitcher.

Anyway, I basically came up with detailed instructions about what to do with all the stuff that was incoming to our branch and outgoing and all that while we can't check anything in or process any holds. Then sent it to the whole branch - but just the one, not all the staff at all the branches, that would be horrifying. I did that once about a missing item and am still spazzed out.
After all that joy I spent the rest of the afternoon in the backroom organizing the delivery, packing up donations and avoiding that dude that is trying to find a loophole on getting me to date him. Mentioned here: My Life in Closed Captions: This Magnet Moment... I don't date patrons! Well, not anymore. Just say no. That's what "big brother" coworker says. So I told him no, I don't date patrons. Now he's looking for a loophole. So, while he tries to find that, I'll continue to avoid him. Which is why this afternoon, after I separated all the delivery on to carts, I decided it was time to pack up the donations. And it worked!...until I ran out of tape. It was funny, because I really wanted to get through them all because we're going to need the space, so I scavenged the supply cabinets and found ducttape! But then I ran out of that too. Which sucked. So half the donations are boxed up and the rest are still on the shelf.
I had avoided him all afternoon until I ran out of tape - the second time - but as I was emailing Space Cadet, as she is in charge of supplies, I could see him coming to the desk out of the corner of my eye.
He comes to the side of the desk,
I get up,
go to the other desk,
open a drawer,
look for an imaginary object,
don't find one,
see him coming to that desk out of the corner of my eye,
also see Joe Studley approaching on my other side,
I turn around and head back to the original desk when I hear,
"Can I help you?" Not the person he was wanting to talk to but it'll do.
Aww, Joe Studley. My hero. He's the lead singer in our work band, btw - "Joe Studley and the Lost in Transit". Mentioned here: My Life in Closed Captions: Joe Studley and the Lost in Transit

Aside from barcodes, emails, delivery, donations and avoidance I don't think there was much else. Oh wait, I forgot. Barf chips and Face Aerobics. That pretty much sums up my day. Haha. I found the "barf chips", as someone had labeled the deodorizer stuff, when I was searching for tape - the first time - and the Face Aerobics was a VHS tape part of the donations. I didn't know there was such a thing as Face Aerobics. But apparently there were all the rage in the exercise scene. Back when VHS was still a viable format. I'm joking. I don't know anything about exercise trends. But I do own a bicycle. That counts right? Nevermind that it only has one wheel. Which is more of a long story. That I think I've told you already as well. My Life in Closed Captions: "Cause even after three text messages, four missed... Yep. Definitely told you before.
Crime-ony. Have I seriously been blogging since November? I'm going to run out of amusing anecdotes here soon. Next it will be all, "this one time, at the library..." That was my best American Pie impression.

I'm going to hit you with a music rec (or 2) before I crash and burn. Songs for the day, aka the ones blaring in my headphones while I boxed donations in the back, are older. Not like old but older.

Coldplay "Yellow"

and yes, second sister, i am currently singing jimmy fallon's troll doll lyrics.
I actually like Coldplay. I think this was their first major hit that put them on the board. Definitely worth listening to.

The Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There" performed live in '64

"How could I dance with her mother when I saw her standing there...." WHAT?! You mean those aren't the words?! Kidding. I sing it like that anyway, it's more amusing that way.


Out!

"Cause even after three text messages, four missed calls you still..."

So, I have this doppelganger.
"Get a dictionary"

Which is handy if something bad happens and you need someone to blame it on. But also kind of sucks when people think you're them when you're actually not. Anyway, if you think you know me from pre-2010 and you aren't from my hometown, a member of my family, classmate or campmate then you probably don't. This makes things like parking garages awkward. No I don't know you. No I didn't go to that high school. While my short-term memory is crap (ask my non-school friends) my long-term actually doesn't suck.
I'm totally serious about this, and I know I have one because my high school classmate lived in the same dorm as her in college. She rides a bike which clearly screams Not me! since I haven't ridden a bike since Dad decided to steal my tire and use it as a turn-the-wheel game at the home and garden show like 8 years ago. Actually, I think he used the tire because I wasn't riding the bike, but I like my version better. I went away to high school! And college! When was I supposed to ride a bike? Plus, bikes, on gravel? Not as fun.

And yes that NCIS clip was necessary, I could have posted the entire episode "Doppelganger" from when Kate was still around but I figured that would be too long. It's a fantastic episode but this is from season three, when Jenny was alive and had long hair.


So, I'm watching Star Wars episode 5. Last night the Wordsmith and me ordered pizza and watched episode 4 - mostly because I wanted to watch out for the anecdotes Carrie Fisher talked about in her autobiography. So I have yet to watch Country Strong - "Gwyneth" word count = 1 "Those t-shirts would be so Gwyneth!" - Also because I can't remember how Leia figures out she and Luke are siblings. I'm a nerd but not like a total crazy obsessed nerd. I remember how Luke finds out he's Vader's son - duh - but not about Leia and Luke. I just remember her kissing him in beginning episode 5. Was she like, "That was so bad, he must be my brother." Which reminds me - I was at the dentist a couple months ago and the dentist was like, "So (insert brother's name) is your husband?" I believe my exact words were, "Um, gross." "Brother. Got it." My sister-in-law goes to a different dentist so I guess since we have the same last name it would sort of make sense? Gross.


More quotes from yesterday and today:
-"Bring your favorite painkiller." Sensei about the day we switch over to the new system. She's bringing donuts. I said I'd bring juice. It's going to be a long day.

-"Let's call him Bob."
-"It would more likely be Ug. Unless he was a pirate. Then he'd be Arg the Pirate Caveman." Conversation with fellow Star Wars fan I shall call him "Master" about inspiration. Everyone is inspired by someone else, unless of course you are a caveman who had no one before you to be inspired by.

-"What about Space Cadet #1 and Space Cadet #2?"
-"It should say Dirt and Subdirt."
-"Yes!" Bringing back the Dirt System! mentioned here My Life in Closed Captions: What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all ab... Basically, I have no power so I'm below dirt. Subdirt. LA2's (aka Space Cadet, Queen of Awesome and Joe Studley) are Dirt. Glee-loving boss is Grass. Sensei is Trees (although she would prefer a flowery shrub). Superwoman is the clouds. Assistant BBB is the Moon. And Boss's Boss's Boss is the Sun.
Anyway, we were talking about the names on the back of our matching t-shirts for inservice day. I still think it would be awesome. Totally Gwyneth! WC=2


Never Shout Never - "CheaterCheaterBestFriendEater"


Ram Jam - "Black Betty"

In celebration of awesome classic music for 69 cents on itunes. Hooray! I especially like the guy next to the drums whose only job it seems is to clap and dance like an idiot.

Ha! there's this episode of Ace of Cakes where they're talking about the Millennium Falcon inside the asteroid. "If you think you're in a giant worm, shoot the ground!" That's where I'm at now. And, okay, some time between episode 3 and episode 5 Yoda went bonkers.