Bumper Sticker

Saw a great bumper sticker today:

Frodo Failed
Bush has the Ring

Jediism

Courtesy of S., a story that leaves me speechless:

Man Dressed as Darth Vader Spared Jail for Attack on Founder of Britain's Jedi Church

Favorite quote: "In the 2001 United Kingdom census, 390,000 — 0.7 percent of the population — listed Jedi as their religion."

Two other related items:

Jediism Wikipedia article

Google results for search performed today: "about 47,600 for jediism"

On the one hand, it's a lot less harmful than a lot of other things; but on the other hand.... oh, never mind.

More Learnin', with Some Fun on the Side

Professional development is a big thing in the library world - librarians are constantly giving and attending courses, workshops, and conferences. And yeah, some of it is bogus and some people don't take it seriously, but for the most part, I've always gotten a lot out of the experiences I've been able to partake in.

The usual obstacles to professional development in an organization are institutional support and money. Despite the prevalence of professional development as an occupational cornerstone, some organizations still do not give time and / or monetary support to librarians for these activities. Fortunately, my Library Director is a staunch supporter of professional development; her only obstacle being how much money she can finagle for it.

I've read about librarians who don't get any kind of support from their employer, rather, they take vacation time and use their personal money to attend - that's how seriously we take this whole life-long learning concept.

This year, the American Library Association Annual Conference (which always takes place in the summer, and therefore someplace warm; Midwinter conference: someplace freezing) takes place in Anaheim and I get to go!

Now, the quickest way to get kicked out of my library director's office is to say that you want to go to XYZ Conference because you've "never seen Paris in the springtime." And I have to agree with her: first consideration should be the event and how it will benefit you and your organization professionally. That said, my boss already knows I'm a bigger Disney freak than she is, so she knew that my wanting to go to ALA had a little bit to do with the location.

But this is also one of those events where there are two, sometimes three, sessions that I really want to attend that are happening at the exact same time. Decisions, decisions...

So, the countdown has begun and my renewed Annual Pass is quivering. I leave on June 26 (and, if things go smoothly, will eat dinner in the Magic Kingdom that night!) and return home on July 3.

Sure, I'll be happy to tell Mickey "Hi!" for you...

Shiny!

My copies of Absolute Sandman have arrived - don't anyone tell Neil, but I got both Volume One and Volume Two for ~ $99 instead of $99 each.

These are absolutely* gorgeous - I've always enjoyed this series immensely, even though I know that I'm missing a lot of the numerous literary, mythological, and cultural references.


* pun intended

Phoenix on Mars

Here's the Phoenix Mars Lander captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera as Phoenix descended toward Mars. The wider perspective is also incredibly impressive.

HiRISE also captured Phoenix sitting on Mars after its successful landing.

And thanks to Phil Plait for pointing out:

"Think on this, and think on it carefully: you are seeing a manmade object falling gracefully and with intent to the surface of an alien world, as seen by another manmade object already circling that world, both of them acting robotically, and both of them hundreds of million of kilometers away.

Never, ever forget: we did this. This is what we can do."

Amen.

Happy Holiday

I've been dealing with a difficult situation at work that is incredibly draining. I've decided to take an extra-long Memorial Day weekend and will not be at work, and therefore not checking email, from Thursday, May 22 until Tuesday, May 27.

Have a fun, yet safe, holiday.

Podcast Suggestions

I'm looking for interesting podcasts - any recommendations?

Thanks!

Wow-lau!

I had an absolutely fabulous time visiting Mom. We talked and hiked and talked and went to the beach and talked and ate and talked.... Mom is still doing great, living her dream, loving life.

Except for missing my babies, I didn’t want to come home. If I could figure out how to swing it, I’d go back in right now and not come back out.

For those I’ve friended on flickr, I’ve posted new photos. If you’re not currently my flickr friend and would like to be, email me and let me know.

amy96839 at yahoo dot com

Grandpa

My grandfather died one year ago today.

He was a wonderful man: kind, giving, caring. He was spiritual, attended church regularly, and participated with church activities. He was married (and widowed) twice, both times to (in my opinion) difficult women. He served in World War II, worked for Corning Glass until retirement, drove for Meals on Wheels. He lived alone, drove himself, was full of life until the very end, and even had a new lady-friend – he had a more active social life than I do!

My grandfather was possibly the sweetest person I’ve ever known. I miss him.

Hair-less

Not bald, but certainly shorter than at any other time in my life. The response so far has been 100% favorable, although there is one person who hasn't seen it yet who I suspect will hate it.

{I really think it looks a lot better than this picture shows.}

I'm enjoying it: it's quicker and easier to wash, rinse, and dry. Of course, I now have dozens of useless scrunchies and hair ties and I can't stick a pencil in the ponytail anymore, but those are small prices to pay for the ease and comfort.

So, what do you think of my new 'do?

{Updated with different photo 3/9/07}

Music Notes

I really shouldn't listen to Toby Keith's Get My Drink On when I'm driving. The song just demands dancin'.

Sugarland's Stay is brilliant: the simple musical accompaniment is exactly what the {freakin' awesome} lyrics need, as is the simple, stark video. Kudos!

I would love to hear Garth perform More than a Memory live. Tho' the studio version has plenty of power...

I really like Kenny Chesney's latest CD, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates. I'm really glad he released Shiftwork with George Strait: "Talkin' 'bout a bunch of shi-------ftwork. A big ole pile of shi-------ftwork." Lots o' fun. The first two singles (Never Wanted Nothing More, Don't Blink) are actually my least favorite songs - don't get me wrong, they're good songs and good singles, I just enjoy most of the other songs more: Dancin' for the Groceries, Scare Me, Demons, Better as a Memory, Just Not Today. Normally with a song as fun as Got a Little Crazy, I would say that I would love to see a video for it, but nothing they could do would compare with the video that plays in my head when I listen to it: "I think I feel a fresh tattoo / What is it of? I wish I knew / Couldn't get more out of sight / It got a little crazy last night"

Coffee, Again

Had a craving for coffee this morning. Although, I'm not sure who it's for, since nobody's talking yet.

Stay tuned...

New Semester

The semester just started and I'm already tired. We're having lots of computer / website issues that are making me quite dizzy as I go 'round and 'round in little circles chasing solutions that just laugh at me as they dance out of the way.

It's a good thing I decided to not take any classes this semester.

I would be even more frustrated than I am, but for two things:

1. The library's {wonderful} Systems guy is just as stymied as I am, so I don't feel like a complete dolt.

2. I re-instated my Netflix account and have been enjoying my evenings and weekends with the fun that is NCIS. I'm part-way thru Season One and glad that there are several more seasons waiting...

Packed?

Well, no, not completely. Yes, I've started. And yes, I have furry helpers.

I leave tomorrow for the East Coast. I start out in warm Orlando for 5 days of fun and then head up north to see how long it takes me to turn into an Amy-sicle. The snow can stop anytime between now and then. Please.

Keeping in Touch

If your cell phone went kablooey, how many people would you be able to contact? What about your email service?

Thanksgiving Already?

I'm thankful for all the same stuff from    the     past     four    years.

This year in particular, I'm thankful that my Dad and his wife invited me to share their Christmas vacation - we're going to Disney World!! And then I'm going to get to relax and visit with them and other friends and family up North - I'm trying to avoid thinking about how cold it's going to be.

I'm thankful that my Mom's dream has finally become a reality and that it has worked out the way she wanted (mostly). She's incredibly happy, for which I am incredibly thankful.

I'm thankful that I do not live in a country where:

"women are subject to numerous restrictions, including a strict dress code, a prohibition against driving and a requirement that they get a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote." CNN.com

I hope you have good things in your life to be thankful for and that you will have a great holiday weekend.

Nifty

These creative staircases are amazing...

Captain Malcolm Reynolds

Nice to hear Mal's voice again...

Funnies from Others

Two of my favorite bloggers had posts recently (okay, last month - time is relative) that made me squirt soda out my nose (note to self: stop drinking when reading Bloglines).

You've been warned - hilarity follows:

Wil Wheaton's ill communication

Cherie Priest's Muzzle the Dogs of War

And although he hasn't made me squirt soda lately, I also highly recommend John Scalzi's Whatever and By the Way.

Dresden Files

Once again*, I get hooked on a TV show and it gets canceled after a short run. And people wonder why I don't have cable...

Anyway, I really enjoyed the 12 episodes of The Dresden Files and if enough people buy the DVD {hint, hint} maybe we can initiate a reincarnation -- hey, it worked for Firefly.

Although not true to some of the details of the book series by Jim Butcher (which I am absolutely hooked on), I think the TV series captured the spirit of the world Butcher created.

And Paul Blackthorne is the ideal Harry Dresden. Mahalo, Paul, for bringing Harry to life so perfectly.


* Other short-lived shows that I liked: Brimstone, Mann and Machine, Now and Again (no, not the Sela Ward show - that was Once and Again).

There you have it, more evidence of what a strange, strange person I am...