my quiet little corner

I'm back?

2008-05-07T23:02:15Z

First, a meme:

You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic.

You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything.

You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests.

You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time.

Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to.

(But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.)

You excel in: Inspiring people

You get along best with: The Question Mark

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Okay, okay...I know it's completely unfair that my first post in ages is a meme. Honestly, though, you don't want me to talk about my life. Really. Or, at least, I don't want to talk about my life. I'm living it and, right now, that's more than enough.

Let's just say that I've hit a bumpy patch. (Though it's probably progress that the above meme includes the words "optimistic", "enjoy" and "good".) I'm working through it and hoping for the best. This week has brought some good news for people I love (finally!) and that makes the whole world look a little rosier.

So, please stick with me. I'll be sporadic at best...but I could use all the hugs and funny stories you all can share!

She's a maniac!

2008-04-14T13:21:19Z

moar funny pictures

(for anyone who doesn't recognize her...that's our cat, Calliope)

Shadow

2008-04-05T01:03:56Z

Shadow
Originally uploaded by CDaisyM.

I'm not entirely sure where to start with this, or really how long it's been since I last posted. All I know is that the last time I regularly checked LJ my world was different.

In the last few weeks everything has been turned upside-down. S's father passed away only a few hours before this photo was taken...while we were on our cruise in Florida.

There's no easy way to get over the death of someone you love. I keep thinking it will get easier, and sometimes it is. But then a song, or a memory, or just a scent will make me catch my breath and reality comes crashing down again.

I'm back home and back at work. S is still with his mom, so the house is quiet and eerie. I should be packing...we're moving soon, too. But I just keep going through photos and remembering.

But they already had this on the CW!

2008-03-14T15:47:03Z

California High school? Check.
Rich kids? Check.
Some not-so-rich kids? Check.
Great writer? Check.
Veronica Mars is back? Nope.

The CW is, apparently, working on a new series that focuses on rich kids in a California high school that will be penned/steered by Rob Thomas. They're not bringing back Veronica Mars...they're creating a 90210 spinoff.

I'm thrilled by the idea of having another Rob Thomas show. I really miss his style and writing. But, can I complain a moment? I just don't see why they would cancel VM only to create a show that has so many similarities (well, minus Veronica and the mysteries, of course). Seems a bit hypocritical to me. And do we really need another spin-off? I was as much a fan of 90210 as any other teen in the 90s, but I'd much rather have something new (I really could care less what Brenda and Dylan are doing today)

I love Rob Thomas so much that I may give this a chance. Though I'd only do so begrudgingly. (I wish he hadn't gone back to the CW. I'm supposed to be boycotting them)

Please tell me this is a joke

2008-03-11T20:30:06Z

I was really sure that this was going to link to The Onion or something. But, from what I can tell, it's true... Britney Spears is going to be on How I Met Your Mother.

Gone to the Peep-side

2008-03-06T17:25:47Z

Have you heard about the Chicago Tribune Peeps Diorama Contest, this year's competition to create the most interesting tableau of marshmallow-y art? Well, today's the deadline and I just sent in my entry...

Fluffy the Vampeep Slayer!

One Peep in all the world with the skill and strength to fight vampeeps and to rid the world of sugary evil.

Gathering my supplies

Recruiting S to help me paint

A test shot for placement and lighting

What do you all think?

Can't I just cut them off and get new ones?

2008-02-29T17:12:21Z

It's cold. Really, really cold. I think it was 11F when I left for work this morning. Yeah, I know, not the coldest it's ever been, but something about today made it feel especially bitter; as if Winter is giving it's last oompf before March is officially here.

I've mentioned before that I have Raynaud's, that ever-so-lovely disorder that gives me hypercolor fingers and toes. Well, recently it's been getting worse with daily attacks (red, white and blue!) and a lot of pain. Today has been especially agonizing and I'm starting to entertain drastic solutions. Here goes:

- Get a finger transplant. Pro: new, warm-blooded fingers, Con: I'm pale, so there's little chance of accurate shade-matching
- Increase my medication. Pro: blood that flows!, Con: dangerously low blood pressure and the risk that any future kids I'll have might be born with six eyes and tentacles for hair
- Giant, heated bubble. Pro: can you say "shorts in January"?, Con: no more human contact and work might be challenging
- Move to Hawaii. Pro: warm weather year round, Con: um...well...there's that...um...nope! no cons!

That's it. I'm moving.

Sccoped

2008-02-28T21:51:04Z

Holy cow! I scooped Pop Candy!

(though, I should probably say that I had help from Bookshelves of Doom)

Lost and Found

2008-02-28T15:20:31Z

I'm constantly amazed at the things people leave at the library. Keys, jewelry, computer disks and books are probably the most common items, but there's always something interesting in our lost and found box. A single shoe, a well-loved doll, articles of clothing, personal letters - it makes one wonder how these items could be forgotten.

This morning's lost and found treasures take the cake, though.

As I was turning on the computers and getting the reference area ready I found a little bag; a tiny ziplock bag filled with something leafy. Yep, that kind of something leafy. So, I did what any cash-strapped librarian would do... I handed it over to our director, who called the police department.

Oh, but it gets better! Not long after the green little find our asst. director mentioned that an iPod shuffle had been found as well. I'm a curious girl, so I decided to take a listen:

Song 1 - a rap song in Spanish with, what sounded like, Lil Jon in the background
Song 2 - "Blame it on the Rain" by Milli Vanilli

So. Not. Kidding.

Now we just need one more find to complete the Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll triumvirate. I'm only hoping I'm not the one to find it!

Recovering

2008-02-26T20:44:16Z

I've had the flu. 'Nuff said.

Until I can post a full-length update/funny/diatribe here's something that has amused my fever-fried mind.

From Garfield Minus Garfield

6:49am

2008-02-09T14:58:51Z

"You're the time of day right around sunrise, when the sky is still a pale bluish gray. The streets are empty, and the grass and leaves are a little bit sparkly with dew. You are the sound of a few chirpy birds outside the window. You are quiet, peaceful, and contemplative. If you move slowly, it's not because you're lazy – it's because you know there's no reason to rush. You move like a relaxed cat, pausing for deep stretches that make your muscles feel alive. You are long sips of tea or coffee (out of a mug that's held with both hands) that slowly warm your insides just as the sun is brightening the sky."

While I would rather still be asleep at 6:49am each day, I'm usually up and in the kitchen. On most weekdays I've already fed the kitties and brewed the coffee. I'm probably even sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast with S.

I love my bed and I love sleeping, but I also enjoy the quiet moments of the early morning. I love being the only one up, sitting in a quiet room and reading while drinking my coffee. And being up early makes it seem like I have an eternity to accomplish everything I have to do in a day...even if what I "have" to do is just sit and spend time with S or the cats.

Ha Ha

2008-02-08T20:21:23Z

Should I be worried that one of my female coworkers can do a spot-on impersonation of Nelson from the Simpsons?

Parenting at the Library

2008-01-31T01:20:57Z

Okay, I'm not a parent and so I would never presume to tell a parent how to handle their children. However I think that there are some commonsense parenting axioms that even us non-parents can see and understand. For example, using your child as a shield when robbing a bank is probably not within the realms of Good Parenting. Nor, do I think, is spending 2 hours on the library's computers checking your MySpace page while your visibly sick child wanders around and then passes out on the floor.

Though, like I said, I'm not a parent. So, I may be wrong.

Getting stuff done...

2008-01-30T15:46:53Z

...with a giant cat on my lap. Probably not the most productive use of my computer time (as said cat is currently pushing my hands off the keyboard), but he's cute and he keeps me warm. Two definite pluses in the grand scheme of things.

I think Igby is smarter than I give him credit for. He somehow knew it was Wednesday and that I'd have time to give him some lovin'. Once I was home from the gym and showered he started following me around and "barking" (another sign that he's really a dog). He followed me up to the office and pawed at me until I picked him up. He's been on my lap ever since...it probably is no surprise that I haven't been able to do too much like this (and that it's taken me ten minutes to type this post.)

Off to do dishes and eat "lunch" before work.

A List of Good

2008-01-29T22:26:07Z

1. Why in the world did I play the clarinet instead of the drums? 'Cuz I'm telling you, I could have been a star! Our friend J got Rock Band about a week ago and ever since I've been the master of that drum set. I recently got an 87% on hard with no formal training, thankyouverymcuh.

2. There were 64 teens at the library last night for a TAG event. No kidding. Of course, it was a pizza taste-off, but still. 64!

3. I am totally swamped by all that is work-related, yet I haven't been happier about work in months. Guess I just need to keep busy to stay happy. (does that make me insane?)

4. I have a week off in March. Don't know if we're going to be able to go anywhere, but at least I have the time off.

5. Books are good. I like books. I am reading, or just finished, Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, the dead and the gone by Sarah Beth Pfeffer, Emma, v. 5 by Kaoru Mori, Cupid by Julius Lester and Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde.

Books, and more books

2008-01-17T01:07:17Z

This is probably the longest I've been away from LJ since I started it. With all the doctors' appointments, work responsibilities, broken computers and holidays I think I just fell out of habit.

Well, I'm back *wave* and I'm hoping to get online a bit more in upcoming weeks. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our computer gets fixed very soon)

I'll spare you all the long, drawn-out update on my life and just give you what I read in 2007:

Books I particularly enjoyed are in bold (though that's not to say I didn't enjoy the other ones; and obviously if I was re-reading a book I probably really liked it in the first place). If you want a specific opinion on a book, just ask.

Also, I didn't list picture books and early readers. Since I tend to read so the list gets really long if I include them.

January
1. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
2. House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (reread)
3. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (audio)
4. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
5. Good Girls by Laura Ruby
6. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
7. Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean (audio)
8. Terrier by Tamora Pierce
9. Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
10. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell (non-fiction, grown-up)

February
11. The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner (ss, grown-up)
12. Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
13. Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
14. Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick (reread)
15. Pop! By Aury Wallington
16. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
17. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel (gn)
18. Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

March
19. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (gn)
20. The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey (audio)
21. What Happened to Cass McBride? By Gail Giles
22. Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney (reread)
23. The World According to Mimi Smartypants by Mimi Smartypants (grown-up, non-fiction)
24. 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult (grown-up)
25. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz (grown-up)
26. Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (audio)
27. Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers

April
28. They Call Me Naughty Lola by The London Review of Books (grown-up, non-fiction)
29. The Killer’s Cousin by Nancy Werlin
30. The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
31. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
32. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (grown-up)
33. Best Foot Forward by Joan Bauer (audio)
34. Girl by Blake Nelson

May
35. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
36. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (grown-up)
37. Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
38. The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
39. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (reread)
40. The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
41. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (re-read, audio)

June
42. Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
43. Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (grown-up)
45. Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson
46. The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
47. The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares (grown-up)
48. Masquerade: A Blue Blood Novel by Melisaa de la Cruz
49. Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde
50. Bass Ackwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft and Sara Fain

July
51. The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center (grown-up)
52. Austenland by Shannon Hale (grown-up)
53. The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft (grown-up)
54. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
55. The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
56. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

August
57. Emma, v. 1 by Kaoru Mori (manga) (recommend whole series)
58. Emma, v. 2 by Kaoru Mori (manga)
59. H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Michael Walden
60. Kung Fu Princess: Daughter of Light by
61. Y: The Last Man, 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn) (recommend whole series)
62. Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez (grown-up, non-fiction)
63. Pay the Piper by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
64. Emma, v. 3 by Kaoru Mori (manga)
65. Emma, v. 4 by Kaoru Mori (manga)
66. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
67. Plain Janes by Cecil Castelucci (gn)
68. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
69. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (audio)
70. Y: The Last Man, 2 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
71. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (grown-up, non-fiction)

September
72. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
73. Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson (audio)
74. Y: The Last Man, 3 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
75. Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (gn)
76. Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
77. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (audio)
78. Peony in Love by Lisa See (grown-up)
79. If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko
80. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
81. Y: The Last Man, 4 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
82. Planetes, v. 01 by Makoto Yukimura (manga)
83. Y: The Last Man, 5 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
84. Y: The Last Man, 6 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
85. Deadline by Chris Crutcher
86. The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

October
87. The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (audio)
88. Y: The Last Man, 7 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
89. Y: The Last Man, 8 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
90. Dramarama by E. Lockhart
91. I Like You by Amy Sedaris (grown-up, audio, non-fiction)
92. Y: The Last Man, 9 by Brian K. Vaughan (gn)
93. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier (reread, audio)
94. The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
95. Prom Nights from Hell by Cabot, Harrison, Jaffe, Myracle and Meyer (ss)
96. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

November
97. A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
98. Extras by Scott Westerfeld
99. Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
100. Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix
101. Service Included by Phoebe Damrosch (grown-up, non-fiction)
102. The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman

December
103. Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford
104. The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
105. Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
106. Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos
107. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
108. Wonder Woman: Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult (gn)

Soon I'll share a list of the advanced copies I picked up at ALA Midwinter this past weekend. In my bag are Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr and Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, but there are many, many more at home.

Playing with my new toy

2007-12-20T21:34:52Z

Santa Watching
Originally uploaded by CDaisyM.

Christmas came a bit early to our household this year. My parents completely surprised us with a new camera (a Canon EOS digital Rebel XTi, for those of you who care)...one I had been drooling over the last time I visited CA in August. They insisted we open the gift early so that we could enjoy using it while in Maine. I'm so glad we did - with the snowstorm today I've had fun playing.

Now it may be time to take another photography class. Or, at the very least, go on some photo excursions with friends. Anyone in?

Dear Jack Frost

2007-12-20T19:54:23Z

Dear Mr. Frost,

I would first like to say that you have done a wonderful job of making the world shiny and pretty for the holidays. The snow by my house has a particular sparkle that only you can do so well.

I do think, though, that you may have gone a bit overboard this year. Technically it is not yet your season. By my calendar you weren't scheduled to begin your artwork until at least Winter Solstice (that would be this coming Saturday, December 22). Yet, by my count, I have shoveled around two feet of snow already (storm 1: 3 inches, storm 2: 9 inches, storm 3: 12 inches, storm 4: 5 and counting).

Now, I know that you received many angry letters last year from people who were frustrated with the lack of snow. And I agree that we all need a vacation now and then (by the way, how was Barbados last winter?) but, I think you may be overcompensating a bit this year. One small storm before Christmas would have sufficed.

I would like to propose a compromise. As I was not one of those who complained last year, I would like to ask that you discontinue your work in my neighborhood. Make that my state. I will let you leave the snow you have already created and I will even tolerate one more storm in, say, February. In return I will not complain to your supervisor, Mother Nature, about your disregard for Autumn and her right to have one more week of snow-less weather.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christi "I have shoveled way too much" the Librarian

Nerds Rule!

2007-12-20T00:29:57Z

I just saw this list of "50 Nerdy Things to Do Before You Die" (via Pop Candy). Totally made my day! Even better, it was posted on my birthday :)

For the curious, yes I've completed at least one of the items on the list. Bonus points if you can figure out which one(s).

Brief headache-inspired b*tch

2007-12-13T15:20:24Z

Why must people type so LOUDLY?! You don't need to kill the keyboard in order to make the letters appear on the screen.

Really, you don't.

Day of the Ninja

2007-12-05T21:02:14Z

Time to sneak up on people and to disappear into shadows.

Apparently we're not the only Ninja Librarians out there, librainiac and archiveninja!

and.......

I am officially a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do! My test was on Saturday in New Hampshire and the belt ceremony is this coming Friday. Dangerous library patrons, watch out...I have a mean back elbow strike.

A new fashion statement

2007-11-30T16:07:57Z

A new fashion statement
Originally uploaded by CDaisyM.

I'm trying to start a trend...duct tape patches on corduroy pants. Do you think it will stick?

On Wednesday I ripped my pants while working on the Reference Desk. The stupid keyboard pull-out thing caught on my cords, ripping a huge hole in them and giving me a nasty scratch/bruise in the process. All in front of a patron. With five more hours of work to go.

What's a girl to do when she has a five-inch hole in her pants that risks flashing her thigh to the public? She breaks out the duct tape! And not your run-of-the-mill silver tape. If you're going to have a big tape patch on your pants for the majority of your work day, go for bright colors...like turquoise.

(while the patch and picture were fun, I'm seriously missing my cords...they were my favorite pants...I'm sad)

I'm going to Philadelphia!

2007-11-24T19:18:54Z

I really thought I had mentioned this already, but apparently I didn't. So this is a belated announcement...I'm going to Philadelphia!

In October I applied for the Bill Morris Seminar, a new invitational seminar from the ALSC being held before ALA Midwinter. I really didn't expect to get in, but I did :) So I get to attend Midwinter in January and get this really cool opportunity. The seminar is to teach librarians about book evaluation and the group process that takes place in the ALSC media award committees (Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, etc.) Librarians who attend will then be considered as potential candidates for the committees.

I can't wait! And, if any of you will be at Midwinter perhaps we can meet up.

Domestic Goddess

2007-11-21T16:18:50Z

I've never really felt like I belonged in the Domestic Goddess Club. While I enjoy cooking and baking, I don't enjoy cleaning. And I usually pick up an iron only once a year. However, today I think I'm at least in the initiation phase of Domestic Goddesshood.

We're hosting Thanksgiving for the second year in a row, so I have a lot to do before 2pm tomorrow. I will be leaving for work in a few minutes (it's 11:15am) and since I got up this morning I've been running around the house. Here's what I've done today:

- ironed cloth napkins and tablecloths
- boiled a dozen eggs
- made pie crust
- made the guest bed
- did a load of laundry
- did dishes (we do not have a dishwasher)
- got out all the dishes I'll need for tomorrow
- cleaned the litter box

There's still a lot to be done, but I'm starting to feel like it will all work out.

Last Wedding of 2007

2007-11-12T20:34:58Z

Cake Detail
Originally uploaded by CDaisyM.

Last night was Moira and Dan's wedding. It was the perfect celebration to end Wedding Season '07! The ceremony was beautiful, the friends plenty and the cake divine (mocha buttercream filling with chocolate ganache frosting...mmm.)

The only snag to the whole evening came when I completely lost my voice around 6pm. But that didn't keep me from dancing and taking lots of pictures.

Congratulations to Moira and Dan...you make an amazing couple!