Me and Other Nerds From Everywhere

Anaheim Convention Center

Saturday I spent my work day at what is basically a sort of Nerd Convention. It was actually the American Libraries Association Annual Convention, but you know... Imagine Librarians, library students, and random library employees from all over the country gathered together to teach and learn and celebrate! Since this year's was so close by, my employers were willing to spring for those of us who wanted to attend for a one day pass, all expenses paid. I couldn't pass it up. It really did turn out to be a fun day. I was able to attend three seminars and spend some time collecting freebies from the many, many, many vendors booths. I met school librarians, academic librarians, special collections librarians, public librarians from all over the country. I also ran into local people and it is always surprising how many of them I know, or who know someone I work with...I guess the library world is small that way. I had lunch with a girl I used to work with, who just returned from her wedding and honeymoon in Italy.

Some people come for the week and make it a whole vacation. Anaheim is a nice location because Disneyland is right there. I, of course, just drove down for the day and went right back home, just like a normal workday. I definitely beat actually being at work though!

I wish I would have taken some pictures while I was there, but of course I didn't. Anyway, it is probably hard to imagine, but it really was fun...and I am proud to be a nerd like that :-)

Outkast Said It Best

Today it is all about being so fresh and so CLEAN, CLEAN! This week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word was chosen by Mrs. Hairy Woman. CLEAN, baby.

I found some great pictures that I had taken for the Library's 365 days blog that are perfect.

Here is the porter we had before Gio (who had to CLEAN the poopy chair) CLEANing out one of the display cases.

Here is the outside of the library getting a fresh coat of paint. Fresh paint makes everything look so CLEAN, don't you think?

During the summer we have an outdoor movie about once a month. Since the whole family can come, we must show CLEAN, wholesome movies!

Thanks for stopping by and not messing up my CLEAN, CLEAN world! You are all so very tidy! And don't forget to check with the Mrs. and see who will be choosing next week's word :-)

Aw, Look! She's Adjusting!

It's true. I am adjusting. I find over and over again that I am nothing if not adjustable. I am adjusting quickly to the new (again) summer work pace. I am adjusting a bit more slowly to my new living arrangements and my new ways of trying to keep up with the boys who I don't run into in the kitchen anymore. I am beginning to feel that I am going to be able to do this, all of it.

I know it is only a matter of time before I feel happy again. Not that I am walking around miserable at all times, or that I don't, in fact, feel happiness. I don't and I do. But what I've been missing for some time now is that deep, deep, deep sense of happiness and contentment that sometimes hits you. You know what I mean. And I know it will come to me again. So I am waiting. No magazines though....

Waiting for Godot

Or maybe waiting for something or someone less existential. You are waiting. In, say, a waiting room. With magazines! But only a couple of choices. Because today is Wednesday and you only get a couple of choices on Wednesday. Wednesday means that it is time to Choose and Defend!

So what are you going to read while you are waiting?

Time?

Or People?

Oh, and just say that for once they are both completely current! What are you going to use to kill that wait time? Choose and Defend! And thanks again for playing :-)

Fan Letter

Over at Eclectic Spaghetti, today is Fan Letter Day! So, here is my heartfelt fan letter.

Dear My Boring Life Readers and Commentors,

You guys are so cool. Whenever I feel bad, all I have to do is write about it and you think of things to say that make me feel better! It is the most amazing thing. Well, maybe not the most amazing thing...maybe that would be getting to read all of your awesome blogs. I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading each and every one of your blogs. I try, now and again, to express my appreciation in comments. Still, I wanted to take this opportunity to make sure you all know how rockin' and kickass and....radiant you are! I swear, I am President of your Fan Club. If you are ever in my town, I will totally invite you to play at my prom.

Your biggest fan,
♥ laura b @ My Boring Life
xoxoxo

Consider Yourself Warned

Warning. This post should be avoided like the plague.

Okay, well, I figure I've done my job. If you are still reading then it is all on you. This post will be not brief enough, and will have everything you hate in a post! Woot!

The Sad Sack Whining Portion
Summer Reading Program has officially kicked into gear at work. Many of you have heard the quiet sobbing that commences in my head each year about this time. As the Children's Division of a Public Library, our goal is to encourage a love of reading from birth onward. Our Summer Reading Program is the little trick up our sleeve each year. We say things like "Reading is Rewarding!" We get kids signed up and then give them little prizes for reading each week. We also do additional storytimes and special programs to capture the crowd that is too busy during the school year. We have 35 teen volunteers to help us administer the program on a daily basis. When the library is open, there are two or three volunteers helping out. We need them, but they are a lot of work! Plus, this year we are still short staffed, as my co-worker, The Drifter, is out on medical leave indefinitely. Every year I do a bit of crying about all of the extra work that these six weeks require. It's kind of a tradition, so let us honor it now. Go on, cry with me.

The Horrible Illness Portion
I was sooo sick this weekend. I had sort of been fighting off something most of last week. But you know how when you finally get a day off and can just give into it? Yeah. I was basically in a coma all of Saturday and on into Sunday morning. I really felt like I might die. It was a stomach thing. With fever. I haven't eaten solid food since Friday evening and if I'm smart, I might let it go another day. It sure as heck isn't going to kill me and I am drinking water. I am, at this point, scared to eat, really. But by this morning I did feel a lot better and came to work even. You can cheer wanly with me, if you like.

The Death Portion
My kids' grandpa, WTG's dad, passed away on Sunday evening. Sort of like George Carlin, with the heart and all. Although in the Chief's case, he had been hospitalized and in very poor condition for the past three or four weeks. He had some things in common with Carlin come to think of it. The ponytail. The bitterness (but the Chief wasn't so humorous). Um, was Carlin an alcoholic? No, I don't think they shared that. Anyway, may God have mercy on his soul. He was so...mean. But he did love his sons and by a measure of remove his grandchildren too. Sorry Chief, that is the best I can do for you in this awful blog eulogy. Wave good-bye to Chief, everyone. Bye....

Did I warn you or what? Um-hm.

Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch

This week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word, chosen by yours truly, is HELP. I did actually blow through some pictures I could have used in a couple of posts this week. Namely, the firefighter / police shots...who is more HELPful than them? Also, the pictures of most of the stuff in my new abode. I couldn't have gotten it without plenty of HELP.

But don't worry, I will have a trick or two up my sleeves.

Here is Love Bug. The little French chef guy at her great-grandma's house looks like he is HELPing her to stand. Aw!I am chuckling and rubbing my hands together at having worked in one of the grandbabies in so cleverly. haha!

Okay, here's one that is legit. 2 legit 2 quit, Hammer! Um, babbling.
When you pull the fire alarm, you will receive HELP from your fellow city employees, who are better equipped to deal with such shenanigans.

And lastly...I received so much guff for my celebrity crush on Jack Black. But I can't HELP it!I look at him while I am working at my desk. Love you, Jack! xoxox

Thank you for all of your HELP. All you bloggers are the awesomest. AND, I am tagging the busy Mrs. Hairy Woman to choose next week's word. No rest for the wicked! HELP!!!

My New Home (Now With 50% More Photograph-y Goodness!)

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions on what to post. I have chosen to take your advice and make this post chock full of photos of my new home. As always, I apologize for the quality of the photos. I don't have a digital camera...I have my phone, which also takes pictures. It is a nice feature for a phone, but the picture quality can be a bit iffy. So, if you are willing to overlook that, I am willing to provide the following for your viewing pleasure....

Welcome.

To your right, please note my lovely, stuffed bookcase.

Oh look! It is my new corner group. The perfect solution for space issues. You have your seating...

...and then, when your long day is done, you have your little virginal looking bed. It is quite comfortable.

Here is Girlieland. My daughter has the bedroom and she keeps it how she likes it. You could call it messy or comfortable! She was very happy when the internet was activated yesterday

Need to freshen up? Go on in. You can see the shower curtain reflected in the mirror over the sink. Looks like a poster or something, doesn't it?

Finally, help yourself to a bit of chow from my new refrigerator. Both the fridge and the food were mostly provided by my dad and step-mom.

Have a seat at my cute, little kitchen table!

And that, friends, is my new home! I am starting to love it. It is starting to feel like home. Girlie Girl thinks so too. Thanks for stopping by for the tour. I hope you guys like it too.

Your Assignment, Should You Choose to Accept...

Hey! Did you know that over at Eclectic Spaghetti today is "Assign a Post to Another Blogger Day (Give Them the Topic and Make Them Write It)"? Well, it is! Since I am feeling incredibly uncreative, I am not going to assign you a post. Instead, I am here soliciting suggestions from you. What would you like to see me blog about? Any and all suggestions will be much appreciated!

What Do You Fancy, Eh?

It has turned out to be another double postin' sort of Wednesday. I'm sure it won't become a habit. At any rate, after celebrating the wonder that is my 3rd boy, I decided that I still needed to present Choose and Defend. You know the game, I give you a couple of perfectly inane choices and compell you to choose one and then defend your choice.

This week, in honor of the carrot topped Social Animal, I will even give you three choices rather than the usual two. Lucky bastahds!

I ask you....blondes, brunettes, or redheads? What's your preference?
You know you have a preference, even if it is buried deep in your psyche...so dig deep so that you can Choose and Defend! Go on.

Happy Birthday to My Social Animal

Here he is, a man with a mission. His mission? To enjoy himself as much as possible, while at the same time becoming successful...and all while making it look easy. Social Animal is turning 19 today. Up until he was school age, I called him my high maintenance kid. He kept me running constantly. He was the little guy who would color on the walls with lipstick and stick a bean up his nose...into everything, ALL THE TIME. He was able to refocus his energies once he entered school and became a very high achiever, and he really did it with a great deal of ease. I never really saw him struggle over anything. And even then, he was definitely a social animal, always surround by friends. As he went beyond little boyhood into his teen years, he got in a few of the usual scrapes, but he always somehow made things right. He played football for all four years, very nearly kept a 4.0...but not quite, because he just wasn't that concerned! See, be it fortunate or unfortunate, he seems to have inherited my rather lackadaisical attitude towards success. He is a get-by kind of guy who is lucky enough to have both the brains and the panache to look great cruising.

Now, at 19, he is restless and eager to get on with his adult life. College has bored him to this point. This summer he is doing a training course so that he can pass the State Certification test to become an EMT. He wants to get started on a career and somehow, no matter what road he chooses, I have a feeling that he will be successful.

Tonight, I am taking him and whoever else he wants to include out for dinner. Then, back to my place for cake and ice cream. He hasn't yet chosen where he wants to go or how many people are coming, but I can be flexible. I just want to give him a nice evening. My red haired boy deserves it :-) Happy 19th Social Animal!

Saturday Scavenger Shots Word for the Weak Week!

Chulita tagged me to choose this week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word. This excites me quite a bit. You know how I love to be tagged :-) I am still the insecure kid on the playground waiting to be asked to play, apparently. Anyway, given what they have gone through in Iowa City and given all that has been going on both at home and at work for me, I thought of a word that seemed appropriate...and hopefully interesting as well.

The word is: HELP

So, get out your cameras, comb through your photo files, and bring on your examples of the word HELP. Have fun!

A Little Excitement Never Hurt Anyone

I have to tell you guys all about our little adventure here at the library on Saturday. I'll give you a hint.

It involved...
and





It was caused by this.

It seems a wire in a lighting fixture shorted, causing a fire, which began melting the fixture. The melting plastic fell to the carpet, which then also caught fire. It was back in the 900 section in the adult area and a patron noticed it first. He alerted staff and our handsomest Librarian used one of the many fire extinguishers around the building to douse the flames. An announcement was made and the alarm was set off, but you would not believe how difficult it is to get people to leave! Even if you are assuming it is a false alarm or a drill, you are still going to have to leave! Anyway, the fire dept. came just to blow out some of the smoke and make sure there was no further danger. We were only out of the building for about half an hour, then it was back to business as usual.

As always, it was a pleasure to see the Fire Fighters in their gear. I'm sorry, but it was. And it turned out to be not so bad as far as fires or other disasters go. And it gives the staff something to talk about endlessly...what could we have done differently? Could we be better prepared? Blah, blah, blah...but of course that is what you do, right? All I say is...If you are inside and you hear a fire alarm GO OUTSIDE! Seems like common sense to me, but I suppose that can be in short supply :-)

We Had Joy, We Had Fun....

...We had SEASONs in the sun. Our own window on the world of fun stuff, Churlita, chose this week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word. The assignment? SEASON. My take on it? Well, take a look...

A portrait of my very own pepper and salt. I use them to SEASON my food. I am especially fond of pepper and it doesn't make me feel guilty the way my salt does. Yeah, take that salt!

Thanks for being around through each SEASON. You are all just the SEASONing that this blog requires to be as delicious as possible. Check with the Churlish Figure for next week's chooser extraordinaire!

Movie Meme from Eclectic Spaghetti

I was tagged for this meme! Yay! I am the rare blogger (apparently) that LOVES to be tagged for whatever you have :-) Now, sometimes it was hard to pick one, but I decided that as an exercise in self-control, I would do just that. Here you go:

1. One movie that made you laugh: Zoolander (I have seen it so many times and I still laugh at certain parts)

2. One movie that made you cry: Terms of Endearment (A surefire tearjerker)

3. One movie you loved when you were a child: Sound of Music (I wanted to be a Von Trapp Family Singer)

4. One movie you’ve seen more than once: Walking and Talking (This is one of several on my "No Click By" list...)

5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it: Cable Guy (Not really embarrassed, but I remember that it was considered disappointing when it came out...but not to me!)

6. One movie you hated: Chumscrubber (It was supposed to be quirky and edgy, I think, but I found it just sort of...mean or something.)

7. One movie that scared you: The Exorcist (I saw it in the theater when I was 10. I couldn't sleep right for such a long time.)

8. One movie that bored you: The Life Before Her Eyes (I saw it in a screening and kept waiting for it to get good, but it nothing happened and it was so predictable)

9. One movie that made you happy: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Ferris was cool!)

10. One movie that made you miserable: Star Wars: Episode 1 with that stupid JarJar. (I just kept Tara's answer here and second that emotion)

11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see: Hostel (I'm not sure if this is a bravery issue. I just don't care for that sort of carnage as porn vibe that some horror movies have...)

12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with: Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Sure, he's a cad, but I still love him.)

13. The last movie you saw: Iron Man!

14. The next movie you hope to see: The Happening

15. Tag Five People: I better not, as some people (probably those with more interesting lives that need to be posted about) feel it is too much pressure to be tagged. That's cool. If you want to do this meme, I encourage you to do so. Everyone has opinions about movies, so share yours!

U R 2 Hot

It is Wednesday and even though I took a sentimental side trip (see post below) I am still going to ask you to Choose and Defend! This week it's simple.

Are you...

...a Summer person?

Or are you...

...a Winter person?

Maybe you are actually a Spring or Fall person. That's okay, but say someone only gave you the choice to be a Winter or Summer person, then what would you say?

Choose and Defend! You can do it!

Handsome Lad Grad-gee-ates the Fifth Grade

Just like Jethro Bodine! Beverly Hillbillies? Anyone?

Anyway, I took a couple of hours off work this morning to attend the Fifth Grade Recognition Ceremony at Handsome Lad's school. Here he is with his diploma.

Here he is getting ready to change into his costume for the Fifth Grade play that followed the Recognition Ceremony.

And finally, here he is playing the role of a Viking in the a production of The Thirteen Colonies.Note that in a comical twist, the boys were not in traditional Viking gear, but rather sporting Minnnesota Vikings "purple pride". Sure made it a lot easier on the parents!

Thanks for sharing in the joy of another one of my baby's milestones with me :-)

Art for the Unartistic!

I have seen this on a few blogs and couldn't resist doing it for myself. Please also check out NoRegrets and Poppy. They led me to this magical place.


Created here.

1. Using the questions below, type your answer to each of the questions one at a time into Flickr Search. You can also use images on your computer or anywhere else on the internet. I happened to use Google images for mine.

2. Using the result, select an image from the first page.

3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker. Choose the 4 x 3 or 3 x 4 option. There are 12 questions, so you’ll need 12 images.

4. Save your mosaic and upload it to your post. Or print it out and mail it to Grandma. She’ll think you painted it yourself and she’ll invite her friends over to make them jealous.The questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. The name of your high school?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you?
12. Your flickr name?

Play! It is fun!

My New Space

I am officially in my new home now. Saturday Kick Back Dude got his friend and his friend's box truck and took over most of the furniture from my room and Girlie Girl's. We had been taking over smaller items over the last week or so, so once the big stuff was there we just needed to basically set things up and put things away.

As I couldn't, and didn't really want to, take much from the house, I was very fortunate that my dad and step-mom were able to help us quite a lot. They got us a refrigerator and microwave, which were delivered early Sunday morning. They also got us a little kitchen table and took us food shopping...we had NOTHING, but now we can eat! Yay!

The apartment is only one bedroom. That is what I could afford if I wanted to stay in the same general neighborhood as the house. So, the bedroom is for Girlie Girl and I will be bunking in the livingroom. Luckily, there is a really big closet for us to share. Another contribution my parent's made is this great sort of corner set for the living room. It is supposed to be in on Thursday or so. It will serve as seating, and it will also work as two beds. I was excited because it looks really nice and couch-y, but will not be the hassle of a fold-out couch or futon. Plus there will be an extra bed for when Handsome Lad wants to come camp out with us. I am hoping that in spite of the apartment's small size, having his own bed will make Handsome Lad feel welcomed at any time.

The only thing we need to be completely set is cable and internet hook-up. I have a service call scheduled for Friday, when I am off work. And that will be that!

I will be sure to post some pictures in the next few days, so you can see how the other half lives :-) This is all going to be a big adjustment for everyone, but I want more than ever to believe that I have made the right choice, not only for me, but for the whole family.

Crazy Diamond

As in SHINE on you...! Our Saturday Scavenger Shots word, choosen by the fabulous Tara, is indeed SHINE. And I took at SHINE to that word right away!

Here is a sun catcher in the window of my almost former house. It has both the sun, which SHINES by day, and the moon, which SHINES by night. All covered here.

You will recognize me here. I am gazing at the sunSHINE out of my car window, apparently.

You can just tell that sweet and lovely Miss Personality is going SHINE, SHINE, SHINE!

Finally, please look to your right at my sidebar. Notice the blog love awarded to me by the wonder that is Daffy. It has a bit of SHINE to it as well! Woo hoo!

Thank you for stopping by all you crazy diamonds! SHINE on! And make sure to stop by Eclectic Spaghetti to see who Tara tags for next week.

Oh, And - Ta Da!!!!

That down there? About the donuts? That is my 900th post! Woot! Pretty major, right?

Donuts....(insert Homer Simpson drool noise here)

I learn something new each time I roam your blogs. For example, today I learned from Dmarks that it is National Doughnut Day. For purposes of this post, I am going to go with the ghetto spelling - donut - because that is how my two favorite donut shops choose to spell it. I'm on board, guys!

I grew up having the thrill of driving through the Donut Hole in La Puente. I don't remember their donuts being extra fabulous, but I loved driving through the giant donuts :-)

Nowadays, the Donut Hole is not so convenient. Nowadays I am all about the Donut Man, just up the street from where I live. It isn't so impressive in appearance......but OMG, they make THESE beauties...

Since I haven't had a real meal yet today, I truly am salivating at the thought of any sort of a donut at all...and they aren't even my favorite treat! Still tomorrow is a weekend and I will be undertaking the relocation of the furniture coming with me to my new pad. I will need and deserve a donut tomorrow...and you might too, so go ahead and treat yourself this once :-) If they are out of strawberry, maybe a nice custard filled, chocolate iced monstrosity. Now, just pardon me while I find a little paper towel or something for my keyboard....

A Bit Muggy In Here

A couple of days ago, superstar blogger Daffy invited me to show her my mugs! How could I NOT? I love showing stuff and my mugs are tres cool.

My. Mugs.

I call this baby Big Black...it is for my big cups of black coffee. Disturbingly, I think I see a reflection of myself taking this picture on the side of the mug. Yikes.

This here cup has a cup pictured on it! Never be confused about what you are looking at again with visuals such as this...

Cool, classic stripes accent this medium sized mug. A fine, hardworking member of the crew.

This is my work mug. Enough said. haha!

This mug is small, but mighty. I love the cute little picture of some fuzzy animal displaying a pretty purple eggplant. It says "healthy vegetable" and the eggplant is labled as such, in case you get confused. It makes me feel healthy even when I am drinking creamed and sweetened coffee.

And here is the baby of the bunch. It is really more decorative than useful, like so many family babies. (kidding, all you babies!) But isn't it cutie cute?

Do you like my mugs? If you want to, you can show me your mugs too. But only if you want to. I would never view your mugs by force. You have to want it as much as me. Promise me you'll think about it, okay? Okay.

Arf! Arf! Meeeooowww...

Today is Wednesday. You know what that means. It is time to....Choose and Defend!

Dogs?

Or Cats?

Choose and Defend! Choose and Defend! Speak your mind! Thankew.

Dance It Out

The elementary school my children have attended has traditionally had a Dance Festival each year in late May or early June. I have attended a Dance Festival every year for the past 18 years...and today I attended my last one. I have four boys and this little celebration was my only chance to see them actually dance! My daughter, being a Girlie Girl, has always enjoyed dancing, but my boys, being sort of stereotypical boys...not so much. It is quite cute. Year after year, each grade has performed their own particular dance and I have enjoyed it so much. Maybe I will be all creepy and continue stopping by each year for the Dance Festival. haha! Well, probably not.

Here is how it goes:

Kindergarten: Mexican Hat Dance / Macarena
First Grade: Scottish Jig Dance
Second Grade: River Dance
Third Grade: Sock Hop 50's style Dance
Fourth Grade: Square Dance
Fifth Grade: Line Dances (Boot Scoot Boogie & Electric Slide)

For the grand finale everyone gets up and does the Chicken Dance together.

Here is a picture of Handsome Lad right after he finished his dance. I didn't get a good shot of him actually dancing, as he was very much in the middle of the pack and he's not particualarly tall. I could barely see him, let alone photograph him clearly. Still, he was cute, of course :-)

Here is a bonus picture. It isn't Handsome Lad, although there is a resemblence. This little boy is in fourth grade, he has a twin, and he and his brother are on a popular evening soap about housewives who are desperate. Recognize him?
I have no idea which twin he is - haha! They seem to be very nice boys, though, and have gone to this school since they were in Kindergarten. I just think it is kind of cool that their parents keep them in public school.

And now I have immortalized my last Dance Festival. You can turn the music back up.

Where Should I Live?

I took this BlogThings Quiz in honor of the move I am engaged in right now. Not like I am going to actually let BlogThings decide for me....I mean, I am willing to, say, eat more hot dogs if BlogThings tells me to, but picking where I live? Well, that would just be crazy...

You Should Live in a Small City

You are definitely an urban person, but not any old city will do. You want a city that matches you well. For you, big cities lack individuality. You prefer a smaller city with lots of personality, local culture, and history.

Where Should You Live?