Sigh

Sometimes I think I have the greatest job ever and my life is finally figured out and then it all goes kaput. I had my work/career/family time all figured out and working very nicely, but then my childcare was abruptly cut short. I don't have the money to go to a regular daycare while I pay for my son's preschool. I don't think I can continue to only work part-time. I changed my job so that I could spend more time with my children, but with my new arrangement I feel like I am spending less time with them. And that time is precious and quickly slipping away. I need more.

As for my job, I love the people and the atmosphere, but, frankly, I am getting a little bored. I think I can do more, but I need more time at my library. I don't want to do mediocre work. I have so many ideas packed in my head that are screaming to get out, but I need another venue. I think I am on the search for another library position. Of course, that won't happen in a day and I need to be patient. That is hard. Life is hard. I just wish . . .

Podcasting

I have already delved into the world of podcasting and while I like being able to get to the content when I want it, I find that I actually have the time to listen to it at all. I really like the information from the New York Times Review of Books, but don't really listen to them that much. Like everything it takes a certain level of commitment to your podcasts to keep up and informed. I like the overall idea of podcasting, but in reality just don't have the time.

Foxfire

This is really the first time I have looked at Foxfire. I have been told about it and its greatness, but have just never ventured here. It does definitely seem a bit faster than the old searches, but other than that it is about the same experience for me. I did add a Google tool bar and Stumbleupon --seems useful.

Easter 2009

Easter 2009
Originally uploaded by ruskins

Don't they just look precious? Really hard to keep them clean that day.

This process of putting the photo on my post was a little harder than I thought. I got it and now it will be easy, but wasn't that easy to set up. Seemed like a lot of steps. Oh, well. Now I am ready to post photos everywhere.
Here is the letter opening bunny from YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBHZT3a-FA

He isn't the Easter Bunny, but still cool.

Weekend of Ups and Downs

This weekend was a strange one for me. It all started great! I watched the Pens win the Stanley Cup for the third time in my life. I love hockey and this whole series was exciting and filled with emotion. It was what hockey is meant to be and I was so proud of my team.

The next day was a family outing to the Arts Festival, usually a fun-filled day of art, food and crafts. This year my children made it a miserable day of whining and not really getting to do anything. This in turn made my husband miserable and angry. This all led up to us leaving the city and going back home. Ugh! What a day.

Sunday turned out better. After church, we grabbed lunch and spent some more quality time at the park. It was O.K. No one got hurt at the park and we only had one little "accident" if you know what I mean. After that the kids visited the grandparents and my husband and I and an old friend went to see Star Trek. It was a thrill ride of constant adventure, but it was the kind of almost mindless entertainment that boosts the spirit. The good guys win in the end even if they get beat up along the way.

I can only hope that the rest of my week is calm and that I can surf the Summer Reading wave without crashing into the murky waters.

Program Success?

I'm never really sure when you get a really small crowd at a program if it is a success. Today we had 5 people for an author event. This is 5 more than I expected because no one registered. (grrr!) But is that really worth the author's time and my efforts to promote this event. O.K. it is 5 people who never met him before and he got to plug a new book, but still. I always feel very deflated after an event like this. Looking back I don't think I could have promoted it more. The only thing I wish I had more of was time and I think everyone wishes for that at some point. Well, back to the grind and promoting the next library event.

Downloadable Stuff

Today, my task for "23 Things" was to explore the world of downloadable books and videos. For many years now, it has been my job to promote these items and train staff about them. I really don't like them for myself. I know lots of others do and that is what the library has them for. I think the process of downloading is relatively simple once you have run through the steps and created an account. The thing that I don't enjoy is the browsing of titles, however they are organized, nothing beats walking through a library of books and discovering some little gem that you would have never picked up in a bookstore, but are willing to try for free. I just don't feel the same way about audiobooks.

The videos are a little better for me because the format is very similiar. I still find browsing a bit tedious on the computer, but I am more willing to download and watch on my computer then download and listen.

Of course, I don't tell any of this to the patrons. To them they would think I love it and work hard to promote them, just like any other resource. Hope I haven't been too much of a downer for all the lovers of downloadables, but I just love my books!