chickintheham

New Homeless Blog

2010-08-24T17:51:00.000-05:00

I realized that my posts about the homeless didn't really belong with my crazy ramblings on other things so I created a separate blog for them.

I've tried to spread the word but just in case you don't know where to find it and you are interested, my homeless blog can be found here.

http://onthestreetsintheham.blogspot.com/

Outrageous

2010-08-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

So I told you I’d be blogging more about the homeless but this post is not about the homeless. This post is about the new football coach in Florida who is reeking havoc on my life. I’d tell you his name but I don’t want there to be any chance of my blog being found by people Googling him. But, I guess I can tell you his initials. They are J. F. He went to the school I currently work for. Then after he graduated, he had his first coaching job here under a head coach who just happened to be the son of the head coach this guy is replacing in Florida. I’m telling you… this man is killing me! I sort of want to ask God…. Actually, I have asked God, to PLEASE let me know if any of the current students here might reach some sort of fame in the future just so I can go ahead and index the heck of out of them. Every day we seem to get new research requests concerning J.F. Adding to the hubbub is the fact that his first game as a head coach will be against us, the team he had his first coaching job with. We actually had the school in Florida call us and ask that we find a picture of J.F. coaching on the sidelines here wearing one of THEIR team hats. How outrageous. How many coaches wear hats for other teams during games? Surely, that is illegal. Me and my department head searched all Friday afternoon for a sideline picture of him with or without a hat. Then when we found a couple, we told them what they found and they actually said, “Nah!” Outrageous!!!! We’ve had other similar requests as well from journalists… as if we knew 25 years ago we needed to specially note this man in our records. We may be a smaller school but that doesn’t mean we can document photographically in various settings every single person that has come here. Again, Outrageous!!! The coach he is replacing is also an alum and a former coach of here. Over the years we’ve had many requests for pictures of him as well but none this crazy.

I probably shouldn’t…. but, I so am going to share a picture with you.

When I first saw this picture, I thought, “Awww they had a coach picture day with a prescribed outfit and they bought him the wrong pants and he has no choice but to wear them.” Sort of like what happens to bridesmaids. No matter how the dress fits, you have to wear it. But, as I continued to find pictures I realized that no, in fact, J.F. just seems to like his pants tight. Notice the shirt as well, I think he may have been a player in more ways than one.

T

2010-08-16T18:22:00.001-05:00

This past Sunday I also spent some time talking with T. It was his second Sunday to be down there with us. He’s a mid age/older man. Maybe in his 60s. It’s so hard to tell sometimes. Life on the streets is hard so I don’t know if he really is older or if he has just aged faster. Anyway, he seems to be a quiet man. I myself am quiet. I really struggle to talk to people sometimes so I tend to notice that in other people and sort of feel a connection with them. Last week, I had welcomed him and asked him how he found out about us. He answered with short answers. Not much for me to follow up on. But he smiled when we talked a little.

Yesterday I was excited to see him under the overpass waiting on us. I wasn’t sure I’d get to see him again. I went over to tell him how happy I was to see him again. He just smiled. Then he quietly got his lunch, sat and ate it. He doesn’t seem to separate himself from others really. He’ll sit nearby and listen and grin from time to time.

Right before we were leaving, I wanted to talk to him again. I’m really not good at talking to people. I cannot stress that enough. But I wanted him to know he mattered to me. So I went back over and asked him where R was. I had learned he followed R to the group last time. He said he didn’t know and that he really didn’t know R that well. I said, “Oh.” Then after a minute he looked at me and said very quietly, “I really don’t like myself.” I was a little startled and not sure I heard him correctly because I really do have a hard time hearing people sometimes and he speaks very softly. So I stepped closer to him and said, “What?” And he repeated it. I asked him why. He said he didn’t know but he just didn’t and he didn’t know anyone. I’m telling you, heart to heart conversations and counseling sessions are not my thing. They really are not. You know how girls are known for being all emotional and caring…. That’s not me. I somehow missed that girl gene. I was somewhat lost. I told him that no matter what he thinks or feels that he matters, that he matters to me and that God loves him. He mumbled, “I know.” Then I pointed to the group and asked, “do you know any of the other fellas here?” He said no, so I turned to C and Q and introduced them to him. Q, immediately started talking about his shoes and invited him to follow him back to his place, the parking deck, to see if he had some shoes that would fit him. I could have hugged Q’s neck for that. I wasn’t sure that was the thing to do really but I couldn’t imagine living on the streets and feeling so alone. Before they left, one of the guys for the ministry prayed for Q and C and he prayed for T too. I heard him but I think T had stepped to the side so I’m not sure he heard it. I hope he did. Prayer is so powerful and it’s always nice to know people are praying for you. I assume that’s true even if you don’t know if you believe.

If you read this, feel free to pray for T and pray for the people in the ministry and me to have the words to encourage T. He broke my heart this week. I don’t know his story but I want him to be happy. I want him to have hope.

Friends on the Street

2010-08-16T17:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I was back down at the overpass. We had a lot of people go down there with us this time. I think there were 12 of us that ended up down there. When we arrived, there were 7 or 8 men waiting on us. Most of them were new or newer faces. By the end of the day we had served about 15 men under the overpass and the leftovers had once again been delivered to others on the street. So, I’m not really sure how many men were fed yesterday.

Last week I told you that Q had been attacked and unable to come to lunch. But he showed up yesterday with a smile and a hug. He and C stood together. They always seem to stick together. I asked them how long they had known each other. C answered me, “About 8 months.” That’s when C moved into the parking garage that Q had been living in for 2 years. They’ve been looking after each other ever since. Q was quick to tell me that when he had been hurt last week, C walked with him to the hospital. And when he got out the next day, C was there waiting for him. Then C spoke up and said that when he is sick, Q is there to take care of him. (C suffers seizures). Q said, “We’re all each other have.” I really like the two of them. I wanted to tell him that’s not true, that they had me. But, I didn’t say that because I don’t know that it’s true. I do care about them but I show up for a couple of hours each week, when I can. They don’t really have me to count on in all circumstances. I am such a small part of their weeks. And, of course, that is what makes JM, who heads the ministry, so special. He is committed to the men he meets on the streets. He is their advocate. They really do have him to count on.

One of the things I’ve learned over the past few months is that people really aren’t that interested in the homeless. Sure, they are interested the first couple of times it is mentioned but after that, they lose interest and seem to wish I’d shut up about it. But I can’t. What I see happening is so amazing and such a blessing. How can I not talk about what I see God doing? People get hungry every week. People need to know they matter every week. The blessing of being a part of that is huge and there is plenty to go around so no, I don’t think by showing up one Sunday that I shouldn’t have to show up again for a while. I’m not saying that’s true for everyone. People have different callings and passions but that is the sort of attitude I get sometimes, that maybe I should put other things ahead of my street friends from time to time. But, I don’t want to and honestly, I’d miss them. I’ve thought about C and Q a thousand times since I saw them yesterday. I look forward to seeing them next Sunday.

A coworker and I are planning the Sunday meal in a couple of weeks, She, RC, has been going down there on Sundays too. She has become such a blessing to me. It’s so wonderful to have someone to share experiences with, who understands them. Like C and Q, RC and I have a common bond by spending our Sundays under the overpass. When someone on the street tells me a story, I know I can tell RC and she will understand and know what I mean and where I coming from. I am so grateful for her. We asked C and Q what they might like the day we cook lunch. Q asked “What?” then they both just laughed and said whatever we cook will be fine. I don’t guess anyone has asked them that question in a long time. We still don’t know what we’ll cook for them. I’m pretty sure it will involve beans and maybe some banana pudding but outside of that, I guess it’ll be a surprise for C and Q.

Out from under the Overpass

2010-08-09T20:44:00.001-05:00

"The exclusion of the weak and insignificant, the seemingly useless people from everyday Christian life in community may actually mean the exclusion of Christ; for in the poor sister or brother, Christ is knocking at the door." Dietrich Bonhoffer, Life Together

After we had given the men their lunches and their needs bags on Sunday, we had a lot of sack lunches left. So after leaving the overpass JM (the leader of the ministry) drove us around the streets looking for other folks who looked in need of a meal. A couple of the fellas from the street had hopped in the back of the truck for a lift. We stopped by a brick warehouse that appeared to be abandoned. There was a large cardboard box laid out on a porch. An older man was there sleeping. I was told, “that’s his place”…. Meaning that’s his home. JM knew him, and said that he could talk your ear off. I wondered if that was a God given talent… (If you are an introvert like me you see that as a gift) or did he spend so much time alone that when he found someone to talk to he just couldn’t shut up.

After leaving there we went by a gas station where a couple was standing. JM knew them too. He said they were bad news. They refused our meals and we left quickly. They were most likely up to no good and perhaps smoking some crack. I don’t know and I don’t want to know but they made me nervous. JM told us a little more about them in the car. They definitely live a shady lifestyle and I never want to come across either one of them alone.

From then on I kept glancing to the back of the truck to see how our friends reacted to people we saw. If they smiled and waved I felt better. Finally, we stopped by Lynn Park. We gave a guy a meal and as soon as we did we had about 50 people rush the truck. PW, one of our friends in the back of the truck said, “This is trouble.” We gave all the food we had away and there were still 20 or 30 people who didn’t get a lunch. We gave them bottled waters. Many of the folks at the park were not happy with us for running out of food. They scowled and turned their backs on us. J a new fella who had come to the overpass for the first time that Sunday was in the back with PW. He gave his sack lunch away to one of the men at the park. That was such a generous thing to do, but the recipient didn’t even thank him. Stopping by the park was a very eye-opening experience for me. In a weird way the Overpass in its own way was a comfort zone for me. I know the rules there. I know the people there. And although I have a healthy respect for what it is I’m doing there and my surroundings, there is a sort of comfort in it. But seeing another side of homelessness was shocking and even more heartbreaking. I wonder if there is hope for some of the people I saw there. How trapped are they by that lifestyle? It is a sort of community. Do they want that lifestyle? It’s very dark there, I almost never want to go to that park again. In the past, for various reasons I’ve gone through that park several times. I will never go there again without being more aware of my surroundings, without knowing that the girls on the corner, they aren’t just hanging out. It’s a very scary, heartbreaking world. I’m sad for them. I dont know what to do bur pray for them.

C's Birthday

2010-08-09T17:37:00.000-05:00

I feel there is so much to say about what I’ve seen happening in downtown Birmingham since I started going down on Sunday afternoons. I don’t know that I can actually catch you up.

But I will tell you about yesterday…. beginning with last Sunday. Last Sunday after helping serve the food I was sort of standing around awkwardly. I’m an awkward girl so that’s what I do. Since I’m also kind of a quiet girl…. That adds to the awkwardness. So I was standing around being odd when R drove up on his bike. R is one of my favorites. Is it odd or bad that I have favorite homeless men? I feel like I shouldn't but I do. R is a younger fellow. I’d guess him to be around 25. I have no idea what his story is but I like him and as soon as I saw him drive up, I was happy. I knew I’d have someone I could say hello to. He came over and gave me a hug and we talked about sunglasses, ice cream, and the weather. Then he started talking to another fella from the ministry team. So, I went over to say hello to a couple more guys from the street that seem to hang out together. Q and C. Q is probably in his 40s. I don’t know his story either. But, he is always nicely dressed. He’s dirty but his clothes are nice. So, Q tells me that next week (yesterday) was C’s birthday. At that point, C took off telling me about how he was going to walk proudly down the street on his birthday and drink a big ol’ Dr. Pepper. He went on and on about that Dr. Pepper and he seemed excited that he would get to spend his birthday with us.

So… now to yesterday. Knowing how important it was to C that it was his birthday I had gotten him a button that flashed Happy Birthday, and a small cooler with some ice and Dr. Peppers. I put it in a grocery bag with his name on it so it would blend in with other bags we had for the fellas. A coworker of mine had dropped off some cupcakes from Savages for him as well. I also kept those out of site for most of the afternoon. People get jealous of what the others get so I didn’t want to cause trouble or hurt any feelings. But as soon as we got to the overpass where we meet on Sundays I went over to give him a birthday hug and put his birthday pin on him. Immediately he started talking about his birthday Dr. Peppers. He said he had walked to the train station and paid $2.50 for a bottle of Dr. Pepper that morning only somehow he lost it. I think he said he put it down to do something and went back and it was gone. But he seemed happy to have gotten a few sips from it. Q wasn’t able to come to the overpass yesterday because earlier in the week someone who stayed in the same rundown building had beaten him up and injured him. I can’t imagine living in such a way. I worried for Q and felt sad for C because even his friend couldn’t help him celebrate his birthday. KM (a lady who heads up a lot of what the ministry does) walked over and joined us. She asked him how his birthday was going. He said it was better now but he had woken up sad because he was alone and didn’t have anyone to celebrate with. So KM told him we had something for him and we gave him the cupcakes and I told him about the Dr. Peppers. We sang Happy Birthday to him and he was so pleased and excited. We gave him so little and it meant so much to him. I think the only way I would have looked that pleased and excited is if someone had decided to pay off my mortgage.

R was also there again. He came over to me and very proudly showed me his “new” tennis shoes. These were shoes the ministry had been able to get for him from a local running shop. They were used but they looked brand new. R was so grateful for them. He told me that when he picked up his needs bag last week that he had no idea he’d have shoes in the bag and that he was so excited when he saw them. He had needed some new shoes for at least a month. I’m a little worried I didn’t respond to R as well as I should have because I was so focused on C and his birthday. I wouldn’t want to hurt R’s feelings for the world and he was so appreciative.

These men are such blessing to me… These men are homeless… and they bless me. I sort of wonder why that is. How can I be blessed by their poverty? Am I blessed because they are grateful to me for little things? That makes me feel like a bad person. But, I do care about them. I think about them all the time… When I’m outside and hot, I wonder if they’ve found a cool place to rest. Even today in the public bathroom at work when I saw toilet paper on the ground and a smudge on a door, I snarled a little at it not being perfectly clean and then I thought about my homeless friends and how they didn’t have bathrooms like I do let alone toilet paper. It’s a different world for some people. And most times we all just walk by and not even blink at it. It’s amazing.

Homeless

2010-08-08T19:04:00.001-05:00

For several months now I have been going downtown with a local ministry to help serve lunch to the homeless and to help meet their needs. The ministry's goal is to build relationships with the folks on the street, to tell them the good news of Christ and to offer them hope and a way out if possible.

Someone this past week thanked me for my servants heart. But I don't have a servants heart. I have a greatful heart. I cannot believe God has blessed me with the opportunity to see Him in action each week. Granted he is in action around me all the time. But this is an out of the box, away from the church building... In the dark sort of thing... Where people don't really have hope. They don't have a bed or a change of clothes. They don't even have a toilet, much less hope for a better tommorow. They are sick, they are addicted, they are without work and they need to be loved. They need to see God's love in action and they need to know of a hope in Christ. They need to know they matter. That Christ paid a high price for them and they are of great value...

And each Sunday I am privilidged to see the Love of God at work. It is an awesome blessing and I am honored beyond words to be a part of it. And I can't keep from talking about it.

So maybe instead of annoying my friends as much with these stories on twitter and facebook maybe I'll blog them. I can't promise to stop the tweets but I will try.

And fair warning, I am not above taking the clothes off of your back for my friends downtown. Especially if you happen to be a man.

Billy:The Early Years

2010-06-07T17:03:00.002-05:00

Last night I watched Billy: The Early Years. It’s a movie about Billy Graham and his life leading up to 1949.

The movie’s all right nothing worth spending your time on if you have no interest in Graham’s life or ministry. But, I found it fascinating.
If you follow me on various social medias you know I struggle with hearing about the politics that go on in my denomination. The struggle is getting worse. For a while I thought, well I still believe the Faith and Message but I’m not so sure that’s true anymore… at least not the current version of it. And the more I hear denominational leaders talk the more frustrated I get. But what does that have to do with Billy Graham? Well, I don’t think I REALLY realized he is considered to be a Southern Baptist. What fascinates me is that everyone knows Billy Graham. But I don’t know anything bad about him. I don’t know anything political about him. The controversies in the Southern Baptist Convention go back decades and decades as does Billy Graham’s Crusades. How did he keep out of all the Baptist politics? How did he keep out of national politics? How did he keep his calm about it? Did he really keep his calm? I don’t actually know much about him. But I want to know if he did, how’d he do it?

I heard a clip from his 1949 Los Angeles message in the film.

That was in 1949! A decade after Scottsboro and 15 years before the 1964 Civil Rights Act. How did that fly in 1949? After hearing this, I Googled him and found that he took down the ropes of segregation at his crusades. And yet, people still came to see him. Ministers in other places were kicked out of their churches for suggesting “everyone” was welcome… Our SBC history is not always pretty. How’d he do it? I really want to know. How do you stand up and not end up in a fight? I really want to be able to believe and not be caught up in the politics.

Dragons Exist, I Know.

2010-03-23T18:20:00.000-05:00

Twice today, by two unrelated people........ Very Very unrelated.... I have been told this quote by G.K. Chesterton

"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist.
Children already know that dragons exist.
Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."

The first time was by Stephin Merritt when he was talking about Coraline the Musical

And the second time by Justin Taylor when he mentions Andrew Peterson's books in a blog post.

Should I take that as a sign? Am I going to be facing dragons? Am I going to have to kill a dragon... or do I just need to read more fairy tales.... Gosh, I hope it's the latter. I don't know that I want to be killing dragons. That sounds scary.

Another Genie Example

2010-03-17T17:32:00.001-05:00

Another Genie example

a lady comes in, asks me if I'm "so and so." I am not "so and so". Then she looks at the person next to me, are "you so and so?" No, she is not. She looks back at me, "Well perhaps you can help me anyway.

She starts to go into a spiel sort of like the one I posted before. In the midst of it all, I hear XX church records. I stop her and say where is XX church located because I know for a fact that at least 3 churches exist in Alabama with that name. She tells me and I find the records for that church on Microfilm. These records date back to 1851.

I put the film on the reader printer and sit her down in front of the reader machine. She asks, "how do I find XX church?" I tell her, "It's right here." She begins to scroll through the film, "Yes," she says, "But I need the records for XX church." I again reply, "This is the records for the church." I can ascertain, this lady is not Baptist and I think she is just a little confused about what sort of records are in a church record. So, I continue, "The records for what each church has in the Baptist world varies. There is no set standard for records." So she says, "I need the records for XX church." So, I point out the top of the screen of film where it says 'XX church 1856" and she says, "Oh!"

Then she says, "now where are the birth records for the church." I explain, "Birth records are never included in Baptist church records." "Oh," she says, "Well baby baptisms should work, where are they?" I explain that in the Baptist denomination, we do not practice infant baptism. So she says, "at what age is a person baptized?" I answer, "It varies. People are baptized once they become believers and want to join the church." She says, "At what age is that?" Again I say, "A person is baptized after they have made the decision to follow Christ" "Ohhhhh," she says and then asks, "Well what happens to the babies?" I tell her nothing happens to the babies. So she asks, "At what age will the baby be baptized. My great-grandmother was very religious, she must have been baptised when she was very young." So I explain again, "once the baby has grown up and made the decision that they believe then they are baptised." She says, "Ohhhhhh. Well in general, what age are people when they are baptized." And again, I explain that the age varies because it is when the person has made a decision and that happens at all ages. And then she said.... but Baptists grew out of the Presbyterian faith." I said "I don't know about that but the Baptist faith dates back at least 400 years." She said, "Yes. it does." And then she said, "Well these records won't help me."

Seriously... that conversation happened today. It went on for an hour. .... At no time, did I exagerate.... I'm not even kidding a little.

A Genie Example

2010-03-15T18:38:00.001-05:00

Just yesterday someone asked me about Genies and specifically if they were loud in the library and if that is why I didn't like them....

Again, I respect Genealogy. Really, I do. And some genies are EXCELLENT researchers. I will defend them any day.

But, typically Genies are a handful to deal with. They are very demanding. They don't always understand that my one purpose in life is not to do their hobby for them. They will push themselves right in front of a student to get help and hog the microfilm readers.

AND they will talk to you for hours about their family... whether or not you want to hear about... because honestly, who does want to hear about it. No one!

As an example, this morning I went to check the department's email. And there was a genie request. This request is actually very very simple. Not pushy at all. This person simple wants to know if we have a couple of sets of church records.... But, their email is forever long.... And it made me laugh... because in life and in cyberspace this is just how it goes in dealing with a genie. A question that should have been very short... is super long...

(Proper Nouns have been adjusted... you understand.)

I understand SU Library has a collection of Church records.

I am trying to locate the Minutes of two old MXXXXX County Baptist churches:

1. SG BAPTIST CHURCH in founded c1830s.
2. U BAPTIST CHURCH of GXXXX AL, founded 1868.

In researching my family in XXXXX County, I learned SG BAPTIST CHURCH was originally constructed of logs and located on Airport Road in west XXXXXX County. The cemetery at this location has a number of my ancestors buried there.

The earliest burial at SG was my 4g-grandfather, NOEL TXXXXXX, who died in 1837. He was a RevWar patriot.

We believe Noel TXXXXX was one of the founding members of SG BAPTIST CHURCH. I hope your archive contains Minutes of this church.

At some point it disbanded and members formed the U BAPTIST CHURCH OF GXXXXX in 1868. It also has a cemetery adjacent to the church. I hope your archive contains Minutes of this church.

Since Baptists do not baptize infants (like the Catholic churches), the only way I can find information on my relatives is in the historic church Minutes.

I was fortunate to locate Minutes of a Mississippi Baptist Church in BXXXXX and learned my 3g-grandfather was a charter member in 1813!! The Minutes also contained a great deal of information on his family.

Please check your Baptist church historic records and archives to see if you have the Minutes of SG BAPTIST CHURCH (XXXXXX Co) and U BAPTIST CHURCH OF GXXXXX (XXXXXXCo). If so, please advise how I may get a copy or microfilm.
Thank you.

Controversy abounds.... again.

2010-03-12T18:10:00.000-06:00

Those of you who know me well… and if you are reading this then you probably do…. Anyway, you know I don’t always handle things in the best way possible. I especially don’t handle controversies within my denomination. I’m usually not even smart enough to understand them but they drive me crazy just the same.

For this reason, I rarely read state convention annuals Or the Southern Baptist Convention annuals…. Even though they are at my finger tips because I know… I will react.

I thought I was getting better through avoidance. But today, my supervisor suggested that I read the front page of our state Baptist paper. I knew this was going to lead to no good for me…. Yet, I went and read the article anyway. Even before I picked it up I knew my “very favorite Baptist” would be involved. I even sort of asked my supervisor about this in order to brace myself… She clearly didn’t understand what I was asking because she said this was a whole new bunch of folks…. It turned out not to be like that… it was a new group but using some of the same ol’ folks. Gah!

I never handle this stuff well. Never ever ever. I hate it. Then I start posting snippy remarks on Twitter. (I do have my account protected now for that very reason).

Here’s the link to the article that upset me this time….

Now again, I’m not really smart enough to have an opinion. But, that never stops me. Reading the article made me wonder… well maybe change is good… even if it hurts… that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move forward. So, that’s me trying to be open minded. But mostly… I just think the same power grubbing man is again stirring up trouble. I’m not for it… It will radically affect each state’s on convention. Even my own job could be affected. (just in what I do… not if I have one) Why do we listen to that one man so much?

Mostly though I regret… that I keep getting sucked into finding out about this stuff… Ignorance could be bliss. I want to be ignorant… my opinion doesn’t count anyway, Just let me be.

It's Snowing

2010-02-12T12:43:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since we had a really good snow in my neck of the woods. We've had a couple of dusting so far this year which has bee highly unusual.

Today is one of those dusting days. It's not as much snow as we wanted but beggars can't be choosers and it's a nice novelty for us.

I work at a school with a beautiful campus. It's just as lovely covered in snow.

BTW one of the students here nailed me with a snow ball just as I took the above shot. I'm not really sure why.

Hope for Microfilm

2010-02-09T13:11:00.004-06:00

Okay so work is a little stressful right now. Everyone has stress at work... I know. Right now it's very stressful for me. I cannot tell you that and just leave it there.... I feel the need to explain why... a little.

So, back in June we lost a staff member because she had a baby and wanted to be a stay at home mom. Great for her. Can't blame her. But due to the economy, she was not replaced. Last year the work we have been doing for the Baptists increased by like 200% and the year before that like %164 percent. That's a lot of work and basically we all fell apart a couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday, the Microfilm Lab Technician and I were laughing hysterically as we looked over some reports and we came up with the need to create ourselves a ribbon. You know, like the Aids Ribbon... or the Hope for Haiti Ribbon. Clearly, no one at SU is dying so it might be in bad taste but we had some film that wasn't being used and made this.

If you look closely... very, very closely you will see that is the St. Clair News Aegis from 2008. And you know... as an additional FYI, I made that strip yesterday and I burnt my finger doing it. So, that ribbon does, in fact, represent pain in my life... just not death.

If you would like to have a Ribbon in Support of the Special Collection and Microfilm Dept. one can be made available for you for just the price of shipping and handling.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Love ya

Hello, it's me

2010-02-04T13:30:00.003-06:00

So, I have about 15 mins to spare for a lunch break and I don't want to spend it being productive.... I really want to spend it at JoAnn's Fabrics and officially I could BUT, I want to keep the ol' lunch break down to 15mins soooooo.... in thinking what could I spend it on, I remembered my ol' blog.

I don't know why I don't blog anymore... I think it really might be that twitter and facebook have just taken over my life. That's my theory anyway. Plus, my days at work are pretty busy, that's not new, I just have no desire to be on a computer any longer than I have to it seems. And even though I have that app on my iPhone that will let me blog from it... I find that my hand cramps up if I do too much typing on it... so, I just don't blog so much anymore. Besides, all I seemed to do in those last posts was complain... that's no fun.

I've become addicted to knitting. I love it! My library director got me started then a few friends fueled the fire. I don't know how I lived my life before. I can only do scarves, hats and such but I'm good with that. Oddly, enough I actually have no desire to progress to sweaters. I think that would kill my love for knitting. I foresee myself working hard on a sweater only to find that the sleeves were different sizes OR worse, it didn't fit. There would be no joy in that.

So that's why I wanted to go to JoAnn's... I want more yarn. Wish JoAnn's sold hot dogs like Sam's Club..... or I wish Sam's Club sold pretty yarns. Oh well....

If you have favorite yarn/knitting sites let me know. Here's one of mine
Vickie Howell

Time to get back to work...
Love you all.

Bad Fortune

2009-11-18T20:36:00.001-06:00

Today I went out for Chinese with a friend. We went to Mr. Wang's. Sooo yummy! Before we left we got fortune cookies. Her's read, "you will soon vacation on sunny shores." that was perfect because she really and trully is soon to vacation on Sunny Shores. She's headed for Myrtle Beach in two weeks. With that in mind, I opened my fortune with great hope and expectation... Sort of hoping to see something about a handsome stranger or a lottery. Instead, It read, "you can make a name for yourself in medicine." What? That's odd for a random fortune right. So I thought about it. I'm a humanities girl. I've no knowledge of medicine or any related fields. I don't see how I possibly will ever have that knowledge. So I thought about it some more and realized there are other ways to make a name for yourself in medicine without being a doctor or a researcher. We all have heard of Lou Gehrig, right? Not a good way to get your name known really... Sooo here's hoping none of you ever have Lulalu's disease. Fingers crossed! If it happens, blame Mr. Wang.

Test

2009-11-10T00:23:00.001-06:00

So, I just got a new app on my iPhone that should let me blog from it. I hope it works so that I can peck new blogs out one letter at a time. Soooo does it work? Let's see...

Backsliding into Beading

2009-10-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

I've let another month go by without updating. Maybe I just don't have a life anymore... Maybe Twitter really has replaced my blog... maybe life has gotten busier and I just don't have the time. I'm not sure what my reason is. I sort of miss it. But, when I think about blogging I can't think of anything to talk about anymore. I'm not quiting the blog. I'm just saying.... somehow I can't seem to keep up with it. I used to feel it was very healthy for my mental state. I think it still would be, if I'd just keep up with it.

Life at the Library has been crazy. I feel as though I have ranted about that enough. I don't plan to rant on it again. I think I'm doing better with my drugs. I have hope anyway. I still miss the drugs I was on last year.... I don't miss the migraines though. I keep telling myself the migraines aren't worth going back.... but I really do miss that drug. And it's not like I don't get migraines now... I've started popping my migraine meds as if they were candy. Not good when it's $23 a pill. I had a bad headache yesterday but I stubbornly decided not to take the migraine medicine. I survived... didn't make it to church but I survived. But all the migraines aside... life is picking up, so I'm happy. I even started beading some more yesterday. I didn't mean to. It just sort of happened. I needed some brown cord so I went into the bead section of Michael's I resisted the beads there but then when Michael's didn't have the cord I needed I went to Hobby Lobby. They were having a sale on findings... so I bought some. I made two fabulous necklaces last night. That's how I describe them anyway. Then today, on my lunch break I went to a different Hobby Lobby and bought some beads... cause they were on sale. I really need to learn to control myself better. I probably have $1,000 worth of beads. I seriously don't need to be buying more. Must learn to say no. I think I went about a year before back sliding. Maybe I can learn to stay away from the bead sections of stores and use what I've got. I'm going to try really hard.

Oh, but I did get the brown cord I needed today at Hobby Lobby... hence the reason I went. Wish that hadn't been having that sale. Dadburnit! I think I could have resisted otherwise. But, after all, I am my mother's daughter. I can't resist a sale.

Sinuses and the Sovereignty of God

2009-09-10T17:46:00.000-05:00

As you know… I’ve been a little crazy lately. Not like woohoo let’s go have some fun crazy but maybe needing to be hospitalized crazy. I don’t bring this up to complain more about it… well, I am going to sort of complain… but what I was really going to tell you was that I sort of decided in order to get a grip I need to go to bed earlier and I need to focus on what I know to be true. So, anyway I’ve been trying to focus on Bible verses that are about God’s greatness. My memory is bad so I can’t share these with you but I will tell you that lately I’ve been reading about God’s providence and how even our trials are a part of that. Now that might sound a little depressing but the little devotionals are really more encouraging than depressing. Anyway, like many people my sinuses are suffering lately. And this morning as I was driving into work with a sinus headache and thinking I might have a hairball to cough up I sort of wondered, are my sinuses really a part of the glory of God? Listen, God is great but I am sort of having trouble believing that sinuses have anything to do with it. Kind of like mosquitoes. Seriously, are mosquitoes bringing glory to God? I just don’t see how. I believe in the Sovereignty of God but I can’t picture God creating the heavens and the earth and the creatures on it, only to take a moment to give humans sinus problems…. Like maybe God finished up the 6th day with all His wonders and then thought … for a little bit or irony I’m going to make some humans react badly to it and then take a rest. I mean what would be the purpose of sinus problems or allergies for that matter. I’m not questioning God… but in a way I am wondering what has gone on here. It seems a little crazy if you ask me. But don’t ask me because I’m not God. I’m just thinking about it. Clearly I don’t understand and when you consider the whole mysteries of the earth and all… I’m not sure that sinuses are the one thing I truly want to know about. It’s just odd…. And a big ol’ pain.

Going to See Pierce

2009-08-29T16:25:00.001-05:00

I’m going to see Pierce Pettis tonight. You have no idea what a miracle this is. As I mentioned yesterday… I love him but I’ve been wavering about actually going to his concert. This was for various reasons. But, yesterday it did start hitting me… you can’t miss him. Then this morning… it was almost like a panic set in… my mind was racing, “You have to see Pierce.” But, who at this late notice would/could go. I have a couple of Pierce loving friends but I wasn’t sure that was a possibility for other various reasons… I have another friend who likes coffee shop type concerts only… she is responsible and this show isn’t starting until 9. Why must concerts start at 9? Not everyone is young you know. Some folks have to get up early. The one person I thought I might could ask at the last minute… has to be at work at 5 a.m. in the morning… a 9 o’clock show where Pierce probably won’t even take the stage until 10 is no good for her.

I have another friend that likes Pierce but I think for his reputation’s sake he doesn’t hang out with me so much… only if it’s a group activity. I don’t know how else to really say that or…. Maybe he just doesn’t like to hang out with me. Hmmm that might be the crueler (more likely) scenario. Either way, I knew he was not an option.

But, I just got an invite from a couple of folks going. Holy Cow! I so didn’t see that coming. In a million years, I didn’t see that coming. That’s why I call it a miracle. We could call it the Pierce Pettis miracle of 09. I think that would work. J I also think it is proof that God loves me. That he sees even the smallest desires of my heart and takes note. I absolutely talked to God about the concert earlier this morning… asking that I wouldn’t have to regret not going so much and now I’m going. There is no other way to spin it. Seriously, me going to see Pierce tonight is a God thing. I must call it as I see it. Thank you God for loving me.

Music in My Life

2009-08-28T17:35:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know I love music. I have no talent for it; but, I love it. There are so many great concerts coming to town this fall and so many new albums coming out that I simply don’t think I can keep up. In fact, I know I can’t

I’ve already resigned myself that I will not be going to all the concerts. Even If I had friends to go with me to them all… I just don’t think I can pull it off. I just can’t be out that much. I need sleep. I need peace. I need quiet… this is who I’ve become. So I’ve got my concert goals… These include, Eric Peters and Bill Mallonee coming in a couple of weeks; Derek Webb towards the end of Sept, NeedToBreath in October, and MuteMath in early November. After that… I’ll be done. I’m also going to the Glory Reveled concert this Sunday… I sort of wish I could back out of that one… not because it won’t be good… but because I have to work on Saturday and I’m just whooped.

Saturday night the great Pierce Pettis is in town. I’ve made no plans to go see him. As you know, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while. I love Pierce. He is the author of one of my 5 all time favorite of favorite songs. He wrote God Believes in You. Such a good song. I’m a little sad I’ve no plans to see him. I wonder on Saturday if I’ll be plagued with regret. I think I will. Oh well, what can you do?

As I mentioned earlier a lot of great new albums are out as well…. I’ve bought none of them. As you know, I’m sort of a recovering hoarder so I’m trying to think twice about physical things that come into my house. BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t get them on my iPod. My new music needs include Pierce Pettis, Matthew Mayfield, Eric Peters, Mindy Smith, MuteMath, Derek Webb, Dave Matthews, Mitch McVicker and NeedtoBreath. Feel free to give me iTunes gift cards for Christmas… or Labor Day. In the mean time I would like to thank PASTE for having Mindy Smith’s new work streaming. Hoorah for them.

After the Break Down

2009-08-27T18:19:00.001-05:00

Last week I had a break down. I think it was good for me… I mean it was a little ugly but it was good…. Because, I went a little bezerk , my blessed student workers stepped in and stepped up and helped to uncover me from research questions and unprocessed rat poop infested boxes of stuff. We got a lot done. Sadly there are still over 1600 boxes of unprocessed stuff. But for now about 2/3 of them are out of my sight… out of sight out of mind… breath normally. No problem. AND I’ve got no ASAP research requests plaguing me AND my supervisor is back. I don’t have to be totally responsible anymore. When I don’t know something… the buck doesn’t stop with me… I have someone I can ask. Hoorah!

Two library school student interns started this week. I’ve spent a great deal training them. I have such high hopes for them. Seriously, it’s like a weight lifted off of my chest. They are going to be processing fools for me…. And oddly enough… they are excited about this. Yippie…fresh, bright-eyed, eager help. I hope I don’t destroy that for them. I hope they still what to be archivists when I finish with them. I am not trying to kill them I promise. I haven’t even given them rat infested boxes… Although, I will be… hehehe… but only so they see the good with the bad. But, I started them off with fantastic things.

One intern got this collection of family diaries going back to the civil war. The detail about the war in them is fantastic. It’s an unbelievable collection. We have a lot of stuff that dates back to the Civil War… but oddly enough… they don’t often always mention the war. Strange but true… I guess I hardly ever talk about what is going on now a-days in the stuff I write… In 100 years, if someone read my journal, what they’d learn is that I was a nut… they’d get nothing about what is happening over in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Anyway, that is an update on my state of mind. In case it’s not clear… I still have a mind. My ovaries are still kicking my butt though… I grow more and more bitter about them. It seems their sole purpose in my life is misery. Blayck! Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out what to do about that and the medicine. I guess I will just try and be grateful that I don’t have other problems, like I’m not going to turn into that sad, lost, and crazy young man that killed all those poor folks at VA Tech. You don’t have to worry about that happening in my life.

AND God is good!

off the deep end

2009-08-19T18:41:00.001-05:00

Well dang it! just blogged and my computer ate it! It was a lot of complaining really so maybe it's for the best.

The lost blog ended however with this youtube clip. It sort of sums my life up right now... only this fellow is a bit more upbeat. It's from the BBC show Black Book. I swear if I was a bookstore owner and not a librarian... this would be me! Only, I don't think I'm that grumpy... just overwhelmed. I went off the deep end this morning and sadly I have no intentions of climbing back up at the moment... no point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuX2UgYjtTE

Must Cut the Crap

2009-08-19T18:40:00.000-05:00

oh wait... here it is.... the lost blog... read on at own risk.... or just read the prior entry titled off the deep end.

This morning I went off the deep end. I think I'm happy there. That can't be good, can it? The staffing in my department was cut this summer and then 3 weeks ago my supervisor went on Family Medical Leave. It's killing me. I think it would have killed me already except I had 3 excellent grad student workers assisting me. Only 2 of 'em left me this week so I'm down to 1 in the afternoons. I swear if one more person walks in and says to me... it seems quiet. I'm going to hand them one of my many research requests and say... I need this ASAP because so and so needs this ASAP. Thanks. The requests have been coming in about 2 an hour. That is also killing me. THEN on top of that we got in 2 new collections. One has 17 boxes, the other 8. Did either person think to give us a ring and say, "hey I'm sending something your way." Nope! I called one person back giving her the benefit of the doubt that she had tried to call my supervisor, who of course is out. She didn't call...what she said was, "oh in the future should I let you know first?" Excuse me but, "Duh!" Oh Oh, then I went over to the President's house. (he's a good man) and he wanted to know who the portrait was of hanging in his house. Yeah, I had no clue. Why did I have no idea, because I wasn't privy to that information when it left. Thanks boss... nothing like seeming stupid in front of the President.

I decided to do an Internet research on the drug I'm taking because seriously... something is just not right. It turns out my drug causes depression, weight gain, exhaustion, mood swings, (something you don't want to know), and hair loss. Out of those 6 side effects... I've got 5. So, at least I have something to blame everything on... Drugs! I'm back to my Rock, Paper, Scissors game. I guess I can stay on this drug, try something else that totally freaks me out, or go back to my old drug. If I go back to the old drug I guess that means I'll be going back to living a fourth of my life with a migraine. Right now, that seems the better option. But, I think that might just be because I've not been having as many migraines as I did before. I'm not happy with these options. It doesn't seem fair... but what I've learned over the last month or so is that what I want doesn't matter. I really knew that before... I'm just grumpier about it now.

Clearly, I'm having a bad week/month.

Anyway, this morning I went off the deep end. I came very close to just walking out. I think God must have somehow stopped me... I need my job. It's just a little overwhelming right now, not enough staff, no money for supplies, and stuff is coming in faster and faster and dirtier and dirtier... I don't know what I'll do if I get one more box of rat poop. I swear I might be the first archivist to lay down the law on what kind of condition I will accept people's life work in. Please people, take some pride!

S0 back to this morning... I had a patron in the collection who knew absolutely nothing about how to do research and 2 more ASAP research requests. As I roamed the closed stacks digging through stacks of crap... (and I mean that literally sometimes) I lost it. But, then after about 30 mins of craziness I think I came up with a plan. CLEAN UP THE CRAP! I wonder if my supervisor will be good with that when she gets back... I know, you'd think who wouldn't be?... but there are circumstances here that might be beyond my control so it sounds more doable than it might be. At the very least, it sort of feels good to have a plan. I've already got my lone student assistant left working on some of it. And, when I get another... guess what he is going to be doing. Long term projects are stopping and we are all going to be cleaning up the crap.... otherwise I think I'm doomed to eventually end up under my desk nonverbal... but then that could happen with or without the crap...it's sort of a toss up now.

OH OH but I must share this with you cause this sort of fits me right now... and my ability to do customer service. (only his attitude might be a little better) It's from a BBC show called Black Books and I'm loving it.

Random Stuff

2009-08-12T17:22:00.002-05:00

Soooo I'm still tired. I haven't been good at going to sleep this week.... not too bad, but not good. I need a vacation even though I just got back from the beach about 4 weeks ago... and I am still hating my ovaries. HATE THEM! Any questions? Probably not... but that's good. Doubt I'd answer. But seriously... oh, never mind... Anyway, I sort of feel I can make this confession because I'm thinking that at most 3 people read this... and they are all chicks. So, what does it matter.

On the other hand, I'm not all grumpy or depressed or anything... I'm still loving hanging out with my little niece and nephew. LOVE them! Monday night, picked up G (he's about 16 months old) he put his head on my shoulder and patted my back. What in life is better than that? NOTHING!

Oh and in my humble opinion, I make the yummiest green beans ever. Not the healthiest, but the yummiest... also, these are good for lazy people. Not a lot of effort. Good stuff. I fry 'em up in a skillet in butter, honey and garlic. Sound good? no matter, cause they are!

How's that from randomness?

Working to be Better

2009-08-05T17:45:00.001-05:00

I’m trying to become a better person. I really really am. How am I doing this? I’m trying to go to be earlier. I struggle so much with mornings. I truly hate my circadian rhythm. I know other people say they hate mornings… but on average most people seem to deal with it. I’m not one of them. I’m always late to work in the mornings… basically resetting my work schedule by an hour. This has become expected and so my supervisor does not care. But, I do. I hate it.
When I came back from Moldova my timing was all off. I was going to bed at 7:30 or 8 and getting up at 5:00. It was fantastic. I got so much done that way and I got to work on time and I got to leave work on time and it was fantastic…. But those times are gone. I am no longer doing that.

So Sunday I decided that’s it, I’m resetting my circadian rhythm. Is that officially possible, I don’t know. Anyway, I decided my new bedtime would be 9 p.m. I’ve put forth effort every night but every night I fail. Sunday night I made the mistake of starting the movie North and South (the BBC version) I’ve seen it before so I thought I’d have no problem turning it off. I was wrong. Once I saw Mr. Thornton… I knew I’d have to watch through at least the first DVD. So bed time on Sunday… 11:30. Not good. Monday night my effort was a bit stronger. T.V. was off by 9:30… (had to watch the 2nd DVD of Mr. Thornton.) Listen if you’ve seen that movie, you will understand. Wow! It’s good. I didn’t make it to bed until a little after 10 and I know I was asleep by 10:30. Still, I didn’t get to work until 9 the next morning. Tuesday night I made an effort again. I rewatched the last 20 mins of North and South twice because seriously, it’s yummy! Turned off the t.v. by 9. But, unfortunately I decided to internet stalk Richard Amritage for a bit. That took about 45 mins. My efforts were not for naught however because I found this very delightful bedtime story.

See, don’t you love him to0? Do you want to move to the U.K. with me so we can be closer to him? Even after seeing that video I made it to bed and asleep by 10:00. Good right… only I woke up at 2:00 and didn’t make it back to sleep until 4:30. So again… didn’t get to work until 9:00. I’ve almost lost hope. But, I’m not giving up. I must be a better person… or at least feel a little better about myself. I have to get a grip on this. I'm going to keep trying.

BTW there are other bed time stories by Richard Armitage... but I think I'll save them for later. Sigh. It's a good way to go to sleep.

2009 = 400 years of Baptists

2009-07-22T12:28:00.001-05:00

Did you know that 2009 is the 400th anniversary of the Baptists? It’s true, it is. I thought you’d want to know if you didn’t already.

Back in Amsterdam in 1609, this man named John Smyth decided to be baptized because no one among his group of fellow Christians had been baptized as a believer… I guess there is more to it than that… but that is basically the nutshell of our Baptist beginnings.

I bring this up now because half the year is gone and I thought you might want to celebrate. Clearly, these are cake eating times (if you are some sort of Baptist). 400 slices seem in order. Get busy I guess if you aren't Baptist, you can still celebrate if you want... might be wierd though.

If you want to know more about Baptist History and Heritage you can check out the Baptist History and Heritage website.

How to deal with controversy

2009-07-15T17:10:00.006-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I got a collection in on Southern Baptist controversies covering the 70s, 80s, and 90s. At first, I thought no problem. I'll knock that collection out in an afternoon. Yeah, no way. Because once I started going though it... I kept getting more and more angry. I simply can't handle all the politics and back-biting that goes on. Most of the controversy was over my head. But, the back-biting wasn't. It's not healthy for me to get angry over religion. So, I came up with a plan to pass the collection on to someone else... cause I totally have that sort of power... every now and then.

So yesterday a bright-eyed, happy, innocent student started working for me. He needed something to do and so I handed the controversy collection right on over to him. And, he got it done pronto. I think putting stuff in order might be his gift. Oddly enough, that is a rare gift.

Today, I was going back over his work and trying to pull out important names to index. I found myself getting a little upset again. But, finally I found an article from the Wittenburg Door on Inerrancy. It was basically on a man named Harold Lindsell and Adrien Rogers. Again... it was basically over my head but The Door makes me laugh. And so I read the article. And as expected I took a side. I am on the side of Adrien Rogers. I don't know exactly what side he is on but he made me laugh the most and so I will side with him. Plus, he seemed sane.

Let me quote from something Lindsell said "The Bible claims the doctrine of the Trinity. The word Trinity does not appear in Scripture. But the Trinity, Trinitarianism, is a basic concept of systematic theology. The word inerrancy doesn't appear in Scripture but the Bible definitely claims inerrancy." That's from the Feb/March 1980 issue. I've no clue what that means but didn't you sort of enjoy it.

Anyway, thank goodness for student workers... never would have made it through this collection without my bright-eyed innocent one that just started yesterday. Best way to deal with controversy is to hand it off to someone else.

The Realm of Calendar Boys

2009-07-14T17:15:00.003-05:00

Okay, a couple of weeks ago I learned Jude Law was going to be on Broadway this fall doing Hamlet. WELL, who doesn't want to see Jude Law in Hamlet. Plus, that would make him totally accessible as my 2009 Calender Boy.... that is, if I can get up to NYC this fall. That trip isn't looking likely at this point... but Jude Law is still in the realm of possibility. I might be more giggly over Jude Law than I was over Rufus Sewell. As you know, Rufus first gained my attention by simply being named Rufus... He was still worthy of my attention though... quite the looker... and he was nice enough. But, Jude Law can make my knees weak with just an onscreen smile. Wheh! So I wouldn't mind seeing Mr. Law on Broadway.

However, being my Calendar Boy is not something that goes to the most accessible gorgeous fella. I must also think someone is cool or he is not worthy. That being said. I think I have found someone else that I'd like to be my calendar boy. This fella is quite the looker himself but outside of that... he is cool. His name is Scott Harrison. Do you know who that is? What about Charity: Water? If you don't know about Charity: Water yet, I think it's only a matter of time before you start seeing it mentioned everywhere. I didn't know what it was until one of its staff requested to follow me on Twitter. And even after, I started to follow him... I didn't investigate... but slowly I got pulled in by his tweets... So, now I think they rock! Anyway, I wonder if Scott Harrison would be willing to be my Calendar Boy? I wonder how far I could get with begging if I were to stop by their offices in NYC? hmmm.... I'm pretty sure my asking a complete stranger, "Will you be my Calendar Boy," would not be appealing to most people. I wonder if my begging would be even less appealing. Probably. Anyway, I'll start talking to God and the Universe and not worry about it until I find that bridge to cross.

If you do check out Scott, be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the page. Also you can read about him in last Sunday's NY Times " Clean, Sexy, Water"

I Love a Good Fight

2009-07-13T17:45:00.001-05:00

I haven’t blogged in a long time… I think it’s partly because I’ve started Twittering. AND I’m addicted to twitter… more so than I think anything else ever in my life. The whole blogging thing was sort of a vein self-medicating thing for me. It was good for me. But then Twitter happened. Still recently, I have had a few people ask me about my blog and I started thinking maybe it would be good for me to get back to it. It’s good for me to have a place to rant, rave and be a little nutty. Twitter doesn’t really fit that need totally.

So now, I will tell you, I have lots of things on my mind. I’m not sure where to start. Perhaps, I will start by telling you that currently God and I are fighting. I’m not in the depths of despair or anything… but I’ve been throwing some serious punches God’s way. It’s good that He loves me because only a loving father would put up with what I’ve been tossing His way. Saturday I was on the beach with my Sunday School class and at one point I had to get up and go for a walk by myself because I needed some time with God to yell. And I did yell. I sort of think that should make me a bad person… you know, yelling at the God of the Universe and all, but I don’t because God knows me and loves me and I don’t get anywhere by not being real with Him. In fact, I like getting in fights with God… so much so that sometimes I try to start one even when I don’t have anything to fight about. Those never really work out. But, this fight is real. I’m excited though because I know God is there listening. In this situation, He is not silent. It’s a fight. And I’m excited because I know that God is going to eventually set me straight and however the fight ends, it will be good because He is only good and that makes me excited. Now, I won’t lie, the fighting bit is rough. It hurts. But, I know the end will be good. I’m ready for the end. I wish the end would come now but I don’t know when it’ll come. This whole fight has been building for a long time… years even. So, it could go on for a while. But, I’m pretty certain at some point in the future God is going to say enough and settle it. I think there’s a lot for me to learn in this fight. I see glimpses of lessons everywhere but I haven’t quite grasped them yet… it’s sort of like a prize dangling out in front of me for when the gloves come off but I can’t just take them off…. Or can I? Is that one of the lessons I need to learn? Perhaps, but if so, I haven’t learned it yet. And of course the desire of my heart is to get my way when the fight ends. I sincerely want and hope for that but my head knows that what I want is not always good but what God wants … IS! So when the fight ends, I will have gotten my way OR God will have taught me a lesson… either way, I win. Lessons are hard though… that freaks me out a bit. I don’t want to learn a hard lesson. But, I do want the fight to end even if I do love a good fight.

High Noon

2009-04-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

Lyrics Andrew Peterson - High noon lyrics

Listen to the song here
Rabbit Room April 7, 2009

Blah, Blah, March. Blah.

2009-03-25T17:59:00.000-05:00

So, raise your hand if you are not stressed. Is anyone not stressed? I have a plan about that. Let's blame March.

I've decided I hate March. I don't think March is a kind month. Sure, T.S. Elliot proclaimed the cruelest month to be April and sure he got a lot of critical acclaim for doing so but I think he was wrong.... except April is the month when I turn older and that is sort of harsh but outside of that... the cruelest month for me has to be March. I remember last March I was all in a funk too. I don't remember any Marches before that but based on this March and last March I'm prepared to claim March as the cruelest month. Who's with me? This year, I know my funk is related to job stress and possibly my ovaries. But, just the same I'm working on another theory. My theory is that it's the last month of winter and it's just dreary. Plus I think there should be some sort of Holiday to celebrate in March to give everyone a day off. Wait, didn't some folks just get a holiday? What was that? I know I didn't get it. Maybe that was Presidents Day? Was that recent it seems like it was but it also seems like that is in February. I believe that is in February. Have I been abducted by aliens? Have I lost time? Do I have a chip in my neck? Hmmm, I don't think so. Seriously, that seems like it was yesterday. Back to March... There's always pi day and the Ides of March but the Federal Government isn't willing to recognize them. Too bad. I guess there's March Madness for some folks. But, I personally don't get that excited about football... er, I mean basketball.

I just took two days off from work. It was delightful. I think I should plan to take days off in March from now on. I think I'll note it on my calendar for next year. I so needed that time off. The first couple of weeks of March I was darn cranky then last week I was freakishly tired.... I think I should have perhaps taken my time off earlier in the month, I think I'll make that note as well. Only apparently not everything is about me. I read The Purpose Driven Life. I've been told. Still I would like to have my way on everything. I'm pretty sure my coworkers would not care for that idea. I do appreciate my coworkers. I certainly couldn't be happy without my wonderful coworkers... Perhaps, I could just sort of run that little idea by them. Maybe I should fill them up with chocolate first. Yeah, that idea will never fly. It's probably best that it doesn't. Can you imagine a library that made people take personality tests before they entered the building. I think if I had my way, I would require that. I can't really bring myself to say that it's best not to require tests... but you can probably figure that out on your own right?

Only a few more days of March to go, may we all survive.

better now.

2009-03-17T16:30:00.004-05:00

Okay, Since my last post was such a crazy downer sort of a post... I feel the need to report that I'm not quite as crazy this week. My grump level has gone waaaaaay down. I'm still not sure why I was so grumpy. I seriously didn't want that to be just who I am but perhaps that's the truth. Anyway, I'm not sure it's totally safe to give the all clear sign but but it's pretty close.

Last Thursday I got my hair cut. Afterwards I became totally obsessed with the shampoo that was used. Friday I went to four different stores to find it. I could have gotten it at my saloon but by the time I decided I MUST have it, the place was closed. So I went to every place in the mall who I thought would have it and when I found it, I bought the ginormous size. Then, I immediately went home and took a shower. I have to say I love that Shampoo. It's Paul Mitchell's Lavender and Mint shampoo. I usually don't care for the smell of Lavender but I still love that shampoo. I think there really must be something to the whole thing about Lavender being a relaxing scent because that shampoo is certainly soothing me.

Then on Saturday I got my credit card rewards points in and was able to get my new feather bed. It is delightful. How did I sleep without it before.... Well, not very well.

All in all, good relaxing things came to me over the weekend. I hope the same was true for you.

I had planned to take time off this week but because I'm doing better this week. I'm going to wait and take off next week instead. I could still totally use the break now... but my dept. supervisor also needs a break so I'm going to wait so she can take off this week. I think I'm safer now. No worries. Hopefully, I will survive until the weekend.

Still a massage might be a good thing at this point. I've never had one. Previously the idea has freaked me out... but, there is a time for everything... however, maybe not the cash... okay... I won't be getting a massage. Sad.

rat poop never helps anyone

2009-03-11T18:17:00.003-05:00

Did anyone watch House this past Monday? I ask because I think I’m turning into the patient on that episode. Seriously. It’s not pretty. For those of you who didn’t see it, the medical mystery that night was this man who kept saying horrible hurtful things to everyone… and constantly doing it. I’m becoming that man. I’m trying to come up with all kinds of excuses for it, you know, because I don’t actually want to be a mean, horrible, nasty person. But, my temper is getting the better of me.

There is always the dreaded Hell Week that happens in June. In the past, it has never been good for me to actually talk to people around that time. But, thanks be to God and the many of you that prayed, last year was my miracle year so by the time Hell Week arrived, I didn’t come close to strangling anyone and on top of that… I don’t think I even yelled at anyone that week. I, uhm, may have yelled at someone in the weeks leading up to that week… but then the miracle occurred and God gently helped me adjust my attitude so Hell Week itself wasn’t so bad. Last week I learned that staff support for Hell Week was being cut, that didn’t make me happy. Still, I just took several breaths and told the messenger to back away slowly and give me a moment, cause you know, I simply cannot go back to living the way I used to because of Hell Week. Hell Week is 3 months away if my current attitude does not improve it’s not going to be pretty. Still, I would like to get a grip on whatever is making me so snappy right now. I think I’d like to blame the Baptists of this great state. Some of them are working too hard and burying me in boxes of nasty records. Last night, I swear I was putting some old church deeds in order and rat poop fell into my lap. That does not help ones id or attitutde. Rat Poop never does. Other people go through stress but they don’t go crazy. I want to be one of the noncrazy stressed people. I’m hoping God will help me with that. If He can help me with Hell Week, surely He can help me with the rat poop… but, heads up, you might want to keep your distance until you hear an all clear…. Or you could try approaching me with cake and a Cotton Candy Cosmo. I think that’d work. But whatever you do, you might want to avoid asking me to do anything. Now is not a time when I think I could handle direction well. Sad but so, so true.

The ATL

2009-03-10T16:59:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, a friend and I took a short mini break over to the ATL. BTW, I love calling it “the ATL” I don’t know why but I do. So, for all you grammar folks out there… I want you to know that was on purpose. A lot of my grammar issues and misspellings are complete mess ups but that particular one was not.

I was completely desperate for a little vacation. Although, I actually have tons of vacation time to burn before the end of the semester, it would seem that most of my friends are not in the same situation. So… ATL seemed like a good answer. Plus the price was right. This is good because I’m seriously considering going on a trip with my church. When the ATL trip was planned I didn’t have that issue, but now I do and so every dime being spent is under a great deal of scrutiny. Like seriously, I need to put out the call to stop tempting me with fabulous ideas. Although, honestly…. I’m actually not in a great deal of demand for fun things right now… I think I’ll choose to look at that as a positive thing rather than my being a loser. Although, I did have someone invite me to an artsy circus thing this coming weekend so that’s nice and I’m looking forward to it. But, the guilt over it is somewhat great…. Cause apparently you can no longer sell blood and it seems that even though travel is cheap due to the economy right now… Travel is still not cheap if you are headed to a place no one else wants to go. Too bad my church doesn’t want to go to Ireland. That would be much easier on my budget. OR even London…. There were airline tickets to London this past week for $189 each way. That is an awesome deal. I bet people in London need to know Jesus too.

Oh, and I would like to thank a BFF from high school who invited me to visit her down in Florida. That would have been awesome… only I had the trip to “the ATL” planned already... Sigh! I hope there will be another opportunity for that at some point cause seriously that would have been so much fun. We used to have so much fun back in the day. I think it would be the same today.

Anyway back to the ATL trip. I still hate driving there. It totally sucks and the signage is horrible… and seriously isn’t it wrong to have that many streets named peach tree? It absolutely is. While there we took in the Aquarium, Coca Cola, CNN, and King Tut. Even with all that on the docket, on the way over I was most looking forward to the breakfast buffet at the hotel. I was. I can’t deny it. It turns out the buffet was not the best thing however… the best thing was the bed! FABULOUS!!!!! We stayed at the downtown Marriott Marquis. I’d stayed at a Marriott Marquis before and so I knew to expect a feather bed and down pillows… still, it was amazing and I’m taking measures to turn my bed into a Marriott Marquis bed. (Thank you credit card rewards programs for making this transition possible). I would also like to tell you that for Saturday’s lunch we were lured into a Chinese restaurant that advertised a buffet only when we were seated, we found out it had been a lie. Still we stayed and ordered off the menu and I’m glad we did because at the end of the meal I got a fortune cookie that told me that I would soon be getting something I had been wanting for a long time. That’s got to be either a husband or the right publisher’s clearing house entry. I’m feeling pretty positive about those possibilities but just to be on the safe side, I’m talking to the universe. My friend got a fortune that told her she would have fun on a 4 wheel adventure. That came true; I mean we did drive to the ATL… so mine could come true too.

At the Tut exhibit, I learned that Egypt had actually tried to erase him from history… which is funny since he’s pretty much the only Pharaoh most people know from Ancient Egypt. I also learned from the exhibit that the bathrooms in ancient Egypt were better than some bathrooms in modern day Europe. I learned this from a toilet seat used by Pharaohs in approximately 2500 BCE that was on display in the exhibit. I wonder if this exhibit has made its way through most of Europe. I would like them to take note on what improvements they could make in the whole toilet area of their lives… and possibly mine. A photograph of this toilet seat was not available in the gift shop. Don’t think I didn’t check for one because I did.

Banksy

2009-03-02T17:37:00.000-06:00

If you are my friend on facebook and you spend a lot of time there then you may know that I've been scanning a lot of old boat pictures. I've only scanned about 30 and it's killin' me. I'm not sure why. I think it's trying to read the handwriting on the back of the pictures that's doing me in. I'm not sure. Around scan 20, I decided not to deal with the handwriting anymore. Instead of recording what is written on the back of the picture, I simple record "handwritten notes on back.". Lalala.... That way, I don't have to feel so bad about myself. Someone doing some serious research will still know to look there...

Anyway, since I work with very little budget or skill I was sort of thinking about what I might want to do with my pics once I get them done. There are so dang many of them. I'm only halfway through the first book and there are 4 more of them oi!

Anyway, I ended up at Flickr looking at photos with Birmingham as a keyword. I found this picture there. It's by jamric

At first I was a little horrified but then I started reading the comments and thinking about it and I sort of settled for just being shocked. Apparently it's by this famous graffiti artist called Banksy. I googled him and found him very very interesting. I hadn't heard of him before. Here's an article about the graffiti found in my local newspaper. (sept. 3, 2008)

I feel lots cooler now having looked at Banksy's website and looking through photographs of his work on flickr. He's worth checking out... but he can be a little shocking.

Sometimes you just never know were being responsible will take you... today it took me to Banksy.

House of Love

2009-02-23T17:44:00.002-06:00

Okay, so there is a pretty good chance that I might be in love with the fella pictured above. It’s sort of sad because I don’t know him but at this point… I’m not going to let that stop me. For those of you who don’t know who that fella is… It’s Mr. Griffin House [i]. He’s one of the fellas that I plan to either name a child or pet after. The other fella is, of course, Mr. Rufus Sewell[ii]. I’m also sort of considering the name Diggory… after the Harry Potter character[iii]. So let me be clear here… If you know me… I call those names… do not use them for your own children or pets. If you do, I will be bitter. I say this because someone told me a couple of weeks ago that they planned to eventually get a basset hound and name him one of those names. I’m sorry I will not share my names… those have been my names for a long time[iv]… I don’t share well… find your own names. If you don’t know me… or if you don’t know me well… feel free to use them.

Friday night I saw Mr. House again in concert. He didn’t go on stage until 10:45 p.m. That was pretty late for this 35 year old Baptist Librarian. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it… Had I known in the first place what time he’d be taking the stage, I may not have bothered getting a ticket. Luckily I didn’t know. Because It was a great concert… not once was I in danger of falling asleep. However, I was in danger of asphyxiating at one point because it was so dang hot… but, not once did I begin to nod off. I’m telling you I’d classify it as one of my top favorite concerts.

On the second or 3rd song Griffin jumped off the stage and started dancing with this chick in the audience. I immediately thanked God it wasn’t me because I wouldn’t have handled that situation with any sort of dignity… but then I got bitter that it wasn’t me because… I might love Griffin and that would have been awesome. Even though I’m an ageist… I’m willing to make an exception for him because even though I don’t know him, I imagine him to be very very delightful.

It is such a good thing that the first time I saw Mr. House in concert, I didn’t really know who he was yet [v]… and he had not danced for me. That was a very small venue… I could have attacked him there… and by attacked… I mean said hello and giggled uncontrollably. But of course, I totally regret that I did not love him yet… because I could have said hello and giggled uncontrollably. I’m going to trust God knew what he was doing by having me ignorant at that point.

Since Friday night I have been in communication with God, the creator of the Universe, [vi] about Mr. House and how I’d like him delivered unto me. Clearly, I realize that is not reasonable… on so many levels that’s just not right… Still, that is what I’d like and I believe in being honest with God because he already knows my heart and my mind… I expect God will answer that prayer. Though, I will not be holding my breath that Mr. House and I will ever be on a first name basis. It’s probably best for everyone if that never happens.

Purple and I are making plans to quit our jobs and follow him around. She might love him too. However, since neither of us are officially insane it is unlikely that either of us will actually do that. Plus, I have a cat and she has 2 dogs to think about. Our critters depend on us. I’m pretty sure my darling cat would not enjoy a life on the road. If Griffin believes in God and I'm pretty sure he does... He might want to take a moment and thank the good Lord himself that we both have dependant critters. Of course, if all goes well... he will never know about my insanity. That I believe would be best. I will try and deal with my delusions on my own... well, and I will keep talking to God.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[i] http://www.myspace.com/griffinhouse
[ii] http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001722/
[iii] http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Cedric_Diggory
[iv] http://chickintheham.blogspot.com/2008/11/follow-your-bliss-aye-aye-joseph.html (my claim to Rufus actually goes back at least 2 years)

[v] ibid
[vi] Isaiah 40:28

CREATE YOUR BAND NAME & ALBUM COVER:

2009-02-19T17:21:00.005-06:00

A Friend on Facebook posted this "game." Because of the way mine turned out, I don't feel I can actually post it there. So, I'm posting it here. But the random quote I ended up with cracked me up.... so I had to use it. The whole quote goes "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

How it works

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RandomThe first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7daysThird picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

I will have to play this little game again later when I have more time and post the results on facebook.

Grammys

2009-02-11T17:25:00.001-06:00

Did anyone else watch the Grammy's on Sunday. I missed the first 45 mins of it. But, still I feel I saw enough to say.. I watched it.

I was happy about all the awards Robert Plant and Alyson Kraus won. I was even happier when Alyson mention Buddy Miller in her thank yous. Woohoo Buddy!

I've never really listened to Radiohead but after seeing them on the Grammy's, I've decided I need to check them out. Although, when they said that the marching band from USC was joining them... I did think it was odd to bring a band out from South Carolina. I wondered what the connection was. BUT, before the song was over... I had figured out my faux pas. Perhaps they meant Southern Cal. That makes a lot more sense but you know... I'm from the South and not a big football fan outside of the south... of course, my brain went to South Carolina. By the way... I thought that performance was rockin'!

Now on to what has given me nightmares since Sunday night. M.I.A. To quote Penny on The Big Bang Theory, "Holy Crap on a Cracker!" Did you guys see it. Why, Why, Why? I don't understand. I need help understanding. Part of me wonders if she thought she would be in the hospital giving birth so she didn't actually make a plan for a wardrobe choice... I mean, that's the best excuse I can think of. If you didn't see it, you really ought to check it out...

http://www.mahalo.com/M.I.A._Grammy_Performance

And please.... PLEASE share with me your thoughts. I need some sort of closure.

one more round

2009-02-10T17:41:00.002-06:00

Last week I was sick again. I've decided that maybe my getting sick so much is because I'm getting old. It's either that or all the dirty junk I work with. But, I think even if it's the later reason... it still comes back to the fact that I'm getting old. BECAUSE all the dirty junk did not used to bother me. Well, I thought it was gross sometimes but it didn't make me sick. But, on what I consider a good note... and yet a very selfish one as well, just about everyone else around here is sick too. I am sorry everyone is sick but it is good not to be alone and feeling decrepit. By the way, it's been 5 weeks since I had a migraine. I'm feeling positive about that. Maybe the new medicine I'm on will work. However, I don't think I can safely say it is until I've gone a couple of more weeks. I'm hopeful though. I told you how much that medicine costs right? It's like $200 but eventually my insurance will kick in so that's okay. Still it was a shocker. I shared that price with my mother and she was shocked but said it was worth it if it keeps the migraines away. Which is SOOOO true. Then I told her I had a friend who took the drug and thought it made her gain weight. At that point, my mother thought I should see if there were other drugs available. I thought that was a little harsh. God forbid my tush get any bigger. But of course, I can't say I don't feel the same way. I don't want a bigger butt. It's more than plenty big as it is. Before I got sick I went bowling with some friends. I put on my jeans that I love. The ones that were the smaller size and they were depressingly tight. I thought maybe they would stretch out as I bowled. They didn't. I think perhaps I may have been indecently dressed that night. I've decided to practice denial over that. And, of course, it was denial that led me to walk out of the house in those tight jeans in the first place. I'm going to try and make better decisions in my choice of jeans in the future.

Oh and while I was sick, I caught my mother reading one of my old journals from college. She told me she thought I had a talent for writing and that she had enjoyed what she read. Yikes! I had some bad times in College... my journals are not safe. However, it did turn out it was a journal that I had kept for a creative writing class so there were no juicy details in there to embarress me.... Still, there is a principal there that was broken. I went back and read it myself. I had forgotten most of the things I wrote about. Hmmm. Aparently one night Sweetie led all the fellas at drinky wazza in a lap around the tables as an ape. Spunkey makes a very good primate.

No Heat

2009-01-26T17:40:00.000-06:00

This weekend, Saturday night to be exact, I lost heat in my house. When I got home that night, it seemed extra cold ... So, I looked at my thermometer and found that it was 58 degrees in my house… well, that’s a little cooler than I like to be indoors (especially in my own home)… So, I bumped up the thermometer a bit… cause you know, at that time I had it sitting around 65 so I wasn’t really that alarmed. Only when I moved it up to 70 my furnace didn’t come on. I realized something was wrong so I opened up my closet and opened up my furnace… Like I would know what the heck I was looking for. Only when I opened it the pilot light did come on and the furnace did light. Which, of course, is not good if you are a girl like myself who has no business opening up a furnace and didn’t even think to turn it off first. The furnace stayed lit for no more than 10 seconds. Not enough, to heat a house. I turned off the furnace and then closed everything back up and prayed that God would help me find my space heater that I hadn’t used in two years. Yeah, I couldn’t find it. So, I put on my warm Thing 1 costume, grabbed my cat and crawled under two comforters. At 1:30 a.m. I realized I was not going to be able to sleep with my nose being frozen solid and so I prayed again and got out of bed to search again for a heater. By this time it was 53 degrees in my house. Survivable but not pleasant. For some reason I decided to check my outside storage unit for a heater. Not a decision that would have been made on my own… cause at that time I was dang tired and braless. None the less I went out there and to my relief found a heater that I had forgotten even existed. Thank you God for my heater and thank you that it wasn’t any colder that night. The next morning, my house was 50 degrees (except for my cozy bedroom). Taking a shower Sunday was not an easy thing to do. I debated seriously about it but then decided a shower before church would be best for everyone.

Folks at church were very helpful. They offered very good advice and I TOTALLY appreciate their care and concern for me. I’m glad to know that there are folks out there who do not want me to freeze to death. When I got home from church my dad came over. He used to work on boilers for hospitals and nursing homes. I don’t have a boiler, I have a furnace, I wasn’t sure he could help me. I don’t think he was either but he did. Apparently, a safety feature on my furnace is the same as those on old boilers. Hooray. The little bar that keeps me alive by making sure I don’t die of gas poisoning had gotten corroded. Therefore, my heater couldn’t tell the flame was on and it was shutting itself off in order to save my life. Thanks little furnace I appreciate your good intentions. My dad showed me how to clean it off if I ever have this problem again. I feel very empowered. You think I should go for a heating and cooling license now? Yeah, I don’t think so. I think my chances of dying by machine (and clumsiness would be too greatly improved)

For you grammatically correct people out there… is it ok for me to say I feel very empowered rather than much empowered? My computer tells me it is not. But, my sense of self says it’s okay.

Wash Your Hands

2009-01-22T18:13:00.000-06:00

I am a hand washing freak. Seriously! Spunky calls me a Cat. I wash my hands constantly. If I make you cookies or a cake or anything at all... I probably washed my hands ten times in the process. You know, crack an egg, wash hands... crack another egg, wash hands. Get goo on my hands, wash hands. Even now at work... we are merging some book collections... I'm pretty much nasty all day with book dust all over me... But, every so often, I just have to stop and go wash my hands and then get back to work. Thank God for good lotion. Although, currently, I don't think I can slather it on enough.

Last night, I made my first home version of the Cotton Candy Cosmo with some friends. (it wasn't as good as the ones at O'Charleys... but whatever) before I reached into the back of cotton candy... I washed my hands. After I finished getting the cotton candy... I washed my hands. Isn't it gross to think of people handling food or the ice for a beverage who haven't washed their hands. YUCKO!

Today at work, someone sent this video out to campus... I'm telling you, if I end up with a worm in my brain OR anywhere else... Someone is going to pay!!!

Remember, Please Drink Responsibly!

2009-01-14T17:15:00.004-06:00

So, I am incredibly addicted to British dramas right now. I already told you that. But, I would also like you to know that yesterday I got Daniel Deronda in the mail from Netfilx. I was anxiously awaiting its arrival... only Spunky called me and told me not to watch it because she owns it and wanted to show it to me. We are very good friends but that almost pushed me to my limit. I told her if I could find the 2nd dvd of Robin Hood then I would wait... I couldn't find it. Still, because Spunky is a dear friend I put Daniel Deronda back in the mail to Netflix this morning... unwatched. I'm not feeling well. I'm not sure I'll survive.

Moving On...

Last Friday I went to dinner with a friend. I think we discovered the best fru-fru drink ever. EVER!!! It is the Cotton Candy Cosmo at O'Charleys and it is YUMMY! Neither of us are big drinkers so when the waitron brought us a glass of cotton candy and a seperate drink mixer we both looked at each other in a confused state... But, not to worry because the waitron took care of us. We didn't actually have to figure out how to make the drink... and my friend and I didn't have to look stupid. Thank goodness... cause you know, who wants to look stupid. Then we found out we got to take the mixer home with us as a little souvenir. Woohoo! AND, the mixer had the drink recipe on it. Callooh Callay! It was a very good day.

Here's a link to a stranger's blog about the drink. It also has the recipe.

What do I do?

2009-01-09T17:37:00.002-06:00

Ok so if you could get a “free” 8G iPod Nano, would you take it? Now, it’s only kind of free… I mean there is a trade off. I have enough points on a credit card to get one. But, I can also get about 42 grande lattes from Starbucks. I’m very torn. I think I would like a Nano but I really have my heart set on an iPod Touch. Well, actually I really want an iPhone. Currently I have the option of continuing to take a vacation each year, paying for electricity, or getting an iPhone. I can only do 2 of those things. Not all 3. I’m very jealous of all my friends who have gotten iPhones. I think that’s just about everyone I know. I want one really bad. But, currently I just don’t think I can do it. My current cell phone bill is just $25 a month…. ‘Cause I got my plan ages and ages ago and never changed it. Sweet! Plus, it also helps that very few folks actually want to call and talk to me since I also have very few minutes to go along with that plan. Anyway, I think adding on the data charges for an iPhone might cause me to have a nervous breakdown or something. But, I do want one pretty bad. Well, I think I’m going to say no to the Nano and just let my heart settle on an iPod Touch. But, even that is not going to be coming to me any time soon. That’s okay. I’ll survive… I think.

So, I’m on day 6 of headaches/migraines. I actually went to the doctor yesterday about it. If I go to the doctor…. Well… something is not good. Anyway, I got a prescription for a migraine medicine that later I found out is basically $23.76 per pill. My doctor told me I should take one anytime I felt a headache coming on. Uhm, yeah! It’s sort of a pickle. I mean I don’t want to waste a $23.76 pill on a slight headache. But, I don’t want to wait too long to take the $23.76 pill either and then not have it work. At what point can you make the call, “this is a $23.76 headache.” It’s not going to be easy to figure that out. Last night I had a pretty bad headache…. I did not take the pill. I decided to throw a bean bag from the freezer on my noggin and just sit in the dark. It sort of worked…. I guess I think it was better than taking a $23.76 pill. Seriously, how can that be right!!! Could M ichael M oore be right! Is something wrong with health care in this country? There was a brief moment where I wondered if I was just too old to live. I mean that jokingly of course. Migraines plus ovaries are killing my budget. BUT, on a good note… I did find out that my ovaries are going to be partially covered by insurance now… so that’s good news. Woohoo! I will no longer call for a ancient Greek play style boycott against men in the insurance, pharmaceutical, or medical industries… Clearly, some other woman has gotten some power and knocked some sense in to those industries. Hoorah! Anyway, $23.76 or not… it is nice to have hope on the migraine front. I know people live with those but I really don’t want to be one of them. I want the drugs and I want them to work. Hopefully, they will for me. I don’t intend to find out for several weeks/ months though. Hopefully, it will be that long before my head explodes again.

See with all that going on… don’t you think I have some Starbucks coming to me. I think I do. I’d like to thank my credit card for making that much coffee possible in my life. Anyone want to go get coffee with me? Anyone want to sponsor an iPhone for me? I hear its life changing.

Oh and before I go, let me tell you…. I am sooooo loving British television right now. I’ve been watching Robin Hood this week and it is delightful. I rented Robin Hood because prior to that I rented the British Miniseries North and South with Richard Armitage in it. He’s a bad guy in Robin Hood but I don’t care. Wheh! I’m going to start talking to the Universe immediately about him. He also has done some episodes of the Vicar of Dibley- which David Tennant also did. I’m telling you; those Brits have got it going on! I also recently watched Under the Greenwood Tree with a very handsome James Murray. Man, I wish I had BBC America. Maybe it’s best I don’t get that channel. Hmph! But, it’s not just the handsome men that are getting me… I’m just loving me some British dramas right now. I’ll be sad when I’ve made it through all of them. I hope they are working on filming more. I’m going to need more. I can’t wait to see the rest of Tess of the D’Urbervilles Sunday night. Thank you PBS!

What's Mine Could Be Yours

2009-01-05T17:37:00.000-06:00

Heads up for all you folks who may have spent time with me between 2 and 4 weeks ago… I was diagnosed with Mycoplasma Pneumonia last week… And someone out there who saw me 4 to 5 weeks ago is responsible for getting me sick for my Christmas vacation. I’m working on figuring out who to blame. I wonder if I have a baby to blame. They apparently carry this disease but show no symptoms. Hmmm, it would be hard to be mad at a baby. Anyway, if I made you sick you should know in a couple of weeks. Mycoplasma Pneumonia takes about 3 weeks for symptoms to show up. And, if it should show up… I’m sorry. On the good side, it’s not that bad of a disease to have…. Just a little exhausting due to coughing like you’ve probably never coughed before. And you know, it might last up to 13 weeks. My doctor asked me if I needed an excuse for work when I went to see him. Too bad I didn’t realize that what I had could last 13 weeks at the time. I wonder if I could have gotten an excuse for that long. That would have been sweet. The next morning after my Dr. visit, he called to check on me. Can you believe that? A doctor called to check on a patient. I think I found a good doctor. Of course, he also lectured me pretty good for not coming in sooner. I tend to get lectures a lot from doctors. It is sort of nice though to feel like you have the right to be sick and rest and not have to worry about whether or not you should be behaving in a more productive manner or if you are a slacker cause you slept in late.

So, I’m actually looking forward to 2009. New Year’s Eve is my least favorite day of the year. I hate it. I think it’s because I hate change and I hate getting older. Well, I hate it being documented anyway. It’s hard to ignore those numbers that just keep increasing. Plus, I think my life just stays the same. I think I’m the same now as I was the day I left college… except I have a mortgage now. That’s a little depressing to me. Maybe I don’t hate change. Maybe I hate everything else changing and me staying the same. Anyway, I’ve decided to be optimistic this year. My life is really pretty good so I don’t really know why I hate New Year’s so much; I just do but this year… I want to throw in a dash of excitement and perhaps some things will change for the better.

Last night I watched Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Did anyone else watch it? It was a new adaption (*) of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. There was a really good movie made a few years ago of that novel. At first, I wasn’t sure why someone would make another one. BUT, it was excellent. If you missed the first installment, you can watch it online.

(*) Hyperlinked for Sweetie - do you remember fighting about that word? Uhmhmmmph.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T19:16:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas to All!

I had a lovely Christmas this year I hope you all did as well. Last night before going to bed I wanted to watch the telly, only I wanted to watch something about Jesus. That was not to be found. The Chronicles of Narnia was on and I was willing to watch that but I only caught the last few seconds of it. Sad. So, instead, I watched my Behold the Lamb of God Concert DVD. Have I ever mentioned how much I love that concert/cd/dvd? I really, really do. In fact, in church last Sunday I claimed that concert as my favorite Christmas tradition. My family doesn't really have a lot of traditions but I've gone to see that show for the last 5 years so it has sort of become a tradition for me. It truly is one of my favorite things about the Christmas season... best concert about the True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ ever.

I realized a few moments ago that I forgot to ask Santa for Frederick Buchner's latest book. Fraggle Rock. Oh well, I guess I wouldn't have had time to read it now anyway. I've got so many books going right now. Still reading UnChristian. It really is an exceptional book. I'm so glad it was recommended to me. I sort of think every Christian should read it. Seriously, it makes a lot of good points about how we are interacting with the world and how we are perceived. Anyway, books aside, Santa was very good to me. My dad gave me a necklace that I know I will treasure forever. And my mother picked me out some lovely sweaters.

I checked Woot.com a few moments ago. I was bummed to see that I missed out on purchasing a Bag of Crap. I want a bag of crap. I don't think I'll ever get one. There's no way I will ever be able to act fast enough. Those crap bags sold out in 7 mins. Woo! There's no way my free Netzero could compete. I wonder what the bag of crap actually was. I think I'll tell myself it was a chainsaw. Currently, I feel I can live without a chainsaw.

Well, time to go find a cheesy holiday movie to watch.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

the goo has been resolved

2008-12-11T17:32:00.000-06:00

So, I have the best parents ever. I called their house and both of 'em showed up at my house after church last night WITH dinner. It's a good thing I didn't decide to practice denial too because take a look at what I found behind the fridge.

There was Popsicle goo and coupons everywhere. The coupons would have survived my denial. I don't know that the goo would have. So, it was good that I had help to pull out my refrigerator and clean it all up. Refrigerators aren't as hard to move as I had thought they would be. Still, I'm not sure I could have gotten it out of the way with out the love, support, and brute strength of my dad.

My precious Jessica Louise wanted to help as well. Here she is sticking her little nose between my closet and refrigerator trying to look behind and see what's going on.

She hadn't figured out that it was completely open on the other side yet. I had to put her in her room before that realization dawned on her. You know, you don't want to have your sweet little cat tracking Popsicle goo everywhere... no matter what her sweet little heart's desire was. To quote the late great Mark Heard, "It takes more than a good intention to make a thing go right." Wait! that's not exactly what he said. Dagnabit. It's not even close. Fraggle Rock! I really wanted to quote him and I really like his song "Winds of Time." How fantastic would it have been if I could have worked a Mark Heard song into a post about Popsicle goo and a cat? Too bad.

So tonight the whirl wind begins. I'm going to see Ten out of Tenn. I'm fired up about it. Then tomorrow, I'm ushering for the play "The Little Dog Laughed," Then Saturday is graduation (which I am required to attend) and my Sunday School Christmas Party, Sunday is church and I'm going to see Second City... This sort of stuff pretty much continues for a while. My next night off... is Dec 22. Woo! Can I do it? I don't know. I'm not as young as I once was. I am mostly looking forward to the Behold the Lamb concert this coming Monday. That concert always gets my mood right. It's sort of when the holidays move from being about gifts and spending money to Jesus! The reason for the season - you know. I hope not to break down in tears this time. But, it's not looking good. I've been listening to the album all day today in preparation... and as an act of prevention. Only time will tell if it works. I wish I could take you all with me to see it. Cause you know, I like everyone to like what I like. Hopefully, this year I won't get into a fight. That was so horrible last year.

Awry again!

2008-12-10T16:56:00.005-06:00

So today started off with me in the midst of Popsicle goo. Not a good way to start the day... but this is what comes of me trying to better myself. This is why I don't clean out a lot of stuff... because I am prone to goof up. Seriously, it always seems to happen.

A couple of years ago I was CRAZY for those sugar free Popsicles you get at the grocery store. And so I stocked up big time. Then I lost interest in them. Boxes of them remained in my freezer for months and months and months untouched. So, Monday night I decided to get rid of them and make myself some space in the freezer. No one wants to be crowded... Everyone wants to be able to breath. No one wants to die under a pile of rubble. Right!? Only, when I got them out of the freezer, I didn't immediately put them in the trash because my hands were full and I was trying to rearrange stuff in the freezer. So, I put them on top of the freezer thinking I'd throw them out in a second... Yeah, that didn't happen. Last night, I kept thinking I smelled koolaide in my kitchen... but you know, I'm on a juice kick so I thought it was just juice or something... Yeah, this morning I went to get some juice and happened to look up only to see a soggy box of Popsicles with goo everywhere. I managed to clean the top of the refrigerator pretty good but now I need to get behind the refrigerator to get the goo. This is not going to be easy. Personally, I'd like to ignore the goo. Out of site, out of mind right? And what's wrong with a kitchen smelling like Kool-aide. Only, I don't want furry woodland creatures moving in with me... or ants. So, I guess I can't ignore this problem. I'm not happy. But, see this is why I don't like to throw stuff away. I mess up. My dad is coming over tonight to see if he can help me. But, heads up to all those fellas that know me and have talked big in the past about being willing to help me if ever I needed it... yeah, You are on notice. I might need your muscles... you might get a call. Thank you and goodnight.

Words Not in the Dictionary

2008-12-09T11:05:00.002-06:00

I just got this article through a library listserv I'm on. I just thought it was sort of interesting. Apparently there is a limit to the number of words children should know. I'm not really offended or anything... well, not because of my Christian beliefs... I'm a little offended at the limitation to knowledge though. Maybe the publisher can't afford to define too many words for children. Words can be expensive you know. Didn't Dickens get paid per word? Is that true? That's what I've heard. Maybe it was Melville.... hmmm, don't know. Maybe I'll research that tomorrow... Today I simply don't care enough. Plus, I've got mounds of church records to sort through. Seriously, if your church or organization doesn't know how to use a calendar or the alphabet, let me know. I am freely available for consultation on such things. I think we Baptists are the worst though. We're to independent and don't like to be told what to do. I've seen other denominational records... they seem to be able to use calendars and the alphabet. Good for them.

Oh well... I guess everything is definable in google or dictonary.com or websters. Is there a children's version of the OED? ugh! Do children even use books for research?

Words Associated with Christianity and British History Taken out of Children's Dictionary
by Julie Henry, Education Correspondent
Telegraph.uk.com, 8 Dec 2008

Words associated with Christianity, the monarchy and British history have been dropped from a leading dictionary for children.

Oxford University Press has removed words like "aisle", "bishop", "chapel", "empire" and "monarch" from its Junior Dictionary and replaced them with words like "blog", "broadband" and "celebrity". Dozens of words related to the countryside have also been culled.

The publisher claims the changes have been made to reflect the fact that Britain is a modern, multicultural, multifaith society.

But academics and head teachers said that the changes to the 10,000 word Junior Dictionary could mean that children lose touch with Britain's heritage.

"We have a certain Christian narrative which has given meaning to us over the last 2,000 years. To say it is all relative and replaceable is questionable," said Professor Alan Smithers, the director of the centre for education and employment at Buckingham University. "The word selections are a very interesting reflection of the way childhood is going, moving away from our spiritual background and the natural world and towards the world that information technology creates for us."

An analysis of the word choices made by the dictionary lexicographers has revealed that entries from "abbey" to "willow" have been axed. Instead, words such as "MP3 player", "voicemail" and "attachment" have taken their place.

Lisa Saunders, a worried mother who has painstakingly compared entries from the junior dictionaries, aimed at children aged seven or over, dating from 1978, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007, said she was "horrified" by the vast number of words that have been removed, most since 2003.

"The Christian faith still has a strong following," she said. "To eradicate so many words associated with the Christianity will have a big effect on the numerous primary schools who use it."

Ms Saunders realised words were being removed when she was helping her son with his homework and discovered that "moss" and "fern", which were in editions up until 2003, were no longer listed.

"I decide to take a closer look and compare the new version to the other editions," said the mother of four from Co Down, Northern Ireland. "I was completely horrified by the vast number of words which have been removed. We know that language moves on and we can't be fuddy-duddy about it but you don't cull hundreds of important words in order to get in a different set of ICT words."

Anthony Seldon, the master of Wellington College, a leading private school in Berkshire, said: "I am stunned that words like "saint", "buttercup", "heather" and "sycamore" have all gone and I grieve it.

"I think as well as being descriptive, the Oxford Junior Dictionary, has to be prescriptive too, suggesting not just words that are used but words that should be used. It has a duty to keep these words within usage, not merely pander to an audience. We are looking at the loss of words of great beauty. I would rather have "marzipan" and "mistletoe" then "MP3 player."

Oxford University Press, which produces the junior edition, selects words with the aid of the Children's Corpus, a list of about 50 million words made up of general language, words from children's books and terms related to the school curriculum. Lexicographers consider word frequency when making additions and deletions.

Vineeta Gupta, the head of children's dictionaries at Oxford University Press, said: "We are limited by how big the dictionary can be – little hands must be able to handle it – but we produce 17 children's dictionaries with different selections and numbers of words.

"When you look back at older versions of dictionaries, there were lots of examples of flowers for instance. That was because many children lived in semi-rural environments and saw the seasons. Nowadays, the environment has changed. We are also much more multicultural. People don't go to Church as often as before. Our understanding of religion is within multiculturalism, which is why some words such as "Pentecost" or "Whitsun" would have been in 20 years ago but not now."

She said children's dictionaries were trialed in schools and advice taken from teachers. Many words are added to reflect the age-related school curriculum.

Words taken out:

Carol, cracker, holly, ivy, mistletoe

Dwarf, elf, goblin

Abbey, aisle, altar, bishop, chapel, christen, disciple, minister, monastery, monk, nun, nunnery, parish, pew, psalm, pulpit, saint, sin, devil, vicar

Coronation, duchess, duke, emperor, empire, monarch, decade

adder, ass, beaver, boar, budgerigar, bullock, cheetah, colt, corgi, cygnet, doe, drake, ferret, gerbil, goldfish, guinea pig, hamster, heron, herring, kingfisher, lark, leopard, lobster, magpie, minnow, mussel, newt, otter, ox, oyster, panther, pelican, piglet, plaice, poodle, porcupine, porpoise, raven, spaniel, starling, stoat, stork, terrapin, thrush, weasel, wren.

Acorn, allotment, almond, apricot, ash, bacon, beech, beetroot, blackberry, blacksmith, bloom, bluebell, bramble, bran, bray, bridle, brook, buttercup, canary, canter, carnation, catkin, cauliflower, chestnut, clover, conker, county, cowslip, crocus, dandelion, diesel, fern, fungus, gooseberry, gorse, hazel, hazelnut, heather, holly, horse chestnut, ivy, lavender, leek, liquorice, manger, marzipan, melon, minnow, mint, nectar, nectarine, oats, pansy, parsnip, pasture, poppy, porridge, poultry, primrose, prune, radish, rhubarb, sheaf, spinach, sycamore, tulip, turnip, vine, violet, walnut, willow

Words put in:

Blog, broadband, MP3 player, voicemail, attachment, database, export, chatroom, bullet point, cut and paste, analogue

Celebrity, tolerant, vandalism, negotiate, interdependent, creep, citizenship, childhood, conflict, common sense, debate, EU, drought, brainy, boisterous, cautionary tale, bilingual, bungee jumping, committee, compulsory, cope, democratic, allergic, biodegradable, emotion, dyslexic, donate, endangered, Euro

Apparatus, food chain, incisor, square number, trapezium, alliteration, colloquial, idiom, curriculum, classify, chronological, block graph

I Saw the Light, I Saw the Light.

2008-12-05T17:03:00.003-06:00

I often leave work in the dark. You don't have to leave work very late to be in the dark these days... still I miss the light... especially since I work in a converted interior closet of the lower level of the library. I miss the sun. And you know, It gets dark at night.... here. :) HEHE (That's for Sweetie)

Anyway, when I leave and start my climb up the hill to my car. The light over the concrete stairs in the parking lot always shuts off just as I approach. It's giving me a complex. I've seen other people use the stairs AND the light. Why does it shut off for me? I'm beginning to take it personally. Am I a vampire and only the light knows it? This is what I'm beginning to wonder. I don't think I'm a vampire. And besides even if I was, why would the light shut off? But, I'm not a vampire so it doesn't matter.

A couple of days ago I had email woes and cell phone woes... maybe I'm becoming magnetic and all machinery/ computery stuff shuts down when I'm around. That'd be sad.

Hey, a Ragamuffin Friend just started this Internet shop thing called the LolliShops. It's quite cool. Check it out. It seems like stuff MzLibrarian and Purple would find interesting... or so I would think. I just think it's cool so I thought I'd share. It sort of reminds me a little of the local Naked Art store. Fun, Fun.

Have a good weekend.

Bye Bye Tubberville - I'm Sad to See You Go.

2008-12-03T17:19:00.004-06:00

I just heard on the news that Tubberville was fired as the head coach at Auburn. I'm soooo bummed about this. First Croom leaves MS. State and now Tubberville is gone.

I wonder if State could talk Tubberville into coming back to MS. I liked Tommy. I'm very sad by this news... almost... no definitely more sad over Tommy than Croom.

Sigh.... this has just not been a good year for me and football.

I'll try to be happy for those BAMA fans but it's just not the same when you own teams are doing poorly and your schools are letting you down... athletically...

bummer.

I want my coaches back.

I'm taking a little pleasure in knowing that Auburn will have to pay him 3 million over the next 30 days and another 3 million in the next year.... Auburn has let me down. I thought that was where the Angels sang.... sigh.....

Dream a Dream of Snickerdoodles

2008-12-02T17:24:00.000-06:00

So, I have rediscovered the beauty of a Snickerdoodle. I used to make those things all the time and then I snickerdoodled myself out. I got tired of them and I just didn't care for their taste anymore. So, I stopped making them. That is until last Friday. I decided to make some for an Iron Bowl party I was going to. They turned out okay but I still wasn't overly impressed by them. I used to be known for making yummy snickerdoodles. People would ask me to make them for parties so I thought maybe they were still good but I was still tired of 'em. BUT, then I decided to make some more for my student workers. I didn't use as much flour in that second batch and oh my goodness.... The magic of the snicker doodle is back! The batch I made for the kids are the yummiest things ever. Clearly, I have messed up on prior batches of the cookies. Recent batches have had extra flour in them. I thought that helped roll the dough. And, perhaps it did. But, oh wow, the difference that extra flour made in the taste. It's no good. Now, all I want to do is make snickerdoodles and eat them. 24 hours a day is not to much time to dedicate to a snickerdoodle is it? I feel as though I need to apologize to anyone who had a snicker doodle during my prior unfortunate period of snickerdoodle making. I'm so sorry. I've learned my lesson. I will never add to much flour again.

So, do you have a snickerdoodle recipe? Here's mine. It came out of a Betty Crocker Kids cookbook. These things are like a little bits of heaven. Yummy

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1) In large mixing bowl cream the 3/4 cup sugar and the butter. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
2) In small bowl stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir into butter mixture till well mixed. (Note - I used Self Rising Flour and skip the BS, Salt and CofT)
3) In the same small bowl combine the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon.
4) Turn oven to 375. Grease cookie sheets.
5) Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll each in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Put balls 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Put pan into oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.
6) Turn off oven

Makes about 36.

Meat Please

2008-11-25T17:49:00.000-06:00

So, this past weekend I became a vegetarian by accident... or maybe stupidity. I think it was probably more stupidity. It certainly wasn't by choice. I'm a carnivore. I eat meat. I love meat. If meat is an option why would I not choose to eat meat. I wouldn't. Others do and for good reasons. I respect that. Honestly, I do. But, I want meat.

On Sunday, I went to this restaurant downtown where you go to a bar and choose which food you want and then take it over to a chef and have him or her stir fry it for you. Well, I thought I had chosen chicken and pasta... but what I got was potatoes and pasta. It was still pretty yummy but chicken would have been better. I paid $15 for stir fried potatoes and pasta though. That was a little upsetting. Once I realized my mistake I planned to go back for steak or shrimp or something... only that potato pasta filled me up. Sad. I'm sure I'll go back some time. I will not make the same mistake twice.... or will I?

Yesterday, I planned to have Sister Shubert sausage rolls for dinner.... Only, I didn't get the ones with sausage in them. I got plain ol' yeast rolls. I didn't realize this mistake until I took a bite. At first I thought Sister Shubert had made a mistake on one of my rolls... So, I ate another one. Yeah, they were all like that... because I bought yeast rolls not sausage rolls. Fraggle Rock.

I swear I think I nearly got the shakes last night. I went without any meat for about 64 hours. That was unprecedented. I don't want to ever do that again.

Today for lunch, I went out to a Barbecue restaurant. I was pretty sure I couldn't go wrong with barbecue. Thank goodness for Barbecue. Finally, I had some meat!

"Follow Your Bliss" Aye Aye Joseph Campbell

2008-11-21T17:18:00.001-06:00

Last night I got to go to a concert that was fun, young and hip. I am none of those things but the person who invited me was, so it was cool. (Thank you LM) It was sort of a living room show featuring Matthew Mayfield and Griffin House. I, of course, really like young Mr. Mayfield. But, I hadn’t actually gotten the chance to see/hear Griffin House before even though I had heard of him. Turns out, I quite like him. I knew I would. And, I love his name. I want a child so I can name him/her Griffin. Rufus Griffin or Griffin Rufus would that work? I’m not so sure. I guess maybe I’ll need two children. A Griffin and a Rufus. I don’t really see that happening. Maybe I could just name my next cats Griffin and Rufus. That's not really the same. But, sometimes you just have to work with the cards you are dealt. The concert was downtown in a loft/photo studio and it was the coolest thing. And it was a whole bunch of yougens that pulled it off. I swear they all looked like kids. In my head, this group of guys lead the best life ever. How wonderful it must be to be young, talented and creative like that. I’m trying to figure out how I can fit that life into my Librarian world. I’m going to have to get A LOT cooler and I will need a new house. Those fellas certainly seem to be doing what they love and love what they doing and making a fantastic living while doing it. What a great thing.

So this morning I came to work all fired up that I must find a new house that can be cool and support such concerts. That clearly isn’t going to happen any time soon… Certainly not with my Collyer brother like tendencies or the housing market. BUT, Purple and I did come up with a plan to open a themed restaurant several weeks ago. I think we could make it cool and artsy and host concerts. How fantastic! I’m fired up about this plan. Can a librarian chick with no business skills or culinary taste open a cool restaurant? That is a good question. I told my coworker about our plan and she said she’d eat there.

Clearly, this is not something that I’m actually going to quit my job over… but perhaps I can push Purple into pursuing it a little. She’s creative and smart… I’d like to hang on to her coattails and become a girl with a fabulous life just like those boys downtown.

Oh and by the way, Urban Standard catered the event… they have the yummiest cookies I have ever tasted. They were sugar cookies with some sort of cream in them… but sooooo much better than the ones you might buy at a mall. I need to find out where their store is located and spend money there… actually, I don’t need to do that. I need to remember and fight my muffin top. Raggle Fraggle… must focus on happy things….

Friends….Concerts… Coffee…. Life….. sigh.

I don't want a muffin top!

2008-11-20T17:21:00.003-06:00

I've decided to gain weight. Not out right, but apparently subconsciously because I'm eating anything I cross paths with, with no thought whatsoever. I'm not happy. I just put on a pair of jeans to go out tonight. I have a clear muffin top and I'm loosing feeling in my left leg. I'm sure the right one is not far behind. I changed at work so there is nothing to be done about it other than put my work pants back on. I don't want to have to resort to that. I'm going to try and do some squats or something to stretch the jeans out a bit then I'll have to check the results in the bathroom mirror. Dagnabit. I had a feeling I'd put on some weight. I hate having that thought confirmed. I'm not sure what to do about it. I know that seems odd... but, you know I didn't really try to loose weight in the first place. I just cut out sodas. I have started drinking those pesky things again but only a couple a week. I hardly ever finish a can of soda even when I do have it. However, I am addicted to juice. I've admitted this before... since I don't think my soda intake is that great I guess I'm going to have to blame the juice. Something must be blamed. I don't want to blame cake. hmph. or donuts. But, I'm not sure I can give up my juice. I love love love that minute maid stuff... mmmmmm good.

Last night I went by Sams to return some pants, while I was there I took a gander at their cakes. I love their cakes... but as a single chick...I know I have no business taking one home... Only, last night they had a spice cake. I'm a sucker for anything spice. yummy. I totally bought it and took it home with me. I'm giving it a good home. Still, this afternoon, I called my mother and told her to stop by my house and take at least half of it away. I hope she does. That would be good for my belly. I think, I'll freeze what ever is left over. I'm not good at pulling such things out of my freezer to eat. I'll pull meat or frozen dinners out but never frozen junk food. I'm too impatient for it. I think the freezer is a good plan because it will still be there, just not accessible.

This is not good. Not a good thing to realize the week before Thanksgiving. I must plan accordingly. Fraggle Rock!

Don't Blame Me

2008-11-17T22:22:00.003-06:00

So, someone recommended this book titled UnChristian to me. Then, at opening convocation for the 2008/2009 academic year the president of my university quoted from it. So, I've started reading it. I'm a slow reader. I'm also ornery. I'm not that far into it. But, it's very interesting. And, I'd recommend it. Anyway, one of the questions it brings up is how are we (Christians) representing God? Which is a good question to ask isn't it?

Anyway, someone at work posted a link to this video about proposition 8 and it's kind of heart breaking. And it makes me think of the UnChristian Book and how sad it is that this is how people view us and what that says about God. I mean whether you'd vote yes or no to prop8. It's just heart breaking on so many levels. I'm pretty sure God is not looking good here. Why is that and how can it be changed? I sorta think that what happened with prop8 was UnChristian. But, I don't know that I totally understand what I just said.

And another from this guy named Sam Harris... who is a guy I adore. That man can sing!

I think God took a hit on this one. God will not be mocked. What is right here? I'm just afraid that people who don't know God are hating him because of what I may or may not believe. Part of me wonders if there really are enough "Fundamental" religious people to have made that vote go that way. I don't know, but California isn't know for religion is it? Didn't everyone get a vote? How did that happen?

At least Richard Foster was in no way involved with this... I don't think. (that's a poor attempt at a joke)

Live in Concert - So Many Free Options

2008-11-17T17:53:00.001-06:00

I don't know how I missed this website offered by NPR but I did. I've got soooo much catching up to do. Thank goodness they also offer it at iTunes. I'm in concert/podcast heaven! I'm so utterly happy right now. I knew about All Songs Considered. But, I did not know of Live in Concert from All Songs Considered. This is a very good day! If you didn't know about it and have crazy tastes in music, then check it out. I'm currently listening to Mr. Tom Waits because I'm oddly obsessed with him. Spunky reignited my obsession by making me a mix cd with several of his songs on there. I listened to "Cold Water" no less than 5 times on my way to work this morning. I am also oddly obsessed with Jack White so I'm excited to have the opportunity to listen to the Raconteurs' show too. Woohoo! But there's just sooo much there. I'm going to need to spend a lot of time alone listening to this stuff and gleaning musical knowledge. I guess there are times when it pays not to be socially in demand. Although, I do have quite the schedule laid out for me up through Christmas. I mostly have Purple to thank for that. Although, LM has also hooked me up with a Matthew Mayfield concert this week. As you know, I love him so I'm excited. Anyone else want to request my presence somewhere... Time is running out. But, rest assured I don't have much of a life. I depend on others to make one happen for me. And I appreciate it when they take up that challenge.

So, I thought I'd report that I didn't buy a Kindle. I felt I deserved some sort of fancy gadget. I'm not really a gadget girl; but, couldn't I perhaps become one? Plus, I was sooo excited about the possibility of still owning books but not taking up shelf space. But, after much consideration and watching many online reviews, I'm not sure the Kindle is the gadget for me. Perhaps when they update it, I will change my mind. In the end, the side buttons to flip pages seemed like they would annoy me. I can't spend $300 to be annoyed. I can get that much cheaper at home already. My other gadget consideration is the iPod Touch. Those commercials on television that feature different Apps are really working on me. However, I'm pretty sure I won't be getting one of those any time soo either. Maybe, I'm really not a future gadget girl after all. I'm a little saddened by that realization.

You got to be open to it.

2008-11-12T21:57:00.000-06:00

I can’t decide what part of my outrage over the Foster Debacle was really just my pride. I’m pretty sure that somewhere my pride must have been involved. I want to say that I really didn’t care about the book itself but instead my outrage was over Christian writers being made to appear as heretical. For the last few weeks, as I played six degrees of separation I felt pretty self-righteous that I would NEVER EVER say things to make other believers appear evil… then I remembered that perhaps I would and, in fact, I have. There’s a certain Southern Baptist leader that literally drives me bonkers. I merely have to see his name on something and I lose my mind. And you should really hope you aren’t anywhere near me if I happen to see him on CNN or Fox News. It’s not pretty. Still, I’ve never called him a heretic. I just call him a jerk… or, uhm… idiot. Not good. So, I can’t say that I will stop thinking of him as a jerk but perhaps this can help me put an additional perspective on the Foster Debacle. I’m not sure what that perspective is yet… other than I can be wrong about other believers as well. Even though we do have different ideas and beliefs… I don’t know what I can learn from him. I’m sure there must be something, it may just take a while for me to figure it out and, of course, I’m going to need to be open to it first. That’s the real problem, I’m not open to hearing him.

BTW... Are any of you listening to Sara Groves' podcasts from her Art Music Justice tour? She's kicking my butt. I'm listening to the one about "Spiritual Buffalo" right now. I think it's number 5. Wow! Uhm, and yeah, I still did the 6 degrees thing... she spent some time on simplicity... Foster wrote a book about that. Ugh... When will I get over this.

The good thing about migraines

2008-11-11T17:33:00.000-06:00

Well, if you must suffer migraines... at least now doctors have found a silver lining.

Apparently, women who suffer migraines are 30% less likely to get breast cancer.
Here's the story.

A couple of weeks ago I spent a great deal of time on my couch with a bean bag on my head. Those of you who get them, like me may agree with me.... it's not worth it. Maybe if it was 60% less likely... that'd be better.

I don't guess we get that option.

Fraggle Rock... Well, at least we've got something to cling to as a sunny side.
hmph.

The Foster Debacle and my Inability to Get a Grip

2008-11-10T17:31:00.004-06:00

My life has become six degrees of separation. And who is degree number 1? Richard Foster. Every time I hear a religious quote of some sort or even a song… I think, “is that said person in any way linked to Richard Foster?” Sad but true and it is also very distracting from whatever it is I should be thinking about. I mean, yesterday in church my pastor was throwing around all kinds of quotes about love and service and talking about what Christ would do…. And all I could think was…. We’re starting to get mystical here in the Baptist church… Heresy!

I have never claimed to be a good person. I’m mean, stubborn, willful and incredibly sarcastic. I’m usually all good with alternate opinions until some random line gets crossed and then everything must be put in terms of black and white. There is no in-between. These random lines are hardly ever crossed in my life but when they are… It’s hard from me to move on. It’s crazy. And not good. This is what has happened to me with Richard Foster. Recently someone described him as a new age mystic that didn’t believe in salvation (basic research for the statement was performed on Wikipedia) So now in my sarcastically inclined brain, anyone connected to Richard Foster in any sort of way at all… I’m labeling that person as a new age heretic. This would include folks like, Eugene Peterson, Max Lucado and Beth Moore. Clearly, those people are not heretics. But in my new black and white world they are because I can easily connect them to Foster. I realize that even if I can connect all those people, that doesn’t mean they agree on everything and I realize that this logic is no good. But emotionally, I’ve yet to be able to get a grip. When that accusation was made… I went ballistic. Every writer and songwriter who has had any influence on me sort of fell like dominoes with Foster. Where should lines be drawn? Who is good and who is bad? Can we not learn from people with different beliefs? If you don’t ever hear other opinions or beliefs, how do you know what you believe? The argument was also made that some people aren’t educated enough to know what is scripturally sound. REALLY! Scripturally sound according to whom? There is something like 57 different kinds of Baptists alone that base their faith and doctrine on the Bible. Who is right? Should I only read someone who is my particular flavor of Baptist? Ridiculous!

This all led to somewhat of a denominational crisis for me. I began to wonder that maybe I had been influenced by other non Baptists and perhaps I’m not actually a Baptist. Except, I didn’t join my church lightly. I’ve read the Baptist Faith and Message. Sure, I prefer the 1963 version to the current one… but, it’s not like I don’t know what it says. If I’m not crazy about the current version, should that affect my denominational choice? I wonder. Maybe I should consider that. So many questions have been raised by this whole Foster debacle. The new version of the BF&Mbasically limits women’s leadership roles in the church. I’m a chick… hence my problem. But, whenever I think about it… I just think of the Alabama women missionaries to China back at the beginning of the 20th century. They used to get letters from the men back home reprimanding them for preaching the Gospel. The women would write back that they understood their place and just as soon as the men showed up, they’d step down. Isn’t that great! That makes me laugh. How smart were they?!? (If time permitted I could totally document that if you should so desire. Or Check out Flynt’s book titled Alabama Baptists. )

Anyway, my pastor’s sermon yesterday did make me feel like perhaps I was still a Baptist. Apparently, according to him, you can believe in the love of God and be a Baptist all at the same time. Crazy... That notion! It's not just Christian mystics who believe in that. Woohoo!

I sort of feel like my right to think was capped by the whole Foster debacle too. But, if it wasn’t capped… check out this quote from the Rabbit Room Posted recently.

“No man is better for knowing that God so loved the world of men that He gave His only begotten Son to die for their redemption. In hell there are millions who know that. Theological truth is useless unless it is obeyed. The purpose behind all doctrine is to secure moral action.”

A nonBaptist by the name of A. W. Tozer said that. Doesn’t that make you think? My initial reaction was, “What!” Did Tozer just toss John 3:16 out the window! Nah… but what a thought provoking quote. Unfortunately, I don’t think Tozer would make the list of acceptable writers for me to discuss… so, I’ll just leave it at that… and keep reading the Rabbit Room.

Disclaimer - Many people involved with the Foster Debacle are intelligent people who really aren't closed minded at all.... They just also aren't as insane as I am and can move on with life.

Two Parties, Two Costumes

2008-11-05T16:58:00.005-06:00

This Halloween I had two parties to go to and needed two costumes. The stress of this was almost to much for me to handle. I'm not sure I can participate in future costume endeavor type functions.

For the first one, I went as a chick fishing for compliments. I had a fishing pole with lures on it, such as "Should I cut my hair?" "What do you think of this dress?" "Are my earlobes okay?" Then I cut out fish to tie to the fishing vest I wore and wrote things like. "You're hot!" "You've got lovely earlobes." and "That outfit looks fantastic on you." on the fish. You can't really tell any of that from the above picture. So, I just wanted to fill you in.

Then for the second party, I was Thing 1 and Purple was Thing 2. Spunkey made the costume suggestion a couple of weeks ago when I was desperately trying to think of something. It's good to have friends who have your back.

Another girl showed up as the Cat in the Hat. That was totally unplanned. What good fortune.

I must admit to you, I felt a little naked with my hair up like that. Seriously, I don't know that I'm cut out for costumes. But, it was still fun. It will take me a while to recover.

So does blue hair look good on me? (The fishing continues - Listen, you have to do what you have to do)

God Bless America - I've been bribed. Kinda

2008-11-04T11:17:00.000-06:00

Well, I just got in to work. And before I get going really good, I would like to take a moment to tell you about my morning.

First off... I went to my dentist to have my teeth cleaned. That didn't take as long as I had expected so I went to go vote. The crowds weren't to bad. I heard they were much worse earlier. Anyway, I was in and out in about 20 minutes... So, I put my "I voted" sticker on and drove down the road to Krispey Kreme where I was awarded a FREE Chocolate sprinkled donut. Then I drove down to Starbucks and got a FREE coffee.

After getting off work, I think I will go by Chic-fil-a and get a FREE sandwich for dinner. Then, I shall go by Ben & Jerry's for a FREE scoop of ice cream.

By then it should be about time for my Bible Study group to start, so I'll head that way and once again... stop by Starbucks and have myself another FREE coffee.

What a great country. God Bless America. I'm getting paid to vote. Sorta.

And in case you were wondering.... I voted no to all amendments this morning except for one. I feel a little guilty about that. I won't tell you which one I voted yes to... I only had read two of them.... didn't care to read the others... I've become a cog in the wheel for the 1901 Alabama State Constitution.... Am I now a bad person? I sent an email to the ACCR (not sure they would endorse my voting no to amendments) asking for a bumper sticker... the email address I used had a Buechner quote as a signature. "All moments are key moments and life itself is grace." That's my favorite of favorite quotes... I got a note back from this guy there that simply said, "I love Buechner." That totally made my day... maybe I should send them money. hmmm.

Please, don't encourage the librarian

2008-11-03T17:41:00.003-06:00

Raise your hand if you know me... I mean really know me.... Because if you do you will remember the whole Malcolm Gets incident... and later the Kevin Anderson falderall.

I mean, I learned from the whole Malcolm Gets thing... and I knew that when I heard Kevin Anderson sing on the London cast recording for Sunset Boulevard... I knew it was better not to research him and actually find out who he was. Then, quite by accident I found out that not only did he have a fantastic voice but he also was pretty darn cute and he drove a motorcycle... but, I recovered.

Well, friends it has happened again. This time the man's name is Jeffry Dean Morgan. You may know him as Denny Duquette from Grey's Anatomy. I knew right off the first time I saw him on that show, I didn't need to know anything about him. I took precautions. But, best laid plans of mice, men and librarians... often lead to things that are not good. Friday night my friend LBW started talking about him... and the next thing I knew I was finding out details I didn't need to know... like his name. Fraggle Rock. Danger! Danger! I'm on to my next obsession. I wonder if he does theater work. Hmmm. cause I can stand next to a stage door.... Now, I'm going to be praying "Please God, let him do theater work." But, the rest of you, You ought to be praying for my sanity... and perhaps that he stays away from theaters. I don't need to be encouraged by the kindness of a stranger....

And you know this weekend, when not in bed with a headache.... I was listening/watching to Stephen Sondheim's Passion. I find that a little ironic... since it's all about this ugly, sickly woman who basically stalks a man until he falls in love with her. It's a fantastic play. Honestly! But, I may be thinking to much about Fosca, the main character, and what exactly it is that worked for her.

Thank goodness Purple will be showing me that independent film I think we're alone now this weekend. That ought to pull me back down to earth.

Don't be the Bunny!

2008-10-31T17:07:00.001-05:00

For two days now I've been dealing with a migraine. I'm wondering what is up with that. I thought the migraine had finally lifted this afternoon... but now as I sit in front of my computer... I'm not so sure my eyeball is secure inside my head. And why is my computer screen so bright.-I can't seem to figure out how to dim the screen. Does that make me stupid? I found the button to let me choose the option of adjusting the brightness but I can't find the buttons to actually change it.... ARGH!!!!!!!

Okay, I am now sitting at my desk with sunglasses on. As the great Spunkey once said... "If you can't go through, go around." I think that's what I just did.... metaphorically speaking. sorta.

So, did you know that if you live in Alabama.... on election day you will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not people in my county should have to pay their own sewer bills. I'm not making that up. So uhm, I don't want to pay my sewer bill . Until now, I didn't realize that was an option. I think I will vote no to that... No matter where you live in my state... you have the ability to vote on that as well. In fact, perhaps I will just vote no to all the amendments... I've made that threat before. Have I ever mentioned that my state needs a new constitution. Seriously, people in the state will be voting to amend the state constitution so that people in my county will need to pay their own sewer bills. Now doesn't that seem just a little bit crazy? Of course there is something going on with the local sewer people anyway... the company seems to be having financial woes... maybe this is the problem... people don't have to pay their bills. I actually have no idea what is going on... it just seems crazy that the state will be voting on it though... First, vote for who should be president... then flip that ballot over and vote about my sewer system... woohoo!

Don't believe me, check it out... here

"So, come and give your coins to me

Write your name here in the record book

The authorities will want to look

If you've been regular with me

If you've paid the proper fee

For the privilege to pee" Urinetown The Musical

Plans for the better continue

2008-10-28T17:09:00.000-05:00

“Books are my passion, not only writing them and every once in a while even reading them but just having them and moving them around and feeling the comfort of their serene presence.” Frederick Buechner

So what about my book problem? You know, I love books. I don’t always read them but I like to have them. I think Oprah may have solved this problem for me via Amazon’s Kindle. I’m not a gadget girl. In fact, one of the reasons I think I need a husband it to help me out in the world of technology… I’m falling behind fast. But, Oprah has introduced me to the Kindle. I think I need one of those. I think I’m going to ask Santa to help me get one for Christmas. I’m not sure Santa can afford to get it completely for me due to the fact that Santa has lots of folks to look after… But, perhaps he can help me a bit. That’s reasonable right? I’m so fired up about this plan. Part of me wants to wait a year or so to see if a newer version comes out or the price comes down… but, I’m a girl struggling now. If I wait, the madness may return. I may die in a mound of books and never be found. A kindle will be of no use then. Best to save my life now, don’t you think? I don’t know that I can replace all the books I already own with the kindle… but I can stop the intake of additional books.

I’ve also developed this plan to stop buying cds. I am a girl who loves music so I think this will be the hardest thing for me to do. But, I think I’m going to start going to mp3s for my new music. I made this plan last week. Saturday, I broke my new rule. Kate Campbell was at my library for homecoming and I totally fell in love with her song “Sorrowfree.” She wrote it for this summer’s Big Read which, of course, was To Kill a Mockingbird. If you like folk music and you like that book, you should check out that song. (It's on her MySpace which is linked above) Anyway, I wasn’t sure if was available on iTunes so I bought the cd. I had to have that song. I think it’s going to be on my list of forever favorites… others on my list of all time favorites include (in no particular order)

Love of God - Rich Mullins
After the Last Tear Falls - Andrew Peterson
Save Something for Grace -Eric Peters
God Believes in You - Pierce Pettis

So what would be in your list of forever favorites?

Anyway, I'm not sure I can pull of that not buying cds thing. But, I'm looking forward to giving the Kindle a shot.

The first step is admitting the problem

2008-10-27T17:16:00.001-05:00

The Collyer Brother's Home

It is no secret that in the past I have referred to myself as a self described OCD person. OR, that I was sinking into a grey gardens lifestyle. I truly believe that I was on my way to becoming one of those people who needed an intervention. Like maybe, by the grace of God, Oprah or TLC would show up at my door with some tough love. I had reached a place where I was feeling overwhelmed by all my stuff and I just couldn’t deal with it so I ignored it. But, also I couldn’t get rid of it. I have a history of getting rid of things only to seriously need them the next week. So, I got where I just didn’t get rid of stuff. Plus, I think I somewhat had a notion that my stuff was part of who I am… it was like my identity. But, the truth is, I lived in fear of people stopping in without warning and all my stuff had become suffocating. I’ve been talking to God about it for quite a while. It was on my list of miracles needed. Before my trip to Philly, I never would have considered being Little Edie for Halloween because I honestly had a fear of actually becoming Little Edie… just perhaps with a slightly different twist on fashion. And I had this weird fascination with the Collyer Brothers. And as a single person I somewhat feared that maybe one day I’d die and people wouldn’t be able to find me because I’d be buried in magazines, shopping bags, and coat hangers in the middle of my bedroom floor… hidden. Sort of like what happened with Langley Collyer. I don’t want that to happen.

But, then I went to Philly and for whatever reason when I came back home I just started cleaning out junk. It’s an absolute miracle and answer to prayer. I’m not putting pressure on myself… I’m not even setting goals for fear that I lose whatever it is that has inspired me to get rid of my stuff. It’s like that Episode of AbFab where Saffy has a date and Edina makes Patsy tip-toe around and whispers “don’t frighten Saffy!” That’s how I feel. I don’t want to bring back that overwhelmed feeling and give up. I must accept my baby steps.

I’ve managed to get my house to a somewhat better junky state. One I feel is akin to a normal person’s junky state…not Collyer Brother like at all. I’ve got miles and miles to go but “shhhh” I’m tip-toeing around that fact. So far, I’ve cleaned out lots of clothes and lots of trinkets that had previously just been sitting around. I’ve got surfaces people! Surfaces that I can easily dust. Praise God! I boxed up most of my ALA books to take to the library for their store. (That was about 75 – 100 books that previously sat in bags and stacks in my living room) I’ve got a box of CDs waiting to be taken to a CD store for resale. And, the best part has been going through all my old videos. Some of the videos were movies I had bought… But, many of them were just things I had kept unlabeled. The videos are sort of like boxes of chocolate. I’d put one in the VCR and I never knew what I was going to get. I’ve found some great stuff. I found Letterman’s 10th anniversary special. I found an interview of Jason Bateman on the Late Show with Craig Kilborn. I found old PBS specials on Gershwin and Sondheim. Previously, I would not have been able to get rid of that stuff. But, now, I simply watch the stuff then trash the tape. I’ve realized that I cannot be held responsible for archiving television. I’ve trashed about 50 unlabeled video tapes – Go Me! Previously, I had considered asking Santa to buy me the remaining season’s of the X-Files. I already own seasons 1 -4. And, I enjoy watching TV on DVD… but this is what I’ve realized. Netflix is my library. I can get whatever I want from them. As long as I’m a member, there is no need for me to dedicate my precious shelf space to TV on DVD. That was a Spunky inspired decision. She’s been doing that for years… only; I’ve just recently understood and accepted it for my own home. Materials entering into my home are under much more scrutiny than they once were. I’ve realized that perhaps I really was a girl with a problem and problems should be respected, right? I’ve told some of my friends … you don’t serve alcohol to alcoholics… don’t give stuff to a hoarder. If you want to get me something... and you aren’t sure what to get, consider giving me time – hang out with me at a movie or dinner or get me gift cards that can be used responsibly. If you give me stuff… please know that I’m a girl with a problem and I may not be able to commit to keeping it for long for fear of suffocating. Now, I still think that some of the best gifts are those that you wouldn’t necessarily get for yourself or quirky things. I’d still appreciate such things… I never would have understood the glory of glitter without such gifts. I’m just saying, I admit I have a problem.

But, I’m recovering. Thank you God!

I think I should invest in sand bags

2008-10-24T18:01:00.004-05:00

I officially had a crappy day today. I honestly can say that and it's the absolute truth. For you see, when I arrived to work this morning I found there was a fountain of raw sewage water springing forth out of the lower level bathrooms which just happen to be across from my processing lab/office. So, within mere moments of the fountain springing forth... My crappy day had begun.

This is nothing new. We've had several floods before in my area. Nothing of importance ever gets put on the floor... and that's saying something since my archive is literally out of space. Anyway, we have various types of flooding from time to time. The kind we had today had happened twice before... But, it had been several years... We had sort of lulled our way into a false security.

Never let your guard down... That's when the crap will hit ya.

Here's the funny thing... like I said, we've had several floods before but never ever have we had the bright idea of using our old stacks of newspapers that sit around waiting to be recycled as ways to soak up and stop the water. I work with fairly intelligent people. Why had that never occurred to us before? Maybe, we've been like deer in headlights... just pushing water with mops and stuff... frantically trying to fight the floods and protect stuff. But, it took a new director to make the suggestion. And our cleaning crew was fantastic. They even helped us (me and my coworkers) disinfect our shoes. Wasn't that good of them. I may need to bring them cake on Monday....

Anyway, may we all have a non crappy weekend.

My Cat Does Love Me

2008-10-22T17:20:00.001-05:00

This picture is proof that my cat loves me.... or at least values my opposable thumbs and their use for opening her food.

She used to fold her ears back by herself when she cleaned them but she no longer does that. I think she stopped just to spite me. This past weekend, she was sitting next to me on the couch and so I reached over and pushed them back. She gave me a look and then shook them back into position. So I scratched her noggin and cooed over her a bit and asked if she'd please let me take her picture with her ears back. She complied, but she made it clear that she was doing me a favor and I would owe her later.

Still, I feel I got this shot out of love.

Hiking and Green Beans

2008-10-16T17:05:00.006-05:00

Saturday I went hiking with some folks (KAG and C and another friend of theirs) up Ruffner Mtn. Before I started the hike I began asking around about it. I wanted to know what I was in for and did I need sport skivvies on. No one could answer that question. However, for future reference, if anyone reading this is so inclined to hike Ruffner... no, you really don't. But, I would say you need hiking boots as opposed to tennis shoes, which is what I was wearing. And depending on how hot it is... you may want long pants because you will be walking through some brush. Now, Ruffner Mountain is really one of the foothills of the Appalachians. So, if you've seen the Mountains out west you may cry foul at Ruffner actually being labeled a mountain. Still, it was a hike on an incline. I was sweating profusely within about 5 minutes of the journey. Since I'm vain, I didn't care for that. I would prefer not to sweat. But, then I guess that would make me unhealthy, right? Better to sweat I guess. I just wish I was more ladylike about it.

Now, I would have guessed we hiked about 2 miles or so... but, according to the trail map. It was really on .3 miles. How is that possible? I've walked 2 miles before... many times. That trail seemed longer to me. Maybe that's because it was all up hill - both ways - or so it seemed. Still it was enjoyable and I'd recommend it to folks.

That's a picture of me at the top of the "Mountain"... and that's my lovely city in the distant background. KAG took this and I swear I wasn't really aware that I was in the picture. If I had known I'd have been smiling... and perhaps a little freaked out. But, at least it's not a close up of my glistening forehead and there are no visible sweat marks on my clothing so that's good. KAG said this was a good picture to be labeled Chick in the Ham. I think she's right.

After hiking we went to Whole Foods where I discovered dried green beans are YUMMY! and very bad for you. Not that I've done the research but I think dried green beans may be worse for you than say... fries from McDonalds. I may have to research that for curiosity's sake. Luckily, although, the beans are yummy... they don't appear to be something you eat fist full after fist full of. So that's good. I'll probably never achieve eating 1 serving at at time... which is good because 1 serving is 450 calories. Can you believe that!!! But, hey... they are a completely organic snack AND they are Yummy! Not quite as yummy as the ginger bread though. I bought a whole bunch of that!!!! and will probably be going back for more. Love it!

2008-10-16T11:58:00.000-05:00

Spunky sent me a video to make me laugh. It was cute!

Only, now I really really really want a lemur. Unfortunately, I just googled lemur as a pet and found they are a lot of trouble... So, maybe one of you should get a lemur. Then I could come visit. That'd be nice.

what are hips for?

2008-10-15T16:59:00.001-05:00

I'm tired and my butt hurts. Do you know why my butt hurts... because apparently I can't avoid bumping into tables and cabinets and so I'm all bruised up. AND I'm not happy about it. And, my hips are bruised because every time I go to the stairwell at the library, I turn to my side stick my hip out and crash into the door. I think instinctly, I believe the door will open for me if I push it with my hip. It never does. Yet, I haven't learned that lesson yet. How many times must I run into a door before I learn to use a door knob. I've been running into those doors for at least 5 years. I sort of wonder if the Circulation desk doesn't all stop to watch me crash into the doors now. It must be a funny sight. Clearly, I don't use the stairs very often or I would have learned my lesson by now. The thing is, the stairwell doors look just like the bathroom doors. Those doors do open with the push of a hip and I tend to use the bathroom more than I use the stairs... so it's instinct. Maybe I should start using the stairs more often. But, they aren't conveniently located. The elevator is right across the hall from my office. The stairs are all the way at the other end of the hall. I'm impatient. I don't have time to waste... Still, I probably should be taking the stairs... That'd be good for my health and eventually good for my hips.

I think I'm about to leave my office early today... because I feel like I haven't seen the outside world in 3 days... and I think that is somewhat true. So... I'm out of here... to go run some errands and experience some fresh air. Nice!

uhm, yikes

2008-10-14T17:08:00.003-05:00

Did anyone else catch the show "17 kids and counting" last night? Oh my goodness. I just happened to catch the first few minutes of it and was seriously disturbed. And, in those few minutes I thought to my self... find the remote and change that channel... But, then I got hooked. It was just so crazy. Wow! So, some people have peas on their table and some have mashed potatoes... Who am I to judge. I'm no one. Still. I found it odd. And I'm assuming that other people might find it odd as well or it wouldn't be a tv show.

My favorite person on the show is AMY. She's fantastic. I have a theory that she's the master mind behind the whole show. And my favorite part last night is when the family was at a theme park watching a man make nails. Amy, looked at the camera and said, "we're watching a man make nails. You can buy a whole pack of them for 50 cents but no, he's making them and we're watching." That made me laugh!!!

So, uhm, I just hyper linked the above two paragraphs. Now, the right thing to do would be to fix that mistake... But, yeah, I'm not going to. Uhm, how do you feel about reading purple or blue... And, you know, you can click anywhere up there now and find out about that show. Which, by-the-way, I've decided to Tivo to make sure my friends can watch it too. I feel it's not to be missed. I think an arranged marriage might be on the way.

Andrew's New CD

2008-10-13T17:39:00.004-05:00

Last night I went to see Andrew Peterson in concert. He's my friend. I have a sticker that says so. He just doesn't know my name. hehe. Anyway, I went to his FREE concert where he sang every song from his new CD. I love his songs. And I loved what I heard from his CD.... which I preordered weeks ago and won't actually get until next week sometime (fingers crossed). Until then, I can listen to it online. You can too. The second part of the concert was made up of requests. He started the segment with "Nothing To Say" which had I been the type of girl to shout requests out is exactly what I would have requested. After that, someone requested the "Queen of Iowa" which you know is a sad song. I'd heard Andrew speak a little about the song before but last night he gave quite an introduction and he had me in tears by the time he started singing. By the end of it I think I told God that I was going to need him to close with "After the Last Tear Falls," because I was an emotional wreck and I just love that song. Well, I don't know if it was Divine intervention or what but that is the song Andrew closed with.... and I flat out bawled my eyes out. How embarrassing. Thank goodness I was among friends. But, Andrew may want his sticker back. Although... he cried too... but then it was his song. Oh well. I never said I was cool.

What I took away from the concert... other than Andrew's music and stories, was a quote Andrew paraphrased from his memory. I asked him about it after the show and he said he wasn't sure it wasn't written anywhere but he once heard Mike Yaconelli say it at a conference. It goes something like this... Spirituality is nothing more than paying attention to what's around you. Now, that's me paraphrasing Andrew's paraphrasing. But, it was something like that. Anyway, I liked it because I always think of Spirituality along Rich's terms... which seemed to be about obedience. You know, "A spiritual thing is making your bed. A spiritual thing is taking cookies to your neighbor that is shut in or raking their front lawn because they are too old to do it. That is spirituality." which I always connect with "Closeness to God is not about feelings. Closeness to God is about obedience. It's just as simple as that." I don't know that I should connect them but I do. I was glad to get another perspective.

I didn't fully intend to really write about this. But, oh well. That's where I ended up. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you what Jason Bateman and Craig Kilborn have to do with my closets. That was what I originally had planned to write about. oh well. Go read some Rich or listen to Andrew.

P.S. For Sweetie.... The song "Rocket" was totally written for our Astronaut. Do you remember Astronaunt Patrick Forrester?

Famous People Parts

2008-10-09T21:47:00.001-05:00

Okay so this is also on facebook but I thought I would post it here as well.

Several months ago I was clicking through Donald Miller's Flicker site and I came across a picture of Bono. It was a bad picture of Bono. I mean, you could tell it was him, but only because of his clothes or hair or something. It made me laugh. Here it is.

Can you find Bono? Anyway, after seeing that picture I decided that I wanted to start collecting bad pictures of celebrities. Then I realized I actually already have some. Here they are. I think I'll make it into a quiz.

Name that Star.

First try it without the list of celebs to choose from. I think it'd be too easy if you knew who to expect. But if you need choices to match with the picture, look below.

3

4

6 (Bonus - not on Facebook)

Here are your celebs to choose from

A) Mac Powell B) Roger Bart C) Liza Minelle D) Hugh Jackman E) Steven Weber F) Rufus Sewell

Don't Cheat !

Answers

1 - C Liza Minnelle, 2 - A Mac Powell (light blue shirt sitting down), 3 - F Rufus Sewell, 4 - D Hugh Jackman, 5 - E Steven Weber, 6 - Roger Bart

Did you get them all right? Was that a fun game? I seriously think I'm going to start taking unfortunate pictures of celebs from now on. It might be more fun that way. Don't you think?

Ben's new CD

2008-10-08T17:33:00.001-05:00

So my boy, Ben Folds, has a new cd out. As you know, I love him. I found out about his new cd when my Tivo recorded Conan O'Brian last week for me and Ben was a guest. I was diggin' the song Ben sang on Conan (with Regina Spektor) It had no dirty words in it... so I went and bought myself a copy. I should have known the Conan appearance was an edited version of my boy's new music. Because, Ben knows how to use a four letter word and employs that knowledge often. I should have heeded the explicit lyrics warning on the cd. I did not. Ben's words hurt me. On Conan Ben used the word "Heck." Sure that's a word I hadn't heard Ben use before but it worked. I'm naive I guess because I just didn't expect the F bomb... yet there it was when I put the cd on in my innocent little Ford Escape. I've corrupted my car. I went to Walmart.com to see if they sold his music. The website said it was available only online. I know that Walmart stores only sell clean music and you can buy clean versions of popular music there... but is the same true for Walmart.com. Sigh. Some of the new songs on this album are pretty rough. I'm just not sure the craft of the song could withstand editing... there would be nothing left. Sigh, I still love my boy Ben. I still respect his talent. I respect his right to not be censored... BUT, I'm still praying for him. And of course, I tell you all this because I respect your right to censor what you put in your ears should you so desire.

So the song he did on Conan, "You Don't Know Me" is a very catchy tune and it seems it is also the cleanest song on the cd. I guess I'll still be listening to it... but I will have to shout "Heck!" when the time is appropriate. I can deny a lot.

"It's the people with cracks that let the light into the world"

2008-09-30T17:25:00.000-05:00

Today, right in my new gadget sidebar.... what is that bar actually called... is it called a gadget sidebar? Anyway, if you have windows vista you know what I'm talking about...

So, today... I was working away when all of a sudden a new crises shows up in my news update on my gadget sidebar. Do you know there is a new crises... not the economy. That has been well publicized. This one I think could use a little more publicity. It's a chocolate crises. Seriously.

Today I learned that Hershey has been replacing coco butter with vegetable oil. Oi! That's not right. Apparently they are not messing with Hershey Kisses or the Hershey Bar but their other bars have been tampered with. Yet again... I must say, contact your representative. This madness needs to be stopped.

Don't we all remember what happened with the New Coke debacle. It wasn't pretty. Don't let this chocolate mess get out of control. Take a stand. Now apparently, the whole house of representative website is receiving a great deal of traffic due to other matters so it may be a little difficult to get on there, but don't give up.

I have something else to tell you about. It's a movie I saw this past weekend at the Birmingham Sidewalk Film Festival. I only saw one film but it was a good one. It was I Think We're Alone Now. It's a film about 2 men who are obsessed fans of Tiffany's. And, it was perhaps the funniest movie I have ever seen. Only, in a very sad, disturbing sort of way. In fact, I guess I could say it was hilariously dissturbborn. I debated telling you about it because I thought perhaps it would make me a bad person... cause you know, it was sort of heart breaking. And I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I haven't talked to God about it. Because WoW! It was crazy. But, I think you should see it. Earlier today I saw an interview with one of the guys in the film. He seemed to approve of the documentary so I decided if he approves of the film then I should certainly tell my friends about it. I don't know if it'll ever be at Netflix but if you have the chance to see it on the Sundance channel or at a local film festival, check it out. I'm using my favorite quote from the film as the title of this blog entry. It was said by Jeff Turner who believes Tiffany is his best friend. He also believes his head is cracked and letting light out into the world.

After watching the film, I'm not sure I can continue with my whole calendar boy endeavor. Uhm, you guys all know that Rufus Sewell does not know I exist right... and further more. I'm okay with that. I don't try to communicate with him telepathically. We live completely separate lives. That's clear right? I just want to be sure. Jack Hanna is also safe. I like to see him on Letterman and if I ever get the chance to stop by the Columbus Zoo, I might check it out. But, I don't need him to kiss my cheek or anything. You knew that right? This is also true of Bear Grylls and... who else have I obsessed over... oh yes, Jeff Goldblum. All safe... all live separate lives. We're good.

I love the Yaris

2008-09-29T19:28:00.000-05:00

oh my gosh, I am so hungry. This has been one of those days when I keep thinking I'll eat in just a moment and then it never happens. I started out thinking I'd grab a little breakfast when I got to work this morning... Then it became, I'll go get a burger for lunch as soon as I finish such and such... and now I'm just dang hungry. The current mantra is, "I'll leave here in a few moments when my student finishes up and grab some chicken on the way home." I NEED SOME CHICKEN! Trust me. I'm Soooo hungry.

While I'm waiting for my student I'll tell you that I went to the University of Kentucky for a workshop last week. Lexington was a lovely city. I didn't have time to sight see really but I did manage to get lost 2x and so I saw a little more than I had expected. While I was there, I rented a Toyota Yaris. The guy at the rental company tried to get me to spend just a few dollars more a day to get a bigger car but I didn't think I could justify it with my employer so I stuck with the compact size car. It turns out I LOVED the Yaris. I want one. I only took one picture while I was up there and here it is... what does it tell you?

It was so much fun to drive and I think the gas milage was good. When I turned the car back in I only had to put. $11.13 worth of gas in... Which was about 2.5 gallons. And I must have driven about 70 miles around the city... and the turning ratious... was phenominal. Yes, I tested it.

I currently drive a Ford Escape... which I also love. It makes great excess storage in the rare times that I have company over to my house. The Yaris would never be good for that. Still, I want a Yaris. I keep trying to tell myself that a paid for car is better than a not paid for car... no matter what the gas milage is. That might not be true if I had to drive more... but, I'm not really a girl who drives a lot. I probably drive.... maybe 100 miles a week. So, it's not worth it right? my ability to reason needs some back up here.... because the desire to go car shopping is pretty strong.

I'm also a vain person. I probably wouldn't look very sophistacted or cool driving a Yaris either right? Right? help me out, right?

I don't need a new compact car do I? Well, do I? sigh. It was just so much fun to drive.

Okay... my student is through.... time for me to go find some food to chow down on... and trust me... it's not going to be pretty.

Together Again

2008-09-22T17:24:00.000-05:00

callooh callay!!! I think I've figured out how to keep up with my other blog friends using blogspot. I'm a little slow on figuring such things out. But, having easier access to my friends lives will make me happier because don't you all want me to know exactly what you are up too. Of course you do. We've got no secrets right? I mean just the other day I told you I needed to shave my legs. Would I have told you that if we weren't friends. No way! Of course, I also wouldn't have told you that if we were face to face. I'm all open and honest and raging as long as I don't have to look you in the eye. But, I know none of the rest of you are like that. You're better than me. It's true. I accept it and love you for it.

So Friday night I went to see this comedian guy name Jim Gaffigan. I had no idea who he was before I went to see him. Once again, Purple hooked me up with sweet entertainment for an evening. It's always good to have someone want to hang with you on a Friday night. I ushered for the show. That is a good deal. Work a little and then see a free show. Woohoo. I think his tickets were like $40 or something. There's no way I would have shelled out money like that for an unknown. But, he was funny and clean... I'd recommend him. If, you know, you've got $40 burning a hole in your pocket. I rarely have that happening myself. But, we are not all the same.

Then when I got home, I put on Rich's Lufkin Tx concert and watched it in bed. I thought I'd fall asleep to it. But, I never went to sleep. As luck would have it... I was awake until clear past 5am. Not good. Maybe Rich isn't the sort of thing you can listen to right before going to bed. He always gets me to thinking and apparently I can't think and sleep at the same time anymore. Well, I'm not sure I ever could. But, I used to be able to sleep whether I was attempting to think or not. I hadn't watched that video in a long time. It was interesting to see those guys again and think how they've all got different stuff going on and they're all married and that stuff... except for Rich. Rich is a "Grecian urn" he'll always be as he was in that video because, of course, he was killed soon after it was made... he's now living it up somewhere else. But, it's good to have his recordings, writings, and video's left here on earth to kick me in the butt when I needed and I needed it Friday night. I needed his speech on how to be close to God. Cause, I for sure haven't been being very obedient lately.

There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegence
I owe only to the Giver Of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

Let's hope you've got two good hands and feet or no food for you.

2008-09-19T19:23:00.000-05:00

There is a movement sweeping this nation. A movement that is part of the go green initiative in Universities and colleges across this country. Do you know what that movement is? It's the ban of cafeteria trays in dinning halls. It's ridiculous. I am against it. I typically go to the cafe on Fridays. I enjoy it. The meal for employees is only $2 and I get to actually see people who work in the building with me... but they work above ground. I don't often see the above ground dwellers. Heck, I even get to see people from all across campus. It's nice. Still my lunch time is very limited. I never take a full hour. I like to get in and get out. Lots to do you know. Do you know how much time the lack of a tray will cost me. That's two or three trips to get food and drinks and then two or three trips to the conveyor belt to put the dishes up. It's a cafeteria. There's lots of little dishes to carry. And what if you want a cold drink and coffee. And what do you do with your silverware? Carry it in your teeth? Let's just hope you have a pocket because what the heck do you do with your keys and id if you don't, make another trip?

The rationale is that if you don't have trays, you don't take as much food. So there's less waste right. Bah! It's a cafeteria! Granted the cafeteria here is pretty good. But, you are always going to pick up something that tastes nothing like you hoped it would... or worse yet, it's just bad. Some foods are not worth the calories. But, you don't know that until you take a bite. So, food is still going to be wasted. There is also an argument that says not providing trays saves on water. But, that's also not the best argument because apparently the dishwasher runs constantly... whether there's dishes going through it or not.

Someone write your representative. This madness needs to stop.

Doesn't this make you glad you aren't in college anymore?

to walk or not to walk, that is the question.

2008-09-18T10:16:00.001-05:00

I've about done all I can do for the day at my desk and so now I'm trying to decide something. Since we are not face to face, I feel I can be completely honest with you. I can right? Can I go for a walk/run wearing shorts? Clearly the answer to that is yes. Cause you know, a heck of a lot of things in this world are possible. Perhaps they are not probable and perhaps some things shouldn't be done but they are still possible. Here's the thing. My legs are, uhm, not really as shaved as the world might like them to be if I am going to be wearing shorts... as I would be because that's what I have with me to change in to. Here's another side of that coin.... no one in the world ought to be looking close enough to see my legs are not as shaved as they ought to be. Without an in depth study, surely the world would never know... right? But, I'd know. My vanity may not allow it. But, it's nice outside. I'd like to go. I think I'm going to go change and take my walk/run... So listen if any of you should happen to pass me out there and I know that is highly unlikely but like I said many things... though not probably... are possible. So, if you happen to pass me, do not make an in-depth study of my legs. It would not be good for either of us. And you know... I'd hate to have to fight the "ought-not-to-have demon" later on tonight... or you know for the rest of my life. You never know how long that demon will cling to you and suck the marrow right out of your body.

New Desk

2008-09-16T17:39:00.000-05:00

I got a new desk today. Yippee! I meant to take a picture of my old desk before it was replaced but things have just been to crazy and I forgot. My previous desk was brought into the library before the invention of the computer. Now, old can be good and the desk was a good solid wood desk but it just didn't give me enough space to work and I literally had to put blocks under all the legs in order to get my knees under it.

My new desk is only new to me. It is actually a cast off from a Student organization that until recently had an office in the library. When they moved out, I got the desk. Huzzah.

I've been like a mad woman cleaning out junk and swapping out the desks. Today, I started loading up the desk and discovered that I had an atrocious amount of writing utensils. Before I got rid of them I took a picture.

And those are only the pens that work. There are about 30 or 40 more pens in the trash that were all dried up. I don't know how I manged to get so many pens. But, this I know... I don't need to pick up anymore pens at any future conferences or workshops. I think I'm good for a long long time.

Now, I am whooped. I'm tired. I seriously could use a back massage or a cracking. Leaning over boxes and loading up drawers has killed my back.

So, I think I am really missing being on one of my old blogs. Keeping up with folks isn't as easy using blogspot. Maybe that's because I haven't invested myself fully into figuring it out.

Back from Philly

2008-09-09T17:03:00.000-05:00

I made it back to the Ham from Philly and I am very happy to report that I behaved as well as could have been expected. Actually, I think I behaved far better than what was to be expected. I smiled at all the genies and I invited them all to come to the Ham in a manner that I fully believe was sincere. I think there was only one incident where I had a miscommunication problem with someone... and that wasn't my fault. I was trying to be nice but he was odd. And I can't even say he was truly odd but clearly we didn't understand each other. This all came about when he asked me what I knew about the telescope located just outside of my institution. Well, I don't know anything about a telescope and I told him that... So, he proceeded to go off on a rant about Steve Jobs and Russians... and he was cracking himself up. I still don't know what the heck he was talking about but I did finally figure out that he thought I was from the school with a similar name out in California. yeah, I'm not.

My first day there I walked down to the Independence Center where I came across a Constitutional Cow. Clearly, that is great photo opportunity so I grabbed a fellow tourist and had my picture made.

Then I walked down to see the Liberty Bell. Because, you know, I needed to see that before I die and now I've seen it. What else do I need to do before I die? I should come up with something... just for safety's sake. Hmmmm, I think I should visit Nepal to see Everest. Oh, and of course, I need to visit Easter Island to see the giant heads. Absolutely those are things that must be done.

After the bell, I walked back to the hotel which was about 6 blocks away. Now, the blocks in philly are not small. They are some where in-between going north to south and east to west in NYC. So, those blocks were a bit of a walk for me.... more than they ought to have been. On the walk back I had a guy tell me I was beautiful. The guy didn't appear to be in his right mind. But, I'm not picky about compliments. I pretty much take them any way I can get them. All though, I am currently thinking of reviewing that policy... at least where hot air is concerned. It seems that hot aired compliments may not be good for my id. It's all under consideration. Anyway, I had a guy tell me I was beautiful... then about a minute later yell not so pleasant words at me. Sigh. See, I ought to have a policy about that. That's not good. At least, my id can take comfort in the fact that he really didn't appear to be in sane.

The next day, I went to the museum of art. Well, amongst other things. I also went to Independence Hall, Betsy Ross's house, the Constitution Center, and Franklin Court. At Franklin Court I mailed a few post cards from the very first post office in the US and I walked through the Arch that Ben Franklin used to pass through on his way in and out of his house. That was all very exciting for me. BUT, back to the museum. It was a nice museum. Worth checking out. They had several Van Gogh pieces. I like Van Gogh. And they had these temples set up inside... Real ancient temples that I just found mystifying. I mean, how did the museums get them. Did they just call up India and say, "Hey, we'd like to buy that temple you have that is two thousand years old?" I mean how did that work? Anyway, they have temples there that are cool. I would also like you to know that even though I have never seen the film Rocky, I rand up and down the Rocky Stairs twice.... in about 15 mins. because I was looking for the Rocky statue and the museum was about to close. So, when I couldn't find the statue on my first trip down, I ran back up to ask a guard where it was then ran back down. There are 104 stairs. Just so you know. After running those stairs twice By-Golly I needed my picture with the stature so I flagged down another tourist.

On Friday, while I was sitting at my booth, this lady walked by and looked at me funny. Even as she passed me, she was starring. As you know, I'm very fragile so I was disturbed.... even more so when she started to come back towards me. When she got to me she said, "Who are you?" Well, you know, I'm not one to give out a bunch of personal info to strangers so I told her who I represented and not who I was. But, then she said, "Yes I know, But who are you?" Me, "I'm a librarian at the school" The lady, "Yeah, but you've been on television right? Are you famous? What show are you on?" You know ever since Reese Witherspoon won her Oscar for Walk the Line, I'm always getting mistaken for her. yeah right! No one has ever mistaken me for being famous before. I think I'm the most unphotogenic person on the planet. Even though I will let people take my picture, I like to think I look better in person than I do digital. I don't look like someone off of America's Most Wanted do I? Just to be clear, I have never ever been on a reality cop show either. I do try to behave.

Well, that is basically my Philly review. Over all it was a good trip. Certainly, it was a city worth visiting.

Here's one final picture. It was taken in George Washington and John Adams pew at Christ Church which is apparently where everyone went who wasn't Quaker. I just thought it was cool to have a picture of what George and John would have seen on Sunday Mornings while worshipping God.

Donald and Barack

2008-08-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know I already posted today… but I just had to share this….
First off, I got this email from CNN Wed night as a breaking news alert…. “Barack Obama wins Democratic Party's presidential nomination after Hillary Clinton's motion on the convention floor.” REALLY, is that REALLY breaking news? REALLY? Must quote Gob here, “Come on!”

Okay, then I received an email from Donald Miller. Attached was this picture of Donald delivering the closing benediction at the DNC Monday night.

Okay so I didn’t watch ANY of the Democratic National Convention. Does that make me a bad person? Whatever. Frankly, I don’t think my attitude on the matter counts right now. But, that will not keep me from voting, because you know this is a free country and all… AND it’s my right… but really – what is the point. Anyway, I’m not sure why but Donald’s email annoyed me. Like, seriously annoyed me. People are allowed to be Democrats or Republicans…. It’s a free country. Whatever. I don’t care if you want to be – well whatever you want to be politically is fine with me. I don’t care… Well, maybe sometimes I care… but currently, I don’t care. Maybe in 4 years I’ll care. Anyway, in Donald’s email to me he mentioned checking out some email correspondence between He and Barack Obama. “Great! What the heck is that all about?” Does Donald really want to be Barack’s friend? I mean sure there is a good chance that the man will be president; but, his friends seem a little questionable to me. I’m just saying. But of course, don’t we all need friends who know Jesus. Sure we do. Barack does too. Okay, whatever. So, I clicked on the link to Donald’s blog and read the correspondence…. Really, honestly… you must check it out…. All is forgiven with me and Donald. Democrat or Republican… it was worth reading. Now the question is this…. Should I try to find Donald Miller’s speech from the DNC on the Internet? Tough question. I’ll ponder the value of that for the next few days. Anyway, Donald had me going there for a moment... and I'm telling ya, I was getting a little hot. Don't know why.

I can justify this, I can justify that

2008-08-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

“God did not give Joseph any special information about how to get from being the son of a nomad in Palestine to being Pharaoh’s right hand man in Egypt. What He did give Joseph was eleven jealous brothers, the attention of a very loose and vengeful woman, the ability to do the service of interpreting dreams and managing other people's affairs, and the grace to do that faithfully wherever he was.” – Rich Mullins

My secret parking place at work has been repaved and relined and thus has become a prime parking location for the students. What does this mean? When I come in late – I’ve got no where to park. The answer to this problem is to get to work earlier. As you know, I’ve been praying for a miracle in that area for a while now. I have to wonder is this repaving all a part of God’s answer to me. I think God does what he can for me but I’m pretty stubborn. Here’s the bad part… I got to work today about 30 mins earlier than I customarily did last semester. So, I was doing a little better. When I saw that all my parking places were full, including my secret location that quote from Rich came to mind making me wonder if God was, in fact, helping me out. But, then I parked in the new parking deck…. Which, for a staff person is not a great location. (For students it should be fine - but students here are a little spoiled – that’s my opinion – I went to one of the largest land grant schools in the country –I walked a lot) Anyway, as I was pondering the whole quote thing, I also started thinking that parking in the deck really wasn’t so bad… I mean it’s about a 10 minute walk to my office – down a hill, which means it’s a 10 min. walk up hill at the end of the day. Still, I was thinking it was a good source of exercise, even if it’s just a bit. Because you know, I’m still somewhat young. I ought to be able to walk uphill for 10 mins, Right? Sure. And if I don’t do it… how long would it take for me not to be able to do it…. See how I can justify my right to arrive late and not get a good parking place. I am sooo good at being lazy.

As I was taking my 10 min walk down to my office, I was thinking that I’ve put back on a little weight these past couple of weeks. I don’t know why I lost the little bit of weight I lost this summer unless it really was due to stopping the sodas. Cause, I’m telling you, I did not say no to anything sweet these past few months. And part of me was wondering if my weight loss was all in my head or really just a tan. It’s not like I stepped on a scale or anything. But, I did buy some pants, shorts, and skirts that were 2 sizes smaller than what I would have bought last summer. Surely that can’t be in my head. (Or can it?) Last night I went to put on some jeans. The only clean ones I had were just one size smaller than last summer. When I pulled them out of the closet I was sort of thinking “Oh Great, I’m going to have a baggy butt.” But, then I put them on and there was no room for a bag in my butt. I had to suck in my gut a little to button them. Fraggle Rock! Then this morning I pulled out a pair of pants to wear that I had sort of been avoiding this summer because they have been giving me a baggy butt recently. You know, you just don’t want a baggy butt no matter what size you are. There’s just nothing fashionable about a baggy butt. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about the baggy butt today. I’ll have to look in the mirror when I get home. I wonder what I’ll see. Perhaps I’ll see the need to park in the parking deck…. Or will I see no need to worry about buying more pants because the baggy pants fit me now. I don’t like either of those options. I’m going to hope for a baggy butt.

going to philly

2008-08-27T19:45:00.000-05:00

Next week I get to fly to Philadelphia for a work thing. I am both excited about this and I am dreading this. I’m excited because I’ve never been to Philadelphia and I think I should visit the Liberty Bell before I die. Don’t you? But I dread this as well because I will be acting as a vendor. I am representing the institution which I often refer to as Hell Week. Now, as you know, I believe this was my miracle year. I believe God is giving me a new attitude about this week BUT, am I really prepared to test this new attitude so soon? Can I actually look a genie in the eye and say to him, come to the ham. Come to the institute? And, will I be able to say such things with a smile on my face and in a nonthreatening sort of way. These are good questions to ask. Ones that can only be answered with time.

Because I will be out of town all of next week, I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up some drugs… you know, the drugs that are costing me a fortune and make me a little mad at all men. Those drugs. Well, this is what I discovered last night…. As with Skivvies, I don’t like purchasing drugs from men. Well, let’s qualify that a bit. I don’t like purchasing drugs from young, good-looking, unmarried men. There were 3 of ‘em at the counter last night. As with the skivvies, I considered retreat. BUT, time is precious and I knew I’d need those drugs the day I came back so I lifted my chin in the air and requested them. (And of course, tried not to make eye contact). I think I would have been better with the good-looking men if they had been married because then they’d have personal experience with the sort of stuff their wives have to get- but they’re not married so of course I had to wonder… what are these men assuming about me… I wanted to say.” Hey, I didn’t ask for these ovaries!” God just gave ‘em to me. But, of course, I didn’t say that. I just took my drugs and left. Oh and here’s another thing. Why must pharmacists make you ask for the drug you need. Why can’t you say, “I need to get this filled.” Or “I need a refill.” My pharmacy always follows up my request with, “What is it?” I once followed that question up with “What are my options.” To which she responded, “Just the one.” So I said, “Well, I’ll take that then.” But was all that necessary? If you are willing to take my word on what drugs I need then I say get rid of your tracking device aka computer. See, that’s just one more instance where it is good I don’t control the world. I just hate having to ask for my drugs by name. Maybe that’s just me.

Should I be singing "You Can't Stop the Beat?"

2008-08-26T17:17:00.000-05:00

A friend found the coolest site today...It is yearbookyourself.com.
I encourage you all to check it out and share your pictures with me. It turns out that I don't do well in other decades... but then, I sorta knew that. I think I might do better if I didn't have bangs. Apparently bangs have never been a good idea... at least if you want to mesh your face on someone else's head. Or maybe even if you don't want to do that... sigh... I have bangs. Thats all there is to it.... and like the nose whistle thing... you must decide "love me or leave me. Make your choice but believe me, I love you. I do I do I do I do."

Yesterday when I got home I found the absolute best package waiting for me... No, it wasn't a man by the name of Rufus... but next to that, it was the best thing ever. KAG sent me some bottle caps with pictures in them. I love them. I wish I could show you pictures. I am using one of them as a jewel on my cell phone. It has a pic of me KAG and Sunshine. Now, it might seem a little vain to have a picture of yourself dangling from your own phone but seeing it just makes me so dang happy. Good times, good times.... Thank you KAG for making my day yesterday!!!!

BTW... I'm ready to travel... when are we leaving?

Go on, fling me!

2008-08-20T17:24:00.001-05:00

Last night I had the best dream. Which is odd because it was basically just me working out with the old gang from college. I wasn't dreaming about back in the day... it was current day and all my old buddies were there with their significant others, flinging everyone about. In my dream, I was the only one who hadn't worked out in about 10 years. I think in reality that is actually about true. Anyway, in the dream I knew I was in for a hurtin'. But I didn't care because sometime you just need a good fling. If you've never been flung... you may not be aware of that. But, I've been flung so I am aware of it. I need a fling. But, I would like to be flung by a skilled flinger. Well, I might allow someone to toss me from a hip throw because that one's not so bad but what I really want it a wrist turn-out. (help me Kara, what's that called?) I don't think I'd let just anyone throw me from that. It's pretty certain that no matter who throws me, that I will hurt myself because like I said... it's been a while. At the very least I would probably bruise my legs from falling incorrectly but I'd be good with that... I just don't want someone to rip my arm apart... hence my need for a skilled tosser. And a good wrist turn out is soooo fun.

Sometimes when I leave work... I just want to go home and wrestle... that would also be known as doing a little room randori. Now ... I know that is never going to happen again.... because I'm old and none of my friends know what room randori is and frankly based on the fact that I'm a baptist librarian and my overall reputation... I'm pretty sure that would just be weird. Soooo weird. My days of the ol' bridge and roll are over. This saddens me.

Sometimes I toy with the notion of starting a new martial arts class but then I start to think of how expensive that would be.... and the fact that I no longer have a 25 year old body. Things work different then they used to... and in more embarrassing ways. And you know, how would I ever find the time for it. I wonder if I could. I have a friend about my age that started working out a couple of years ago. I don't know what she's doing but I know it envolves flinging so that would be good. Sometimes at night when I'm watching the tele I attempt to see how many side kicks, front kicks, or round house kicks I can do. It's not pretty. I think I usually have to rest around 10. 10 measly kicks is about all I can do. And I'm not talking high kicks... I'm talking maybe waist level.
During the Olympics, I checked out some of the Judo online. I liked seeing the ippons of the day. And I enjoyed flinging my arm up in the air and saying, " Ippon!" I'm telling you, it was lots of fun.

While looking at the videos, I came across this one. It's a Tio Otoshi. That is my most dreaded throw. Literally, I'm sort of shivering typing about it. The guy I used to work out with used to throw one heck of a Tio Otoshi. Holy cow. He was very good at it. Killer good. Every time he'd throw me, I think I'd black out a little. That might be a slight exageration but I know I absolutely would get my breath knocked out of me and the world would go purple... EVERY SINGLE TIME. I'm a wimp and sometimes I will play on that... and it's really not past me to play the, "I'm a girl card" either. But, my partner was a "suck it up" sort of fellow. So every time he flung me he'd say, "Again!" and I'd drag my butt up off the ground and wait to be pummeled again. This went of for a while until the guy I was dating at the time stepped in and said, "give me one of those." and once he got himself up off the ground he said, "Boy, don't you ever do that to me again." And then other black belts in the room wanted to take one to see what the fuss was. They all got up swearing... So, that made me feel a lot better... and less wimpy... cause I took about 5 of 'em in a row. But, I don't think I ever want to take one again. Ever again. But, I still would love a good wrist turn out or even a hip thow. That'd be great.

2008-08-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today was a day… One of those days when words, foreign words, come out of my mouth that shouldn't come out of my mouth. But you know, it's all turning out good. But, truck drivers should all be on their guard because I'm not happy with them at the moment. I was somewhat abused by one this morning as I was trying to park. An eighteen wheeler blocked me for 20 minutes on a street connecting the main road to the staff parking. Then when I finally got past the truck to find different parking I had to park in the furthest lot from my building. Now I can walk, I'm not always happy about it…. But, I think I would have handled it better if I hadn't been stuck for 20 minutes wasting time. And the sad thing is that I had come to campus early before a meeting in order to get stuff done. But, then I ended up being late. Aaargh…. See, the best-laid plans of mice, men and librarians do often go awry. My life proves it. It's difficult to accept what you life proves sometimes. Although, I think my life also proves that God is good… and as Rich would say… He has no taste. But those are different stories.

God is good though and here's a story to prove it… Although, Alabama is going through a drought… like much of the nation… we seem to be having thunderstorms every week. A couple of weeks ago during one of the storms, a tree limb fell in my yard. I told you, I'm a daddy's girl and as you know, my dad had open heart surgery several weeks ago. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I didn't ask my dad's advice because I didn't even want him to know about it. I tried to move it myself but I wasn't strong enough. I considered asking the fellas in my Sunday School class to help but I really didn't want to do that. What if no one responded? I think perhaps someone would have come through for me but I was going to let asking them be a last resort. I considered buying a chainsaw but then I had visions of cutting off a my own limbs. I casually mentioned my problem to God. But, I didn't actually ask for his help. None-the-less, He took care of it. Several days after the limb fell, I came home from work to find my grass cut and the limb gone. The divinity student who cares for my yard moved the limb for me. Woohoo. I totally didn't expect that because he really just takes care of the grass. I think God must have inspired him to move the limb. I am so grateful. It's good to know my heavenly Father has got my needs under control. That my concerns are His concerns. It's good to be cared for.

2008-08-13T20:05:00.000-05:00

I finally decided to try something different with my blog. I wanted a domain. After much thinking, I decided to go with chickintheham because I'm a chick and I live in Birmingham, aka "the ham." So, do you get it. Chick in the ham.... Plus, you know, I like chicken. So... inspired by Sunshine and KAG... let's see how it goes.