If you're bored, you must check out this site:
http://www.jenw.org/home.htm
My personal favorite is Kitsy Babcock : Library assistant.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Thoughts on a book
Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman.
Excellent! By far, one of my all-time favorite authors. This book changed the way I look at spiders. Lots of fun and very interesting to think about! It's always hard to classify Gaiman's books, he's very...unique. He's written everything from graphic novels to young adult novels to adult novels. There is a very thin line between young adult and adult novels.
Excellent! By far, one of my all-time favorite authors. This book changed the way I look at spiders. Lots of fun and very interesting to think about! It's always hard to classify Gaiman's books, he's very...unique. He's written everything from graphic novels to young adult novels to adult novels. There is a very thin line between young adult and adult novels.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Happy happy happy!!!!!!!!!
I woke up today with a smile on my face because it's basically Friday, it's snowing, and tomorrow is my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving! I am still like a kid when it comes to snow. I just adore it. I especially love the first *real* snow of the year. I love wearing sweaters, scarves, mittens, long coats, I love bundling up and cuddling with my little furry guys. Sometimes I don't even need a blanket if I've got the boys keeping me warm.
Where I work, we have casual Fridays. Most of my co-workers wear jeans, comfortable shoes, etc. So today, I treated it like Friday thinking I wouldn't be the only one. ...I'm the only one. Oh well. Worse things have happened in the working world. At least I didn't come dressed in a Halloween costume cause that would be quite unfortunate.
I don't really have too much else to add to this post except I'm thankful for everyone in my life!
Where I work, we have casual Fridays. Most of my co-workers wear jeans, comfortable shoes, etc. So today, I treated it like Friday thinking I wouldn't be the only one. ...I'm the only one. Oh well. Worse things have happened in the working world. At least I didn't come dressed in a Halloween costume cause that would be quite unfortunate.
I don't really have too much else to add to this post except I'm thankful for everyone in my life!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
A smattering of semi-boring material
Well I almost put Sammy up for adoption today. Okay, not really, I just had a bad moment with him. (Ultimately, I am so attached to him, it would take a LOT for me to part ways) Truth be told, it was my fault. I was playing with him, moving my hand underneath a chair cover and he was chasing it around. Unfortunately, my cat-like reflexes are not, in fact, cat-like at all. He scratched me REAL good on the palm of my hand. You know, the kind of scratch that makes your finger go numb and the skin around it very sensitive. It hurts! No, Sammy's a good boy. Crazy, but good. Such is the price to pay for sharing your house with a lion.
Work has been very challenging the past week, but challenging in the good way. I've been going through a "standards and assessment" work book published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) because my boss asked for me to evaluate the library now that I've been here for about 6 months. It has been quite an eye-opening experience. Remember how I never thought I'd write a mission statement? Well this is similar. One of the required courses in school was "Evaluation of Library and Information Centers" or something to that effect. That was actually one of my most valuable classes and taught by one of my favorite professors.I re-arranged my apartment which I think has helped me de-clutter a lot in my life. I go through phases where I just throw a whole bunch of junk away and I'm in that phase this week. It's pretty liberating but I still have a lot of work to do.
Work has been very challenging the past week, but challenging in the good way. I've been going through a "standards and assessment" work book published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) because my boss asked for me to evaluate the library now that I've been here for about 6 months. It has been quite an eye-opening experience. Remember how I never thought I'd write a mission statement? Well this is similar. One of the required courses in school was "Evaluation of Library and Information Centers" or something to that effect. That was actually one of my most valuable classes and taught by one of my favorite professors.I re-arranged my apartment which I think has helped me de-clutter a lot in my life. I go through phases where I just throw a whole bunch of junk away and I'm in that phase this week. It's pretty liberating but I still have a lot of work to do.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The lunchtime poet
So I seem to have developed a new hobby. Poetry. Hold on, it's not as impressive as you think. You see, I come home for lunch just about everyday. I save on money (theoretically) and I get a chance to let out Levi and let him run around a bit. The past week or so, I've noticed that I have begun making up little poems while I fix myself lunch. Usually, they're about Levi and Sammy, maybe out upcoming plans, perhaps a strange happening from the day. Entertaining? Absolutely. Funny? You bet! Slightly crazy? Um...
I would recite some to you but most of them involve not-so-nice words and sometimes disagreeable themes. But take my word for it, they make me laugh!
I also did something today I thought I would never do. I remember like it was yesterday. I was in grad school and our assignment was to write a mission statement/goals and objectives for a fictional library. I hated this assignment and truthfully did not see the relevance in it. I never believed I would be in a director position ever, let alone my first job out of grad school. So you guess it, I wrote my first mission statement. And you know what? It wasn't that hard. It shocked the socks off of me. One important thing I learned from getting my MLS is there's no need to re-invent the wheel. Library science is all about sharing. It helped a lot to read the words of my predecessors.
And you know what? I am truly proud to say, "I am a librarian." It's a nice feeling. I've never felt it before in terms of what I do with my time.
Gotta go...I think my refrigerator's gonna blow up...
I would recite some to you but most of them involve not-so-nice words and sometimes disagreeable themes. But take my word for it, they make me laugh!
I also did something today I thought I would never do. I remember like it was yesterday. I was in grad school and our assignment was to write a mission statement/goals and objectives for a fictional library. I hated this assignment and truthfully did not see the relevance in it. I never believed I would be in a director position ever, let alone my first job out of grad school. So you guess it, I wrote my first mission statement. And you know what? It wasn't that hard. It shocked the socks off of me. One important thing I learned from getting my MLS is there's no need to re-invent the wheel. Library science is all about sharing. It helped a lot to read the words of my predecessors.
And you know what? I am truly proud to say, "I am a librarian." It's a nice feeling. I've never felt it before in terms of what I do with my time.
Gotta go...I think my refrigerator's gonna blow up...
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Another failed attempt
Contrary to popular opinion (meaning mine), Rice Chex not only can but will burn in the microwave. Yes folks, I have once again failed an attempt at "cooking." Which I suppose is an accomplishment in itself now that I think about it.
The reason I put the term cooking in quotations is because I use it very specifically. Basically, I determine "cooking" as any act which requires more than the most minimal of efforts as well as using some sort of heat source. Although with this definition, I suppose vacuuming could also be considered cooking. So be it.
In my defense, when I follow a recipe and when I have all the necessary ingredients, I am actually not a bad cook (unless chicken is involved...that's always a disaster). It's just that those two things very rarely happen in the same instance. Hence, burning Rice Chex in the microwave.
The reason I put the term cooking in quotations is because I use it very specifically. Basically, I determine "cooking" as any act which requires more than the most minimal of efforts as well as using some sort of heat source. Although with this definition, I suppose vacuuming could also be considered cooking. So be it.
In my defense, when I follow a recipe and when I have all the necessary ingredients, I am actually not a bad cook (unless chicken is involved...that's always a disaster). It's just that those two things very rarely happen in the same instance. Hence, burning Rice Chex in the microwave.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Long time no blog
Oops! I haven't written in quite a while. Sorry about that.
But wait a minute...you actually read this junk? I don't know why...
Well times down here in Florence are moving along same as mostly usual. In my last blog entry, I mentioned Levi taking to licking my furniture. He stopped doing that (thank goodness) and is now whole-heartedly attacking any and all tupperware that he can sink his nasty little teeth in. Believe it or not, he's destroyed more than his fair share of plastic containers. I'm just glad he doesn't actually EAT them.
And what about Sammy, you may ask? Well, surprisingly enough, he gets more and more lovable and loving each day. Almost aggresively so. It's endearing...yet a little scary at 4:30 in the morning. And he has now developed a new habit (he was probably jealous of Levi getting all the attention). He's now licking my bathroom floor. And no, I have not spilled anything! :) It is the strangest thing ever. He also hates it whenever I take a shower. He sits on my toilet seat (seat down...I should mention) and yowls. Note--he doesn't meow...he YOWLS. I think he gets really worried about me in all that water. I know how all dogs and cats are weird, but it seems like Levi and Sammy are *exceptionally* weird. I know I'm biased, but come on!
Let's see...what else. Kevin introduced me to a pretty decent new sandwich. Peanut butter, honey, raisins and sunflower seeds. Believe it or not, it's pretty decent. He's told me about some combinations that he used to eat. For instance,
"Have you ever had a peanut butter, Fluff and pickle sandwiches?" (Fluff, by the way, is what happens when marshmallows get sick...people think it's "food" in a jar)
"Ew."
"No, seriously, they're really good! How about mayonnaise, M&M's and cottage cheese?"
"Oh my gosh that's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of."
Okay, so I'm not remembering the combinations exactly and I totally made those up but the combinations he comes up with are always some sort of trio of processed death. Gross.
Back to bibliographying...bibliographologing...bibliographologizing...
making lists of books.
But wait a minute...you actually read this junk? I don't know why...
Well times down here in Florence are moving along same as mostly usual. In my last blog entry, I mentioned Levi taking to licking my furniture. He stopped doing that (thank goodness) and is now whole-heartedly attacking any and all tupperware that he can sink his nasty little teeth in. Believe it or not, he's destroyed more than his fair share of plastic containers. I'm just glad he doesn't actually EAT them.
And what about Sammy, you may ask? Well, surprisingly enough, he gets more and more lovable and loving each day. Almost aggresively so. It's endearing...yet a little scary at 4:30 in the morning. And he has now developed a new habit (he was probably jealous of Levi getting all the attention). He's now licking my bathroom floor. And no, I have not spilled anything! :) It is the strangest thing ever. He also hates it whenever I take a shower. He sits on my toilet seat (seat down...I should mention) and yowls. Note--he doesn't meow...he YOWLS. I think he gets really worried about me in all that water. I know how all dogs and cats are weird, but it seems like Levi and Sammy are *exceptionally* weird. I know I'm biased, but come on!
Let's see...what else. Kevin introduced me to a pretty decent new sandwich. Peanut butter, honey, raisins and sunflower seeds. Believe it or not, it's pretty decent. He's told me about some combinations that he used to eat. For instance,
"Have you ever had a peanut butter, Fluff and pickle sandwiches?" (Fluff, by the way, is what happens when marshmallows get sick...people think it's "food" in a jar)
"Ew."
"No, seriously, they're really good! How about mayonnaise, M&M's and cottage cheese?"
"Oh my gosh that's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of."
Okay, so I'm not remembering the combinations exactly and I totally made those up but the combinations he comes up with are always some sort of trio of processed death. Gross.
Back to bibliographying...bibliographologing...bibliographologizing...
making lists of books.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Random Lists
Things I refuse to buy with generic brands:
Ketchup
Dishwashing machine liquid
Doggie toenail clippers
Sammy's new favorite snack:
Uncooked pasta
Levi's all-time favorite snack:
Cardboard boxes
My favorite time of day:
When I get home from work and the boys act as though they haven't seen me in years.
My least favorite time of day:
Right after my favorite time of day when I realize how much work I still have to do.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
A Milestone for Me
I have been enjoying beyond words reading the blogs of my sister and cousin, both who are raising wonderful children, documenting all of the precious milestones these unique and wonderful babies are experiencing.
And now...a milestone for a 25-year-old. A couple of months ago, I bought myself a crockpot. Yesterday, I finally broke it out of its box. Today, when I came home for lunch, I prepared a genuine meal to cook while I was at work. Nothing fancy schmancy, just a simple chicken recipe I got out of a book. Just stuck the ingredients in the crock pot, turned it on, and left.
When I got home from work, I experienced a sensation I had not felt since...I don't even know how long. I felt like I actually came home...to a real, true home. When I walked through my doorway, I was overcome with the comforting smells of dinner cooking and a huge smile ran across my face. It was overwhelming. As most of you know, anything even remotely having to do with the kitchen has been a struggle for me for some time. So while this little moment may not seem like much on the surface, it was an immense relief, like a load had been taken off my shoulder. I just had the realization that I can actually take care of myself, and I'm not just fooling everyone. It's amazing what some chicken and spices will do. It sounds kind of cheesy, but it was actually kind of profound.
On that note, I think it's time to do some knitting.
And now...a milestone for a 25-year-old. A couple of months ago, I bought myself a crockpot. Yesterday, I finally broke it out of its box. Today, when I came home for lunch, I prepared a genuine meal to cook while I was at work. Nothing fancy schmancy, just a simple chicken recipe I got out of a book. Just stuck the ingredients in the crock pot, turned it on, and left.
When I got home from work, I experienced a sensation I had not felt since...I don't even know how long. I felt like I actually came home...to a real, true home. When I walked through my doorway, I was overcome with the comforting smells of dinner cooking and a huge smile ran across my face. It was overwhelming. As most of you know, anything even remotely having to do with the kitchen has been a struggle for me for some time. So while this little moment may not seem like much on the surface, it was an immense relief, like a load had been taken off my shoulder. I just had the realization that I can actually take care of myself, and I'm not just fooling everyone. It's amazing what some chicken and spices will do. It sounds kind of cheesy, but it was actually kind of profound.
On that note, I think it's time to do some knitting.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
What a week
Do I have a story for you! I came home from work yesterday to a cat walking backwards, hiccupping and uttering yow-me instead of me-ow. When I made my way to the kitchen, there was a shattered bottle of whiskey on the floor, with most of the contents gone.
Okay, I'm totally lying. At least, about the cat part. Sammy managed to get on top of the counter above my stove and knock over a small bottle of whiskey. I promise, I'm not a lush, I just had that hanging around since I was in Bloomington. Needless to say, I spent a while cleaning broken glass and nastiness from my kitchen floor last night. I'm just glad that neither Levi or Sammy had any cuts or scrapes on their paws or noses. They're both fine...and Sammy did not get drunk...thankfully. My guess is if that happened, I'd have a lot more to clean up than I already did.
After much deliberation, I decided to forego my opportunity to sing with the May Festival Chorus. It was a tremendous honor to be chosen but it just does not work with my schedule in the least. Next step will probably be church choir. That's nothing to sneeze at!
As far as work goes, I have completed the barcoding project. At least, one portion of it. I have barcoded every book in the collection (except the legal journals, those will not be circulated). Next step is to give barcodes to all the students and faculty. Yay! We're almost legit! I'm just kidding, we are definitely legit. And, as DB always says, "compared to what?" So true Paco, so true.
Okay, I'm totally lying. At least, about the cat part. Sammy managed to get on top of the counter above my stove and knock over a small bottle of whiskey. I promise, I'm not a lush, I just had that hanging around since I was in Bloomington. Needless to say, I spent a while cleaning broken glass and nastiness from my kitchen floor last night. I'm just glad that neither Levi or Sammy had any cuts or scrapes on their paws or noses. They're both fine...and Sammy did not get drunk...thankfully. My guess is if that happened, I'd have a lot more to clean up than I already did.
After much deliberation, I decided to forego my opportunity to sing with the May Festival Chorus. It was a tremendous honor to be chosen but it just does not work with my schedule in the least. Next step will probably be church choir. That's nothing to sneeze at!
As far as work goes, I have completed the barcoding project. At least, one portion of it. I have barcoded every book in the collection (except the legal journals, those will not be circulated). Next step is to give barcodes to all the students and faculty. Yay! We're almost legit! I'm just kidding, we are definitely legit. And, as DB always says, "compared to what?" So true Paco, so true.
Monday, September 26, 2005
I think dogs can get hairballs
You know what I hate? Local news previews. Do you know what I'm talking about? Those 10 second previews to stories on your local news "tonight at 10." I have no idea why, but I have to change the channel whenever they appear on TV. I don't even have a witty metaphor or anything cute to say about it. I just think they are awful.
My DVD player broke.
My CD player broke.
The pipe behind my toilet is leaking.
My drier smells of old cottage cheese and death.
I could vacuum every waking hour and I still wouldn't get all the animal hair out of my life.
**But...**
That's all okay because:
My computer has a DVD player AND a CD player.
I rent...ha!
There's not really a solution to my drier. It could be worse...I might not have one.
I love my animals too much to worry about shedding.
And...my hair is looking really cute today. There's just not much more to it. :)
My DVD player broke.
My CD player broke.
The pipe behind my toilet is leaking.
My drier smells of old cottage cheese and death.
I could vacuum every waking hour and I still wouldn't get all the animal hair out of my life.
**But...**
That's all okay because:
My computer has a DVD player AND a CD player.
I rent...ha!
There's not really a solution to my drier. It could be worse...I might not have one.
I love my animals too much to worry about shedding.
And...my hair is looking really cute today. There's just not much more to it. :)
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Sunday evening
I'm not totally sure why, but I really enjoy Sunday evenings. I have very distinct memories of Sunday evenings dating back to when I was a kid. I have learned in my later years that many of my memories are exagerrated or downright wrong so forgive me if this falls into one of those categories.
It starts off with the smell of shampoo. I remember after bathing, I would walk downstairs to the living room and ask my mom to dry my hair. She would gladly oblige and we would commence with our somewhat weekly ritual. She always used to blow the hairdryer down my back, giving me chills and goosebumps at the same time, inevitably causing a giggle. Once my hair was sufficiently puffed up and dry, we would go back to the living room. Somehow the whole family would wind up in this same room. Sometimes we were all doing different things, homework, reading a magazine, organizing papers, but nevertheless we would all plop ourselves down and watch the evening news, followed by Jeopardy! I don't know what it is about this memory except that regardless of whatever else was going on, we were all there. I still think about that from time to time.
It's been a good Sunday for me. I've been hanging out with the boys, watching Levi chew on his rawhide and occasionally Sammy. I've also chosen today to be laundry day. I bet I did about six loads of laundry. I love my washer and dryer! However, if I do too many loads in one sitting, I have to be careful because one of them begins to put off a certain...um...odor. I won't go into anymore detail than that. At this point, I have a half-dried load in the dryer and a load in the washer which will just have to wait until tomorrow unless I want to have the insides of my nose burnt off and my eyeballs melt. Okay, so that's a little much but it seems like that sometimes.
That's all. I've gotta go to bed. It's a two week break between quarters at school so I'm going to a strict 8-5 schedule since I will not be needed for reference duty. Sleep is needed!
It starts off with the smell of shampoo. I remember after bathing, I would walk downstairs to the living room and ask my mom to dry my hair. She would gladly oblige and we would commence with our somewhat weekly ritual. She always used to blow the hairdryer down my back, giving me chills and goosebumps at the same time, inevitably causing a giggle. Once my hair was sufficiently puffed up and dry, we would go back to the living room. Somehow the whole family would wind up in this same room. Sometimes we were all doing different things, homework, reading a magazine, organizing papers, but nevertheless we would all plop ourselves down and watch the evening news, followed by Jeopardy! I don't know what it is about this memory except that regardless of whatever else was going on, we were all there. I still think about that from time to time.
It's been a good Sunday for me. I've been hanging out with the boys, watching Levi chew on his rawhide and occasionally Sammy. I've also chosen today to be laundry day. I bet I did about six loads of laundry. I love my washer and dryer! However, if I do too many loads in one sitting, I have to be careful because one of them begins to put off a certain...um...odor. I won't go into anymore detail than that. At this point, I have a half-dried load in the dryer and a load in the washer which will just have to wait until tomorrow unless I want to have the insides of my nose burnt off and my eyeballs melt. Okay, so that's a little much but it seems like that sometimes.
That's all. I've gotta go to bed. It's a two week break between quarters at school so I'm going to a strict 8-5 schedule since I will not be needed for reference duty. Sleep is needed!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Website and concert dates
May Festival Chorus
http://www.mayfestival.com
Friday, October 7 8pm
Saturday, October 8 8pm
"In October 1965, Erich Kunzel made his CSO conducting debut at a sold-out 8 O’Clock Pops concert at Music Hall. This weekend he celebrates his remarkable 40-year career with works by close friends and collaborators John Williams and Steven Reineke and performances by another phenomenal musical partner, Frederica von Stade. Maestro Kunzel conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the May Festival Chorus, under the direction of Robert Porco."
Saturday, November 12 Choral Workshop 10am-4pm
"The May Festival hosts the 3rd Annual Choral Workshop. Members of the Greater Cincinnati community are invited to rehearse many popular choruses from Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the world-renowned May Festival Chorus and Director of Choruses Robert Porco. The workshop is free to all participants. Attendance is limited and by reservation only. Reservations will be taken starting September 15. Please call (513) 744-3229 for more information."
Saturday, December 3 Carolfest 1pm AND 4pm
"Cincinnati’s favorite holiday sing-along featuring Robert Porco and the world-renowned May Festival Chorus returns to Music Hall."
Friday, December 9 Holiday Pops Concert #1 8pm
Saturday, December 10 Holiday Pops Concert #2 2pm
Saturday, December 10 Holiday Pops Concert #3 8pm
Sunday, December 11 Holiday Pops Concert #4 2pm
Sunday, December 11 Holiday Pops Concert #5 7pm
"Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops welcome Judy McClane, Eric Kunze, Daniel Narducci, the incredible CCM Musical Theater students, the world-renowned May Festival Chorus, the clogging Santas and so much more. Bring the family and lift your holiday spirits!"
Friday, March 10 8pm
Saturday, March 11 8pm
"Mahler himself said, and listeners agree, that his symphonies are about life, death, “everything.” In his Resurrection symphony, he describes the suffering, renewal, hope and the ultimate joy of eternal life with some of the most inspiring music ever written. Paavo Järvi leads soprano Latonia Moore, mezzo-soprano Lilli Pasikivi, the world-renowned May Festival Chorus, under the direction of Robert Porco, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection."
May Festival 2006
Friday, May 19 8pm
Saturday, May 20 8pm
Sunday, May 21 7pm
Friday, May 26 8pm
Saturday, May 27 8pm
"America’s premier choral festival features five different concerts spanning two weekends. Music Director James Conlon leads the world-renowned May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra."
http://www.mayfestival.com
Friday, October 7 8pm
Saturday, October 8 8pm
"In October 1965, Erich Kunzel made his CSO conducting debut at a sold-out 8 O’Clock Pops concert at Music Hall. This weekend he celebrates his remarkable 40-year career with works by close friends and collaborators John Williams and Steven Reineke and performances by another phenomenal musical partner, Frederica von Stade. Maestro Kunzel conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the May Festival Chorus, under the direction of Robert Porco."
Saturday, November 12 Choral Workshop 10am-4pm
"The May Festival hosts the 3rd Annual Choral Workshop. Members of the Greater Cincinnati community are invited to rehearse many popular choruses from Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the world-renowned May Festival Chorus and Director of Choruses Robert Porco. The workshop is free to all participants. Attendance is limited and by reservation only. Reservations will be taken starting September 15. Please call (513) 744-3229 for more information."
Saturday, December 3 Carolfest 1pm AND 4pm
"Cincinnati’s favorite holiday sing-along featuring Robert Porco and the world-renowned May Festival Chorus returns to Music Hall."
Friday, December 9 Holiday Pops Concert #1 8pm
Saturday, December 10 Holiday Pops Concert #2 2pm
Saturday, December 10 Holiday Pops Concert #3 8pm
Sunday, December 11 Holiday Pops Concert #4 2pm
Sunday, December 11 Holiday Pops Concert #5 7pm
"Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops welcome Judy McClane, Eric Kunze, Daniel Narducci, the incredible CCM Musical Theater students, the world-renowned May Festival Chorus, the clogging Santas and so much more. Bring the family and lift your holiday spirits!"
Friday, March 10 8pm
Saturday, March 11 8pm
"Mahler himself said, and listeners agree, that his symphonies are about life, death, “everything.” In his Resurrection symphony, he describes the suffering, renewal, hope and the ultimate joy of eternal life with some of the most inspiring music ever written. Paavo Järvi leads soprano Latonia Moore, mezzo-soprano Lilli Pasikivi, the world-renowned May Festival Chorus, under the direction of Robert Porco, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection."
May Festival 2006
Friday, May 19 8pm
Saturday, May 20 8pm
Sunday, May 21 7pm
Friday, May 26 8pm
Saturday, May 27 8pm
"America’s premier choral festival features five different concerts spanning two weekends. Music Director James Conlon leads the world-renowned May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra."
"QT" with Sammy
My apartment is quite calm this week. Levi is spending the week with Kevin & co. so I can go to the Kentucky Library Association Conference in Louisville. yay! It's nice to spend some quality time with Sammy, but I have to admit, I really miss my little puppy (okay, so he's not so little and he's not a puppy but still...). However, I am so excited to attend the conference. I know I'm going to learn a lot and get countless opportunities to network. I feel so...professional.
Speaking of libraries (was I?) I just have to say I am starting to feel like I am really starting to (beware of unabashed horn tooting) feel a difference in work. We are now subscribers to two large online reference databases and I am in the process of barcoding the whole collection in order to work toward circulation once again. Because of various issues, the library is currently a non-circulating library. Once I have all the materials and patrons entered into the database, it'll be much quicker and easier to keep track of materials. There's just something so satisfying when I hear that mechanical *beep* whenever I brush the scanner past a barcode. Ahh..technology.
On a different note, I was recently accepted into a chorus in Cincinnati called the May Festival Chorus. It is a volunteer group of about 150 singers and they frequently perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops. I was accepted Friday night and after receiving a copy of the rehearsal schedule, called my parents (they often bring me back to earth when I'm feeling as though I'm on a perious and scary death flight to Jupiter) and decided to turn down the offer. However, while I was at work, I received a phone call from the manager of the chorus saying congratulations because not many people are accepted after their first audition (sorry about the continuous horn tooting). This ego boost accompanied by the fact that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, encouraged me to go home after work and study the schedule to see what it is really like. Once I looked closer, I discovered that while it is at times a very demanding schedule, it is not demanding for the whole season. It is mostly like any other group, with rehearsal once a week for a few hours. It will be a nightmare for two weeks in May but other than that, it's just a slightly more demanding chorus than the ones I have been in in the past.
So I called my sister. I asked her if she thought I was crazy. I told her the whole schpiel (sp?) and she said I'm not crazy. She must be right! :) Of course, she followed it by saying, "well, you are crazy, but not because of this." Ahh, sisters.
Now I am officially a member of the May Festival Chorus. I believe it is one of the most prestigious ensembles I have been a part of and I am looking forward to it tremendously. I'm glad I took the time to really study the schedule. Otherwise I would've not been able to stop thinking about it.
Well I'm half writing this, half watching TV so I think TV has now won the battle. More to come.
Speaking of libraries (was I?) I just have to say I am starting to feel like I am really starting to (beware of unabashed horn tooting) feel a difference in work. We are now subscribers to two large online reference databases and I am in the process of barcoding the whole collection in order to work toward circulation once again. Because of various issues, the library is currently a non-circulating library. Once I have all the materials and patrons entered into the database, it'll be much quicker and easier to keep track of materials. There's just something so satisfying when I hear that mechanical *beep* whenever I brush the scanner past a barcode. Ahh..technology.
On a different note, I was recently accepted into a chorus in Cincinnati called the May Festival Chorus. It is a volunteer group of about 150 singers and they frequently perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops. I was accepted Friday night and after receiving a copy of the rehearsal schedule, called my parents (they often bring me back to earth when I'm feeling as though I'm on a perious and scary death flight to Jupiter) and decided to turn down the offer. However, while I was at work, I received a phone call from the manager of the chorus saying congratulations because not many people are accepted after their first audition (sorry about the continuous horn tooting). This ego boost accompanied by the fact that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, encouraged me to go home after work and study the schedule to see what it is really like. Once I looked closer, I discovered that while it is at times a very demanding schedule, it is not demanding for the whole season. It is mostly like any other group, with rehearsal once a week for a few hours. It will be a nightmare for two weeks in May but other than that, it's just a slightly more demanding chorus than the ones I have been in in the past.
So I called my sister. I asked her if she thought I was crazy. I told her the whole schpiel (sp?) and she said I'm not crazy. She must be right! :) Of course, she followed it by saying, "well, you are crazy, but not because of this." Ahh, sisters.
Now I am officially a member of the May Festival Chorus. I believe it is one of the most prestigious ensembles I have been a part of and I am looking forward to it tremendously. I'm glad I took the time to really study the schedule. Otherwise I would've not been able to stop thinking about it.
Well I'm half writing this, half watching TV so I think TV has now won the battle. More to come.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Want to foster an animal? Support a no-kill shelter from Chicago? Read on!
Want to help the animals left homeless by Hurricane Katrina?
PAWS Chicago coordinated a group of volunteers to travel to the Humane Society of Faline County in Bauxite, Arkansas, right outside of Little Rock. The volunteers have picked up 60-75 homeless pets from the shelter. These animals were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.
We are looking for foster homes for the animals being transferred from Arkansas.
Foster Families
If you are able to foster an animal for a few weeks or longer, please visit our website at http://www.pawschicago.org/ to sign up to be a foster home.
Monetary Donations
We are also in need of monetary donations to help with supplies for the animals. If you would like to make a donation for the Katrina Pet Rescue effort, please visit our http://www.pawschicago.org/ to donate on-line or send your check to: PAWS Chicago ATTN: Lisa Dawson 1110 W. 35th Street Chicago, IL 60609
**Make sure to write on your check "PAWS Chicago/Katrina Pet Rescue".
We are also in need of monetary donations to help with supplies for the animals. If you would like to make a donation for the Katrina Pet Rescue effort, please visit our http://www.pawschicago.org/ to donate on-line or send your check to: PAWS Chicago ATTN: Lisa Dawson 1110 W. 35th Street Chicago, IL 60609
**Make sure to write on your check "PAWS Chicago/Katrina Pet Rescue".
In-Kind Donations
If you are interested in making an in-kind donation of towels, blankets, pet food, etc., items are being be accepted Monday through Friday from 10AM to 4PM at the Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic located at 3516 W. 26th Street in Chicago
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Another opportunity to get involved
I got this email from my friend in New York the other day. If you can help in anyway, either let me know or contact the organization direclty.
"i'm sure most if not all of you have been following the devastation of hurricane katrina and horrific situations that people now find themselves in. my friend sarah wanted to help and developed the following idea:
we assume that many people who have been evacuated to houston, lafayette, and surrounding areas have other places they could stay around the country (i.e. with family and friends), but have no way to get there. it was sarah's idea to coordinate transportation from these shelter locations to other hubs (atlanta, chicago, tallahassee, new york, dallas, nashville, etc.) and then other transporation still from those locations to less-centralized areas, until these evacuees get to a safe place where they can stay and the shelters can be emptied. so far, we have a website, a toll-free number, and lots of people who have volunteered to help. we have delegated specific jobs to people who have volunteered so far. this is what we are still looking for:
STAFF:Development director: This person would be in charge of coordinating fundraising efforts, specifically money for chartering buses and paying for gas.
501(c)3 connection: Anyone who has a connection to a non-profit who might be able to have us raise money under their umbrella (since we don't have our own non-profit status yet) would be EXTREMELY helpful.
Public Relations: This person would be in charge of media management (press kits, interviews, etc.)
OTHER NEEDS:
BUSES!!!! BUSES!!!! BUSES!!!!!! This is our most immediate need. We are currently gathering information about where people are and where they need to go. now we need buses to get them there. the buses would have to go to the houston area and then take people to central hubs. this could mean if you know an organization that has a bus (church, choir, church choir, etc.) and would be willing to lend it, contact them. if not, raising money to pay for a bus would also be helpful. we have someone who is working on making arrangements with bus companies once some money is raised.
Kinko's Account: this project is going to incur some copying, faxing, and fedexing costs. we are dreaming of someone who would be willing to open a kinko's account for us and pay for it. we don't expect this to exceed more than a few hundred dollars, and of course whoever is in charge of it would be able to monitor it, etc. (i.e. it wouldn't be a blank check.)
Drivers in other locations: once we get our mass transit to major cities, we will need individuals WITH VEHICLES AVAILABLE to take other people on the next leg of their journey. we do not know exactly where these areas will be yet, as we've been operating for 48 hours, but we're working on it.
if you believe that you would be able to be helpful in any of the specific areas listed above, please let me know ASAP. for more info, check our website: www.katrinacaravan.org, which is being updated as frequently as possible.
thank you to everyone!
~emily
"i'm sure most if not all of you have been following the devastation of hurricane katrina and horrific situations that people now find themselves in. my friend sarah wanted to help and developed the following idea:
we assume that many people who have been evacuated to houston, lafayette, and surrounding areas have other places they could stay around the country (i.e. with family and friends), but have no way to get there. it was sarah's idea to coordinate transportation from these shelter locations to other hubs (atlanta, chicago, tallahassee, new york, dallas, nashville, etc.) and then other transporation still from those locations to less-centralized areas, until these evacuees get to a safe place where they can stay and the shelters can be emptied. so far, we have a website, a toll-free number, and lots of people who have volunteered to help. we have delegated specific jobs to people who have volunteered so far. this is what we are still looking for:
STAFF:Development director: This person would be in charge of coordinating fundraising efforts, specifically money for chartering buses and paying for gas.
501(c)3 connection: Anyone who has a connection to a non-profit who might be able to have us raise money under their umbrella (since we don't have our own non-profit status yet) would be EXTREMELY helpful.
Public Relations: This person would be in charge of media management (press kits, interviews, etc.)
OTHER NEEDS:
BUSES!!!! BUSES!!!! BUSES!!!!!! This is our most immediate need. We are currently gathering information about where people are and where they need to go. now we need buses to get them there. the buses would have to go to the houston area and then take people to central hubs. this could mean if you know an organization that has a bus (church, choir, church choir, etc.) and would be willing to lend it, contact them. if not, raising money to pay for a bus would also be helpful. we have someone who is working on making arrangements with bus companies once some money is raised.
Kinko's Account: this project is going to incur some copying, faxing, and fedexing costs. we are dreaming of someone who would be willing to open a kinko's account for us and pay for it. we don't expect this to exceed more than a few hundred dollars, and of course whoever is in charge of it would be able to monitor it, etc. (i.e. it wouldn't be a blank check.)
Drivers in other locations: once we get our mass transit to major cities, we will need individuals WITH VEHICLES AVAILABLE to take other people on the next leg of their journey. we do not know exactly where these areas will be yet, as we've been operating for 48 hours, but we're working on it.
if you believe that you would be able to be helpful in any of the specific areas listed above, please let me know ASAP. for more info, check our website: www.katrinacaravan.org, which is being updated as frequently as possible.
thank you to everyone!
~emily
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